Nickelodeon Picks Up New Boys Action Series “Monsuno”
MALIBU, Calif., Jul 20, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — JAKKS Pacific, Inc., Dentsu Entertainment USA and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) announced today a global content distribution deal with leading children’s entertainment network Nickelodeon for worldwide broadcast rights to the new original animated entertainment franchise Monsuno.
The Monsuno series (52 x 30 min) is an epic boys action adventure where kids discover, command and battle creatures with destructive potential. A race to harness the power of Monsuno ensues between a group of heroic kids and the evil forces focused on destroying the Earth. Built around powerful, action-driven animation, dynamic characters and a deeply woven original story mythology, Monsuno is anticipated to develop into a powerful force in the boys action arena for years to come. Targeting boys 6 — 11, the Monsuno series will be supported by a JAKKS Pacific toy line featuring innovative, kid-controlled action figures, accessories, playsets, collectables, electronics and integrated role play.
Nickelodeon will launch the series to audiences on owned channels in the United States, Latin America, the United Kingdom, key European and Eastern European territories, Australia and New Zealand, India, Southeast Asia, Russia and Africa. The Monsuno series will first launch in the U.S. on Nicktoons, the fast-growing kids’ network, and select English speaking countries.
“The Monsuno broadcast deal with Nickelodeon represents a critical milestone in our strategic plan to bring the Monsuno entertainment property to a global audience,” said Stephen Berman, President and CEO of JAKKS Pacific, Inc. “We greatly look forward to working with Nickelodeon and all of our partners to bring Monsuno to life and spark the vivid imaginations of boys around the world.”
FME’s Sander Schwartz, Head of Children’s & Family Entertainment, commented, “Monsuno is a truly epic entertainment project. With Nickelodeon on board as the international broadcaster, this will complete an already stellar line up of partners including JAKKS Pacific, Dentsu Entertainment USA and Topps. We believe that Monsuno has all of the ingredients to become a hugely successful multi-platform boys’ action adventure property.”
“The show’s action-adventure elements are an especially great fit for Nicktoons in the U.S. where the viewership skews towards boys,” said Keith Dawkins, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Nicktoons and TeenNick.
“With Nickelodeon driving content distribution and a network of merchants promoting the Monsuno franchise around the world, we have had a very receptive retail landscape,” said Jeremy Padawer, Executive Vice President of Marketing at JAKKS Pacific, Inc. “Monsuno is poised to be the next phenomenon for boys.”
The Monsuno series is being co-produced by Pacific Animation Partners LLC, a joint venture between JAKKS Pacific, Inc. & Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc., with FremantleMedia Enterprises and The Topps Company, Inc. FME will be responsible for the exclusive worldwide distribution of Monsuno TV programming except for Asia and act as the Master Licensing agent for the Monsuno brand outside of Asia. JAKKS Pacific is the creator of the underlying Monsuno property and master toymaker for the Monsuno toy line, which is expected to hit U.S. retail shelves to coincide with the U.S. TV series premiere anticipated for Spring 2012. The Topps Company has signed on to produce Monsuno trading card games, confectioneries and related products.
