‘Animaniacs’ Service Studio Snipple Animation Launches Originals Unit In U.K.

Snipple Animation, a Philippines-based animation studio with an impressive portfolio of service work, has launched an originals division in the U.K.

Here are the details:

• Founded 11 years ago, Snipple has worked with major clients such as Netflix, Disney Television Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, and Cartoon Network. Its credits include Where’s Waldo?, Dora And Friends: Into the City!, Green Eggs and Ham, the Animaniacs reboot, Klaus, Teen Titans Go!, Ducktales, and Big Hero 6: The Series.
• Snipple Originals was launched by London-based CEO Kaine Patel. It has received £6 million (USD$8.10 million) from Business Growth Fund, an investment company launched by leading U.K. banks. The company has a minority stake in the new unit.
• Karina Stanford-Smith, who has been working freelance with Snipple for some years, is leading the unit as animation development director. She was formerly a producer at Zodiak Kids and Beano Studios. Vincent James will serve as creative director; he has worked for the BBC, Nickelodeon, ITV, and Dreamworks.
• The slate of originals includes four kids’ series: Peeled Prawn & Shaved Sheep, a comic action-adventure show about a prawn superhero; Snö, a magical adventure story about a little girl and her dog set in “the far, far north”; metaphysical mystery series Cassidy’s Castle; and Wise Island Woohoos, an environmental edutainment series for preschoolers.
• It also includes one adult series, the comedy-action road trip show Trippin’. Stanford-Smith described it as “the Griswolds meets Grand Theft Auto — it’s a riot.” She added that the company wants to create “loveable, relatable, strong character-driven ideas that are full of warmth and comedy.”
• Patel said: “Animation is having a real moment and that has a lot to do with people being at home. The timing felt right. People are hungry for content and we’ve come up with a slate of seven shows, three of which are ready to take to market.”
• BGF investor Tom McDonnell said: “Snipple is well-placed to capitalise on significant and increasing demand for new content from the likes of Netflix, Disney, and Amazon … Animation has proved particularly resilient to the headwinds of Covid and this represents an exciting opportunity.”

The news was first reported by Deadline.