Cannes, October 5th 2012. Paris-based Cyber Group Studios will introduce this MIPCOM the first episodes of its own production “Mademoiselle Zazie”.
The company is also confirming a raft of important sales.
Cyber Group Studios will be showcasing for the first time at MIP some episodes of its all-new animation series “Mademoiselle Zazie” (78×7’). Coproduced by Cyber Group Studios and Scrawl Studios for France Televisions, the series is aimed at kids aged 5-8 years old, and tells the well-paced and realistic little adventures of Zazie and Max, the best of friends, in a resolutely contemporary world. They are 7 years-old, live by the seaside, and have so much fun with their bunch of friends! The series, set to debut on France 5 next December, has already been prebought by the Flemish-speaking channel VRT in Belgium, by MTV3 in Finland, Pop TV in Slovenia and MCD in Turkey. Completion of the series is planned for summer 2013.
The company is also delighted to announce a boom of its sales for the last few months.
“Zou” (52×11′), the HD CGI series, coproduced by Cyber Group Studios and the Singaporean based company Scrawl Studios, has convinced some new channels such as TSR in Switzerland, TRT in Turkey, Thai PBS in Thailand and Momo in Taiwan, adding to a growing list of more than 120 territories that have prebought the show : The Walt Disney Company in Europe Middle East and Africa, in Latin America, in Australia, in New Zealand, in Japan, and in South East Asia, as well as France Télévisions, Télé Québec in Canada, TV2 in Norway, YLE in Finland, Karusel in CIS, Welpol in Poland, RUV in Iceland, TG4 in Ireland, S4C in Wales and KBS Kids in South Korea. The series actually premiered on Disney Junior in the UK in May 2012, and outperformed, positioning the series as the second best launch ever of Disney Junior (after Jake and The Never Land Pirates).
“Zou” has already shown a very strong Licensing and Merchandising potential.
In 2012, Cyber Group Studios signed contracts with 3 major book publishers: LAROUSSE, HEMMA and HACHETTE. Altogether 69 books covering all key publishing segments will be released throughout French-speaking Europe in the next 3 years. Cyber Group is now discussing with other partners for the rest of the world, as the series will be aired worldwide.
Cyber Group Studios has also concluded some toy-deals in continental Europe with 3 major licensees. BAOBAB, which is a toy licensee, will develop a large range of bath toys, music toys, play-sets and electronic toys (all European countries except UK). BAOBAB is planning to bring the bath and music toys on to the shelves in spring 2013 and electronic toys for Christmas 2013. Manufacturer PLAY BY PLAY (a FAMOSA subsidiary) has already produced the first samples and is planning to launch these soft toys around April 2013 in France, Spain and Italy. FLEXMETAL have signed for helium balloons rights for southern Europe, and have planned their launch on the market for the beginning of 2013.
“Tales of Tatonka” (52×13’), produced by Cyber Group Studios for Tiji in France, continues to convince broadcasters worldwide. The series has already been sold to more than 60 broadcasters, covering over 120 territories on the 5 continents. The series has just been picked up by Discovery Asia, Australia and New Zealand, R2A in Malaysia, Alshana in Africa, Direct Sight in Ukraine and TV Brazil. Al Jazeera in the Middle East, Rai Due and Rai Yoyo in Italy as well as YLE in Finland, have confirmed the acquisition of the additional episodes of the series.
LAROUSSE acquired the rights for novelization and activity books for the French-speaking Europe. Ten different titles will be released from next April.
“Patch Pillows” (78×7’), produced by GDC and AGOGO Corporation, which got the Kids Jury Award at MIPCOM Junior 2011, has been confirmed by Direct Sight in Ukraine, Zee in India, Mininka in Turkey and Orlando Kids in Croatia.
“Animalia” (40×24′), the Emmy-Award series produced by Burberry Production, Lux Monky and DoubleBase, and distributed worldwide by Cyber Group Studios, has already been sold in 150 countries. Cyber Group Studios recently inked sales of the program with Alshana in Africa, TV Brasil, the Flemish-speaking Belgian VRT, Canal 22 in Mexico.
The humorous and exuberant series “Nina Patalo” (78×7’), coproduced with Je Suis Bien Content for France 3 and Canal J, has just been snapped-up by Pop TV in Slovenia, Noga in Israel, and Canal Plus in Poland. It was previously acquired by TV5 Worldwide, Canal Panda in Portugal, and RUV in Iceland.