The Jim Henson Companycontinues its broadcast and consumer products licensing expansion for Dinosaur Train throughout Europe, North America and Australia.
Los Angeles, CA
-- Building on the current momentum for Dinosaur Train around the world, and in particular across Europe where the brand is enjoying out-sized success across media and with retailers, The Jim Henson Company continues to secure new international television, home entertainment, digital and consumer products licensing agreements for the Emmy Award-nominated and critically acclaimed animated children’s series. The announcement was made by Richard Goldsmith, EVP of Global Distribution, and Melissa Segal, EVP of Global Consumer Products for The Jim Henson Company.
“Dinosaur Train continues to attract more viewers through television and other media outlets, consumers and licensing partners from around the globe, and we are particularly enthusiastic about the momentum in Europe, commented Goldsmith. “We knew that young children worldwide have an innate attraction to dinosaurs and trains, which is both enduring and endearing, and we were able to tap into that affinity to deliver engaging storylines that impart an understanding of science and the natural world through likable, relatable characters. It’s a magic that doesn’t happen often, and our partners around the globe recognize that and want to be a part of it.”
“Each new broadcast agreement that brings Dinosaur Train to children around the world also provides new opportunities to expand our licensing program,” added Segal. “The fascination that preschoolers have with dinosaurs and trains is a universal consumer products trend and provides both the opportunity for TOMY to expand their global toy program and for many additional local licensing opportunities that fit the needs of individual marketplaces.”
The new television license deals for the series include season two, which has been licensed to Nickelodeon in the United Kingdom, Canal+’s Piwi in France and YLE in Finland; and season one of the series has been licensed to Channel 11 in Australia. Dinosaur Train seasons one and two have been licensed to Canal Panda in Portugal and Zee Learn in India (Sparky Animation).
New DVD and digital distribution deals for Dinosaur Train include seasons one and two, which have been licensed to ZON Media in Portugal. Additionally, season one has been licensed to Watchever for subscription video on demand (SVOD) in Germany.
A robust consumer products program further strengthens the international distribution of the Dinosaur Train series, with several new licensing agreements recently signed. In the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Channel Islands, Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products brokered an agreement with Aykroyd & Sons to develop children’s nightwear and underwear; with Smith & Brook for children’s outerwear and swimwear; and with Rainbow Productions to arrange meet and greets for Buddy throughout the region.
In Germany, the company’s licensing agent Lizenzwerft brokered two new agreements: Popstar will be developing party goods; and Universal Music is developing audio storytelling products, both physical and digital. Nelson Verlag is also on board for coloring and activity books.
In France, the company has appointed Studio Canal as the new licensing agent for the brand. The Company is also the DVD partner for that territory.
In Russia and the CIS, Megalicense, the Company’s licensing agent for the region has brokered a new agreement with TPK Gruppa Tovarischey for school supplies.
In Poland, Egmont Polska has been appointed as the licensee for books and bi-monthly magazines.
And in the Nordic region, the company’s licensing agent Alicom has brokered an agreement with publishers Sanoma Magazines for books in all formats.
The new partners join a number of existing licensees across Europe and Australia, including master toy licensee TOMY.
Licensees in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Channel Islands include: Puffin (publishing); Kidztation (wooden toys); Koninklijke Jumbo BV (puzzles, giant playing cards and floor games); Redan Publishing (magazines); and Rail Events (rail events).
Licensees in Spain include: including Panini Espana S.A. (publishing); Unice Toys S.L. (toys and games, including balls and bucket sets); Play By Play Toys and Novelties Europe, S.A. (plush); Naipes Heraclio Fournier (playing cards); Saica Toys (outdoor toys and games); Musicales Reig (musical toys); and United Labels Iberica SA (foam floor puzzles). Selecta Vision is the Company’s licensing agent for Spain.
Dinosaur Train licensees in France include Hasbro (2 and 3D puzzles); Evasion Communications (costumes); Shok ID (soft toys); Alcara (charms, frames and collectibles); ATM (bags and accessories); Bagtrotter (back-to-school); Editions Gladius (games); CCI (footwear); and France Television (storybooks and activity books). Additional licenses have been signed with Belltex for home goods and accessories for France and French speaking Benelux; and with TV Mania for branded apparel in France and French speaking Europe.
In the Nordic region, licensees include Junior Productions in Sweden (meet and greets); and Cappelen Damm AS in Norway (story books and audio books).
In Russia and the CIS, additional licensees include C-Trade Ltd. (toys).
Dinosaur Train is set in a whimsically realistic, prehistoric world of jungles, swamps, active volcanoes and oceans. Each day, Dinosaur Train will help kids ages 3 to 6 to apply scientific thinking as they discover new types of dinosaur species, compare and contrast dinosaurs to today's creatures and embrace the living sciences of paleontology and natural science.
Each half-hour episode features two animated segments; each followed by short live action segment with a real paleontologist interacting with kids who love to explore the world around them. Based on input from paleontologists, science educators and early childhood education experts, Dinosaur Train promotes critical thinking skills for preschoolers based on an engaging and creative curriculum.
Source: The Jim Henson Company
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
