New Series Created by Andrew Davenport (Teletubbies, In the Night Garden) to Debut this Fall, Following World Premiere Screening at MIPJunior on October 14
LOS ANGELES – October 10, 2018 – Sutikki, the kids and family division of Bento Box Entertainment, today announced a worldwide distribution agreement (excluding the US, UK and China) with 9 Story Distribution International. Sutikki also appointed 9 Story Brands as its global merchandising and licensing agent (excluding the UK and China). Together Sutikki and 9 Story will introduce Moon and Me – the new landmark preschool series created by Andrew Davenport (Teletubbies, In the Night Garden) – to an international audience, beginning with MIPJunior and MIPCOM (October 13-18 in Cannes, France). The world premiere screening of the new program will take place at MIPJunior, October 14 at the JW Marriott Hotel.
Moon and Me will make its global television premiere on BBC’s CBeebies channel in the UK this fall, followed by its U.S. debut on Universal Kids. It is being produced by Sutikki and Davenport’s Foundling Bird. Sutikki will continue to directly oversee commercial exploitation of the series in the UK via its dedicated office in London, and in China via a partnership with UYoung. It will work closely with 9 Story in all other key territories globally, including via the previously-announced global licensing partnerships with Hasbro and Scholastic.
“Since we began working on Moon and Me, we have always believed it to be a genuinely global brand,” said Irene Weibel and Andrew Kerr, co-founders of Sutikki. “9 Story is a partner that we know very well, and whose international expertise will be key in achieving the global outcomes we have in mind for Andrew Davenport’s newest creation.”
Moon and Me (50 x 22’) was created by Davenport, who has created, produced, written and composed music for some of the most successful, award-winning, global preschool franchises. Inspired by well-loved tales of toys that come to life when no one is looking, Moon and Me breaks new ground in its technical, visual and conceptual ambition, and will create an exceptional new benchmark of quality and integrity for its young, global audience. It combines the latest production methods with traditional storytelling, comedy, and music to create a beautifully-constructed, picture-book world that will delight young children around the world.
“Sutikki and Foundling Bird have brought to life such an inspiring and creative world within Moon and Me and we are proud to be working with their teams and the creator of two of the most iconic preschool programs to ever be televised,” said Natalie Osborne, Chief Strategy Officer for 9 Story. “We look forward to being a part of Moon and Me’s success as a top global brand for young children.”
About 9 Story Distribution International
9 Story Distribution International is the international distribution arm of 9 Story Media Group, a leading content creator, producer and distributor of kids & family focused intellectual property. Recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Wild Kratts, Barney and Garfield and Friends, 9 Story Distribution International represents over 3,500 half hours of animated and live action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms. With facilities in Toronto, New York, Dublin and Manchester, 9 Story Media Group employs nearly 700 creative and corporate staff. www.9story.com
About 9 Story Brands
9 Story Brands is the dedicated brand management and consumer products division of 9 Story Media Group, a leading content creator, producer and distributor of kids and family focused intellectual property. 9 Story Brands builds international entertainment brands for kids, with expertise across creative, brand marketing and licensing. 9 Story Brands manages merchandising rights for top children’s properties including, Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Super Why, Colorforms, Wild Kratts, Nature Cat and Luo Bao Bei. www.9story.com
About Sutikki
Sutikki — Japanese for sticky — is the kids and family division of Bento Box Entertainment. Founded in 2016 by executives Irene Weibel and Andrew Kerr, Sutikki (sutikki.com) creates, produces, distributes and merchandises compelling content built for today’s kids aged 2-11. Sutikki believes in the power of story and its ability to drive commercial success globally. It is currently in production on its first preschool program, Moon and Me, scheduled to premiere on the BBC’s CBeebies channel and NBCUniversal’s Universal Kids later this year. It has also launched Kuroba!, a new proprietary and patented toy-based brand, at retail with Playmates Toys, with animated content available on YouTube.
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Press Contacts:
Matt Biscuiti
The Lippin Group for Sutikki
212-986-7080
matt@lippingroup.com
Kevin Broderick
The Lippin Group for Sutikki
323-965-1990
kevin@lippingroup.com
Jennifer Ansley
9 Story Media Group
416-539-9900 ext 230
jennifer.ansley@9story.com