The First Kids and Family Franchise from 11:11 Media will be a Digital Animated Series Launching Globally
Paris Hilton’s next-gen media company 11:11 Media, HappyNest Entertainment, a joint venture from Stampede Ventures and UTA, and 9 Story Media Group together announced today a new franchise called Paris & Pups. This is the first expansion of Hilton’s global footprint into the kids & family space. The franchise brand will launch at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas at the end of the month with a fireside chat with 11:11 Media CEO Paris Hilton alongside her co-founder and media veteran Bruce Gersh, moderated by licensing industry leader, Elie Dekel. The session will cover topics such as Building a Global Brand across Culture, Content and Commerce and 11:11’s Vision for Launching New Kids and Family Franchises.
HappyNest, an independent, franchise-first kids & family entertainment media company, formed a strategic partnership with Paris Hilton and 11:11 Media to develop an original kids & family franchise that will break through to the kids’ audience. Paris & Pups is inspired by Paris Hilton’s real-life pets. The digital series will launch globally and will include original music by Paris. 11:11 Media and HappyNest will produce alongside 9 Story Media Group, one of the largest kids and family content companies, which also holds worldwide distribution rights. 9 Story’s digital division will lead production efforts with creative input from its award-winning animation studio Brown Bag Films (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Doc McStuffins), also attached for a future long-form series.
As the original influencer, Paris Hilton continues to engage with a global fanbase of more than 80 million people across a portfolio of products that capture her iconic essence. Through her media and consumer lifestyle company, 11:11 Media, Hilton and her team are successfully rolling out content and consumer products, as well as facilitating best-in-class licensing partnerships across categories she is most recognized for, from beauty and home to pets and more. Overall, Hilton has generated over $4B in retail sales.
“As we expand our original franchise businesses, creating original family programming is a natural progression for 11:11 Media,” said Bruce Gersh, President and COO of 11:11 Media. “We continue to diversify our portfolio with franchises that align seamlessly with the 11:11 Media brand. This strategic direction broadens our audience and deepens our engagement with the kids and family audience.”
“Everything that I pursue and work on is representative of my life and my brand overall,” said Paris Hilton. “Being a mom of two and several fur babies, entering into the children and family space felt like a natural step. I’m looking forward to creating fun, children-centric stories around their iconic lives. This will be a fun-filled journey with loveable pets that are at the core of my family.”
Sadaf Cohen Muncy, Head of Development and Production for HappyNest, added: “HappyNest was built to grow and engineer new ways of packaging and greenlighting kids & family content. We focus on strategically building comprehensive, 360-degree franchise plans to create authentic entertainment experiences and we’re thrilled to be working with best-in class partners across this franchise with Paris Hilton’s 11:11 Media, 9 Story, and Brown Bag on Paris & Pups. Now, kids, parents, and pet lovers alike can share their love for Paris’s pets, expanding her amazing brand to a whole new generation.”
Hilton’s 11:11 Media is a global, next-gen company at the center of pop culture, content, community, and commerce, spanning a broad array of verticals including film, TV, audio, music, books, consumer products, digital and web3. 11:11 Media has delivered innovative, breakthrough content and campaigns for global brands like Hilton Hotels, iHeartRadio, Levi’s, L’Oreal, Meta, Netflix, Peacock, Uber Eats, WarnerBros. and more. Harnessing Hilton’s powerful platform and influence, 11:11 Media is committed to meaningful impact and social justice with a focus on female empowerment.
UTA will be on the ground at the Licensing Expo taking meetings at the Paris & Pups-branded Sliving Lounge to discuss consumer product rights on a worldwide basis.
About HappyNest
HappyNest is an independent, franchise-first kids & family entertainment media company that forms strategic partnerships with best-in-class talent to create and produce the next big kids franchises. HappyNest incubates and funds new, original IP, as well as partners with established kids brands to build diverse, inclusive content for kids and families to engage with across all mediums, including digital media, gaming, publishing, film, TV, consumer products,and more. Launched in 2021, the company is a joint venture between Stampede Ventures, a leading global media company, and UTA, representing a stable of award-winning, legendary creators, as well as the next generation of rising stars.
About Stampede
STAMPEDE VENTURES is a global media company that creates and owns IP across film, television, and digital with an eye toward launching new franchises.
11:11 MEDIA
11:11 Media is a global, next-gen entertainment company at the center of pop culture – connecting content, community, and commerce – founded by Paris Hilton and entertainment industry veteran Bruce Gersh in 2021. The company spans a broad array of businesses including film, TV, audio, music, books, consumer products, digital and web3, with passion points around lifestyle, fashion, beauty, wellness, art, travel and more. Elevating brands, building communities, and driving social impact through the power of storytelling, experiences, and products is the core mission of 11:11 Media.
About UTA
UTA unites ideas, opportunities and talent. The company represents some of the world’s most iconic, barrier-breaking artists, creators and changemakers—from actors, athletes, authors and musicians to writers, gamers and digital influencers. One of the most influential companies in global entertainment, UTA’s business spans talent representation, content production, as well as strategic advisory and marketing work with some of the world’s biggest brands. Affiliated companies include Digital Brand Architects, KLUTCH Sports Group, Curtis Brown Group and MediaLink. UTA is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, New York and London.
About 9 Story Media Group
9 Story Media Group is a leading creator, producer and distributor of kids and family-focused intellectual property. Its award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films, is recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Doc McStuffins, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Octonauts, Wild Kratts, and Blue’s Clues & You. The company’s international distribution arm, 9 Story Distribution International based in Dublin, represents 5,000 half-hours of animated and live-action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms. Its in-house consumer products division, 9 Story Brands, builds international entertainment brands for kids, with expertise across creative, brand marketing, and licensing. 9 Story’s Creative Affairs Group creates, develops, and produces award-winning branded properties using groundbreaking formative research. With facilities in Toronto, Dublin, New York, and Bali, 9 Story Media Group employs over 850 creative and corporate staff. www.9story.com