Global book deal signed for hit CBeebies series
Halifax, NS – 20 May 2015 – DHX Brands, the consumer-products and brand-management arm of DHX Media, has signed a deal with HarperCollins Children’s Books for exclusive global publishing rights to the new hit CBeebies show Twirlywoos from preeminent producer Ragdoll Productions.
The deal, which covers all publishing formats, physical and digital, will see HarperCollins publish a dynamic book programme which echoes the humour, surprise and fun of the TV series. An innovative publishing range will include preschool board books, activity books, annuals, ebooks, audio, novelty and gift titles. The publishing programme will kick off in October 2015 with a Twirlywoos Little Library and two board books – Meet the Twirlywoos and Hello Chickedy, Hello Chick.
HarperCollins joins a first-class list of Twirlywoos licensees, including global master toy licensee Golden Bear. In June this year, Golden Bear will launch the first product, with the key focus primarily on plush and plastics (play-sets / figurines), bath toys and games, and activity products.
UK licensees include Gemma International (greetings cards and partyware), Ravensburger (puzzles and games), GB Eye (posters), Fashion UK (outerwear), Rainbow Productions (character costumes) and DreamTex (bedding).
Ann-Janine Murtagh, Executive Publisher at HarperCollins, said: “We are delighted to be the publisher for this joyful and beautifully conceived television series. At HarperCollins we publish brands we all believe in, and which have the potential to create exceptional publishing with long-term appeal. Twirlywoos brings an outstanding pedigree – and is an inspired piece of television making. It joins our stellar line up of preschool brands and is another marker of our strategic commitment to build best-in-class publishing for the preschool market.”
Tom Roe, Commercial Director at DHX Brands, said: “With licensing activity ramping up on Twirlywoos, we are looking to appoint the best licensees in each category and HarperCollins is a first-class partner to launch with this property globally. The television series is exceeding our expectations and the books will be a significant part of the consumer products offering.”
Twirlywoos (50 x 11’), devised and executive produced by Anne Wood, with lead creative and writer Steve Roberts and producer Chris Wood, combines stop-frame animation and live action sequences set in the real world. Executive producer for CBeebies is Michael Towner. The series is produced in association with DHX Media, which also handles global distribution, merchandising, brand management and marketing.
Continuing the innovative, nurturing, inspiring, children-led entertainment for which Ragdoll Productions is renowned, Twirlywoos features laugh-out-loud child-centric humour which encourages preschoolers to think for themselves, and gain confidence in their own perceptions of the world. Through the show, young audiences are able to reinforce their understanding as they grow and develop, becoming active and inquisitive within their own lives.
The Twirlywoos are four small, bird-like characters who are inquisitive, enthusiastic and always looking to learn something new about the world.
Ever curious, they seek adventure and fun wherever they go. Whether in the real world or on their big red boat, they love to hide, imitate and be surprised as they discover new things. The show has been developed with a commitment to watching how children interact and develop, and each episode creates spaces for preschoolers to make their own connections, which aids their learning.
For more information, please contact:
Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR +44 (0) 20 8985 4708 or aimee@ddablueprint.com
About DHX Brands
DHX Brands is the dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm of DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B) (www.dhxmedia.com), a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. DHX Brands specializes in creating, building and maintaining high-profile global entertainment brands within the children’s and young-adult markets. With expertise in brand development, licensing, marketing and creative, we develop brands which captivate and inspire through engaging content, first-class distribution, quality consumer products, immersive live experiences, and digital media. DHX Brands’ world-class portfolio includes Teletubbies, Twirlywoos, In the Night Garden, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Slugterra, Ella the Elephant, Johnny Test, Inspector Gadget, and Degrassi. DHX Brands has offices in London, Toronto and Los Angeles.
HarperCollins UK
Is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 18 countries. With nearly two hundred years of history and more than 65 unique imprints around the world, HarperCollins publishes approximately 10,000 new books every year, in over 30 languages, and has a print and digital catalog of more than 200,000 titles. Writing across dozens of genres, HarperCollins authors include winners of the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Newbery and Caldecott Medals and the Man Booker Prize. HarperCollins UK has offices in London, Glasgow and Honley, and can be found online at www.harpercollins.co.uk
HarperCollins Children’s Books, Children’s Publisher of the Year 2014, aims to inspire and nurture a lifelong love of reading by publishing the best books for children of all ages. One of the leading publishers of children’s books, it is recognised for nurturing new talent as well as boasting a reputable list of established best-selling authors. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many children’s classics, including The Chronicles of Narnia, Hello Kitty, the Paddington stories, The Cat in the Hat and The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and to some of the biggest names in children’s literature past and present, including J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Dr. Seuss, David Walliams, Derek Landy, Louise Rennison, Lauren Child, Judith Kerr, David Baddiel and Michael Morpurgo.
For more information, please contact:
Geraldine Stroud, PR and Communications Director
HarperCollins Children’s Books
Tel: 020 8307 4541 E. Geraldine.stroud@harpercollins.co.uk
Disclaimer
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