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RDF KIDS & FAMILY SIGNS RAFT OF DEALS
04 September 2008
RDF Kids & Family (RDF), a division of RDF Rights, has signed a raft of international sales for hot US pre-school property, Yo Gabba Gabba!
Yo Gabba Gabba!, created by Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz of The Magic Store, is produced by The Magic Store and W!LDBRAIN. Yo Gabba Gabba! premiered on Nick Jr US, the number 1 entertainment network for kids, in August of last year and was swiftly recommissioned for a second season. The first season of Yo Gabba Gabba! premiered on Nick Jr in the UK on February 18th. Nick Jr is the UK's number one rating commercial preschool TV channel. Yo Gabba Gabba! is currently in production on season 2.
Following its international launch at MIPCOM last year, RDF Kids & Family has sold the first series to more than seven major international territories. Early deals include sales to major broadcasters such as ABC Australia (where it is the number 1 ranked pre-school programme on Australian television so far this year), Nick Australia, Treehouse TV in Canada, Disney Channel Latin America, Nickelodeon Asia, Hop! TV in Israel, Jetix Netherlands and SABC in South Africa.
Henrietta Hurford-Jones, Director of RDF Kids & Family said, ‘Yo Gabba Gabba! is a unique and ground-breaking show that already has a second series commission and a fantastic response internationally. We are really proud to be working with these great broadcasters who share our excitement about the series.’
In addition, RDF Kids & Family has signed a deal with book publisher Simon & Schuster for Commonwealth rights in Yo Gabba Gabba! for a range of books including storybooks, board books, novelty books and activity books.
Further strengthening the publishing programme, RDF Kids & Family has also licensed annual rights in Yo Gabba Gabba! to Egmont UK Ltd.
Rachel Barke, Director of Consumer Products, RDF Kids & Family, said ‘We are delighted to be partnering with these high quality publishers on Yo Gabba Gabba!. There is a terrific buzz about this fresh and innovative property in the international market. With a second series in the pipeline, and strong international broadcast partners, we look forward to working with Simon and Schuster and Egmont to build a fantastic publishing programme’.
Other UK licensees already announced include Spinmaster (master toy) and Paramount (DVD).
RDF is also delighted to announce the following UK licensees: Character World (soft furnishings), Drew Brady & Co. (Children & adult socks), GB Eye (Posters, postcards, badges), H. Grossman (See saw, swing, scooters, tricycles, bicycles, walker trolley, sleeping bag, helmet, pads, prams, buggies and skates), Portico Designs (Greeting cards, gift wrap, gift bags, social stationery), Rainbow Productions (Brobee character costume), Redan (Magazine), Vogue International (Drinkware, tableware, lunch boxes, lunch bags, room décor), Worlds Apart (Go glow and Go Glow time, inflatable chair and sofa, first ready bed, play tent, kite and MDF bed).
Yo Gabba Gabba! was recently voted by Time Magazine as one of its ‘Top 10 New Series of 2007’ – the only children’s programme to feature on the list.
Over twenty licensees have been signed up already in the US to produce a wide range of merchandise. Kidrobot, a retail subsidiary of W!LDBRAIN, was the first to hit shelves with Yo Gabba Gabba! specialty toys and apparel. Additional U.S. licensees include Spin Master, master toy licensee (worldwide); Nickelodeon/Paramount for home entertainment; Nick Records/ Sony BGM for music; Simon & Schuster, master publishing licensee; and Success Apparel, master apparel, among others.
Yo Gabba Gabba!, infused with a retro style and beat-driven music, highlights simple life lessons and universal experiences in the lives of preschoolers. Muno the red Cyclops, Foofa the pink flower bubble, Brobee the little green one, Toodee the blue cat-dragon and Plex the robot are all ready to sing, play and dance along with preschoolers at home – as soon as they hear the magic words, “Yo Gabba Gabba!”
The US series was reversioned for Nick Jr UK by independent children’s production company The Foundation, part of the RDF Media Group. More than 25 million video streams of the show have been generated on Nick.com since July.
For further details please contact:
Alice Robertson
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7013 4368
alice.robertson@rdfmedia.com
RDF Media Group, The Gloucester Building, Kensington Village, Avonmore Road, London, W14 8RF
For further information about Yo Gabba Gabba!, please visit www.nickjr.co.uk/yogabbagabba
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