Kaiken Publishing acquires world rights for Kit^n^Kate and Qumi-Qumi
Rovio affiliate expands its licensing portfolio with two fun and quirky brands
Kaiken Publishing, an affiliate of Rovio Entertainment, has acquired the world rights for Toonbox Animation’s properties Qumi-Qumi and Kit^n^Kate. Kaiken will be developing publishing lines for both IPs.
“We’re glad to appoint Kaiken Publishing as a master publishing licensee and believe they would ensure the expansion of our animated universes into books globally. Our aim is to provide kids and their parents with high-quality content which would not only entertain, but also help kids develop various skills,” says Pavel Muntyan, CEO at Toonbox Animation.
The Qumi-Qumi universe, a picturesque world inhabited by three tribes living on three different islands, currently enjoys terrestrial broadcast TV coverage in Russia and Estonia, and episodes of the animated series have been viewed on YouTube more than 230 million times. The show is also featured worldwide on Rovio’s own ToonsTV video-on-demand platform, and is available via Kidoodle, NetKids, Battery Pop and Toon Goggles as well.
Kit^n^Kate is an educational television series for pre-schoolers with a heartfelt, educative approach to children’s play. The series is already airing in Russia, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and soon also in European markets, and can also be watched worldwide via Kidoodle, NetKids, Battery Pop and Toon Goggles. Both Kit^n^Kate and Qumi-Qumi already have fast-expanding licensing programs.
“We are hugely excited to start working with Toonbox, as we can clearly see how well Qumi-Qumi, for example, has been received by fans on YouTube and ToonsTV. As for Kit^n^Kate, we will build on the learning aspect of the brand and develop in co-operation with educational experts a line of storybooks and accompanying activity books,” says Laura Nevanlinna, Publisher at Kaiken.
Both Kit^n^Kate and Qumi-Qumi will be represented by Kaiken at the upcoming Bologna Licensing Trade Fair in April.
Further information: Laura Nevanlinna, Publisher, Kaiken Publishing: laura.nevanlinna@kaikenpublishing.com
About Kaiken Publishing
Kaiken Publishing Ltd., an affiliate company of Rovio Entertainment, is the go-to partner for IP owners wishing to expand into publishing and transmedia storytelling. Kaiken creates publishing programs from original stories and for existing brands for children, teens and comics fans worldwide. The company’s storytelling experts actively search for new ideas that can find readers through Kaiken’s vast global network of publishers and digital partners.
About Toonbox Animation
Toonbox Animation is an animation studio based in Cyprus that has produced more than 260 animation episodes, with more than 12 hours of high-quality animated content recognized around the world for its creativity and production excellence. Today the company’s portfolio contains a number of animation shows at various stages of production. The major projects are Qumi-Qumi, Kit^n^Kate, Mr. Freeman and Shaman’s Quest.
About Rovio Entertainment
Rovio Entertainment Ltd. is a global entertainment media company. Headquartered in Finland and with studios across the world, Rovio is the creator of Angry Birds™, the casual mobile game that changed an industry and became an international phenomenon. Today Angry Birds is not only the most downloaded game of all time, it is a renowned entertainment brand that has branched out into animation, licensing and more. The Angry Birds Movie is slated for release in May 2016. www.rovio.com
