Media I.M.
We are a UK based international distribution company which specialises in sales of quality programming with the focus on family entertainment and animation
Media I.M, launched in April 2014 by former Viacom International Media Networks executives Maria Ufland and Irina Nazarenko, is an international content distribution company specialising in the sale of premium family entertainment and animation to both linear and non-linear platforms. The UK-based operation has exclusive distribution agreements with several leading European animation producers inc
01/09/2023
MEDIA I.M. SIGNS SUNNY BUNNIES LICENSING DEAL WITH TELEVISAUNIVISION
Agreement follows pre-school sensation’s April launch on Mexican media giant
London, August 08, 2023.
Media I.M. Incorporated, the London-based content distribution company that specialises in premium animation and family entertainment, reports that it has closed a three-year agency agreement with TelevisaUnivision consumer product’s agency for its hit pre-school property Sunny Bunnies. The agreement, which was announced today by Media I.M.’s brand licensing director Gavin Metcalfe, follows the acquisition of the first six seasons of hit property Sunny Bunnies on TelevisaUnivision’s Canal 5.
The licensing agency agreement is timed to coincide with the launch last month of Sunny Bunnies on Canal 5, where it airs in a 30-minute morning slot. Under the deal, TelevisaUnivision Licensing will initially focus on key L&M merchandising categories, including toys, publishing, back-to-school and apparel.
Media I.M.’s landmark three-year agreement with Canal 5 brings Sunny Bunnies to Mexican terrestrial audiences for the first time. Following the merger between Televisa and Univision last year, TelevisaUnivision not only dominates its huge domestic market but is now the largest Spanish-language media company in the world.
Gavin Metcalfe said: “We are looking forward to working with TelevisaUnivision’s consumer products team to create a licensing programme to enhance the Sunny Bunnies brand in Mexico. Driven by delightful storytelling and loveable characters, the Sunny Bunnies brand lends itself very well to merchandising — with their colourful characters already featuring in magazines, publishing, apparel and feature plush (among others) in many territories around the world. We’re sure Mexican kids and families will embrace the new range of Sunny Bunnies products when they launch next year!
The Sunny Bunnies L&M strategy continues to roll out across the world. The TelevisaUnivision agreement follows the announcement in June that Media I.M. is collaborating with Dubai-based FanMania on a range of branded apparel, footwear, fashion bags and accessories. Starting later this year, FanMania will roll out its consumer products in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Moroco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE and Yeman.
Media I.M. also has L&M and brand extension relationships in place with, among others, Redan UK for magazines; Dreamscape Media for digital and physical distribution via multiple channels, including libraries; Chouette for activity books; Posh Paws for plush-toys; Misirli, Hotsprings and Poetic Brands for apparel; and Yoto Play for songs on Yoto players and platforms.
About Sunny Bunnies
The Sunny Bunnies are five beaming balls that can appear anywhere there is a source of light, from sunshine to moonlight. In each episode, the cheeky creatures bring their fun and games to a different location — a circus, a sports stadium, a park — embarking on mischievous adventures and spreading laughter and happiness wherever they go. And at the end of every episode, the fun continues with a collection of bloopers.
Launched in 2015 on YouTube, Sunny Bunnies was picked up in 2016 by Disney Channel, Disney Junior and DisneyNOW in the US. A wave of high-profile sales across Europe and Asia-Pacific followed, as the pre-school animation’s popularity built around the world. The series now airs in more than 160 countries and is supported by a comprehensive L&M strategy encompassing toys, books, magazine, publishing and apparel.
About Media I.M. Incorporated
Media I.M. Incorporated, launched in April 2014 by former Viacom International Media Networks executives Maria Ufland and Irina Nazarenko, is an international content distribution company specialising in the sale of premium family entertainment and animation to both linear and non-linear platforms.
Media I.M. Incorporated is active in pre-sales, as well as identifying co-production and product licensing partners for its animation brands, which include Sunny Bunnies and Flying Animals. The company’s boutique approach gives it the flexibility to develop 360-degree opportunities around each property, enabling it to deliver maximum value to both producers and licensees.
www.mediaiminc.com
For further information on Media I.M. Incorporated, please contact:
Cheryl Clarke at Mushroom Media on:
Tel: +44 (0)7939554109
E: [email protected]
23/06/2023
MEDIA IM Partners with FanMania to Launch Sunny Bunnies Licensed
Apparel, Footwear, Fashion Bags and Accessories
London June 15, 2023
Media I.M. Incorporated, the London-based content distribution company that specialises in premium animation and family entertainment has announced its collaboration with Dubai based FanMania, as the official licensee for Sunny Bunnies branded apparel, footwear, fashion bags, and accessories. The three-year licensing agreement was negotiated by K2S Media, a renowned licensing agency specializing in brand partnerships in MENA.
The deal will give FanMania exclusive access to roll out its consumer products in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The collaboration between MEDIA IM and FanMania for Sunny Bunnies licensed merchandise, is set to launch later this year.
Under the new partnership, FanMania, the largest regional manufacturer and distributor of licensed merchandise in apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, and home in the region will have the rights to create an extensive range of merchandise inspired by the lovable characters of Sunny Bunnies. Leveraging its expertise in the fashion industry, FanMania will translate the charm and whimsy of the Sunny Bunnies into a collection that caters to fans of all ages. The partnership will enable fans to express their affinity for Sunny Bunnies through stylish and meticulously crafted apparel, footwear, fashion bags and accessories.
Sunny Bunnies the pre-school animated comedy, is widely recognized for its exceptional storytelling and iconic characters that have captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide. With the expansion of its licensing partnerships, MEDIA IM now has a range of licenced relationships in place with, for example, Redan for magazines, Chouette for activity books, Posh Paws for plush-toys, Misirli, Hotsprings and Poetic Brands for Apparel and the newly signed Yoto for songs on their audio players.
The Sunny Bunnies are five beaming balls that can appear anywhere there is a source of light, from sunshine to moonlight. In each episode, the cheeky creatures bring their fun and games to a different location — a circus, a sports stadium, a park — embarking on mischievous adventures and spreading laughter and happiness wherever they go. And at the end of every episode, the fun continues with a collection of bloopers.
About Media I.M. Incorporated
Media I.M. Incorporated, launched in April 2014 by former Viacom International Media Networks executives Maria Ufland and Irina Nazarenko, is an international content distribution company specialising in the sale of premium family entertainment and animation to both linear and non-linear platforms.
Media I.M. Incorporated is active in pre-sales, as well as identifying co-production and product licensing partners for its animation brands, which include Sunny Bunnies and Flying Animals. The company’s boutique approach gives it the flexibility to develop 360-degree opportunities around each property, enabling it to deliver maximum value to both producers and licensees.
www.mediaiminc.com
For further information on Media I.M. Incorporated, please contact:
Cheryl Clarke at Mushroom Media on:
Tel: +44 (0)7939554109
E: [email protected]
24/11/2022
We have escaped from the dentist!
24/10/2022
MEDIA IM SECURES SUNNY BUNNIES DEALS DOWN UNDER
Broadcast and L&M deals closed in Australia for pre-school sensation
MIPCOM, Cannes, 2022
Media I.M. Incorporated, the London-based content distribution company that specialises in premium animation and family entertainment, has signed broadcast and apparel deals in Australia for its hit pre-school animation Sunny Bunnies.
Nine Network’s free-to-air digital channel 9Go! has agreed terms for Sunny Bunnies to be featured in its children’s block 9GoKids! Under the deal, new seasons five and six will be aired from November 2022 on the youth-skewed channel, which has also extended its license to air seasons one to four of the Sunny Bunnies franchise.
In addition to the broadcast deal, which will keep Sunny Bunnies on Australian FTA screens for the next 2 years, Media I.M. has also signed a two-year pact with fashion apparel company Hotsprings. The latter have secured rights to Sunny Bunnies-branded outerwear, including t-shirts, shorts, dresses, tops, sleepwear and swimwear for infants, toddlers and babies, which it will distribute across Australia and New Zealand. The agreement covers all retail, including e-commerce and grocery. The first retail launch has already been confirmed with Australia’s Best & Less chain for a range of sleepwear to launch next year.
In addition, under a deal with toy and gift company Jasnor, toy manufacturer Posh Paws' appointed distributor in Australia and New Zealand, the Sunny Bunnies range of plush toys will be available in Australian stores to coincide with the apparel launch.
Gavin Metcalfe, Media I.M.’s brand licensing director, said: "The fact that Australia's leading apparel licensee Hotsprings has agreed to create a 'first to market' range through retail giants Best & Less in sleepwear & outerwear” range of Best & Less sleepwear confirms the strength of the Sunny Bunnies brand. And appropriately, the new apparel range, augmented by Posh Paws’ super-cute feature plush toys, will launch at Easter 2023. Move over Easter Bunny — it’s a Sunny Bunnies take-over!”
In further Sunny Bunnies news, Philippines network, GMA, has acquired seasons one to four for its FTA channels, along with the AVOD rights for its GMA Now service.
Launched in 2015 on YouTube, Sunny Bunnies was picked up in 2016 by Disney Channel, Disney Junior and DisneyNOW in the US. A wave of high-profile sales across Europe and Asia-Pacific followed, as the pre-school animation’s popularity built around the world. The series now airs in more than 160 countries and is supported by a comprehensive L&M strategy encompassing toys, books, magazines and apparel.
The Sunny Bunnies are five beaming balls that can appear anywhere there is a source of light, from sunshine to moonlight. In each episode, the cheeky creatures bring their fun and games to a different location — a circus, a sports stadium, a park — embarking on mischievous adventures and spreading laughter and happiness wherever they go. And at the end of every episode, the fun continues with a collection of bloopers.
About Media I.M. Incorporated
Media I.M. Incorporated, launched in April 2014 by former Viacom International Media Networks executives Maria Ufland and Irina Nazarenko, is an international content distribution company specialising in the sale of premium family entertainment and animation to both linear and non-linear platforms.
Media I.M. Incorporated is active in pre-sales, as well as identifying co-production and product licensing partners for its animation brands, which include Sunny Bunnies and Flying Animals. The company’s boutique approach gives it the flexibility to develop 360-degree opportunities around each property, enabling it to deliver maximum value to both producers and licensees.
www.mediaiminc.com
For further information on Media I.M. Incorporated, please contact:
Cheryl Clarke at Mushroom Media on:
Tel: +44 (0)7939554109
E: [email protected]
24/06/2022
POLAND’S ANIMATION CAFÉ AND WILDBRAIN SPARK PARTNER
ON NEW SUNNY BUNNIES SING-ALONG SERIES
Media I.M. Incorporated, the London-based content distribution company that specialises in premium animation and family entertainment, has announced that Sunny Bunnies Sing-Along, a new spin-off from the hugely popular Sunny Bunnies pre-school series, will go into production this month, with the first episode due to be released in August.
The new series of 26 x 2.5-min episodes is a co-production between the premium kids’ and family AVOD network, WildBrain Spark, and Poland’s Animation Café.
Animation Café aims to produce two new episodes for Sunny Bunnies Sing-Along per month from mid-August. Launching initially on the official Sunny Bunnies YouTube channel, each episode of the new series will feature a popular nursery rhyme.
Media I.M., who manage global distribution rights for Sunny Bunnies and Sunny Bunnies Sing-Along, has also extended its agreement for WildBrain Spark to continue managing the official Sunny Bunnies YouTube channel, as well as distributing both shows via its global network of hub channels for the next 5 years.
Andrei Ledzianeu, Director of Animation Café, said: “While developing a new Sunny Bunnies spinoff, we wanted to add a musical aspect to the franchise. One obvious complexity is that none of the characters in the series can sing; however, we came up with a solution which fits perfectly with the overall feel of the show. We are really excited to have our little fans enjoy this new musical content—the Sunny Bunnies Sing Along.’’
Matt Rennie, VP Content & Operations at WildBrain Spark, adds: “The global success of Sunny Bunnies is testament to the strength of our YouTube network to drive the growth of a kids’ brand—especially one with such captivating and engaging stories and characters. Exploring the development of a sing-along series was a natural extension for the brand, and we’re excited to be working with Animation Café and Media I.M on the creative ex*****on of new original content as we continue to build the Sunny Bunnies brand on YouTube and beyond.”
Maria Ufland, co-founder of Media I.M. Incorporated, said: “WildBrain Spark has been a very supportive partner to us since we started to manage Sunny Bunnies and has helped us grow the brand into a truly global phenomenon. WildBrain Spark’s endorsement not only speaks to Sunny Bunnies’ creative excellence but also confirms that the brand is highly valuable and highly investable IP—and we have five strong years of YouTube data to prove it as well as brands digital and linear success in over 160 territories.”
Launched in 2015 on YouTube, Sunny Bunnies was picked up in 2016 by Disney Channel, Disney Junior and DisneyNOW in the US. It now airs in more than 160 countries and is supported by a comprehensive L&M strategy.
Visit WildBrain Spark at www.wildbrain-spark.com.
Visit Animation Cafe at www.animation-Café.com
Visit Media I.M. at www.mediaiminc.com
22/03/2022
https://www.licenseglobal.com/apparel/sunny-bunnies-joins-poetic-brands-portfolio
Sunny Bunnies hops into Poetic Brands portfolio
Apparel designer and manufacturer to offer a range of preschool clothing based on the brand
Leading apparel licensee, Poetic Brands, has partnered with popular animation property, Sunny Bunnies, to expand its preschool offering with a collection of daywear and outerwear based on the happy, colourful bunny characters.
Launched originally in 2015 on YouTube, then picked up by Disney Channel, Disney Junior and DisneyNOW in the U.S. The preschool animation quickly gained global popularity and now airs in over 160 countries! There are now six seasons of Sunny Bunnies, each comprising of 26 episodes, plus brand new ‘Sing Along’ songs coming later this year!
In the UK, Sunny Bunnies airs daily on Milkshake! Channel 5 as well as Sky Kids and on demand via Amazon Prime, Netflix. The YouTube channel has amassed a huge 3.5 billion views and 2.6 million subscribers globally since launch.
The Sunny Bunnies are five fluffy balls named Turbo, Big Boo, Shiny, Iris and Hopper who can appear anywhere there is light. The Bunnies always bring joy and happiness, beaming down to explore new and exciting locations, finding fun and mischievous games to enjoy. Sunny Bunnies are all about having fun, friendship, discovery, working together and of course, having a good giggle!
Anne Bradford, commercial director at Poetic Brands, commented: “Sunny Bunnies is a great addition to our preschool portfolio. The popular characters are bright, colourful and happy and will work really well across our daywear and outerwear collections. The brand is understandably popular with little ones as it brings colourful fun and positivity with every episode.”
Gavin Metcalfe, Brand Licensing Director at Media IM, adds “We are delighted to be adding Poetic Brands to our growing portfolio of top-class partners who recognise the potential of the brand. We can’t wait to see their lines ‘light up’ retail and on-line stores in the near future”.
‘Sunny Bunnies’ Joins Poetic Brands Portfolio Apparel designer and manufacturer to offer a range of preschool clothing based on the brand.
13/10/2021
Licensing drive ramps up for preschool brand, Sunny Bunnies.
Media I.M has revealed a number of new licensing deals in the UK and Russia for its preschool IP, Sunny Bunnies.
In the UK, nightwear, underwear and sock licensee Misirli is on board, signing a new deal to supply retailers with a range of Sunny Bunnies products. In addition, Poetic Brands has been secured as an apparel partner, working on collections across daywear, outerwear, accessories and ‘puddle wear’.
Across to Russia, and deals have been closed with two of the country’s largest L&M players – AST Publishing will produce activity, sticker, colouring, board and novelty books, while Origami will deliver Sunny Bunnies-themed puzzles, games and craft sets.
The deals follow on from the agreement with Russia’s 0+ Media in September 2020. The company specialises in building children’s content and consumer products across multiple licensing and retail outlets, live events and gaming, TV and VOD platforms. Under the three-year deal, 0+ Media secured the L&M rights for Sunny Bunnies across all the main categories of consumer products.
Two renewal deals have also been agreed with Redan Publishing, which features Sunny Bunnies in its Fun to Learn Favourites and Fun to Learn Friends magazines, and Crackboom/Chouette Publishing for new activity books in French and English for North America, France and the UK.
“We are so thrilled that Sunny Bunnies is picking up considerable licensing interest, culminating in the signing of these significant apparel deals and the renewal of publishing deals in the UK,” commented Gavin Metcalfe, brand licensing director at Media I.M. “Anyone in the licensing business knows that deals of this nature don’t happen unless robust due diligence has been carried out, so we in a very good place to build and expand the licensing programme into additional categories and territories in the very near future.”
Gavin continued: “The vast Russian region, meanwhile, is an incredibly exciting market, and one that is expanding rapidly in terms of consumer products. The deal last year with 0+ Media started Sunny Bunnies on their Russian L&M journey and we’re excited to be building on that with these two latest deals.”
04/08/2021
US Hispanic streamers PrendeTV and Canela.TV and Finnish broadcaster Nelonen have acquired animated preschool series Sunny Bunnies.
Produced by Belarus’s Digital Light Studio and distributed by London-based Media IM, Sunny Bunnies is a 3D-animated series about five colourful bunnies that can appear anywhere there is any light. Each episode follows the characters on new adventures in a new location.
Univision-owned AVoD platform PrendeTV, which was formed in March this year, will launch the first three seasons of the series later this summer in addition to 22-minute compilations of the show.
Fellow US Hispanic streamer Canela.TV, which launched last year, has also acquired the first three seasons of Sunny Bunnies under an AVoD/FAST deal.
Nelonen, meanwhile, has picked up the free-to-air rights for the first four seasons, along with the AVoD/SVoD rights for its streaming service Ruutu, where the series will launch later this year.
Elsewhere, Sky Kids in the UK has acquired season five of Sunny Bunnies and relicensed seasons three and four under a 24-month SVoD deal. TF1 in France has also picked up the fifth season for its AVoD and SVoD service, and extended the rights for season four until December 2022.
30/07/2020
Sunny Bunnies shine on new broadcasters
Deals of the Week: Moonbug, Nick, Media I.M. Tinpo starts a new chapter, Noggin takes a trip to Apple TV, Sunny Bunnies will shine on new broadcasters, and Little Baby Bum flies to Pluto TV.
31/01/2020
Sunny Bunnies and Fun to Learn Favourites magazine (Fun To Learn Favourites, Redan Fun To Learn) have something amazing for the little bunnies and their parents to make - a Twiggy Mobile. Check out the full video on Sunny Bunnies YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHyeWVPbdJNWNxdlsKl3IYA
For even more Sunny Bunnies activities see Fun To Learn Favourites magazine (UK).
For subscriptions: https://www.redan.co.uk/Favourites.html
29/01/2020
Toy Fair UK in London - what an exciting couple of days we've had! The Big Boo plush toy winning a hero toy award and the launch of the brand new Big Boo costume character - it has been a fantastic event all round.
Hoppy Holidays!
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