ZDF Enterprises secured a deal today at the Licensing International Expo with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) under which the latter will represent the new kids' television property The Elephant Princess. Sylvia Brucker, Director Merchandising for ZDF Enterprises brokered the deal with Diana M. Dieckmann, Vice President Licensing, Germany, Eastern, Central & Southern Europe, Fremantle Licensing Germany,. The deal underscores an already successful relationship between the companies as FME represents and has secured licensing deals in publishing, apparel and beauty for H2O: Just Add Water on behalf of ZDF Enterprises.
The Elephant Princess is a 26 x 26 minute fantasy programme with cool kids, special powers, and fun magic for a captivating blend of humour and drama, fantasy and realism. FME will be managing the licensing program in Eastern/Central/Southern Europe across key categories including publishing, retail, apparel, beauty, confectionary, accessories, and interactive.
Produced by multi-award winning Australian producer Jonathan M Shiff, The Elephant Princess premieres in Germany on ZDF and Kika in May 2009. Shiff also produces the hit programme H2O: Just Add Water which won the 2009 Logie Award and was nominated last year for an AFI (Australian Film Institute). The program has been a major success for broadcaster ZDF, distributor ZDF Enterprises (the TV rights have sold to 143 territories worldwide) and licensor FME. Shiff's other successes include the BAFTA winning children's programmes Ocean Girl and Thunderstone and AFI-winning shows Cyber Girl and Wicked Science.
Dieckmann commented on the deal, "I'm really looking forward to working even more with ZDF Enterprises and to expanding our portfolio of children's titles following our recent successes in this genre. The Elephant Princess is a fantastic show with many licensing opportunities."
Sylvia Brucker, Director Merchandising of ZDF Enterprises adds: "We are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with Fremantle Media Enterprises. We are convinced that The Elephant Princess will follow in the successful footsteps of H2O: Just Add Water."
The Elephant Princess is a 26 x 26 minute fantasy programme with cool kids, special powers, and fun magic for a captivating blend of humour and drama, fantasy and realism. FME will be managing the licensing program in Eastern/Central/Southern Europe across key categories including publishing, retail, apparel, beauty, confectionary, accessories, and interactive.
Produced by multi-award winning Australian producer Jonathan M Shiff, The Elephant Princess premieres in Germany on ZDF and Kika in May 2009. Shiff also produces the hit programme H2O: Just Add Water which won the 2009 Logie Award and was nominated last year for an AFI (Australian Film Institute). The program has been a major success for broadcaster ZDF, distributor ZDF Enterprises (the TV rights have sold to 143 territories worldwide) and licensor FME. Shiff's other successes include the BAFTA winning children's programmes Ocean Girl and Thunderstone and AFI-winning shows Cyber Girl and Wicked Science.
Dieckmann commented on the deal, "I'm really looking forward to working even more with ZDF Enterprises and to expanding our portfolio of children's titles following our recent successes in this genre. The Elephant Princess is a fantastic show with many licensing opportunities."
Sylvia Brucker, Director Merchandising of ZDF Enterprises adds: "We are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with Fremantle Media Enterprises. We are convinced that The Elephant Princess will follow in the successful footsteps of H2O: Just Add Water."
About ZDF Enterprises
Founded in 1993, ZDF Enterprises GmbH is the wholly-owned subsidiary and commercial arm of ZDF German Television Network, one of Europe's largest and most respected broadcasters. Headquartered in Mainz, Germany, ZDF Enterprises is responsible for the development, production and global distribution of quality original programming. The company is also responsible for all program acquisitions and international co-productions on behalf of the network, and acquires programming for world-wide distribution. Its vast program library ranks as the largest in the German language. The extensive catalogue includes television movies and mini-series, drama series and comedies, documentaries, family entertainment and children's programming. ZDF Enterprises also oversees all licensing and merchandising activities based on its high-profile programs, including book and music publishing and the licensing of its program properties in all key product categories. Committed to the future, ZDF Enterprises has embarked on numerous New Media initiatives, ranging from opportunities within the burgeoning e-commerce industry to the creation of themed edutainment dimensions featuring the recognized program brands with which ZDF has become synonymous.
ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment. It is a division of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is a subsidiary of RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is 90% owned by Bertelsmann AG, an integrated media and entertainment company that commands leading positions in the world's media markets. For further information, visit http://www.fremantlemedia.com.
FME is fast becoming one of the leading third party brand representatives. Most recently the company was appointed CBS's official licensing agent in Asia representing such signature brands as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Next Top Model, 90210 and Star Trek along with iconic TV series including Mighty Mouse, Cheers and I Love Lucy. FME was also appointed the exclusive licensing agent for Paramount Licensing properties in Australia and New Zealand across upcoming releases and films from the studio's extensive and diverse library including the recent theatrical box office blockbuster Star Trek, and classics Grease, The Godfather, Top Gun, Footloose, Saturday Night Fever, Breakfast At Tiffany's, as well as Tropic Thunder, Rango (2011), and Steven Spielberg's Tintin (2011).
In addition to a number of world renowned entertainment brands, FME also holds the exclusive license for Crown Creative design property Rebecca Bonbon, from Hello Kitty creator Yuko Shimizu, available globally (excluding Korea and Japan) for licensing and co-branding opportunities.
Founded in 1993, ZDF Enterprises GmbH is the wholly-owned subsidiary and commercial arm of ZDF German Television Network, one of Europe's largest and most respected broadcasters. Headquartered in Mainz, Germany, ZDF Enterprises is responsible for the development, production and global distribution of quality original programming. The company is also responsible for all program acquisitions and international co-productions on behalf of the network, and acquires programming for world-wide distribution. Its vast program library ranks as the largest in the German language. The extensive catalogue includes television movies and mini-series, drama series and comedies, documentaries, family entertainment and children's programming. ZDF Enterprises also oversees all licensing and merchandising activities based on its high-profile programs, including book and music publishing and the licensing of its program properties in all key product categories. Committed to the future, ZDF Enterprises has embarked on numerous New Media initiatives, ranging from opportunities within the burgeoning e-commerce industry to the creation of themed edutainment dimensions featuring the recognized program brands with which ZDF has become synonymous.
ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment. It is a division of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is a subsidiary of RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is 90% owned by Bertelsmann AG, an integrated media and entertainment company that commands leading positions in the world's media markets. For further information, visit http://www.fremantlemedia.com.
FME is fast becoming one of the leading third party brand representatives. Most recently the company was appointed CBS's official licensing agent in Asia representing such signature brands as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Next Top Model, 90210 and Star Trek along with iconic TV series including Mighty Mouse, Cheers and I Love Lucy. FME was also appointed the exclusive licensing agent for Paramount Licensing properties in Australia and New Zealand across upcoming releases and films from the studio's extensive and diverse library including the recent theatrical box office blockbuster Star Trek, and classics Grease, The Godfather, Top Gun, Footloose, Saturday Night Fever, Breakfast At Tiffany's, as well as Tropic Thunder, Rango (2011), and Steven Spielberg's Tintin (2011).
In addition to a number of world renowned entertainment brands, FME also holds the exclusive license for Crown Creative design property Rebecca Bonbon, from Hello Kitty creator Yuko Shimizu, available globally (excluding Korea and Japan) for licensing and co-branding opportunities.
