(September 10, 2009) - Nelvana Enterprises and The Clifford
Ross Company are pleased to announce that TF1 Licences has been appointed as
the representative agent for the Babar brand in France and other European
territories such as Belgium and The Netherlands, effective immediately.
TF1 will play a major role in creating synergies
between the merchandising program and the broadcasting of the new 3-D series Babar
- And the Adventures of Badou set to launch on TF1 in France in Fall
2010/Spring 2011. The series is now in production from Nelvana Studio and TeamTO in association with The Clifford
Ross Company and 26 episodes (52 x 11 minute stories)
are in the works. Playhouse Disney France
is pre-buying the series to air in a second broadcast window. It will
debut in North America on YTV in
Canada. TF1 Licences will be the licensing agent for the property in France,
Belgium, The Netherlands, Monaco, Andorra, Dom-Tom and French-speaking
Switzerland.
The series will introduce King
Babar's eight-year-old grandson, Badou, a "one-elephant stampede", bursting
with a sense of adventure. He laughs often and has inherited his grandfather's
daring spirit, often plunging into a situation (or a hidden passage way or
unexplored temple) fully confident that he can handle whatever he finds. To see
his grandson rushing so enthusiastically into the world makes Babar feel as if
he is discovering it anew for himself. Viewers will also meet a cast of new
characters offering kid-friendly views of palace intrigue and comic jungle
adventures.
"We are thrilled and very proud to be appointed Babar's agent
by Nelvana and The Clifford Ross Company," said Hubert Taieb, Head of TF1
Licences and Deputy General Manager of TF1 Enterprises. "This trans-generational and
widely known icon will entice new fans, both children and
parents alike, with the 3-D series broadcast on TF1. In collaboration
with the rights holders, current licensees and future partners
who will all share in these new adventures, we aim to position Babar as THE
evergreen property."
"Nelvana is excited to bring Babar into the 21st
century with a new 3-D TV series as well as a comprehensive licensing program
from TF1. Babar is a cherished property in France and many other European
countries and we are confident that our partnership with TF1 will bring him even
more fame," added Colin Bohm, Vice President and Managing Director, Nelvana
Enterprises.
"I have loved and admired Babar and his world since my
own childhood," said Clifford Ross, President of The Clifford Ross
Company. "It is a continuing pleasure to bring this character, with its
special combination of joy, playfulness and (ironically for an elephant!) humanistic
values to a wider audience. To have done this with the blessing and enthusiasm
of the de Brunhoff family is a source of great pride."
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About
Nelvana Enterprises
Nelvana Enterprises is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc., a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, advertising services, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, W Network, CosmoTV, VIVA, Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW, CKOI and Q107. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) exchanges. Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.
About The Clifford Ross Company
Founded in 1985 by artist Clifford Ross,
The Clifford Ross Company focused during its early years on three properties:
the works of Edward Gorey, Tom Swift - the boys' adventure series, and
Babar. After optioning the rights to Babar in 1986 directly from Laurent
de Brunhoff and the de Brunhoff family, CRC entered into a working relationship
with Nelvana on all aspects of the property. For over 20 years, the
companies have worked together to produce both television and feature length
movies featuring the Babar characters and to develop a Babar licensing program
that is known throughout the world. In addition to his well-known
work as a painter and photographer, and in conjunction with The Clifford Ross
Company, he has written a screenplay based on Tom Swift which was purchased by
Columbia Pictures, and collaborated with Jim Henson to develop projects based
on the works of Edward Gorey.
About TF1 Licences
As
part of TF1 Group, TF1 Enterprises, thanks to its department TF1
Licences, manages a portfolio of more than 50 powerful brands related to
Entertainment: Ushuaïa, Barbapapa, Dragon Ball, Franklin, Chuggington, Olivia,
Casper, Hello Kitty and Who wants to be a Millionaire? With more than 19 years
of experience and a team of 12 executives with a real expertise, TF1 Licences
enjoys the trust of many partners, European and International alike.
