From MIPCOM, multi-Emmy-winning writers collective Baboon Animation Inc. announced a new partnership with Tokyo/L.A.-based independent animation and creative studio Custom Nuts. Studio founder Silas Hickey and Matthew Howison will sign a deal with Baboon’s CEO, Mike de Seve, merging their pools of writing and visual talent.
“There are no better writers anywhere than Baboon,” said Hickey.
Baboon Development Manager Emily Kaye added, “We’re thrilled that each of us is a complementary piece to the other.”
Hickey was formerly Senior Development Director APC for Turner/Warner, where he developed two of the most successful animated children’s series in Asia: Lamput and Chhota Bheem, the latter of which reigns as Netflix APAC’s most-viewed kids’ cartoon of all time.
“Silas and Matthew bring absolute top-class expertise, deep first-hand experience in IPs from countries across Asia and funny, funny cartoon comedy,” said de Seve.
Baboon’s creative development team, with 31 Emmys collectively, has guided more than 20 series to successful global distribution and broadcast. Their credits include the billions-viewed Angry Birds Toons, Gigantosaurus and Pocoyo.
The new partnership follows on from an earlier slate-development deal Custom Nuts has with Beyond Entertainment, now part of the Banijay Group.
Custom Nuts’ Howison noted, “Our incoming investor base is excited by the greatly enhanced firepower of talent and global capability that this partnership brings.”
“Expect some extremely funny cartoons to come out of this partnerships, added Baboon Head of Series, Joe Vitale.
