Mercis Media appoints WildBrain to grow the popular kids' brand, Miffy, on YouTube
LONDON, UK, Feb. 7, 2019 /CNW/ - WildBrain, a leading digital kids' network and studio, has been appointed by Mercis Media BV to manage and grow the YouTube presence of the popular kids' brand, Miffy, on an exclusive worldwide basis.
Created in 1955 by celebrated Dutch author and artist Dick Bruna, Miffy is a multi-entertainment brand featuring an adorable white bunny loved by generations of children worldwide. In addition to animated content, the brand enjoys extensive global consumer products programs in publishing, toys and home wares.
Utilizing their expertise at brand management and monetizing content, WildBrain plans to grow Miffy's YouTube audience with a strategy that includes the relaunch of the Miffy English channel with a focus on the US market; the launch of new Miffy channels in French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Brazilian Portuguese; and the optimization of existing channels in Dutch, Italian, German and Russian. WildBrain will manage a library of more than 200 Miffy videos across these channels, many being shared on YouTube for the first time.
Jon Gisby, Managing Director, WildBrain, said: "Miffy is a sensation around the world. For generations, her fans both young and old have celebrated Dick Bruna's artistry through books, animated content and consumer products. We are thrilled that Mercis Media recognized WildBrain's expertise at managing brands on YouTube and we look forward to working with them to help grow Miffy's audience."
Marja Kerkhof, Managing Director of Mercis, said: "We are very excited to become part of a strong platform that reaches global audiences on YouTube. We are dedicated to bringing the heritage of Dick Bruna into the lives of young children around the world. Teaming up with WildBrain is an excellent opportunity to further grow our Miffy fan base on YouTube and create more channels."
About WildBrain
WildBrain is an industry leader in the management and creation of preschool and children's entertainment content on platforms such as YouTube, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire and others. WildBrain's branded YouTube network is one of the largest of its kind, featuring more than 145,000 videos for over 600 kids' brands in up to 22 languages. One in three kids worldwide with access to YouTube watch video on the WildBrain network, which has over 75 million subscribers, and generated over 161 billion minutes of watch time across 32 billion views in 2018. Connecting kids' content owners with advertisers in the Advertising Video-on-Demand (AVOD) space, the WildBrain network features popular third-party brands such as Fireman Sam, Woody Woodpecker, Popeye, Shopkins, Irish Fairy Doors and Ben 10; original brands Kiddyzuzaa and Ellie Sparkles; and much of DHX Media's world-renowned library of 13,000 half-hours of kids' and family content, including Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, Degrassi, Yo Gabba Gabba! and many others. WildBrain Studios also specializes in the creation of new, original content for its network, such as animated and live-action shorts; toy-play and stop-motion videos. WildBrain is a wholly owned subsidiary of DHX Media (TSX: DHX; NASDAQ: DHXM).
Twitter & Instagram: @WildBrainKids
About Mercis Media BV
Founded in 1971 and with its head office in the Netherlands, Mercis bv owns the copyright to Miffy and Friends and is the brand's worldwide licensor. It has over 250 licensees for Miffy worldwide, featuring over 10,000 unique products, including videos, plush, apparel, toys and accessories. Dick Bruna's books, over 120 titles, help young children understand the world around them with familiar story lines. Mercis' division, Mercis Media, is responsible for the production and distribution of the Miffy TV-series. Mercis will celebrate Miffy's 65th anniversary in 2020. For further Miffy news and information see: www.miffy.com
For more information about Mercis, please contact: [email protected]
Disclaimer
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws with respect to DHX Media including, without limitation, statements regarding WildBrain's strategy under its agreement with Mercis Media and results therefrom, including growth of Miffy's YouTube audience, and the business strategies and operational activities of DHX Media. Although DHX Media believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to DHX Media. Actual results or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, among other things, include consumer preferences, market factors, the ability of DHX Media to execute on license and other agreements, and other factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under "Risk Factors" in DHX Media's most recent Annual Information Form and annual Management Discussion and Analysis, which also form part of DHX Media's annual report on Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and DHX Media assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
SOURCE DHX Media Ltd.
WildBrain: Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR, [email protected], +44 (0) 20 7932 9800
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