Michael Eisner, the former CEO of the Walt Disney Company and now the driving force behind online content companies Vuguru and Veoh, will deliver a keynote at the upcoming MIPCOM, which takes place in Cannes October 13-17, 2008.

Leading family entertainment producer and distributor Chorion has signed a major deal with UK broadcaster Five for its brand new children's television series OLIVIA, based on the best-selling book property about a loveable pig.

In addition, Chorion has signed a number of new international pre-sales with ABC Australia, YLE Finland, SVT Sweden, NRK Norway and RUV Iceland for the pre-school animated series.

Following hot on the heels of successful premieres on Cartoon Network US and Five UK, Chorion's brand-new series THE MR. MEN SHOW is making its French debut on France 5 on April 12.

The show is also starting to make its mark worldwide with acquisition deals signed with ABC Australia, HOP! Israel and Tiji France.

Aardman Animations’ hit children’s brand SHAUN THE SHEEP continues to expand its international presence, securing a raft of new TV and licensing deals worldwide.

Since its launch at MIPCOM 06, SHAUN THE SHEEP has racked up television sales and licensing deals in over 150 territories and has won several prestigious accolades including the Cristal Award for Best TV Production at the Annecy Animated Film Festival 2007 and the Audience Choice Award at the World Comedy Film Festival 2007.

Based on the theme of features and short films, the latest Acrobat edition of Animation World Magazine is now available for download. Disney launches a new shorts program with a timely Goofy misadventure, and Bill Desowitz gets an AWN exclusive from some of the directors, animators and John Lasseter. Janet Hetherington checks in with Canada's award-winning National Film Board and finds that its commitment to innovation in animation is as fresh as ever. Jon Hofferman surveyed a host of filmmakers to find out what we can expect from them in the near and distant future.

U.K.-based media and entertainment company Ludorum's train-themed series CHUGGINGTON has been picked up by major networks in Europe, reports C21 MEDIA. SuperRTL (Germany), TF1 (France) and ABC (Australia) have signed broadcast deals for the 3D animated series aimed at three- to six-year-olds and their parents. The series is already in production for the BBC and is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2008. Shanghai-based Motion Magic Digital Entertainment is animating the show.

Canadian animation studio House of Cool, which has contributed to such films as MONSTERS INC, THE INCREDIBLES and HORTON HEARS A WHO, will begin producing original content, reports C21 MEDIA.

Heading the slate of three new series is BETTY BANNER PARTY PLANNER (26x22), a comedy-action series for kids 7-11 that was one of the most-screened kids shows at MIPCOM. Betty's adventures include such things as arranging a birthday party for a 300-year-old vampire and tea with the Queen, all while contending with a huge party corporation that wants to put her out of business.

Mark Cranwell has been named Director of Content Acquisition for Babelgum, the next-generation global Internet TV network, it was announced today. In the newly created position, Cranwell will be responsible for leading Babelgum's outreach efforts to producers, filmmakers and content creators in support of the new platform's content strategy. He will report directly to Simon Kenny, Babelgum's Head of Content Strategy and Advertising, in the company's London operation.

Adina Pitt has been named vice president, content acquisitions and co-productions for Cartoon Network and Boomerang, it was announced today. In her new role, Pitt will be responsible for identifying, negotiating and acquiring pre-produced series, specials, movies and short-form product that fit the Cartoon Network and Boomerang brands for exposure on all platforms. She'll continue to oversee those programs once they have been acquired and positioned at each of the networks.

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) wrapped up MIPCOM 2007 -- the best-attended edition since the audiovisual market's founding -- with a rich array of sales of new animation, as well as titles from the board's extensive archives. Multi-award-winning MADAME TUTLI-PUTLI was snatched up by Canal + France, ARTE, and Swizerland's TSR. Canal + Spain and TSR also acquired the audience favorite SLEEPING BETTY, while YLE (Finland) bought three shorts from the NFB's TALESPINNERS children's collection: ASTHMA TECH, THE GIRL WHO HATED BOOKS and JAIME LO, SMALL AND SHY.