Ludorum, a leading specialist in the creation of global preschool children’s IP, announced today that it has entered a licensing agreement with Hallmark Cards, Inc. and its subsidiary Crayola to develop a line of social expression product and arts and crafts based on its popular preschool property, Chuggington.
Press Release from Ludorum
NEW YORK - Ludorum, a leading specialist in the creation of global preschool children’s IP, announced today that it has entered a licensing agreement with Hallmark Cards, Inc. and its subsidiary Crayola to develop a line of social expression product and arts and crafts based on its popular preschool property, Chuggington. An exciting new train-based TV series, Chuggington currently airs daily on Disney Channel’s learning-focused Playhouse Disney programming block.
"We have seen a lot of DIY Chuggington-themed birthday parties this past year and we love the creativity Chuggington fans have shown,” said Maureen Taxter, senior vice president of U.S. consumer products at Ludorum. "We are excited to let those parents who are searching enthusiastically for Chuggington social expression products and activities know that through a partnership with Hallmark and Crayola, two of the most respected and recognizable brands in the consumer marketplace, we will be introducing a wide array of product.”
“We are thrilled to add Chuggington to our portfolio of family brands and excited to introduce product featuring its endearing characters," said Melissa Bewley, Hallmark Senior Licensing Account Executive "Parents and kids will be excited to learn that they’ll soon be able to find all the tools necessary to easily create a fun, colorful and authentic Chuggington experience.”
“We are excited to bring the colorful world of Chuggington to life through an engaging line of products featuring the beloved characters,” said Marianne Pyrczak, Crayola Platform Leader.
Chuggington has quickly become a favorite among preschoolers and parents worldwide. While the show’s fast-paced, humorous stories are highly entertaining, Chuggington’s social readiness lessons and feature-quality animation are what set the show apart from other preschool programs. Chuggington’s developmental lessons resonate with parents, who know that when their children watch Chuggington, they are learning and developing socially.
Chuggington debuted in the United States in January 2010 and since then has become a children’s programming favorite in households nationwide. The show currently airs on Playhouse Disney Monday through Friday at 6 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. EST and weekends at 6 a.m. EST.
About Ludorum plcLudorum is a global IP company dedicated to developing, acquiring and marketing quality entertainment properties for television, interactive and new media. Ludorum is the creator of Chuggington, a CGI-animated television series for preschoolers that has launched in over 160 countries around the globe including the U.S. on Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney, January, 2010. Ludorum was formed in 2006 and has offices in London, Chicago and New York. For more information about Ludorum please visit: www.ludorum.com
About ChuggingtonChuggington is a computer generated 3D series as well as a fully immersive interactive website. The series follows the adventures of Wilson, Brewster and Koko, trainee engines, each with their own unique personality and learning style. The series is set in a world much like our own with cities, villages and diverse cultures and geography. Entertainment and enjoyment is at the heart of Chuggington, but embedded within each story are important educational and developmental messages centered on learning and social-emotional development. Chuggington is directed by Sarah Ball, who won a BAFTA award for her work as a director and writer of Bob the Builder™. The property was conceived to seamlessly integrate television, books and interactive. Further information is available at www.chuggington.com
About Hallmark Cards, Inc.Hallmark makes the world a more caring place by helping people express what’s in their hearts and spend time together — a privilege few other companies in the world enjoy. Hallmark greeting cards and other products are found in more than 40,000 retail outlets in the United States, including the network of flagship Hallmark Gold Crown® stores. The brand also reaches people online at Hallmark.com, via cell phone at Hallmark Mobile Greetings and on television through Hallmark Hall of Fame original movies and cable’s top-rated Hallmark Channel. Worldwide, Hallmark offers products in more than 30 languages available in 100 countries. The privately held company is based in Kansas City, Mo. Visit http://corporate.hallmark.com for more details.
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