U.K.-based Galleon Holdings Plc will premiere the first-ever toy line for the hit kids animated series SKUNK FU! at UK Toy Fair 2008.
Developed and made in-house by Croco Sourcing Worldwide, a wholly owned subsidiary of Galleon, the range will consist of collectible action figures, fighting plush, deluxe action figures with added play features, a SKUNK FU bop bag with sounds, and electronic feature plush. The line will be supported by extensive marketing across the U.K.
Merchandise licensing for the series debuted last year with a U.K. DVD deal with home entertainment giant Warner Music Group. More licensing deals are in the works with publishing, videogames, clothing and apparel partners, thanks to the strong graphic and martial arts theme of the series.
SKUNK FU! (52x13) launched on BBC 1 in the U.K. in July 2007, where it was the #1 kids show in its time-slot, with a 20% share of the children's audience (source: BARB). The animated series then premiered in the U.S. on CW Television Network's top-rated Saturday morning Kids' WB! animation block on Sept. 22 with strong ratings.
The series has already been sold by TV distribution partner Cake Ent. in over 100 territories to broadcasters including France 5 and Canal J (France), Super RTL (Germany), RAISAT (Italy), ABC (Australia), TG4 (Ireland), SVT (Sweden), RTBF (Belgium) and Cartoon Network (Europe, Australia, Asia, Latin America), among others.
Aimed at kids 6-12, SKUNK FU! follows the adventures of a skunk accidentally dropped into China by a wayward stork as a child. There he has to learn the ways of kung fu from a wise old panda to help the resistance fight against the evil Black Dragon and his army of Ninja Monkeys.
The series is a Cartoon Saloon, Cake Ent. and Telegael co-production for TG4 (Ireland) and SUPER RTL (Germany). All audiovisual exploitation rights are controlled by Cake Distribution and all licensing and merchandising rights are controlled by Galleon Plc. Both Cake Ent. and Galleon Plc are equity owners in the SKUNK FU! property.
