Spain's Imira Ent. has scored a number of Spanish deals for ZDF Ent's live-action show H2O: JUST ADD WATER, which it represents in Spain, Portugal and Brazil.
Random House Mondadori is on board as publishing partner and is planning to launch books based on the series in February this year. Panini Revistas will be releasing a set of photocards later this month building on the success of its recently launched H2O: JUST ADD WATER magazine. Imira has also signed a deal with Bizak for a line of dolls which can be transformed from girls into mermaids, with the product set for retail from autumn 2009. In addition, Bizak is also planning to develop games that will recreate the world of H2O from the television series.
The 52x26 plus 2x90 television series is aimed at tweens and is already airing with strong ratings on Antena 3's Megatrix block on Saturday and Sunday mornings, on Nickelodeon in Spain as well as in over 100 countries worldwide including a recent premiere on Nickelodeon in the U.S. A third season is in the works for broadcast in the second quarter of 2009. Universal has also recently launched a DVD set in Spain.
H2O: JUST ADD WATER has already been licensed worldwide by companies such as Grani & Partners, and Giochi Preziosi in Italy is developing products for school and beachwear with Giochi Preziosi in Spain set to follow. Other agreements include retail in Australia with Target for textiles, and the launch of a further H2O Magazine and books with Panini in Germany. CyP, DC Saragues and Lugar Difusion are also on board to develop a huge range of products such as handbags, footwear, accessories and jewellery respectively for Spain.
H2O: JUST ADD WATER follows Emma, Cleo and Rikki, three 16-year-old girls growing up on the sun-drenched beaches of Australia's Gold Coast. The girls find themselves stranded at sea one day, floating towards the mysterious Mako Island, before becoming trapped in an ancient cavern under a volcano. Discovering an underwater channel, they decide to swim to safety.
As they enter the pool, the light from a full moon illuminates the water, creating a mysterious glow. The girls get off the island as fast as they can and back to normal life. However they quickly discover that life is never going to be normal again: ten second after they touch water, they turn into mermaids with supernatural powers.
Imira already represents the rights of a number of titles from ZDF including WICKED SCIENCE (52x26) and THE LOST TREASURE OF FIJI (13x26) which are part of its aim to expand its live action distribution catalogue.
Other merchandising properties managed by Imira Entertainment include international hit series LOLA & VIRGINIA, THE KOALA BROTHERS (Spain), and LOUIE (Spain, Portugal and Latin America).
