SeaWorld unveils two new animated properties in development, A U.S. version of France’s popular ‘The Jungle Bunch,’ franchise, and an untitled preschool property in partnership with Little Airplane Productions.
Orlando, FL -- SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is unveiling two new animated properties in development, in addition to a new live action television series and a third season of the popular Sea Rescue show.
The media enterprises initiative began in 2011 and extends the 50-year-old brand beyond its famous parks and into new media platforms, connecting people to nature through movies, television and digital media. The initiative also has generated the company’s first documentary in U.S. theaters, digital game app, and TV series.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has entered into an agreement with international brand manager PGS Entertainment to manage U.S. television and merchandising rights for the TAT Productions’ popular franchise The Jungle Bunch. As part of the agreement, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment will be seeking a television distribution outlet in the states, and also has secured exclusive family amusement park merchandising rights in the U.S. for their Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks.
The Jungle Bunch is the winner of five international kids programming awards, and was nominated for the prestigious Kids’ Emmy Award (a first for a French production). It features enchanting animal characters, including Maurice the penguin who thinks he’s a tiger; Miguel the punchy gorilla; Fred the warthog crooner and Junior the tiger fish. In the English-language movie, Maurice is voiced by Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actor John Lithgow. In The Jungle Bunch to the Rescue series, the team comes together to save animals all over the world. The film and the series are produced by TAT productions and Master Films and commissioned by France Televisions and Super RTL.
“Jungle Bunch is an award-winning franchise that is phenomenally successful across all continents,” said Philippe Soutter, co-founder and president, PGS Entertainment. “The brand is poised to enter the U.S. on an international high note and, thematically, it couldn’t be more well-suited to SeaWorld’s amazing brand mission with its fun-loving animal characters who carry a positive message of conservation.”
Little Airplane Productions, producer of some of the most popular television series for preschoolers, including The Wonder Pets, 3rd & Bird and Small Potatoes, has teamed up with SeaWorld to jointly develop a new television property for preschool children. The new program will be inspired by SeaWorld's deep commitment to the environment, conservation, exploration and care for animals both on land and in the sea.
“Working with Sea World is a natural fit for Little Airplane,” said Josh Selig, Founder and President, Little Airplane Productions. “Both companies share a deep love and respect for animals and nature and we believe we can create something truly exceptional together."
Global distribution of both series will be on the agenda at MIPCOM.
“SeaWorld celebrates all kinds of animals and strives to inspire and educate young people to care about the natural world,” said Scott Helmstedter, Chief Creative Officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Our new partners not only highly regarded in the industry, they are passionate about creating projects that help make a difference. And these new properties will do just that, using their unique blend of humorous, charming and adventurous stories and characters.”
Source: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
