Chorion Signs Deals For Olivia, Noddy & Mr. Men

Family entertainment producer and distributor Chorion has signed a raft of key European licensing deals across its extensive portfolio of properties.

French broadcaster TF1 has picked up the French licensing and merchandising rights to OLIVIA, following its pre-buy of the television series at MIPCOM last year.

Based on the award-winning books written and illustrated by Ian Falconer, OLIVIA is a 3D CGI series animated by Brown Bag Films. Exec produced by Chorion's Diana Manson and Kurt Mueller, and Brown Bag Film's Cathal Gaffney, the series begins airing on Nickelodeon (U.S.) on January 26 and will roll out across over 20 other territories in 2009.

Also in France, Universal has been secured as the DVD distributor for Chorion's new NODDY IN TOYLAND series, while Noddy remains Hachette's top licensed property in France with over 15 new titles to be published in 2009. In Portugal, media group Lusomundo has also picked up the DVD rights for NODDY IN TOYLAND following their success with MAKE WAY FOR NODDY in recent years.

Chorion's MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS brand continues go from strength to strength with across Europe with Victoria Couture signing a pan-European agreement for cashmere and silk garments. In the UK, Global Licensing will be introducing MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS apparel into Tesco, Wesco is on board to produce a gifting range including clocks and watches and Worlds Apart is producing a ready room range including soundchips.

In Spain, United Labels have signed up to launch a MR. MEN gifts and apparel line for 2009 and Portugal's biggest retail group Sonae has signed up the license to produce MR. MEN SHOW adults and children's apparel beginning autumn/winter 2009.

A new deal has also been secured for the World of Beatrix Potter brand with Amboise to produce a range of jewelry.