Henson Independent Properties, The Jim Henson Company’s third party media distribution and consumer products banner, acquires YouTube sensation “I Love Egg” from Korea’s D&H Inc.
Los Angeles, CA —
Recognizing the global potential of Asian and YouTube sensation, I Love Egg, HIP (Henson Independent Properties), The Jim Henson Company’s third party media distribution and consumer products banner, has acquired from D&H Inc. of Korea global rights outside of Asia to the fresh and inventive children’s brand. The acquisition marks the first property deal for HIP that spans both global consumer products and international media distribution.
“As the demand from international television networks and digital platforms for interstitial content continues to grow, I Love Egg is the ideal series because of its charming, funny unique and engaging array of animated shorts,” said Richard Goldsmith, EVP, Global Distribution for The Jim Henson Company. “This interstitial programming appeals to a vast audience ranging in age from preschool to tweens and has enormous potential for development as a traditional animated series, especially with the support of the merchandising campaign that will be developed around it.”
“As evidenced by the success of I Love Egg throughout Asia, this property comes to the marketplace with hundreds of characters and a proven success in such highly competitive product lines as collectibles, apparel, publishing and more,” added Melissa Segal, EVP of Global Consumer Products, for The Jim Henson Company. “In conjunction with the expansion of the interstitials, this range of wonderful assets already available provides an ideal licensing opportunity to grow the brand in other parts of the world.”
“We know our property, I Love Egg is in good hands with the well-respected team at The Jim Henson Company, said Jong-il Lee, President, D&H Inc.” “With The Jim Henson Company’s HIP banner licensing our interstitial content to broadcasters around the globe, we believe there will be an opportunity to grow the brand into a traditional animated series,” continued Lee. And with HIP developing the merchandising and licensing prospects, we have high expectations for the continued growth of I Love Egg.”
Originating as a series of inventive and engaging animated shorts on Korean website www.iloveegg.com, the property quickly charmed children of all ages across Asia with its adorable array of characters. As I Love Egg spread across Asia, garnering millions of views on YouTube and television networks such as Cartoon Network Japan, the brand became an Asian sensation, spawning a top-selling line of collectible figurines, followed by attractive apparel, publishing and food products.
HIP will be screening I Love Egg interstitial content for international program buyers during the upcoming MIP-TV programming market in France next month and will introduce its licensing strategy for I Love Egg to potential licensing and merchandising partners at this year’s Licensing Show.
Source: HIP (Henson Independent Properties)
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.
