Barcelona-based Icon Animation has signed a raft of programming deals at MIPTV 2006 for its edu-tainment series VITAMINIX (www.vitaminix.tv). Panama free TV channel TV7 (Corp. Medcom), UEA cabsat channel E-Junior, TV Andorra and Digiturk in Turkey are the latest broadcasters to sign up for the animated healthy eating show aimed at kids. In addition, Icon Animation has signed an output deal with Al Sayyar Art Prod. for the Middle East and 33x26 animated series MIMI & MR. BOBO.
We are also expanding the property to mobile phones in collaboration with Nickelodeon Latin America, and are very happy to extend our collaboration with the channel, said Christophe Goldberger, head of distribution & marketing.
VITAMINIX teaches children about the nutritional value of food, minerals and vitamins. Each episode features one animal associated with a type of food to introduce the interesting world of nutrition and the benefits of healthy eating to kids in an entertaining way. Icon Animation is also developing mobile content based on the series, which made its debut at MIP-TV.
Available in more than 12 languages, VITAMINIX is already landed sales with the Disney Channels Asia and Italy, Hong Kong Cable, and Infiniss in Korea. It has also been acquired by Nickelodeon Europe for Germany, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Nickelodeon Spain, Nickelodeon Latin America and TPS Jeunesse in France.
VITAMINIX is also aired on RTVE, TV3, ETB, Hop TV in Israel, Hungarys DunaTV and Animania in the USA. Ten books and DVDs were released in Fall 2005.
The series has also been launched in DVD/video format. Rights have just been picked-up by Frances Carrere Group for France and French-speaking Europe, and in Germany through video publisher and distributor Polyband. Spains Filmax has taken video rights for Spain. Slovenias Cinemania Group has also acquired the broadcast, video and publishing rights of the property for Serbia Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and Albania.
In Latin America, Mexico-based video publisher and distributor Tycoon Ent. Group has picked up video rights for Mexico, Puerto Rico, Central America, the Caribbean, Chile, Brazil and Peru, while South Koreas INFINISS has picked up video and publishing rights for the property and will also act as agent for the merchandising rights of Vitaminix in South Korea.
The series is based on the concept by Vicky Prenafeta and Juan Linares, and is a co-production between Digital Y Cual, Icon Animation and NGO Fundación Intervida.
Barcelona based Icon Animation (www.icon-animation.com) is a producer and distributor of animated series. Its productions incorporate the latest technologies (including HD) as properties are developed for cross media exploitation (TV, video, licensing, merchandising and publishing). Icon Animation distributes worldwide a catalogue of more than 500 half hours of kids programs, including animated feature films.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
