The Jim Henson Company announces the upcoming debut of its latest property, Jim Henson's Chatter Zoo, at Licensing Expo 2013.
Los Angeles, CA --
The Jim Henson Company continues its reputation as an innovator in content and brand development with the upcoming debut of its latest property, Jim Henson's Chatter Zoo, at Licensing Expo 2013. Chatter Zoo will premiere to consumers this summer with the launch of an “appisode” – a mobile entertainment and learning application for kids – produced by Mindshapes. Also, The Jim Henson Company is collaborating with Sassy Inc., the lead partner for infant developmental toys and plush, for products in those categories. The announcement was made today by Melissa Segal, Executive Vice President, Global Consumer Products, The Jim Henson Company.
Created by Alex Rockwell (Pajanimals, Bear in the Big Blue House), Jim Henson's Chatter Zoo is an interactive pre-school property featuring four adorable animal babies – FRANNY the baby cheetah, BAILEY the baby elephant, PIP the baby wallaby and LULU the baby panda – in their playful habitat at the Chatter Zoo. Leveraging kids’ innate desire to play teacher, young viewers will instinctively engage with the show’s characters by calling out directions, singing and dancing along, clapping, pointing and more all in an effort to teach the babies how to speak. Viewers will enjoy a high level of fun interaction supported by a strong curriculum that reinforces language building and music education. Jim Henson's Chatter Zoo will first be introduced to consumers through an appisode being produced by Mindshapes, an award-winning creator of mobile learning applications for kids. Set to launch this summer, Jim Henson's Chatter Zoo appisode will feature stories, learn and play activities, animations and music content each delivering an entertaining, engaging and interactive kid-friendly experience.
“As more young children are engaging with content through smart phones, and tablets, we believe the best way to introduce Jim Henson's Chatter Zoo to our young audience isthrough this first interactive appisode,” said Segal. “In addition to highlighting all of the elements that make this such a delightful property – including the sweet baby animal characters and the intuitive methods for involving young viewers in teaching the characters to speak – the appisode also underscores The Jim Henson Company’s expertise in educating through immersive entertainment. The industry’s initial response to Jim Henson’s Chatter Zoo has been extremely encouraging and we’re eager to begin discussions with potential licensees about developing this property through a wide variety of opportunities,” said Segal.
“Working with The Jim Henson Company on our appisode for Sid the Science Kid was very rewarding and we are overjoyed to be working with them again on the appisode for this endearing property,” added Nina Pustilnik, co-CEO of Mindshapes.
In addition, the Company is teaming up with Sassy Inc, a subsidiary of Kid Brands, Inc., to develop a broad line of innovative infant development toys and products based on the adorable J Jim Henson's Chatter Zoo characters and their world.
“Jim Henson's Chatter Zoo is ideally matched to the products and goals of Sassy,” said Sassy President Dean Robinson. “We’re enthusiastic about the property and honored to have been selected by The Jim Henson Company as a partner and collaborator.”
The Company, exhibiting in Booth O141 during the June 18-20 Licensing Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, will be looking to expand Jim Henson's Chatter Zoo licensing program into infant apparel, accessories, room décor and more.
Source: The Jim Henson Company
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.
