Silvergate Media’s Octonauts is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research to raise awareness of ocean exploration and science and advance NOAA’s ocean mission.
Silvergate Media’s Octonauts, the hit animated preschool series set under the sea, announced plans to pursue opportunities with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) to jointly raise awareness of ocean exploration and science and advance NOAA’s ocean mission. The announcement was made by Mary Durkan, Chief Executive Officer, Silvergate Media and John McDonough, Acting Director of NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.
The Octonauts live in an undersea base, the Octopod, where they embark upon fast-paced, action-adventures with the help of a fleet of aquatic vehicles. Led by a valiant polar bear, Captain Barnacles, and a daredevil kitten, Kwazii, these eight talented critters are always prepared to undertake exciting new missions to rescue and protect real-life undersea creatures.
The association with NOAA and its team of marine biologists, geologists, engineers and other experts at OER, described in a Letter of Intent signed by NOAA and Silvergate, will further Octonauts’ commitment to ensuring that the series is grounded in scientific discovery and true-to-life exploration of the natural world. For NOAA, the possibility of teaming with Octonauts will enable the organization to expand its demographic base and help develop the next generation of champions and protectors of our oceans.
Together, the team intends to explore participating at events at aquaria and other venues, collaborate on new products, such as games, toys and apps, share communications via social media and other platforms and develop educational materials and educational outreach programs.
“Our number one objective for Octonauts has always been to develop a property that is fun and entertaining but also remains true and accurate to the science that is the essence of the brand,” said Durkan. “In addition, we want Octonauts to help motivate young children – and their parents – to explore the ocean, be inspired by it and ask questions. This association is a huge step in continuing to move those objectives forward.”
“Octonauts sparks the imagination and interest of young children in the ocean’s mysteries by presenting adventures that are based on scientifically valid facts and issues,” said Dr. Stephen R. Hammond, Senior Ocean Science Advisor to the NOAA Ocean Exploration Program. “Octonauts informs and inspires children, some of whom will no doubt become part of our next generation of ocean explorers and scientists.”
Octonauts airs daily on Disney Junior and Disney Channel. Consumer products rolled out earlier this year with a hugely successful toy launch from Fisher-Price. Publishing, DVDs and other key categories will launch later this year and throughout 2014. Octonauts partnered with Westfield Malls for a multi-city mall tour across the United States, drawing in thousands of eager fans. Octonauts is based on the books of the same name by Meomi.
Source: Silvergate Media
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.
