FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment steps up Tree Fu Tom Consumer Products push in It-aly

Animation & Characters

FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment announced that it has appointed Maurizio Distefano as the licensing agent for its hit pre-school property Tree Fu Tom in Italy.  Maurizio Distefano will seek out best-in-class partners for the brand whilst devising specific consumer roll out strategies for the Italian market.  The company will first represent Tree Fu Tom at the forthcoming Bologna Licensing Fair at the end of March.

This appointment coincides with the screening of the remaining half of the second series of Tree Fu Tom on Cartoonito in Italy from March ‘15.  It also follows the news that FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment has signed innovative US toy company Jazwares as the new Master Toy partner for the property.  Jazwares will manufacture the new toy range and a soon to be appointed local distributor will launch the products at retail, in Italy, later in the year.  In addition, the company has recently announced that the BBC has commissioned a third series of Tree Fu Tom (20 x 22”), due to air on CBeebies in the UK in 2016.

Tracy Griffiths, VP Licensing and Consumer Products EMEA and Australia, FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment said: “We are delighted to announce that Maurizio Distefano is on board to spread some Tree Fu magic and increase our consumer products reach in Italy. Tree Fu Tom continues to connect with children around the globe, generating high ratings and strong consumer engagement wherever the show airs.”

Maurizio Distefano said: “I’m thrilled to be able to represent Tree Fu Tom as  the series has huge appeal for Italian audiences which has also been recognized by Italian licensees. We are planning a strong consumer products program to meet with the latest aspirations of contemporary Italian kids”.

Tree Fu Tom is a co-production between FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment and the BBC for CBeebies, with animation by Blue Zoo Animation. The BAFTA-nominated CG series combines innovative elements of heroic action, fantasy and magic, coupled with unique interactive physical activity.

Maurizio Distefano will be at Booth A7 Hall 31 at the Bologna Licensing and Book Fair from 30th March to 1st April.