ZAG, METHOD ANIMATION AND PLANETA JUNIOR JOIN FORCES

Movie & Television

Zag, Method and leading European children’s entertainment company Planeta Junior (Planeta & DeAgostini Group) has joined forces in a brand-new co-production deal on the development of five upcoming major animated series of the “Zag Heroez” label. After the huge success of the phenomenon “Miraculous Ladybug – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir”, these new series will bring empowerment, action-packed adventures and excitement to new audiences.

This new collaboration starts with two “Zag Heroez” large-scale animated series: Power Players, an innovative hybrid animated series about a new team of secret heroes formed by a little boy and his toys, and Pixigirl, an adventurous and fun-packed animated series about a super-heroine with the supernatural powers of Mother Nature, battling the tyrannical rule of evil witches in New York.

Planeta Junior will manage as well the licensing programs of the “Zag Heroez” properties, including Zak Storm in all Planeta Junior territories. Thanks to this new partnership and the success of Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir licensing programs all over its territories, Planeta Junior has extended the partnership in Consumer Products with ZAG in Southern, Center and Eastern Europe.

“We are very honored and proud to announce this new partnership with Planeta Junior, and fortunate to be joining forces as we enter our next chapter with the “Zag Heroez” label, focused on delivering a powerful slate of kids’entertainment franchises”, said Aton Soumache, CEO of Method Animation. Jeremy and I are excited to extend our momentum through this partnership with Planeta Junior, which brings the highest level of expertise to the distribution process and brand management in Southern Europe. Planeta Junior is the best home in these territories to expand licensing & merchandising revenue, and promote our brands, following the first success we accomplished with “Miraculous”.

“Thanks to recent enhancements to our “Zag Heroez” label, we’re now able to make a childhood dream come true: create a brand new universe full of fantastic superheroes for kids across the world to grow up with and dream of. This strong partnership with Planeta Junior will help us promote this dream for children around the globe”, said Jeremy Zag, CEO of ZAG.

“We are very excited to join this long-term partnership with Jeremy and Aton as Zag Heroez label is one of the most powerful slate for children programming in the animation market. We share with Zagtoon and Method Animation the enthusiasm for content for the new kids generation and we are proud to bring this amazing universe to children all over the world” Ignacio Segura, General Manager of Planeta Junior.

ABOUT ZAG

ZAG is a 360°  company specializing in kids and family entertainment franchises.

The company was founded by Jeremy Zag with a clear and ambitious vision: create iconic and inspirational heroes with powers that you’ve never seen before. Since 2009, ZAG has produced more than 200 half-hours of original TV content for 120 territories, partnering with different broadcasters, networks & Global master toy partners like Disney, Nickelodeon, Bandai, Playmates Toys.

Lately, ZAG launched the worldwilde phenomenon Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, (developed in collaboration with Disney, TF1, TOEI Animation, Method Animation, Samg and Bandai) and Zak Storm, the super pirate adventure developed with Ben10 and BIG HERO 6 creators, ‘’The Man of action studios’’ & Bandai.

ZAG’s multiple divisions includes a TV department, a feature film division and a consumer product department.

ABOUT METHOD ANIMATION

Method Animation, founded by Aton Soumache 20 years ago, is part of ON kids & family, a globally merged entertainment group that develops animated movies and series. ON, as one of the top producers of 3D-CGI animation in Europe, is specialized in handling 360° strategies for high quality brands and properties. Creativity, innovation and heart-warming stories for kids are the keywords of the company’s DNA. The group has produced, distributed worldwide by Paramount and Warner, The Little Prince directed by Mark Osborne, selected in Cannes Festival and rewarded by The Cesar Academy as the best Animated Feature Film. In 2016, the studio started production on its upcoming animated feature film: “PLAYMOBIL The Movie”, directed by Lino DiSalvo.

Multi-award winning TV production company, Method has a solid expertise producing in-house innovative and ambitious 3D-CGI and hybrid animated concepts for international broadcasters including Disney, Cartoon Network, Discovery, BBC, ITV, France Television, TF1, M6, WDR, ZDF, Rai, TVE, ABC Australia, Gloob and Netflix among others.

Method Animation has developed series adaptations of renowned intellectual properties and critically-acclaimed TV series, either for, or in collaboration with major partners: The Little Prince (3 seasons), the pioneering hybrid sitcom Seven and Me, Iron Man (coproduced with Marvel), Little Nick (coproduced with M6 Studios), Peter Pan and Robin hood (with DQ Entertainment), Chaplin and co (with MK2) and Super 4inspired by the world of Playmobil®.

ABOUT PLANETA JUNIOR

Planeta Junior, a company within the Grupo Planeta / De Agostini group, is one of Europe’s leading companies providing entertainment for pre-school, children and family audiences. It focuses on producing and distributing animated series and the rights derived from these IP’s. The company has offices in Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Eastern Europe. In January 2016, Planeta Junior joined forces with German company m4e in an alliance focussed on co-production, distribution and consumer products, to strengthen business in Northern and Central Europe. Since February 2014, the company has also managed TV rights, licensing & merchandising and promotions for DreamWorks Animation. Planeta Junior continues to invest in its own productions, this year featuring series like Mutant Busters, Bubble Bip, Oliver Rock, Heidi, Egyxos and Sendokai Champions among others.