Masha and the Bear ranked as top in-demand preschool show

Animaccord’s hit animation Masha and the Bear has reached new heights over the past 12 months, most notably reaching 100 billion views on YouTube.

According to Parrot Analytics, in 2021 Masha and the Bear was the number-one preschool show worldwide, with 36 times more demand than the average show – putting it in the top 0.2% of all TV series across all platforms.

The series was again ranked as a top-five show among children (0-18) for 2020-2021, being more in-demand with global audiences than PAW Patrol (34.9 times) and Peppa Pig (34.1 times).

The cartoon has been 101 times more popular outside of its home market than the average show and had 32.9 times more longevity, meaning that Masha and the Bear is still very relevant in its genre after over a decade. For the US and UK markets, the show is in the top three per cent of all shows and TV series.

In addition to its success in the preschool market, Masha and the Bear also stacks up against recent global hits such as Squid Game, Marvel Studios’ Hawkeye and Amazon Prime’s Wheel of Time, being ranked as twice more in-demand.

Animaccord launches Masha and the Bear e-shop

Animaccord launches Masha and the Bear e-shop

Personalised giftware company Star Editions has announced the opening of the first stand-alone online store for popular kids’ animation series Masha and the Bear, produced by award-winning entertainment company Animaccord. The store features an exclusive range of print-on-demand merchandise and products from existing licensees.

The available assortment now contains 10 product categories of the POD line, including T-shirts, mugs, puzzles, bottles and more, in addition to the master toy licensee collection from Simba Toys.

The variety of e-store products under the Masha and the Bear branding will be increased later next year.

shop.mashabear.com is now live.

Animaccord marks 100 billion views on YouTube with special episode of ‘Masha and the Bear’

Animaccord Studio has created a new special episode to express its appreciation to viewers the world over for reaching a milestone of 100 billion views on YouTube.

The release of a short episode titled “We love you to 100 BILLION and back” took place on 6 December on the official Masha and the Bear YouTube channel.

The animated series continues to demonstrate its huge popularity among audiences in different regions. The official YouTube channel of Masha and the Bear in Arabic has passed 10 million subscribers. The fastest-growing Arabic channel (by subscriber growth rate), it has been awarded a YouTube Diamond Play Button, joining the five already awarded to Masha and the Bear’s English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Ukrainian channels.

Moreover, Masha and the Bear’s English YouTube channel has repeated its success of 2020: in less than a year, it has gained another 10 million subscribers and has now reached the milestone of 30 million subscribers.

Animaccord partners with Havaianas to launch Masha and the Bear flip flops to global markets

Animaccord, the studio behind the global hit animated series, Masha and the Bear has partnered with Alpargatas, the parent company of the Brazilian fashion brand Havaianas to launch a new, officially licensed collection of flip flops.

The first licensed baby Havaianas hit the market in early Q1 this year, rolling out to the Asia Pacific region, with further distribution to Europe, Latin America, and other territories in the second quarter of the year. The collection will be available both online and in selected stores across the markets.

Maria Fernanda Albuquerque, Havaianas global communication director, said:Kids licenses are a great opportunity for Havaianas to be connected with a younger target. Now, with Masha and the Bear in our portolio, we expect to go even further in building our strenght amongst this target.”

Manaf Hassan, sales director at Animaccord, EMEA and Americas, added: “We are very excited about this partnership. Being loyal to the brand and owning several pairs of Havaianas flip flops, just like most of us do, makes this partnership special for myself as well. This success story is just another proof that Masha and the Bear is a great match for iconic fashion brands, alike Havaianas.”

Masha and the Bear secures its first publishing deal in Japan as Animaccord partners with Kodansha

Animaccord has secured its first publishing deal in the Japanese market for its flagship children’s property, Masha and the Bear.

The international licensing company and entertainment studio has partnered with Kodansha Ltd in a move that sees the company firm up its global presence by tapping into Japan’s publishing sector. The new licensed picture books – in both physical and e-book format – will feature original stories based on the Masha and the Bear series.

The first title in the series launched across Japan earlier this month, with a story that takes inspiration from one of the animated series’ best-loved episodes Laundry Day and Jam Day.

Nikolay Apukhtin, senior licensing manager for APAC, Animaccord, said: “We are very excited about the opportunity to bring Masha and the Bear picture books to Japanese readers and extremely grateful to our partners from Kodansha ltd. for believing in the brand from the very beginning by choosing our IP and developing the original stories best suited for the little audience in Japan.”

Yuri Sakai, editor in charge, Kodansha Ltd. added:Masha and the Bear finally arrived to Japan. We are going to tell Japanese Children about delightful days of cute Masha and you-always-can-rely-on Bear through our picture books.”

Animaccord and Crocs partner to launch Masha and the Bear Clogs and Jibbitz

Animaccord has snapped up a new collaboration with the footwear company, Crocs, to produce and launch an exclusive range of Masha and the Bear branded footwear for various markets around the world.

The new partnership will see Crocs launch the collection of licensed clogs and Jibbitz to both ecommerce and Crocs original stores in key markets across the globe. The range will land in time for those casual long days this summer.

 “We are extremely excited about our partnership with Crocs that will be distributing a licensed Masha and the Bear footwear collection around the world,” said Alexey Merkulov, CCO of Animaccord.

“Together we’ll brighten up the days of kids and their parents everywhere with unique style and creativity. Our cartoon shares lots in common with Crocs – everything from a “colorful” mood to a real fan base. Therefore, we cannot wait to see little ones wearing their legendary clogs with their lovable characters and adults with branded jibbitz on their footwear, uniting families all over the world in the original Crocs and a matching Masha and the Bear style.”

Animaccord inks major broadcast deal for Masha and the Bear with Italy’s kids’ channel Rai

Animaccord has inked a new broadcast deal with the Italian public media company, Rai, for the fifth season of Masha and the Bear, produced in a new 4k UHD format.

The first episodes of the new season will air daily on Rai Yoyo and Rai Play starting from May 3rd this year, and occupying sme of the best slots on the channels.

“We’re excited with the technical innovations that have been implemented by Animaccord to produce and bring its new Season in 4K, making a breakthrough in preschool serial animation field,” said Annalisa Liberi, head of acquisitions at Rai Ragazzi.

“We’re happy to plunge kids to this Masha and the Bear’s fantasy world that is always close to their daily life & feelings as well as to amaze them with the new scripts and the undiminished energy of the character in exceptional premium quality.”

Alongside the launch of the core show’s new season, on February 27, 2021, Rai will also release Animaccord’s new educational musical project named Nursery Rhymes, where the world-wide famous character Masha leads babies and toddlers through a wonderful world of nursery rhymes, helping them to tap into their hidden talents and develop them. 

This year Animaccord marks the tenth year since the first media deal signed for Masha and the Bear Season one for Rai to premier the cartoon in Italy – the first country outside the home market where Masha and the Bear became a huge success.

Animaccord lands new Amazon Prime Video partnership for Masha and the Bear

Animaccord has struck up a new deal with Amazon Prime Video to bring its flagship Masha and the Bear seasons one to three, as well as its spin-offs Masha’s Spooky Stories and Masha’s Tales to audiences across a number of territories.

In a multi-territory partnership, Prime Video has acquired the rights to seasons one and two in multiple languages to launch the show across Europe, including in Spain, Italy, and France.

An update to the deal will see Animaccord deliver Masha and the Bear seasons one to three – and its spin offs – with local dubbing to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The Masha’s Spooky Stories spin-off is available in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, while the Masha’s Tales spin-off will be available in France, Italy, and Spain.

Masha and the Bear consumer products are widely represented on Amazon. The first official brand store was launched across the USA, UK, Germany, and India starting in 2018, selling Masha and the Bear themed t-shirts, hoodies, pop sockets and other items.

As of today, there are brand stores in eight countries: the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the USA, Mexico, and India.

Masha and the Bear become stars of a new branded zone at Turkey’s The Land of Legends theme park

Masha and the Bear are now the stars of the series own branded destination area within Turkey’s popular theme park, The Land of Legends, featuring a variety of rides and entertainment activities for visitors. The move is the result of a new partnership between Animaccord and The Land of Legends and Rixos Hotels.

The Land of Legends in Antalya has been attracting guests since it opened in 2016, operating throughout the year, including the holiday seasons such as New Year Eve. In 2020 Rixos Group presented its first ever licensed themed land in theme park – Masha and the Bear Land of Laughter – inspired by the popular animated family series.

The brand zone covers the area of 8000 m2.

Hande Tezerdi, Rixos Group’s business development director, said: “Masha and the Bear is a very strong IP throughout Europe, and all over the world.

“It is among the top five brands in Turkey, for most watchable episodes and for consumer brands. We met with Animaccord and explained our vision about what The Land of Legends wanted to create as a themed zone.”

Masha and the Bear now holds the position as centrepiece of The Land of Legends’ Land of Laughter with its ride, A Joyful Journey. The ride is billed as a slow-moving boat ride through the four seasons of the year, with Masha and the Bear as walking mascots with whom park visitors can take photos.

Guests enter Masha’s house before boarding boats that take them in and out of a show building. Most of the scenes show Masha interacting with the seasonal weather conditions and also holidays like Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s. Over 75 cartoon-inspired figurines populate the attraction, both static and animated. 

An indoor play structure called Bear’s Funhouse and a splashpad play area provide other attractions within the land. A quick service restaurant features Russian cuisine while the train-themed Food Station restaurant provides indoor and outdoor sit-down options. Windows on one side of the train face the land while “windows” on the opposite side are actually screens that show animated scenes and characters from the TV series.

Masha and the Bear secures host of UK licensees as Season Four lands on Tiny Pop

The international animation studio and name behind the popular kids’ show Masha and the Bear, has secured a host of new UK licensees to coincide with the arrival of season four of the animated series on Tiny Pop this month.

In a swathe of deals brokered by the UK licensing agency, Lisle Licensing Masha and the Bear is now moving into licensed backpacks, school bags and fashion bags with William Lamb Group, as well as branded costumes and accessories, tableware, paper decorations, party bags and balloons courtesy of Smiffys.

On top of this, a partnership with The Entertainer will see the UK toy retailer stock Masha and the Bear – Masha’s Songs branded caps in over 170 of its stores nationwide.

The local licensing activity all gets under way as the popular animated series lands on Tiny Pop with its season four debut this month. Called Masha’s Songs, the 13 episode season is dedicated to exploring different countries and their music, values, and culture. The season will see Masha travel the world with her friends.

Tiny Pop is supporting the Season Four launch with a series of marketing activities including a nationwide on-air and digital musical competition, asking viewers to go to the Tiny Pop Artpad and design a picture of the Masha Musical Band.

The competition will run for three weeks from November 9 to November 30 2020 and will raffle prizes from Animaccord’s retail and toy partners, Smyths and Simba Dickie Group. There will also be a separate schedule of Tiny Pop online and social competitions in conjunction with Masha and the Bear toy manufacturers Simba Dickie Group and Tactic