Tag Archives: Sutikki

Sutikki bolsters leadership team with Jo Redfern, Danielle Davies, and Anthea Morrissey

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The London-based children’s entertainment specialist, Sutikki, has bolstered its senior team with the appointment of three seasoned executives in a move to accelerate the growth of its brand portfolio.

Alongside the triple appointment, the firm has outlined plans to make ‘substantial investment in new acquisitions and creative opportunities throughout 2021 and beyond.’

Leading the new appointments, Jo Redfern has been named Sutikki’s global brand director and will be charged with leading the brand development function across the globe to create franchise strategies that support the growth of the company’s IP portfolio.

Redfern has more than two decades of experience in kids’ TV and entertainment properties, and brings with her a keen eye for brand planning honed through past experience with BBC Children’s & Education, The Walt Disney Company, and WWE.

Meanwhile, Danielle Davies has been named new global content strategy and partnerships director. Davies brings a wealth of experience including her time as VP Kids Content Partnership & Revenues for Discovery Kids, along with positions at the BBC and Viacom. Davies will help shape the narrative for Sutikki’s IP by leveraging her knowledge and contacts in the global marketplace.

Finally, Anthea Morrissey has been named the company’s new global creative and product development director, responsible for defining the creative and product development strategy across the globe for each Sutikki IP.

Morrissey’s career includes roles at Walker Books, HIT Entertainment, Warner Bros, NBC Universal and eOne where she set up the creative function and worked globally across consumer products, publishing, live events and themed attractions.

This news follows the announcement late last year regarding the appointment of Hannah Mungo as CEO and Simon Philips as Sutikki’s newest Board member, alongside Frank Patterson, Brett Coker, Jim Garrett and Scott Greenberg.

“I am delighted to welcome Jo, Anthea and Danielle to the Sutikki leadership team. They are all hugely accomplished professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge based upon their experience of shaping the success of some of the most prolific entertainment franchises of all time,” said Mungo.

“I’m excited that they have recognised the ambition and potential of Sutikki and look forward to combining all of our respective talents to drive the company forward to what I’m sure will be a very bright future.”

Sutikki to develop animated and live action series based on the Digital Dream Labs’ hit Cozmo robot

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The children’s entertainment company, Sutikki – best known for the popular UK series, Moon & Me – has inked a new partnership with the US-based educational technology company, Digital Dream Labs, to create, develop and distribute an animated series and live action content based on the robot duo Cozmo and Vector.

Under the partnership, Cozmo has taken its first steps from best-selling toy brand to entertainment franchise with the premiere of its first animated featurette, making its debut on the newly launched Cozmo & Friends YouTube channel

The journey from best-selling toy brand to entertainment franchise starts today with the premiere of the first animated featurette which debuts on the newly launched Cozmo & Friends YouTube channel.  The hub will host a steady flow of innovative and creative content that will further explore Digital Dream Labs’ revolutionary robot creations.

Sutikki’s initial focus will be on Cozmo, an expressive little robot with a mind of its own and a one-of-a-kind personality that evolves and learns over time. Cozmo blazed a trail when it launched in 2017 earning the top spot for the best-selling toy on Amazon US two years in a row and the best-selling toy on Amazon in the UK and France in 2017.

Sutikki plans a comprehensive content campaign, initially on its dedicated YouTube channel, leveraging its experience and expertise in building highly engaging brand franchises that speak to the discerning, tech savvy kids of today. The short-form videos will tap into the production company’s ability to engage consumers through compelling storytelling and to showcase IP on a global scale.

Beyond plans for new video content, Sutikki is planning to launch a global consumer products program. Digital Dream Labs’ pre-order for updated versions of both of their popular consumer robots opens on 20th November 2020 ahead of the holiday season with the new robots hitting retail in Spring 2021.

“We’re looking forward to introducing Cozmo and friends to the world,” said Hannah Mungo, CEO, Sutikki. “Cozmo is an extraordinary character who is not only an educational asset and friend for children, but also full of play and exploration. We are extremely excited to tap into the unique characteristics of DDL’s amazing robot line through creative content and bold new consumer products that will form the blueprint for what is certain to be one of entertainment’s most exciting future franchises.”

Digital Dream Labs is a global leader of creating hands-on educational technology for children of all ages. The high-tech firm specializes in creating engaging, language and system-agnostic products that connect with kids of all ages. Its line of robots are more than simple educational tools and have already gained an online following that sets the stage for a successful evolution into the entertainment realm.

“It’s been a real pleasure for our team to watch the animators capture Cozmo’s unique personality,” added co-founder and CEO of Digital Dream Labs, Dr. Jacob Hanchar. “We’re really excited to see this partnership grow and know that families around the world will welcome Cozmo into homes across many different interactive touchpoints.”

Sutikki brings in The Point. 1888, Kids Industries, and Rock Hill Media for global expansion plans

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The children’s entertainment company, Sutikki, has lined up new partnerships with the family market marketing agency Kids Industries, the brand licensing agency The Point. 1888, and the media strategists Rock Hill Media Ventures. The trio will work with Sutikki, the home of Moon & Me, to develop global brand strategies for international growth.

“We’re thrilled to have this global network of industry visionaries as partners in Sutikki’s new phase of growth and innovation,” said Sutikki CEO, Hannah Mungo. “Each agency has experience in building, innovating and executing new tactics for brand connectivity and engagement.”

The UK-based Kids Industries will work alongside Sutikki to develop a global brand strategy for its IP. It will draw on its experience working with industry leading clients such as BBC Worldwide, ViacomCBS, Universal Studios, McDonald’s, and The Walt Disney Company.

Kids Industries recently executed campaigns for Marvel, Star Wars, SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

“We’re the only full-service agency on the planet specialising in the family space, where we’ve been connecting human emotions with market intelligence to make brands stronger for over 20 years,” said Kids Industries co-founder and CEO, Gary Pope.

“We can’t wait to bring our expertise and insights to the table to facilitate brand strategies, which will be designed to ensure maximum exposure and a 360 approach to the brand build.”

Meanwhile, The Point.1888 will ‘provide insight and guidance on Sutikkis’s consumer products programme,’ utilising its experience working with major entertainment IPs such as The Gruffalo, Star Wars, LOL Surprise, Marvel, Clangers, Mr Men, Noddy, and Sesame Street.

The Point. 1888 currently manages CoComelon, Blippi, My Magic Pet Morphle, and Percy the Park Keeper.

“We’re excited to join Sutikki in this pivotal moment of transformation and provide insight and guidance on its consumer products programmes,” said Will Stewart, founder and managing director at The Point.1888. “Sutikki’s IP connects with children by capturing their attention and developing their imagination and it’s our job to turn that creativity into lucrative licensing opportunities. We’re really looking forward to partnering with Sutikki to ensure commercial success across the UK.”

Finally, Keith Dawkins of Rock Hill Media Ventures, the former Nickelodeon executive, has been appointed as a strategic consultant for the US market. He brings with him expertise in content strategy, distribution, and development within the kids’ space.

Rock Hill currently boasts strategic partnerships with the NBA Players Association, Oscar and Emmy Award-winning media company Believe Entertainment, and the LA-based content accelerator, Sameer Gardezi’s Break the Room.

“I am excited to have Rock Hill Media Ventures partner with Sutikki in expanding its global kids’ footprint,” said Dawkins. “I look forward to bringing my expertise in the kids’ market to best support in road mapping the US expansion for Sutikki.”

To follow the development of these partnerships visit www.sutikki.com.

Sutikki welcomes Simon Philips to board and announces Hannah Mungo as CEO

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Sutikki, the children’s entertainment company and production team behind the popular UK show, Moon & Me, has officially announced the appointment of Hannah Mungo as its CEO and Simon Philips as its newest board member.

Both specialists in the licensing and children’s entertainment industries, the pair join Sutikki with a combined vision to build engaging global brands based on powerful stories, and drive the business’ commercial success through the production of new content and consumer products.

“I’m delighted to take the lead at Sutikki and drive the company forward for what is set to be a very bright future,” said Mungo. “Our vision is to create amazing content, maximise exposure of that content across the globe, and engage consumers with a 360-approach.

“Moon & Me is a great example of the quality, internationally scalable content created at Sutikki and I’m excited for the future opportunities that come with our existing and new IP.”

Mungo steps into the top executive role at Sutikki, a role previously held by Scott Greenberg, bringing with her vast experience across the brand licensing and kids’ entertainment space. The former head of UK licensing at Entertainment One was a key member of the team that built Peppa Pig into a globally recognised brand.

Most recently, Mungo served as the Country Director, UK and Ireland for NBCUniversal’s Brand Development division where she led a team across consumer products, marketing, retail and product development that leveraged entertainment brands like Minions, Trolls, and Jurassic World.

Meanwhile, Philips joins Sutikki’s robust board of directors to provide guidance on the company’s vision and the execution of its global brands. He brings a wealth of experience from his history as EMEA Executive Vice-President & General Manager at Disney, President of Marvel Entertainment International, and Managing Director at 4Kids Entertainment International. His creativity and leadership have resulted in billions of dollars in revenue and unparalleled global brand recognition.

“Building creative ideas into cultural touch points has been my lifelong passion and I see the opportunity to continue this legacy with Sutikki and its team,” said Philips. “I’m thrilled to be joining Frank Patterson, Brett Coker, Jim Garrett and Scott Greenberg on the board. Together, we couldn’t think of a better qualified person to step into Scott’s shoes and lead Sutikki into the future than Hannah.”

Trilith Studios, where films like Avengers: Endgame and Sony’s Passengers were produced, recently made a significant investment in Sutikki as part of its expansion plans into content. Other investors include JSB Toons.