ZAG Games signs deal for first official Miraculous Ladybug console game

Following the debut of its first game for Roblox, ZAG Games, a division of independent animation studio ZAG, has signed with U.S. game publisher GameMill Entertainment and French game developer Magic Pockets to create the first official MiraculousTales of Ladybug & Cat Noir console game.

Based on the global hit TV series that airs in over 120 countries, the as-yet untitled action-adventure game will be available in stores and digitally in time for Christmas 2022.

“We’re looking to create a highly immersive experience featuring various gameplay elements while empowering players of any age to enjoy a new Miraculous Ladybug experience,” says Elinor Schops, ZAG’s VP, Gaming Experience. “The original game script will align closely with the television series, and we are confident that Magic Pockets and GameMill will bring their expertise, dedication, and passion to the game that will have fans the world over adding it to their holiday ‘22 gift lists.”

Most recently, the new Miraculous adventure quest role-play game for the Roblox platform – the first game based on a TV series to be developed on Roblox – launched on May 3, 2021, exceeding over 245 million plays to date. Miraculous RP: Quests of Ladybug & Cat Noir passed 100 million visits in the first seven weeks, with 88 per cent of players giving the game a “thumbs up.” The game exceeded one million daily active users in its first week of beta, with a rolling seven-day average of 1.2 million users, representing almost three per cent of Roblox platform’s global daily active user base.

ZAG is also in development on a Miraculous bubble shooter game with game developer and publisher CrazyLabs for the company’s second mobile game for the property, Miraculous Ladybug Puzzle RPG. Slated for a Q1 2022 debut, this new take on bubble shooter puzzle games combines RPG elements that feature challenging fighting levels designed for a new generation of players. In the game, users will form their own superhero team starring the show’s characters.

Season four of the Miraculous™: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir animated TV series started to roll out in over 120 countries during spring/summer 2021, and ZAG is currently in production on a US$100 million+ animated feature to premiere in 2022.  Miraculous is the winner of 19 awards, including the 2018 Teen Choice Award for Choice Animated Series.

 

 

 

ZAG promotes Lisa K Foster to SVP, Licensing, North America

As award-winning global independent animation studio ZAG continues to build a robust consumer products programme for flagship brand Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, the company is elevating North American Licensing VP Lisa K Foster to the role of Senior Vice President, Licensing, to manage the company’s portfolio of brands under the ZAG Heroez label – an umbrella brand franchise that brings together the superheroes from ZAG’s animated properties.

ZAG has also appointed former Disney Consumer Products and MGA Entertainment alum Monique Daggett as Licensing Manager, and Freddie Ordonez as Licensing Attorney. The announcements were made by Julian Zag, EVP, Global Operations and Head of Global Consumer Products.

“Lisa is passionate about the Miraculous brand and how fans of all ages want to engage with the stories and characters that we continue to create,” commented Julian. “She’s done a phenomenal job identifying and securing best-in-class partners in the US who will start rolling out products this fall and spring 2022. We’re delighted that Lisa will lead our US licensing and merchandising strategies for Miraculous and our newest series, Ghostforce, by working directly with the global team and me.”

Since joining the company in September 2020, Foster has contributed to over 60 new licensing partners for the North America market for Miraculous. In her elevated role, reporting directly to Julian Zag, Foster will continue to develop the licensing strategy for North America for the Miraculous brand, which includes the TV series currently spanning four seasons, with season five in production; the upcoming US$100M+ animated feature film and as yet unannounced spin-off series; and the company’s newest property to launch, Ghostforce, an original gender-neutral series for kids 6–10 years old that debuted on Disney XD on October 4. A toy line for Ghostforce is in the works from ZAG Lab and Playmates.

Retail expansion for Miraculous – lead by Sarah Boyer, Vice President of North America Retail­ – is underway across North America, with the toy line from ZAG Lab and Playmates hitting brick and mortar stores this autumn following the successful Spring 2021 rollout on e-commerce platforms including Walmart, Target and Kohls.

Other products hitting retail shelves in the US and Canada starting this year include books from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; costumes and accessories from InSpirit Designs; oral care from Church & Dwight Co; bedding and bath from Jay Franco; underwear from Handcraft Manufacturing; swimwear, sportswear, tees and sleepwear from Bentex Apparel Group, Komar and BioWorld; novelty sunglasses from Sunstaches; confections from Galerie; fruit snacks from Ferrara, stationery from Inkology; beauty from Centric Beauty; craft & activity from Horizon, posters and stickers from Trends International; colour and activity from Bendon; and novelty toys from What Kids Want, Inc.

 

ZAG promotes Lisa K Foster to SVP, Licensing, North America

As award-winning global independent animation studio ZAG continues to build a robust consumer products programme for flagship brand Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, the company is elevating North American Licensing VP Lisa K Foster to the role of Senior Vice President, Licensing, to manage the company’s portfolio of brands under the ZAG Heroez label – an umbrella brand franchise that brings together the superheroes from ZAG’s animated properties.

ZAG has also appointed former Disney Consumer Products and MGA Entertainment alum Monique Daggett as Licensing Manager, and Freddie Ordonez as Licensing Attorney. The announcements were made by Julian Zag, EVP, Global Operations and Head of Global Consumer Products.

“Lisa is passionate about the Miraculous brand and how fans of all ages want to engage with the stories and characters that we continue to create,” commented Julian. “She’s done a phenomenal job identifying and securing best-in-class partners in the US who will start rolling out products this fall and spring 2022. We’re delighted that Lisa will lead our US licensing and merchandising strategies for Miraculous and our newest series, Ghostforce, by working directly with the global team and me.”

Since joining the company in September 2020, Foster has contributed to over 60 new licensing partners for the North America market for Miraculous. In her elevated role, reporting directly to Julian Zag, Foster will continue to develop the licensing strategy for North America for the Miraculous brand, which includes the TV series currently spanning four seasons, with season five in production; the upcoming US$100M+ animated feature film and as yet unannounced spin-off series; and the company’s newest property to launch, Ghostforce, an original gender-neutral series for kids 6–10 years old that debuted on Disney XD on October 4. A toy line for Ghostforce is in the works from ZAG Lab and Playmates.

Retail expansion for Miraculous – lead by Sarah Boyer, Vice President of North America Retail­ – is underway across North America, with the toy line from ZAG Lab and Playmates hitting brick and mortar stores this autumn following the successful Spring 2021 rollout on e-commerce platforms including Walmart, Target and Kohls.

Other products hitting retail shelves in the US and Canada starting this year include books from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; costumes and accessories from InSpirit Designs; oral care from Church & Dwight Co; bedding and bath from Jay Franco; underwear from Handcraft Manufacturing; swimwear, sportswear, tees and sleepwear from Bentex Apparel Group, Komar and BioWorld; novelty sunglasses from Sunstaches; confections from Galerie; fruit snacks from Ferrara, stationery from Inkology; beauty from Centric Beauty; craft & activity from Horizon, posters and stickers from Trends International; colour and activity from Bendon; and novelty toys from What Kids Want, Inc.

 

Ian Lambur named EVP production and distribution at ZAG

The global independent animation studio ZAG has promoted Ian Lambur to the post of executive vice president, production, distribution and co-production, reporting to CEO and founder Jeremy Zag.

Lambur joined ZAG in November 2018, serving as SVP, global distribution and co-productions. He will now oversee the company’s TV productions, including several series under the Zag Heroez brand, including Ghostforce, Power Players, and Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir.

Alongside this, Lambur will continue to lead global distribution and co-production strategy of content to all platforms, including television, home entertainment, and digital media.

“Over the past eight-months, Ian has made a substantial contribution to the growth of ZAG, building on his network of extensive relationships and keen understanding of current and future media distribution platforms,” said Jeremy Zag.

“Adding oversight of production is a natural progression given Ian’s oversight of co-productions to date.”

Lambur said: “2020 is a pivotal year for ZAG with three series on air around the globe and two new series that we anticipate being greenlit in the coming months.

“We have tremendous co-production partners on board for each of our properties with a collective commitment to prioritise creativity and deliver series that we believe in, all featuring theatrical level animation that we are known for.”

Lambur joined ZAG from The Jim Henson Company, where he served as SVP of global distribution.  Previously, he held positions based in London UK at Disney Channels EMEA, serving as acquisitions manager and as director of sales at Guru Studios.