The Emoji Company and WildBrain have forged a far-reaching content and licensing partnership to launch Emojitown, a new, digital first, animated series based on the emoji brand, as well as a new consumer product extension programme around it.
Under the partnership, WildBrain’s AVOD network and digital studio, WildBrain Spark, has teamed with the Emoji Company to co-develop and co-produce Emojitown, a new 2D series targeting teens and young adults.
WildBrain Spark, which holds exclusive global distribution rights to the new series, will premiere Emojitown on YouTube with a dedicated channel launching at the end of May, when viewers will be able to enjoy the first four episodes of the fast-paced, language-agnostic show, followed by additional episodes rolling out weekly.
Meanwhile, WildBrain’s global licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG, will handle worldwide licensing and merchandising rights for Emojitown, building on the agency’s extensive and already successful program for the Emoji brand across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and other territories. WildBrain CPLG will work with Emoji Company and licensees to develop Emojitown products across key categories for teens and young adults.
Marco Huesges, founder and CEO of Emoji Company, said: “This is a significant development for the Emoji brand, bringing our globally recognizable icons into the digital-content space. With their preeminent reputation on digital platforms, including YouTube, and their deep understanding of licensing and brand amplification, WildBrain Spark and WildBrain CPLG are the ideal collaborators for our push into new content creation and consumer products for the teen and young-adult audience. Together we will take this hugely exciting step in the evolution of Emoji.”
Maarten Weck, EVP and MD of WildBrain CPLG, added: “Building on our strong relationship with the emoji company, this expanded partnership combines the strengths of the much-loved emoji brand with our creative and collaborative capabilities across consumer products licensing, digital-content production, and AVOD management.”
Rachel Taylor, commercial director of WildBrain Spark, said: “With its universal appeal, the Emoji brand is ideal for the creation of an animated digital-first content offering, and our creative team has produced a funny, wry and edgy series, underpinned by bespoke data and insights drawn from our premium YouTube network.
“We’re delighted that the emoji company saw us as the right partner to co-develop and launch this extension of its brand for today’s digital-savvy audience of modern teens.”
