A Royal Entrance

CMondo TV puts the new girls series

elebrating its 50th anniversary, Italy-based Mondo TV is demonstrating the source of its staying power by bringing a slate of new and established properties to market at this year’s Brand Licensing Europe.

Founded by Orlando Corradi, Mondo has grown in into one of Europe’s largest producers and distributors of animated content.

The company this year has high expectations for its new girls property, Sissi: The Young Empress. The animated show is based on the life of Elisabeth Wittelsbach, the empress-consort of Austria from 1854-1898, an admired historical figure that has captured the popular imagination in Europe, especially among girls. According to Mondo, the empress — more commonly known by her nickname, Sissi — her story and the values she represents still fascinate all generations making her even more legendary.

The series by Mondo TV depicts Sissi in a more contemporary context. Sissi loves her family as well as she loves nature and animals. She looks like a normal girl, but she is not: she is a free spirit and a rebel. The story mixes romance and adventure, love and intrigue and is enriched with magic and mystery.

Mondo TV is working to grow awareness of the Sissi brand to include both girls and women.

The animated series, made in collaboration with Il sole di Carta, will begin airing by the end of October on BOING in Italy, followed a rollout next year in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Asia.

Already on board as master toy licensee is Grandi Giochi, which has developed a line of fashion dolls, roleplaying, makeup and accessories that will be available this holiday shopping seasons.

Sissi also is supported by a publishing program that includes coverage in bimonthly magazines and coloring and activity books available in Italy.

In addition to Sissi, Mondo will be bringing to BLE established properties including: • The Drakers, a co-production with Ferrari that began airing in Italy on K2 in September 2015 with great results. MAC DUE, the master toy partner, is ready to launch a full-scale line of cars, die-cast toys and playsets for Christmas 2015 supported by a strong advertising campaign. Internationally, the series is also airing in other European countries, Russia, the Middle East and Australia. Dinofroz, a co-production with Giochi Preziosi that also airs in Italy on K2. A DVD release from Mustang and a toy line from Giochi Preziosi are ready for Christmas in Italy and in other European countries. Yoohoo & Friends, a co-production with Korean toy leader Aurora World Corp., has demonstrated to the market Mondo’s capabilities as a partner for toy makers. Secret Wings, a new animated series produced with Hong Kong’s Blonde Pilot. Based on a greeting-card line, the series is helping to expand the brand’s global reach. The consumer products division of Mondo TV is working to expand the licensing programs for all its titles both in the Italian market and throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Valentina La Macchia has been appointed director of the consumer products division and will be responsible for strengthening Mondo’s position in existing categories, such as toys, publishing, food and promotion, and expanding to new ones. [