Tasty Tales of the Food Truckers
Distributed By: FremantleMedia Kids & Family (worldwide except Thailand)
Produced By: FremantleMedia Kids & Family in co-production with Shellhut Entertainment Format: 52 x 11 min.; in development Target Audience: Kids 6-9 Type of Animation: CGI Synopsis: Meet the Food Truckers: Sonny, Tong and Andi — hilarious hash-slingers who crisscross the globe video-blogging their noholds-barred escapades in eating, traveling, creativity, cooking, friendship and fun. Sonny the sun bear will stop at nothing to achieve the perfect dish; action girl Andi, a red panda, has a practical solution to every problem; and their monkey friend Tong is the social media whiz who chronicles and live-streams their adventures.
Selling Points: A mouth-watering property with a strong digital core, the irreverent comedy is being developed by showrunner Dan Clark ( Team Smithereen, Brats of the Lost Nebula), with Emmy-nominated Toon Town vet Bill Kopp (writer, Eek! The Cat, Tom and Jerry: The Fast and the Furry, Taz-Mania) directing. FMK’s EVP Bob Higgins serves as exec producer.
fremantlemedia.com
As the licensing business continues to grow, so does its paramount confab, Licensing Expo. Staged by the Global Licensing Group at UBM, the expo this year is moving up on the calendar from June to May 23-25, while staying put at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, where some 5,000-plus brand owners and agents will showcase their properties and products.
The expo also is expanding its presence with the addition of Licensing Week, recognizing the growing number of events that surround the expo itself.
We caught up with Jessica Blue, senior VP of licensing at UBM, for all the details on this year’s show.
Animation Magazine: event to May?
Jessica Blue: This strategic shift provides an opportunity for exhibitors and attendees to better leverage the time of year and the proximity of Licensing Expo to Brand Licensing Europe in October. This move offers an additional month of business opportunities between UBM licensing events globally, ensuring that exhibitors, attendees and global partners are better situated to capitalize on possibilities around the world.
Animag: What new events or programs have been added this year?
Blue: For 2017, we have a completely new look and feel for the show and we have launched the new concept of Licensing Week. Licensing Week acknowledges the many licensing events going on in and around the show, such as the LIMA Awards, the entertainment summits, Licensing University, the opening night party, the Women in Toys and Licensing breakfast, among many others.
Animag: Who are the new exhibitors with animation properties?
Blue: Some of the new exhibitors in 2017 include Amazon Studios, Atlantyca Entertainment, Auldey Toys, Goddard Film Group, FAO Schwarz, Line Friends, Toon Goggles and Vooz Co. Ltd. Returning exhibitors include Iconix Brand Group, Cartoon Network, Jazwares and Mattel, among many others.
Animag: How many attendees are expected this year and how does it compare to recent years?
Blue: Over 16,200 retailers, manufacturers and licensees from all over the world attend Licensing Expo. … Licensing Expo has also seen a rise in international attendance over three consecutive years. The countries with the greatest increase in representation in 2016 were Argentina (+95%), Colombia (+153%), Italy (+47%), New Zealand (+78%), China (+60%) and India (+34%).
Animag: Who is delivering the keynote?
Blue: Cole Gahagan, Chief Commercial Officer of Fanatics Inc., the global leader for sports licensed merchandise, will deliver the opening keynote address at Licensing Expo 2017 on Tuesday, May 23, from 8-9 a.m., and mark the start of Licensing Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Animag: What are the must-see events this year?
Blue: Each year at Licensing Expo there is something unique and new. Licensing Week includes an orientation breakfast for new attendees and exhibitors, more than 25 Licensing University educational seminars, and invitation-only entertainment showcases presented by Mattel, NBCUniversal and more. Also not to be missed is the annual Licensing Expo character parade, held at select times throughout the show. Highly anticipated by attendees and exhibitors alike, the parade is the place where character and entertainment licensing comes to life. [