3rd & Bird!

NAME: 3rd & Bird!

ORIGIN: 3rd & Bird! has been created in photo-puppetry animation—a original style of animation created by Little Airplane Productions. The show has been written and researched with expertise from both Britain and America, led by the creator and founder of Little Airplane, Josh Selig.

DISTRIBUTOR: BBC Worldwide has global distribution rights, including program distribution, DVD and merchandising.

CREATORS: 3rd & Bird! is produced by Josh Selig and his team at Little Airplane Productions, the creators of The Wonder Pets!

TV SHOW: 50×10-minute episodes and a 20-minute Christmas special in photo-puppetry animation.

DESCRIPTION: Nestled in the canopy of a beautiful old tree are a row of birdhouses of all different shapes and sizes, where Samuel Lovebird lives. With his best friend Rudy and his cute little sister Muffin, Samuel embarks on colourful adventures set to beautiful music. They’re joined by a collection of entertaining characters, like Mr Beakman the teacher; Mrs Billingsley, a quirky elderly bird; Quinn, a cool older bird; and Missy, a French colorful bird, who refers to the friends as the "little bird." These entertaining stories help young children explore their world, build knowledge of community and develop valuable social skills.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS:
Creator/Executive Producer: Josh Selig
Creative Director: Jennifer Oxley
Supervising Producer: Heather Tilert
Producer: Fred Weinberg

MAIN BROADCASTER: CBeebies in the U.K.

TV SALES: 3rd & Bird! launched on CBeebies in Australia in November 2008. The property was presented to international broadcasters at BBC Showcase and at MIPTV.

MAJOR TOY LICENSEES: Fisher-Price has been announced as the master toy licensee for 3rd & Bird! in a multi-year global deal excluding Asia. Product development will include preschool and infant toys, including electronic and non-electronic plastic figurines, toys, vehicles, playsets and feature and standard plush to launch spring/summer 2010. Rollout in other markets, including the U.S., will follow.

OTHER PRODUCTS: BBC Children’s DVD produced the first DVD of the series, 3rd & Bird: Bird’s the Word!, which was released on March 30, 2009. The publishing range includes storybooks, novelty and sound books from BBC Children’s Books to launch in line with the first toys in spring 2010. The website, www.3rdandbird.co.uk, includes games, activity sheets, reward elements and a parents section.

A wooden toy range from DanJam will include wooden stacking toys, pull-along vehicles, play sets and musical instruments. MV Sports will develop a range of 3rd & Bird! inspired wheeled toys, including trikes, scooters and ride-ons. Both wooden and wheeled toys are due to launch in 2010.

Aykroyds and TDP Licensing have been signed for nightwear and underwear, with plans to launch the range in spring 2010. Also in clothing, Roy Lowe and Sons has agreed a deal for 3rd & Bird! socks and William Lamb will develop wellingtons, slippers and trainers.

The bedding license for 3rd & Bird! goes to Character World to produce branded curtains, beanbags, beanchairs, cushions, towels, ponchos, sleeping bags, fleece blankets and rugs, which will launch in fall 2010.

H&A has been signed up for toiletries for 3rd & Bird!, the range will include toiletries textiles, bath toys and accessories. Spearmark will produce homewares and lighting with a range including tableware, lunch bags, water bottles and a range of lighting. Danilo has been signed for greeting cards and calendars. Products will launch in 2010. Ravensburger has been appointed to develop a range of puzzles and card games, with plans to launch by early 2010.

STRATEGY FOR ROLLOUT: "3rd & Bird! is a unique program with huge global potential for us both in terms of TV sales and licensing deals," said Neil Ross Russell, the managing director of children’s and licensing at BBC Worldwide. "The extensive research undertaken by Little Airplane is second-to-none and alongside the clout of Josh Selig’s creative reputation in the industry, we’re already seeing a lot of buzz around the property.”