European Licensing Deals for Chorion

LONDON/NEW YORK: Chorion has signed a raft European licensing deals across its portfolio of properties, including one with TF1 Entreprises in France.

Based on the award-winning books by Ian Falconer, Olivia is a 3-D CGI series from Brown Bag Films. TF1 has taken on the licensing and merchandising rights for the property. Hubert Taieb, the deputy general manager of TF1 Entreprises who heads up TF1 Licences, commented: "Olivia is a delightful new television series and we are excited to be planning an extensive licensing program to accompany the show."

Also in France, Universal has been secured as the DVD distributor for Chorion’s new Noddy In Toyland series. In Portugal, media group Lusomundo has also picked up the DVD rights for Noddy in Toyland following its success with Make Way for Noddy.

Chorion’s Mr. Men and Little Miss brand had Victoria Couture sign a pan-European agreement for cashmere and silk garments. In the U.K., Global Licensing will be introducing Mr. Men and Little Miss apparel into Tesco, Wesco is on board to produce a gifting range including clocks and watches and Worlds Apart is producing a ready room range, including soundchips.

In Spain, United Labels signed up to launch a Mr. Men gifts and apparel line for 2009 and Portugal’s Sonae went for the license to produce Mr. Men Show adults and children’s apparel beginning autumn/winter 2009. A new deal has also been secured for the World of Beatrix Potter brand with Amboise to produce a range of jewelry.

Bettina Koeckler, the VP of licensing sales for EMEA for Chorion, said: "Chorion has an outstanding portfolio of contemporary and classic brands and we are delighted to be building new relationships with these licensees for our properties as well as renewing long-standing agreements with key partners."