Cyber Group’s Growth Track

Cyber Group’s Growth Track

Pierre Sissmann, the president of French producer and distributor Cyber Group Studios, talks to TV Kids Weekly about plans for expansion.

Earlier this month, Cyber Group Studios raised  1.5 million euros to boost its internal development strategy and support external growth, with the money coming from company shareholder La Financière Viveris, the private-equity fund of French bank Caisses d’Epargne. Pierre Sissmann, the president of Cyber Group, explains, "That money is going to be used to reinforce our structure, in terms of production. We’re a very tech-oriented company. At the beginning of the year, we were given the Oseo Innovation Award—it’s the most sought-after award in recognition of technological development in the country."

Sissmann says the money will also be used to reinforce Cyber Group’s distribution offices—the company currently has bases in Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Budapest, Hong Kong and a head office in Paris—as well as to help bring in new talent.

The French outfit has already made considerable gains with ramping up its content supply. "We’re in production on three series, a one-hour Christmas special and are in pre-preproduction on a feature film," says Sissmann. "At this time last year, we were in production on two series. So we’ve massively increased our output, and raised our involvement."

One of the new series Sissmann is referring to is Guess What? with Timothy & Annabel, in production for Tiji. Adding to the company’s preschool lineup, the 52×7-minute HD CGI series stars two playful rabbits who involve young viewers in solving riddles and puzzles. Also in the preschool portfolio are Zou, an adaptation of a set of children’s books published in some 12 countries around the world, and Manon, about a little girl who lives on a farm and shares adventures with all her friends. Targeting the 4-to-8 set, Tatonka is an ambitious new series in production from Cyber Group done in full CGI.

A breakout in the preschool arena, Ozie Boo! has been a smash hit for Cyber Group, which has a number of extensions planned for the series about five baby penguins. The show is in 160 countries around the world in 27 languages. "Ozie Boo! is a big brand for us," says Sissmann. "We’re just starting a new Ozie Boo! series called Ozie Boo! Save the Planet. It’s about the protection of the environment and the planet. It mixes both live images and animation. That’s a new series that we’re just starting in June, and it comes on top of the rest of the Ozie Boo! products." These further extensions include an upcoming Christmas special, available as 2×26 minutes or 1×52 minutes, and an Ozie Boo! 75-minute feature film, slated for delivery in spring 2011.

With a strong presence in preschool already established, "Now the goal is to move up," says Sissmann of Cyber Group’s plans to produce for the 6-to-10 age group. A recent deal with Timoon Animation leads off these efforts, adding the older-skewing series Fish n Chips and Bambala-Yé to its portfolio.

Sissmann explains that Cyber Group is always looking for new partners to team up with, in particular, companies that can "bring complementary skills" and "reinforce our positioning in the market with high-quality properties. We have a very clear idea of where we want to go artistically. Our preschool shows always have to bring something to kids besides entertainment. Whether its educational, family-oriented, we have a very precise notion of where we want to go and we’re looking for people that will share that type of artistic feeling."

About a week ago, the company was awarded the Silver Export trophy by Entrepreneur magazine at its yearly awards distinguishing outstanding mid-size companies from all industry sectors. This comes on top of Cyber Group’s first prize for export, awarded at the end of the year by TV France International, recognizing Ozie Boo! as the most exported French animation series over the last five years.