H20 Sees Spanish Licensing Deals

January 21, 2009 World Screen
BARCELONA: Imira Entertainment has scored a number of Spanish deals for ZDF Enterprises’ H20: Just Add Water, which it represents in Spain, Portugal and Brazil. 
 
Random House Mondadori signed on as publishing partner, and is planning to launch books based on the series in February. Panini Revistas is releasing a set of photocards later this month, following the success of its recently launched H20: Just Add Water magazine. Bizak is developing a line of dolls that can be transformed from girls into mermaids, with the range expected to hit retail this fall. Bizak is also planning to develop games that will recreate the world of H20 from the series.
 
The tween-skewing series has already been licensed worldwide by companies such as Grani & Partners, and Giochi Preziosi in Italy is developing products for school and beachwear, with Giochi Preziosi in Spain set to follow. Other agreements include retail in Australia with Target for textiles, and the launch of a further H2O magazine and books with Panini in Germany. CyP, DC Saragües and Lugar Difusión are also on board to develop a range of products such as handbags, footwear, accessories and jewelry, respectively, for Spain.
 
Mar Gaya, the international sales manager at Imira Entertainment, said: "This is a television brand that is ideal for merchandising, as these deals show. The property is building a real momentum in Spain which will be boosted by the broadcast of the third season. We are still seeking partners in additional product categories and hope to sign further agreements in the next few months."