Scholastic Media

September 24, 2009 World Screen
Deborah Forte
President
 
 

What are some of your top properties for MIPCOM?

 

Scholastic Media has several new live-action properties in development, two of which are based on bestselling books. The Wedding Planner’s Daughter features the teenage daughter of a celeb wedding planner as she tries to balance high school, friends and work—and finding her single mother the perfect man. Goddesses is about three “goddesses” who engineer a family prank that goes awry. As a consequence, they are punished by their dad (Zeus), who banishes them to Earth to learn what it’s like to live as mortals without use of their powers. But oops, instead of sending them as intended to Athens, Greece, they are sent to Athens, Georgia, where they’re forced to attend high school. Motor City is an original concept featuring three twentysomethings who want to live out their dreams in Detroit, and face all of the “firsts” that come with that experience – first apartment, first loves, first jobs….
 
For preschoolers, we have three new animated projects in development: Chicken Socks, Fuzz and Sparkle and Dragoonies.We see each of these new edutainment properties filling a need in the marketplace—each distinct with its own unique world, adventures and characters.
 
 
 

Why will these programs appeal to buyers?
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This year’s slate is a strong representation of the Scholastic Media promise to deliver global audiences quality entertainment for children and families. This portfolio also shows off the depth and scope of our work, delivering something for every target audience—from preschoolers to tweens to teens and their parents. Several of our programs are bestselling book titles, leveraging the reach and familiarity of Scholastic properties around the globe. 
 
 

What are some of the trends you’re currently seeing in this market?

 

 
There’s been a marked shift toward multiplatform entertainment since the last conference, and Scholastic Media is ahead of this curve. Children and their families can enjoy their favorite Scholastic properties like Clifford the Big Red Dog, The 39 Clues and Goosebumps in books, on TV, on their computers and now, on their iPhones. This past September, we rolled out our very first iPhone applications including Clifford’s BE BIG with Words, WordGirl Word Hunt, I SPY Riddle Race, I SPY Spooky Mansion and Goosebumps PhotoShock. Scholastic Media takes a 360-degree approach to brand building that reaches kids wherever they are.
 
 

What are your goals and expectations for MIPCOM?

 

At this year’s MIPCOM, we’d like to align ourselves with the best partners for co-production and distributors for our shows to allow us to continue to bring quality entertainment to children and families worldwide.
 
 

Is there any other information you would like to share regarding your plans for MIPCOM?

We’re continuing to reach out to international markets with our well-established series’ like Clifford the Big Red Dog and WordGirl. Cliffordhas seen much success in Japan, Spain and Poland. In the coming years we’d like to expand that reach, as the messages of Clifford and his Big Ideas are universal for children. Our latest hit, WordGirl, has also seen much success internationally, and we’re working on bringing the series across the globe.