Breakthrough to Rep Global Licensing Rights for Anne of Green Gables

TORONTO: Breakthrough Entertainment has expanded its relationship with Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority, taking global licensing rights for the new film franchise L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables.

Under the terms of the five-year agreement, Breakthrough will license merchandise related to its rebooted Anne of Green Gables films. Breakthrough will be able to use Anne-related images and trademarks. The first film in this new series will air on YTV in Canada, PBS in the U.S., ITV in the U.K. and ARD in Germany, and was recently released theatrically in Australia and New Zealand.

Montgomery’s granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler, who serves as executive producer on the films from Breakthrough, commented, “Our family and the Anne Authority have chosen to broaden the scope of our relationship with Breakthrough Entertainment because of the integrity with which they have maintained the legacy of my grandmother’s cherished work. We are working closely with the executives at Breakthrough to ensure that legacy continues for another hundred years.”

She added: “We are delighted to be working further with Breakthrough Entertainment to launch a robust Anne of Green Gables global film merchandise licensing program. We are off to such an amazing start with the first installment and I am confident that audiences will continue to be charmed by the warmth, humor and strong family values of the cherished classic Anne of Green Gables property.”

Ira Levy, partner and executive producer at Breakthrough, commented, “We are very excited to be representing this classic Canadian property. Anne Shirley’s enduring values of kindness to others, safe adventures and the importance of sharing stories with family are as relevant today as they were over a century ago. Breakthrough’s global connections will enable the Anne of Green Gables brand to reach the millions of families who find delight in sharing in her adventures.”