Crayola Sets Up Studio for Kids & Family Programming

Crayola is launching Crayola Studios, a new division dedicated to creating content for kids and families.

A pipeline of shows is already in development, with a portfolio that features a broad range of projects across numerous content touchpoints. The first project is The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian, a co-development with MIMO Studios, led by kids’ television veteran Cyma Zarghami.

A science-fiction adventure story, The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian centers on Finn Caspian, an 8-year-old boy aboard The Famous Marlowe 280 Interplanetary Exploratory Space Station. Together with friends Abigail, Elias and Vale, Finn forms Explorers Troop 301, which takes off from the Marlowe to explore uncharted planets, help aliens and solve a mystery that threatens to destroy the Space Station. The 52×11-minute series will be written by Brad Birch.

Further, Crayola is actively partnering with production companies, animation studios and IP owners, such as MIMO, to create content that will air on kids’ broadcast platforms around the world.

Victoria Lozano, Crayola’s executive VP of marketing, is overseeing the content slate, with support from Goatfish Agency, founded by Rick Glankler, Fremantle’s former president and general manager for kids and family entertainment. Crayola’s sister company Hallmark Media will also support the initiative.

Lozano said: “As world leaders in creative self-expression, the establishment of Crayola Studios is a logical next step for us; it builds on plans announced last year to develop entertainment content that inspires and nurtures the next generation and helps them develop lifelong creative mindsets. Our unique perspective offers an exciting opportunity for the industry as it searches for stand-out new and trusted content that has creativity at its heart.”

“Crayola is synonymous with kids and color, and we are so excited to collaborate with them to bring these beloved journeys to life through world-class animation and artistry,” said Zarghami, “We have been cultivating The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian since we first identified it and immediately saw the great potential and opportunity to tell rich stories in video the way Gen-Z Media did in the podcast. The combination of great characters, creativity, adventure, and information is something we can’t wait to bring to audiences worldwide.”

Lozano added: “This series allows kids to explore the power and limitless potential of imagination, self-expression, and creativity. Its DNA is at the very core of what we do at Crayola and a perfect example of the type of shows we want to produce going forward. We’re thrilled to join forces with the talented team at MIMO to bring Finn’s action-packed adventures to life.”