Licensing Expo Spotlight: Mondo TV

Heidi, Bienvenida a Casa is being showcased by Mondo TV in Las Vegas, where there will be a licensing summit for the property on May 22 at 2 p.m. in the Jasmine E Room of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

The live-action show, which is based on the book penned by Johanna Spyri, sees the titular character move away from her rural home to have new adventures in the big city. It is produced by Mondo TV Iberoamerica along with Alianzas Producciones. “One of our goals is the international development of Heidi, Bienvenida a Casa’s L&M program, starting with Latin America,” said Valentina La Macchia, Mondo TV’s director of consumer products.

Matteo Corradi, the company’s CEO, commented: “2017 has already seen a great deal of activity from Mondo TV and its partners in broadcasting and licensing. Heidi, Bienvenida a Casa in particular is attracting strong interest, which is why we have devoted a special summit to this series, but we also have an exciting portfolio of shows for many ages, which we are looking forward to presenting at Licensing Expo.”

Another highlight is YooHoo & Friends, an animated co-pro from Mondo TV and Aurora World that centers on the inhabitants of a small but vibrant tropical island, where the fruit is starting to rot. Panini has secured the worldwide license for the property, with products slated to hit retail early next year. “YooHoo & Friends is already a world-class brand that has been on the market for ten years and [is based on] a plush toy that has sold worldwide since 2007,” noted La Macchia. “With this new 3D series and with the new plush line, there will be a real revival of the brand worldwide.”

There is also Invention Story, a new property for which Mondo TV is seeking master toy and publishing partners. The animated show is about a freethinking and intelligent rabbit who travels to a low-tech community, where he invents a machine that can turn carrots into a fuel called Carrotsene. “Invention Story is appealing internationally because its genre, slapstick comedy, is of great [interest],” added La Macchia.

Also on offer from the company are Robot Trains, Cuby Zoo, Sissi the Young Empress, Adventures in Duckport, The Treasure Island, Eddie is a Yeti, Bug Rangers and Nori—Rollercoaster Boy.