VIMN Taps New Israeli Consumer-Products Agent

LONDON: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has appointed Ananey as its new consumer-products agent in Israel.

The representation deal, effective October 1, replaces current agency Yooka. Ananey is already the local licensing partner for VIMN-owned TV channels in Israel, including Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and MTV. VIMN also recently transitioned its local program sales business to Ananey for those three brands. VIMN Consumer Products has launched a number of properties in Israel to date, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Go Diego Go, Bubble Guppies and the MTV brand. New Nickelodeon properties to launch in 2015 include Paw Patrol and Dora and Friends.

Bartosz Witak, the VP and general manager for VIMN Central Eastern Europe and Israel, commented: “VIMN is always looking for ways to strengthen its growth in key markets through investment, relationship building and innovative business models. Ananey is a well-established media conglomerate with a history of trading with VIMN and by consolidating our business with one strategic partner; it provides greater synergy opportunities across all lines of business in the market.”
 
Mark Kingston, the senior VP and general manager for EMEA at VIMN Consumer Products, noted: “We have enjoyed a successful partnership with Yooka for the last nine years and now look forward to building on this great work with Ananey, to grow our existing licensee base and forge new deals.”
                                                                                                                  
Orly Atlas Katz, the CEO of Ananey, said: “Ananey Communication is delighted to be expanding its partnership with VIMN Israel and the opportunity to represent their consumer products business operations. We look forward to working with the team and existing licensees, as well as securing new deals with the diverse VIMN portfolio of properties, including Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, MTV and Comedy Central.”