The agreement follows the launch of the preschool series on Canal 5.
Media I.M. Incorporated, the London-based content distribution company that specialises in premium animation and family entertainment, reports that it has closed a three-year agency agreement with TelevisaUnivision consumer product’s agency for its hit pre-school property Sunny Bunnies.
The agreement, which was announced today by Media I.M.’s brand licensing director Gavin Metcalfe, follows the acquisition of the first six seasons of hit property Sunny Bunnies on TelevisaUnivision’s Canal 5.
The licensing agency agreement is timed to coincide with the launch last month of Sunny Bunnies on Canal 5, where it airs in a 30-minute morning slot. Under the deal, TelevisaUnivision Licensing will initially focus on key L&M merchandising categories, including toys, publishing, back-to-school and apparel.
Media I.M.’s landmark three-year agreement with Canal 5 brings Sunny Bunnies to Mexican terrestrial audiences for the first time. Following the merger between Televisa and Univision last year, TelevisaUnivision not only dominates its huge domestic market but is now the largest Spanish-language media company in the world.
Gavin Metcalfe said: “We are looking forward to working with TelevisaUnivision’s consumer products team to create a licensing programme to enhance the Sunny Bunnies brand in Mexico. Driven by delightful storytelling and loveable characters, the Sunny Bunnies brand lends itself very well to merchandising — with their colourful characters already featuring in magazines, publishing, apparel and feature plush (among others) in many territories around the world. We’re sure Mexican kids and families will embrace the new range of Sunny Bunnies products when they launch next year!
The Sunny Bunnies L&M strategy continues to roll out across the world. The TelevisaUnivision agreement follows the announcement in June that Media I.M. is collaborating with Dubai-based FanMania on a range of branded apparel, footwear, fashion bags and accessories. Starting later this year, FanMania will roll out its consumer products in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Moroco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE and Yeman.
Media I.M. also has L&M and brand extension relationships in place with, among others, Redan UK for magazines; Dreamscape Media for digital and physical distribution via multiple channels, including libraries; Chouette for activity books; Posh Paws for plush-toys; Misirli, Hotsprings and Poetic Brands for apparel; and Yoto Play for songs on Yoto players and platforms.
The Sunny Bunnies are five beaming balls that can appear anywhere there is a source of light, from sunshine to moonlight. In each episode, the cheeky creatures bring their fun and games to a different location — a circus, a sports stadium, a park — embarking on mischievous adventures and spreading laughter and happiness wherever they go. And at the end of every episode, the fun continues with a collection of bloopers.
Launched in 2015 on YouTube, Sunny Bunnies was picked up in 2016 by Disney Channel, Disney Junior and DisneyNOW in the US. A wave of high-profile sales across Europe and Asia-Pacific followed, as the pre-school animation’s popularity built around the world. The series now airs in more than 160 countries and is supported by a comprehensive L&M strategy encompassing toys, books, magazine, publishing and apparel.
