Based in Munich, she is responsible for the strategic and operational development and expansion of the company’s activities in Germany and internationally.
Toon2Tango, the German kids and family entertainment powerhouse, a label of Mediawan Kids & Family and a Leonine Animation Studios company, part of the Mediawan Group, is expanding its international consumer products and licensing business: Sonja Thernes has assumed the position of Head of Consumer Products & Licensing, effective November 1, 2026.
Based in Munich, she is responsible for the strategic and operational development and expansion of the company’s activities in Germany and internationally. Her focus will be on brands and franchises from Mediawan Kids & Family, Toon2Tango’s own productions and selected IP from the Leonine Studios portfolio.
Thernes reports directly to Toon2Tango CEO Hans Ulrich Stoef.
Sonja Thernes brings more than 20 years of experience in international consumer products, licensing and retail. Most recently, as Director Consumer Products Europe at Sesame Workshop Europe, she was responsible for the strategic and operational expansion of its European consumer products business. Prior to that, she led the establishment of Netflix’s consumer products organization in the DACH region. She has also held leadership positions at Lidl International, Bavaria Media, Warner Bros. Entertainment and Studio 100 Media.
“With Sonja, we are gaining a proven international expert in the strategic development of consumer products businesses who understands brand development, licensing partnerships and retail in equal measure,” says Hans Ulrich Stoef, CEO of Toon2Tango. “We are expanding this business segment in line with our growth ambitions. In addition to traditional licensing partnerships, we want to create new direct-to-fan channels and, with a clear B2C focus, build our own consumer platforms. Sonja will play a crucial role in unlocking this potential internationally together with our partners.”
“As part of Leonine Studios and the Mediawan Group, Toon2Tango offers an exceptionally strong foundation for developing brands internationally and over the long term,” says Sonja Thernes, Head of Consumer Products & Licensing at Toon2Tango. “Our combined portfolio brings together established, successful brands and compelling new IPs. Their stories, characters and fan communities provide outstanding potential for relevant consumer products programs. I look forward to translating this potential into attractive products, partnerships and direct fan experiences, together with our licensees, retail and brand partners.”
The combined licensing and merchandising portfolio includes upcoming projects and established IP from across the Group’s slate, such as Method Animation’s Astro Boy reboot, the digital-first series Wadoo and Mediawan Kids & Family Distribution’s hit preschool series Maddie + Triggs. These are complemented by Toon2Tango’s own productions, including the highly anticipated animated feature Paluten Freedom, based on the popular Paluten YouTube universe; Niko, the series based on the international family film franchise; Agent 203, comprising the animated hit series and a feature film; and SHOWTIME, Toon2Tango’s most recent production, commissioned by Kika. The portfolio also includes projects in development, such as action-adventure series Eldrador, based on the successful play world from German toy company Schleich.
