Category: News

Masha and Bear, the successful animated series produced by Animaccord Studio and represented in Italy by Maurizio Distefano Licensing has given fans a new special episode to express their appreciation to viewers around the world and celebrate 100 billion views on YouTube. It was, in fact, released a short episode entitled “We love you to 100 BILLION and back” available on the official YouTube channel of Masha and Bear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=341fxxd5aW0 .

 

Moreover, Masha and the Bear English YouTube channel repeated its success of 2020: in less than a year, it has gained another 10 000 000 subscribers and now reached the milestone of 30 000 000 subscribers.

In addition to a licensing program coming soon thanks to Maurizio Distefano Licensing agent, Bluey gets even closer to Italian fans airing on their favorite TV channel!

The hit animated series Bluey, produced by Ludo Studio and co-commissioned by BBC Studios and ABC Children, will air on Rai in Italy. In fact, it will make its free-to-air debut on December 27^th in Italy on Rai Yoyo, the public broadcast service’s preschool channel. BBC Studios will also launch a new Italian language YouTube channel in January 2022 featuring clips and bonus content from the series.

Master toy partner Moose Toys will lead the product launch this coming Easter 2022 with their highly successful toy range via their distributor Giochi Preziosi. Other products from partners including global publishing partner Penguin Random House will follow. Maurizio Distefano Licensing was recently announced as BBC Studios’ licensing agent for Italy. Maurizio Distefano, President of the agency, states: “We are honored to have been appointed agents for Italy of an IP that we believe is extremely promising and successful, as confirmed by Rai, which chose it for its programming.”

This marks further expansion in EMEA for the award-winning animation which has recently launched on free-to-air TV in Ireland, Denmark, Sweden and France. Bluey is also available on YouTube in French, Spanish and Danish and English with more than 950,000 subscribers.

The series follows Bluey, a six-year-old Blue Heeler dog who loves to play and turn everyday family life into extraordinary adventures that unfold in unpredictable and hilarious ways, bringing her family, friends and community into her world of fun.

Bluey has won the hearts of kids and parents around the world since it first launched in Australia in October 2018, and has quickly become a global hit. In Australia, Bluey is the number one kids show on broadcast television in 2020 and is the most-watched series ever on ABC iview. In June 2019, BBC Studios struck a global broadcast deal with Disney to premiere Bluey in all territories outside Australia, New Zealand and Greater China; it now screens in over 60 countries.

In the UK, it was the most viewed show on CBeebies in August* and is also available on Disney+. In the US, across Disney Junior and Disney Channel in Q2 2021, the show was the #1 most watched TV series with kids ages 2-5.**

Bluey has also won multiple awards, such as the International Emmy ® Kids Award in the prestigious Preschool Category in 2020, and its second AACTA Awards for Best Children’s Program that same year. The accolades continue in 2021, with Bluey winning four Kidscreen Awards in February.

Bing, already a star of both small and big screens and of the stage, arrived onto the radio too with his debut on Italy’s Rai Radio on 18 November. The hero of Acamar Films’ hit pre-school show, which is one of the most popular programmes among Italian children, was a special guest of Armando Traverso on his children’s show Big Bang on Rai Radio Kids.

Armando, along with his regular contributors, puppets Lallo and Lella, chatted with Bing about his day and talked about their favourite games. The episode aired at 1pm, 4pm and 6pm on 18 November on Rai Radio Kids, and will be available on Rai Play.

Isabella Carbone, Programme Director, Rai Radio, said: “As a lovable, authentic pre-schooler, Bing is the perfect guest for Rai Radio Kids. We are all big fans of his so we are hugely excited that he made his first-ever radio appearance on Big Bang. It’s a great coup for our young listeners and we know they were thrilled to hear their favourite TV star on their favourite radio show!”

Since its launch on Rai Yoyo in 2018, Bing has become a top show. It consistently ranks in the top 10 on linear and was the most-viewed title on RaiPlay for kids 4-7 in the first six months of 2021. New episodes from Series 4 premiered on Rai Yoyo in February 2021 and are currently airing and available to watch on RaiPlay.

As well as its massive popularity on TV, Bing also has a hugely successful dedicated Italian YouTube channel and freemium interactive app plus a robust, extensive and expanding Italian licensing portfolio managed locally by the Maurizio Distefano Licensing agency.

Leo & Tig animated series, created by Parovoz Studio and commissioned by Digital Television Russia Group, has launched its own YouTube channel, with episodes of the popular show being released in Italian.

In the summer of 2019, on the children’s TV channel Rai YoYo, millions of Italian children became acquainted with the adventures of the inseparable friends as they explore their amazing neighborhood of the Far East. The animated series won over not only little viewers, but also their parents. Two years after its premiere, Leo & Tig remains one of the most popular Russian cartoons in Italy.

At the end of last year, Leo & Tig became available on the Dea Junior channel in Italy and Italian-speaking countries – Switzerland, Malta, Monte Carlo, San Marino and the Vatican. In addition, this year “Leo & Tig” has appeared on several major digital platforms – TIMvision and CHILI. The launch of its own YouTube channel, with episodes from the series in Italian, became another step towards the young fans of Leo, Tig and their friends in Italy and Italian-speaking countries. The channel is being developed with the support of the company Animaccord.

On November 4, Italian viewers had a real surprise – the premiere of a video featuring the world-famous Masha, from the animated series “Masha and the Bear”, took place on the ”Leo e Tig Italia” YouTube channel. Masha introduced her new friends – the little leopard Leo and tiger cub Tig.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvADX8-Arj4)

Masha and the Bear is available on a range of traditional and new media platforms in Italy, including the channels and platforms of the Rai television company, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary of broadcasting the animated series, as well as DEA Junior, TIMvision, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube. According to the independent global analytical agency Parrot Analytics, the animated series “Masha and the Bear” tops the list of the most in-demand children’s shows in Italy (October 2021). It is recognized as an evergreen brand, having demonstrated widespread popularity and demand amongst family audiences for the past several years.

The popularity and love for Russian animation among Italian viewers grows every year. This market is key to the development of brands both on television and streaming platforms, and in the field of licensing – Masha and the Bear and Leo&Tig are both represented by Maurizio Distefano Licensing in Italy.

“Hola flamingo,” the new song by Charlotte M., the young web star who boasts sky-high numbers on the social media beloved by Generation Z, was released on October 24 and in just 3 days has reached 250,000 views on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-XT-OdxIuc).

The song is also available to stream on Spotify, where the performer’s previous tracks, “I love you” and “Buum Buum,” are also featured.

Her passion for music will lead her to release more songs in 2022 as well, including in other languages, such as English and Spanish.

The title of this new song is inspired by her fan base: in fact, at the beginning of each of her videos, Charlotte greets her fans by calling them “flamingo”, on the wave of the symbol that now distinguishes her, the flamingo.

To date, her YouTube channel boasts 960,000 subscribers, while on TikTok followers are 980,000 and 133,000 on Instagram.

In addition to music, Charlotte M. also loves to write: she has already published two books with Fabbri Editori, “Un’estate al college infestato” in 2020 and “Un amore oltreoceano”, released this year. A third book, also published by Fabbri Editori, is already scheduled for February 2022.

The plans for 2022 do not end, with Charlotte dubbing two animated films, filming the movie adaptation of her first book and a serialized TV series for her fans.

Maurizio Distefano Licensing is the World Wide licensing agent for Charlotte M. and has closed several contracts with important Italian companies to bring Charlotte M. products to the market.

Moonbug Entertaiment’s CoComelon, the #1 children’s show on YouTube, has secured several licensing deals with Italian companies thanks to Maurizio Distefano Licensing, Moonbug’s agent in the territory, and Moonbug’s EMEA Master Agent The Point.1888.

This fall, on the shelves, little fans of the series will be able to find: educational games from Headu, puzzles from Lisciani, stamp sets from Multiprint, coloring and activity books from PlayPress and many lines of fall accessories from Coriex, such as umbrellas, hats, scarves and backpacks, the book series from Mondadori, and soap bubbles from Dulcop.

The Master Toy line is distributed in Italy by Bandai and consists of fun toys for the preschool target audience: CoComelon Musical Baby, the Musical Bus, the 3D figurines, the Baby Bath Playset, the Musical Doctor Set, the Musical Tractor, the Musical Plush Book and vehicles.

“We believed from the beginning with great enthusiasm in the potential of Cocomelon, an innovative brand with disruptive features in the panorama of pre-school toys. The expectations are high and the first feedback from the market is absolutely positive. Cocomelons’ Toy Collection is getting ready to be the protagonist of the Christmas season, supported by a robust integrated communication plan. The projects for 2022 are numerous and ambitious, we are just the beginning.” Gianluca Ferrara – Business Manager Bandai Italy

There are numerous marketing activities already planned for the Christmas season 2021 which will involve the major Italian retailers, with the support of dedicated social media. In 2022, with the wider offer of licensed products in the different product categories, transversal digital and physical activities will be carried out to push the sellout of Cocomelon products.

CoComelon boasts today 120 million subscribers on its YouTube channel in English, which is continuously and rapidly growing and reaches from Italy more than 295 million views in 2021 so far. Since June, the channel is also available in Italian. In Italy, the episodes of the series are also available on Netflix, Vodafone TV and Mediaset Infinity.

The key elements of its unstoppable success among subscribers are its educational content, its simplicity and the accessibility of its stories. This animated series, in fact, teaches children how to approach daily activities with enthusiasm. The little viewers are accompanied in every moment of the day in the family: from mealtime to gametime, up to bedtime. The song and music featured in each episode entice children ages one to four to enjoy singing and dancing with JJ and his siblings as they learn letters, numbers, animal noises, colors and more.

Lucca Comics & Games has returned to offer emotions in the heart of the city, offering the public the chance to find the most beloved publishers and exhibitors in historical areas and in places to be discovered.

The event was attended for the first time by Rai Ragazzi, which prepared a very rich program for the three days, featuring previews, Meet & Greet and the participation of the audience’s most beloved characters.

Among them the most popular animated series on Rai Yoyo: Bing with Flop and Masha and Bear, whose participation was organized with the support of Maurizio Distefano Licensing agency, Acamar Films and Animaccord.

On Monday 1 November in the amazing setting of Villa Bottini the characters were the protagonists of the event hosted by Carolina Benvenga, presenter of “La posta di Yoyo”.

Bing and Flop greeted all children with a Meet & Greet and then gave away cardboard ears for the entire audience to wear.

Masha and Bear were also available to all the children for photo opportunities and baby dance and were received with great enthusiasm.

Some of the events that characterized Lucca Comics & Games are available to watch on RaiPlay and all the events were followed live on all active social networks, with a special red carpet in front of the Church of San Francesco.

Maurizio Distefano Licensing is World Wide licensing agent for Charlotte M., the young web star who can be defined Creator, Influencer and above all Youtuber with her 958.000 subscribers on her ever-growing channel.

The thirteen-year-old from Serravalle Pistoiese has a huge fan base on the “kids” social networks as well, with 980,000 followers on TikTok and 133,000 on Instagram. What’s impressive is the increase of these numbers that rise with a constancy worthy of the “Ferragni phenomenon”, with more than 1000 new contacts every day. Maurizio Distefano Licensing takes care of her licensing program, which already sees the first players in the home stretch for the launch of the new Charlotte M. branded products.

To learn more about Charlotte, there’s no better way than to directly ask her questions about her history and character, which are key to her success.

Web phenomena often arise without planning. How did your story begin and did you imagine it would resonate this way?

“It all started when, at the age of eight, I started making videos in my bedroom for fun and posting them on YouTube. I did it because I enjoyed telling mini-stories about my life: friends, boyfriend and everyday situations. Since it all started as a joke, I never thought I would reach so many people…”

Perhaps it is this spontaneity in choosing the content of each of your videos that brings you so close to your fans, who are mainly school-age girls. What projects have come out of this popularity of yours?

I talk about myself and my friends in my videos and what’s important is that we all have fun together, especially in creating funny or absurd stories and situations. More than being popular, I am so happy to have so many people following me and showing me their affection in the comments. I still can’t believe that real products can come from my contents and when I will get to see them in stores I’m sure it will be an incredible thrill!

Maurizio Distefano Licensing has already entered into licensing agreements with leading Italian companies that plan to launch Charlotte M. branded products at the beginning of the first 2022 quarter.

We know two of your books have already come out, will there be more?

Yes, my first book, published by Fabbri Editori, “Un’estate al college infestato” (A Summer at a Haunted College), came out in 2020, while the second one came out this year and is entitled “Un amore oltreoceano” (An Oversea Love), an adventure set in Los Angeles for kids aged 9 and up. A third book is already scheduled for release, again published by Fabbri Editori, in February 2022, but I won’t reveal anything about it yet!

In addition to products, what are your plans for the future in terms of new content and channels?

I’ve already released two songs, I love to sing and I’m glad my fans really liked them. I just finished recording my third song and will definitely make more songs in the coming months, including in English and Spanish!

Then, I’m honored to be able to participate as a voice actor in two movies that will be in theaters in early 2022. We are also working on turning my first book “A Summer at Haunted College” into a movie that I will be starring in! This is perhaps the project I’m most excited about, along with working on a serialized TV series for all my fans, also planned for 2022. 

Maurizio Distefano, President of the agency, says: “Charlotte M.’s success is clearly noticeable by the numbers on the web, but also by the planning behind the launch of new content and her participation in different productions. The product categories to be involved in the licensing program are numerous and the development of a style guide inspired by the elements we find in her videos, offers products with the true essence of Charlotte to all her many fans.”

New episodes of the “Leo & Tig” animated series, created by Parovoz Studio and commissioned by Digital Television Russia Group, will be broadcast on two children’s TV channels in Italy and premiered in Switzerland.

The second season of the animated series “Leo & Tig”, which premiered successfully on the Rai YoYo TV channel in the summer of 2019, started on October 11. The channel is a part of the Italian state broadcasting corporation Rai.

The animated series “Leo & Tig” tells about the adventures of the little leopard Leo and tiger cub Tig. The animals’ lives are full of adventures, from which they emerge victorious, coping with their own fears and helping each other.

In the first season, the characters learn about the unusual natural environment of the Far East, unravel the secrets of the forest, and come to the aid of those in need. In the second season, Leo and Tig meet a Chinese monkey, LiLi, who has got lost and is in trouble. To help their friend return home, Leo, Tig, Mila, Jara, Martik, and Cuba go on a long journey to different countries.

Besides the release of the new season on Rai YoYo, “Leo & Tig” became available in digital space in Italy on TimVision, Telecom Italia’s streaming platform and one of the main aggregators of high-quality digital content. This would help to expand the brand presence in the region. The first season was launched on October 11.

The love and popularity of the Russian animated series among Italian viewers is also ensured by the cooperation of the 0+ Media company, a part of Digital Television Russia Group, who works with the licensing agency Maurizio Distefano Licensing, with several large Italian companies such as Play Press, Diramix, Mondadori, Grabo Balloons responsible for the production and sale of children’s products with the image of the cartoon characters.

Furthermore, young viewers from Italy and Italian speaking countries, including Switzerland, Malta, Monte Carlo, San Marino and the Vatican, will get a wonderful gift this Christmas: the DeA Junior pay TV channel, owned by one of the largest publishing houses De Agostini, will show the second season of the well-loved animated series, as well as New Year’s songs performed by the cartoon heroes in a new “Leo & Tig. Magic Songs!” show. The first episode of the “Leo & Tig” project premiered on the DeA Junior TV channel on December 13, 2020.

Moreover, on 25 August, the animation project “Leo & Tig” was made available to children in Switzerland in French on Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) on 25 August. This became possible thanks to a deal brokered by APC Kids on behalf of Digital Television Russia Group and Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR), which includes the RTS TV channel. SRG SSR produces and broadcasts radio and television programs in Switzerland in French.

The “Leo & Tig” animated series gained popularity among young Russian viewers immediately after its premiere on the big screen in 2016 as part of the release of the film magazine MOOLT in cinemas. Over time, the story of two inseparable friends became known abroad. This year, the cartoon was shown in several new countries at once: in Israel on the Junior TV channel, in the YouKid app and South Korea’s JEI TV. In addition, another partner of DTR Beijing Joy Culture Media is distributing the project on digital platforms in China.

In 2020, the broadcast rights were purchased by Piwi + (France), Star Channel (Greece), Spacetoon International (Middle East), Gubbare (India). Earlier in 2018, ‘Leo and Tig’ was released on Netflix. Also, Hungary’s national media holding MTVA, RTL Kockica channel in Croatia and a number of digital platforms in China have acquired the rights for Russian animated series.

BBC Studios expands global licensing footprint for Bluey by appointing Maurizio Distefano Licensing as agent for Italy.

Gaby Dior, EMEA Licensing Manager, BBC Studios, said: “Maurizio Distefano Licensing brings a valuable wealth of expertise and experience in the preschool sector in Italian market which will be instrumental in launching Bluey and its success.

“I am very much looking forward to working closely with the team to deliver a local program which will reflect Bluey’s brand values and bring them to life across multiple categories.

“Bluey is in good hands and ready to delight an increasing fanbase of kids and parents across Italy.”

Maurizio Distefano, President of MDL, said: “We are really excited to have the opportunity to work with BBC Studios and we can’t wait to kickstart Bluey’s licensing program in the Italian market by applying all our expertise.

“The familiar setting mixed with fun and adventure for the characters, are the perfect ingredients to make all Italian children and their families passionate about Bluey.”

Building on a successful launch in Australia, the US and UK, a distribution deal is in place for global master toy provider Moose Toys with Giochi Preziosi in Italy.

This latest agreement marks the launch of Bluey’s EMEA expansion following the earlier appointment of France tv distribution. Global licensing partners Penguin Random House and VTech have since both announced product roll outs in France.

Bluey has won the hearts of kids and parents around the world since it first launched in Australia in October 2018 and has become a global hit. In Italy the show is available on SVOD platform Disney+.

In Australia, Bluey was the #1 children’s programme on metro broadcast television in 2020 and is the #1 series ever on ABC iview with over 480 million views across series one and two since its launch*. In the UK, it was the most viewed show on CBeebies in June** and is also available on Disney+. In the US, across Disney Junior and Disney Channel in Q2 2021, the show was the #1 most watched TV series with kids ages 2-5.***

Bluey has also won multiple awards, such as the International Emmy® Kids Award in the prestigious Preschool Category in 2020, and its second AACTA Awards for Best Children’s Program that same year. The accolades continue in 2021, with Bluey winning four Kidscreen Awards in February.

The series follows Bluey, a six year-old Blue Heeler dog, who loves to play and turns everyday family life into extraordinary adventures.

Bluey is produced by multi-Emmy® award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC Kids Australia, co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios, and distributed internationally by BBC Studios outside of Australia.

THE 16th OF SEPTEMBER

Come and visit us at our privé in the Panama room.

Discover all our agencies news in the Pitch Madrid room at 2:50 p.m where Maurizio Distefano Licensing will present: New Properties For Future Licensing!

Also, don’t miss the appointment for Bing’s Cake Party!

We look forward to seeing you.

Maurizio Distefano Licensing is the Italian agent for LIFE, the magazine that is the source of the most iconic images of the 20th century.

The American weekly magazine, from 1883 to 1972, captured the evolution of society and people habits, collaborating with some of the greatest photographers of the time.

Benetton has chosen LIFE for an iconic collection of t-shirts, sweatshirts and shoppers for men, women and children.

Bing, Masha and PREMOLI + DI BELLA in Licensing International Excellence Awards.

Maurizio Distefano Licensing (MDL), which manages licensing in Italy for number of major brands across entertainment, lifestyle, digital content creation and fashion, is proud to announce that three properties MDL represents are among the finalists of this year’s Licensing International Excellence Awards.

The three properties for which the agency Maurizio Distefano Licensing was manager of the licensing projects that appear on this year’s shortlist are Bing, Masha and the Bear and PREMOLI + DI BELLA.

Bing is nominated in two categories: Best Licensed Brand – Entertainment, Character, Toy Brand, Animated, thanks to its great success in 2020 and Best Licensed Product Digital – Apps, Software, Video Games. Acamar Films’ award-winning pre-school animated series has enjoyed record-breaking numbers, including three billion YouTube views, one million app downloads and the fastest-growing Facebook channel among pre-school properties in 2020.

Masha and the Bear, the animated series produced by Animaccord, appears in the category Best Licensed Products – Food & Beverage with Benvolio 1938 – Masha and the Bear Sunflower Oil. Benvolio, an Italian licensee, has developed its baby sunflower oil through 100 per cent Italian organic farming, making it ideal for children. The branded oil is customized with the delightful Masha and the Bear characters, both of whom appear on the innovative pack. This is a project that fully embraces the values of this exceptionally popular animated series, which in every episode highlights love, attention, care for the environment and the well-being of children.

PREMOLI + DI BELLA, the property inspired by the artistic expression of the designers Giovanni Premoli and Dario di Bella, has been honoured in the Best Licensed Product – Home Décor category for the PREMOLI + DI BELLA Pet Design Collection project with Ferribiella, a collection where the brand’s instantly recognizable design is dedicated to our four-legged friends. The first collection debuted in November 2020 with the brand’s ‘Iconic’ theme, which brings together avant-garde modernism and Street Style. Following the success of the first collection, the ‘Blusicilia’ collection launched this summer. This range of PREMOLI + DI BELLA, accessories for dogs and cats – and for the home – takes the consumer on a journey into the beauty and joy of summer in Sicily.

The annual Licensing International Excellence Awards event aims to honour innovation and professionalism. This year’s Las Vegas awards ceremony will be virtual. The winners will be announced on August 24.

“This is a wonderful achievement for Bing, for Masha and the Bear, for the creative duo PREMOLI + DI BELLA and also for the licensees, who have managed to translate the values behind each property into effective, original and appealing products for the market,” explains Maurizio Distefano, President of MDL. “We are thrilled that these projects made it into the finals of the Licensing International Excellence Awards 2021. This success is a real tribute to everyone involved.”

Maurizio Distefano Licensing, ISA agent for Italy, concludes the deal with the homeware specialised company.

Maurizio Distefano Licensing, licensing agent for International Space Archives (ISA), concluded the agreement with homeware company with extensive expertise in licensing collaborations Hermet to develop a Bedding and Homeware line.

Hermet will create a Bedding collection consisting of bedding sets and quilts and a Homeware collection including bathroom and kitchen textiles, living room rugs and cushions, tableware and beach towels, which will be customized with the most beautiful images of space exploration missions and the famous symbol of the American space program. The collection will be distributed in mass-market and in all specialty stores for home furnishings, and will also be available online.

Over the past fifty years, manned and unmanned space programmes in the United States and other countries have amassed a huge amount of still and motion photography which is unique in its scope and splendor. For the first time ever, the International Space Archives is bringing together the best of this still and video imagery into one comprehensive collection which is available for licensing worldwide through LMI Ltd, and in Italy through MDL.

The Mission Patches, photos, films and video contained in the archive come from a variety of sources including, indeed, the American space program and the international space programs of Russia, Japan, China, India and the European Union.

Maurizio Distefano, president of MDL, says, “We are thrilled that the International Space Archives (ISA) images archive has been an inspiration to a company like Hermet, whose creativity I’m sure will deliver an impactful and eye-catching collection dedicated to space exploration.”

Join MDL on the 16th of June for two virtual events to present the agency’s news and projects

Maurizio Distefano Licensing (MDL), which manages licensing in Italy for number of major brands across entertainment, lifestyle, digital content creation and fashion, is again attending as an exhibitor the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair online edition, welcoming an online audience to learn more about its plans for its growing portfolio of brands.

MDL is planning to meet the licensing industry on the 16th of June to highlight the latest news and partnership opportunities offered by its diverse and exciting portfolio of properties.

Attendees will be able to join MDL virtually at two exclusive events on the 16th of June.

From 3:00 to 3:30 pm, the focus will be on the company’s entertainment portfolio and in particular the cartoon category, where classic kids’ properties such as Bing, Masha and the Bear and ALVINNN!!! And the Chipmunks will join hot new acquisitions like CoComelon, Blippi and Morphle.

Visitors can hear the latest news about this exciting line-up, including developments in the digital sphere, where MDL is working with online platforms to increase awareness and reach an even broader target audience.

From 4:00 to 4:30 pm, two more MDL property portfolios will take centre stage: creators and fashion brands.

There’s a high-flying recent arrival in what MDL calls its creators category, in the form of web star Charlotte M, who creates digital content for her fans on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Visitors can also learn about MDL’s growing portfolio of lifestyle brands through a presentation of the agency’s growing involvement in product categories such as apparel, home & living and accessories.

The Bologna Licensing Trade Fair has long been a fixture in the Maurizio Distefano Licensing calendar, usually as an exhibitor with a dedicated stand. This year MDL will be attending online but, as ever, plans to present highlights of the rich selection of properties in its portfolio and to underline the licensing opportunities they offer.

The Bologna calendar, with many exciting appointments to choose from, is now available at www.bolognalicensing.com. The line-up includes awards, international conferences, talks, masterclasses, webinars, live streaming, interviews and meetings, featuring many of the stars of the licensing industry, including, of course, Maurizio Distefano Licensing. Visitors and attendees will be able to hear all the latest news and communicate their own news to the large audience registered for the event.

Visitor subscription to the event is free: just register on the website Registrazione area riservata (bolognachildrensbookfair.com).

“Bologna Licensing Trade Fair is a great opportunity to speak to fellow professionals from the licensing industry,” says Maurizio Distefano, President of MDL “Although this year it will be virtual, it has been brilliantly organised in a way that allows us to participate, make contacts and discuss opportunities, setting us up for next year, when we will again have the opportunity to meet everyone in person.”

From Educational Games to Branded Footwear, Immediate Success of Global Phenomenon, CoComelon, is Catalyst for Several Consumer Product Lines in Italy.

CoComelon, the number one kids show is now part of Maurizio Distefano Licensing’s portfolio of properties. The deal, which was made in February 2021 in partnership with Moonbug, the world’s largest digital kids media company for content creation, has already captured the attention of several additional licensees which have planned to develop their latest products leveraging the  IP: Headu will create a wide range of educational games, such as flash-cards and tactile cards; Coriex will develop an entire line of accessories; OLED will make a collection of baby products; Multiprint will produce stamp sets and colors; EasyShoes will create branded footwear and Dulcop will create bubbles in all different formats.

CoComelon boasts more than 112 million subscribers on its YouTube channel – increasing rapidly every day. In Italy alone, it reaches 44 million views per month. The key to its unstoppable success is its highly educational content, accessibility and relatable stories. The animated series teaches children how to take on everyday activities and models positive behavior with a sense of enthusiasm. Young audiences can follow relatable family moments: from mealtime and playtime to naptime. The cheerful nursery rhymes of each episode attract little ones aged from one to four who love to dance and sing with Baby JJ and his siblings while learning letters, numbers, animal sounds, colors and much more.

Maurizio Distefano, President of Maurizio Distefano Licensing, commented: “I was immediately impressed by the strength that this property showed also among Italian families, who appreciated its educational content and catchy tunes. The increasing number of licensees who chose to develop products leveraging CoComelon just a couple of months after its arrival to our portfolio was further confirmation of this. We can definitely say that the series is having a remarkable and promising debut in the Italian licensing market.”

Blusicilia collection of pet accessories celebrates summer, sea, sky and Sicily

Maurizio Distefano Licensing (MDL), which manages the licensing programme for the fashion brand PREMOLI + DI BELLA, has announced the launch of Blusicilia, the latest PREMOLI + DI BELLA Pet Design collection from the dynamic and creative partnership of Giovanni Premoli and Dario Di Bella. It is produced and distributed under licensing agreement by Ferribiella Spa, a name synonymous with Italian excellence in the world of pet comfort.

Available through a selected distribution network of about 2,000 points of sale in Italy’s finest pet shops, the Blusicilia collection from PREMOLI + DI BELLA Pet Design uses a design style and colours that celebrate the beauty and joy of summer in Sicily – in fact Blusicilia combines the Italian words for blue and Sicily.

The pillows, water and food bowls, placemat trays, beach towels, beach bags and leash accessories that make up this collection of products are not only high-quality and functional but stylish and evocative, bringing to even the most domestic space a summery Sicilian feel that lasts all year long.

The Blusicilia summer theme is designed to stimulate feelings – in both the owner and the pet – of peace and relaxation, with a little help from careful fabric selection and chromotherapy – the use of colours to aid health and harmony – both of which make full use of many years of research by Ferribiella Spa.

The 100% fresh cotton-canvas pillow has a completely removable and washable lining including a non-slip nylon base, and an innovative cooling mat called Brividino, that reacts to the animal’s body pressure, soothing and refreshing the pet. Inspired by the summer afternoon siesta, it’s perfect for hot summer days.

The water and food bowls use minimal design where the shades of the colour – a key point of this collection – go from deep blue to crystalline blue with a gradient effect, a reference to the shades of the sea reminiscent of the view from a Sicilian island.

Placemat trays of soft silicone are enriched by the symbol of Hephaestus: the Greek god of fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forges and the art of sculpture – and the iconic emblem of the PREMOLI + DI BELLA brand.

Then there’s the soft and absorbent microfibre beach towel, and the super stylish beach bag, breathable and made of fresh canvas cotton with eco-friendly leather details and decorations. This bag also includes a security leash, metal support legs and a reinforced pillow to give every pet more comfort during transportation.

The collection is rounded off with an exceptional set of leash accessories: collar, leash, harness and bag holder in cotton canvas combined with eco-leather and a marine-inspired t-shirt in clutch packaging with a personal anchor print, a useful accessory in which to hold small items for the care of a pet.

The Blusicilia design was inspired by the things that make Sicily so memorable: the rich Baroque architecture, the opulent decor, the colours of the table, the warm light of the sun on the cobblestones, the smell of citrus fruits, the joy of the people in the festivals – and of course the sea on the horizon in all its intensity and its thousand shades of blue. “Sea waves are sovereign on the island and this is how we wanted to represent them,” say Giovanni Premoli and Dario Di Bella.

Maurizio Distefano, President, MDL, says: “These are distinctive products, reflecting an eclectic and personal style, but inclusive and accessible in line with the philosophy of the PREMOLI + DI BELLA Pet Design brand. With a truly inspired design and colour scheme that evokes the travel and sunshine that so many of us are now looking forward to, this collection will delight both pet owners and pets.”

Among Maurizio Distefano Licensing’s properties is Asterix, the brand inspired to the fun adventures of the famous hero of Gaul created by Les Éditions Albert René that, as of today, counts 60 years of history with over 385 million sold comics. Asterix is true evergreen, that’s why it can afford to fascinate a very transversal target. Its last comic book sold over 5 million copies in the world, for a total of over 20 million readers and its adventures have been translated in 111 languages and dialects.

Panini Comics set the release date of the next volume “Asterix and the Griffin” for the 28^th of October 2021. Asterix, Obelix and Idefix, accompanied by the druid Panoramix, will get involved in the epic and full of unexpected search for the Griffin, a mysterious and fantastic mythological creature. Jean-Yves Ferri, author of the thirty-ninth volume, says “All I had left to do was to choose the animal to be at the center of the story from the rich archive of ancient mythology, and I chose the Griffin, half eagle, and half lion with horse ears: in short, an enigmatic creature!”. The new comic book will be released in 17 different languages.

“We’re very glad to have Asterix in our licensing portfolio.” Says Maurizio Distefano, President of MDL, “The creation of new contents and new stories is surely one of the most important things for a Property, and this makes Asterix a safe choice in the licensing market”.

MDL to build on success of young YouTuber who is already a publishing phenomenon

Maurizio Distefano Licensing (MDL) has been appointed as worldwide licensing agent for Charlotte M., a young YouTuber who, at the tender age of 13, is already a web star with more than 800,000 subscribers on YouTube, a TikTok following of close to the same number and 100,000 followers on Instagram.

Charlotte M. is especially popular among teenage girls, who love the humour and spontaneity with which she talks about her life and the topics that affect her life – and, of course, their lives: first crushes, friendship, arguments, going to school and how she fills her free time.

The Charlotte M. story began when she asked her mother to record her pretending to transform herself into a mermaid with a magic potion. YouTube viewers took notice, her videos became more polished and professional, and her audience grew. She even recorded her own song. Called “I LOVE YOU“, it has more than six million views on YouTube and is also available on Spotify. She has already planned the release of her next song for this summer.

Charlotte M.’s popularity has inspired Fabbri Editori to publish a series of novels, the first two of which – Charlotte M. Un’estate al College Infestato (Summer in the Haunted College) and Charlotte M. Un Amore Oltreoceano (An Overseas Love) – are now available in bookstores and on mondadoristore.it. In fact Un’estate al College Infestato has been adapted for a movie that will be shot this summer. Charlotte M. is now working on her third book.

MDL sees many opportunities in a wide range of categories for its Charlotte M. licensing campaign. In fact, as Maurizio Distefano, President of the agency, says: “Working with Charlotte M. allows us to build a licensing campaign that reflects the web star’s world, a world known and loved by the digitally savvy teenagers who assiduously follow top influencers and who make up the target audience for licensed Charlotte M merchandise. We’re looking at a number of different product categories, for all of which we believe we can create projects with high impact and excellent sales prospects.”

The official magazines and the comic books with the most loved couple by children will soon be available!

Thanks to the deal managed by Maurizio Distefano Licensing between Panini and Animaccord, a multinational licensing company and production studio of the animated series Masha and the Bear, the monthly magazine, available from the 15^th of April 2021, and the comic books dedicated to the wildest tv characters, available from the 29^th of April 2021, are coming soon in all kiosks.

Masha and the Bear will be the stars of the upcoming Panini publications, that include the official magazine, out every month, with many activities, stories, drawings to color and gift gadgets, and several comics, designed to stimulate reading between children thanks to the comic facilitated narration and thanks to simple activities and games, all available in bookstores, in kiosks and on www.panini.it website.

The animated series Masha and the Bear, a classic among children, boasts an incredible awareness. According to Parrot Analytics, leading global TV content demand analytics company, the animated series is included in TOP-5 most in-demand kids show in the world as of January 2021 as well as is ranked #3 among top favorite kids’ entertainment brands in Europe and MEA among children 0-6 years (Source: Kidz Global, Jan 2021 edition).

Masha and the Bear airs daily on Rai YoYo with an intense schedule, that played a key role in the series success since its arrival in Italy. The episodes are available also on the Rai App, Rai Play, giving the chance to watch them any moment of the day.

“We are positive that the partnership between the Italian company leader in the editorial field, and one of the most successful series in the world and in Italy, can only collect great results”, says Maurizio Distefano, President of Maurizio Distefano Licensing that continues with: “Panini with Masha and the Bear was able to develop very attracting products, combining high quality and educational content, perfect elements for the interested target.”

The adventurous friends of the eastern taiga, Leo and Tig, will become part of De.Car2’s catalogue as new plush toys with many of special features to discover

Maurizio Distefano Licensing managed the agreement between De.Car2, a company of games and toys specialized in plush products from Piedmont, for the making of a collection dedicated to Leo&Tig, and 0+ Media, a part of Digital Television Russia.

De.Car2 will develop an entire line with the two protagonists Leo and Tig, presenting to the series fans a selection of the softest and cutest plush toys perfect to hug and cuddle. Some of the products will also include special sound features, playing songs and phrases from the series, operable thanks to buttons and motion detectors that work just by passing the hand in front of the product.

Leo and Tig are two cubs of leopard and tiger that live in the eastern Taiga with all their friends, where they discover all its wonders and hidden secrets. This animated series is for all those who, like the two protagonists, love living adventures along with friends. During each episode, Leo and Tig learn to be kind, friendly, to help one another and to respect nature. The first and the second season are available on Rai App, Rai Play, at any time, giving little fans the chance to watch the fantastic stories of Leo and Tig whenever they want.

“The many projects made until now with Leo and Tig are a demonstration of its strength in the Italian licensing market” states Maurizio Distefano, President of MDL “now finally, thanks to De.Car2, they will also have their own line of soft toys, a princely product that will certainly attract attention and satisfy many children desires”.

The Season 5 new episodes of Animaccord’s TV series will air on Rai YoYo

Animaccord has confirmed a new broadcast deal with the Italian public media company Rai for Masha and the Bear Season 5, produced in new format of 4K (UHD) resolution. The first episodes of the new season will air daily on Rai Yoyo and Rai Play from May, occupying the best slots on the channels.

“We’re excited with the technical innovations that have been implemented by Animaccord to produce and bring its new Season in 4K, making a breakthrough in preschool serial animation field.  We’re happy to plunge kids to this Masha and the Bear’s fantasy world that is always close to their daily life & feelings as well as to amaze them with the new scripts and the undiminished energy of the character in exceptional premium quality” – comments Annalisa Liberi, Head of Acquisitions, Rai Ragazzi.

Alongside the launch of the core show’s new season, on February 27, 2021, Rai will also release Animaccord’s new educational musical project named Nursery Rhymes, where the world-wide famous character Masha leads babies and toddlers through a wonderful world of nursery rhymes, helping them to tap into their hidden talents and develop them.

Maurizio Distefano Licensing, Masha and the Bear agent in Italy, welcomes these releases with enthusiasm, being able to propose many new features to the existing and potential licensees of the Property.

This year Animaccord marks the 10^th years since the first media deal signed for Masha and the Bear Season 1 for Rai to premier the cartoon in Italy – the first country outside the home market where Masha and the Bear became a huge success.

From January the Magic Album, the Stickers and Colors, the Crossword Puzzle, and the Draw and Color albums are available in all kiosks starring children’s favorite characters, Masha and the Bear!

Thanks to the deal managed by Maurizio Distefano Licensing between Animaccord’s successful property Masha and the Bear and Edizioni Play Press, the new activity and coloring albums are already available in all kiosks from January with the stars of the animated series. Every month a new album will be available in all kiosks.

The Magic Album, the Stickers and Colors, the Crossword Puzzle, and the Draw and Color albums have as protagonists of their stories, drawings to color and stickers, the friendly Masha and Bear. A fun and creative way for fans of the animated series to learn and play with their favorite characters. All Play Press albums have the special soft touch feature for their covers, a technique that makes them velvety and gives them a magic touch!

The animated series Masha and the Bear, tells the daily life of Masha, a mischievous and lively little girl that loves to play pranks and cause troubles to her friend Bear, with seemingly infinite patience. A perfect metaphor of the relationship between parent and child, which makes the series extremely accessible and easy to identify with. Masha and the Bear episodes are on air every day on Rai YoYo, the channel that contributed to the taking off of the series thanks to the intense schedule since its arrival in Italy and that still today keeps fans at the highest point of interest. Rai Play, the web-portal and Rai App version where Masha and the Bear came in second as the most viewed Kids title during 2020, plays a key role in the series success as well, allowing to view the episodes at any time.

Masha and the Bear boasts 3 million subscribers on the Italian YouTube channel. Moreover, Masha and the Bear is a record-breaking series: it has set the Guinness World Records as the most watched cartoon on YouTube and one of its latest episodes entered the HIROSHIMA 2020 International Animation Festival for its special list of programs titled “BEST OF THE WORLD”. According to Parrot Analytics, an international research agency, it is included in TOP-5 most in-demand kids show in the world as of January 2021.

Thanks to the long-lasting partnership with the Maurizio Distefano Licensing agency, Masha and the Bear has an extremely active licensing program in Italy, ranging in many product categories: toys, food, apparel and more. In addition to being able to easily find all products on the Masha and the Bear personal Amazon store and in the dedicated area of the Toys Center website, fans can also find Masha and the Bear in-store, with an even more immersive experience thank to the initiative of the retailer Toys Con Te, who dedicated an exclusive exhibition space to the series.

“Masha and the Bear is one of the most-watched series by children, which corresponds to a constant research and demand for its products. This collaboration with Edizioni Play Press will certainly satisfy young readers, who will be able to play with Masha and the Bear while stimulating their imagination and creativity.”

Italian licensing program includes global sensations CoComelon, Blippi and My Magic Pet Morphle

MDL today announced it has partnered with Moonbug Entertainment Ltd. to become the licensing agent in the Italian market for CoComelon, Blippi and My Magic Pet Morphle. In just two years, Moonbug has become a kids’ programming powerhouse with a library of more than 550 hours of content, which is distributed on more than 100 platforms globally, including YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Joyn, Sky and Roku.

CoComelon teaches children how to take on everyday activities and role models positive behavior with a sense of enthusiasm. Kids can easily relate to the universal themes and everyday narratives such as eating your vegetables, learning to tie your shoes and getting ready for bed. With its bright and bold colors and cheerful nursery rhymes and phrases, CoComelon attracts children aged one to four to sing and dance along with Baby JJ and his siblings as they learn letters, numbers, animal sounds, colors and more. It is available on all major platforms including Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music, Roku and Netflix and has surpassed 100 million subscribers on YouTube and garnered nearly 100 billion views on the platform.

Blippi is an energetic and loveable character clad in orange and blue that jumps off the screen with his goofy mannerisms and friendly demeanor. He’s taught millions of kids how to count, colors, letters, and much more. In just a few years since his inception, Blippi has become a global sensation with over 11 million YouTube subscribers and 700 million views per month. Blippi is also available on some of the largest premium streaming services such as Hulu, Amazon Prime, Roku, Virgin Media and Kidoodle.

Morphle is a magical red pet who can morph himself into anything – a sweet puppy, a giant truck, a cool dinosaur or anything that his human companion Mila’s playful mind can imagine. The series is aimed at children aged three to six and is available in 12 languages. With over 250 episodes in its library, the show teaches preschoolers the themes of friendship, problem solving and creativity, and is available on a range of digital platforms including YouTube, Amazon, Netflix, Apple TV, and most recently, was part of a deal to be shown on Virgin Media platforms. A hit with tots and their families worldwide, the Morphle YouTube channel has 9.6 million subscribers and has had over 6 billion views since it was established in 2011.

“The relatable content in these properties makes them highly accessible, involving both children and parents in their first learning phases” states Maurizio Distefano, President of MDL. “The successes that these series have collected since their inception demonstrates their strength, and we’re excited to help fans access products that include their favorite characters.”.

The fourth season of the Emmy Award-winning preschool series, Bing, airing daily on Rai YoYo, thrills little ones thanks to themes close to the early years and now more relevant than ever. In fact, in one of the new episodes titled “Vaccination”, Bing meets a new character, Dr. Molly, to get vaccinated, a way to help children deal with this type of situation that can be a little scary. When this episode first aired in December on Rai YoYo, it reached 343,000 AMR and was the channel’s most watched episode of the day, with an 18.9% share among children ages 4-7!

The fourth season presents also a new character, Nicky, Sula’s little cousin, and many new themes and events, such as Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s. Other inherent emotional themes that the new series addresses are disappointment, worry, sadness, kindness, courage, and trust.

Overall, Bing was the most watched series in the 6 p.m. time slot among all children’s shows in Italy this December! Season 4 is also available on Rai YoYo’s RaiPlay app, where Bing is currently ranked #1.

The launch of the new episodes had a significant impact on audience’s engagement also on all the other platforms and channels, such as social media. App downloads increased by an incredible +36% in the month of December alone!

In addition, the first sign language version of Bing is available on TIMVision.

Maurizio Distefano Licensing, Bing’s Italian agent, continues to close licensing contracts with major Italian companies: the latest arrivals are Lubex, which will develop a line of accessories for cars, with sun shades suitable for younger passengers; Adriatic with beach toys, buckets and molds; Smoby for scooters and tricycles and Sevi that, thanks to the agreement with Giochi Preziosi, will develop wooden toys inspired by the series.

“Tg2 Storie” and “Rai News 24” dedicated a report to Animaccord’s animated series, Masha and the Bear, revealing some of the most interesting aspects behind its creation and production.

The report aired on Rai2’s program “Tg3 Storie” on the 27^th of Dicember 2020 and on the “RAINews-24 channel”, during one of the daily news reports on the 31^st of Dicember 2020 and on the 1^st of January 2021. Masha and the Bear episodes are on air every day on Rai YoYo, the channel that contributed to the taking off of the series thanks to the intense schedule since its arrival in Italy and that still today keeps fans at the highest point of interest. RaiPlay, the web-portal and Rai App version, plays a key role in the series success as well, allowing to view the episodes at any time.

The TV report, that aired on the Rai2 channel, presented a glimpse of some of the curiosities behind the animated series Masha and the Bear, known worldwide and dubbed in 42 different languages. Starting from how it all began, to some of the making processes, it offers an overview of what happens behind-the-scenes of the world’s successful series.

Oleg Kuzovkov, creator of Masha and the Bear, explains how the idea was born in 1996 from the encounter with a very lively little girl at the beach who kept bothering everyone. From there, 12 years later, the successful episodes of Masha and the Bear were created. Click on this link to watch the report by Rai2 dedicated to Masha and the Bear at the minute 34:38:

http://www.tg2.rai.it/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-1a5cb87d-22e4-4835-803f-493a856f4399-tg2.html#p=0

Thanks to Maurizio Distefano Licensing, Masha and the Bear, has a very active licensing program in Italy, with licensees for every product category, ranging from Easter eggs to olive oil, from footwear to children’s masks, from toys to publishing. The products of the licensees are also available online, in particular on Amazon with the dedicated Masha and the Bear shop, as well as on the Toys Center website. The Masha and the Bear experience is also immersive in-store: Toys Con Te has, in fact, dedicated an exclusive exhibition space to the series.

Maurizio Distefano, President of MDL, stated: “Masha and the Bear is a certainty on all points, the high quality of the series reflects automatically in each of its projects. A must for children’s television programs, which appreciate its proposal both in terms of content and products”.

Masha and the Bear, on air every day on Rai YoYo and Rai Play where it was the second most viewed Kids title during 2020, boasts 3 million subscribers on the Italian YouTube channel and 5.4 million followers on the Facebook page, continuing to prove its strength in the market. The series has established the Guinness World Record as the most viewed cartoon on YouTube, its success continues to grow to the point that one of its latest episodes entered the HIROSHIMA 2020 International Animation Festival for its special list of programs titled “BEST OF THE WORLD” and according to Parrot Analytics, an international research agency, it is included in TOP-5 most on-demand kids shows in the world as of December 2020.

Acamar Films’s Italian VOD partner, TIMVISION, produced the first ever sign language version of the multi-award-winning hit pre-school series, Bing.

Bing celebrates the messy, joyful reality of pre-school life and finds the big stories in the little moments. These stories represent the everyday dramas that all young children and the grown-ups in their lives will recognise.

A selection of original Bing episodes featuring an Italian sign language interpreter launched on TIMVISION on 24^th December 2020 as part of the company’s commitment to offer educational and fun-filled opportunities to deaf children in Italy. These dubbed episodes joined the original 78 episodes of Bing that have been available to stream on TIMVISION since November 2019. A total of 14 LIS (Lingua dei segni italiana) A total of 14 LIS (Lingua dei segni italiana) episodes will be available to stream by the end of this month with more to come in 2021.

Eroulla Constantine, Director of Sales and Distribution, Acamar Films said, “We are delighted to have Bing as part of TIMVISION’s growing catalogue of LIS version episodes on their platform. We stand alongside TIMVISION’s commitment to diversity and inclusion with meeting children’s specific needs.  We look forward to having more inclusive episodes of the series available in Italy.”

Bing has seen incredible success in Italy since it first launched in 2018 and is beloved among little ones and their grown-ups in the region. With more stories in high demand, the latest series recently launched on-air and on various platforms including the new Bing app, ‘Bing: Guarda, Gioca, Impara’. The app successfully launched in the summer and includes episodes and compilations, learning games and activities.