Hoho Entertainment has appointed The Point.1888 to represent and manage the licensing programme for its new CGI animation, Toad & Friends.
The company is bringing the riverbank adventures of Mole, Toad, Ratty and Badger to life for a new generation of viewers in the fresh CG animated series, based on the British classic novel, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.
Honouring the legacy of the original book – which was first published in 1908 – Toad & Friends features a refreshed cast of characters and new storylines to resonate with a modern audience.
The original characters remain and are now joined by some feisty females including fearless Hedge, scheming Tinker, diligent Heron, mischievous Adder and motherly Mrs Otter.
The Point.1888 will be seeking partners throughout the UK and is now actively looking for licensees covering categories including toy, apparel, homewares and more.
“Since it was first published, over 85 million copies of The Wind in the Willows have been sold in more than 29 languages, so it’s not just a British classic,” commented Helen Howells, joint md of Hoho Entertainment. “Toad & Friends celebrates the countryside and for children, the simple joy of being outdoors as they follow their favourite characters on brand new, funny adventures in which they discover moral courage, respect, and the value of friendship.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be partnering with The Point.1888 on this beautiful, modern adaptation of a much-loved classic tale.”
Bethan Garton, cco at The Point.1888, commented: “Toad & Friends is an amazing property that is going to bring an iconic story to a new generation of children.
“We can’t wait to get to work and create products that speak to the classic nature and values of the book, but with the shows new creative and humour. There is so much potential here to deliver a licensing programme that fits both narratives.”
Aimed at 4-7s, Toad & Friends has been developed and supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the Creative Media Programme, MEDIA of the European Union. It is set to premier as an original on Warner Bros. Discovery’s preschool brand Cartoonito across EMEA and on HBO Max in the UK and Europe in 2023.
Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow @LicensingSource on Twitter and @licensing_source on Instagram.
