WildBrain has partnered with Ukrainian kids’ producer Glowberry to bring the Brave Bunnies preschool brand into its portfolio of kids’ and family franchises.
Under the arrangement, WildBrain has assured the continuation of the popular Brave Bunnies series which was disrupted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Working together with Glowberry and Ibero-American animation studio, Ánima, WildBrain will now lead the global management of Brave Bunnies, leveraging its 360° capabilities across production, distribution and consumer products.
Brave Bunnies was created by Olga Cherepanova, co-founder of Glowberry and creative producer on the series.
WildBrain’s Vancouver animation studio will be co-producing season two of the Brave Bunnies series with Glowberry and Ánima, producers of season one. Delivery of season two is expected beginning in June 2023.
WildBrain will also handle global distribution of all Brave Bunnies content, while its dedicated consumer products agency, WildBrain CPLG, will manage licensing and merchandising worldwide.
WildBrain’s own Family Jr. channel has picked up Brave Bunnies season one for exclusive linear telecast in Canada. Glowberry retains distribution and licensing rights for the brand in Ukraine, while Ánima retains distribution rights in Spain.
The three-way partnership – which was facilitated by Big Picture Licensing – sees WildBrain become majority stakeholder in the Brave Bunnies IP, with Glowberry and Ánima as minority stakeholders.
“Brave Bunnies is a kids’ property born of tremendous creative vision and has the potential to be a major preschool franchise, having already established a solid foundation with audiences through compelling content and consumer products,” commented Eric Ellenbogen, ceo of WildBrain. “Following the terrible events in Ukraine this year, we saw it as vital to ensure the future of this wonderful property, and we couldn’t be more pleased now to be collaborating with Olga Cherepanova and her Glowberry team, along with the creative team at Ánima, on the next big adventures for the Brave Bunnies.”
Olga continued: “Unfortunately, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Glowberry team faced significant challenges. Many employees were forced to flee Kyiv because of personal safety and the lives of their loved ones. But thanks to the support of partners like WildBrain and Ánima, now we have the opportunity to continue to create and share Brave Bunnies together.
“Glowberry is glad to have WildBrain as a partner on board. When such a prominent company lends a hand for a smaller one, especially in a situation as complex as ours, it boosts a project immediately.”
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