The Jim Henson Company is debuting several new properties at Licensing International Expo, and seeking licensing partners in an array of key areas.
Me and My Monsters tells the story of the Carlson family who moves from Australia to the UK and discovers there are three monsters living in their basement. Ten-year-old Eddie Carlson thinks the houseguests are the best friends a kid could have, but the monsters proves to be more stressful for Eddie’s working mom and his highly strung dad, and an ongoing embarrassment for his teenage sister.
Me and My Monsters stars human actors and three monster puppets, which are developed by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. The series will air on BBC in the UK, ZDF in Germany, and Network 10 in Australia. BBC Worldwide is spearheading licensing for the series in the UK, Germany, and Australia, and The Jim Henson Company is managing for the U.S. market.
Wilson & Ditch: Digging America is an internet destination produced for PBSKidsGo.org for kids ages 6 to 10. Kids can embark on a cross-country adventure with two comical gophers (brothers Wilson and Ditch) as they explore America’s most interesting destinations.
Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the property includes original online video and interactive games, as well as blogs and podcasts posted by the brothers. The Jim Henson Company is primarily seeking licensing partners in the areas of publishing, travel games, educational products, iPhone apps, and travel accessories.
The Possibility Shop, with Courtney Watkins, is an original broadband series created for Disney Online. The series features ideas for family-friendly art projects and activities, and new seasonal or holiday-based content. During the show, host and store proprietor Courtney Watkins teaches and demonstrates how to turn ordinary afternoons into extraordinary creative adventures for the whole family. The company is primarily seeking licensing partners in the area of publishing, activity products, stationery products, and arts & crafts.
The Skrumps, based on the collectible toys by artist John Chandler, is currently in development as part of The Jim Henson Company’s slate of animated television projects. Targeted toward teens and tweens, Brian Henson, Lisa Henson, and John Chandler will executive produce the show. The company is primarily seeking licensing partners in the areas of interactive video games, iPhone apps, and collectible toys.
Debuting under The Jim Henson Company’s third-party brand umbrella called HIP Brands, The String Doll Gang, from Kamibashi Corporation, is a band of characters in the form of handmade string figures. Each kooky character has his or her own special power that is positive and helpful.
The String Doll Gang dolls are currently available in more than 1,000 U.S. retail stores and The Jim Henson Company is looking to extend the small doll collection into larger-sized dolls. The new dolls can be included with electronics, apparel, accessories, stationery, social expression, room décor, personal care, books, and mobile content and accessories. The company is also in active development on a stop motion animated television series aimed at tween boys and girls.
