Bixbee‘s hive is expanding.
The acclaimed brand behind a range of kids’ products including backpacks, bedding, inflatables, and more is spreading its wings with original intellectual property (IP) and brand extensions through licensing.
The Toy Book can exclusively reveal that Bixbee CEO Lu Garcia’s Buzzing Bee Media has teamed up with Lunchbox Labs (Weird Waters, Pets United) for Bixbee and The Beekeepers, an action-packed original animated series set to debut on YouTube next spring. Bixbee and The Beekeepers aims to connect with kids ages 5 and up as it delivers action and education to promote “multiculturalism, friendship, and responsible use of technology under an umbrella of restoring balance to the Earth.”
At Bixbee, we understand that imagination is the foundation of achievement and creation, and we are committed to inspiring the new generation to develop ways of integrating technology and Earth in symbiotic ways. We can’t wait to dive into this new entertainment medium and explore a side of Bixbee that the fans have not yet experienced. As with all Bixbee products, this series remains dedicated to nurturing imagination, fostering playfulness, and supporting access to education.”
The new series follows Bixbee, the tween leader of The Beekeepers, as he guides his team of gifted, eco-conscious kids on a series of globe-spanning adventures using next-gen technology to protect Mother Earth from the contaminating plots of Queen Bee Evilise and her Agents of VIRUS. Check out the first teaser below.
Garcia plans to leverage the animated series to launch a multilevel licensing program anchored by Bixbee’s in-house product assortment. Each Beekeeper in the series wears a Bixbee backpack and other accessories that families can purchase in real life.
Bixbee is seeking licensing partners to create toys, including Bixbee and The Beekeepers-inspired action figures, and collectibles. The Hexagon Ship could be leveraged into a “hero” item to serve as the centerpiece of the line as a large vehicle or playset.
“Creativity is the backbone of animation, and that is what makes this innovative partnership with Lu and Bixbee so successful,” says John-Marc Khayat, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Lunchbox Labs. “Lu’s passion helps us provide children with an unparalleled combination of a thrilling, crusading adventure along with an educational exploration. We are setting a new benchmark for a captivating series on YouTube and beyond.”
Buzzing Bee Media and Lunchbox Labs are developing each episode of the new series to include photos and complementary lessons about the regional ecosystems and cultures featured on the show. Bixbee and The Beekeepers will also include an original score and will feature pop songs by new and emerging artists over the end credits of each episode.
Additional information about the property and its characters can be found on the official website.
