ZDF Studios strikes deal with GO-N Productions securing merchandising rights for long-running hit children’s series Simon Super Rabbit for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
Mainz, November 13th, 2024
ZDF Studios, the distributor (VOD/TV) for Simon Super Rabbit in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, has also secured the merchandising rights for those countries from leading animation prodco GO-N Productions.
With Season 5 scheduled for delivery early next year, the long-running preschool animated series will total 260 episodes, seeing Simon Super Rabbit fast becoming one of the most popular IPs loved by kids and their parents worldwide.
GO-N’s recently announced presales for the new season include SVT (Sweden), RTS (Switzerland), DR (Denmark), Cartoonito (Warner Media) in Italy, HOP (Israel), VRT (Belgium), and Télé-Québec (Canada). Whilst in Germany, Simon Super Rabbit has been on air on KiKA since mid-July, with ZDF joining in at the end of August. It is also available 24/7 on both channels' popular media libraries.
Based on the best-selling books (5.5 million sold worldwide) by the American author Stephanie Blake, since launching in 2017, Simon Super Rabbit has seen exponential growth, becoming a phenomenal perennial and iconic brand that has been embraced by kids worldwide. Currently broadcasting in 150 territories, the series has also clocked up 3.5 billion+ views, and 8 million+ subscribers on YouTube alone.
Simon Super Rabbit is a delightful story about a super energetic and mischievous little rabbit who exudes all the vitality of childhood. Simon is at an age when little rabbits (and indeed children!) are starting to come into their own - challenging relationships with parents, embarking upon school life, learning about the world in general. Thanks to his character and key values: joy of living, modern family life, positive education, brotherhood, friendship, playing, competition and fair play, a sense of wonder, respect for nature, and curiosity about everything!
Kerstin Jungmann, Director Licensing and Merchandising, ZDF Studios: “GO-N Productions has created a wonderful, much loved series with Simon Super Rabbit. As their distributor for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, we are pleased to further cement our relationship with the company as their L&M partner in the region.”
Eric Garnet, Co-Founder, GO-N Productions said: “2024 has been an exciting year for GO-N since becoming part of the Federation Studios group of businesses. As we enter a new phase of growth on the L&M side of Simon Super Rabbit, we are delighted to have ZDF Studios on board, a trusted partner whose reputation and expertise in those countries is top and highly recognized, and who is going to be a great help in boosting the development of the brand.”
The Simon Super Rabbit international brand licensing program has seen a broad range of merchandise produced across key territories and has featured plush toys, activity books, jigsaw puzzles, photo albums, baby mats, figurines, magazines, party inflatables, and more.
Since GO-N Productions joined Federation Studio’s group of companies, Federation Kids & Family now handles worldwide TV sales.
---
About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes. In 2024, ZDF Studios was named Investor/Distributor of the Year at Cartoon Forum.
The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
Contact ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler (VP Marketing and Corporate Communications), ZDF Studios GmbH, Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, D-55127 Mainz/Germany, Tel.: +49 6131-9911130, E-mail: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com
---
About GO-N Productions
Established in 2004 by Anne de Galard and Eric Garnet, Paris based GO-N Productions is dedicated to creating high quality animated kids series for the international market across all platforms. In September 2023, GO-N joined French powerhouse Federation Studios, becoming part of a federation of 35 productions companies operating independently, but benefiting from Federation’s extensive global reach. GO-N Productions is recognized globally as a pioneer in animation production and distribution, with hit series such as Simon Super Rabbit, Lou!, Zip Zip and Tootuff to name few. The award-winning studio has developed, produced and co-produced projects in collaboration with the most renowned partners and companies worldwide, optimizing synergies between linear broadcasters, SVOD, AVOD, FreeVOD platforms and social networks. In 2023, GO-N was named Producer of the Year at Cartoon Forum.
For GO-N Productions
Céline Xerri-Brook celine@magena-media.com Tel: +44 (0)7957 334228