BANIJAY ACQUIRES ANIMATION COMPANY MONELLO PRODUCTIONS

Banijay announced the acquisition of animation company Monello Productions. The addition of this producer, alongside Zodiak Kids and Tiger Aspect Kids and Family, bolsters the group’s existing children’s catalogue, taking it up to more than 2.200 hours.

Previously part of Tetra Media Studio, Monello Productions is an independent prodco created in 2013 by former Télé Images producer Giorgio Welter. The business is currently producing “When I Was Your Age” (52×11’ - FTV/RAI); “Street Football” (season 4, 26×22’-FTV/RAI) in co-production with Zodiak Kids; and the new CGI series of the iconic “Hello Kitty”.

“Monello perfectly supports our ambitions to expand our Kids activity at Banijay. 'Hello Kitty,' ‘Street Football’ and its amazing development line-up are a hugely important commercial asset for the business, and with Zodiak Kids, we now have an impressive catalogue of children’s content for buyers and licensees alike, which we only see growing,”  commented Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive at Banijay.

Giorgio Welter, President of Monello Productions, added: “We are thrilled to be part of an impressive and entrepreneurial group like Banijay. Synergies for distribution, licensing and new media are very important in a competitive market like animation, so it makes total sense to be alongside Zodiak Kids”.