COOKIE JAR ENTERTAINMENT'S STRATEGIC INITIATIVE TO GROW ITS COMEDY, TWEEN AND TEEN DEVELOPMENT PAYS OFF New television productions fit demands of the global kids' marketplace
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Toronto, Canada (August 23, 2010) - Two years ago Cookie Jar Entertainment responded to the changing needs of the marketplace by going beyond preschool and kids animation. Today that thinking has paid off as several new series head into production reaching a wide array of demographics.
"Cookie Jar's growth strategy is paying off," said Michael Hirsh, CEO, Cookie Jar, "Our new slate of series going into production, including Mudpit, Decidedly Debra and more Johnny Test, meets the needs of our global buyers and represents our continued efforts to develop a balanced portfolio across multiple demographics, in both animation and live-action."
Tween Innovation, mixed animation and live-action Mudpit. Cookie Jar's pleased to announce that TELETOON Canada Inc. has ordered 26 half-hour episodes of Mudpit. Mudpit is a highly innovative television series that captures the tween video gaming experience. Part of the show is in live-action where the ensemble cast live their "real" teen lives; with the comedy, drama and romance that ensues. The other part of the series incorporates CGI animation and follows our ensemble cast as their online avatars as they face gaming challenges and online battles of the bands in the virtual world of Musika. The original music-filled series is one of the kids business' most ambitious projects both creatively and technologically. The series was created by Jamie Waese (The Doodlebops, Gotta Catch Santa Claus), the show-runner is Bruce Kalish (Aaron Stone, The Famous Jett Jackson), Jeff Biederman serves as co-executive producer (Overruled, Life with Derek, Totally Spies), and the music supervisor is Chris Taylor. Mudpit stars teen talent Jesse Rath, Carleigh Beverly, Vasanth Saranga and Daniel Magder.
First Teen Sitcom Decidedly Debra. In live-action, Cookie Jar is pleased to announce its first teen single-camera comedy, Decidedly Debra, created by Andrew Nicolls & Darrel Vickers (Jimmy Neutron, Fairly OddParents, Back to the Barnyard). Debra is a dreamer who enlists her best friend Preston in all her hilarious schemes. Decidedly Debra marks Cookie Jar's first live-action series for Family Channel. The series stars Niamh Wilson as Debra and Will Jester as Preston.
Global Hit Comedy Johnny Test. Superstar creator and executive producer Scott Fellows (Big Time Rush) is back at the helm for the fifth season of global sensation Johnny Test. Cookie Jar heads into production on the series for TELETOON Canada Inc. and Cartoon Networks in multiple territories. The program continues to be a ratings hit for the networks and is one of the top ranked series on TELETOON to-date. The fifth season will bring the series total to 92 half-hour episodes.
"We are very proud of the team we have put together and the production slate we have. With an increased focus on comedy, tween and teen programming, which complements our already strong preschool library, Cookie Jar is poised for success in today's television marketplace. Cookie Jar also has five projects in active development at all major U.S. kids networks. Additionally we continue to control three hours of weekend program on CBS which is branded Cookie Jar TV, and 21 hours of programming on digital channel ThisTV in partnership with MGM." says Toper Taylor, President/COO, Cookie Jar Entertainment.
Cookie Jar's growth in comedy for teens and tweens was a strategic initiative started two years ago in response to global market demands. Michael Hirsh and Toper Taylor built a development team with expertise in these demographics. Lead by former Columbia TriStar Television president, Tom Mazza, whose 20+ years in live-action have allowed Cookie Jar to grow in this area, the team is rounded out by Maggie Murphy and Jillianne Reinseth. Murphy previously served as President of Keifer Sutherland’s Eastside Entertainment and SVP Drama Development at UPN. Reinseth brings extensive experience to the team through her development positions at Studio B, Jetix Europe, Nickelodeon and Chorion.
About Cookie Jar Entertainment
The Cookie Jar Group of Companies is one of the world's leading independent entertainment, consumer products and education companies with 16 offices around the globe. Cookie Jar Entertainment is a leader in the creation, production and marketing of animated and live-action programming. Its library of nearly 6,000 half-hour episodes of television features some of the world's most recognizable series including Caillou, Inspector Gadget, Arthur, The Doodlebops and Johnny Test. The company controls Cookie Jar TV, the weekend morning block on CBS, and has a one-third interest in international children's television channel KidsCo. Cookie Jar Entertainment's Jaroo.com is the premiere web video destination for kids with the largest independent selection of full-length children's TV series and movies online. Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, (CPLG) Cookie Jar's full-service international licensing agency, represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands such as Strawberry Shortcake, Richard Scarry, St. Andrews Links, Lucha Libre AAA and Skelanimals. For more information, please visit www.cjar.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amber Sheppo/Cookie Jar Entertainment asheppo@cjar.com; (818) 955-5453
