UNITED MEDIA PARTNERS WITH COLLINGWOOD O’HARE ENTERTAINMENT TO REPRESENT U.S. LICENSING RIGHTS FOR THE AWARD WINNING CARTOON NETWORK SERIES
YOKO! JAKAMOKO! TOTO!
Strategic Licensing Program for the Highly Acclaimed Pre-School Series to Lead with Toys, Publishing and Videos
New York (January 26, 2006) United Media, a leading independent licensing and syndication company, and one of Europe’s leading animation studios, Collingwood O’Hare Entertainment, today announced a joint venture to represent the U.S. licensing rights for the award winning pre-school series, Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto! (YJT). Effective immediately, United Media will build a licensing program for YJT with an initial focus on toys, publishing and videos. Additional categories such as gifts, packaged goods, stationery, HBA and domestics will also be targeted. As the program continues to develop, United Media will seek promotional opportunities and electronic partners.
The winner of two Children’s BAFTAs and Best Pilot at Annecy, YJT’s arresting style, mix of music and non-verbal storylines stimulates kids to laugh, imagine, and interpret as they follow a dynamic trio of characters (Yoko, Jakamoko and Toto) on their fun-filled adventures. Airing weekdays on Cartoon Network’s recently expanded “Tickle U” block from 9am-2pm, YJT has 52 episodes already in existence with more on the way.
“YJT is a uniquely creative animated series that has been extremely successful, receiving enormous praise both here in the US and in the UK where it originated,” said Joshua Kislevitz, SVP of Domestic Licensing for United Media. “With its distinctive combination of art, music and humor this brand resonates with children and their parents, an essential component for crafting a well-rounded and thriving licensing program.”
“United Media has an impressive history of building and cultivating some of the most well-known family focused entertainment brands in the world, said Christopher O’Hare, Managing Director of Collingwood O’Hare Entertainment. “The UM team’s passion and keen understanding of the industry is a true testament to the company’s success, and we feel strongly that YJT will do well in their hands.”
"Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto! is one of the funniest, most unique TV series I have ever seen. We are delighted at how well it is being received by children and parents, and look forward to a long and happy run on Cartoon Network," said Alice Cahn, VP of Programming and Development at Cartoon Network.
About Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto!
YJT follows the adventures of an exotic trio: Yoko, the bird; Jakamoko, the Armadillo; and Toto, the monkey. Each episode is full of energy as it is played out to exciting music with a Spanish and African beat. Our three friends have great fun together as they sing, laugh and dance their way through their wilderness home. Each story has a surprise ending that even the very young will find satisfying and is guaranteed to make you laugh!
About Collingwood O’Hare Entertainment
Collingwood O’Hare Entertainment (COE) was established in 1988 by Tony Collingwood (Writer/Director) and Christopher O'Hare (MD/Producer). The company has earned a prestigious international reputation as a creator and producer of award-winning, high-quality animated series, specials and television features. In 2001, 2002 and 2004 COE won BAFTA Awards for Best Pre-School Animation for ANIMAL STORIES, EDDY & THE BEAR and YOKO! JAKAMOKO! TOTO!, respectively. COE’s other production credits include their multi-award winning debut film RARG, Emmy nominated/Cable Ace winner DR SEUSS’S DAISY-HEAD MAYZIE, BAFTA nominated DENNIS & GNASHER from The Beano, THE MAGIC KEY, OSCAR’S ORCHESTRA, POND LIFE, and THE KING’S BEARD. For more information, please visit www.collingwoodohare.com.
About United Media
United Media (UM) is a worldwide licensing and syndication company that focuses on building brand equity around a wide range of creative content. The company recently partnered with Mary Engelbreit Studios, the business behind the popular and prolific artist and Televisa, a leading Spanish speaking media company, to represent the U.S. rights to its long-running hit television series “El Chavo.” United Media licenses and/or syndicates other properties, including Peanuts, Precious Moments, Raggedy Ann & Andy, Jakers! Arthur, Tamagotchi and Dilbert. United Media is an E.W. Scripps Company.
