Exclusive: Cocomelon Owner Moonbug Entertainment is looking to emerging production studio VaynerWatt for its next kids and family franchise.
The two companies have entered into a strategic partnership deal and will work together to create a 2D animated series for children ages 6 to 11 called In Friends, which is based on VaynerWatt’s existing children’s franchise of the same name. It will launch on YouTube in September, with Candle Media-owned Moonbug and VaynerWatt attached.
Gary Vaynerchuk, co-founder of VaynerWatt, created VeeFriends, which is described as a “contemporary entertainment company” focused on character-based collectibles, events, games and technology aimed at making soft skills cool.
The series is set in the VeeFriends universe and features a cast of larger-than-life VeeFriends characters such as Gratitude Gorilla, Quick Quail, and Clever Crocodile who compete in the VeeDome, “the ultimate challenging battle arena.” One of the biggest issues facing Twindom today. Every character who enters the VeeDome comes out “a little stronger and a little more self-aware.”
As we revealed last year, angel investor and online marketing expert Vaynerchuk has teamed up with former CAA agent and Wheelhouse CEO Eric Wattenberg and Matt Huggins, who co-founded investment firm RSE Ventures with Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross and have appeared on Shark tankTo launch VaynerWatt.
“I built VeeFriends to help change the world through dynamic characters that are virtuous, entertaining, engaging, and helpful,” Vaynerchuk said. “I’m excited to work with Candle Media and Moonbug Entertainment, who share many of the same core values, to expand this franchise to new platforms and audiences.”
“Our companies share a vision to contribute to the development and enrichment of the next generation, which naturally allows for a strong partnership,” said René Richtman, Co-Founder and CEO of Moonbug. “The characters and world of VeeFriends that Gary and his team have created will form a strong foundation for an engaging show, which our team is excited to develop.”
Candle Media co-principals Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs added in a statement that VaynerWatt “has built an innovative and inspiring story world digitally, which has galvanized a deeply engaged community around characters who embrace positive values.”
Episodes will debut in late summer as three-minute shorts on YouTube. Moonbug franchises for kids that make money coconut And Blippi Both built their imagination through short videos on the Google platform before expanding into other areas such as licensing, marketing, music streaming and live events.
Candle, backed by venture capital from funds managed by private equity firm Blackstone, bought Moonbug for about $3 billion in 2021. Since then, Moonbug has continued to grow its business coconut, Blippi And Little Baby Boom Brands in some of the biggest digital media brands for preschoolers, and this month launches a Disney TV series Morphels and magical pets.