Who doesn’t like a little recognition for a job well done? In the spirit of giving props, welcome to KidScreen’s first quasi-formal celebration of the year’s best efforts in international kids entertainment. We polled industry players to get a read on who made waves in 2007 that would likely resonate for years to come, and the result of that fieldwork is the following shortlist of candidates competing in six categories – Producer, Distributor, Broadcaster, Licensor, Licensee and Licensing Agent…of the Year.

This is where you come in! We’re leaving it up to our readers to choose the winners. KidScreen has set up an online voting page at www.kidscreen.com/oftheyear. So after you’ve checked out the accomplishments of this year’s nominees, please jump online and take a moment to fill out a ballot (one per reader, of course). The winners will be announced in our January issue, streeting on January 11, 2008. Happy voting!

Producer of the Year
Aardman Animations

2007 was anything but sheepish for Aardman Animations. Building on the launch of 40 x seven-minute stop-motion series Shaun the Sheep on CBBC, the studio’s been busily expanding to target new demos and platforms. So far, Shaun has sold into more than 150 countries, and the global broadcast exposure is fuelling a growing merchandise program. HIT Entertainment’s US operation snapped up North American licensing and home video rights to the property in September. And building on its relationship with the Beeb, Aardman has a greenlight to produce 52 x 10-minute spin-off Timmy for CBeebies’ 2009 sked, marking the prodco’s first foray into preschool programming.

Of course, Aardman is much more than a one-trick sheep. Also hitting its pipeline this year was high-profile Jamie Oliver toon Little J, which tells the story of a 10-year-old Jamie developing his taste for cooking. The concept generated considerable buyer interest at Cartoon Forum in September. And not to be overlooked is Aardman’s as-yet-untitled Wallace & Gromit theatrical project and its three-year first-look deal with Sony Pictures, inked in April.

On the digital front, Aardman launched a new-and-improved Wallace & Gromit website and hooked up with internet TV operator Joost in May to launch an extensive Aardman branded channel. The company also struck significant mobile deals with Player X in the US and Rhythm NowMedia.
American Greetings Properties

For a company that didn’t even exist before 2006, American Greetings Properties hasn’t wasted any time in ramping up its production business. Along with delivering an all-new 52 x11-minute Care Bears series (based on parentco AG’s classic property) and original toon Sushi Pack this fall to DIC’s State-side Kewlopolis block on CBS, the company already has another two series underway – Maryoku Yummy, a co-pro with India’s DQ Entertainment pegged for completion in 2008; and greeting card-based Twisted Whiskers, which involves DQ and Mike Young Productions.

Heading into 2008, AGP expects its output volume to continue to grow, and it’s made some key hires to keep things moving. Namely, the studio plucked Sean Gorman from his VP of development post at The Hatchery in L.A. to become its VP of production and development in August. And then Sara Finn, former VP of animation at Sony Pictures, was brought in as VP of production in September.
BRB Internacional

As it winds up a year-long celebration of its 35th anniversary, BRB has never been busier. The Spanish studio has had notable success experimenting with short-form CGI projects this year. Having partnered with Scotland’s Red Kite Animation on irreverent 65 x 90-second series The Imp, BRB struck significant broadcast deals with Cartoon Network (US), TVC (Spain), Canal+ (France) and Canada’s YTV, as well as signing Universal Pictures as a mobile partner in the UK. And new short Angus & Cheryl (104 x two minutes) got snapped up by France 3 and Nickelodeon (Belgium, France, Holland, Italy, Latin America, Luxembourg, Portugal, Scandinavia, Spain and Switzerland).

But perhaps the biggest score for BRB was cracking the US market with Iron Kid. The 26-ep CGI series co-produced with Screen 21, Manga Entertainment, Designstorm, Daewon Media and TVE bowed on the Kids’ WB! Saturday morning block this fall under the title Eon Kid.

And Bernard, which currently airs on the BBC and Cartoon Network in the US and Eastern Europe took a major leap into digital with several Euro mobile deals and a DVD contract with Universal Pictures International Entertainment. BRB is now hard at work on a full-length Bernard theatrical feature for 2009.
Chorion

Since bringing New York’s Silver Lining Productions into the fold in late 2005, Chorion has been nurturing some of the market’s highest-quality book-based series through development and production, as well as making major deals with the big three kidnets this year. To start with, The Mr. Men Show, based on Roger Hargreaves’ classic publishing franchise, has just made its US debut on Cartoon Network, and master toy licensee Fisher-Price is planning a worldwide rollout of playthings in 2009. Ian Falconer’s Olivia is also ready for her close-up, and a major development deal with Nick Jr. US will bring the 52 x 11-minute CGI series to screen next fall, with a full merchandising program to follow. And Chorion and French co-pro partner Marathon got the nod from France 3 and Disney Channel to send a new 26 x 22-minute series drawn from Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books into production for 2008.

An early indication that the company was getting serious about its in-house production business came in March, when it made three significant hires, including poaching Kurt Mueller from Sesame Workshop to take the post of VP of creative. Finally, a new version of Chorion flagship property Noddy is in development for 2009 to coincide with his 60th anniversary.
Little Airplane Productions

The preschool specialist has taken flight by keeping its productions on a short leash and building a unique brand. 2006 headliner The Wonder Pets! was a hit for Nick Jr., and the show created by president Josh Selig has wrapped a second season of production. Nick also picked up licensing rights and is building out a mass-market merch program for 2008.

Selig’s unique after-effects animation style and gift for storytelling and music hasn’t gone unnoticed by broadcasters outside the US. The company scored a plum CBeebies commission for new series 3rd & Bird! this past August. The production will be a cross-Atlantic affair with work taking place in New York and London studios. And the pros at BBC Worldwide are getting to work on a consumer products program.

Little Airplane also significantly upped its hometown profile. For the second year in a row, the company hosted an intensive three-day workshop under its Little Airplane Academy banner and helped participants hone their preschool series-crafting skills. The studio also moved into a new 12,000-square-foot space in the Big Apple’s South Street Seaport area. House-proud Selig now offers tours (à la Universal Studios) of the compound to the public, and just in time for Christmas, he has fulfilled his longstanding dream of opening his own toy shop. The Little Airplane Shoppe, specializing in animation, puppetry, literature on kids TV and classic toys, is opening its doors in December.

Distributor of the Year
Cake Distribution

Landing a prime US spot for 2-D animated comedy/action series Skunk Fu! was a highlight for Cake Entertainment’s new distribution arm in ’07. The 52 x 12-minute series, which tells the story of a Western skunk learning martial arts moves at the feet of a wise old Kung Fu master, bowed on Kids’ WB! airwaves this fall, after first launching on CBBC and ABC Australia. And the company has beefed up its sales initiatives by bringing on former Xilam EVP of business development, Ed Galton, as MD.

Acting as a third musketeer to co-directors Tom Van Waveren and Genevieve Dexter, Galton is focusing on international presales and overseeing brand positioning. He also brought a new revenue stream with him by way of an exclusive alliance with his former employer, Xilam – the French prodco has appointed Cake Distribution to handle sales of its entire library in all English-speaking markets. Besides Skunk Fu!, the distributor’s most recent pick-ups include Edgar & Ellen and Total Drama Island. And as part of an effort to bolster its development slate, the company has started getting involved in indie-driven projects at a much earlier stage.
Entertainment Rights

Entertainment Rights has had a busy year carrying out its long-term goal of expanding into the US market. To that end, the acquisition of Classic Media in January brought with it a stake in new US kidnet qubo, which has a terrestrial block on NBC and 24/7 digital cable coverage on Telemundo and ION networks. And to up State-side revenue streams for the group’s entire brand portfolio across TV, licensing and merchandising, DVD/video, digital platforms and music, ER went looking among the ranks of market master Disney for a leader. Deborah Dugan, former head of Disney Publishing, took over as president and CEO of North American operations in May.

ER used its new qubo holding to roll out flagship property Postman Pat in English and Spanish. The new Postman Pat series, which joins the 80 episodes already in ER’s catalogue, positions the iconic mailman in a new environment, interacting with new cast members and vehicles.

Continuing its US invasion, the group inked a deal to place Jim Jam & Sunny on AOL’s US preschool portal KOL Jr. The site is airing eps of the puppet-led series, as well as featuring games and other short-form content. ER also snagged the international TV distribution rights to new Hasbro/Cartoon Network series Transformers: Animated that covers 26 half hours and a 70-minute one-off special.
Nelvana Enterprises

The distribution arm of Nelvana Studio and subsidiary of media conglomerate Corus Entertainment continues to make strong international library sales, but its most interesting moves this year have been made in the nascent field of digital distribution. Over the past 12 months, Nelvana has hooked up with UK-based BT to get its library fare on the upstart BT Vision VOD platform and BT-Vision download store. The deal made toons Franklin the Turtle, Max & Ruby and Maggie and Ferocious Beast available for about US$3 per viewing on BT-Vision boxes.

The company also partnered with computer giant Hewlett-Packard to sell its toons online via its growing Video Merchant Services. US consumers will be able to buy episodic DVDs from the company’s catalogue on-demand or as digital downloads through HP’s network of e-tailers. VMS is beta-testing delivery with retail behemoth Wal-Mart, so it’s a space to watch. Speaking of big, the distributor made a notable deal with the king of online retail, Amazon. Nelvana now has content on download-to-own service Unbox, which allows US customers to download a number of series like Ruby Gloom for US$1.99 an ep.

Finally, Nelvana buddied up with DIC Entertainment and UK channel operator/distributor Sparrowhawk Media and launched 24/7 global multiplatform channel KidsCo in April to widen its Euro distribution swath.
Taffy Entertainment

If you can’t join them, make your own platform. That was the rallying cry that led Taffy Entertainment to create innovative VOD service/broadband portal Kabillion with partners Comcast and EM.Entertainment. The idea was to up exposure for series in the tight US broadcast scene. Within six months of launching the network in January, Kabillion’s average weekly VOD viewings on Comcast were up 30% and it netted a carriage boost by signing on with Bresnan Digital Cable, which has a presence in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. Kabillion’s programming lineup also continued to grow to include brand-new animated series, an online preschool block and original Kabillion casual games. COO Bill Shultz is confident that Kabillion’s VOD component will reach 70% to 80% market penetration over the next six months, after the i’s are dotted on more carriage deals currently in the works.

Taking a shot at a new distribution model – and making it work – put Taffy in the running for Distributor of the Year, but its track record on the more traditional side of the business didn’t hurt, either. Code Lyoko, Dive Olly Dive!, Fantastic Four, Growing Up Creepie and Bleach all performed admirably on the international stage, scoring berths in several countries this year. And most recently, Taffy was tapped by new Spanish net VEO to create a two-hour branded kids block featuring series from its library, including Funky Squad and Wheel Cops.
TV-Loonland

It could be said that it was a Little Princess that made it a big year for the German distributor. Through 2006 and into 2007, preschool series Little Princess has sold into more than 120 countries, including landing a key spot on UK broadcaster Five’s highly rated Milkshake block. And with an eye toward the future, the company inked a master toy license with Martin Yaffe International in expectation that a large-scale merchandising program will bolster its bottom line in the year to come.

TV-L’s 52 x one-minute multi-platform short series The Owl also proved successful in TV, home video and mobile circles, locking down a spot on CBBC this past September and a large multi-territory deal with Jetix covering the US and Latin America. Global start-up net KidsCo turned to TV-L to help fill its fledgling schedule, snapping up a raft of titles such as Clifford and G.I. Joe. Moreover, a carefully selected slate of promising new shows is likely to keep the distributor’s contract-signing pens busy in ’08. Keep an eye out for oddball buddy series Pat & Stan; Raymond, a 26 x seven-minute 2-D animated comedy; and 52 x five minute painterly preschool toon Penelope from Japan’s Nippon Animation.

Broadcaster of the Year
Cartoon Network Europe

CNE’s development execs kicked things off at the beginning of 2007 by putting out an open call for new original series from Latin America, Asia and India. Uncovering a creative hit from one of these territories that could translate into an international hit was a key focus of the outreach program. And over the year, the program made some significant headway in Asia, in particular, with three projects from India, one from Thailand and one from Australia now in development.

In the meantime, the net’s new London-based Studio Europe has been busy developing original ideas, nurturing talent and delivering brand-new original series; in fact, one new project is already greenlit.

An on-air redesign took the network back to its roots with IDs and navigation created and inspired by the cartoon creators, shows and characters. And a new broadband site, www.supercartoonetwork.co.uk, offers streamed eps, games and interactive short-form content on its just-launched Shorties site. The network also fared well with several new series this year. Animated quiz show Skatoony, produced with Talent TV, uniquely pits real-life kids against cartoon contestants and garnered status as the channel’s highest-rating show at launch. A second season is going to air, a third has been greenlit, and a distribution deal is in place with Target Entertainment.

Other 2007 initiatives included CN Superstar, which gave one viewer and two friends a weekend of VIP treatment, while new episodes of Ben 10 were part of an interactive, multi-platform campaign. And the net’s first-ever live-actioner My Spy Family began airing on Boomerang in the fall.
CBeebies

Heading into its fifth year on air, CBeebies underwent a brand refresh and rejigged its schedule to mirror the daily ebbs and flows of its viewers’ lives, breaking programming into four distinct blocks in ’07. The Get Set Go block now kicks off the morning with LazyTown and Tweenies. Discover and Do follows up and targets the zero to four stay-at-home crowd, while the Big Fun Block comes on just in time for the after-school rush and is a key part of the net’s strategy to extend its viewer age up to six. And finally the Bedtime Hour block winds things down at 6 p.m. with gentle series such as Charlie and Lola and In the Night Garden.

In terms of new programming, the channel’s first multi-platform commission, Tommy Zoom, went to air in March. The show started out online and raked in millions of hits, convincing the net to create a show based on the lead character. And three new comedies – Big Barn Farm, Big & Small and Nuzzle and Scratch – have also bowed. Moreover, creative director Michael Carrington continues to break ground with his 2008 commissions, greenlighting CBeebies’ first-ever live-action comedy Grandpa in My Pocket from upstart prodco Adastra Creative.

The channel is also expanding its reach. Radio station BBC7 now carries a three-hour CBeebies program block everyday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., and the Beeb’s commercial arm BBC Worldwide is moving CBeebies into more international territories. Already BBC Worldwide has launched CBeebies on Tata-Sky’s DTH platform in India, and CBeebies VOD will be available to BBC America subscribers in early 2008. The net should also land in at least four European territories later in the year.
Disney Channel US

The 24-hour net that airs in more than 89 million households broke all existing ratings records for a cable channel in August, when its much-anticipated High School Musical 2 debuted to an audience of 17.2 million, making it the most-watched basic cable telecast ever, as well as the most-watched telecast for kids six to 11 and tweens nine to 14. The HSM phenomenon, along with blockbuster series Hannah Montana, has made Disney the envy of broadcasters the world over.

Everyone is trying to crack its code for hatching pitch-perfect live-action fare for tweens, but it’s more likely that Disney’s hits will be formatted for other markets. Head of global operations Rich Ross announced at MIPCOM that plans are in the works to create a Japanese version of Hannah Montana, and several localized productions of HSM are already underway. Not to mention that HSM is spinning out onto the big screen with HSM3 debuting theatrically in 2008.

The net has also been busy beefing up its digital presence as broadcasters continue to try and monetize the realm. DisneyFamily.com is making a concerted effort to expand its reach with moms, in particular, as part of its strong push for co-viewing. And since relaunching in January, Disney.com is averaging more than 100 million video streams per week.
France 3

To adapt to a quickly diversifying French broadcast scene, terrestrial net France 3 spent 2007 fine-tuning its programming strategy to embrace the global media, cross-platform future. F3 plans to spend more of its US$23.2-million annual commissioning budget on properties designed to work on both TV and new media platforms. And its move away from an acquisitions model to get involved in more co-productions means greater control over content.

France 3′s first multi-platform co-pro is Wakfu, a 52 x 22-minute series inspired by a French MMOG called Dorfus that has attracted more than five million plays and 250,000 subscribers to date. A companion Wakfu web game is in the works, and the net is planning to create two MMOG-inspired series every two years.

The website for its key after-school Toowam block has been revamped to include improved gaming options, social networking apps and video streaming, and is now co-managed by the channel’s digital division and programming department so it can be scheduled as carefully as the on-air lineup. In 2008, the site will preview new TV series, launch original content and play into on-air programming stunts.
Nickelodeon UK

Nick UK’s pilot development program to fill a hole in the live-action comedy category with original productions proved to be a worthwhile cause in 2007. Debbie MacDonald, VP of programming, says four live-action pilots for Nickelodeon are on deck and two more will be greenlit in 2008, making Nick UK the most active commercial broadcaster in the territory. Already into its second season is the broadcaster’s co-pro with Helion and Moi J’aime la télévision, Genie in the House. The net has also been busy beefing up its website with easier-to-access VOD and mobile content, plus a red-button service that offers free games.

The channel has been quite active on the community outreach front, too. Of note are multimedia campaigns ‘See Something, Say Something’ (in association with the Anti-Bullying Alliance); Nicktrition, aimed at helping kids make healthier food choices; and Nick’s Big Green Thing, which is oriented around the issue of climate change and showing kids how they can make a difference.

Finally, Nick UK received12 BAFTA Children’s Awards noms this year. Most notably, both Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. have been nominated for Channel of the Year, and Nick Jr.’s cookery commission, Bubble & Squeak, is up for best preschool live-action series.