California-based brand manager Genius Brands International (GBI) is launching an otherworldly tween girls music- and fashion-driven brand this summer that will feature animated shorts, apparel and a middle grade book series.

Targeting girls ages seven to 12, Spacepop is looking to tap into this demo’s love of fashion, beauty, friendship and adventure. Emmy Award-winning children’s producer and GBI chairman/CEO Andy Heyward is leading production of more than 100 animated shorts starring music from Grammy Award-winning producer Ron Fair (Black Eyed Peas, Christina Aguilera) and singer/songwriter Stephanie Fair (a founding member of Wild Orchid with Fergie). Steve Banks (SpongeBob SquarePants) will serve as head writer.

The storyline for Spacepop follows evil Empress Geela and five teenage princesses. In order to defeat Geela, who has taken over the Planets of The Pentangle and enslaved its inhabitants, the princesses disguise themselves as musicians, form a band called Spacepop, join the rebel resistance and spread the message of freedom and joy through music. Original music will be woven throughout the story’s narrative.

To support the brand’s digital launch, GBI is creating a comprehensive, fashion-driven line of consumer products featuring the designs of Han Lee’s HLL Design fashion studio. HLL Design is the creator and lead designer for the monkey-inspired Bobby Jack fashion brand, which has generated US$450 million at retail.

The first licensing partner on-board for Spacepop is global master publisher Imprint, part of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Imprint is launching the first middle grade novel with graphic inserts, Not Your Average Princesses (written by Erin Downing and illustrated by Jen Bartel), in July. The second novel, Rocking the Resistance, will be published in January 2017.