Crayola is pulling back the curtain on its new kids content division, Crayola Studios, and its first project comes from former Nickelodeon president Cyma Zarghami’s production company. 

The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian is an animated series based on Gen-Z Media’s sci-fi podcast of the same name (pictured). Crayola Studios and Zarghami’s New York-based MiMO Studios are co-developing the 52 x 11-minuter about an eight-year-old boy who lives on a space station and goes on missions with his friends to explore planets, help aliens and solve a mystery that threatens their intergalactic home. Veteran kids show scribe Brad Birch (PJ Masks) is writing the show’s scripts. 

Gen-Z Media launched the Finn Caspian podcast in 2016 and has released 260 episodes for it so far. The series has been downloaded more than 24 million times, and HarperCollins has published four books (the most recent one launched in 2021) to expand the franchise. 

Crayola execs Victoria Lozano, who’s in charge of content at the studio, and licensing boss Warren Schorr opened up about the company’s ambitions to become a bona fide content business to Kidscreen last year. To that end, Crayola has been focused on three pillars: consumer products, location-based experiences and content—and since last year, its goal has been to move away from a siloed approach and make these segments work together more symbiotically.

To cement the company’s position in the content market, Crayola Studios is looking to partner with prodcos, animation studios and IP owners on creating kids shows for broadcast. It’s open to working on new concepts and established brands, as long as each project has “creativity at its heart,” says Lozano, Crayola’s EVP of marketing.  

“Our short-term goal is to remain focused on building a world-class development slate that nurtures a creative mindset in kids and their caregivers,” Lozano tells Kidscreen. “Thinking longer term, our ambition is for Crayola Studios to be the global leader in providing content that celebrates and stimulates the innate creativity of kids of all ages, and that parents and caregivers know they can trust.”

Finn Caspian is a great example because like Crayola, the show explores the power of imagination, self-expression and creativity. Lozano is overseeing the studio’s content slate, with support from advertising firm Goatfish Agency. And sister company Hallmark Media will also help the new studio get its infrastructure firing on all pistons.