Toy and gift manufacturer Aurora is teaming with L.A.-based Toonzone Studios to co-produce an animated series for its international plush line YooHoo & Friends.

A 52-episode series previously aired in Korea (via Korea Broadcasting System), and deals are in place for Al Jazeera (22 Arabic speaking countries), TV3 (Russia), RTL (Croatia) and KZOOM by VTM (Belgium). Co-producers Aurora and Toonzone are repurposing those episodes to help broaden exposure in North, Central and South America, Australia and New Zealand, as well as more than 20 European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Denmark.

Aimed at the six to 12 set, the series, starring American rap artist Flavor Flav, is based on five greedy corporate execs who are transformed into fluffy animals and taught important environmental messages along the way.

Aurora recently launched a new interactive web site for its brand (www.yoohoofriends.com), where visitors can learn about real animals and their environment, play games, send e-cards, download wallpapers, calendars and coloring sheets, as well as adopt and raise YooHoo & Friends.