Technopark-based Toonz Media Group (TMG) is all set to bring alive on the screen GoldieBlox, a STEM-focused toy brand that achieved sensational success in the US for breaking gender stereotypes in toys. GoldieBlox and Toonz today announced a multi-year joint venture to develop a kids and family animation slate that includes GoldieBlox’s iconic characters, Goldie & Friends, and a number of new series to be co-developed. Each of the animated series and special features will use storytelling techniques fueled by STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics).
An award-winning children’s brand, GoldieBlox inspires kids, especially girls, to take up science and tech by using their toys to teach basic engineering principles, develop motor and spatial skills, and build interest and confidence in STEM fields. The collaboration with Toonz marks GoldieBlox’s first production deal off the company’s owned and operated platforms, and their first foray into the world of animation.
The 5-year multi-property development slate will consist of animated IP for licensing to international and US SVOD and OTT players and based on both the GoldieBlox IP, as well as new, jointly developed IP. Working hand-in-hand from IP development to production, Toonz and GoldieBlox will also jointly work together to find US and global distribution partners for the joint content properties.
GoldieBlox’s Founder and CEO Debbie Sterling, herself a Stanford engineering graduate, is excited to expand the company’s content slate and bring STEM stories to life via animation: “Animation is wildly popular with kids and an area that we are excited to get involved in. Partnering with Toonz on this joint venture gives us the bandwidth to develop IP that has a global footprint, reaching children around the world.”
- Jayakumar, Chief Executive Officer of Toonz Media Group, says the studio is looking forward to partnering with GoldieBlox: “Children really are our future, and the toys and materials that children are exposed to in their childhood is crucial to their development. Toonz is excited to partner with GoldieBlox so that we can combine STEM with stories in order to deliver messages on learning and discovering to young girls.”
Melissa Schneider, who architected the slate strategy with Toonz, commented: “We’re thrilled to enter this partnership with Toonz. They are a world-class animation studio, and this new content fund gives us exciting momentum to partner with top-tier creative talent to tell new stories.”
About GoldieBlox
GoldieBlox is a multimedia company rewriting the script for young girls by empowering them with digital-first content and creative products that spark their imaginations. The company aims to equip girls with the right tools to build their confidence and dreams so they can be the catalysts of change in any industry they choose. Our team of visionaries, dreamers, mentors and creatives is dedicated to girls’ empowerment through products, partnerships and content. Learn more at GoldieBlox.com.
About Toonz Media Group
Toonz is a 360-degree media powerhouse with over two decades of unparalleled experience and one of Asia’s most active animation production studios (over 10,000 minutes of 2D and CGI kids and family content per year). Toonz, having worked with many of the leading entertainment studios, channels and networks including Marvel, Nickelodeon, Turner, Disney, Netflix, Dreamworks, Lionsgate, 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Sony, Universal, BBC, Amazon, Google, Hulu, HBO and Exodus Film Group, has several animation and live action series, as well as feature films to its credit. Toonz has also recently entered into a new feature film partnership with Exodus Film Group on a feature titled “Pierre The Pigeon Hawk” with a voice cast including Whoopi Goldberg, Kenan Thompson, Howie Mandel and Luis Guzmán.
