The four-time Academy Award-winning animation studio Cartoon Saloon is forming an ancillary rights division and will attend Licensing Expo for the first time in partnership with Dentsu Entertainment USA. The company will explore licensing and merchandising opportunities for its original IP, headlined by its upcoming animated feature, Wolfwalkers.
Set in 17th century Ireland at a time when wolves were evil creatures, Wolfwalkers tells the story of a young apprentice hunter who goes to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last pack.
Cartoon Saloon and Dentsu will offer a sneak peek of Wolfwalkers at the Licensing Expo. The company is exploring all categories of licensing with a key focus on toys, publishing, and live-experiential events. Additional properties to be presented at Licensing Expo include The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and The Breadwinner—each Oscar nominated in the Best Animated Feature category—as well as the Emmy-nominated TV series, Puffin Rock and a look at new early stage projects.
Dentsu Entertainment USA, a content production and rights management arm of the Japanese media conglomerate Dentsu, Inc., continues to focus on building unique entertainment-based business strategies for its clients and partners. In Japan, Dentsu recently announced Cardcaptor Sakura: The Enchanted Museum, and is exploring similar opportunities for Cartoon Saloon properties.
“We have come to know the people at Dentsu, both in Los Angeles and Tokyo very well over the last few years and now together with Dentsu, we can achieve an immediate presence in North American, European, and Asian markets for our new ancillary rights division,” said Gerry Shirren, managing director of Cartoon Saloon. “We are pleased to be finally launching this new relationship.”
“Cartoon Saloon has carved-out a special place in the international animation industry with their original concepts, powerful story-telling, and illustrative style,” said Marc Harrington, executive vice-president of global strategy and development, Dentsu Entertainment USA. “Given the upcoming release of Wolfwalkers, this is the perfect time for the company to launch their new division and we are proud to partner with them to grow their brands and seek-out partners who will extend authentic engagement with their well-loved characters.”
Brian Tyrrell, Cartoon Saloon’s newly appointed general manager, licensing and merchandise, will work closely with Dentsu. At Licensing Expo, the team will be in the executive suites section located on the show floor.