At MIPJUNIOR 2024 in Cannes, Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, delivered the keynote speech at the children’s TV entertainment show.
MIPJUNIOR 2024: the international market for screenings and co-productions for children, which was held as a prelude to MIPCOM (October 18-20), welcomed just over 1,000 delegates (buyers, curators, producers, development managers and distributors) to the Croisette the most influential in the global television industry) from 62 countries, ensuring its leading position in the world of series for young viewers. At the dawn of 2025, which sees the rapid transformation of the children’s audiovisual sector, numerous debates led by speakers from the sector fueled the event.
Ramsey Naito: Superfans are the key to success
During his opening speech at the JW Marriott the President of Paramount Animation et Nickelodeon Animation, Ramsey Naito reminded the crowd of conventioneers gathered in front of the stage of the Grand Théâtre, that: “Superfans are the key to the success of the reinventions of famous children’s entertainment brands. The way to reinvent good intellectual property is to find a superfan who knows how to reinvent it, embrace its core values and bring something new to it.” Ramsey Naito concluded his speech with his words: “Kids entertainment is not just a job. It’s a calling, and it takes people with heart, understanding, and lots of creativity to create the best content for the smallest, most powerful viewers on this planet. »
Quality speakers
The opening of the MIPJUNIOR was followed by a keynote hosted by Deirdre Brennanchief operating officer of WildBrain. Cyrine Love senior analyst at Ampere Analysis, Sara DeWittvice-president and general manager of PBS KIDS, Olivier LelardouxPDG de Blue Spirit, Keith Chapmancreator of Kids IP, Keith Chapman Production, discussed a rapidly changing children’s entertainment industry on the stage of Croisette Theater. Deirdre Brennan said: “The lines between content marketing and distribution, work and home are no longer distinct. The question to be resolved was how to embrace this change. »
Positive developments in the multiplatform world
For her part, Cyrine Amor said that children’s television order volumes globally had declined and that orders were increasingly based on existing intellectual property, with a focus on reboots, spin-offs and adaptations. As for Sara DeWitt, she welcomes the many positive aspects in the evolution of the multiplatform world: “We are currently seeing considerable enthusiasm for the video games sector. It’s truly our fastest growing sector. »
Stay cautious about generative AI
Bia and the Beats
Bia and the Beats de Birdo (Brazil) was selected as the winner of this year’s MIPJunior Pitch, focused on projects aimed at preschool audiences aged 3 to 6 years old. The jury was composed of Maud Branlydirector of children’s acquisitions Gold on M6; Rick Clodfelterexecutive director of content acquisitions and partnerships for Disney Branded Television ; Kate Mortonmain manager of the program for children aged 0 to 6 at the BBC et Luiz Filipe Figueiraresponsible for licensed content at Globe Groupin a panel led by Amanda Gummerfounder and CEO of FUNdamentally Children. « Bia and the Beats focuses on Bia, the most excited, intense and musical 5-year-old girl you’ll ever meet. When she puts on her favorite headphones, Bia’s musical energy becomes so powerful that it explodes into funny little creatures called Beats. »
Many other series in focus
The keynote also covered several other marcomma series such as Mr Roscoe of Beakus (UK), which follows the antics of a rather silly and carefree basset hound called Roscoe; Dogs Need Jobs from Dominion of Drama (UK), features siblings Casey and Terri who get their dog Nikki new jobs in the “real world” with hilarious and sometimes disastrous results; Pumpkin Finds Her Queen de Paper Jet (South Africa). The story features a little girl from a long line of healers who must complete a task in their family magic book to access her special gift. And finally Littlest Robot from Toon2Tango (Germany) which tells the adventures and fantastic discoveries of a simple little robot no bigger than a cup of tea.
Miraculous Stellar Force
Stellar Forcethe future Franco-Japanese animated series derived from Miraculous. The Adventures of Ladybug and Cat Noir. Still in project form, this series is scheduled to be released at the end of 2025.
Crayola is getting into the content business
Victoria Lozanoexecutive vice president of marketing at Crayolaused the keynote to explain why the popular arts and crafts company is getting into the content business. His argument in favor of launching Crayola Studios is that: “Creativity matters”, but that most parents struggle to provide for their children. “They need help. This is why Crayola enters this arena, because children need a champion. » The first project of Crayola Studios is a 52 x 11 minute animated series entitled The Alien Adventures Of Finn Caspian. Co-developer with MIMO Studiosthe show is an adaptation of a podcast.
9 Story Media
Victoria Lozano also revealed that Crayola Studios had just signed a “multi-project development agreement” with 9 Story Media. She also stressed that she was not prescriptive on what a studio show might look like. Crayola : “We want to remain agile and flexible. We talk about demos, genres and platforms. These are the best ideas and partnerships. »
The Three Musketeers premieres in Cannes
An episode of The Three Musketeers Mediawan Kids & Family was previewed at the Grand Théâtre at the JW Marriott Cannes. The adaptation of the literary classic has been revisited for a new generation of children aged 6 to 10. The series is co-produced by the label Method Animation of Mediawan Kids & Family (Miraculous, Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, Robin Hood: Mischief in Sherwood) et Palomar Animation (Mediawan Group), in association with ZDF et ZDF Studios and with the participation of France Televisions et Rai Ragazzi. The 52 × 11 minute CG animated series updates the masterpiece ofAlexandre Dumas.
A great classic revisited
Paris, 1613. D’Artagnan dons the outfit of young Louis XIII’s bodyguard every day where he joins the Three Musketeers, alias Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Behind their mask hide Charlotte, Olivia, Inès and Isa. While leading the life of an ordinary young girl in the city and at Court, they train tirelessly to be the best fighters in the kingdom to foil the plots secretly hatched by Richelieu, assisted by Milady and his henchmen.
The 41st edition of MIPJUNIOR will take place on the weekend of October 11-12, 2025.
