Month: October 2021

Maurizio Distefano Licensing is World Wide licensing agent for Charlotte M., the young web star who can be defined Creator, Influencer and above all Youtuber with her 958.000 subscribers on her ever-growing channel.

The thirteen-year-old from Serravalle Pistoiese has a huge fan base on the “kids” social networks as well, with 980,000 followers on TikTok and 133,000 on Instagram. What’s impressive is the increase of these numbers that rise with a constancy worthy of the “Ferragni phenomenon”, with more than 1000 new contacts every day. Maurizio Distefano Licensing takes care of her licensing program, which already sees the first players in the home stretch for the launch of the new Charlotte M. branded products.

To learn more about Charlotte, there’s no better way than to directly ask her questions about her history and character, which are key to her success.

Web phenomena often arise without planning. How did your story begin and did you imagine it would resonate this way?

“It all started when, at the age of eight, I started making videos in my bedroom for fun and posting them on YouTube. I did it because I enjoyed telling mini-stories about my life: friends, boyfriend and everyday situations. Since it all started as a joke, I never thought I would reach so many people…”

Perhaps it is this spontaneity in choosing the content of each of your videos that brings you so close to your fans, who are mainly school-age girls. What projects have come out of this popularity of yours?

I talk about myself and my friends in my videos and what’s important is that we all have fun together, especially in creating funny or absurd stories and situations. More than being popular, I am so happy to have so many people following me and showing me their affection in the comments. I still can’t believe that real products can come from my contents and when I will get to see them in stores I’m sure it will be an incredible thrill!

Maurizio Distefano Licensing has already entered into licensing agreements with leading Italian companies that plan to launch Charlotte M. branded products at the beginning of the first 2022 quarter.

We know two of your books have already come out, will there be more?

Yes, my first book, published by Fabbri Editori, “Un’estate al college infestato” (A Summer at a Haunted College), came out in 2020, while the second one came out this year and is entitled “Un amore oltreoceano” (An Oversea Love), an adventure set in Los Angeles for kids aged 9 and up. A third book is already scheduled for release, again published by Fabbri Editori, in February 2022, but I won’t reveal anything about it yet!

In addition to products, what are your plans for the future in terms of new content and channels?

I’ve already released two songs, I love to sing and I’m glad my fans really liked them. I just finished recording my third song and will definitely make more songs in the coming months, including in English and Spanish!

Then, I’m honored to be able to participate as a voice actor in two movies that will be in theaters in early 2022. We are also working on turning my first book “A Summer at Haunted College” into a movie that I will be starring in! This is perhaps the project I’m most excited about, along with working on a serialized TV series for all my fans, also planned for 2022. 

Maurizio Distefano, President of the agency, says: “Charlotte M.’s success is clearly noticeable by the numbers on the web, but also by the planning behind the launch of new content and her participation in different productions. The product categories to be involved in the licensing program are numerous and the development of a style guide inspired by the elements we find in her videos, offers products with the true essence of Charlotte to all her many fans.”

New episodes of the “Leo & Tig” animated series, created by Parovoz Studio and commissioned by Digital Television Russia Group, will be broadcast on two children’s TV channels in Italy and premiered in Switzerland.

The second season of the animated series “Leo & Tig”, which premiered successfully on the Rai YoYo TV channel in the summer of 2019, started on October 11. The channel is a part of the Italian state broadcasting corporation Rai.

The animated series “Leo & Tig” tells about the adventures of the little leopard Leo and tiger cub Tig. The animals’ lives are full of adventures, from which they emerge victorious, coping with their own fears and helping each other.

In the first season, the characters learn about the unusual natural environment of the Far East, unravel the secrets of the forest, and come to the aid of those in need. In the second season, Leo and Tig meet a Chinese monkey, LiLi, who has got lost and is in trouble. To help their friend return home, Leo, Tig, Mila, Jara, Martik, and Cuba go on a long journey to different countries.

Besides the release of the new season on Rai YoYo, “Leo & Tig” became available in digital space in Italy on TimVision, Telecom Italia’s streaming platform and one of the main aggregators of high-quality digital content. This would help to expand the brand presence in the region. The first season was launched on October 11.

The love and popularity of the Russian animated series among Italian viewers is also ensured by the cooperation of the 0+ Media company, a part of Digital Television Russia Group, who works with the licensing agency Maurizio Distefano Licensing, with several large Italian companies such as Play Press, Diramix, Mondadori, Grabo Balloons responsible for the production and sale of children’s products with the image of the cartoon characters.

Furthermore, young viewers from Italy and Italian speaking countries, including Switzerland, Malta, Monte Carlo, San Marino and the Vatican, will get a wonderful gift this Christmas: the DeA Junior pay TV channel, owned by one of the largest publishing houses De Agostini, will show the second season of the well-loved animated series, as well as New Year’s songs performed by the cartoon heroes in a new “Leo & Tig. Magic Songs!” show. The first episode of the “Leo & Tig” project premiered on the DeA Junior TV channel on December 13, 2020.

Moreover, on 25 August, the animation project “Leo & Tig” was made available to children in Switzerland in French on Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) on 25 August. This became possible thanks to a deal brokered by APC Kids on behalf of Digital Television Russia Group and Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR), which includes the RTS TV channel. SRG SSR produces and broadcasts radio and television programs in Switzerland in French.

The “Leo & Tig” animated series gained popularity among young Russian viewers immediately after its premiere on the big screen in 2016 as part of the release of the film magazine MOOLT in cinemas. Over time, the story of two inseparable friends became known abroad. This year, the cartoon was shown in several new countries at once: in Israel on the Junior TV channel, in the YouKid app and South Korea’s JEI TV. In addition, another partner of DTR Beijing Joy Culture Media is distributing the project on digital platforms in China.

In 2020, the broadcast rights were purchased by Piwi + (France), Star Channel (Greece), Spacetoon International (Middle East), Gubbare (India). Earlier in 2018, ‘Leo and Tig’ was released on Netflix. Also, Hungary’s national media holding MTVA, RTL Kockica channel in Croatia and a number of digital platforms in China have acquired the rights for Russian animated series.

BBC Studios expands global licensing footprint for Bluey by appointing Maurizio Distefano Licensing as agent for Italy.

Gaby Dior, EMEA Licensing Manager, BBC Studios, said: “Maurizio Distefano Licensing brings a valuable wealth of expertise and experience in the preschool sector in Italian market which will be instrumental in launching Bluey and its success.

“I am very much looking forward to working closely with the team to deliver a local program which will reflect Bluey’s brand values and bring them to life across multiple categories.

“Bluey is in good hands and ready to delight an increasing fanbase of kids and parents across Italy.”

Maurizio Distefano, President of MDL, said: “We are really excited to have the opportunity to work with BBC Studios and we can’t wait to kickstart Bluey’s licensing program in the Italian market by applying all our expertise.

“The familiar setting mixed with fun and adventure for the characters, are the perfect ingredients to make all Italian children and their families passionate about Bluey.”

Building on a successful launch in Australia, the US and UK, a distribution deal is in place for global master toy provider Moose Toys with Giochi Preziosi in Italy.

This latest agreement marks the launch of Bluey’s EMEA expansion following the earlier appointment of France tv distribution. Global licensing partners Penguin Random House and VTech have since both announced product roll outs in France.

Bluey has won the hearts of kids and parents around the world since it first launched in Australia in October 2018 and has become a global hit. In Italy the show is available on SVOD platform Disney+.

In Australia, Bluey was the #1 children’s programme on metro broadcast television in 2020 and is the #1 series ever on ABC iview with over 480 million views across series one and two since its launch*. In the UK, it was the most viewed show on CBeebies in June** and is also available on Disney+. In the US, across Disney Junior and Disney Channel in Q2 2021, the show was the #1 most watched TV series with kids ages 2-5.***

Bluey has also won multiple awards, such as the International Emmy® Kids Award in the prestigious Preschool Category in 2020, and its second AACTA Awards for Best Children’s Program that same year. The accolades continue in 2021, with Bluey winning four Kidscreen Awards in February.

The series follows Bluey, a six year-old Blue Heeler dog, who loves to play and turns everyday family life into extraordinary adventures.

Bluey is produced by multi-Emmy® award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC Kids Australia, co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios, and distributed internationally by BBC Studios outside of Australia.