SONIC THE HEDGEHOG – STILL UNSTOPPABLE! - Kazachok

International
Kazachok: Would you introduce Studio 100 for
our readers?
Marie-Laure Marchand : Hans Bourlon and
Gert Verhulst started Studio 100 in Belgium in
1996 and have had the same motto ever since:
entertaining children and families thanks to a
360 ° approach.
Nowadays, Studio 100 employs 1,000 people in
its own production studios where it produces
TV programs and movies for children.
Little by little the company’s scope widened to
encompass producing numerous yearly live
theatrical and musical shows adapted after its
leading properties. The shows are extremely
successful and usually sell out.
The company also opened various departments
under its own label: publishing, DVD,
video games, music and merchandising. Thus,
it launches some 870 licensed products each
year that are labeled Studio 100. However, the
company also signs licensing deals for certain
categories.
Finally, the group owns 5 theme parks called
Plopsaland that are dedicated to showcasing
our different properties. There are 3 parks
located in Belgium, 1 in the Netherlands and
1 in Germany.
A number of properties are very established
and active locally such as Plop the Gnome; K3
a teenager band of 3 female singers; super
heroin Megamindy; or House of Anubis, a
successful teenager series, etc.
K.: Are these properties present on international
markets?
M-L.M.: After becoming a major figure in
the Benelux, Studio 100’s goal is to develop
60 Kazachok Licensing Mag’ Janvier - Mars 12
interview
Marie-Laure
Marchand
Studio 100’s International Licensing Manager
Marie-Laure Marchand was appointed by Studio 100
to handle the studio’s properties internationally to the
exception of Benelux, Germany, Austria and Switzerland
that are directly managed by local offices and the territories that Planeta Junior handles
for Maya the Bee, Vic the Viking and Heidi.
The team she leads focuses particularly on Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Latin
America. Marie-Laure also handles a number of multi-territory deals. Let’s have a look
at a company that is expanding...
internationally.
The House of Anubis is a perfect illustration of
our globalization. We kept the series’ concept
but shot new episodes in German and English
with local talent for Germany and the US. The
method proved very successful.
We have already produced 3 seasons for
Germany where a full-length film will premiere
in April 2012.
Nickelodeon developed the
series for the US and international
markets. Season
1 began successfully
running on Nick US back
in January 2011 as well as
all in the territories where
the network broadcasts
internationally. Season
2 will begin running by
the beginning of 2012.
interviewed by V.G.
Nickelodeon handles the licensing rights for
the English-speaking territories and Studio
100 handles the rest of the world. Up to date we
already have some 30 licensing partners.
K.: How did Studio 100 get involved in
animation?
M-L.M.: One of Studio 100’s goals is to ensure
its properties exist lastingly in all fields and one
of the ways of achieving this goal was adapting
them as animation series. When Studio 100