Pesky Productions, producer of the CBeebies hit Boj, has chosen Metrostar to represent him ahead of the launch of its forthcoming visitor attraction.
Pesky has already signed licensing deals for amusement plush (SEGA), puzzles and craft kits (Paul Lamond Games), magazines (Redan, Kennedy, Immediate) and music (Demon Records). Metrostar will focus initially on retail plush, toys, apparel and book publishing.
Boj is a bilby, a protected Australian marsupial. He burrows from the outback to Giggly Park with his musical Mum and Dad (Pops), voiced by Aussie pop icon Jason Donovan who also sings the theme tune. Boj loves “creating stuff from other stuff” and his inspired Boj-a-boom ideas help bring friends and families together. Pops sums up Boj perfectly when he sings: “everybody’s different but he digs us all the same!”
Pesky Productions have joined forces with West Midland Safari Park (WMSP) to create a UK home for bilbies – the first ever to leave Australia! WMSP are also creating a huge Boj soft play area, shop and café, so that Boj fans can visit the unique bilby and then have fun burrowing about just like their favourite TV character. “Boj Soft Play” phase one opens in late 2016 and will stock Boj licensed products, with the live animals following in 2017.
Metrostar’s Claire Potter comments:
“Boj is a great character with a great message and little ones adore him. They’re going to love the Boj attraction right in the very heart of England and we’re looking forward to creating Boj licensed products for them to enjoy too.”
Pesky’s David Hodgson comments:
“Boj continues to extend his reach, not only remaining a stand-out show on CBeebies but also now going global with other blue-chip broadcasters. Boj makes friends everywhere, so it’s good to see him getting equally strong ratings with boys and girls. As we’ve built a big group of fans looking for Boj products I’m delighted that Metrostar is on board to grow our licensing programme.”
Metrostar will introduce Boj to licensees and retailers at The Licensing & Merchandising Showcase on May 5th.
Notes for Editors
About Metrostar Media :
Metrostar is both a licensing agent and a literary agent, with a small portfolio of brands spanning television and publishing. In licensing, it represents children’s pre-school television shows Boj, Toby’s Travelling Circus, Toot the Tiny Tugboat, Wussywat the Clumsy Cat and Chloe’s Closet; classic children’s books, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, Dear Zoo and The Little Prince; international US art-based Suzy’s Zoo; award winning television drama Little House on the Prairie; popular British illustrator Alice Tait and The Scout Association. In book publishing, Metrostar has worked on television series such as The Thick Of It, Dad’s Army, The X Factor, Rainbow, Life On Mars, The Great British Sewing Bee and The Great British Bake Off, as well as managing a small stable of authors.
About Pesky Productions :
Pesky is a BAFTA-winning creative studio now based in Lewes, East Sussex. Founded 20 years ago by partners David Hodgson (producer) and Claire Underwood (director), it came to prominence when their series The Amazing Adrenalini Brothers (ITV, Cartoon Network) won multiple awards, establishing Pesky as one of the most respected animation companies in the UK.
www.pesky.com
Boj, created by Claire Underwood with co-creators David Hodgson and preschool writing legend Dave Ingham (Clangers, Charlie & Lola), is Pesky’s first preschool show. The series of 50 x 11-minute episodes and a 22-minute special, packed full of giggly fun and catchy tunes, can now be seen on CBeebies, RTE Ireland, S4C Wales, France Television, YLE Finland, RTVE Spain, ABC Australia and PBS Sprout in America, plus many other top channels across North and South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Boj has also won awards for its range of games with Thud Media (BAFTA Cymru 2015, Best Gameplay) and interactive storybooks with Box of Frogs (iKids 2015, Best eBook).
 
www.boj.tv