Breda, Netherlands, March 2014: Studio 100 International, the leading global family entertainment company, and Merchantwise, its licensing rep agent, today announce its new worldwide mastertoy partner, Headstart International. The toy manufacturer has been appointed to create products based on the popular Australian character, Blinky Bill.
Headstart International will work with Studio 100 and Merchantwise to produce a master toy range of Blinky Bill licensed products for children, including plush, figurines, playsets and bath toys. Their launch will coincide with the upcoming release of the new Blinky Bill CGI movie. Greenpatch Productions is producing the highly-anticipated feature film in association with Flying Bark Productions, Studio 100’s Sydney based animation studio, and is confident the movie release will spark a wide range of licensed merchandise.
Blinky Bill has a strong 80 year brand heritage based on the children’s book series and long running animated TV series aired in Europe, Asia and Australia. Blinky has enviable 80% brand awareness in Australia and New Zealand and the licensed range from Headstart will initially be released here in Blinky’s most popular territory. The range will then roll-out worldwide later on.
Marie-Laure Marchand, International Licensing Director at Studio 100 International, commented: “We are excited to announce our new major mastertoy deal with Headstart. Headstart is a driving force in the Australian toy industry and will be in the best position to capture the essence of our little Koala. The range will appeal to Blinky’s biggest fans and will support the highly anticipated movie release. Both Studio 100 and Flying Bark Productions are looking forward to seeing the range of Blinky Bill products grow.”

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For further enquiries regarding the Studio 100 Group please contact Kirsty Barr or Mary Lewis at miPR on +44 1494 775 250 or firstname.lastname@mi-pr.co.uk
About Studio 100:
Studio 100, the leading global family entertainment company, was founded in 1996 by Gert Verhulst and Hans Bourlon. Its head office is located in Schelle, Belgium with offices across the world in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Hong Kong and Australia.

Studio 100 has built a truly 360º approach to family entertainment with five global brands at its heart: CGI-series Maya the Bee, which broadcasts in 134 countries and has over 300 licensees; Vic the Viking, which airs in over 60 countries; Heidi, which is currently in production with a new CGI series and live actions series House of Anubis & Hotel 13; as well as numerous entertainment properties aimed at local markets. Studio 100 has live action studios in Schelle and Londerzeel and CGI animation studios in Sydney & Paris with focus on Maya the Bee, Vic the Viking and Heidi.  Studio 100 has built a number of iconic brands in its Benelux home markets including Samson and Gert, Plop, K3, Mega Mindy and Bumba.

With content based on these characters at its core, Studio 100 integrates these into film, theatre, music, digital platforms, publishing, merchandising, theme parks, live action and animation to ensure multiple consumer touch points for each brand.

The company’s animation expertise is evident in its two pioneering animation studios – Studio 100 Animation in Paris, and Flying Bark, in Sydney.

Studio 100’s assets all adhere to its ethos of truth, family values and integrity and this morality has a global reach due to Studio 100’s family of licensees who are fundamental to the worldwide growth of Studio 100.

For further information, please visit the company’s websites:
www.studio100.tv
www.studio100animation.com
www.flyingbark.com.au
www.studio100media.com
@studio100group