Media I.M. launches with over 900 episodes of children’s and exclusive representation agreements for multiple geographies from some of Russia’s top animation houses: Melnitsa Animation Studio, Petersburg Animation Studio and Studio Nebo.

As a first move, the company has secured the distribution rights to Melnitsa Animation Studio flagship pre-school series Luntik (440 x 4.5 min) and kids animation series The Pooches (130 x 4.5 min), both big favourites with kids in Russia premiering on Russia-1 TV Channel.

Luntik, which is the story of a small fluffy creature, Luntik, who was born on the Moon and fell from it, on to the Earth, has now spawned more than 3,000 branded consumer products, also has significant YouTube traction, boasting more than 1.7 billion accumulated views and ranking number 31 most watched YouTube show in 2013.

Media I.M. will also exclusively represent flagship series from Petersburg Animation Studio Kikoriki: The New Adventures (52 x 11 min) and Pin-Code (52 x 13 min) science fiction series, both CGI HD productions. Both series were produced on the back of success of Kikoriki animated series, which is one of the most successful projects in the history of Russian animation. Launched in 2003 the series was created as part of the cultural-educational project "World Without Violence" and follows the adventures of the nine spherical inhabitants of the world of Kikoriki each with a unique personality and a range of interests with no negative characters among them.

Media I.M., which is focusing its sales efforts on the global broadcast, ancillary rights and multiplatform markets, is also representing The Bubbles, a new 52 x 6.5 mins show from Studio Nebo. A comedy animation for both children and adults, The Bubbles follows the adventures of goofy professor called Folder and his best friend, Marty.

Ufland said: “The global appetite for content is growing, mirroring the proliferation of broadcasters and platforms seeking to buy quality product. We felt the time was right to exploit our unique combination of experience and sales expertise to help building these exciting properties into truly global successes and to make them available to kids and families internationally.”

Nazarenko added: “This is a hugely exciting time for media industry. Content now truly has no boundaries if it is top quality and if the right knowledge and commercial insight is applied to ensure maximum opportunities for rights- owners.”

For further information on Media I.M., please contact: Cheryl Clarke at Mushroom Media on: Tel: +44 (0)9739554109 E: [email protected]