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Banijay Kids & Family (formerly known as Marathon Media, Marathon Animation, Marathon Productions, Marathon Media Group, Zodiak Kids, Zodiak Kids Studios and Zodiak Kids & Family) is a French television production company owned by Banijay Entertainment based in Neuilly-sur-Seine. The company was originally founded as Marathon Productions, by Olivier Brémond and Pascal Breton in February 1990, and Vincent Chalvon-Demersay joined the team in 1999 to develop Marathon's animation programming, along with David Michel.[1] The company is best known for the animated series Totally Spies! and LoliRock.
 Logo used since 2024 | |
| Formerly |
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| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Television production |
| Predecessors | Tele Images Productions |
| Founded | February 1990 |
| Founders |
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| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
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| Parent |
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| Divisions |
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| Website | www |
History
edit
In September 2005, Marathon Media announced that they made a merger deal with the French division of the British-based European private firm Bridgepoint Capital who owns French Tele Images, to create the biggest major production and distribution group in France with Tele Images's subsidiaries GTV Productions and Adventure Line Productions producer of Fort Boyard being part of the new group along with Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel continuing to hold their stakes in Marathon's animation division.[2][3] The merger was completed in January 2006, with the combined entity subsequently named Marathon Group.
In July 2007, it was announced that Italian-based holding company De Agostini they had acquired the TV production and distribution company Marathon Group from Bridgepoint Capital, thus turning De Agostini from a multimedia company into a major European content production company.[4][5]
In February 2008, Marathon Group announced that they acquired a majority stake in French independent production company of entertainment programs and documentaries KM Production merging KM's operations with Marathon's own operations, thrust reuniting KM Production with Marathon Group's subsidiary Adventure Line Productions (which were part of Studio Expand until 2004) with the founder of KM Production Renaud Le Van Kim continued to operate the company.[6]
In May 2008, Marathon Group's owner De Agostini announced that they've made a deal to acquire Swedish-based Scandinavian production and distribution company Zodiak Television AB with De Agostini's own television divisions Marathon Group and Magnolia being merged with Zodiak Television AB into one global production and distribution company turning Zodiak from a European production empire to a single entertainment powerhouse.[7][8] The acquisition was completed in November the same year, with Zodiak Television AB rebranded into Zodiak Entertainment with Marathon Media and Tele Images becoming subsidiaries of the rebranded company.[9]
In February 2011, Zodiak Media Group announced the establishment of a children's television division named Zodiak Kids with Marathon Media being placed into the new division.[10]
In February 2016, Zodiak Media merged with the Banijay Group,[11] and Marathon was folded within the process. The Zodiak Kids name was retained until 2022 when the company adopted the Banijay name.
In 2018, MoonScoop Group co-founder and co-chairman Benoît Di Sabatino was named as CEO of the company, succeeding Jean-Philippe Randisi.[12]
In April 2021, Banijay announced that they've acquired Paris-based French independent animation studio Monello Productions which was founded in 2013 by former Tele Images SVP Giorgio Welter from ITV Studios-owned Tetra Media Group and had placed the acquired animation studio under Zodiak Kids and will continued to be independent along with their founder continuing to serve as the company's president.[13]
In November 2021, Banijay announced that they've bringing their three children's production companies Zodiak Kids & Family, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family and Monello Productions into one group by launching a new division named Banijay Kids and Family with the three children's companies became part of the new division as their labels.[14][15]
In September 2022, Banijay Kids & Family acquired the Italian animation studio Movimenti Production and the British studio Kindle Entertainment.[16]
In January 2024, Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution was renamed as Banijay Kids & Family Distribution.[17]
In September 2024, Banijay Entertainment acquired a majority stake in French animation studio Procidis, placing it under the Banijay Kids & Family unit, with Benoît Di Sabatino becoming president and Hélène Barillé remaining as managing director.[18]
Divisions
editBanijay Kids & Family Distribution
editBanijay Kids & Family Distribution is the distribution arm of Banijay Kids & Family, led by Delphine Dumont as chief commercial officer.
Kindle Entertainment
editKindle Entertainment is a British television production company founded in 2007 by Anne Brogan and Melanie Strokes and is led by Strokes as managing director and Emma Stuart as creative director.
Monello Productions
editMonello Productions is a French animation studio founded in September 2013 by Giorgio Welter and Cecile Sady, who lead the company as president and CCO respectively.[19]
Movimenti Production
editMovimenti Production is an Italian animation studio founded in 2004 by Giorgio Scorza and Davide Rosio, who both lead as CEOs.
Procidis
editProcidis is a French animation studio founded in 1962 by Albert Barillé and led by Banijay Kids & Family CEO Benoît Di Sabatino as president and Hélène Barillé as managing director.
Tiger Aspect Kids & Family
editTiger Aspect Kids & Family is a British television production company, led by Tom Beattie as Managing Director.[20]
Zodiak Kids & Family France
editZodiak Kids & Family France (formerly Marathon Animation) is a French animation studio, led by Benoît Di Sabatino as CEO.[21]
Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK
editZodiak Kids & Family Productions UK (formerly The Foundation) is a British television production company, led by Gwen Hughes as CEO.[22]
In August 2006, The Foundation was acquired by RDF Media Group.[23]
Filmography
editReferences
edit- ^ Webdale, Jonathan (6 February 2014). "Co-founder Steps Down". C21 Media.
- ^ James, Alison (September 18, 2005). "Gaul merger is 'Totally' cool". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
- ^ Baisley, Sarah (20 September 2005). "Bridgepoint to Merge with Marathon". Animation World Network. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Vivarelli, Nick (23 July 2007). "Italy's De Agostini wins Marathon". Variety.
- ^ "De Agostini To Acquire Marathon". Worldscreen. July 24, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Leffler, Rebecca (28 February 2008). "Marathon takes major stake in KM Prod'n". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ Day, Michael (May 26, 2008). "De Agostini sees more in Zodiak". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Daswasi, Mansha (May 27, 2008). "Italy's De Agostini Makes Offer for Zodiak Television". Worldscreen. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (November 26, 2008). "De Agostini unrevils new look Zodiak". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Laughlin, Andrew (February 14, 2011). "Zodiak Media Group launches Zodiak Kids". DigitalSpy. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
- ^ Dickson, Jeremy (23 February 2016). "Zodiak and Banijay finalize merger". Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ^ Whyte, Alexandra (12 September 2018). "The scoop on Zodiak's new CEO". Kidscreen.
- ^ Whittingham, Clive (20 April 2021). "Banijay acquires animation outfit Monello". C21 Media.
- ^ "Banijay Brands Strengthens Portfolio with Banijay Kids and Family". Banijay. September 16, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ "Banijay Brands Strengthens Portfolio with Banijay Kids and Family". License Global. November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ Bharanidharan, Sadhana (8 September 2022). "Banijay buys two European kids prodcos". Kidscreen.
- ^ "ABC and Télé-Québec Pick Up Shasha & Milo". Banijay Kids & Family. 31 January 2024.
- ^ "Banijay Kids & Family Expands Portfolio with Procidis Acquisition". Banijay. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "Monello - Home". Monello Productions.
- ^ "Tiger Aspect Kids & Family". Banijay Kids & Family.
- ^ "Zodiak Kids & Family France". Banijay Kids & Family.
- ^ "Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK". Banijay Kids & Family.
- ^ "RDF buys TV producer Foundation". Variety. August 3, 2006. Retrieved May 30, 2024.