Did you know... Zou is based on a series of book by author Michel Gay
Zou gets a kiss from grandma! The whole clan
Did you know... Zou’s UK fans have taken to Facebook asking to see product on shelves
Zou’s friend Elzee
UK. There are presently 104 episodes with another 52 coming. It’s not the consumer market that concerns me as much as the retail market who are the gatekeepers. But I understand the impetus for retail support of product that sells very easily. Our answer to this will be to reach out direct to the consumer through social media and through publishing. For me, the imperative is a UK publishing partner because with the TV that will underpin the property. What makes Zou resonate so much with children and parents? Zebras are just really cute. I mean they are probably one of the least offensive and most spectacularly attractive animals on the planet. They are incredibly social animals which is why Zou works conceptually as all the action takes place within a Zebra family network and of course, Zebras are vegetarian so they don’t have to hunt other animals. Again, safety and social systems are constant themes and that resonates within the family. The UK pre-school market is already bustling, what ‘new and different’ is Zou bringing? For starters Zou isn’t pink! The series is actually pretty much gender neutral and I think that being black and white at the
April 2016
same time is also pretty neat. There is nothing to offend. And how do you plan to translate Zou’s huge success in Europe to the UK? We are beginning the roll out with publishing, plush and some magazine print. That will form the foundation for the UK. After this we will be working on apparel, back to school for 2017, collectables and gift. It would be great if we could find a UK retail partner with whom we could work on an exclusive basis in toy and apparel. That would be the icing on the cake for us, but I do feel very passionately about continuing to exploit the published heritage of Zou. What are you looking for in a licensing partner for Zou? We are very keen to work with partners who are also developing their B2C business opportunities. We see developing a linear approach from inception of a creative concept through to direct supply to the consumer as being the way forward for licensed merchandise. Retail remains important of course and will do so for some time but as with broadcast where the future is VOD and SVOD, the future of licensing is linked to the development of relationships direct to the consumer.
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I happen to know that it is one of Disney Juniors most popular shows in the UK. There are presently 104 episodes with another 52 coming in America
Are you opening the CP programme up to everyone or are you taking a softly, softly approach? Softly, softly does not apply to Zou! He is a proven character with a track record. Our new Director of Sales who joined us on 1 April will have his work cut out!
Russell Dever
Are you looking forward to bringing Zou to the UK consumer? We are genuinely thrilled. I have a plush Zou in front of me and he looks as happy to be coming to the UK as we are in helping him on his way!
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When do you hope to see Zou products in store? Realistically 2017. There is a whole new season being delivered at the end of ’16 and at this point Disney Junior will have 157 eps to broadcast. That’s a big body of work and it will be around for a long time.
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