TV Kids Mondo TV Special Report October 2020

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WWW.TVKIDS.WS OCTOBER 2020

SPECIAL REPORT

An exclusive look at all the new developments at Mondo TV Group

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The Dream Factory 360° Approach to Property Management

M

ondo TV began life as a widely admired third-

Paris and Mondo TV Suisse in Lugano are active in the pro-

party film distributor. Fifty years later, as a group

duction and distribution of animated television series.

of independent companies, it is one of the

The Mondo TV Group as a whole combines in-house pro-

largest European producers of animated content, both in-

ductions with a program of strategic alliances that allow it

house and as a production partner. It has a strong and

to co-produce successful series across the world and for the

growing licensing division. And it is still a major name in

world. Today, Mondo TV focuses on many opportunities—

distribution, with a library containing many thousands of

from animation to drama to reality TV for kids, teens and

hours of classic entertainment.

families—across a large number of media and business

The holding company, Mondo TV S.p.A., listed on the

channels, including linear TV, OTT and streaming.

Milan stock exchange, is headquartered in Rome and spe-

The licensing division opened in 2010 and works with

cializes in the international co-production, production and

the most prestigious brands in the business, notably in

distribution of animated content. Mondo TV Iberoamerica

Italy and Iberia, the group’s core markets. The opening of a

is listed on the Madrid stock exchange and manages

new CGI production center, with the aim of regularly cre-

the Tenerife-based preproduction hub Mondo TV

ating 3D productions, is another step on the road to

Producciones Canarias, which is now part of its ongoing

founder Orlando Corradi’s dream of creating a fully inte-

involvement in the production and distribution of anima-

grated company, one that can claim a global leadership

tion and also of live-action content. Mondo TV France in

position in the creation, distribution and licensing of IPs.

TV KIDS

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time television and movie industry experts Ulli Stoef and Jo Daris. We plan to develop, co-produce and distribute eight series over the next four years, covering, between us, northern and southern Europe, as well as South America, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. This is an important development for both parties. For Mondo TV, it continues the group’s drive to develop high-quality partnerships with some of the finest talent the world has to offer. For both parties, this is an opportunity to build new, highquality and successful cross-media brands and take control of all distribution channels. We are delighted with the partnership’s progress to date and excited about its prospects.

TV KIDS: How have you evolved your business model and positioning given the changes in the landscape?

CORRADI: The group’s business model changed following the 2008 crisis. We knew that we needed a sound financial base and the listing on the stock exchange of

Matteo Corradi

By Mansha Daswani

ondo TV Group’s history dates back to 1965, when Orlando Corradi founded the operation to bring Japanese anime series into the Italian market. Today, the Mondo TV Group is a powerhouse in European kids’ and family entertainment, delivering a 360-degree approach to managing its extensive portfolio of IPs. Matteo Corradi, CEO of Mondo TV, tells TV Kids about the company’s strategy and ambitious plans for the future.

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TV KIDS: How is Mondo TV positioned within the Italian and European animation sector today?

CORRADI: Mondo TV is a major European producer of content—from animation to drama to reality TV—for kids, teens and families, both in-house and as a production partner across TV, OTT and streaming. Mondo TV also distributes programming from its vast library of animated content. We are profitable, debt-free and have a major expansion plan. This includes building on the success of the group’s licensing division, Mondo TV Consumer Products, which was founded in 2010. With the expansion of the production capability of Mondo TV Producciones Canarias, we can now boast the potential for almost entirely European creative development of IPs, from the scripts to the final mixing: preproduction, visual development and 3D CGI animation in the Canaries and postproduction in Italy.

To strengthen our presence internationally—and with particular focus on growing our presence in German- and English-speaking territories—we have forged a strategic alliance with Toon2Tango. We are both honored and delighted to be working with Toon2Tango, the new kids’ and family entertainment venture headed up by long-

our subsidiaries (Mondo TV Suisse, Mondo TV France and Mondo TV Iberoamerica) gave us that. We also realized that we had to adapt to new OTT and streaming platforms and to the opportunity various forms of digital media represent for brand exposure. We also saw the need to strengthen efforts in merchandising and associated toy development. The production hub in the Canary Islands has been very important to this approach: it allows us to bring much of our international work closer to the European market without additional costs thanks to the region’s tax incentives.

This business model has also given us a measure of resilience during the unexpected challenges thrown up by the ongoing pandemic.

We plan to penetrate more European markets and to build on the growth of the licensing and merchandising business unit, while continuing to work with partners outside Europe to gain access to new markets, new skills and new ideas.

As you can see, we don’t waste time. That’s partly because, as a family-run group, we react quickly to change.

TV KIDS: Tell us about your 360-degree approach to brand management.

CORRADI: Our business model has evolved a great deal in the last 50 years. Today, we’re a leading proponent of the 360-degree approach to property management. We don’t just build TV series; we build franchises—right from ideas and early development through writing, funding and production to broadcast positioning and sales and licensing activities. Why?

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It’s mainly to do with timing. If we control all or most of the process, we can ensure the delivery of the finished product, timed to support broadcasting schedules and licensing programs.

TV KIDS: You have many partners globally. Tell us about the importance of these alliances. What has made for such successful partnerships across borders?

CORRADI: The Mondo TV Group as a whole combines inhouse productions with a program of strategic alliances.

This began four years ago when we started to take part in international co-productions, working on important IPs owned by third-party companies—all major players in the sector. The aim was to take our content distribution base worldwide, alongside a solid licensing program. Of course, this also means we work with regional leaders in their fields, all of which have a strong talent base. Our recent animated co-productions have included Robot Trains, a co-production with the Korean group CJ ENM, and Invention Story, co-produced with York Animation of China. And we don’t just pursue cross-border cooperation.

The recent MeteoHeroes project, launched in 2020, is a coproduction with the leading Italian weather forecasting authority MOPI—Meteo Expert.

As for the future, the alliance with Ulli Stoef and Toon2Tango, as I mentioned earlier, will combine the creative and business strengths of both companies to extend the reach of both into multiple markets. We are also in the process of building alliances in North America.

TV KIDS: What are your plans for the CGI division at Mondo TV Producciones Canarias? How will this new development help you to further your overall goals for the business?

CORRADI: We offer preproduction, visual development and 3D CGI animation from Mondo TV Producciones Canarias, our best-in-class European production studios in Tenerife owned by Mondo TV Iberoamerica.

In fact, the Canaries division was a dream of my father’s that this year became a reality when we bought the office in the center of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where about 60 people will soon work. We have been there for about four years.

We learned about recent incentive programs approved by the Canary Islands government that could significantly bring down the cost of production in Europe and thus bring our work base closer to our European co-producers. We moved quickly to become the first foreign investors in Tenerife—further evidence that we react quickly to change.

The initial aim for the Canaries division will be to make one or two CGI productions a year. Of course, we will keep up our

collaborations with overseas partners, but now we also have a large animation studio in Europe.

TV KIDS: What are your overall priorities for Mondo TV in the 12 to 18 months ahead?

CORRADI: Firstly, to remain focused on being a strong player in the European animation market. The pandemic and its economic effects may mean that there are fewer resources available to this sector than before. We shall have to see.

However, I feel our size and reach will serve us well, as will our diverse portfolio, both in terms of content and target audience. This will continue; our projects will certainly remain in step with emerging trends, but they will also be innovative and engaging. But technology and new media won’t sit still, and neither will we. The challenges of digital for this sector will grow. We are therefore working to integrate new cross-platform IPs for tweens and teens into our output.

We will continue to develop our newer hits like MeteoHeroes, which deals with the highly topical issue of climate change. This is a 100-percent Italian co-production that is now rolling out in multiple territories. Invention Story is making its presence felt in Europe as well. Our work with Toon2Tango will see the arrival of a number of shows, notably Hey Fuzzy Yellow, an incredible combination of educational content with pure and crazy entertainment, and Agent 203, a funny and exciting new sci-fi (or better yet, spy-fi!) animated comedy-adventure series about a young girl who becomes an intergalactic secret agent. Grisù, an update of a kids’ classic, about a firebreathing dragon who wants to be a firefighter, is another property we feel will have enormous appeal. New IPs Masked Cinderella and Annie & Carola will engage and amuse kids—and broadcasters—everywhere in the coming years. We are also keen to build on established successes like Sissi the Young Empress and Robot Trains.

We have also successfully built a growing portfolio in recent years in areas such as live action (Heidi Bienvenida), cross-platform teen lifestyle TV (House of Talent) and more. We will continue to diversify when the right opportunities present themselves.

MeteoHeroes

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HIGHLIGHTS (Comedy adventure 2D, 52x7 min.) A Mondo TV co-production with Meteo Expert—Icona Meteo, a leading Italian weather forecasting group with a strong international reputation, MeteoHeroes addresses issues like climate change, ecology and respect for nature through the amazing adventures of six superpowered children. These are important messages delivered in a fun, engaging way in a series full of action and comedy that helps young viewers understand the issues and how they can help the planet, all while getting entertained! And of course, these kids also have to face the same challenges as their peers: handling friendships and differences, teaming up and growing up—all while trying to save Planet Earth!

(Comedy adventure 3D CGI, 52x11 min. coming soon) Following the international success of the second season of Robot Trains, the third series is on the way in 2021. In season three, the Railwatch team—trains that can become robots to defend Rail World and its natural energy sources—are finally ready to face the villainous Train X and his trio of mischievous sidekicks. When Train X takes control of the deadly dark energy, a mysterious Silver Railwatch comes to the rescue and joins forces with the Railwatch team.

Will they all be able to stop the lethal energy before it destroys Rail World?

(Comedy adventure 3D CGI, 26x22 min.) Presented by Mondo TV and Toon2Tango.

Zoe is a 13-year-old girl living with her dad in the suburbs. One day she meets an alien named Ulav, who drops an out-of-this-world secret: Zoe’s mom is a secret intergalactic agent gone MIA (missing in action). Zoe follows in her mother’s footsteps, pledging to protect the galaxy and find her lost parent. Together with her new alien friend and Quigley and Rock, her two best friends, Zoe’s mission is to protect the planet, protect Zoe‘s bracelet from falling into the wrong hands, save the galaxy—and try to have a normal teenage life.

(Edutainment/emotainment 2D/live-action hybrid, 52x11 min.) Presented by Mondo TV and Toon2Tango. Combines educational content with pure and crazy entertainment. A fiercely fun romp through infinite possibilities starring a group of extraordinary characters led by a fuzzy yellow ball and driven by a lot of music in various styles, this is a show that defies conventions and has its own set of rules. It’s about social and emotional storytelling, independent discovery, self-expression, exploration, confidencebuilding and learning through play. And it’s very, very funny.

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