Panini Group to Create a Hilarious Story With Masha and The Bear

Animaccord Animation Studios, producers and owners of the massively successful animated pre-school property announced that Masha and The Bear have been chosen by Panini Group to launch their famous sticker albums in Russia and Ukraine.

Being the top pre-school, but still widely appealing property in the market, the story of Masha and the Bear inspired leading publisher to create an original and outstanding album for kids.

The new collection, based on the popular series, features Masha’s incredibly active lifestyle through developing games and creative activities. The albums are also supported with a huge prize competition, which will attract even more participants. Thanks to high quality of 3D CGI animation, all the characters and their natural environment will be brought to life. The collection will debut in the beginning of new school season.

Masha and the Bear animated series, targeted at children aged 3-9 years old, was launched in 2009 and today is amongst the Top 3 preschool brands in Central and Eastern Europe and one of the hottest licensed properties.

As a result of its style and universal humor Masha and The Bear is the first Russian animation brand that speaks to children all over the world. The animated series is currently hugely popular. Every 7-minute high-quality 3D CGI animated episode includes original music and songs and the series is largely played out through action with little dialog making it easy for children around the world to understand. Series has been dubbed into German, French, English and Spanish.

To date, licensing program has more than 100 licensees covering more than 50 product groups. Masha and The Bear is the sole locally licensed brand, which keeps being chosen by leading international companies to launch their products in Russia and CIS. As an example, Ferrero enjoyed an incredible success using Masha and the Bear for Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mix, Kinder Pingui and Nutella.

The worldwide licensing program, excluding the US, is handled through Ink Brands, while recently established Animaccord USA Co will be acting as the property’s representative across the United States.

Animacord will launch the Masha and The Bear international licensing program at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas on Booth #R171. It is the first time ever that a Russian company has exhibited at the Expo.