DHX Media is launching a dedicated licensing division to exploit content internationally from its three production subsidiaries, Decode Entertainment Inc., Halifax Film and Studio B Productions. DHX Licensing will build on the global success of its television brands to extend their reach into consumer products, while DHX’s distribution subsidiary DECODE Enterprises will continue to handle international broadcast sales.

The division will be headed by Beth Stevenson, Executive Vice President, Production and Development, DECODE Entertainment, and managed by Polly Beel, Director, Marketing and Licensing, DHX Licensing. DHX Licensing’s slate will incorporate well-loved properties, Franny’s Feet, Animal Mechanicals, Bo On the GO!, dirtgirlworld and Kid vs Kat, as well as third party content currently represented by DECODE Enterprises such as Grandpa In My Pocket. New non-television content includes Beer Goggles and Gaia Nathan.

DHX Media’s President and COO Steven DeNure said: “The launch of DHX Licensing is a major part of our drive to manage and exploit kids’ brands across a number of revenue-generating opportunities. Licensing and merchandising as well as interactive is a big part of this, it will build on the significant international broadcast presence of our television brands, as well as allow us to expand into the development of merchandising-led properties.”

The DHX Licensing slate includes:

Major new 52x11’ (or 26x22’) childrens’ series dirtgirlworld, an ABC, CBeebies and CBC-commissioned show, was created by Australia’s mememe productions and is being produced in partnership with DECODE Entertainment. DHX Licensing handles worldwide merchandising and licensing rights for the series excluding the UK, which are represented by BBC Worldwide, and Australia, which are represented by mememe productions.

Aimed at older preschoolers, dirtgirlworld is a distinctive blend of live action and animation with photomontage and illustration. Canada’s Bell Media Fund and Screen Australia are supporting the production of innovative online components to extend the dirtgirlworld brand and eco-message beyond the television series.

The special effects-laden 52x12’ series Grandpa In My Pocket, produced by Adastra Creative, is a hit in the UK on BBC’s CBeebies and has already been commissioned for a second series. DHX has already signed up two major distribution and licensing partners that are expected to build on the UK success of the series. Warner Home Video UK has been appointed as DVD partner for the show’s first season, and Brandzoo will now act as the live-action comedy brand’s licensing agent.

Produced by Halifax Film, Bo on the GO! is also represented for licensing by Brandzoo in the UK where it airs on CITV, and France Televisions Distribution for France, where broadcast is on France 5. The Sharpe Company represents worldwide licensing rights. DHX has appointed IMC Licensing as licensing agent for Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Chile for its hit preschool property Bo On the GO! IMC has already scored deals with FEG Entretenimientos for a live stage show in Argentina which is scheduled for October this year, and a publishing deal with Ediciones Lea for Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Animal Mechanicals (55 x 11’) is produced by Halifax Film and commissioned by CBC in Canada, where the series is one of the highest-rating preschool shows. The Disney Channels in the UK and Asia; Radio-Canada, Discovery Latin America, Romania’s HOP, EBS in Korea; Al-Jazeera Children Channel have all snapped up the series along with Prava I Prevodi, who acquired the title for Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. Animal Mechanicals is an action adventure series for preschoolers that combines fantastical worlds, mythical animals and cool quests. And, best of all, Animal Mechanicals transform!

Franny’s Feet is a commission by Family Channel, an Astral Media network, which airs the show on its Playhouse Disney and Family channels. Further broadcasters include PBS KIDS, Sprout and V-me in the US and channels in more than 150 countries worldwide such as Five in the UK, France 5, Disney Channel Germany, Italy’s Rai, and TV2 Denmark in Europe as well as ABC Australia and Cartoon Network in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, and TV12 Singapore in Asia. Franny’s Feet is supported by a licensing and merchandising campaign worldwide.

Kid vs Kat (52x11’ / 26x22’) is an animated series produced by Studio B Productions in association with YTV Canada and Jetix Europe. Created by Rob Boutilier and targeted to kids 6-11, Kid vs. Kat is about the exaggerated conflict between a demonically malevolent cat and the beleaguered ten-year-old boy to whom it has taken a demented dislike. Kid vs Kat is airing on ABC in Australia, YTV in Canada, Jetix Europe and Disney XD in the US, the Disney Channels India and Japan, Cartoon Network in Korea and Nickelodeon South East Asia. Jetix Europe holds merchandising and licensing rights in Europe, the Middle East, Israel and Africa.