Toonz Media Group and Driver Studios have joined forces to co-produce "The Blahs." This new, original 3D animated series is designed to delight and engage 3-8 year-olds watching on YouTube, where 86% of US kids watch entertainment. "The Blahs" was created by visionary storytellers Rob Kurtz and Dan Markowitz, the team behind Driver Studio’s award-winning Cool School YouTube channel, where 'The Blah' will launch on March 31, 2024. The 30-episode series will also be promoted on Toonz ChotoonzTV YouTube Channel, reaching 11.1 million subscribers. The series is centred around original characters known as "The Blahs" their rulers King Gray and Lord Blue; and their neighbour Joy who spreads light everywhere she goes.

Toonz Media Group has welcomed the approval accorded by the Kerala government for the State’s AVGC-XR Policy. The state wants to create 50,000 jobs in the sector by 2029 with policy interventions from the school level to the university level. According to the state government, Kerala Startup Mission, KSIDC (Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation), KSFC (Kerala State Film Development Corporation), C-DIT (Centre for Development of Imaging Technology), K-FON (Kerala Fiber Optic Network), K-DISC (Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council) and other institutions will be leveraged to grow the AVGC-XR sector in the state. The state government will also set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) to provide leadership, best practices, research, support, training of trainers and skill training for the sector.

We are pleased to share that Mr. P Jayakumar, CEO of Toonz Media Group and Mr Anoop Ambika, CEO of Kerala Startup Mission made an insightful presentation at a session on "States in Sync: Shaping India’s Future through Collaborative Policies and Innovation in AVGC Sector", which was held as part of the prestigious FICCI FRAMES 2024 event held in Mumbai. While Mr Anoop Ambika elaborated on the proactive efforts taken by the state of Kerala in promoting AVGC-XR industry, Mr Jayakumar talked about the crucial role played by SAIK in bringing the community together in Kerala.

At the Kerala AVCG-XR Founders Meetup organised by Society of AVGC Institutions in Kerala (SAIK) and Kerala Startup Mission, Mr. P Jayakumar, CEO of Toonz Media Group participated as one of the delegates and interacted with the industry leaders and stakeholders. It may be noted that this is first of its kind event for AVGC-XR sector professionals in the state. Around 70 AVGC-XR professionals including founders and senior officials - Anoop Ambika from Kerala Startup Mission, Susanth Kurunthil from Infoparks Kerala, and Shruti Rajkumar from Film Facilitation Office - participated in the event, paving the way for future discussions and collaborations.

At the 10th edition of Prathidhwani Srishti contest, the literary festival for IT employees in Kerala, Mr. Arun S M, Senior Manager – Corporate Communications has bagged the first prize in English short story category. The contest saw 284 entries from around 200 authors who are employed in over 100 IT companies spread across Kerala and renowned authors evaluated the entries. Our staffer received the winner’s trophy, certificate, and cash prize from Writer & Director Mr. G R Indugopan who participated as the Chief Guest at the Award Ceremony held on March 14^th at Travancore Hall.

As an equal opportunity employer, Toonz celebrated International Women’s Day this year too. A team lunch for women employees of Toonz was organised on March 6^th and there was also a photo session on March 7^th in which women employees actively participated. It may be noted that Toonz is celebrating International Women’s Day every year and the organisation is recognised as a women-friendly one with opportunities for women employees to scale up in their career and reach senior positions.

Deals of the month

• Deal closed in Dominican Republic for Chai Chai & Raccoons with Guest choice.
• Deal closed in USA for Zoonicorn S2 with Future Today.
• Deal closed in LATAM for Pajama, Cat & Keet, Lucky Fred S1, Vitaminix, Chai Chai, with Vubiquity.

Deals in the pipeline

-             Finalising deal in Brazil for multiple titles with Encripta.

-             Finalising deal in Colombia for Pinnochio with Zebracom.

-             Finalising deal in Brazil for Package Deal with IS TV.

-             Finalising deal in Italy for Package Deal with Telecom Italia.

-             Finalising deal in Germany for Racoons with Dolphin Media.

-             Finalising deal in Balkans for Zoonicorn with Dexico.

-             Finalising deal in India for Jay Jagannath with WBD.

International market news
- Zoonicorn is premiered on Cartoon network in the Philippines.

- Zoonicorn launching in Germany with Edel kids through theatrical operation with more than 350 theatres format being 8 episodes assembled back-to-back, that will be launched most probably on 25th April.

- We have signed with bluefish studio in US for the distribution and the co- production of our new big hit game Phantom Galaxy. Phantom in English. We are going to cooperate with them and distribute the anime series, the US anime series of the show, which will be composed of 6 episodes. And we have a teaser and a poster. You can ask if you don’t have them.

- We are signing with Angel Studio, the distribution of Gabrielle and the Guardians anime series. Presales and distribution.

- For Sunnyside Billy, we are in a very advanced status for Canada and Brazil between co-production and presales.

- We are also advanced to distribute for Indian market, to have the media and consumer product distribution for the young toys for TOBOT franchise with more than 150 episodes Zarka and consumer product representation.

- We will be participating to the licensing show in Bologna. Bologna licensing Expo. For the launch of the Zoonicorn consumer product program in Europe.