COCOMELON Parent Company Expands into Consumer Products
By Movieguide® Contributor
As COCOMELON‘s popularity continues to grow, its parent company Moonbug Entertainment is expanding into consumer products.
The production company has hired Ashley Maidy, previously the “global head of consumer products at Riot Games, leading manufacturing, licensing, e-commerce and esports event merchandising sales for brands such as League of Legends, Valorant and Arcane.”
Maidy will be Moonbug’s new Managing Director of Consumer Products and will be “responsible for expanding the Candle Media-owned company’s CP business, connecting licensing and retail partners to its brands,” per Deadline.
“What makes Moonbug shows like COCOMELON and BLIPPI so special is their ability to inspire kids to learn and grow while having fun,” Maidy said in a statement to Deadline. “Millions of families around the world have fallen in love with these stories and characters, resulting in passionate fandoms. I’m thrilled to bring my expertise building franchises to Moonbug, connecting more families to these brands through toys, apparel, books, and more.”
Before Riot Games, Maidy spent “nine years at Activision Blizzard, leading licensing and partnerships for the Call of Duty, Skylanders and Candy Crush brands.”
“Consumer products are instrumental to how we engage with fans, as more and more families want to bring the Moonbug stories and characters they love into their daily lives,” Rene Rechtman, Moonbug CEO, added. “Ashley understands how to build deeper connections with fans. It shows in her track record of building global franchises for some of the most iconic games and movies in the past two decades. Her vision and expertise will bring our consumer products offering to the next level.”
Maidy’s new role comes shortly after Moonbug hired Manuel Reveiz to head a new office in Miami and also to expand the studio’s reach to Latin American audiences.
Movieguide® previously reported on COCOMELON:
COCOMELON is an animated Netflix-streamed show for preschoolers. The show’s original creator, Jay Jeon, intended to provide his own children with helpful and fun ways to learn. The show is now produced by Moonbug Entertainment. Viewers follow a little boy named JJ as he learns his ABCs, shapes and many other things with the help of his family, friends and teacher.
The eight-season series encompasses many experiences for JJ and his friends. He learns how to use the toilet, share, cook and even make a quilt. His big sister YoYo and his big brother TomTom are always there to help him, whether it’s with his “please and thank yous” or fixing a broken toy. His loving parents and grandparents play games with him and instruct him on how to be a good helper. His teacher, Mrs. Applebee, teaches him and his friends their shapes, numbers and ABCs and about different places and cultures. Like many toddlers, JJ gets sad or frustrated when things don’t go his way. Each time this happens, there is always a bigger person there to guide him, and JJ learns how to respond and react positively.
