In a significant declaration of large intentions and strategy at Studiocanal, owned by Vivendi’s Canal Plus Group, Françoise Guyonnet has been appointed Studiocanal CEO Copyrights Group and EVP Kids’ Brands as the European production-distribution giant looks to drive powerfully into children’s IP.
Studiocanal described the appointment in a written statement on Thursday as “a confident move for the studio which wishes to accelerate growth in children’s IP.” Copyrights Group is an international intellectual property management agency (brands, licences, derivative products), it added.
The new high-ranking role for Guyonnet at Studiocanal has been announced just two days after it unveiled plans at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) to produce with Superprod Group and Mercis a CGI series of world famous character “Miffy,” created in 1955 by Dutch author-illustrator Dick Bruna. Guyonnet said the move underlined “our ambition in the quality franchise space.”
Significantly, Guyonnet has served as Studiocanal director of TV series from 2017. Her new position does not look in any way as Studiocanal’s downscaling on scripted TV in a post peak TV context with Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh moving waves at April’s MipTV market in Cannes announcing two of its biggest swings in the scripted space – series: “How To Stop Time,” starring Benedict Cumberbatch; an equity stake in London-based Strong Film & Television, co-founded by “Broadchurch” director James Strong. In a MipTV key¡note, she stressed that Studiocanal is looking to build an even larger presence in the English-language scripted space and address international audiences.
Growth of children’s IP business represents, however, a diversification of income, which Studiocanal’s written statement noted on Thursday.
Guyonnet will take up her new position in early 2024, and will continue to report to Studiocanal CEO and Canal+ Deputy CEO Anna Marsh, with Studiocanal having been responsible for developing the Vivendi-owned Copyrights Group from 2022.
The renewed drive into children’s IP comes as Studiocanal is readying the release of the highly awaited “Paddington in Peru” in cinemas worldwide in 2024, “Paddington” and Paddington 2, released in 2014 and 2017 have grossed a combined $510 million in cumulative global box office revenue, a record for Studiocanal movies and extraordinary sum for non-studio films. Paddington has also sparked three animation series, as sterling example of the huge value of big franchise hits sparked by European IPs.
Studiocanal noted on Thursday that it has also successfully distributed kids’ series such as “Sammy” and “Esther’s Notebook” all around the world, as well as films such as “Shaun the Sheep,” “Ernest & Celestine” and “Around the World in 80 days.” “Ambitious developments are currently in play including Pippi Longstocking, Miffy and the Woodwalkers franchises,” it added.
“I would like to acknowledge the work carried out by Françoise Guyonnet who, in her seven years at the helm of Studiocanal’s TV series activity, has accomplished monumental work in a period of extreme industry upheaval,” Marsh said.
When Guyonnet was appointed head of Studiocanal TV Series, it owned, or had equity in, eight European production companies. That number has nearly now doubled.
“Studiocanal’s TV business has grown extensively since its inception and now boasts a network of 14 television production companies, in 9 major markets,” Marsh observed.
“Françoise has deftly contributed to the success of kids’ content throughout her career and her deep knowledge in this field, coupled with her experience in television production, will ensure that our ambitions are in very capable hands,” she added.
Studiocanal’s European production companies and third-party partners take in France’s Studiocanal Original and 2E Bureau, the U.K.’s Red Production Company, Urban Myth Films, SunnyMarch TV, Birdie Pictures and Strong Film & Television, Germany’s Studiocanal Series and Lailaps Films, Poland’s Opus TV, Spain’s Bambú Producciones and Denmark’s SAM Productions.
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