ITV Studios Brings Thunderbirds Are Go to New Zealand

ITV Studios Global Entertainment Takes Thunderbirds Are Go to New Zealand

ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) today announces that Global Licensing (NZ) Ltd has been appointed as licensing agent for new action adventure series, Thunderbirds Are Go in New Zealand.

Global will oversee the development and expansion of the Thunderbirds Are Go licensing programme in the region, where the brand is firmly established and widely popular.

As part of the new deal, Global has worked with Vivid Imaginations, the master toy partner for Thunderbirds Are Go, to appoint Planet Fun as the local distributor in New Zealand which will see Thunderbirds Are Go toys roll out across the territory from S/S 2015. The deal covers figurines and vehicles, play sets, diecast, role play and dress up. In a further agreement, TVNZ has picked up the broadcast rights to the highly anticipated new TV series and will air on TV2 from Sunday 12th April 2015.

Trudi Hayward, SVP, Head of Global Merchandising for ITV Studios Global Entertainment comments: “We are thrilled to be teaming up with Global and are confident that their extensive experience will be invaluable to launching Thunderbirds Are Go in what is a key territory for the brand. Viewers will be delighted with the launch of the new series through our strong broadcast partner TVNZ and the signing of a leading local toy partner that will bring an exciting and innovative toy line to young fans in the region.”

Mark Paul, Director of Global Licensing (NZ) Limited comments: “New Zealand has a long history and affection for Thunderbirds, as well as past merchandising and promotional success, so we are very excited about the launch of the new Thunderbirds Are Go TV series. We expect a whole new generation of fans will come to love the brand as much as their parents and grandparents have over the years. We look forward to working with ITV Studios, Pukeko Pictures and all other partners on this exciting new project”.

Thunderbirds Are Go is the exciting new remake of the classic 1960s TV series, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary later this year and co-produced between ITV Studios and New Zealand’s Pukeko Pictures in association with world famous Weta Workshop. The first series of 26x22 minute epsiodes recently made its broadcast debut in the UK on ITV and is produced using a unique mixture of CGI animation and live-action miniatures.

About ITV Studios Global Entertainment

ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) is one of the world’s leading international TV distribution and consumer products businesses. The consumer products division brings together home entertainment, promotions, licensing and publishing under one umbrella, with the merchandise and publishing operation bringing brands to life off screen, working with licensed partners and retailers to bring quality products to consumers. ITVS GE’s successful and diverse portfolio includes ITV Studios brands like the new, groundbreaking reimagining of Thunderbirds, Thunderbirds Are Go, Classic Thunderbirds, Hell’s Kitchen USA and Come Dine With Me and properties such as Super 4, Playmobil®, Cut The Rope, Matt Hatter Chronicles, Digimon Fusion and Village People for which ITVS GE acts as agent.

Part of ITV PLC, which includes the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, ITV Studios Global Entertainment has offices in London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Sydney.

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