Banijay Kids & Family

Last updated
Banijay Kids & Family
Formerly
  • Marathon Productions (1990–2001)
  • Marathon Media (2001–2015)
  • Zodiak Kids Studios (2016–2022)
Company type Subsidiary
Industry Television production
FoundedFebruary 1990;34 years ago (1990-02)
Founders
Headquarters,
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Benoît Di Sabatino (CEO)
  • Ludovic Taron (Chief Operating Officer)
  • Delphine Dumont (Chief Commercial Officer, Distribution)
  • Jeremie Becamel (Chief Financial Officer)
Parent
Divisions
  • Banijay Kids & Family Distribution
  • Kindle Entertainment
  • Monello Productions
  • Movimenti Production
  • Tiger Aspect Kids & Family
  • Zodiak Kids & Family France
  • Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK
Website www.banijaykidsandfamily.com

Banijay Kids & Family (formerly known as Marathon Media, Marathon Animation, Marathon Productions, Marathon Media Group, Zodiak Kids, Zodiak Kids Studios and ZodiakKids & Family) is a French television production company owned by Banijay Entertainment based in Neuilly-sur-Seine. The company was originally founded as Marathon Productions, by Olivier Brémond and Pascal Breton in February 1990, and Vincent Chalvon-Demersay joined the team in 1999 to develop Marathon's animation programming, along with David Michel. [1] The company is best known for the animated series Totally Spies! and LoliRock .

Contents

History

Marathon Media logo (2006-2012) Marathon Media logo.png
Marathon Media logo (2006–2012)

On 20 September 2005, Marathon Media announced that they made a merger deal with the French division of the European private firm Bridgepoint Capital who owns Tele Images to create a major production and distribution group in France. [2] The merger was completed in January 2006, with the combined entity subsequently named Marathon Group.

In July 2007, it was announced that Italian-based holding company De Agostini they had acquired the TV production and distribution company Marathon Group from Bridgepoint Capital, thus turning De Agostini from a multimedia company into a major European content production company. [3]

In February 2008, Marathon Group announced that they acquired French independent production company KM Production combining KM's operations with Marathon's. [4]

In February 2016, Zodiak Media merged with the Banijay Group, [5] and Marathon was folded within the process. The Zodiak Kids name was retained until 2022 when the company adopted the Banijay name.

In 2018, MoonScoop Group co-founder and co-chairman Benoît Di Sabatino was named as CEO of the company, succeeding Jean-Philippe Randisi. [6]

Zodiak Kids logo (2020-2021) Zodiak Kids.png
Zodiak Kids logo (2020–2021)

In April 2021, Italian animation studio Monello Productions, founded in 2013 by former Tele Images SVP Giorgio Welter, was acquired by Banijay from Tetra Media Group and was placed under Zodiak Kids. [7]

In September 2022, Banijay Kids & Family acquired the Italian animation Movimenti Production and the British studio Kindle Entertainment. [8]

In January 2024, Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution was renamed as Banijay Kids & Family Distribution. [9]

Filmography

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References

  1. Webdale, Jonathan (6 February 2014). "Co-founder Steps Down". C21 Media.
  2. Baisley, Sarah (20 September 2005). "Bridgepoint to Merge with Marathon". Animation World Network. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  3. Vivarelli, Nick (23 July 2007). "Italy's De Agostini wins Marathon". Variety .
  4. Leffler, Rebecca (28 February 2008). "Marathon takes major stake in KM Prod'n". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  5. Dickson, Jeremy (23 February 2016). "Zodiak and Banijay finalize merger" . Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  6. Whyte, Alexandra (12 September 2018). "The scoop on Zodiak's new CEO". Kidscreen.
  7. Whittingham, Clive (20 April 2021). "Banijay acquires animation outfit Monello". C21 Media.
  8. Bharanidharan, Sadhana (8 September 2022). "Banijay buys two European kids prodcos". Kidscreen.
  9. "ABC and Télé-Québec Pick Up Shasha & Milo". Banijay Kids & Family. 31 January 2024.