COMMISSIONED BY CBEEBIES in the UK AND PLAYHOUSE DISNEY in the USA

Entertainment Rights acquires worldwide distribution rights to manage the brand globally

Classic tales telling modern audiences the story of how their favourite animals came to be - Why Hippo has no hair?; Why Lion Roars?;
Why Giraffe has a long neck?; Leopard spots and Zebra stripes? - all these and many more.

Tiger Aspect Productions today announced it goes into production with Tinga Tinga Tales™, a brand new animation series (52x11) with leading children’s broadcasters, CBeebies in the UK and Playhouse Disney in the US. Entertainment Rights (ER) is managing worldwide distribution rights for the brand across all media and it will form an integral part in ER’s continued global business development over the longer term. The series is currently setting up in Kenya for delivery from autumn 2009 into 2010.

Tinga Tinga Tales™ sees a return to traditional storytelling, bringing to screen animal stories that have been passed down from generation to generation all over Africa. Adapted from African folk lore it is told through the eyes of Africa’s diverse and most loved animals.

The series, aimed at pre-schoolers will have global appeal. A cast of returning characters led by a young, cheeky Monkey, bring these tales to life. The bright and exuberant imagery will be hand painted and animated in an explosive mix of African colour, pattern and music. The style is based on the famous Tinga Tinga art of Tanzania. All images in the series are hand painted by local African artistes and then expertly computer animated to produce a wonderful visual experience.

Tiger Aspect in association with Homeboyz in Nairobi has set up a fully equipped Animation studio in Kenya and employed local designers, writers, musicians and animators to work on Tinga Tinga Tales™. After production completes in 2010 the studio will continue to provide jobs for a new animation industry in East Africa, encouraging the creation of original African content which will work in the International arena.

Tinga Tinga Tales™ is brought to screen under the direction of Tiger Aspect’s Head of Animation and Children’s - Claudia Lloyd. Claudia comes to this project off the back of the BAFTA Award-winning Charlie and Lola. Her other previous credits include Mr Bean (52x11) and Bosom Pals - (2 x ½ hr) BBC1 specials based on the art of Beryl Cook.

Claudia said, “Wonderful African animal stories, with great characters, songs and visuals. Children in Singapore, San Diego, Sierra Leone or Sydenham will love it. Producing the series out of Africa couldn’t be more exciting”.

Controller of CBeebies, Michael Carrington said, "Tinga Tinga Tales™ is one of those exciting projects that has a unique style and engaging tone of voice for which Tiger Aspect is synonymous. We're sure British children are going to come to love these African stories, inspired by rich indigenous artwork".

Jane Smith, Chief Commercial and Creative Director, Entertainment Rights Plc, commented: “Tinga Tinga Tales™ is a fantastic addition to our global brand portfolio. CBeebies and Playhouse Disney are recognized as two of the leading preschool broadcast platforms globally, and their commitment to the programme demonstrates how successful the series is likely to perform internationally, enabling ER to fully exploit the brand commercially across all platforms.”

Andrew Zein, Tiger Aspect’s Managing Director said, “This is one of the most ambitious projects we’ve ever taken on. On top of everything else it is truly inspirational to think that 50% of Tiger Aspect’s profits from the show will go towards helping make a real difference in improving the educational needs of children in East Africa.”