Crayola, the renowned crayon company, is venturing into the entertainment industry with the launch of Crayola Studios, a new division focused on creating engaging content for kids and families.
In an unexpected move, Crayola has teamed up with MIMO Studios, led by former Nickelodeon chief Cyma Zarghami, to co-develop their first project, “The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian.”
Heading Crayola Studios is Victoria Lozano, Crayola’s EVP Marketing, with support from Goatfish Agency, founded by Rick Glankler, former President and General Manager of Kids & Family Entertainment at Fremantle. Crayola’s sister company, Hallmark Media, is also part of the initiative. The aim is to collaborate with production companies, animation studios, and intellectual property owners to create compelling series for kids’ broadcast platforms worldwide.
Victoria Lozano expressed excitement about Crayola Studios, stating that it aligns with their plans to develop entertainment content, inspiring the next generation and fostering lifelong creative mindsets. As leaders in creative self-expression, Crayola’s unique perspective presents an exciting opportunity for the industry, which seeks innovative and reliable content centered around creativity.
“The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian” is based on the Gen-Z Media kids podcast written and performed by Jonathan Messinger. Launched in 2016, the podcast released 12 seasons and 260 episodes. The story revolves around eight-year-old Finn Caspian, who embarks on thrilling adventures aboard The Famous Marlowe 280 Interplanetary Exploratory Space Station. With friends Abigail, Elias, and Vale, Finn forms Explorers Troop 301, venturing into uncharted planets, assisting aliens, and solving a mystery threatening the Space Station’s existence.
Cyma Zarghami expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Crayola to bring these beloved journeys to life through world-class animation and artistry. The partnership sees the potential to tell rich video stories, similar to how Gen-Z Media achieved with the podcast. The show combines fantastic characters, creativity, adventure, and information, making it an exciting prospect for audiences worldwide.
Victoria Lozano emphasized that the series enables kids to explore the power and limitless potential of imagination, self-expression, and creativity—values deeply ingrained in Crayola’s mission. “The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian” perfectly represents the type of content Crayola aims to produce in the future. They are thrilled to collaborate with the talented team at MIMO to breathe life into Finn’s action-packed adventures.
Overall, Crayola Studios’ foray into the entertainment industry marks a significant step for the company, leveraging its reputation for creativity and appeal to children to create compelling content that will inspire and entertain young audiences worldwide.