London-based kids entertainment company Moonbug has teamed up with L.A. talent agency UTA to grow its licensing business in North America.
UTA, which has been the licensing agency for Moonbug’s Blippi IP since 2018, will now represent seven brands in the kidco’s portfolio—CoComelon (pictured), My Magic Pet Morphle, ARPO, Supa Strikas, T-Rex Ranch, The Sharksons and Gecko’s Garage. The deal does not include Moonbug IP Little Baby Bum, which is handled by worldwide licensing agent MGA Entertainment.
Under the deal, UTA will sign and manage licensees across categories such as toys, publishing, apparel and video games.
Moonbug has been busy growing its catalogue of late, acquiring major YouTube channels CoComelon and Blippi in July using $120 million in financing it raised specifically for acquisitions. As part of the deal, Moonbug plans to invest in new content while growing the CP presence of both brands. Prior to being bought, both Blippi and CoComelon had teamed up with toyco Jazwares to expand into consumer products.