June 10, 2008

NAME:Thumb Wrestling Federation: TWF

ORIGIN: Based on an original concept by Larry Schwarz, the CEO and founder of Animation Collective.

DISTRIBUTOR: Animation Collective represents the series worldwide, excluding Latin America, which is handled by Televix Entertainment.

CREATOR: Larry Schwarz

TV SHOW: There are four seasons (100 minutes each) available of the short-form live-action series. The seasons are comprised of primarily 3:30-minute matches, and also include one-minute gags and 11-minute championship bouts.

“I wanted to come up with something for mobile phones,” says Schwarz on how he came up with the idea for the series. “And then Adina Pitt, who was the acquisitions head at Nick (and now is at Cartoon Network) was in our office for another meeting and saw us working on the thumb stuff and she said, I’ve got to have this show! It was an easy pitch. We sold it to her for Nicktoons before we had anything else.”

SYNOPSIS: A long time ago, when wrestlers wore speedos and had back hair, the thumb-wrestling ring was once a place of heroic deeds, of fair competition, of honor. All was well, until an upstart named Senator Skull led a revolt that split the Thumb Wrestling Federation in two.

In this live-action comedy Senator Skull and the evil Sinistras will stop at nothing to defeat the Mighty Dexteras, take over the Thumb Wrestling Federation, and perhaps the world!

With larger-than-life personalities, thumb-on-thumb contact, wild wrestler bios and two out-of-control commentators, each match brings the battle between good and evil to life.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Larry Schwarz

TV SALES: YTV in Canada, CBBC in the U.K., Cartoon Network Asia

MAJOR TOY LICENSEES: Spin Master, Sambro and Techno Source. Merchandise includes collectible thumb masks of all of the wrestlers, a card game, a thumb wrestling ring and an electronic thumb wrestling game.

OTHER PRODUCTS: A full line of apparel including t-shirts, fleece, boxers, separates and pajamas. Also socks, hats, gloves, scarves, publishing, sticker books and stickers, plush, greeting cards, calendars, gift wrap and tags.

STRATEGY FOR ROLLOUT: Animation Collective is planning to begin the rollout of merchandise based on the series eight to 12 months after it has launched in a given territory and has built up a significant fan base. In the U.K., for example, the show launched on CBBC last fall and products are due to hit retail this summer. Additional products will hit store shelves throughout 2008 and into the early part of 2009.

Al Ovadia & Associates is the global licensing agent, with sub-agents in various territories, including The Licensing Shop in Canada and Bulldog in the U.K.

To view additional property profiles, please click here.

Editorial Contact: Mansha Daswani
Advertising Contact: Ricardo Guise

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