WildBrain Family International Limited, operating asWildBrain London (formerly WildBrain and WildBrain Spark), is a British multi-channel network owned by Canadian media company WildBrain (formerly DHX Media). It distributes and produces preschool and children's video content for YouTube and other digital platforms. The division officially launched in 2016; it reuses trademarks associated with Wildbrain Entertainment, an animation studio that had been acquired by DHX.[1] It maintains offices in London.
The division is responsible for distributing pre-existing material and creating original animated and live-action shorts based on properties owned by its parent company and partners. WildBrain Spark also manages the YouTube presence for a number of external brands and businesses, including Beyblade Burst, Bing, Larva, Moomins, Mr. Bean Animated, Outfit7, Playmobil, The Smurfs, NBCUniversal, Turbozaurs and Warner Bros. Discovery, among others.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
In September 2019, DHX Media changed its name to WildBrain, citing strong brand recognition stemming from the MCN. Concurrently, the MCN was renamed WildBrain Spark.[8]
In November 2023, WildBrain Spark merged into its parent company under its YouTube network business in London, along with Digital Studios and Media Solutions, and it was completed in January 2024 with Kate Smith appointed as Executive Vice-president for Audience Engagement.[9]
Productions
Akedo: Ultimate Arcade Warriors (2021–present) (produced with Moose Toys)[10]
^Dickson, Jeremy (April 26, 2016). "DHX Media unveils online kids net WildBrain". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
^McLean, Thomas (June 14, 2018). "WildBrain and 'Beyblade Burst' Let It Rip on YouTube". Animation World Network. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
^Whyte, Alexandra (February 12, 2018). "WildBrain teams up with Cyber Group Studios". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
^Foster, Elizabeth (April 11, 2017). "WildBrain to shape Larva's YouTube presence". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
^Franks, Nico (August 12, 2019). "WildBrain to oversee Moomins on YouTube". C21 Media. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
^Tuchow, Ryan (January 31, 2019). "WildBrain adds Smurfs, Playmobil to portfolio". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
^Dickson, Jeremy (January 5, 2017). "Turner Kids YouTube channels get leg up from WildBrain". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
^"DHX rebrands as WildBrain". Kidscreen. 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
^"WildBrain restructures its exec ranks to serve streamlined business". Kidscreen. 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
^"MOOSE TOYS DELIVERS A TRIPLE THREAT WITH NEW 'AKEDO' FRANCHISE COMBINING ACTION FIGURES, BATTLING AND COLLECTABILITY". WildBrain (Press release). Los Angeles. June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
^@WildBrain_spark (May 31, 2019). "The brand new and reimagined 'Animal Mechanicals' is back in 3D! The new series is launching this Saturday. This robot slapstick comedy is perfect for kids between the ages of 3 and 6. Watch tomorrow on our channel!" (Tweet). Retrieved October 1, 2019 – via Twitter.
^Hutchins, Robert (September 4, 2020). "WildBrain Spark teams with Funrise Toys to develop online content for its collectable doll brand BFF Bright Fairy Friends". Licensing.biz. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
^Mitchell, Ben (August 28, 2019). "WildBrain launches original hand-drawn series 'Boy & Dragon'". Skwigly. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
^"Caillou's New Adventures". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
^"CRAYOLA LAUNCHES NEW SEASON OF DIGITAL-FIRST CONTENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WILDBRAIN SPARK". Crayola (Press release). Easton: WildBrain. September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
^@WildBrain_spark (January 16, 2018). "Check out the first episode of our new show DJ Lance and the Upbeat Retreat! The beat is infectious in this one ... 🎵🎵🎵 Show it to your kids, they'll love it" (Tweet). Retrieved October 1, 2019 – via Twitter.
^Ash, Rebecca (October 6, 2020). "WildBrain Spark and Cosmos-Maya in Partnership for Eena Meena Deeka". Total Licensing. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
^"The Ellie Sparkles Show". WildBrain Spark. YouTube. July 31, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
^Milligan, Mercedes (May 5, 2021). "Clip: emoji brand, WildBrain Launch New IP 'emojitown'". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
^Buckley, Madeleine (September 27, 2018). "WILDBRAIN TO PRODUCE ORIGINAL HAIRDORABLES CONTENT FOR JUST PLAY". Toybook. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
^Milligan, Mercedes (June 5, 2018). "WildBrain Launching Its First Co-Pro 'Hydro and Fluid' on YouTube". Animation Magazine. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
^"The League of Johnnys -Johnny Test: The Lost Web Series". WildBrain Spark. YouTube. May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
^"WildBrain Celebrates the Launch of Kiddyzuzaa Land". WildBrain Spark. WildBrain. March 15, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
^Milligan, Mercedes (February 5, 2021). "WildBrain Spark Teams with Copenhagen Bombay for 'Kiwi & Strit' S3". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
^@WildBrain_spark (August 13, 2018). "We're incredibly proud to have worked on a brand new 2D animation for classic cartoon, Peanuts, featuring Charlie Brown and Lucy. Check out the first episode on YouTube" (Tweet). Retrieved October 1, 2019 – via Twitter.
^Amidi, Amid (December 3, 2018). "Popeye Is Back...But You'll Wish He Weren't". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
^Pinto, Jordan (September 20, 2019). "Epic Story, DHX build out Slugterra universe". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
^Hutchins, Robert (September 9, 2020). "WildBrain Spark teams with Park Star Media to develop Super Binks digital series based on the popular Korean toy line". Licensing.biz. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
^Deegan, Gordon (July 27, 2019). "Game changer: Irish Fairy Door cartoon launched". Irish Independent. Mediahuis. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
^Smith, Kate (June 6, 2019). "How WildBrain made it 'YouTube Time' for Teletubbies". Preschool News. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
^"WildBrain says Teletubbies, Let's Go! In CG-animated preschool spin-off".