January 17, 2024 – Build-A-Bear Entertainment, Foundation Media Partners, and Montreal-based animation studio Laughing Dragon Studios announce the new animated series, KABU, inspired by classic Build-A-Bear characters, including Bearemy and Pawlette the Bunny. The series will offer an exclusive first look to buyers at the annual Kidscreen Summit next month as the first in a 10-episode series written by Mike Mariano (My Name is Earl, Raising Hope), Drew Gormley (Family Guy), Claire Ross Dunn (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Nina’s World), Brian Clark (Glisten and the Merry Mission) and Monica Kelly (Cocomelon) with Build-A-Bear President and CEO Sharon Price John and FoundationMedia CEO Patrick Hughes executive producing.
KABU is a stylized, colorful new offering with a fun ensemble cast of various “stuffed animal” friends voiced by some of today’s top young talent. KABU is primarily developed for kids 7-11 and is placed in a world of imagination where almost anything can happen. However, the fresh look and multi-level humor are also expected to appeal to a broader co-viewing audience, especially given the growing tween and teen Build-A-Bear fandom. The creative is influenced by the popularity of kawaii styling, leading to the KABU name, which means “cub” in Japanese. The storylines often humorously play on the unique “stuffed-animal” aspect of the characters, with each episode utilizing an entertaining, sometimes “wacky” way of exploring concepts ranging from creative problem-solving to friendship where the viewer goes on adventures with the cadre of critters who learn that working together and staying PAWsitive leads to the best result.
While the KABU series will feature some beloved Build-A-Bear characters, it also introduces new “furry friends” to create an ensemble cast which includes BEARNICE: Diamond White (Outsiders, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur), BEARNARD: Sean Giambrone (The Goldbergs, Ralph Breaks the Internet), BEAREMY: Thomas Sanders (Major social media star – 4.2M on YouTube, 10M on TikTok), CATRINA: Priah Ferguson (Stranger Things, Sugar Water, Atlanta), MONKGOMERY: Ryan Potter (Big Hero Six, Baymax!, Jurassic World, Titans), PAWLETTE: Brec Bassinger (Stargirl, Bella and the Bulldogs), PANDAMONA: Lilah Fitzgerald (Monster High, Lucky Hank), POODELLA: Margie Mays (American Idol, Call me Kat), and CATLYNN: Frankie McNellis (Honey Girls, 13: the Musical, Blackish).
“We are thrilled with this new animated series, which is designed to have some of the fun tone of SPONGEBOB with the spontaneity of AMAZING WORLD OF GUMBALL to create a world of entertaining twists and surprises while still delivering a wholesome message,” noted Patrick Hughes, CEO and founder of Foundation Media. “The multi-level smart humor, impressive cast and outrageously fun episode ideas create an amazing co-viewing experience,” concluded Mr. Hughes.
Ryan Sohmer, CEO of Laughing Dragon Studios, added, “We could not be more excited about working with a storied brand like Build-A-Bear and collaborating with the amazing folks at Foundation. The vibrant KABU universe that we’re creating will delight both young and older audiences alike, and we can’t wait to introduce it to the world!”
KABU is the first animated series in the continuation of Build-A-Bear’s expansion into content with Foundation MediaPartners as a part of a multi-year strategic endeavor designed to serve as a marketing catalyst while leveraging the high awareness, affinity and power of the brand to drive consumer engagement and business opportunities. Sharon Price John, President and CEO of Build-A-Bear, said, “As an organization grounded in over 25 years of creating memorable moments with “retail-tainment,” entertainment is a natural extension for the brand.” Ms. John continued, “The provision of new and fun ways to engage with fans and guests on multiple levels across the organization’s eco-system is expected to be a value-enhancing proposition.”
Over the past several years, the company has been systematically developing content inspired by its owned characters based on successful product lines and marketing stories ranging from the live-action music-based movie HONEY GIRLS and the recently launched theatrical animated film GLISTEN AND THE MERRY MISSION, inspired by a multi-year best-selling holiday plush collection, to the documentary UNSTUFFED: A BUILD-A-BEAR STORY highlighting the unlikely quarter-century journey of the company from a single mall retail store to a global iconic brand with award-winning director Taylor Morden. All of these titles can currently be viewed on a variety of digital platforms.