Banijay Kids & Family (formerly known as Marathon Media, Marathon Animation, Marathon Productions, Marathon Media Group, Zodiak Kids, Zodiak Kids Studios and ZodiakKids & Family) is a French television production company owned by Banijay Entertainment based in Neuilly-sur-Seine. The company was originally founded as Marathon Productions, by Olivier Brémond and Pascal Breton in February 1990, and Vincent Chalvon-Demersay joined the team in 1999 to develop Marathon's animation programming, along with David Michel.[1] The company is best known for the animated series Totally Spies! and LoliRock.
History
Marathon Media logo (2006–2012)
In September 2005, Marathon Media announced that they made a merger deal with the French division of the British-based European private firm Bridgepoint Capital who owns French Tele Images, to create the biggest major production and distribution group in France with Tele Images's subsidiaries GTV Productions and Adventure Line Productions producer of Fort Boyard being part of the new group along with Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel continuing to hold their stakes in Marathon's animation division.[2][3] The merger was completed in January 2006, with the combined entity subsequently named Marathon Group.
In July 2007, it was announced that Italian-based holding company De Agostini they had acquired the TV production and distribution company Marathon Group from Bridgepoint Capital, thus turning De Agostini from a multimedia company into a major European content production company.[4][5]
In February 2008, Marathon Group announced that they acquired a majority stake in French independent production company of entertainment programs and documentaries KM Production merging KM's operations with Marathon's own operations, thrust reuniting KM Production with Marathon Group's subsidiary Adventure Line Productions (which were part of Studio Expand until 2004) with the founder of KM Production Renaud Le Van Kim continued to operate the company.[6]
In May 2008, Marathon Group's owner De Agostini announced that they've made a deal to acquire Swedish-based Scandinavian production and distribution company Zodiak Television AB with De Agostini's own television divisions Marathon Group and Magnolia being merged with Zodiak Television AB into one global production and distribution company turning Zodiak from a European production empire to a single entertainment powerhouse.[7][8] The acquisition was completed in November the same year, with Zodiak Television AB rebranded into Zodiak Entertainment with Marathon Media and Tele Images becoming subsidiaries of the rebranded company.[9]
In February 2011, Zodiak Media Group announced the establishment of a children's television division named Zodiak Kids with Marathon Media being placed into the new division.[10]
In February 2016, Zodiak Media merged with the Banijay Group,[11] and Marathon was folded within the process. The Zodiak Kids name was retained until 2022 when the company adopted the Banijay name.
In 2018, MoonScoop Group co-founder and co-chairman Benoît Di Sabatino was named as CEO of the company, succeeding Jean-Philippe Randisi.[12]
Zodiak Kids logo (2020–2021)
In April 2021, Banijay announced that they've acquired Paris-based French independent animation studio Monello Productions which was founded in 2013 by former Tele Images SVP Giorgio Welter from ITV Studios-owned Tetra Media Group and had placed the acquired animation studio under Zodiak Kids and will continued to be independent along with their founder continuing to serve as the company's president.[13]
In November 2021, Banijay announced that they've bringing their three children's production companies Zodiak Kids & Family, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family and Monello Productions into one group by launching a new division named Banijay Kids and Family with the three children's companies became part of the new division as their labels.[14][15]
In September 2022, Banijay Kids & Family acquired the Italian animation studio Movimenti Production and the British studio Kindle Entertainment.[16]
In January 2024, Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution was renamed as Banijay Kids & Family Distribution.[17]
In September 2024, Banijay Entertainment acquired a majority stake in French animation studio Procidis, placing it under the Banijay Kids & Family unit, with Benoît Di Sabatino becoming president and Hélène Barillé remaining as managing director.[18]
Divisions
Banijay Kids & Family Distribution
Banijay Kids & Family Distribution is the distribution arm of Banijay Kids & Family, led by Delphine Dumont as chief commercial officer.
Kindle Entertainment is a British television production company founded in 2007 by Anne Brogan and Melanie Strokes and is led by Strokes as managing director and Emma Stuart as creative director.
Monello Productions
Monello Productions is a French animation studio founded in September 2013 by Giorgio Welter and Cecile Sady, who lead the company as president and CCO respectively.[19]
Movimenti Production
Movimenti Production is an Italian animation studio founded in 2004 by Giorgio Scorza and Davide Rosio, who both lead as CEOs.
Procidis is a French animation studio founded in 1962 by Albert Barillé and led by Banijay Kids & Family CEO Benoît Di Sabatino as president and Hélène Barillé as managing director.
Tiger Aspect Kids & Family
Tiger Aspect Kids & Family is a British television production company, led by Tom Beattie as Managing Director.[20]
Zodiak Kids & Family France
Zodiak Kids & Family France (formerly Marathon Animation) is a French animation studio, led by Benoît Di Sabatino as CEO.[21]
Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK
Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK (formerly The Foundation) is a British television production company, led by Gwen Hughes as CEO.[22]
In August 2006, The Foundation was acquried by RDF Media Group.[23]
