Award-winning independent animation studio and IP owner Karrot Entertainment is stepping up its ambitions in the licensing and consumer products market with the launch of Karrot Kids, its new dedicated commercial division, as it prepares to launch its highly anticipated new preschool series MaeBee, debuting this Autumn on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.
MaeBee is Karrot’s latest original preschool property and the first major new IP to be taken to market under the Karrot Kids banner. The division has been established to build long-term consumer products programmes, brand partnerships and content distribution around Karrot’s portfolio of owned brands, with a particular focus on securing cross-category partners for MaeBee, in addition to expanding opportunities for its established properties including the much-loved Sarah & Duck.
Created for the screen by Tim and Becca O’Sullivan and developed in-house at Karrot, MaeBee is a bold co-viewing comedy brought to life through a contemporary 2D visual style. The series follows Mae, a curious young gnome, and her foster brother Bee, as they discover the natural world together through imaginative adventures. Warm, character-led and built around themes of family, friendship, growing up and discovery, MaeBee has been created with broad family appeal and long-term brand potential at its heart.
MaeBee is produced by Karrot Entertainment in partnership with Kavaleer Productions. It has been commissioned by CBeebies, France Télévisions and RTÉ, with ABC recently acquiring broadcast rights for Australia, providing the new property with significant broadcaster backing ahead of its launch. The series is being distributed globally in non-English-speaking territories by France TV Distribution, while Karrot retains English-language territories and global licensing rights. Puffin holds global publishing rights.
Ashley O’Kane, Head of Licensing and Partnerships at Karrot Entertainment:
Karrot has always been driven by original ideas, memorable characters and great storytelling. With Karrot Kids, we are taking the next step in how we build and manage those brands beyond the screen. MaeBee is a fantastic starting point: it has a distinctive world, characters with real warmth and humour, and the backing of major broadcasters from launch. We’re looking forward to meeting partners who share our ambition to build something genuinely special around MaeBee, while also unlocking new opportunities for our wider portfolio.
A significant development in Karrot’s growth strategy, Karrot Kids’ model is underpinned by its position as both creator and owner of original IP, allowing the company to work directly with partners and develop brand strategies across television, digital platforms, publishing, licensing and consumer products.
For licensees and retailers, MaeBee therefore enters the market with the combination of a new, distinctive preschool proposition, established creative expertise and the backing of major public service broadcasters. The immediate focus will be on identifying licensing partners across categories including toys, games, apparel, home, lifestyle and other consumer products for MaeBee, while also exploring new opportunities for Sarah & Duck and Karrot’s wider owned IP portfolio.
