Entertainment-focused brand management company Foundation Media Partners has set a first look deal with Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing to develop and produce film and television projects mined from the giant’s expansive library spanning a century.
Foundation will focus on developing and adapting a multi-title slate from Simon & Schuster’s Little Simon Chapter Books & Graphic Novels as animated and/or live action properties for film and television.
“The creative team at Simon & Schuster are as passionate about storytelling and franchise building as we are at Foundation, and together we’re looking to create a new standard for how stories are told and experienced by young audiences,” said Foundation founder and CEO Patrick Hughes, who brokered the landmark deal. “Having access and first look rights to one of the most prominent and voluminous libraries on the planet is a rare opportunity with endless possibilities.”
Foundation VP of development and production Amy Wilson added, “Each book we’ll adapt and develop with Simon & Schuster will be distinct in its own way but share emotion, comicality and sense of discovery that we love to reflect in children’s properties we bring to the screen. This is an enormous creative exercise we’re all looking forward to very much.”
The deal builds on Foundation Media Partners’ track record of converting literary IP to film. Foundation adapted and produced the animated feature hit “Bad Guys”, based on Aaron Blabey’s best-selling children’s book franchise, for Dreamworks Animation and Universal Pictures, and Hughes is currently executive producing “Bad Guys 2.” Foundation additionally adapted and produced Blabey’s “Thelma the Unicorn” book franchise as a feature film for Netflix.
The brand management company is also behind Build-A-Bear’s entertainment expansion, including the animated Christmas film based on best-selling holiday plush collection “Glisten and the Merry Mission,” which the company released in theaters via a direct deal with Cinemark. Foundation is also currently in production on the series “Kabu” with animation partner Laughing Dragon.
“We’re thrilled to be able to partner with Foundation Media to bring great characters and series to life in a new dimension for our avid readers,” said Simon & Schuster’s Valerie Garfield. “We believe great content can co-exist across many platforms and each one will enrich the storytelling experience.”
The deal with Simon & Schuster continues a busy year for Foundation Media Partners, which recently closed a deal to represent Varsity Spirit (a division of Varsity Brands) across multiple entertainment categories, allowing Foundation to broaden the reach of the brand through film, TV, music, live events, publishing, podcasts, documentaries and hybrid content.
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