Factory acquires Rollo Rights

Classic children’s property Mr Benn

UK animation studio Factory has acquired the rights to classic children’s property Mr Benn along with a host of other IP as it launches a new brand licensing division.

Factory Rights will house properties belonging to the firm following its acquisition of Rollo Rights, which owns brands such as Rupert Fawcett’s Off the Leash, King Rollo, David McKee’s Mr Benn, Towser, Watt the Devil and Dr Xargle.

Factory said the rights ownership arm will support its studio production business, adding that it will build an “experienced team” to oversee it.

The first content to be developed is Off the Leash TV, a 2D-animated version of Fawcett’s cartoons about dogs that will be used as the basis for a YouTube channel. Other deals are currently under discussion, Factory added.

Clive Juster, who along with McKee owned Rollo Rights, will remain on the board at Factory Rights to advise and assist with the new division.

Phil Chalk, MD of Factory and Factory Rights, said: “We’ve been developing and adapting IP since we launched in 2010, beginning with Strange Hill High and Newzoids, both of which were developed in-house.

“Launching Factory Rights is the next step in our ambition and we’re delighted to have acquired such an incredible range of titles to launch our new division.”