Mainframe Studios, Cookbook Media set up wide-ranging strategic alliance  

CG animation The Immortals & The Shadow Realm

Canadian animation company Mainframe Studios has forged a strategic partnership with New York-based franchise management agency Cookbook Media.

The companies said the goal of the partnership is to establish a “fully integrated commercial, franchise and business development engine” that can create new opportunities for Mainframe’s original IP as well as its service production slate.

The pact will see Cookbook Media collaborating with Mainframe Studios to package and pitch the latter’s development slate, as well as assessing the long-term franchise potential of certain properties and building new content financial models.

CG animation The Immortals & The Shadow Realm, which “blends K-Pop Demon Hunters–style energy with the painterly richness of [Netflix steampunk animation] Arcane and a bold anime edge,” and horror comedy Ghost Town are among the projects being worked on by the companies.

Mainframe, which produces titles including Unicorn Academy, SuperKitties and Octonauts, and Cookbook also said they will jointly develop consumer product programmes, live extensions, publishing initiatives and digital-first content plans under the partnership.

“As we continue to invest in building and owning original IP while delivering world-class work-for-hire productions, having an integrated commercial strategy is critical, and this collaboration with Cookbook marks an incredibly important evolution in the growth of Mainframe Studios,” said Mainframe president and chief content officer Michael Hefferon.

“Cookbook brings a proven track record in franchise-building, licensing, and global distribution strategy. Together, we are creating a turnkey model that strengthens our ability to grow franchises from concept through long-term, multi-platform success.”

Cookbook co-founders Claudia Scott-Hansen and Rob Bencal said the partnership “reflects our shared vision with Mainframe to build enduring franchises by aligning story development, production strategy, and commercial expansion from the earliest stages of development.”