WildBrain to develop global YouTube strategy for BEYBLADE BURST and produce original content in collaboration with fan channel BeybladeGeeks.
WildBrain, a leading digital kids’ network & studio, is “letting it rip” with BEYBLADE BURST on YouTube after signing a two-year agreement with New York-based rights management company and BEYBLADE owner, SUNRIGHTS INC. As part of the exclusive agreement, WildBrain will develop and manage a global YouTube strategy (excluding Asia) for BEYBLADE BURST, the third-generation series from the global kids’ franchise, and launch an influencer campaign with super fan YouTube channel, BeybladeGeeks, in support of the various brand activities around BEYBLADE BURST this year.
“Since its launch in 1999, BEYBLADE has become a global phenomenon, amassing millions of fans around the world,” says Michael Carroll, Business Development Manager, WildBrain. “This presents a significant opportunity to create unique video content on YouTube. By leveraging our expert data and insights, alongside the team at SUNRIGHTS INC., we’re confident we can develop a leading YouTube strategy to create and manage new BEYBLADE BURST content that fans both old and new can enjoy.”
“YouTube, which is now available in 88 countries and 76 languages, is a huge draw for our active, connected and growing BEYBLADE BURST fan base around the world,” adds Kaz Soeda, Managing Director of SUNRIGHTS INC. “We are excited by the opportunity to work with WildBrain and BeybladeGeeks to give these fans an even more robust BEYBLADE BURST experience, with an expanded presence and unique YouTube content.”
WildBrain will manage BEYBLADE BURST local language channels and use existing episodic content from the popular animated series to develop a wider global audience for the franchise. As part of WildBrain’s influencer campaign with BeybladeGeeks – a super fan YouTube channel that currently boasts more than 500,000 subscribers and close to 1,000 uploaded videos – the studio will produce six original BEYBLADE BURST videos for launch on the channel. The content will support the new line of innovative battling tops and the BEYBLADE BURST World Championship, to be held at Kidexpo in Paris on November 3, 2018. The collaborative campaign is expected to launch in June 2018.
“After almost 20 years, the BEYBLADE fandom is still going strong,” says Steven Cheung, co-creator BeybladeGeeks. “WildBrain has continually proven themselves to be leaders in the YouTube space, and we can’t think of a better team to work with to create new BEYBLADE BURST content.”
“With so much excitement for the brand already buzzing among fans, we’re anticipating lots of engagement for the campaign with Bladers around the world,” added Brendan Wong, co-creator, BeybladeGeeks.
BEYBLADE was first launched in Japan by TOMY in 1999. A few years later, a series was created by d-rights to support the toys and create an immersive world for the growing number of BEYBLADE fans. After its global launch in 2001, the BEYBLADE franchise became a worldwide phenomenon and continues to fascinate millions of fans around the world. BEYBLADE BURST, the third generation of BEYBLADE, has all of the same excitement of the previous generations, with novel developments and thrilling elements including tops that burst in battle! With a larger emphasis on real sports, this new generation promotes respect for other Bladers through interaction during battles, healthy competition and strategic thinking. BEYBLADE BURST promises to engage fans old and new alike.
