Frederator Network, a division of Vancouver-headquartered Wow! Unlimited Media, has signed a first-look content deal with BuzzFeed.

The deal was announced by Wow! parentco Genius Brands International on Tuesday (Feb. 14). It grants New York-based Frederator Network the exclusive opportunity and first right to develop and produce long-form series based on BuzzFeed Animation Lab’s original digital properties, according to a news release.

The first short-form content for series development by Frederator will be The Land of Boggs, a buddy comedy that has amassed 10 million followers across various social media platforms including TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, said the release.

Further BuzzFeed properties up for potential long-form adaptations include sister comedy Weird Helga, created by Elizabeth Hickey, gender–inclusive comedy Chikn Nuggit, created by Kyra Kupetsky as well as The Good Advice Cupcake, created Loryn Brantz, about “an aggressively optimistic cupcake.”

Frederator Studios will serve as the global content sales agent, headed by director of development Isabel Schultz. Genius Brands’ consumer products’ division will develop the retail program for the slate of IP, led by chief brand officer Kerry Phelan, alongside BuzzFeed, said the release.

Wow! Unlimited Media was acquired by Beverly Hills-based Genius Brands International in April 2022, with assets including Frederator Studios and the Frederator Network.

Michael Hirsh, CEO of Wow! Unlimited Media, said in a statement that partnership with BuzzFeed gives Frederator a “huge audience” and “tremendous opportunity to expand on the creativity of their animation lab to further develop their original IP into long-form series for global audiences.”

Zee Myers, head of BuzzFeed Animation Lab, added that Frederator Studios “have an unparalleled track record in the industry and are the perfect shepherds to take our animated properties into a new format and expand our audience.”

Image courtesy of BuzzFeed