By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Victura Media, a new entertainment franchise company, was just unveiled at MIPCOM 2024 in Cannes.
Victura was founded by entertainment executive Thom Chapman (pictured) and executive producer Gráinne McNamara, and is based in the UK and Canada.
The company announced at its launch that it has already secured a slate of IP, which includes a new TV series based on the Dawn O’Porter young adult novel Paper Aeroplanes, as well as distribution titles PSI Cops, Super Dinosaur, and Skybound Presents: Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation from Skybound Entertainment.
Skybound is the creator-led, multi-platform entertainment company with major entertainment franchises like Invincible and The Walking Dead.
Chapman, who formerly worked in licensing with major brands like Peanuts, Bakugan, Hatchimals and PAW Patrol, says Victura is bringing a ‘platform agnostic approach’ to discovering, building and managing global IP aimed at kids 8+, youth and adults.
Chapman says Victura is not just a studio and distributor, but also brings a deep understanding of financing, production, licensing and distribution models to offer a “holistic and future-focused approach to growing global franchises.”
The idea behind Victura Media was to bring in people who can offer the full complement of skills to execute a global 360-degree IP strategy, and to engage fan communities around the world. The company says it is taking a very inclusive approach to the evolving media landscape, combining content and retail, Web3 and gaming, as well as the opportunities in the growing creator-led economy.
“There is an evolution happening in entertainment with how audiences are curating their entertainment experience as well as the growth of creator-led content and importance of fandom and community,” Chapman said. “We founded Victura Media to help connect the dots across IP management and growing global franchises from all areas of the business.”
Chapman says the first project will be developing a TV series from O’Porter’s teen novel Paper Aeroplanes, a gritty, poignant, often laugh-out-loud funny and powerful novel centering on growing up in a small-town, and the power of female friendship.
‘We’re excited to be developing Dawn O’Porter’s standout teen novel as well as being part of Skybound’s plans for the unconventional Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation,” Chapman said. “These distinctive IPs highlight the character of our curated approach to brand development.”
Paper Aeroplanes was optioned from O’Porter’s longtime literary agent Adrian Sington, in collaboration with consultant Gráinne McNamara, and the author says she’s excited to continue working with the producer and with Victura Media.
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“I’m thrilled to continue my collaboration with Grainne as she launches her new Film and TV venture, and very much look forward to taking Renee and Flo from the printed page onto our TV screens and beyond,” O’Porter said. “Paper Aeroplanes has a special place in my heart not just because it was my first novel but also because it is set on Guernsey where I spent much of my childhood.
“I think these characters will speak to women for generations to come,” she added. “The trials and tribulations of their lives are timeless and the story celebrates the heartstopping power of female friendship.”
Victura Media is also handling the global distribution for Skybound Entertainment’s PSI Cops and Super Dinosaur, as well as the library of Skybound Presents: Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation, relaunching in 2025.
Spike & Mike’s curated festivals, including the renowned Spike & Mike’s Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation, have showcased cutting-edge, daring, and often hilarious animated shorts. These guerilla style festivals became the theatrical launchpad for many of the animation industry’s most acclaimed figures, including the likes of Pete Doctor (Monsters, Inc., Up), Mike Judge (Beavis & Butt-Head), and Nick Park (Wallace and Gromit).
Victura Media is also a consultant to Enterprise Ireland, helping lrish studios with IP management with a focus on global licensing and merchandising.