By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
The trailblazing Vancouver animation studio Mainframe Studios has partnered with Cookbook Media to expand its production, distribution and licensing opportunities.
Mainframe made history back in 1993 when it released ‘Reboot’, the very first CG (Computer Generated) animated TV series. Since then the studio has gone on to release other highly regarded series like Unicorn Academy, Octonauts, Phoebe & Jay, It’s Andrew, and SuperKitties.
The studio has now signed a strategic partnership with Cookbook Media LLC, a global franchise management agency.
The collaboration aims to create an integrated commercial and business development operation focused on expanding Mainframe’s original intellectual property and existing portfolio across multiple platforms and revenue streams.
Under the agreement, Cookbook Media will support Mainframe Studios in several key areas: securing production partnerships, expanding global distribution channels, and developing licensing and merchandising opportunities. The partnership will involve joint creative and commercial assessments of original projects to evaluate audience appeal, platform fit, and franchise viability.
Cookbook Media will assist in packaging and presenting Mainframe’s development slate to potential partners through various financing models, including commissioning agreements, co-productions, and pre-sales. The companies also plan to explore opportunities in consumer products, publishing, live experiences, and digital platforms including YouTube, social media, and gaming.
Initial projects under the partnership include The Immortals & The Shadow Realm, a CGI-animated series created by Mainframe president and Chief Creative Officer Michael Hefferon, that combines elements of K-Pop and anime aesthetics, as well as Ghost Town, a horror-comedy series in development with creators Josh Saltzman and Evan Thaler Hickey.
“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 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 Media co-founders Claudia Scott-Hansen and Rob Bencal said the partnership reflects a shared approach to franchise development that integrates creative development with commercial planning from early stages.
“Mainframe has an extraordinary legacy of creative excellence and production expertise,” they said. “This collaboration 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.”
Mainframe Studios, founded in 1993, has produced over 1,000 television episodes and 70 long-form projects, including two theatrical feature films. The studio works across CG, 2D, and Unreal Engine animation technologies.
Cookbook Media, headquartered in New York, provides services in intellectual property development, digital strategy, consumer products licensing, gaming, content distribution, and YouTube channel management.