MUMBAI: Zodiak Media has launched Zodiak Americas, a new division that brings together Zodiak?s existing production businesses in North, Central and South America.

The move is part of a long-term plan to increase the focus of the Group on the American continents. It also provides a platform for Zodiak‘s future expansion efforts as well as support for other group activities in the region.

The new division will be headed by Jonny Slow, formerly Zodiak Media COO, who will relocate from London to Los Angeles to oversee increased investment into the region and deeper collaboration with the rest of the Group. Slow?s new title will be CEO Zodiak Americas.

Zodiak Americas will reflect the other divisional structures within Zodiak Media. With 45 production companies in 20 territories, Zodiak Media?s production activities are currently divided by region ? Zodiak France, Zodiak Nordic, Zodiak Vostok, Zodiak Southern Europe, Zodiak UK, Belgium & Netherlands, and Zodiak Middle East, Asia & Australia.

Slow will work closely with Natalka Znak who was recently named CEO of Zodiak USA as well as Harris Whitbeck (CEO, Zodiak Latino) and Carla Affonso (CEO, Zodiak Brasil). Expanded divisional roles have been given to Tony Yates (COO) and Andy Lennon (CFO).

Zodiak Media Chief Executive David Frank said, "This move is a demonstration of the importance of these geographic markets to us and the pace with which we want to both broaden our activities in TV production and develop our international distribution and online media activities here.?

Zodiak Americas CEO Jonny Slow said, ?By supporting the existing CEOs, expanding into new regions and pursuing new commercial ventures, we?re reinforcing our first and foremost goal ? to marry the best of the Zodiak catalog with the greatest talent in the biggest and fastest growing television market in the world.?

MUMBAI: Zodiak Kids, Zodiak Media Group?s children?s production and distribution arm, concluded a number of new sales deals for its long-running preschool show, Waybuloo.

Following the success of the series in Australia, ABC has picked up the 50x11 minute spin-off version of Waybuloo as has Zappelin in the Netherlands.

RAI (Italy) has licensed another 50 episodes of the original ?19? series taking the total number of episodes that they have acquired to 150. Other sales include: Canal Panda (Portugal / 52x19?); Luli (Turkey / 52x19?) and EM TV (Papua New Guinea / 15x19?).

Internationally, Waybuloo airs in over 80 other countries worldwide.

Zodiak Kids SVP Global Sales and Co-Production Karen Vermeulen comments, ?We are thrilled to be announcing more Waybuloo sales. These new and returning broadcaster deals demonstrate that Waybuloo continues to have international appeal with preschool children worldwide.?

Zodiak holds worldwide rights in all media for Waybuloo, with the exception of Canada where Decode Enterprises handles broadcast and home entertainment rights, and DHX Licensing represents consumer products rights. Both Decode Enterprises and DHX Licensing are subsidiaries of DHX Media.

MUMBAI: Zodiak Kids, the children?s production and distribution arm of Zodiak Media, has secured television deals for its new preschool show, Tickety Toc.

Channel 5?s milkshake! in the UK has picked up the rights to the series which will launch in Autumn 2012 in their morning preschool block.

Zodiak Kids has also secured deals with several other broadcasters internationally including France 5 (France); Disney Junior (Canada); TG4 (Gaelic-language terrestrial channel in Ireland) and Pop TV (Slovenia).

Tickety Toc was an enhanced acquisition deal with Nickelodeon channels around the world. Zodiak Kids has previously announced early presales of the 52 x 11? series to NRK Super in Norway and to YLE Finland.

Produced by The Foundation, part of Zodiak Kids, and Korea-based FunnyFlux Entertainment, Tickety Toc is a colourful CGI animated series which follows the fast-paced, energetic, comedic adventures of twins, Tommy and Tallulah Tockety and their remarkable friends as they race against time to keep the clock ticking and chime in the time.

Tickety Toc is originated and directed by FunnyFlux Entertainment founder and president, Gil Hoon Jung. Executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Vanessa Hill for The Foundation and the Series Producer is Karina Stanford-Smith.