Amanda Seyfried, Formula 1, Caterpillar Among New ‘Blippi’ Partners as Preschool Franchise Hits 10th Anniversary (EXCLUSIVE)

As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours watching movies and documentaries, I have to admit that the news of Amanda Seyfried joining the “Blippi” universe caught me off guard at first. However, upon learning more about this unique partnership, my initial skepticism quickly turned into admiration for Seyfried’s ability to connect with audiences of all ages.


Actress Amanda Seyfried, who has previously won an Emmy (“The Dropout”) and been nominated for an Oscar (“Mank”), is now venturing into the world of “Blippi”. Her upcoming project involves collaboration with Moonbug Entertainment’s “Blippi” franchise, which includes a new music video and a partnership with Amanda’s own brand Make It Cute. This new endeavor will allow her to engage with a much younger audience.

Actress Seyfried stars in a fresh rendition of the popular “Blippi” tune “Excavator,” where she teams up with Blippi for a duet. This revamped version has a touch of Broadway flair. In the video, Blippi and Seyfried find they share a passion for excavators, and they put on a lively musical performance as part of an imaginative playdate inspired by excavators.

Seyfried told Variety her kids “think I’m the coolest” in partnering with “Blippi.”

“Seyfried shared that her kids are completely hooked on Blippi,” she said to EbMaster. “It’s delightful to observe them being so engaged while learning. The desire to stimulate imaginative play is one of the motivations behind my children’s playhouse business, Make It Cute, and we’re ecstatic about our collaboration with Blippi.”

In the course of their partnership, “Blippi” has also produced social media content showcasing Make It Cute playhouses. Notable personalities who have teamed up with “Blippi” lately include retired U.S. Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and ex-NFL player Joe Haden.

“Katelynn Heil, Blippi’s general manager, shared their enthusiasm for collaborating with celebrities, influencers, or organizations who offer unique perspectives. Using Amanda Seyfried as an illustration, she explained how Seyfried is not only a renowned A-list talent but also passionate about sustainability. She even launched a children’s brand centered around sustainability. This collaboration allows us to highlight the genuine curiosity of these celebrities and seamlessly integrate it into our content in a way that aligns with Blippi’s natural curiosity.”

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but share an exciting piece of news about my favorite character, Blippi. This year, Moonbug (under Candle Media) has been sealing some partnerships in celebration of his 10th anniversary. Among these collaborations, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing a team-up with Caterpillar, given Blippi’s affection for excavators and machinery. Additionally, there are agreements with Monster Jam and Formula 1, which will align perfectly with the upcoming “Go Go Blippi Show” that focuses on vehicles.

In that upcoming series debuting in November, Formula 1 will feature prominently in two installments aimed at attracting a younger demographic, while maintaining interest from parents who are fans of the racing circuit.

“Blippi is well-known for all things vehicles, and when we produce a show centered around vehicles, it’s guaranteed to be successful. This collaboration with them appears to be the start of a longer term association. We want to gauge how our audience responds to this venture, and then we can further develop our relationship based on their preferences.”

As a parent who has been through the toddler stage myself, I can attest to the fact that high-quality educational content for children is essential. The expansion of “Blippi” collaborations with well-known pre-school brands like “Sesame Street” and “The Wiggles,” as well as merchandising partnerships with brands like Reebok and Build-A-Bear, shows a commitment to providing engaging and fun learning experiences for young children. Additionally, deals with organizations such as NASA and Wimbledon add an element of excitement and real-world relevance that can help inspire a lifelong love of learning in our kids. I’m excited to see what other collaborations “Blippi” has in store for the future and how they will continue to shape the educational landscape for young children.

Originally developed by Stevin John (who portrayed the character) in 2014, “Blippi” gained popularity and was eventually acquired by Moonbug Entertainment in 2020, along with YouTube sensation Cocomelon. Following the acquisition, Moonbug expanded the reach of “Blippi” from four to 67 distribution platforms, tripled its monthly views on YouTube, and saw over 300 million annual music streams for “Blippi’s” tunes. As per Netflix’s public engagement report in 2023, the show garnered a massive 230 million watch hours globally on their platform.

“Richard Hickey, Moonbug’s chief creative officer, expressed, ‘It’s been quite a journey.’ The initial spark was ignited by children’s fascination with a tractor traversing a field. Transforming that simple idea into the thriving franchise we see today has been both enjoyable and rewarding. It continues to inspire us creatively. Curiosity, when applied to any context or medium, is a powerful tool. At its core, it’s something genuine and instinctive to children, who are naturally inquisitive. The blend of learning and curiosity has served us well as we’ve aimed to expand this franchise.”

As I previously shared, the much-anticipated “Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour” was recently made available on YouTube and Hulu last month. Additionally, an hour-long “Blippi” Halloween special is planned for October. This fall, the newest live show from Moonbug and Round Room, titled “Blippi: Join the Band Tour,” will kick off in the U.S. and Canada.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Moonbug is unveiling four episodes, each lasting 15 minutes. This weekend’s episode, “Blippi’s Biggest Ball Pit Challenge,” premieres this Saturday and features Blippi and his companion Meekah constructing a massive ball pit filled with half a million foam balls. For the project, real excavators were provided courtesy of Moonbug’s partnership with Caterpillar. Following this episode will be “Blippi and Meekah’s Under the Sea Foam Party” (August 27), “Blippi’s Colorful Dino Dance Party” (August 29), and “Blippi’s Candy Escape Challenge” (August 31).

“The appeal of this brand when it arrived was its dedicated, enthusiastic fanbase,” Heil noted. “Since it’s a digital brand, we can engage with fans instantly, meaning we quickly learn how new content is received, whether on YouTube or our social media platforms. I’m particularly proud that we’ve expanded and developed the franchise by leveraging feedback from our followers – be it in choosing locations, collaborating with celebrities or influencers, or creating products.”

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2024-08-22 20:17