The Jim Henson Company Options Rights To Author Randi Zuckerberg's Debut Picture Book, Dot.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jim Henson Company, a leader in family entertainment for over fifty years, has optioned the rights to author Randi Zuckerberg's debut picture book, Dot.  The book was recently published by Harper Collins, and is illustrated by Joe Berger.  The announcement was made today by Halle Stanford, EVP, Children's Entertainment, The Jim Henson Company and Randi Zuckerberg, CEO and Founder of Zuckerberg Media.

The company plans to develop the property into a 52 x 11' animated television series targeting the bridge market of children ages 5 to 9-years-old.  Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company, Stanford and Zuckerberg will serve as Executive Producers on the project. Stanford will meet with potential partners at the upcoming Kidscreen Summit in New York City.

In this new picture book, Dot is a spunky little girl well versed in electronic devices. Dot knows a lot. She knows how to tap . . . to swipe . . . to share . . . and she pays little attention to anything else, until one day Dot sets off on an interactive adventure with the world surrounding her. Dot's tech-savvy expertise, mingled with her resourceful imagination, proves Dot really does know lots and lots.

Commented Stanford, "Dot attracted us on many levels.  First off, we love the character Dot!  She has blue-curly hair, is funny, creative, chatty, and extroverted – a super role model for kids around the world.  We are excited to work with Randi Zuckerberg and have the opportunity through Dot to teach kids how to be digital citizens; to encourage technology to be a part of their lives in a creatively fulfilling and positive way.  Dot is a modern kid and we intend to produce a fun and forward thinking series that encourages the combination of a child's traditional play and digital experiences."

"When writing the book, it was important to me that the lead character be a tech-savvy girl, as I believe passionately in encouraging and inspiring young girls to develop an early love and appreciation for technology, math and sciences," said Zuckerberg. "A big step towards making this a reality is developing exciting, pop culture shows that entertain and educate early on. But have no fear, Dot will be surrounded by a diverse group of friends that will give the show and cast of characters a broad appeal. I have no doubt that The Jim Henson Company is the perfect, creative team to bring my beloved Dot and friends to life."

Randi Zuckerberg is also editor-in-chief of Dot Complicated, a modern lifestyle community and blog. She was an early employee of Facebook where she pioneered live streaming initiatives and struck groundbreaking deals with ABC and CNN. She has been nominated for an Emmy and is ranked among the "50 Digital Power Players" by the Hollywood Reporter.

Joe Berger is a children's author, illustrator, and cartoonist.  In 2011, he was a winner of Booktrust's "Best New Illustrators" Award.

About The Jim Henson Company:
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy® nominated "Sid the Science Kid," "Dinosaur Train," "Wilson & Ditch: Digging America," "Pajanimals" and "Doozers." Features include "The Dark Crystal," "Labyrinth," "MirrorMask," "Unstable Fables" and the upcoming "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" and television productions include "Fraggle Rock" and the sci-fi cult series "Farscape."

With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment.

The Company's Henson Alternative brand is currently touring "Puppet-Up! - Uncensored," a live puppet improvisational show. 

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About Zuckerberg Media
Zuckerberg Media is a new kind of media company, combining the interactive and social media expertise of Silicon Valley, with the high quality content and moving-image storytelling of Hollywood. The company was founded in 2011 by Randi Zuckerberg, who previously led consumer marketing at Facebook. Zuckerberg Media operates a state of the art production studio in the heart of Silicon Valley and produces original content (for TV and web) and branded entertainment (for companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500s.) Zuckerberg Media has helped several major brands engage their audiences through social content creation including Cirque du Soleil, the United Nations and Conde Nast. 

http://www.zuckerbergmedia.com
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www.twitter.com/zuckmedia

SOURCE The Jim Henson Company