Russell Hicks

Grom Social Enterprises To Spotlight Curiosity Ink Media’s Catalog of Original IP and Top Draw Animation’s Award-Winning Animation Production Services During Kidscreen 2024

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Magic, Autumn, BOCA, Russell Hicks, Catalog, Dinosaur, Animation, Ward, IP, Publishing, Entertainment

Together, Hicks and Ward will spotlight Grom’s slate of IP and suite of animation production services offered through both its original storytelling division, Curiosity Ink Media, and Top Draw Animation, its 25-year-old Manila-based provider of premium animation production.

Key Points: 
  • Together, Hicks and Ward will spotlight Grom’s slate of IP and suite of animation production services offered through both its original storytelling division, Curiosity Ink Media, and Top Draw Animation, its 25-year-old Manila-based provider of premium animation production.
  • Santa.com - slated for global distribution (Fall, 2025), this upbeat and heartwarming original animated feature film reminds us all about the magic of Christmas.
  • Animation Production - Grom’s 300+ animation pros at the company’s studio in Manila, the Phillippines, produces animation for several leading international program suppliers.
  • “Without question, Kidscreen is the perfect marketplace to bring Grom’s dynamic catalog of offerings to partners in every facet of kids’ entertainment,” explains Ward.

THE JIM HENSON COMPANY INTRODUCES THREE NEW PRESCHOOL SERIES AT MIPJunior AND MIPCOM 2023

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Word Party, The Jim Henson Company, CG, Russell Hicks, AWE, Emmy Awards, Television, Sid the Science Kid, Emotion, Fraggle Rock, Hedgehog, Beauty, Animal, Animation, Jim Henson's Creature Shop, MIPCOM, Monster Jam, Film industry, Nightclub, Nickelodeon

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Sept. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jim Henson Company will be introducing three innovative, whimsical new preschool series at the upcoming MIPJunior and MIPCOM markets. Two CG animated series, Dani Can Dance and Monster Jam, along with the live action puppet series Wowsabout, will make their market debut seeking key commissioning and co-producing partners.

Key Points: 
  • HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Sept. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jim Henson Company will be introducing three innovative, whimsical new preschool series at the upcoming MIPJunior and MIPCOM markets.
  • Two CG animated series, Dani Can Dance and Monster Jam, along with the live action puppet series Wowsabout, will make their market debut seeking key commissioning and co-producing partners.
  • "The Jim Henson Company is arriving at MIPCOM with a full fresh slate of high-quality, forward-thinking, live action and animated series that global audiences deserve and expect from us.
  • We are ready to identify the potential broadcasting partners for these new projects that are sure to remain Henson favorites for years to come," said Kerry Novick, Vice President of Global Distribution for The Jim Henson Company.

Grom’s Curiosity Ink Media Enters Production on New Global Preschool Entertainment Franchise, Hey Fuzzy Yellow!

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Dora the Explorer, Music, Partnership, Russell Hicks, Friends, Parent, BOCA, IP, Element, Thought, SpongeBob SquarePants, Ink, Animation, Social media, Exploration, Entertainment, Nickelodeon

The production kick-off was announced today by Jared Wolfson, Curiosity Ink Media’s Chief Executive Officer.

Key Points: 
  • The production kick-off was announced today by Jared Wolfson, Curiosity Ink Media’s Chief Executive Officer.
  • With a balanced combination of curriculum-driven content, comedic cast of characters, unconventional situational setups and fantastic music, Hey Fuzzy Yellow!
  • Jared Wolfson, Chief Executive Officer of Curiosity Ink Media, states, “All of us at Curiosity Ink Media saw the potential of Hey Fuzzy Yellow!
  • Curiosity Ink Media’s growing footprint in Kids’ Entertainment began when it opened its doors in 2017, prior to being acquired by Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. in 2021.

Grom’s Top Draw Animation Secures Assignment to Animate Bidaya Media’s Hit Series, Mansour

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Growth, Social media, Russell Hicks, Sesame Street, A.I, Adventure, BOCA, Animation, Iftah Ya Simsim, Arabic, Friends

The assignment was announced jointly today by TDA’s President, Russell Hicks, and Bidaya Media’s CEO, Nabil El Jisr.

Key Points: 
  • The assignment was announced jointly today by TDA’s President, Russell Hicks, and Bidaya Media’s CEO, Nabil El Jisr.
  • “With rich characters, compelling storylines and top-shelf animation, Bidaya Media has crafted the perfect hit series,” said Hicks.
  • “The dedicated animation experts and artists in our Manila studio are energized to bring season two of Mansour to its growing fan base as the series continues its upward climb.
  • We are thrilled to secure another major win for Top Draw which continues to be a key growth driver for Grom.”
    “We are proud to continue our collaboration with Top Draw on the second season of the Adventures of Mansour: Age of A.I.

Grom’s Curiosity Ink Media Secures Equity Stake in Emerging Global Franchise Entertainment Brand - Hey Fuzzy Yellow!

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Music, Social media, Russell Hicks, Caregiver, Parent, Curriculum, Dora the Explorer, Exploration, Thought, Ink, SpongeBob SquarePants, BOCA, IP, Grom, Curiosity, Animation, Entertainment, Toy, Nickelodeon

In securing the stake, Curiosity and Grom are partnering with international global production and distribution powerhouse, Toon2Tango GmbH & Co. KG, to co-produce the franchise’s centerpiece series.

Key Points: 
  • In securing the stake, Curiosity and Grom are partnering with international global production and distribution powerhouse, Toon2Tango GmbH & Co. KG, to co-produce the franchise’s centerpiece series.
  • has secured financing and programming commitments from several international broadcasters and is planned to enter production this year.
  • Curiosity Ink Media’s growing footprint in Kids Entertainment began when it opened its doors in 2017, prior to being acquired by Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. in 2021.
  • “We are thrilled to collaborate with internationally acclaimed Toon2Tango to bring this series to life for a global audience,” said Russell Hicks, Chief Content Officer of Curiosity Ink Media.

Grom’s Curiosity Ink Media and Cepia Entertainment Partner Bring Feline Festivities to Santa.com with Launch of Cat vs. Pickles Yuletide Advent Calendar

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 1, 2022
China vs. World Challenge, Russell Hicks, Secret society, Acquisition, Partnership, ASK, Snowball, Red, BOCA, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special), Parent, Yule, Calendar, Cat, Family, Dog, Entertainment, Amusement park

In the spirit of a classic Yuletide advent calendar, each day through Christmas morning, the story and characters will be brought to life with another new, sequential animated chapter, narrated by the author.

Key Points: 
  • In the spirit of a classic Yuletide advent calendar, each day through Christmas morning, the story and characters will be brought to life with another new, sequential animated chapter, narrated by the author.
  • The Gherkins Who Stole Christmas is a stocking-stuffer that Santa.com visitors can unwrap each day leading up to Christmas, said Marks.
  • We hope that this original holiday tale becomes a favorite tradition for both Cats vs. Pickles fans and those who are just discovering these lovable feline characters.
  • Santa.com joins Groms growing stable of family-friendly, holiday-themed IP following its 2021 acquisition of Curiosity Ink Media.

Santa.com Celebrates Cyber Monday with Exclusive Product Drop

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 28, 2022
Russell Hicks, Secret society, Cyber Monday, Acquisition, Glass, ASK, Red, Joy to the World, Gold, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special), Parent, Holiday, Family, Christmas, Amusement park

BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: GROM), Curiosity Ink Media – its original story telling subsidiary that weeks ago threw open the doors to digital holiday venue, Santa.com – is celebrating Cyber Monday today by offering the first 250 shoppers who purchase $150 or more in the site’s e-commerce marketplace will receive a limited-edition, handcrafted glass Santa Claus ornament valued at $59.99 USD. The exclusive offer was announced today by Darren Marks, Chairman and CEO of Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. Investor relations information on Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. is available at https://investors.gromsocial.com.

Key Points: 
  • The exclusive offer was announced today by Darren Marks, Chairman and CEO of Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. Investor relations information on Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. is available at https://investors.gromsocial.com .
  • The delicately hand-painted glass ornament depicts a jolly St. Nick holding a bow-topped gift.
  • The trim of his hat, coat and belt are dusted with fine, white glitter and the back of the ornament has a gold stamp identifying it as a Santa.com 2022 limited-edition product.
  • Lovely on the Christmas tree or showcased alone, the Santa.com ornament comes in a beautifully decorated gift box.

Santa.com Debuts the World's First AI-Powered Interactive Virtual Santa Visits for Kids of All Ages…Without Making a Trip to the Mall!

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Internet, Russell Hicks, Secret society, Acquisition, ASK, Friends, Red, BOCA, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Parent, Child, Love, Family, Entrepreneurship, Grom, Safety, Amusement park

Powered by industry-leading AI-powered conversational video technology from StoryFile, ASK SANTA, offers parents a safe, convenient alternative to mall visits and long lines.

Key Points: 
  • Powered by industry-leading AI-powered conversational video technology from StoryFile, ASK SANTA, offers parents a safe, convenient alternative to mall visits and long lines.
  • For a special message from Santa, click here: Ask Santa Preview
    ASK SANTA, designed for kids of all ages, is available by accessing the virtual North Pole section of Santa.com , a winter wonderland brimming with Yuletide-themed games and activities.
  • ASK SANTA is the perfect complement to the Santa.com , experience and one we hope kids everywhere will embrace and treasure, explains Marks.
  • Then, to ask Santa a question, kids simply press and hold the microphone icon and talk slowly and clearly.

Curiosity Ink Media Goes Ape for Animated Family Comedy Feature Heston of the Apes from Acclaimed Creator Dustin Ellis

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Ape, Science, Grom, Life, Love, Education, Muslims, GLOBE, British, Russell Hicks, Friends, Company, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Christianity in the United States, Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Kid, BOCA, NASDAQ, Warner Bros., Government, Parent, News, Social media, Security (finance), Entertainment, Mars

Ellis and Curiosity Ink Media will oversee the writing, story development and overall direction for the film, which was penned by Ellis.

Key Points: 
  • Ellis and Curiosity Ink Media will oversee the writing, story development and overall direction for the film, which was penned by Ellis.
  • The project was announced today by Russell Hicks, Chief Content Officer of Curiosity Ink Media.
  • Dustin Ellis has a knack for hilarious and offbeat storytelling and Heston of the Apes is a prime example of his brilliance, explains Hicks.
  • As Curiosity Ink Media strives to deliver one-of-a-kind characters, situations and stories, weve gone completely ape over Dustin Ellis!

Grom Social’s Top Draw Animation Studio Continues New Business Streak With $528K in New Assignments

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 27, 2022
Hicks, Grom, Education, GLOBE, Russell Hicks, Friends, Company, Industry, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, TDA, Animation, BOCA, NASDAQ, Government, Parent, News, Social media, Security (finance)

The company does not publicly disclose clients or specific projects for competitive reasons and client privilege.

Key Points: 
  • The company does not publicly disclose clients or specific projects for competitive reasons and client privilege.
  • Top Draw is honored to be entrusted with bringing yet another clients beloved franchise to life, said Hicks.
  • The Company owns and operates Top Draw Animation, which produces award-winning animation content for some of the largest international media companies in the world.
  • Grom also includes Grom Educational Services, which has provided web filtering services for K-12 schools, government and private businesses.