The newly rebranded Universal Products and Experiences celebrates its successful entry into the pre-school space with DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse.
Devised by Blue’s Clues veterans Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey, the combined animation/live action show sees presenter Gabby unbox a new surprise each episode, then magically shrink to join her miniature feline friends – Pandy Paws, MerCat, Cakey Cat and more – on a fun adventure in the dollhouse.
The series has racked up impressive viewing figures since it debuted on Netflix and YouTube last year. Global monthly views on the show’s YouTube channel, Gabby & Friends, averaged more than 18m throughout 2021, while the series also featured in Netflix’s Global Hours Viewed Top 10 for the second half of that year. The free to air roll-out is now underway across EMEA with the series having just launched on Cartoonito in Italy in September. It will make its free to air debut on Tiny Pop in the UK on 17th October 2022 and on Clan in Spain later this year.
“We’re delighted with Gabby’s Dollhouse: it’s evidence of our ability to launch a new property into a sector that is completely new to us and produce something fresh and original that has really captured the imagination of younger kids – and appeals to their parents, too,” said Paul Bufton, vice president EMEA at Universal Products and Experience. “The show is a mix of all the things pre-schoolers adore – unboxing, miniature worlds, cute cats – and it’s full of joy, colour, good vibes and catchy songs, with plenty of positive messaging around solving problems, teamwork and friendship.”
The toy line from master toy licensee Spin Master, which includes play sets, plush and collectibles, has already proved a hit in the UK market, with retailer Smyths bringing forward its Gabby’s Dollhouse launch to June this year to meet overwhelming customer demand and Argos listing the Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse in its Top 15 Toys for Christmas list. Plans are currently in motion to expand Gabby’s Dollhouse into new international markets and new categories including fashion, home, publishing and more.
“Parents and pre-schoolers have really fallen in love with Gabby and her cat friends, and we’re so excited to watch the brand grow and thrive,” concluded Paul. “It’s a fantastic first step on our journey in the pre-school category, and there’s so much more to come.”
