New Entertainment Franchise Co. Victura Media Launches at MIPCOM

Victura Media, a new entertainment franchise company based in the U.K. and Canada, is launching at MIPCOM 2024 with a slate of  IP that includes writer, director & presenter Dawn O’Porter’s young adult novel Paper Aeroplanes, which it is developing for television, alongside distribution titles PSI Cops, Super Dinosaur and Skybound Presents: Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation from Skybound Entertainment, the creator-led multi-platform entertainment company from mega franchises like Invincible and The Walking Dead.

Founded by experienced entertainment executive Thom Chapman, with company Director and Executive Producer Gráinne McNamara, Victura Media offers a platform agnostic approach to discovering, building and managing global IP aimed at kids 8+, youth and adults. The venture brings to the market a deep understanding of financing, production, licensing and distribution models to offer a holistic and future-focused approach to growing global franchises.

With over 20 years in the franchise business working on brands such as Peanuts, Bakugan, Hatchimals and PAW Patrol, Victura Media’s principals offer the full complement of skills to execute a successful, global 360-degree IP strategy and engage fan communities around the world. The company’s forward-facing approach harnesses its appreciation of the evolving media landscape from content and retail to Web3 and gaming as well as the opportunities of the growing creator-led economy.

Optioned from Dawn O’Porter’s longtime literary agent Adrian Sington, for television adaptation by Victura Media, in collaboration with consultant Gráinne McNamara, O’Porter’s young adult novel Paper Aeroplanes, is a gritty, poignant, often laugh-out-loud funny and powerful snapshot of small-town adolescence.

“I’m thrilled to continue my collaboration with Grainne as she launches her new Film and TV venture, and very much look forward to taking Renee and Flo from the printed page onto our TV screens and beyond,” said O’Porter. “Paper Aeroplanes has a special place in my heart not just because it was my first novel but also because it is set on Guernsey where I spent much of my childhood. I think these characters will speak to women for generations to come. The trials and tribulations of their lives are timeless and the story celebrates the heart-stopping power of female friendship.”

Victura Media is also handling the global distribution for Skybound Entertainment’s PSI Cops and Super Dinosaur, as well as the library of Skybound Presents: Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation, relaunching in 2025. Spike & Mike’s curated festivals, including the renowned Spike &; Mike’s Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation, have showcased cutting-edge, daring and often hilarious animated shorts. These guerilla style festivals became the theatrical launchpad for many of the animation industry’s most acclaimed figures, including the likes of Pete Doctor (Monsters, Inc.; Up), Mike Judge (Beavis and Butt-head) and Nick Park (Wallace & Gromit).

Victura Media is also a consultant to Enterprise Ireland helping lrish studios with IP management with a focus on global licensing and merchandising.

“There is an evolution happening in entertainment with how audiences are curating their entertainment experience as well as the growth of creator-led content and importance of fandom and community,” noted Chapman. “We founded Victura Media to help to connect the dots across IP management and growing global franchises from all areas of the business. We’re excited to be developing Dawn O’Porter’s standout teen novel as well as be part of Skybound’s plans for the unconventional Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation. These distinctive IPs highlight the character of our curated approach to brand development.”