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🎠 Soyuzmultfilm Shifts Licensing Strategy
Animation studio Soyuzmultfilm plans to phase out third-party licensing of its classic library characters for commercial ventures involving book publishing, theme parks, and public space design. The strategic shift was announced by Yuliana Slashcheva, Chairman of the studio's Board of Directors.
Rather than licensing IP rights to external partners, Soyuzmultfilm intends to bring key operational verticals in-house. The studio’s long-term roadmap includes developing its own publishing division—both directly and through targeted co-ventures—alongside building and operating branded entertainment parks.
While commercial consumer product licensing will remain a core revenue driver, the studio is adopting a highly selective strategy for its legacy catalogue (“Gold Collection”). Slashcheva noted that Soyuzmultfilm firmly refuses to license classic character designs from the iconic Prostokvashino franchise to third parties. Conversely, characters from the classic Puck! Puck! (Shaybu! Shaybu!) short have been successfully licensed for apparel lines and cross-promotional integrations within external franchises, such as the Major Grom universe. Meanwhile, legacy IPs like Winnie-the-Pooh and Umka will continue to target the infant and preschool categories, where the studio maintains a broad portfolio of licensing partnerships.
Source: Kinopoisk
