Schwartz, Dekel to aid UYoung with int’l launch

Kids TV veterans Sander Schwartz and Elie Dekel are to help Chinese media group UYoung Entertainment launch a US base.

King Duckling coproducer UYoung is launching LA-based UYoung Entertainment International, which will debut at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas this summer.

Former FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment chief Schwartz (left) and ex-Saban Brands boss Dekel (below right) will support the plan as senior advisors. They will advsie on international expansion and growth strategies.

Schwartz, who is now president of kids social network Grom Social after leaving FremantleMedia in 2013, will also seek out coproduction and distribution opportunities.

Dekel will do the same for branding and consumer products licensing strategies after exiting his president post at Saban in July last year.

“We are thrilled to have both Sander and Elie on board to guide UYoung in its international endeavours,” said UYoung president Lisa Zhong. “UYoung has its roots in China, but is committed to working with the best talent from around the world to create first class animation content that appeals to global audiences.”

Uyoung’s international arm will launch King Duckling at the Licensing Expo as what Zhong called “the first of many animated series” from the 16-year-old Chinese content group.

“These are very exciting times for UYoung and I am delighted to be coming on board to support UEI’s expansion into the international markets,” said Schwartz.

“The company has an extremely talented team working across high quality animated brands and content in China and the US. I am  looking forward to seeking out best-in-class international partners to work with us on new projects with global appeal.”

Dekel said UYoung was “a powerful force in producing, distributing and licensing kids’ brands and content in China”, and that he aimed to developing “dynamic branding and licensing strategies for the company”.