Silvergate’s hit animated preschool series Octonauts is exploring opportunities with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) to jointly raise awareness of ocean exploration and science and advance NOAA’s ocean mission. The announcement was made today by Mary Durkan, CEO Silvergate Media and John McDonough, Acting Director of NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.
The popular characters of the Octonauts show live in an undersea base, the Octopod, where they embark upon fast-paced, action-adventures with the help of a fleet of aquatic vehicles. Led by a valiant polar bear, Captain Barnacles, and a daredevil kitten, Kwazii, these eight talented critters are always prepared to undertake exciting new missions to rescue and protect real-life undersea creatures.
The association with NOAA and its team of marine biologists, geologists, engineers and other experts at OER, described in a Letter of Intent signed by NOAA and Silvergate, will ensure that the series is grounded in scientific discovery and true-to-life exploration of the natural world. For NOAA, the possibility of teaming with Octonauts will enable the organization to expand its demographic base and help develop the next generation of champions and protectors of our oceans.
Together, the team intends to explore participating at events at aquaria and other venues, collaborate on new products, such as games, toys and apps, share communications via social media and other platforms and develop educational materials and educational outreach programs.
“Our number one objective for Octonauts has always been to develop a property that is fun and entertaining but also remains true and accurate to the science that is the essence of the brand,” said Durkan. “In addition, we want Octonauts to help motivate young children – and their parents – to explore the ocean, be inspired by it and ask questions. This association is a huge step in continuing to move those objectives forward.”
Octonauts airs daily on Disney Junior and Disney Channel. Consumer products rolled out earlier this year with a successful toy launch from Fisher-Price. Publishing, DVDs and other key categories will launch later this year and throughout 2014. Octonauts is based on the books of the same name by Vicki Wong and Michael C. Murphy of Meomi Design. The animation is produced by Ireland’s Brown Bag Films in Dublin.
 Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) to jointly raise awareness of ocean exploration and science and advance NOAA's ocean mission.){kind=link}