Encantos, the global creator platform bringing purpose-driven entertainment to kids, today announced global megastar Eugenio Derbez and his 3Pas Studios partner Ben Odell will join forces with Encantos’ Susie Jaramillo and Steven Wolfe Pereira (Canticos, Skeletina and the In-Between World, Tiny Travelers) to develop new children’s entertainment IP that aims to ignite critical thinking and creative problem solving skills in ways that kids will find entertaining, culturally-authentic and relatable.
Encantos is expanding its award-winning portfolio of Encantos Originals for kids and families with a new property that will incorporate Derbez’s unique blend of wit, wisdom and heart. The new IP features a confident, street-smart, brilliant boy who unwittingly gets into trouble and uses his humor, wit and ingenuity to get himself out of sticky situations. Featuring an ensemble cast of odd-ball multi-generational characters, Encantos and 3Pas will bring the property to life in engaging ways across digital and physical products including an animated series, consumer products, publishing and interactive experiences in the Encantos app.
An award-winning actor, writer, director, producer and philanthropist, Derbez is one of the most influential creative forces in the entertainment world. Named by Variety as the #1 most influential Hispanic male in the world, the beloved Mexico-born star has amassed a global fan base through his TV shows and films including such hits as Acapulco, Coda, Instructions Not Included, Overboard and Under the Same Moon.
Derbez co-founded the film and TV production company 3Pas Studios with Odell, who has produced or executive produced over 30 feature films as well as scripted and unscripted TV shows in both English and Spanish. Together they have made some of the most successful Latinx movies and television shows since they founded their company seven years ago.
“Making a child laugh is the best feeling in the world,” said Derbez. “Now just imagine if they can also learn while they are being entertained! We want it to be universal but through a specific Latino lens. I have a seven-year-old daughter and I just never feel like there is enough content that speaks to her and reflects who she is. We want 3pas to be part of the solution and Encantos is the perfect partner to help us achieve this.”
“Eugenio has a special gift for connecting with children and it shines through his work,” said Encantos Chief Story Officer and President of Encantos Studios Susie Jaramillo. “He is a natural Storyteacher who understands the power of humor to help kids learn. We can’t wait to channel his bigheartedness and comedic genius into a property that entertains and engages kids while teaching them valuable new fundamental skills like critical thinking, problem solving and perseverance.”
Named to Fast Company’s Annual List of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2021, Encantos is on a mission to create entertainment that enlightens. Encantos’ first property Canticos is the #1 bilingual preschool brand and Emmy-nominated series that has inspired millions of children to fall in love with Nicky, Kiki and Ricky Chickie and their animated friends. With hundreds of millions of views across Nick Jr. and YouTube, Canticos has enchanted children at home and in the classroom as preschool teachers have incorporated their stories, music and books into their early learning curriculum.
In addition to developing Encantos Originals, Encantos also nurtures and empowers creators from around the world to help kids learn via its Storyteaching creator platform. Leveraging unique insights and analytics, Encantos is able to identify and develop IP with global potential and help purpose-driven storytellers build their brands and audience. Creators also benefit from Encantos’ vast global network, helping to grow their IP beyond digital experiences into publishing, licensing, merchandising and brand partnerships.
“While over 50% of kids in the United States are multicultural, children’s entertainment and education does not reflect today’s diverse world,” said Encantos CEO Steven Wolfe Pereira. “Families expect and deserve greater representation in what their kids are seeing and learning. Encantos is bringing culturally authentic voices together on a platform that provides the broader range of perspectives that has been missing.”
“One of our priorities at 3Pas is bringing more diverse-focused content to the kids and family space, and we love Steven and Susie’s vision for Encantos. We want to swing big and build out a lasting property that can teach kids using all of the multimedia platforms available to them. And as always, we want to do it with humor and heart and we love to work with and support talented Latinx partners to get there,” said Odell.
Derbez joins a roster of creators from around the world on the Encantos Storyteaching platform committed to helping kids learn 21st century skills. Derbez and Odell will serve as executive producers on the property on behalf of 3Pas Studios, along with Jaramillo and Pereira on behalf of Encantos.
3Pas Studios is represented by UTA & attorney Howard Abramson. Encantos is represented by attorney Lisa E. Davis at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC.
