Ex-Moonbug Execs Launch Kids & Teen Content Outfit

Max Goldbart

6 September 2024 at 8:01 am·1-min read

Ex-Moonbug execs Jiella Esmat and Karine Ahton have launched 8 Lions Entertainment, which will make content for kids and teens.

8 Lions said it will “harness the power of data driven insights to develop, create, and grow properties that resonate with kids and teens worldwide.” It is seeking to create fast-growing IP while forging synergies between east and west. Prior to its official launch, 8 Lions represented YouTube channel Cosmic Kids in negotiations for its first ever TV series, Jaime’s Yoga Adventures, a newly-announced Sky Original.

More from Deadline

Esmat was most recently Chief Revenue Officer of Amuse Animation & Amuse Studios, and previously held senior roles at Moonbug, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures and NBCU. Co-founder Ahton, was former General Counsel of Moonbug and Envision Racing, and previously worked at Sanrio and ITV.

8 Lions’ launch team includes Lovely Chavez as VP Digital Strategy & Commercial Partnerships, former Director of Channels International at Moonbug and Channel Manager at Wildbrain. Helen Wong is Senior Commercial Manager, previously Market Development Manager for APAC and Senior Channel Manager at Moonbug, and Fletcher Williams is Corporate & Strategy Executive, former Head of Acquisitions and Strategy at Voldex Entertainment, and ex Moonbug and NBCU. Jerome Mazandarani, ex-Managing Director of Manga Entertainment and Crunchyroll UK, is advising on Anime and adult animation related projects.

“We are sourcing and creating diverse, engaging entertainment that reflects the genuine interests of kids and teens,” said Esmat. “Young people’s consumption habits have changed irreversibly and continue to evolve. We’re ensuring content is available to them in ways that recognise and cater to their expectations.”

Best of Deadline

Parade
Elizabeth Hurley Fans Begging for ‘Mercy’ as She Poses in White Robe That’s ‘Too Small’
Fans gushed over the English actress’ ‘naturally ageless’ looks.
Yahoo Lifestyle
MKR judges 'threaten to quit' as new stars tipped to join 2025 season
EXCLUSIVE: Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge aren’t too happy with Channel Seven's plan for next year's season. Read more.
BuzzFeed
17 Subtle Differences Between "Old Money" And "New Money" That Are Actually Very, Very Intriguing
"I’m a cleaner; old money gives a Christmas tip and buys me a gift. New money does neither. It’s a strange pattern I’ve noticed in my over six years cleaning people's houses, and I can’t explain why this happens."
Hello!
Dirty Dancing actress Jennifer Grey, 64, looks stunning in $1.5k silk dress
Nobody puts Jennifer Grey in the corner – and the Dirty Dancing actress made sure to stand out as she appeared on Good Morning America on November, 1 2024. See her look here...
BuzzFeed
Martha Stewart Said Ryan Reynolds Isn't Funny In Real Life, And Ryan Had A Pretty Good Response
"He can act funny, but he isn't funny."
Yahoo Lifestyle
The Voice 2025 coaches line-up leaks after Guy Sebastian quits the show
EXCLUSIVE: Guy Sebastian isn’t the only coach who has decided not to return for next year’s season of the reality show. Read more.
Cosmo
Rita Ora is totally unrecognisable in her latest topless photo
Rita Ora shares a topless Instagram Story showcasing a dramatic, gothic hair transformation just in time for spooky season.
BuzzFeed
I'm Actually 100% Convinced That It's Actually Physically, Mentally, And Emotionally Impossible Not To Laugh At Any Of These Bumper Stickers
Okay, these are good.
Cosmo
EmRata recreated JLo's iconic Versace plunging jungle dress moment
Emily Ratajkowski dressed up as Jennifer Lopez for Halloween 2024, recreating JLo's iconic plunging Versace jungle dress moment from the 2000 Grammy Awards.
Cover Media
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: John Legend's manager recalls 'terrifying' night at a Sean 'Diddy' Combs' party
Ty Stiklorius, who is the CEO of the management company Friends at Work, attended one of the rapper's parties 27 years ago in St. Barts. She told how she was "directed into a bedroom by a man" who she couldn't identify writing in an op-ed piece for The New York Times that she was "not sure of who (the individual) was or if he had any connection to" the rapper. "To this day, I can't remember how I managed to talk my way out of that terrifying situation...”
The Independent
Royal news live: King Charles and William ‘making millions from NHS and public services via property empire’
Comes as monarch cut financial ties to disgraced Prince Andrew after he refused to move out of his home
BuzzFeed
27 Tweets By Women That Are So Hilarious They Might Help You Survive Election Week
"yeah I may be single but at least I don’t have to say 'my vote is cancelling out my boyfriends vote'"—@stillonzoloft
Deadline
Michael Caine Shares The One Thing Tom Cruise Asked Him When They First Met 40 Years Ago
Michael Caine has shared that a young Tom Cruise asked him for career advice when the pair first met 40 years ago. Double Oscar winner Caine, now 91, has penned his memoir called “Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over” and in an interview with The Sunday Times newspaper he revealed that he met the future …
Deadline
King Charles, Prince William’s Tax-Free Multi-Million Pound Fortunes Uncovered – UK media report
King Charles and his son Prince William are increasing their huge fortunes with rents from British institutions including schools, fire stations and even hospitals, UK media has reported. The Sunday Times newspaper and broadcaster Channel 4 joined forces in a five-month-long investigation which uncovered more than 5,000 land registry documents connected with the two men’s …
Digital Spy
Home and Away favourite to be confronted over 'double life' secret
Justin Morgan will be confronted by Theo Poulos on Home and Away next week after his “double life” is exposed.
BANG Showbiz
Teddi Mellencamp seeks a divorce from Edwin Arroyave
'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star Teddi Mellencamp has announced her split from Edwin Arroyave.
Parade
Wife of NFL Player Shares Unfiltered Opinion of Taylor Swift Supporting Travis Kelce at Chiefs Games
The NFL WAG admitted she ‘had some jealousy issues.’
WWD
Laura Dern Favors Dark Glamour in Detailed Lace Dress With Plunging Neckline for LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024 Red Carpet
The actress embraced the sheer trend that has been dominating red carpets this year.
The Daily Beast
Jason Kelce Smashes Man’s Phone After Heckler Used a Slur to Taunt Travis for Dating Taylor Swift
Former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce was caught on camera smashing a man’s phone after a heckler used a slur to mock his brother for dating Taylor Swift. Kelce appeared to be carrying a case of beer as he was followed across the Penn State campus—where he was making an appearance on ESPN’s College Gameday—by a jeering crowd. While some people were just asking for a fist bump, one voice on the video, which was posted to X, can be heard using a homophobic slur to taunt Kelce.
BuzzFeed
There's A New Netflix Movie Set In 2003 And Millennials Have A Lot Of Thoughts About It
I, for one, can't get over the attempt to text on a CD player.

Latest stories