Collectible toy maker Yowie launches video series for Earth Day
Confectionary and collectable maker Yowie Group has announced a series of animated short films as part of Earth Day this Sunday.
The seven videos, created in partnership with Icon Animation, are intended to educate kids about the natural world and vulnerable animal species.
Conceived originally as a book series by former McCann Erickson art director Geoff Pike, who co-created Mortein’s Louie The Fly with Bryce Courteney in 1957, the Yowie confectionary brand was originally launched by Cadbury’s in the late 1990s.
After a dispute with Pike and Courteney in 2005, Cadbury dropped the product before the chocolate encased collectible toys were resurrected by Perth based and ASX listed Yowie Group in 2012.
The video series will introduce six new Yowie characters – Rumble, Ditty, Nap, Crag, Squish and Boof – with each video featuring a message about habitats, the animals that live there and the importance of preservation.
Icon Animation’s Bruce Davey, who also serves as Yowie’s creative director, directed the team of writers, animators, voice actors and musicians to create the seven films. ZAC Creative managed the animation for all of the films.
“Yowie is a timely project that we are pleased to be part of and we look forward to seeing these wonderful characters come to life and represent a truly endearing family property,” said Davey in a media statement.
Cove Overley, Yowie’s global chief marketing officer, added: “These delightful animated short films mark an important milestone in the development of the Yowie storyline and will serve to build greater awareness of these characters and their mission –which is Yowie’s mission – to inspire children to be better citizens of the natural world,” .
US based Earth Day, which is not connected with the Earth Hour charity, aims to reduce plastic pollution. This year’s Earth Day is April 22.
