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OuiDo! Productions (company)

OuiDo! Productions is a Paris-based specializing in the development and production of animated television series for children and youth audiences. The company was founded in 2003 as Timoon Animation by Philippe Mounier and Brigitte Gauthier-Darcet. In 2007, Boris Hertzog and Sandrine Nguyen co-founded OuiDO! , whose founders joined Timoon Animation in 2008 following integration into Lagardère Entertainment's animation division. In 2012, the entity rebranded from Timoon Animation to Genao Productions to reflect its broadening scope in and related programming for young audiences. By 2013, Hertzog and Nguyen had taken over the business activities, re-establishing the company as OuiDo! Productions with a focus on series . In February 2015, acquired OuiDo! Productions, renaming it Technicolor Animation Productions and integrating it into its global animation services; under this banner, the studio produced notable series such as (five seasons for and ), (two seasons for , Canal J, , and ), and Les Légendaires (for and Canal J). The company also developed preschool content like Mini-Loup (season 2 for ) and upcoming projects including . In April 2025, Hertzog and Nguyen led a , returning the company to the OuiDo! Productions name and acquiring Mikros Animation's episodic division—known for works like Magicampers (Disney Jr.) and contributions to (Paramount+)—along with Technicolor Animation Productions' intellectual property portfolio, rehiring approximately 50 staff to bolster creative and production capabilities. This expansion positions OuiDo! Productions as an independent entity emphasizing innovation in family-oriented animation, supported by partners Moon-Keys International Content and Lift Value.

Company Overview

Founding and Early Operations

OuiDo! Productions' production lineage traces its origins to May 28, 2003, when its predecessor was established as Timoon Animation in Paris, France, by Philippe Mounier, founder of the animation production company PMMP, and Brigitte Gauthier-Darcet, vice-president of Lagardère Images. The new venture was majority-owned by Lagardère Images with a 66% stake, while Mounier held 34%, allowing the company to leverage his 15 years of experience in cartoon production and integrate the PMMP team into its initial operations. Headquartered in Paris, Timoon Animation set up its first office by incorporating existing PMMP resources and personnel, with Mounier serving as president and Rolf Ernst, a former executive at RTV Family Entertainment, joining as creative and business consultant to support early project development. From inception, Timoon Animation focused on developing original animated series targeted at French broadcasters, particularly , emphasizing animation for children's programming to capitalize on the growing demand for family-oriented content in . The company's debut production, La Famille Ouf (known internationally as The Odd Family), launched in as a 26-episode series of 26-minute sitcoms, where twin protagonists spoof movie heroes in everyday scenarios; it was co-produced with and primarily funded through broadcaster commissions from , alongside contributions from Lagardère Images. Aimed at young audiences, the series highlighted Timoon's strategy of creating accessible, humorous content to build a foothold in the competitive children's television market. In the early 2000s European animation sector, Timoon Animation navigated operational challenges typical of the fragmented industry, including the difficulty of securing international co-production deals to pool financing and distribution resources amid limited domestic budgets and competition from U.S. imports. These hurdles underscored the need for strategic partnerships, as evidenced by the co-production model employed for La Famille Ouf, which helped mitigate funding risks in an era when European producers increasingly relied on cross-border collaborations to sustain growth. In 2012, reflecting its evolving scope, Timoon Animation rebranded as Genao Productions.

Leadership and Key Personnel

The production company's original iteration was founded in 2003 as Timoon Animation by Philippe Mounier and Brigitte Gauthier-Darcet. Mounier, the founder of the production company PMMP and initial CEO of Timoon, brought over 15 years of experience in cartoon production, leading the integration of PMMP's team and projects into the new venture focused on development. Gauthier-Darcet, serving as vice-president of Lagardère Images at the time, co-founded the company with an emphasis on business development, securing a 66% stake for Lagardère Images while Mounier held 34%. The company's current leadership is headed by Sandrine as CEO and , a role she has held since the 2013 of Genao Productions, where she provided creative oversight in series development. With over 25 years in the industry, co-founded OuiDO! Entertainment in 2007 with Boris Hertzog, which was acquired by Lagardère Entertainment in 2008 and integrated into Genao Productions; she then developed and produced seven during her tenure at Genao from 2008 to 2013, and has since initiated more than 15 projects, including Alvinnnn!!! and the Chipmunks, , Monchhichi Tribe, and The Legendaries, establishing robust pipelines for international co-productions broadcast across multiple territories. Boris Hertzog serves as CEO and President, focusing on strategic expansions and intellectual property management since co-founding OuiDo! Productions in 2013 with Sandrine Nguyen following their management buyout of Genao Productions' assets—building on their earlier co-founding of OuiDO! Entertainment in 2007, which was sold to Lagardère in 2008. A graduate of Sciences Po Paris with expertise in economics, finance, and business law, Hertzog has overseen key milestones, including the 2015 acquisition of OuiDo! by Technicolor, which expanded its global animation capabilities, and the April 2025 management buyout acquiring Mikros Animation's episodic division—known for works like Magicampers (Disney Jr.) and contributions to Star Trek: Prodigy (Paramount+)—along with Technicolor Animation Productions' intellectual property portfolio, rehiring approximately 50 staff to bolster creative and production capabilities. His prior roles involved managing financial, legal, and administrative aspects of co-productions at Genao and Attitude Studio, contributing to the company's growth in high-profile series adaptations like Mini Loup and Les Légendaires.

History

Establishment and Initial Growth (2003–2012)

Timoon Animation was founded on May 28, 2003, as a through a between Lagardère Images, which held a 66% stake, and Philippe Mounier, founder of the animation firm PMMP, with a 34% share. The venture integrated the entire PMMP team and focused on developing original for children, leveraging Mounier's 15 years of experience in cartoon production. Its debut project was the La Famille Ouf (26 episodes of 26 minutes each), co-produced with the studio SAMG Animation and destined for broadcast on the network , marking an early entry into international co-productions. In , Boris Hertzog and Sandrine Nguyen-Tiet, founders of OuiDO! Entertainment (established 2007), joined Timoon Animation, integrating their projects via co-production agreements. During its initial years, Timoon Animation navigated the challenges of the post-2008 global economic crisis, which reduced output across European animation studios due to tightened financing and market contraction. Despite these headwinds, the company expanded its portfolio with pilot developments and secured deals with major French broadcasters, including and Canal J. Key early projects included Les Copains de la Forêt (52 episodes of 13 minutes) and Linus & Boom (52 episodes of 13 minutes, premiered on in April 2009), alongside ongoing developments like Bugged (52 episodes of 7 minutes) and (52 episodes of 3 minutes). In 2009, Timoon entered a significant co-production and partnership agreement with to create series with international appeal, further diversifying its collaborative efforts beyond . By 2012, Timoon had grown into a more robust operation, having produced seven totaling 63 hours of content since 2008 under new management including Christophe Thoral as CEO, Boris Hertzog, and Sandrine Nguyen. This expansion from a small founding team to handling multiple high-profile projects underscored its adaptation to industry demands. On March 5, 2012, the company rebranded to Genao Productions to better reflect its evolving scope beyond animation into and unscripted programming for young audiences and families, aiming to capitalize on prior successes for broader international co-productions. The rebrand immediately facilitated strengthened ties within the Lagardère Entertainment group and positioned Genao for new youth-oriented content ventures.

Ownership Transitions and Rebrandings (2013–2022)

On October 7, 2013, Lagardère Entertainment sold its animation production subsidiary Genao Productions to the company's managing directors, Sandrine Nguyen and Boris Hertzog, who rebranded it as OuiDo! Productions to focus on developing and producing animated series. This management buyout allowed Nguyen and Hertzog to maintain operational continuity while shifting emphasis toward international co-productions and licensed adaptations. On February 25, 2015, SA acquired OuiDo! Productions, subsequently renaming it Productions and integrating it into the company's broader creative services division. The acquisition expanded 's European footprint, providing the studio with access to the parent company's global (VFX) infrastructure and expertise across locations in , , and beyond. and Hertzog continued in leadership roles, overseeing the transition. In 2021, integrated its animation production arms, including , with to consolidate operations under a unified . This integration, building on earlier synergies announced in 2021, combined Mikros's strengths in VFX and with pipelines, enabling streamlined workflows for episodic series and feature content through shared talent, technology, and global studios in , , , , and . In 2022, amid 's spin-off of its creative studios into the independent entity , the integrated operations continued under . The ownership changes marked a shift from independent operations to corporate-backed production, enhancing resource access and supporting larger-scale licensed adaptations with increased budgets for high-profile projects. Leadership under and Hertzog provided continuity throughout these transitions.

Relaunch and Expansions (2023–present)

Following the financial collapse of Technicolor Group, OuiDo! Productions entered a period of dormancy under starting in 2022, when its operations were integrated into the larger studio amid broader corporate restructurings. The brand persisted briefly for ongoing projects like until its series finale in March 2023, but production activities largely ceased as Mikros focused on and select pipelines. In March 2025, co-founders Boris Hertzog and Sandrine Nguyen-Tiet relaunched the company as an independent entity, OuiDo! Productions, marking a of the original studio established in 2003. This relaunch, dubbed "OuiDO ," aimed to restore creative autonomy after years of corporate absorption. Key to this were strategic acquisitions approved by French courts amid Technicolor's bankruptcy proceedings: on March 28, 2025, OuiDo! acquired the domestic operations of Technicolor Animation Productions, including its episodic production assets and intellectual property portfolios such as , , and The Coop Troop. This was followed on April 1, 2025, by the purchase of Mikros Animation's episodic division, transferring additional IP like Magicampers and development pipelines, along with the integration of approximately 50 former staff members in creative, production, and management roles to safeguard jobs and rebuild capacity. To bolster its global reach, OuiDo! announced plans in 2025 for a with Moon Keys International Content, the distribution company founded by Hertzog in 2023, emphasizing expansion into international sales of animated content. This integration, supported by investors like Lift Value and CYD Partners, positions the combined entity to handle worldwide licensing and co-production deals. As of November 2025, OuiDo!'s strategic priorities center on developing original intellectual properties tailored for streaming platforms, leveraging its revived headquarters for expanded creative teams and facilities. The company aims to prioritize high-impact series and features for digital distribution, drawing on its acquired assets to fuel innovation while maintaining a lean, independent structure.

Productions

Animated Television Series

OuiDo! Productions has been a key player in the production of animated series, specializing in co-productions and adaptations that blend action, adventure, and educational elements for young audiences. The company's output in this area often involves international partnerships, leveraging its base to distribute content across global networks. Notable series highlight innovative tied to popular IPs or original concepts centered on and . One of the company's prominent contributions is (2014–2017), a CGI-animated action-adventure series co-produced with of America. The show follows and his friends as they thwart Dr. Eggman's schemes on Seaside Island, emphasizing humor and team dynamics in a sitcom-style format. It consists of 104 episodes, each approximately 11 minutes long, and aired on networks including and in the United States, as well as and Canal J in . This series marked OuiDo!'s expansion into high-profile adaptations, with production handled in-house using to capture the fast-paced, vibrant aesthetic of the franchise. International distribution was secured through deals with broadcasters like Canal+ in and Okto in , contributing to its worldwide reach. Another major series is (2015–2023), an adaptation of the classic Chipmunks franchise co-produced with and commissioned by in . This computer-animated revival reimagines , , Theodore, and as social media-savvy musicians navigating fame, family, and mischief under the care of Dave Seville. Spanning 259 episodes in 11-minute segments across five seasons, the series integrates musical performances with contemporary themes like technology and friendship, featuring original songs in each installment. It premiered on in the U.S. and in , with global distribution deals enabling broadcasts on platforms like and channels in over 180 territories. OuiDo! managed the animation pipeline, employing techniques to blend dynamic performances with relatable kid-centric narratives. Les Légendaires (2017) is a CGI-animated fantasy adventure series co-produced with and , based on the French series by Patrick Sobral. The show follows a group of legendary heroes who are turned into children and must regain their powers to save the kingdom of Alysia from evil forces. It comprises 26 episodes of 22 minutes each, airing on and Canal J in , with themes of bravery, friendship, and redemption targeted at children aged 6–12. The production utilized advanced to depict magical worlds and action sequences. In the preschool space, OuiDo! produced Mini-Loup (2012–), a CGI-animated series co-developed with Hachette Livre and broadcast on . Centered on a young and his friends in a forest , it explores themes of curiosity, emotions, and social skills through lighthearted adventures. Season 2 was produced in 2015, with episodes around 11 minutes long, distributed internationally including on platforms like . Monchhichi Tribe (2017–) is a CGI-animated series co-produced with Japan's Sekiguchi International and , adapting the classic doll brand. The series follows Monchhichi characters in the magical Dream Tree, learning about friendship, nature, and dreams through episodic stories. It features 52 episodes of 11 minutes, airing on TFOU (TF1's children's block) and distributed globally via partners like Moon-Keys. In 2019, OuiDo! launched Team DroniX, an original intellectual property co-produced with and Brazil's , targeting children interested in through drone technology. The CGI series centers on three young inventors—pilot Buck, designer Tom, and engineer Vicky—who form a team to solve problems and compete in challenges, promoting themes of , , and in tech. It comprises 26 episodes of 22 minutes each, airing initially on in and achieving international distribution via partnerships with in and other regional broadcasters. The production utilized in-house workflows to depict realistic mechanics alongside adventurous storytelling, distinguishing it as an educational yet entertaining entry in OuiDo!'s portfolio. Following the 2025 acquisition of Mikros Animation's episodic division, OuiDo! incorporated Magicampers (2024–), a CGI series produced for Disney Jr. The show follows best friends Darly and Loomis at a magical day camp on a fantastical island, encountering creatures and learning about teamwork and exploration. It features 26 episodes of 11 minutes, premiering on Disney+ and Disney Jr. channels worldwide.

Other Animation and Live-Action Works

In its early years as Timoon Animation, OuiDo! Productions produced La famille Ouf (The Odd Family) (2005), a 26-episode animated television series broadcast on that explored experimental comedy through quirky, everyday scenarios resolved in unconventional ways. Co-produced with PMMP and SAMG Animation, the project marked one of the company's initial forays into serialized formats aimed at audiences, with each approximately 26 minutes long. Beyond television series, OuiDo! Productions has engaged in unique co-productions with partners, including contributions tied to Sega's properties.

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