Rainbow is developing new publishing and entertainment projects around the kids’ and family IP Geronimo Stilton after acquiring shares in Elisabetta Dami’s International Characters and Pietro Marietti’s PM.
Rainbow—founded and led by Iginio Straffi—has acquired the rights through the purchase of shares in International Characters, owned by Dami, and PM, owned by Marietti. Rainbow already represents the IP’s licensing and publishing rights.
The IP is based on the books by Dami that have sold more than 190 million copies in 50-plus languages. The animated TV series based on the IP has sold worldwide.
“The Geronimo Stilton books have helped shape the imagination of millions of children in Italy and around the world,” said Straffi. “Welcoming this character into our family is a great honor and a great responsibility: we believe in the strength of his values and in his ability to continue to inspire young readers. Our commitment will be to support him on a growth path that can expand into new media and new forms of expression, while remaining faithful to the spirit that has made him unique.”
“I am extremely happy that my beloved Geronimo is joining the prestigious Rainbow family!” Dami said. “I am sure he will continue to inspire his readers to discover the world and remind them of the importance of curiosity, friendship, kindness and imagination.”
‘I am truly delighted by this agreement with Iginio Straffi,” Marietti said. “Since its launch in Italy in 2000, I have worked tirelessly to create what I believe to be one of the greatest publishing phenomena in the world. After millions of copies of books sold globally and over 1,700 minutes of cartoons produced, sharing innovative marketing strategies in over 170 countries around the world. Entering the Rainbow universe now means taking another leap towards new adventures and new horizons, which I will be thrilled to collaborate on.”
