Buzzing with the excitement of the brand’s 50th anniversary, Maya the Bee is readying for the next half-century as Animaj and Studio 100 International join forces to shape the franchise’s future on a global scale. The two companies today announced a strategic alliance that makes them joint owners of the evergreen franchise.
Under the agreement, Animaj has acquired all of Studio 100’s rights outside the DACh (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and Benelux regions, excluding feature film and theme park rights, which remain with Studio 100 International. Animaj will focus on expanding the brand’s digital and international footprint — from international licensing and digital engagement to new digital and premium content experiences — while Studio 100 will concentrate on the DACh and Benelux regions, spearhead new theatrical movie productions, and bring Maya closer to her fans worldwide through its theme parks. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The partners say this team-up comes at an ideal time when beloved legacy IPs are being rediscovered and reimagined for new generations. For decades, Maya the Bee has been a popular figure across Europe and beyond, spreading messages about preserving nature, kindness and independence. The brand enjoys enduring popularity across television, publishing and consumer products, with a presence in over 100 countries. This new alliance aims to preserve the franchise’s core virtues, while evolving how and where her stories are told — from linear TV to YouTube, short-form video, music, games and more.
“We’ve always believed in Maya’s universal appeal — and this year, as she turns 50 on screen, it feels like the right moment to bring new energy to the brand,” said Martin Krieger, CEO, Studio 100 International & Hans Bourlon, CEO, Studio 100 Group. “This partnership with Animaj allows us to do that in a way that feels both respectful and forward-looking.”
Gregory Dray & Sixte de Vauplane, Co-founders, Animaj, added, “Maya the Bee is part of Europe’s cultural fabric. We grew up with her. Now we want to make sure the next generation meets her in the places they spend most of their time today.”
Animaj will lead digital strategy, series content development and international expansion. Studio 100 will retain full responsibility for the development, production, and international sales of all Maya the Bee feature films, such as the new spin-off Arnie & Barney, and will continue overseeing the brand in global theme parks, in German-speaking countries and in the Benelux region.
The companies will jointly drive the creative evolution of Maya the Bee, and intend to leverage Animaj’s proprietary AI-powered production pipeline to deliver scalable, platform-native content at speed and quality.
animaj.com | studio100international.com
