Astro and Les` Copaque Collaborate to Strengthen Local and Regional Animation Industry

Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (‘Astro’) and Les` Copaque Production Sdn. Bhd. (‘Les’ Copaque’) today announced a strategic collaboration in content sharing, distribution and marketing of animation content produced by Les’ Copaque. This collaboration is aimed combining the expertise and media assets of both companies to strengthen the local and regional animation industry.

Les` Copaque’s animation content IPs namely ‘Upin & Ipin’, ‘Upin & Ipin Iqra’, ‘Pada Zaman Dahulu’ and ‘Puteri’ will be available to both Astro and NJOI audiences across the TV and OTT platforms including on-ground events.

The collaboration also involves selling exclusive merchandises on Go Shop and various fans activities to reward loyal customers under Astro Circle.

Vice President, GenNext Astro, Putri Yasmin Megat Zaharuddin, said, “Astro is committed to entertain and make learning fun and creative for its younger viewers with a rich variety of family and educational content. In line with our aspiration, ‘Upin & Ipin’s engaging stories seek not just to entertain but also to deepen learning. Our close collaboration with Les’ Copaque will increase ‘Upin & Ipin’ content slate not only in Malaysia but also in Asean countries such as Indonesia, Singapura and Brunei. With ‘Upin & Ipin’ garnering even international recognition, Les` Copaque is an animation studio to be reckon with. I believe the combined expertise and sharing of media asset between the two companies will create waves in the local and regional animation industry, and at the same time optimising returns on investment in content IPs.”

Astro – Les’ Copaque’s first joint project will be the ‘Karnival Upin & Ipin 2018’, which will take place at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) from 20 to 23 December 2018. In conjunction with school holidays this November, kids can look forward to ‘Upin & Ipin’, ‘Upin & Ipin Iqra’, which focuses on Iqra’ learning; ‘Puteri’ and ‘Pada Zaman Dahulu’ on Astro Ceria and Astro Prima channels. Other upcoming major project include the ‘Upin & Ipin - Keris Siamang Tunggal’ movie, which will premiere in cinemas in March 2019, with Astro playing the role of an exclusive media partner.

Managing Director of Les` Copaque Production Sdn. Bhd., Tuan Haji Burhanuddin Md. Radzi, said, “We are confident our collaboration with Astro has transformed the business model of the creative industry, whereby the producer works closely with the broadcaster to determine the direction and business strategies of key areas including content, marketing, target market and development of new markets. The success of the `Upin & Ipin` animation not only contributes to the development of the local animation industry but also paves the way for business partnerships that leverage on each other strength to further grow Malaysia’s economy.”

Astro delivers a rich variety of family entertainment, including educational content on TV and digital platforms for viewers in Malaysia and Asean. Les` Copaque animation content is uniquely Asean with regional appeal. More viewers from different countries will get to enjoy its content when it is made available in English language.

‘Upin & Ipin’ was launched in Malaysia in 2007 as the first 3D animation. Today, it also has a strong presence in the digital space. It is the top channel on YouTube Malaysia with 3.3 million followers and over 2 billion views.

‘Upin & Ipin’ is also recognised globally when its twin characters were chosen as the first animation character to be Malaysia’s tourism ambassador, alongside other Malaysians icons. In Indonesia, ‘Upin & Ipin’ created a phenomenon when it won the ‘Most Loveable Cartoon’ and the ‘Most Loveable Cartoon Character’ categories for 4 consecutive years at the Mom & Kids Award. In March 2018, ‘Upin & Ipin’ also clinched the ‘Professional Fiction Under 7’ at Southeast Asia Prix Jeunesse Awards, a global award that recognises excellence in children content.