FOX backs creator-led animation with Toonstar

The companies plan to present the collaboration at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

FOX Advertising and Toonstar have formed a strategic partnership aimed at creating new opportunities for brands to engage audiences through digital-first animation, creator-led storytelling and culturally relevant content.

The companies plan to present the collaboration at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, highlighting a model that combines advertising, content creation and audience insights.

Combining advertising and animation capabilities

Under the agreement, FOX will contribute its advertising sales expertise and distribution capabilities, while Toonstar will provide its animation production technology and creator network.

The partnership will utilise Toonstar’s proprietary Ink & Pixel production engine, which is designed to produce animated content at scale, alongside its audience intelligence platform, SPOT, which incorporates real-time audience data into the content development process.

New opportunities for brands and creators

The collaboration is intended to help brands connect with creator communities through digital-first animated content while providing creators with additional advertising, distribution and development support.

The companies said the initiative will also help independent creators bring projects to market more quickly and develop intellectual property for broader audiences.

Focus on audience engagement

Katrina Cukaj, Executive Vice President, Advertising Sales at FOX: "Toonstar’s animation production engine and digital distribution technology will enable brands to respond to audiences and trends in a way that wasn’t possible before. This gives our advertising partners something genuinely new — content that moves at the speed of culture, with the creative quality audiences expect from FOX."

The partnership reflects growing interest among advertisers in creator-led content formats that can adapt quickly to changing audience interests and digital trends.

Supporting the next generation of animation

John Attanasio, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Toonstar: "We’re excited to partner with a company that understands both the power of storytelling and the evolving needs of brands. We see an animation renaissance on the horizon, and together we can help creators build the next generation of global franchises while creating meaningful ways for advertisers to participate in those communities."

Founded by John Attanasio and Luisa Huang, both former Disney and Warner Bros. executives, Toonstar focuses on creator-led animation and digital content development.

New series planned for 2026

As part of its growth plans, Toonstar intends to launch several digital-first animated series in 2026, including Fried, created with comedian Nigel Ng.

The partnership is expected to support the development and promotion of future animation projects while expanding opportunities for advertisers to participate in creator-driven entertainment ecosystems

www.toonstar.com

www.foxadvertising.com

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