ANIMAL PLANET GREENLIGHTS “DODO HEROES” (WT) FROM GROUP NINE’S THE DODO
DODO HEROES Marks Group Nine’s First Expansion into Linear and Discovery Communication’s First Television Relationship with a Digital-First Brand
December 19, 2017
Animal Planet and The Dodo, the #1 animal brand on digital, announces today they are in production of new series, DODO HEROES (Working Title), produced in association with Nomadica Films. DODO HEROES (WT) will feature inspiring stories of animals from around the world in dire need, and those who go to unimaginable lengths to help them. Each episode will document the undeniable bonds that are forged between these animals and the courageous men and women who protect and save them. DODO HEROES will premiere on Animal Planet in 2018.
DODO HEROES will explore the personalities and emotions of both humans and animals while highlighting their unique connection. Featured stories will document true heroes and the animals they save, including, among other stories, Pen Farthing, a former British Royal Marine who has reunited more than 700 street dogs with the soldiers who adopted them in Afghanistan; an Australian family whose life’s mission is to rescue injured baby koalas from the disastrous winter cyclone season; and Derrick Campana who has dedicated his life to building custom prosthetics for animals of all sizes from elephants to rabbits.
“We are delighted to be partnering with The Dodo for this wonderful series,” said Susanna Dinnage, Global President of Animal Planet. “These are compelling and moving stories about the powerful relationship between animals and people and together we are proud to share them around the globe on every screen.”
“The Dodo has built a far-reaching, deeply engaged audience on social by putting animals front and center and telling their uniquely emotional stories,” said The Dodo’s Founder & Chief Creative Officer Izzie Lerer. “We’re beyond excited to team up with Animal Planet for our first TV series, Dodo Heroes, where we’ll tell stories about animals in need and highlight the incredible people out there who are stepping up to save them.”
Animal Planet and The Dodo will publish DODO HEROES content on their digital channels next year.
About The Dodo
The Dodo is the number one digital media brand for animal people with over two billion monthly digital views and the number one media show on Facebook Watch. The Dodo is a mission-driven publisher -- we tell stories that connect people to animals and empower people to help animals in need. We’re committed to looking at the world through animals’ eyes and engaging our audience through a combination of entertaining, uplifting, meaningful content that inspires people and helps pave the way for progress. The Dodo is part of Group Nine Media -- a top 10 global publisher.
About Group Nine
Group Nine Media is one of the world's largest digital-first media companies and the #1 publisher on Facebook Watch, boasting over 5 billion monthly video views and reaching 80% of U.S. adults in their 20s. With over 120 million social engagements each month, Group Nine's brands are built for consumption on the platforms where young people spend the majority of their time. Group Nine is home to NowThis (the no. 1 most watched U.S. video news creator on social), The Dodo (the no. 1 animal brand on social), Thrillist (the most trusted digital brand in food, drink, travel & entertainment) and Seeker (the digital leader in science and innovation).
About Animal Planet
Animal Planet, a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications, is the network of hit franchise series and special programming dedicated to animals and the natural world that includes RIVER MONSTERS, DR. JEFF: ROCKY MOUNTAIN VET, PIT BULLS & PAROLEES, TANKED, TREEHOUSE MASTERS, THE VET LIFE and PUPPY BOWL, the largest non-sports TV event on Super Bowl Sunday. Animal Planet is the premiere TV, digital and social community for all things animal, providing immersive, engaging, high-quality content across all Animal Planet platforms including: Animal Planet television network, available in more than 90 million homes in the U.S., that is complimented with a deep Video On Demand offering; online assets www.animalplanet.com, the ultimate online destination for animal lovers and pet owners; the Animal Planet Go app that allows viewers to catch up on full episodes of their favorite shows anytime anywhere; Animal Planet L!VE, the go-to digital destination for round-the-clock, unfiltered access via live cameras around the globe in a variety of animal habitats; Animal Planet Social including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram via @AnimalPlanet and on Snapchat as AnimalPlanetTV.
About Discovery Communications:
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) satisfies curiosity and captivates superfans around the globe with a portfolio of premium nonfiction, lifestyle, sports and kids content brands including Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. Available in more than 220 countries and territories, Discovery's programming reaches 3 billion cumulative viewers, who together consume 54 billion hours of Discovery content each year. Discovery’s offering extends beyond traditional TV to all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio and Discovery Kids Play; over-the-top streaming services such as Eurosport Player; digital-first and social video from Group Nine Media; and virtual reality storytelling through Discovery VR. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.