Deal worth $22m deal signed between Emari Toons and Speedy Productions on second day of Character Dubai 2009

The South African company's 'Know Your Nation,' is a series of 10,000 two-minute animated episodes that explain one thing about a country's culture, history and geography. The agreement between the two companies is for part of that production that involves 2200 episodes.

Emari Toons is producing 100 episodes on each of the 22 countries in the Arab League, including UAE, a total of 2200 episodes. Tim Mostert, CEO of Speedy Productions, has also tied up deals for Know Your Nation with Kelloggs Corn Flakes and Vodaphone, who are licensing the property in South Africa. A line of books and collectible trading cards are also rolling out, and will be available throughout the region. The companies are looking for similar tie-ups with strategic partners throughout the Middle East.

CEO of Emari Toons Dr. Tahsin Mzaik said that the first two pilot episodes on the Middle East will be ready in January 2010, and full production will roll out after broadcasting deals are in place globally. Production of ten episodes per country will be ongoing until all 100 episodes on each of the 22 countries are completed.

Concluding on October 29, the second edition of Character Dubai, organized by INDEX, has been extremely successful, seeing the participation of the some of the biggest and best known characters and companies from across the Middle East. The exhibition is the first such event in the region.