2024.01.25 Award-winning Artist Trevor Lai Designs Year of the Dragon Jersey for the Vancouver Canucks

Trevor Lai, the founder of Up Studios and creator of Super BOOMi, partnered with the Vancouver Canucks again to create the Year of the Dragon jersey and community campaign.

 

Trevor has designed the Lunar New Year jerseys for the NHL Canucks for three consecutive years. The 2024 theme is the Year of the Dragon, which represents good luck, health and strength. The collection is already off to a record-setting start, with special edition jerseys selling out instantly, and merchandise including hoodies, t-shirts, pucks, scarfs, caps and more topping the retail sales charts for the team.

 

The jersey's logo design features a bold dragon wrapped around the iconic Skate logo. Trevor skillfully blends traditional Chinese culture with a modern style that appeals to international audiences as well.

Drawing from the Chinese idiom "Adding the Finishing Touch," Trevor painted the dragon’s eyes blue and green to represent the colours of the Vancouver Canucks jerseys.

Furthermore, a unique shoulder patch infuses the Canucks' orca crest with Lunar New Year enhancements. This design tells the story of the orca gracefully ascending from sea to sky, embodying both the team's aspirational journey and reflecting BC’s beautiful natural landscape.

By creating the Lunar New Year special edition jerseys for the Vancouver Canucks, Trevor Lai's primary goal is to celebrate the Asian community while introducing more people to hockey and encourage participation in the sport. The jerseys’ groundbreaking designs have helped set sales records while inspiring fans of all backgrounds to learn more about the cultural significance of the holiday.

 

About Super BOOMi:

Super BOOMi is the first CG-animated series to feature ice hockey prominently throughout its eight seasons, and the character also starred in a special series produced with the NHL, Super BOOMi Hockey Hero. Produced by Up Studios and co-invested by Tencent, Super BOOMi has amassed over 6 billion views online and won several awards. With 208 x 11-minute episodes already produced to date, the show is now in its eighth season and airing in more than 10 countries, including: Canada (Treehouse TV), France (Canal+), Australia (Stan), and Singapore (Mediacorp).

About Vancouver Canucks:

The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, and play their home games at Rogers Arena.

 

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2023.06.25 Super BOOMi On Ice Skates to Summer Launch

Combining an outdoor ice rink and water amusement park, the Super BOOMi-themed ice carnival opens on June 18th.

June 16, 2023

                           

“The Dream Sea”, a tourist destination in Shandong Province, China, is about to gain an exciting new attraction with the grand opening of the first ever Super BOOMi ice rink and carnival. BOOMi is the star of one of the country’s most successful animated TV series, with over 6 billion views and number one ratings both within the country and internationally.

With summer temperatures reaching over 30-degrees Celsius, visitors can cool down at the ice rink thanks to the cutting-edge technology used by Ice World China. The patented system enables the rapid production of real ice covering 600 square meters, on which 150 people can glide freely at the same time.

BOOMi is featured prominently throughout the rink, from the entrance gateway to the gift shop, where families can buy official BOOMi toys, T-shirts, hats, and more. Super BOOMi is the first CG-animated series to feature ice hockey prominently throughout its eight seasons, and the character also starred in a special series produced with the NHL, Super BOOMi Hockey Hero.

In addition to ice hockey and skating, tourists can also enjoy paddle boarding, glass boat rides, and camping, as well as a wide range of carnival games. Super BOOMi’s ice rink and carnival is expected to stay open through to the October holiday, ensuring that families have plenty of time to visit during the peak travel season.

Super BOOMi is one of the top-rated new cartoon series in China over the past 6 years. Produced by Up Studios and co-invested by Tencent, Super BOOMi has amassed over 6 billion views online and won several awards. With 208 x 11-minute episodes already produced to date, the show is now in its eighth season and airing in more than 10 countries, including: Canada (Treehouse TV), France (Canal+), Australia (Stan), and Singapore (Mediacorp).

 

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2023.05.25 Super BOOMi’s Sweet Licensing Success with Bakery Brand Luneurs

Popular bakery Luneurs has launched a major campaign starring Super BOOMi that includes kids meals, ice cream, toys and gift boxes sold across their 20-plus locations.

Shanghai, May 23rd, 2023

Tencent-backed animation IP Super BOOMi is cooking up something fresh with their licensing deal with the bakery brand, Luneurs. The popular chain has opened more than 20 stores in major cities like Shanghai, Chengdu and Shenzhen, with customers lining up for its wildly popular ice cream.

Luneurs features Super BOOMi across its shops with point of sales materials and large multimedia displays that show the wide variety of BOOMi products they’ve created with the creative company behind the show, Up Studios.

One of the most popular items from their collaboration is the BOOMi Kid’s Meal, which comes with a new Super BOOMi activity book each month that kids can collect.

Now, for International Children’s Day, Luneurs is launching a brand new BOOMi biscuit gift box, with hand-made chocolate cookies which are also gluten-free. The gift box, designed by Up Studios, comes in a deluxe metallic packaging that is perfect for gifting.  

All of the brand collaboration materials were created with Trevor Lai, the series creator and director of Super BOOMi, and Luneurs believes the creative and delicious products will attract younger audiences and fans of the BOOMi franchise.

Super BOOMi is one of the top-rated new cartoon series in China. Produced by Up Studios and co-invested by Tencent, Super BOOMi has amassed over 6 billion views online and won several awards. With 208 x 11-minute episodes already produced to date, the show is now airing in more than 10 countries, including: Canada (Treehouse TV), France (Canal+), Australia (Stan) and Singapore (Mediacorp).

Up Studios and Luneurs plan to expand the promotion with new toys, food products and gift items over the course of the year.

 

 

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2023.02.20 Up Studios Signs 8-book Deal to Publish Super BOOMi and Piggy Books

Up Studios, an original IP studio based in China, has signed a major publishing deal with Singapore-based publisher Marshall Cavendish to launch two book series based on the Super BOOMi and Piggy animated shows this year.

Led by award-winning creator, Trevor Lai, each series will have a different format and focus. The Super BOOMi titles are educational in nature, teaching kids "How to Draw", "How to Code" and more. Meanwhile, Lai, who is the head writer of the animated series Piggy in both English and Chinese, plans to adapt stories from the show into picturebooks.

The 8-book deal adds to Up Studios' expansion outside of China into the rest of Asia, as the studio recently signed a deal with Mediacorp to launch 3 shows across their platforms: Seasons 3 to 6 of Super BOOMi, Piggy (11-minute episodes) and the Piggy and Friends animated shorts series.

Mediacorp plans to organize promotional events across Singapore for BOOMi and Piggy to interact with fans throughout the year to promote the shows.

Produced by Up Studios and released in partnership with Tencent, Super BOOMi is one of the top-rated cartoon series in Asia over the past 5 years, amassing over 6 billion views online and winning several awards. In addition, Super BOOMi has been sold internationally to broadcasters in Canada (on Treehouse TV) and in France (on Canal+), and has licensed products and partnerships which include more than 100 hotels and resorts. BOOMi is also the first character to become the family ambassador for the National Hockey League in Greater China.

Created by author-illustrator and animation director, Trevor Lai, Piggy is a new 3D-animated series starring Piggy as he combines compassion and knowledge to help his friends and neighbors use his magical Story Museum to solve their everyday challenges. Debuting on leading VOD platform, Tencent Video, Piggy has already soared to over 300 million views. Recently, Piggy won the Most Promising Animation Award at the 7th Annual Beijing Audiovisual Program Innovation Awards.

About Marshall Cavendish

Marshall Cavendish is a leading general interest trade publisher in Asia, with a history spanning more than five decades. To ensure high-quality books, their team of in-house editors and designers work with dynamic authors, to publish books written by, or about, renowned political and business figures, thought leaders and leading literary writers. Marshall Cavendish is dedicated to the spread of knowledge and hope that their expertly curated books will offer readers an enriching and memorable experience.

 

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2022.12.10 Super BOOMi Creator Trevor Presents Again at Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School

December 10, 2022 - As an accomplished artist and director, Trevor Lai was invited by Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School to deliver a presentation to G10 students and Art students in all grades this week. This was the second time that Trevor had visited the school to inspire students with his newest works, which include the Super BOOMi and Piggy animated series as well as his logo design for the Vancouver Canucks this year. Many of the students were excited to see him again!

Trevor Lai is an award-winning author, illustrator, and entrepreneur who has published more than 30 books for readers of all ages. He is also the founder and CEO of UP Studios, which is dedicated to creating, developing, and producing content and merchandise based on original properties for kids and families. 

At the beginning of the presentation, Grade 12 student Leviosa Chang, who first met Trevor during a visit to her elementary school 10 years ago, made a special introduction. Then, Trevor showed the special animation creation process at Up Studios, where TV series like Super BOOMi and Piggy have amassed over 5.5 billion views around the world.

Following the theme of how to combine creativity and culture, Trevor also shared his bestselling design of the Lunar New Year Jersey for the Vancouver Canucks. He demonstrated that anything is possible if you have the power of imagination, creativity and persistence. Students were encouraged to persist in pursuing dreams and develop their problem-solving ability and tenacity.

After the presentation, students rushed to meet Trevor, ask questions during a lengthy Q & A session, and get autographs.

Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School is committed to creating a learning environment that fits the changing landscape of education and serves as a laboratory for the cultivation of internationally-minded students who will be innovators in society.

Trevor Lai has successfully presented more than 1,000 talks and workshops to students of all ages at schools around the world, and plans to continue touring schools in 2023 in between writing, directing and producing his TV series.

To book an author visit from award-winning creator Trevor Lai, contact us: info@upstudios.cn.

 

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2022.11.28 Mediacorp signs major deal for Super BOOMi and Piggy series

Shanghai – Mediacorp has signed a major partnership deal with Up Studios, acquiring multiple seasons of the animation studio's Super BOOMi and Piggy series, while planning a major promotional campaign starting February 1, 2023.

Both Super BOOMi and Piggy will air in English and Chinese on Channel 5, Channel 8 and meWATCH, and Up Studios has also produced 50 Super BOOMi short-form videos that will complement the series on Mediacorp's YouTube channels. Prior to the new broadcasting deal, Super BOOMi seasons 1 and 2 English version had already enjoyed success on Channel 5 since being picked up in 2020. In addition to the main Piggy series, Up Studios also created a popular miniseries for audiences called Piggy & Friends that will be broadcast across Mediacorp's channels.

As part of their comprehensive marketing programs for both IPs, Mediacorp plans to organize promotional events and “mall shows” where BOOMi and Piggy will appear to interact with fans throughout the year.

Produced by Up Studios and released in partnership with Tencent, Super BOOMi is one of the top-rated cartoon series in Asia over the past 5 years, amassing over 5.5 billion views online and winning several awards. Super BOOMi has also been sold internationally to broadcasters in Canada (on Treehouse TV) and in France (on Canal+), and has licensed products and partnerships which include more than 100 hotels and resorts. BOOMi is also the first character to become the family ambassador for the National Hockey League in Greater China.

Created by award-winning author-illustrator and animation director, Trevor Lai, Piggy is a new 3D-animated series starring Piggy as he combines compassion and knowledge to help his friends and neighbors search for answers to their everyday challenges. Debuting on leading VOD platform, Tencent Video, Piggy has already soared to over 200 million views this year. Recently, Piggy won the Most Promising Animation Award at the 7th Annual Beijing Audiovisual Program Innovation Awards.

About Mediacorp

Mediacorp is Singapore’s largest content creator and national media network, operating a suite of TV channels, radio stations and multiple digital platforms. From introducing broadcast radio in 1936 and pioneering television in 1963 to launching digital-first news and original local entertainment delivered over-the-top, we’ve played an essential role in telling uniquely Singaporean stories and weaving the fabric of Singapore’s culture.

 

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2022.11.21 Piggy Wins the Most Promising Animation Award

Piggy, a 3D-animated series co-produced by Up Studios and Tencent, won the Most Promising Animation Award at the 7th Annual Beijing Audiovisual Program Innovation Awards.

The competition collected entries beginning in August and the award ceremony took place on November 18 in Beijing. With a focus on encouraging new original shows, the selection event featured a wide range of films, TV shows, animated series and documentaries.

Produced by Up Studios and released in partnership with Tencent, Piggy is a 3D-animated series starring Piggy as he combines compassion and knowledge to help his friends and neighbors search for answers to their everyday challenges. Using the power to embark on magical journeys in his Story Museum, Piggy has quickly become a standout in the animation market in China, where the character's use of emotional intelligence and empathy in particular have been applauded by parents. Debuting on leading VOD platform, Tencent Video, Piggy has already soared to over 200 million views this year. In addition to the main series, Up Studios also created a popular miniseries for audiences on digital platforms, called Piggy & Friends.

Created by award-winning author-illustrator and animation director, Trevor Lai, Piggy is the second animated series from Up Studios, following the success of BOOMi. Super BOOMi is currently one of the top-rated cartoons broadcast across the country, amassing over 5.5 billion views. Super BOOMi has also been sold internationally to broadcasters in Canada (on Treehouse TV) and in France (on Canal+), and has licensed products and partnerships which include more than 100 hotels and resorts across China. BOOMi is also the first character to become the family ambassador for the National Hockey League in Greater China.

Tencent and Up Studios also plan to market both the Piggy and Piggy & Friends series to international broadcast and distribution partners in 2023.

 

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2022.10.28 Gurung Tea to Launch Limited Edition BOOMi Herbal Tea

Up Studios, one of the rising star companies in Asia’s animation industry, has signed a licensing deal with certified B Corp brand Gurung Tea to launch a series of Super BOOMi Adventure in the Himalayas tea collection.

Super BOOMi has become the next hit IP after Snoopy and Miffy to be licensed by Gurung Tea to release products for kids and families. Debuting at the IKEA Halloween market this week in Shanghai, the first wave of products are custom-packaged gift boxes of Brave Adventure Tea and Happy Harvest Tea that will officially go on sale in December throughout Gurung's online platforms and retail partners.

Up Studios’ in-house design team worked closely with the brand to design and produce artwork for Super BOOMi's herbal tea, which will appeal to kids and families. Product packaging also includes BOOMi's main friends in the show, Mia, Mac and Bibop.

Super BOOMi is one of the top-rated new cartoon series in China over the past 5 years. Produced by Up Studios and co-invested by Tencent, Super BOOMi has amassed over 5.5 billion views online and won several awards. With 208 x 11-minute episodes already produced to date, the show is now airing in more than 10 countries, including: Canada (Treehouse TV), France (Canal+), Australia (Stan) and Singapore (Mediacorp).

Recognize as one of the finest herbal teas from the Himalayas, Gurung Tea was awarded the B Corp certificate, confirming the brand with the highest standard of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Gurung Tea allows mothers to send their children to school and become providers within their family. Each package of Gurung tea represents a community of over 14,000 improved lives.

Up Studios and Gurung Tea plan to offer the Super BOOMi herbal tea series to overseas markets and international distributors in early 2023, coinciding with the launch of the animated series' Season 7.

 

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2022.08.18 Up Studios Signs New Licensing Deal with Luneurs Bakery Chain

Popular bakery Luneurs will launch BOOMi meals and products for 12 months starting in September 2022.

Up Studios has signed a licensing agreement with bakery chain Luneurs to launch branded meal sets, books and products based on the company’s CG-animated kids series, Super BOOMi. The monthly promotions will have different themes, with the “Back to School” BOOMi theme launching in Shanghai locations at the end of the August.

Luneurs, a popular French bakery and ice cream chain in Shanghai, is distinguished by its freshly baked bread and pastries, and wildly popular ice cream flavours.

Super BOOMi is one of the top-rated new cartoon series in China over the past 5 years. Produced by Up Studios and co-invested by Tencent, Super BOOMi has amassed over 5.3 billion views online and won several awards. With 156 x 11-minute episodes already produced to date, the show is now in its eighth season and airing in more than 10 countries, including: Canada (Treehouse TV), France (Canal+), Australia (Stan) and Singapore (Mediacorp).

Luneurs will feature Super BOOMi across its shops in Shanghai and other cities with point of sales materials and large multimedia displays. In addition to BOOMi ice cream, handmade biscuit, fresh fruit cups and other delicious desserts, award-winning author Trevor Lai, Super BOOMi’s creator, and his team have created special sticker storybooks that kids can collect over the year.

Up Studios and Luneurs plan to expand the promotion every month with new meals, toys and events through to 2023.

 

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2022.01.14 Artist behind Canucks' Lunar New Year jersey hopes to push back against anti-Asian racism

Jersey designer Trevor Lai says it is a 'dream come true' to commemorate the incoming Year of the Tiger

 

Akshay Kulkarni · CBC News · Posted: Jan 12, 2022 8:11 PM PT

 

The Vancouver Canucks are set to celebrate the incoming Year of the Tiger with this warmup jersey designed by artist Trevor Lai. The jersey celebrates the Chinese community's history with the team. 

 

The designer of the Vancouver Canucks' special edition Lunar New Year jerseys says he hopes the bold redesign sends a message about inclusivity and anti-Asian racism.

 

Artist Trevor Lai, an animation director and founder of Up Studios, grew up in Vancouver. He had previously produced the animated series SuperBOOMi for the NHL, which is now the family ambassador for the league in China.

 

His redesigned jersey is set to be worn by the team during warmups when they celebrate the Lunar New Year, which is on Feb. 1 this year.

 

The jersey features a tiger jumping out of water in place of the Canucks' traditional C-shaped orca logo. The tiger itself is a reference to the incoming Year of the Tiger in Chinese culture, with the jersey also featuring Chinese characters on the shoulder patches.

 

Artist Trevor Lai is seen redesigning the Canucks' orca logo into a tiger. According to Lai, he is the first artistin the team's 51-year history to redesign the orca logo.

 

According to Lai, who is now based in Shanghai, he is the first artist in the team's 51-year history to officially re-imagine the team's central logo.

 

"I came up with the idea of a tiger jumping out of water because normally the orca is breaking through ice," he told CBC News. "I thought what we are trying to push as a message is change."

 

"Because obviously, in addition to celebrating Lunar New Year, we're really trying to bring awareness to all of the increased inclusivity and anti-Asian activities and messages that we want to change."

 

The Canucks say some of the proceeds from the Lunar New Year merchandise will go towards Elimin8Hate, a local community organization advocating for racial equity and inclusivity for Asian Canadians. 

 

The tiger jumping out of the sea in the redesigned logo is a metaphor for change, according to Lai.

 

Vancouver in particular has seen a huge uptick in anti-Asian hatecrimes over the past two years, with advocates saying the problem has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

"I think we need to unite together rather than hurt each other or take away from each other," Lai said. "I think that was part of the message and one of the reasons I was so passionate about working with the Canucks on this project."

 

"It's really about saying we are all Canucks. We are all fans, but we're also all a community together — the Chinese community, which has been very important, obviously, throughout the team's history."

Shoulder patches celebrate Chinatown

The shoulder patches on Lai's special jersey celebrate the heart of the Chinese community in Vancouver — Chinatown, near the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood.

 

They feature the neighbourhood's iconic Millennium Gate with the Chinese characters that spell out the Canucks' name, 加人队.

 

"Each of those characters has great meaning," Lai said. "加 (jia) is actually the same character as 'Canada' in Chinese, and that represents, for me, diversity."

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"In the middle one, the biggest gateway, I put the symbol for people (人) … and on the right-hand side, the final gateway, I put the character for team (队)."

 

The characters are surrounded by different backgrounds — the varied flora celebrate diversity, the evergreen pine trees represent durability, and the bamboo trees symbolize strength.

 

'Dream come true'

For Lai, who grew up playing street hockey in Vancouver, the opportunity to collaborate with the Canucks was adream come true.

 

His cartoon, Super BOOMi, has also been seen by NHL stars like Elias Pettersson and Alexander Ovechkin, and has been viewed millions of times in China.

 

"Anything that you can imagine, you can make it come true. And I'm trying to be living proof of that," he said.

 

 

"I'm so excited to see the players wearing this jersey. I'm really, really excited."

 

Lai says he hopes to work with the NHL and Canucks again in the future. 

 

The team is set to wear the jerseys sometime in January when they celebrate the Lunar New Year, although no date was announced on Wednesday.

 

 

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