San Francisco-based Wild Brain Animation Studios has expanded its stablefollowing a majority stake acquisition of New York-based limited edition toydealer Kidrobot.

The two companies will jointly develop feature and televisiontitles based on Kidrobot's collectible characters, which include the Munny, Dunnyand Ice-Bot figures.

Kidrobot owner and founder Budnitz will continue as president of Kidrobotand will serve as an executive producer at Wild Brain Animation Studios.

'Paul Budnitz is a creative genius and a brilliantentrepreneur. We look forward to helping him realize the enormous potential ofhis vision,' Wild Brain's chief executive officer Charles Rivkin said.

'This is a logical next step for Kidrobot, as much of ourinspiration comes from animated media,' Budnitz added. 'Wild Brain isbringing cutting-edge technology and the very best production team to themix.'

Wild Brain was established in 1994 and works on feature and commercialsdigital animation.