The Media Merchants Production
Logo descriptions by Editions by Logo captures by Verylogo433 Video captures courtesy of Logo Central and Donut Productions
Background
The Media Merchants was an independent children's television production company run by Neil Buchanan and Tim Edmunds, known for producing series such as Art Attack. It merged with Television Support Services prior to a takeover by Gullane Entertainment in 2000, which was in turn taken over by HIT Entertainment. The company was closed in 2007 after ITV cancelled Art Attack, and HIT later sold the rights to the show. Currently, Mattel controls the rights to Media Merchants's productions.
(January 8, 1993-2007)
Nickname: "The Swinging Text" (1993-1995), "TONG!" (1995-2007)
Logo: On a matte paper background, the text "the media merchants" quickly flips up. After that, "the" then drops off and quickly swings about, resting at a 90 degree angle when it stops.
Variants:
- Beginning in 1995, the logo is completely still and has the word "production" below in grey.
- On series 5-6 of Art Attack, the logo uses the text below the logo:
production
for
Scottish Television Enterprises
FX/SFX: The word falling and the word quickly shaking.
Music/Sounds: A gong sound and an explosion following with a like a door hinges without lubricant squeaking sound. (In the video the gong sound is not heard)
Availability: Seen on Art Attack, ZZZap!, The Television Comic, and Terror Tower, among others.
Editor's Note: TBA
2nd Logo (1998-2007)
Nicknames: "The 5 Paint Stains",
Logo: We see 5 paint coloured stains of yellow, dark chrome green, purple, blue and orange with the text from the previous logo (though "the" is closer to the words) with the word "production" added under it.
Variant: A later variant has the coloured stains of yellow, orange, blue and red and the "production" is in a different font.
FX/SFX: None.
Music/Sounds: A cartoony noise, like the sound of a ruler being bent from the side of a table.
Availability: Seen on shows like series 10 and 11 of Art Attack.
Editor's Note: TBA
