The Curious Case of “Curious George” (Or, How Small Things Can Make a Big Difference ....)

A few weeks back, I was fortunate to meet long-time senior studio marketing exec Beth Goss -- who, like me, spent the early part of her career with Universal Studios.  As we discussed her many successes which ultimately landed her a top exec position at Cartoon Networks, among others, Beth mentioned one success of particular note -- that is, how she came to drive development of the single most successful animated series in PBS’s history -- Curious George (you know, that mischievous monkey).

Beth walked me through the story.  And, her headline was that careers -- like life itself -- are filled with little nuggets that can make huge unforeseeable impacts (black swans, if you will).  In this case, the relevant “nugget” that she had unearthed was a clause buried deeply in the original Universal Studios agreement pursuant to which the studio acquired rights to the book for the purpose of making a feature length Curious George motion picture (which the studio ultimately did).  That clause was unusual -- not customarily found in such motion picture acquisition agreements.  Specifically, this unusual clause gave Universal rights to do much more than produce motion pictures -- including rights to produce television programming -- so long as Universal DID, in fact, first produce a Curious George motion picture.

Again, Universal ultimately did produce and release a major Curious George theatrical motion picture, which then enabled Beth -- who, in true entrepreneurial fashion, unearthed that unusual contractual clause -- to harness her marketing mastery to ultimately produce PBS’s most successful animated program in its history (i.e., Curious George).  In fact -- and here’s the punch-line -- the Curious George television series (which continues still on PBS) has been far more lucrative to Universal than the Curious George movies themselves.  Far more.

And, apart from the great anecdote from Beth and positive impact on her career, you know what’s really cool about this story from a personal standpoint?  In a strange twist of fate, I was that enterprising young Universal Studios legal affairs executive who drafted that original Curious George acquisition agreement and was the one who had added that unusual and expansive rights-rendering clause.  My stroke of the pen enabled Beth and Universal to produce a show that then became a PBS powerhouse and generated millions upon millions of dollars (likely tens of millions) and has been running for several years.

Now, at the time I drafted that Curious George acquisition agreement, did I know that any of this would happen?  Of course not!  But, it certainly was our job -- at the studio -- to acquire the most expansive rights possible precisely for these reasons -- i.e., to give the studio freedom to pursue as many projects as possible on the particular source material and, hence, maximize its monetization/ROI.

Before my conversation with Beth, I had forgotten about the Curious George chapter of my career -- I hadn’t even considered that deal for 20+ years.

But, as Beth laid out the fortuity that ultimately gave her what she needed to drive her massively successful television project forward (and, which success ultimately helped land her a top role at Cartoon Network), a smile came across my face.

Perhaps, in its own small little way, my years at Harvard Law had some kind of impact after all!

Little things -- effort -- entrepreneurialism -- and fortuity -- play such critical parts in any success.

Case in point -- the curious case of Curious George!