(January 4, 2012 – Vancouver, Canada) – Vancouver-based animation studio Slap Happy Cartoons Inc. has signed a development deal with Corus Entertainment’s YTV for the animated series Nerds and Monsters.

Created by Slap Happy Cartoons, Nerds and Monsters is a 52×11’ comedy aimed at 8-12 year olds that tosses a group of nerdy high school kids on a fantastic uncharted island. The tween castaways must use nothing but their smarts to survive the relentless attacks by the island’s inhabitants – a tribe of hideous Monsters that are mistakenly threatened by their human invaders. Lucky for the nerds, these dim-witted monsters don’t have any smarts!

“We’re excited to be partnering with YTV on Nerds and Monsters,” said Vito Viscomi, co-creator and Partner at Slap Happy Cartoons. “YTV has a long history of shepherding and developing funny and extremely popular animated series, and we look forward to working with them and making Nerds and Monsters a show that will entertain and resonate with kids of all ages – both in Canada and around the world.”

SLAP HAPPY CARTOONS INC. has offices in Vancouver, B.C. and Los Angeles, Calif. Founded by top animation professionals Kathy Rocchio, Greg Sullivan, Josh Mepham and Vito Viscomi, Slap Happy Cartoons works with a global base of clients, which include development partners Comedy Central, Kids WB!, Studio B Productions, Canucks Sports and Entertainment, Disney XD, and DHX Media. With a wealth of experience from working on award-winning animation productions, the founders launched Slap Happy Cartoons to realize their shared vision and passion for creating original, funny – and sometimes twisted – cartoons for both kids and adults. Visit Slap Happy at www.SlapHappyCartoons.com.