In the world of entertainment, some stories aren’t content with just one chapter: they build universes. Think of Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Game of Thrones. These stories don’t stop at a single movie or book; they expand into sagas, series, merchandise, and experiences because they were designed to endure, to thrill, and to grow.
In Latin America, we also have stories that have left their mark and continue to thrive decades later. And though we might not always notice, they too have successfully crossed borders and formats:
- El chavo del Ocho (Mexico): At its peak, the show drew in over 350 million viewers per week. Today, it lives on through an animated series, books, toys, licensing deals, and even theme park attractions. A simple story that became a global phenomenon.
- Yo soyBetty, la Fea (Colombia): The country’s most successful telenovela and the most adapted in the world, with over 30 versions and translations into more than 25 languages. Its success wasn’t just about the romantic plot; it was about building a deeply human character who connects with diverse cultures and contexts.
The Spanish thinker based in Colombia, Jesús Martín-Barbero (1937-2021), was one of the most influential researchers in communication and culture in Latin America. His work revolutionized the way we understand television, film, and popular narratives by focusing on how audiences take ownership of stories and make them their own.
Martín-Barbero argued that popular culture is powerful when it creates symbolic bonds—that is, a set of potent symbols like elements, characters, or values that resonate across different contexts and eras. These elements become the very “soul” of the story, allowing it to adapt and stay alive long after its debut.
This is particularly relevant when we talk about intellectual property (IP). A strong IP isn’t confined to a single work; it builds a universe that people recognize, reinterpret, and expand upon, just as they have with El Chavo del Ocho and Yo soy Betty, la fea.
Mentioning Martín-Barbero here is no accident: his vision reminds us that for a Colombian story to become a cultural and economic force, it must be more than just a well-written script. It has to strike a universal chord, have a clear identity, and offer room to grow beyond its original format.
In Colombia, Betty remains a powerful example of this phenomenon. But for that very reason, we can’t rest on our laurels. We urgently need to envision which of our new stories can become the next universes to cross screens, borders, and generations.
So, how do you create stories that go beyond their original format?
The key lies in designing characters who, from their unique and specific identity, embody universal values and conflicts. It’s not about creating generic heroes, but figures so profoundly human in their specific context that they become a mirror in which anyone can recognize a part of their own story.
Ensure your narrative has its own identity, and once you’ve created such profound value, protecting it is essential. That’s why your story needs not only a unique identity but also solid legal protection because an IP without a solid structure can’t take off.
In a world where culture is also an economic engine, creating a story of value means designing it to speak, grow, survive… and above all, inspire.
At Studio AYMAC, we partner with creators and production companies to transform their ideas into IPs with international potential. If you have a story that deserves to soar, let’s talk. Together, we can build a universe that will make it unforgettable.
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