Category Archives: Entertainment

ZAG Games extends CrazyLabs partnership for new Miraculous mobile game and appoints new creative director

Posted on by

ZAG Games has extended its partnership with the game developer and publisher, Crazy Labs, to create a second mobile game for its hit Miraculous Ladybug and Cat Noir franchise.

The new Miraculous Ladybug Puzzle RPG will be the second project to move forward at ZAG Games since the division was established in October 2020, led by the industry expert Elinor Schops, who currently serves as vice president. The first project is an adventure quest game for the Roblox platform, scheduled for release this May.

Slated to coincide with the holiday 2021 premiere of the Miraculous theatrical movie this year, the Miraculous Ladybug Puzzle RPG is a new take on bubble shooter puzzle games, combining RPG elements that feature challenging fighting levels designed for a new generation of players.

The game will see users form their own superhero team starring the show’s characters as they face different villains in each level and fight them by solving bubble shooter puzzles. Aiming, shooting and popping bubbles will charge the heroes’ special skills and powers. Winning levels will allow the heroes to level up, evolve, and unlock new heroes.

“We are delighted that our first official game has been so widely embraced by our fans, and we’re happy to be partnering once again with CrazyLabs for our second official game,” said Julian Zag.

“Since Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir launched across streaming platforms, we have seen extraordinary demand for Miraculous content, consumer products and games from older audiences. This new game is being designed and will be marketed to Gen Z as the primary audience, while also making sure that the gameplay and onboarding are accessible for everyone to enjoy.”

Schops added: “This older fan base is a group which has been giving Ladybug such love over the past few years. You’ll be amazed by the extent these teen fans go to show their appreciation to the brand and we felt they deserve a game that will be designed for them as a primary demo.”

The first Miraculous Ladybug & Cat Noir mobile game launched three years ago and is an all-ages casual runner, available in iOS, Google Play, Amazon, and Amazon Kids+.  According to App Annie, the game is ranked in the Top 10 globally on both Google Play and iOS for downloads versus other runner games.

“We’re excited to see the phenomenal success of the official mobile game Miraculous Ladybug & Cat Noir and are happy to extend our fruitful cooperation with ZAG Games,” said  Sagi Schliesser, CEO and founder of CrazyLabs.

“The new Miraculous Ladybug Puzzle RPG is the result of an ongoing relationship and a deep understanding of the beloved brand. We look forward to offering life-long fans of Marinette and Adrien a whole new gaming experience, tailored per their gaming preferences.”

Meanwhile, the news of the new mobile game coincides with the appointment of Eran Holzman as Creative Director at ZAG Games, who will be working closely with CrazyLabs on the development of the game.

Holzman joins ZAG from Matific where he served as Senior Game Designer and Producer developing games to make math learning enjoyable for children, overseeing all aspects of the game’s features, rules, story, mechanics and goals.  Prior, he was Product Manager and Game Designer at Jelly Button Games, where he was responsible for innovating and driving the implementation of features and functions to make games more fun, profitable and viral.

Previous roles include Game Producer and Project Manager at Scientific Games Interactive, and Senior Game Producer and Project Manager at TabTale (now CrazyLabs).

“Eran is passionate about creating memorable experiences through fun interactive and engaging products that enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy, and with his extensive expertise across game design and production, we are delighted that he is joining our ever-growing ZAG team,” said Schops.

Boat Rocker Studios taps Haven for Dino Ranch licensing programme in Australia and New Zealand

Posted on by

Boat Rocker Studios is strengthening the licensing presence for its popular animated pre-school series, Dino Ranch across Australia and New Zealand, with the appointment of the leading Australian agency, Haven.

The award-winning licensing agency will be actively seeking partners across a wide range of categories for the new series, drawing on its more than 25 years’ experience of delivering brand extension programmes for high profile properties.

Haven’s appointment has been made to coincide with the launch of the 3D animated Dino Ranch series on Disney+ in Australia this month, following its successful premiere on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW in the US in January. The show currently ranks as the number one US cable series among children aged two to five, while the official Dino Ranch YouTube channel has reached 5.14 million views and 2.8 million unique viewers within just nine weeks of launch.

Tom Punch, founder and managing director, Haven said: “We’re delighted to be working with Boat Rocker on this dynamic new series. It’s so fresh, diverse and relatable – there’s nothing else quite like it and we know that audiences across Australia and New Zealand are going to be as excited as we are with Dino Ranch.”

Dino Ranch, created by Matt Fernandes of Industrial Brothers and produced by Industrial Brothers and Boat Rocker Studios, is full of dino-driven fun and allows young viewers at home to discover the thrill of ranch life while navigating the great outdoors. It also introduces preschoolers to problem solving, the foundations of forging life-long friendships, strengthening family and community bonds.

Kate Schlomann, EVP brand management and content marketing, Boat Rocker Media, said: “We’re very pleased to announce that Haven are saddling up for Dino Ranch licensing in Australia and New Zealand. Their vast knowledge and experience of these key territories, coupled with the immense appeal of our unique and thrilling new show, should soon round up a whole herd of great new licensees across multiple categories.”

Signature Publishing trials plastic-free packaging for Transformers Rescue Bots magazine this month

Posted on by

Signature Publishing Ltd is trialling its first plastic-free packaging for the collectable toy figurines it includes with a number of its most popular children’s magazine titles.

In the firm’s mission to ‘lead the way in the children’s magazine aisle,’ Signature Publishing has introduced the trial concept to its latest issue of the Transformers Rescue Bots Academy magazine, packaging its robot figurine in a plastic-free and recyclable window box.

“As a dynamic independent specialist Children’s publishing company, we are perfectly placed to react quickly to develop and implement highly creative solutions and deliver to market,” said Holly Tarrant, senior publishing manager.

“With the majority of our products sold in-store, captivating packaging that shows off the product is key, and therefore it’s been very rewarding to meet the challenge we’ve set ourselves to rethink the traditional blister packs.

“This plastic-free window box has been developed to hold the product safely and securely while still clearly displaying the quality figurine inside.”

Signature Publishing has outlined its renewed focus on sustainable packaging and in addition to the trial of the new packagign concept, it has confirmed that all packaging it produces is now recyclable, while PCW recycled content is being introduced where possible.

Transformers Rescue Bots Academy magazine is a monthly magazine priced at £4.49. The latest issue will be available nationwide from April 16th.

Kangaru Toys plans expanded licensing offering to the UK and Europe through Two in 1 Direct

Posted on by

Two in 1 Direct has detailed a new licensed segment from the international scented stationery, toys, and activities specialist, Kangaru Toy, following the recent news that it would handling the outfit’s UK business.

Kangaru will be making its UK debut at what it has billed ‘an exciting stage of the company’s development,’ having confirmed a new licensing programme with a host of popular food and confectionery brands in the US, including Chupa Chups, Mentos, and Kelloggs’ cereals.

With this series of licensing partnerships, Kangaru will look to tap into the popular food licensing trend and reinvigorate the craft and stationery categories. Key characteristics of these brands, such as shapes, scents and colours, will bring this collection to life.

Joe DiPalma, Kangaru’s founder and CEO, has spent the last year adopting a licensed strategy to this new product development to capitalise on top selling brands.

Speaking of the company’s plans for its licensing programme, he said: “Over the coming year we plan to expand the licensed products into the UK and Europe, South America and Asia. Where the UK is concerned, we’ve been working with Paul to better understand the opportunities within the market.

“He’s been drawing on his vast experience in toys and the children’s entertainment business, as well as his impressive ability to customise products and licensing for customers, to really help tailor our licensed offering for the UK.”

Paul Fogarty, co-founder of Two in 1 Direct, added: “We’ve seen the foodie craze hit the toy aisle and now we get to bring it to the stationery and craft aisle.

“Something we’re particularly excited about is the opportunity to customise this line of products to suit our retailers’ unique needs. We’re going to be working closely with our retail partners over the coming months to deliver a collection that appeals to customers and meets their individual needs.”

Wow! Stuff signs global rights for Love, Diana toys to bring ‘Wow’ factor to latest range

Posted on by

Wow! Stuff has signed the global rights for Love, Diana, the kids’ lifestyle brand based on the YouTube sensation, Kids Diana Show with plans for a range of innovative toy takes on props found throughout the Love, Diana Adventures series.

With over 4,4 billion monthly views on YouTube and over 180 million active subscribers, Love, Diana licensed merchandise is currently in high demand, selling fast across its retailers including Target, Walmart, Amazon, Smyths, Claire’s, Tesco and more.

Wow! Stuff will now be embedding what it calls its ‘Magic-Light Technology’ into the Love, Diana brand’s flagship item, the Magical Wand Haribrush – as used by Diana in the live action-animated series, Love, Diana Adventures. The new launch will allow kids to re-enact what they see Diana doing during her on-screen adventures.

Other flagship props from Wow! Stuff’s tech team will include the Light Up hair Bows featured on every Love, Diana Adventures episode, as well as Diana’s Secret Password Journal – a voice activated electronic journal with its own secret compartment.

Kenny McAndrew, director of product development, Wow! Stuff, said: “Kids Diana Show and the Love, Diana brand perfectly complements our leading tier one pre-school brands. We’ve added our ‘WOW’ point of difference to Diana’s favorite key props, utilising our product development team which has scientists and engineers at its core, all of whom love creating that magical WOW factor in toys.”

Danny Spronz, managing director EMEA, pocket.watch, who co-led the deal alongside Stone Newman, chief revenue officer, said: “Wow! Stuff never ceases to amaze the industry with its ability to create wholly bespoke products that deliver a real ‘WOW!’ to kids. Its innovation and ability to engineer really fantastic products, on brand and in universe, aligns with our aim to ensure Love, Diana brand merchandise stands out from a crowded market sector.”     

Launching Summer 2021, Wow! Stuff’s flagship Love, Diana products SRP’s range from £/$/€9.99  to £/$/€29.99

Topps partners with Toho to bring Godzilla and the cast of classic monsters to the NFT stage

Posted on by

The collectables expert, Topps is celebrating Toho’s iconic Godzilla franchise by bringing the studio’s classic monsters to the NFT platform in the shape of a series of digital collectables. The new range will be hosted on Topps’ WAX blockchain from today (March 31st).

Topps has been a preeminent creator and innovator of physical cards and digital collectables for more than 70 years, providing generations of fans with cards to collect, trade, and show off across a number of categories. Its global popularity has quickly led to the rapid adoption of Topps’ sports and entertainment digital collectable apps, first brought to the market in 2012.

The firm has since played a hand in re-imagining the collectables world, helping to set the stage for NFT and the craze that is currently sweeping the globe.

The release of Godzilla Collection joins a rapidly growing portfolio of officially licensed Topps NFT collectibles, including the pop culture phenomenon and Topps’ owned IP, Garbage Pail Kids.

“We’ve been one of the first brands to fully embrace the potential of non-fungible tokens (NFTs),” said Tobin Lent, VP and general manager of digital at The Topps Company. “By partnering early with WAX and their state-of-the-art trading platform, we’ve been able to create a fun and accessible digital ecosystem for fans with all levels of experience. We are excited to debut our latest NFT set, featuring iconic imagery from the Godzilla franchise, and build on our initial successes of digital collecting to include interactive elements, increased security and transparent transactions.”

Lora Cohn, managing director, Toho International, added: “We are constantly looking for exciting new ways for fans to connect with the Godzilla brand, and the Topps Digital Godzilla collection is something we’ve never offered before.

“Topps Digital has been at the forefront of the physical and digital card collectible space, so we are thrilled to work with their team on this offering. It’s no secret that NFTs are exploding in popularity right now, so we’re excited to give fans the opportunity to expand their Godzilla collections through the blockchain.”

In May 2020, Topps announced a partnership with the Worldwide Asset eXchange (WAX). Since then, its portfolio on the WAX platform continues to be highly sought after. Through its new Toho partnership, Topps will introduce fans to Godzilla’s origins and the iconic monsters from the series such as Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah and Mechagodzilla.

There are over 160 unique pieces of art in the collection, including comic covers, motion cards, original illustrations, Chibi style animations, classic Topps “Rookie cards”, and more. Fans can collect, buy, sell and trade on the WAX platform in the knowledge that each collectible is a unique, one-of-a-kind digital asset that is certified, authentic and unchangeable through the WAX Blockchain.

Each Topps collectible will hold a uniquely minted number ID that can be found on the WAX Blockchain, proving each asset’s authenticity.

The England Lionesses make history as University Games unveils first all female Subbuteo line-up

Posted on by

University Games is making history with the launch of the first all-female Subbuteo line-up to mass market, thanks to a new partnership with the England Lionesses.

The highly anticipated Official England Lionesses Subbuteo Main Game will be available from this May, with each of the detailed Lionesses Subbuteo players sporting the England kit. The line-up will also feature players of differing ethnicity.

The set will feature the 11 player Lionesses Team, an 11 player Red and White team, along with the Subbuteo pitch and goal sets.

The England Lionesses have been an inspiration to young players over the past few years and their success at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup has helped a growth in participation across all levels.

Mark Jones, sales director at University Games, believes the new Lionesses Set will make big steps to continue to bridge the gap between the younger generation and the current Subbuteo enthusiasts.

“We are all ever hopeful for a football-themed summer with the Euros currently planned to kick off this June, and with the Women’s European Championships now scheduled for summer 2022, the new England Lionesses Main Game is certain to be a very welcome and timely addition to the range,” he said.

“Subbuteo was a best seller for 2020 and a top Christmas Toy following a successful re-launch and a heavy-weight multi-media campaign, which will continue throughout 2021 and feature the new addition to the range.”

The new Lionesses Main Game will join a comprehensive Subbuteo range that includes the Subbuteo Main Game, Official England Main Game as well as the new Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR) Set and enhanced Fences Set accessories that launched earlier this year.

Asterix moves home as Little, Brown Book Group’s Sphere takes over all publishing from Hachette Children’s Group

Posted on by

The popular comic book series, Asterix, is moving to a new home with the Little, Brown Book Group’s imprint, Sphere following a deal that will see the team take over the publishing of all Asterix titles from Hachette Children’s Group from this July.

The deal will include all 38 albums and 12 omnibus editions of the Asterix comics. Sphere will also publish the newest book in the series, Asterix and the Griffin, in both hardback and ebook form on October 21st 2021. The move to Sphere, says the group, is in recognition of the brand’s ‘broad and loyal family readership, including Asterix’s dedicated adult fanbase.’

Since the first Asterix album was published in 1961, the comic series has been translated into more than 100 languages and dialects, and sold more than 385 million copies worldwide. The series is focused on the adventures of the Gaulish warrior Asterix and his friend Obelix, a duo that have spawned animated cartoons, 15 feature films and its own theme park, Parc Asterix.

The last album, Asterix  and the Chieftain’s Daughter, sold more than five million copies worldwide. Jean-Yves Ferri and Didier Conrad took over the Asterix series in 2013. The series’ original  illustrator Albert Uderzo had been overseeing the series until his death in March 2020,  and the books’ original author, René Goscinny, died in 1977. 

The latest story will see Asterix and Obelix set out on their 39th adventure, and travel to a new destination in search of a strange and terrifying creature both idolised and feared by ancient peoples, the griffin. 

Jean-Yves Ferri said: “For me, it all started with a sculpture of the Tarasque, a terrifying creature from Celtic legends … Did our ancestors really believe that these peculiar monsters actually existed? It’s worth mentioning that in Roman times there weren’t many explorers so the terra was mostly incognita.

“Even so, extraordinary animals such as elephants and rhinoceroses had already been exhibited in Rome. Having seen them, why would Romans have any reason to doubt the existence of equally improbable creatures? And hadn’t some of them (medusas, centaurs, gorgons …) been described very seriously before their time by the ancient Greeks? 

“Now it was time look at this bestiary and choose the animal that would be at the centre of the intrigue. Half-eagle, half-lion, with horse’s ears and appropriately enigmatic – I opted for a Griffin. The Romans were bound to go for it. But what about the Gauls? How would Asterix, Obelix and Dogmatix, along with the Druid Getafix, get drawn into the epic, perilous quest to find this fantastical animal?” 

Asterix is also due to star in a 3D Netflix animated series, directed by Alain Chabat, the writer and director of 2002’s Mission Cléopâtre – the most successful of Asterix’s numerous appearances on screen and the third highest-grossing feature film in  French history.

The series will be adapted from one of the classic volumes, Asterix and the Big Fight, where the Romans, after being constantly embarrassed by Asterix and his village cohorts, organize a brawl between rival Gaulish chiefs. The series will debut in  2023, and will be screened around the world. 

Miraculous lands slate of new consumer products partners and Disney Channel US broadcast

Posted on by

ZAG is seeing demand for Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir continuing to grow across the US as the studio details its latest raft of licensing partners, as well as a new broadcast deal with Disney Channel US for seasons four and five of the series.

Newly signed partners for the hit IP include Crayola who has joined for branded colour and activity books, Fast Forward for kids backpacks and lunch bags, Kids Designs for youth electronics such as headphones and microphones, Komar Kids for sleepwear, and Peachtree Playthings for crafts and activities.

This roster is joined by further US partners including Galerie for seasonal and everyday chocolate and confectionery, Inkology for stationary and activity products, Trends International for posters and stickers, and Card.com for branded debit and credit cards.

Additional partners for online retail sales are Mighty Mojo Toys for party goods and supplies and All About Vibe for sublimated pillows.

Meanwhile, Disney Channel US has confirmed that it will pick up the latest two seasons, joining Disney Channels in multiple territories around the world as previously announced.  The US broadcaster will be debuting season four in summer 2021.  

Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir is also available globally on Netflix (excluding Asia and Brazil), with Netflix US streaming seasons one through three. According to Parrot Analytics, Miraculous is the number one in demand show for kids on Netflix in the US for the period January 1 to February 28.

“We’re thankful to all of our partners, including our trusted broadcasters and streamers who make Miraculous easily accessible to our passionate fans, and our consumer products licensees and retailers who provide multiple ways for fans to engage with the brand,” said Jeremy Zag, founder, ZAG.

“The new Miraculous toy line from Playmates Toys and ZAG Labs that launched on March 21 sold out within hours at Target.com, Walmart.com, and Kohls.com, and we have many new initiatives in the works that we’ll be announcing in the coming weeks and months and cannot wait to be able to share the news.”

 The new agreements coincide with the March 21 Miraculous toy launch from Playmates Toys and ZAG Labs at Walmart.com, Target.com, Kohls.com, with Amazon.com launching on April 15.

Other products hitting retail shelves this year include leveled readers and chapter books from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR), a division of the Hachette Book Group; costumes and accessories for wholesale retailers fromInSpirit Designs,a division of lifestyle retailer Spencer Spirit Holdings that owns and operates Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween (Miraculous is the company’s number one girls costume at their owned and operated retail locations); bedding and décor from Jay Franco; underwear from Handcraft Manufacturing; and Bentex Apparel Group for sportswear, tees and sleepwear.

Also coming up in 2021 is the theatrical $100M+ movie, Miraculous Ladybug And Cat Noir ‘The Awakening,’ which begins to roll out holiday 2021 and spring 2022.

Anderson Entertainment partners with Gail Myerscough to launch limited edition mug set

Posted on by

Anderson Entertainment has detailed a new collaboration with the surface pattern designer and illustrator Gail Myerscough that will witness the launch of a limited edition set of mugs and coasters bearing designs inspired by shows created Gerry Anderson.

The designs were commissioned by Jamie Anderson, MD of Anderson Entertainment and son of Gerry Anderson, who was impressed by a design inspired by control panels seen in shows like Thunderbirds. Each of the bone china mugs are hand finished at James Dean Pottery in Kent.

The mugs and coasters will be sold exclusively through Anderson Entertainment’s successful e-commerce site, the Gerry Anderson Store, which boasts an expanding list both of licensee-supplied product and new items developed and created by Anderson Entertainment. They will be available from the beginning of April.

The core market for the mugs is expected to be Gerry Anderson fans and gift buyers of all ages, along with lovers of stylish, unusual homeware. 

Gail Myerscough said: “I take my inspiration from mid-century design and modernist architecture and I grew up watching Gerry Anderson shows, so bringing all these interests together in these designs has been a real pleasure for me. Anderson Entertainment has been a delight to work with and I’m looking forward to more collaborations in the near future.”

Jamie Anderson, MD of Anderson Entertainment, added: “Gail is a creative and versatile designer with a new and fresh way of looking at the Anderson classics which at the same time captures the essence of their appeal. These, stylish, original and fun mugs and coasters are an integral part of our ongoing plans for an expanded offering from the Gerry Anderson Store to meet growing demand. It’s going to be a very busy 2021.”