Category Archives: Entertainment

Merchantwise Licensing heads up Australian and New Zealand licensing programme for Schitt’s Creek

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ITV Studios has tapped Merchantwise Licensing to represent the hit comedy series, Schitt’s Creek for licensing opportunities across Australia and New Zealand. Work has already got underway on a licensing programme, with local partner Caprice Australia engaged for apparel, footwear, headwear, bags and more.

Also on board is Merch Mother who will develop products across the homewares, gifts and apparel categories.

Licensing opportunities will also be sought by Merchantwise Licensing across other categories including consumer electronics, food and beverage, gardening and outdoor, room décor, personal care, puzzles and games as well as consumer promotions and stationery and paper goods.

“We are pleased to commence this licensing partnership with ITV Studios – Schitt’s Creek enjoys great broadcast success in Australia and New Zealand across Netflix, ABC Comedy and Foxtel. With its historic nine Emmy awards last year, two Golden Globes wins and two Critics’ Awards in 2021 Schitt’s Creek combines great comedic storytelling with fabulous characters and an impressive cast line-up which will ensure its Australian and New Zealand retail licensing success,” said Merchantwise Licensing’s general manager, Kerryn McCormack.

When filthy-rich video store magnate Johnny Rose, his soap star wife Moira, and their two kids – uber-hipster son David and socialite daughter Alexis – suddenly find themselves broke, they are forced to live in a small, depressing town they once bought as a joke. With their pampered lives now abandoned, they must confront their newfound poverty and discover what it means to be a family, all within the rural city limits of Schitt’s Creek, their new home.

Viewed in English speaking countries on Netflix, Schitt’s Creek also enjoys broadcast across multiple platforms around the world including Now in Germany, TV4 in the Nordics and Canal+ in France. Internationally, the brand has many partners signed across a number of retail categories including collectibles, apparel, gifts, toiletries, puzzles and games and mobile games.

Spacetoon named master licensing agent and toy partner for Love, Diana across MENA

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The family edutainment content producer, Spacetoon, has been named the new master consumer product licensing agent for Pocket.Watch’s Love, Diana brand across the MENA territory.

Under the deal, Spacetoon will launch a new line of toys and products, bringing Love,Diana items to shelf across the MENA toy market, appealing directly to Pocket.Watch’s growing audience base across the region as it build its global standing.

On top of this, Spacetoon has also secured the rights to localise, dub, and broadcast two of the most successful shows for Diana across Spacetoon free-to-air TV channel and Spacetoon GO online streaming service.

The first will be Love, Diana Adventures – a series that follows Diana into a new world – the Land of Play – where she is transformed from live action into an animated Princess of Play as she acts to protect her friends and family from Boris the Baron of Boredom. Love, Diana Adventures gained more than 10 millions views globally within five of the launch of the first episode.

The second show will be Kids Diana Show Ultimate Mishmash; a mashup of highlights from the Kids Diana Show YouTube channel starring Diana together with her brother, Roma. Diana and Roma take the audience through all of their family-friendly pretend play adventures; including dress up, role-play, and many other scenarios that spark the imagination of little kids.

Collectively, Diana has nearly 5 billion monthly views on her 14 YouTube channels, which provide audiences with family-friendly content in 9 different languages.

Ahmad Weiss, commercial director of Spacetoon, said: “We are thrilled to announce this collaboration with pocket.watch, to bring top-rated, family and kid-friendly content to the region, along with opening the doors for new merchandise related to the Love, Diana brand.

“Love, Diana is very popular among families around the world and the MENA region is no exception. People love this show for being adventurous and taking edutainment content to the next level. We are always open to this type of opportunity that results in bringing purposeful, values-based content and products to Arab families and presenting it in a unique way.”

Danny Sprongz, managing director, EMEA, Pocket.Watch, added: “Pocket.Watch is thrilled to enter into this licensing opportunity with Spacetoon to expand the Love, Diana Franchise in the Middle East.

“The Spacetoon audience, coupled with Spacetoon’s licensing capabilities will be critical to accelerating the Love, Diana brand and continuing to deliver fun and inspiration to young audiences within the region.”

Other Pocket.Watch titles to be made available on the Spacetoon TV channel and Spacetoon GO online streaming service, include the Emmy-nominated series Ryan’s Mystery Playdate and Ryan’s World Specials.

The shows will be dubbed into Arabic and broadcasted on Spacetoon TV Channel, while being made available on Spacetoon GO online streaming service. This will offer a chance to more than 100 million viewers around MENA to spend hours of joy and amusement with their favorite characters.

LEGO reveals its Dark Side with the launch of its LEGO Star Wars Helmets collection

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The LEGO Group has unveiled three new LEGO Star Wars construction sets for adult builders to recreate some of the most iconic designs from the Star Wars galaxy, including two new additions to the LEGO Star Wars helmet collection.

First revealed last year, the helmet collection features a bust inspired by Darth Vader and a helmet designed in the likeness of a Scout Trooper. Making up today’s launch is the new model honouring the Imperial Probe Droid.

The range has been designed with the LEGO’s community of adult builders in mind, allowing fans to build, display, and pay homage to the Dark Lord of the Sith. The LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader Helmet is an 834 brick build, the Scout Trooper helmet is a 471 brick set, and the LEGO Star Wars Imperial Probe Droid weighs in at 638 pieces.

“Some of our favourite Star Wars characters have the most profound, intimidating on-screen presences, despite the fact that you can’t see their facial expressions,” said Jens Kronvold Frederiksen, creative director, LEGO Star Wars. “In recreating the sinister helmets of Darth Vader and the Scout Trooper, it was important to capture the details and essential features that people around the world will recognise, even those who aren’t too familiar with the Star Wars galaxy.

“I think all three display sets are extremely cool and I hope fans will enjoy the building process and be thrilled to display them once complete.”

Passionate builders can enjoy some time to relax as they take on these complex creative challenges, recreating every authentic detail in true LEGO style. When done with the build, the models can be displayed with a bespoke plaque.

The sets will be priced between £44.99 to £59.99 and will be available for pre-order from March 25th, 2021 from LEGO.com and other retailers, and on general sale globally from April 26th.

Industry caught in Suez Canal block; KAP Toys calls on ‘Leviosa spell’ to lift Harry Potter Sorting Hats

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The toy industry is among the hundreds of global businesses to be caught up in the Suez Canal as the beaching of the container ship Ever Given runs into its fourth day, with suggestions that a solution could be weeks in the taking.

Officials at the scene have deliberated plans to move the vessel, a container ship that has run aground on the sand banks of the 250 meter wide canal, that include removing the cargo, oil and water from aboard the ship in order to lighten its load.

The suggestion made by the Suez Canal Authority as it works a plan to refloat the ship and resume traffic on one of the world’s key trade routes, could take a matter of weeks to complete.

The 220,000 tonne, 400 meter long vessel currently has 13 ships behind it. At least 150 ships in total have been delayed by the blockage, the canal service provider Leth Agencies said, including ships near Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea and Port Suez on the Red Sea.

Among the hundreds of containers stacked aboard the ship and the thousands of businesses now impacted by the blockage is the UK’s own KAP Toys who currently has a 40-foot container of Harry Potter Sorting Hats aboard the vessel.

KAP Toys’ managing director, Nathaniel Southworth, told ToyNews: “If there are plans to lift the cargo off the ship I’m sure the Wingardium Leviosa spell would be the Hogwart’s recommendation! We just hope for everyone affected that normal service is resumed and impacts kept to a minimum.

“Whether this delay will result in stock shortages we just don’t know but we want it sorted because it is one of our best sellers and Harry Potter fans love their Sorting Hats.”

Bulldog Licensing inks first partnership for Rolling Stone with Iconospheric

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Bulldog Licensing has brokered a new partnership between Iconospheric and the iconic music and culture brand, Rolling Stone, marking the fist to be signed by the licensing agency since it picked up the popular property earlier this year.

The new Iconospheric collection will feature a range of products including apparel, accessories, home, and gift merchandise all of which will celebrate Rolling Stone’s heritage and authority across music, culture, and politics. Rolling Stone’s platform reaches a global audience of over 600 million people per month.

Through the partnership, Bulldog Licensing continues to widen its consumer product offerings in the UK, spanning gift, accessories, stationery, wall art and home.

Rob Corney, MD, Bulldog Licensing, said: “Iconospheric is the perfect first partner for the UK Rolling Stone programme. We love their approach to design and it means that we will have high quality Rolling Stone merchandise available all year round.

“This collaboration showcases our ability to deliver a wide range of quality products that represent the influence of a truly iconic brand. The interest in the programme has been very strong thus far, and we look forward to announcing additional key partners soon.” 

The Iconospheric x Rolling Stone collection launched yesterday and is available for purchase online at  iconospheric.com/pages/rolling-stone-collection.

Radar Licensing named global agent for Nic Cage horror film Willy’s Wonderland

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Radar Licensing has been appointed the global licensing agent for the 2021 horror film Willy’s Wonderland, a role in which it will spearhead a worldwide consumer products retail programme spanning apparel, accessories, publishing, electronics, toys, and costumes.

Starring Nicolas Cage alongside Emily Tosta, Ric Reitz, and Chris Warner, Willy’s Wonderland enjoyed a successful PVOD premiere this February. Since then, the t-shirt worn in Willy’s Wonderland by Cage has been consistently selling out of stock.

Radar Licensing has now appointed its first licensee, Changes, as apparel partner to replicate the t-shirt for availability this spring. Radar, in partnership with Landmark Studio Group, anticipate additional products for Willy’s Wonderland to begin hitting retail in Q3 this year.

“We are thrilled with the fan and critic reception of Willy’s Wonderland, which has received great reviews and millions of impressions to date across YouTube and social media platforms,” said David Ozer, CEO, Landmark. “Fans want more engagement with the film, and this is the opportune time to partner with a seasoned licensing agent like Radar to create a line of products that reflect the quirky, fun, and adventurous vibe of the film delivered by the talents of Nic Cage to the marketplace.”

David Imhoff, president, Radar Licensing, added: “With its multi-genre appeal, Willy’s Wonderland has so many fantastical elements from which we can develop a merch program. We look forward to working with Landmark to develop and bring these products to retail.”

Directed by Kevin Lewis from a screenplay written by G.O. Parsons, in Willy’s Wonderland a quiet loner (Cage) finds himself stranded in a remote town when his car breaks down. Unable to pay for the repairs he needs, he agrees to spend the night cleaning Willy’s Wonderland, an abandoned family fun center. But this wonderland has a dark secret that the “Janitor” is about to discover. He soon finds himself trapped inside Willy’s and locked in an epic battle with the possessed animatronic mascots that roam the halls. To survive, he must fight his way through each of them.

View the official trailer below:

Mattel taps Audi, Porsche, Land Rover, and Mercedes for Matchbox toy cars relaunch

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Mattel is launching an all-new range of Matchbox vehicles that will pay homage to the most iconic car manufacturers in Europe including Land Rover, Audi, Mercedes, and Porsche.

The new range from Matchbox will celebrate names from across the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Russia, featuring 100 per cent licensed vehicles with authentic details found within the famous cars.

Created nearly 70 years ago by British inventor Jack Odell and continuing to sell more than 40 million die-cast vehicles each year, Matchbox is relaunching in several markets across Europe in 2021 with brand new product lines and packaging.

‘With a renewed focus on realistic adventure and authentic storytelling, Matchbox is highlighting what continues to make the classic toy relevant for today’s kids,’ read a statement form the firm.

For the new ‘Best of Europe Car Assortment’, Matchbox designers have worked to capture representative vehicles from across the region to pay homage to the design and culture of each country. Working with local teams in market, designers studied the most popular automotive manufacturers, types of vehicles, popular colors, decoration and details of various types of vehicles including rescue and construction such as ambulances and fire trucks.

“Matchbox first invented vehicle play as we know it almost seven decades ago, and we have taken inspiration from those original roots to evolve the brand for this next generation,” said Roberto Stanichi, global head of vehicles at Mattel.

“With this year’s brand relaunch, we’ve identified the values that have made Matchbox so enduring and focused the brand on encouraging kids to explore through realistic play and enhanced design. With captivating die-cast details and relevant play-sets based on the world kids see around them, Matchbox provides tools through play for even more open-ended adventures.”

Joe Sinclair, branded goods and licensing director, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “As long-standing partners of Mattel, it’s fantastic to have some of our most iconic vehicles feature in this new special edition Matchbox die cast range.

“Forming part of the star line up of the new Matchbox ‘Best of the UK’ series will be the Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Series II, Jaguar E-Type Coupe and Jaguar F-Type Coupe.”

CoComelon to air on the UK’s Cartoonito in ‘milestone’ partnership for Moonbug Entertainment

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Moonbug Entertainment has secured a ‘milestone’ partnership with the UK’s popular pre-school network, Cartoonito thaat will see its hit series CoComelon air on the channel each weekday at 5pm.

From April 5, all available episodes of Moonbug’s flagship pre-school series will be accessible, delivering ‘hours of engaging entertainment’ to pre-school kids in the UK.

“This partnership is a true milestone for Moonbug. Cartoonito as a premium children-dedicated linear channel is the first in the UK to pick up the digitally-originated CoComelon,” said Nicolas Eglau, managing director EMEA and APAC, Moonbug.

“This cooperation not only widens the reach of Moonbug programming, but is also a further vote of confidence in digital content, underscoring the trust that Moonbug has built with its globally loved IPs.”

Featuring 3D animation and catchy tunes, CoComelon follows JJ and his siblings as they go on fun, relatable adventures, playing, exploring and learning along the way. CoComelon models positivity and good behavior and supports preschoolers’ learning through music, providing parents an opportunity to teach and play with their children as they watch together.

Moonbug Entertainment is an award-winning global entertainment company with a portfolio of kids’ programming that includes not only CoComelon, but Blippi, Little Baby Bum, and My Magic Pet Morphle, with content available in 27 languages.

Most recently, Moonbug tapped the UK’s Character Options as master toy partner for Morphle, bolstering a slate of recent licensing advances for the pre-school studio.

In just two years, Moonbug has become a kids’ programming powerhouse with a library of more than 550 hours of content, which is distributed on more than 100 platforms globally, including YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Joyn, Sky and Roku.

Moose Toys and Warner Bros. unveil all-star line up of Space Jam: A New Legacy toys

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Moose Toys and Warner Bros. Consumer Products have revealed the starting line-up of toys to celebrate the summer theatrical release of Space Jam: A New Legacy, featuring LeBron James alongside Looney Tunes’ greats Bugs Bunny, Lola Bunny, Tazmanian Devil, and Marvin the Martian.

The new line-up will launch this April with a slam-dunk range featuring action figures, play-sets, collectables, plush characters, and more including a special series of Goo Heroes, inspired by the Heroes of Goo Jit Zu brand.

 

Leading the line is the Super Shoot and Dunk LeBron James featuring the first action figure that actually jumps, dunks, and hangs on to the rim, a la LeBron’s character in the film. The range will feature regular refreshes and new introductions throughout the autumn and Christmas period.

“To put our excitement about this partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products into basketball terms, it’s like shooting a nothing-but-net-three-point-buzzer-beater to win the game,” said Ronnie Frankowski, chief marketing officer, Moose Toys.

“Working closely with Warner Bros., every attention to detail was paid to make sure our toys bring that big screen action into the hands of the fans. Our toys deliver awesome replicas of the stars of the movie, along with fresh new ways to play. We cannot wait for fans to bring their favorite characters home.”

Moose Toys’ range of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” toys includes:

Space Jam: A New Legacy Super Shoot and Dunk LeBron James featuring a figure of the film’s star designed with large hands that can palm the basketball. Load the LeBron James figure on the launcher and he hits a three-pointer or send him soaring for his signature slam dunk and rim hang.

Space Jam: A New Legacy Ballers Action Figures are the Tune Squad “good guys” that will have the Goon Squad villains on defense. There are four poseable figures to collect including LeBron James with his ACME Rocket-Pack 4000; LeBron James with his ACME Mallet; Bugs Bunny with his ACME Blaster 3000; and Marvin the Martian armed with his Saucer of Doom.

Space Jam: A New Legacy On Court Rivals Two-Pack Action Figures allow fans to recreate some of the all-star moves and scenes with these cool action figures. LeBron James and the Tune Squad are ready to hit the court and take on their on-court rivals, the Goon Squad, with figures exclusive to the Rivals Two-Pack.

These detailed collectible five-inch figures are articulated and posable. Pose them competing against each other with the included accessories.

Space Jam: A New Legacy LeBron James Ultimate Tune Squad Action Figure is large scale and comes ready to battle the Goon Squad just like in the film. The 12-inch Tune Squad action figure comes with four accessories and speaks more than eight ready-for-battle phrases and sounds.

Space Jam: A New Legacy Mini Figures and Space Jam: A New Legacy Gametime Playset
features 22 action figures to collect, including LeBron James and Tune Squad players like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Tazmanian Devil and Classic Marvin the Martian. Adding to the fun is the search for rare figures, gold Hall of Famer figures and a platinum ultra-rare figure.

The Gametime Playset comes with Tune Squad heroes Bugs Bunny and LeBron James collectibles figures, pumped and positioned to shoot buzzer beater three-pointers from the ball-launching bases.

Space Jam: A New Legacy Goo Heroes
Space Jam: A New Legacy Goo Heroes take a page out of the playbook of another Moose Toys favorite: the Heroes of Goo Jit Zu. Pull, stretch and bend gooey Bugs Bunny to shoot and score like never before. And with two LeBron James options, kids can double-team the Goon Squad players, using his squish-and stretch-ability to dominate. MSRP $12.99.

Space Jam: A New Legacy Plush B-Ball Buddies
Discover the Tune Squad’s softer side with Space Jam: A New Legacy Plush B-Ball Buddies. Suited up in their uniforms they are dressed for play, and so super soft and snuggly they can just as easily spend their time in a good cuddle huddle.

Fans of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” won’t have to wait long for the collection to drop – the extensive line will be available nationwide at all major retailers beginning April 18.

Moose Toys and Warner Bros. unveil all-star line up of Space Jam: A New Legacy toys

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Moose Toys and Warner Bros. Consumer Products have revealed the starting line-up of toys to celebrate the summer theatrical release of Space Jam: A New Legacy, featuring LeBron James alongside Looney Tunes’ greats Bugs Bunny, Lola Bunny, Tazmanian Devil, and Marvin the Martian.

The new line-up will launch this April with a slam-dunk range featuring action figures, play-sets, collectables, plush characters, and more including a special series of Goo Heroes, inspired by the Heroes of Goo Jit Zu brand.

 

Leading the line is the Super Shoot and Dunk LeBron James featuring the first action figure that actually jumps, dunks, and hangs on to the rim, a la LeBron’s character in the film. The range will feature regular refreshes and new introductions throughout the autumn and Christmas period.

“To put our excitement about this partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products into basketball terms, it’s like shooting a nothing-but-net-three-point-buzzer-beater to win the game,” said Ronnie Frankowski, chief marketing officer, Moose Toys.

“Working closely with Warner Bros., every attention to detail was paid to make sure our toys bring that big screen action into the hands of the fans. Our toys deliver awesome replicas of the stars of the movie, along with fresh new ways to play. We cannot wait for fans to bring their favorite characters home.”

Moose Toys’ range of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” toys includes:

Space Jam: A New Legacy Super Shoot and Dunk LeBron James featuring a figure of the film’s star designed with large hands that can palm the basketball. Load the LeBron James figure on the launcher and he hits a three-pointer or send him soaring for his signature slam dunk and rim hang.

Space Jam: A New Legacy Ballers Action Figures are the Tune Squad “good guys” that will have the Goon Squad villains on defense. There are four poseable figures to collect including LeBron James with his ACME Rocket-Pack 4000; LeBron James with his ACME Mallet; Bugs Bunny with his ACME Blaster 3000; and Marvin the Martian armed with his Saucer of Doom.

Space Jam: A New Legacy On Court Rivals Two-Pack Action Figures allow fans to recreate some of the all-star moves and scenes with these cool action figures. LeBron James and the Tune Squad are ready to hit the court and take on their on-court rivals, the Goon Squad, with figures exclusive to the Rivals Two-Pack.

These detailed collectible five-inch figures are articulated and posable. Pose them competing against each other with the included accessories.

Space Jam: A New Legacy LeBron James Ultimate Tune Squad Action Figure is large scale and comes ready to battle the Goon Squad just like in the film. The 12-inch Tune Squad action figure comes with four accessories and speaks more than eight ready-for-battle phrases and sounds.

Space Jam: A New Legacy Mini Figures and Space Jam: A New Legacy Gametime Playset
features 22 action figures to collect, including LeBron James and Tune Squad players like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Tazmanian Devil and Classic Marvin the Martian. Adding to the fun is the search for rare figures, gold Hall of Famer figures and a platinum ultra-rare figure.

The Gametime Playset comes with Tune Squad heroes Bugs Bunny and LeBron James collectibles figures, pumped and positioned to shoot buzzer beater three-pointers from the ball-launching bases.

Space Jam: A New Legacy Goo Heroes
Space Jam: A New Legacy Goo Heroes take a page out of the playbook of another Moose Toys favorite: the Heroes of Goo Jit Zu. Pull, stretch and bend gooey Bugs Bunny to shoot and score like never before. And with two LeBron James options, kids can double-team the Goon Squad players, using his squish-and stretch-ability to dominate. MSRP $12.99.

Space Jam: A New Legacy Plush B-Ball Buddies
Discover the Tune Squad’s softer side with Space Jam: A New Legacy Plush B-Ball Buddies. Suited up in their uniforms they are dressed for play, and so super soft and snuggly they can just as easily spend their time in a good cuddle huddle.

Fans of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” won’t have to wait long for the collection to drop – the extensive line will be available nationwide at all major retailers beginning April 18.