Category Archives: Entertainment

Bootsy Collins signs with ALG Brands

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ALG Brands has been tapped to represent the original Starchild, Bootsy Collins, for licensing and branding opportunities, it was announced today by ALG CEO Ashley Austin. The firm will manage Collins’ personality rights and will oversee the evolution of his intellectual property via brand collaborations, media projects, licensed products and more.

“I’m getting excited, the Funk has united with ALG,” says Collins. “Time to give up the ‘P’ – Funk that is, baba! Bootsy baby!!!”

“Bootsy is prolific in all aspects of the entertainment business,” says Austin. “His image is iconic, his sound is authentic, and his vibe is on a whole other level. It is an honour to be invited into his orbit, and we are so excited to work with him and his amazing team to bring the power of The One to new media, branding, and licensing initiatives.”

Born in Cincinnati, OH, Bootsy Collins is an all-time great funk and R&B bassist, singer, bandleader and music producer. From 1969 to 1971, Collins performed with James Brown’s backup band, dubbed the J.B.’s, his bass driving records like “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine.” In 1972, Bootsy joined George Clinton’s Parliament/Funkadelic; Collins and Clinton soon established a lifelong personal and musical friendship. He launched Bootsy’s Rubber Band as a spinoff of Parliament-Funkadelic in 1976 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as part of the P-Funk collective.

Beyond the music, Collins is one of the most colourful personalities in entertainment. Bootsy’s custom-built, star-shaped Space Bass, top hat, wild glasses, ever-present smile, and instantly recognisable voice have ensured his long status as a cultural icon. Beloved by original funkateers, next generation hip-hoppers, electronic pioneers, metalheads and more, the forever young Bootsy Collins is the definition of a living legend.

Spotlight to represent Samurai Rabbit

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2022 may be the Year of the Tiger but it is also shaping up to be a big year for the rabbits of the highly anticipated Netflix animated kids series Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles, and the long-running and award-winning Stan Sakai comic book series Usagi Yojimbo that inspired it.

Spotlight Licensing has been appointed by Gaumont to launch and manage the global merchandise licensing programme for Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles (which debuted on Netflix April 28).

“We are incredibly proud of Samurai Rabbit! It’s a fun, funny, action packed, gorgeous, animated kids series that younger viewers will love. Creator Stan Sakai was involved every step of the way so we hope his comic fans will love it as well,” says Terry Kalagian, Executive Vice President of Creative Content at Gaumont US.

Spotlight has simultaneously been tapped to handle global merchandise licensing for Sakai’s creator-owned Usagi Yojimbo.

“Usagi Yojimbo’s Miyamoto Usagi is an ancestor of Samurai Rabbit’s teenage star Yuichi Usagi  and – because Miyamoto is such an integral figure in Yuichi’s life and story – it made sense to consolidate and coordinate licensing efforts for both the series and comics with one agency,” says Sakai, who is an executive producer of the Samurai Rabbit series and has remained involved throughout development to ensure the show would be well-crafted and respectful of Japanese culture.

“We are thrilled to be working with Gaumont and Stan Sakai to find the right licensing partners in the U.S. and around the world for each property, Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles and Usagi Yojimbo, either separately or together if appropriate,” says Spotlight Licensing President Carole Postal.

Spotlight is actively seeking licensing partners across a broad range of product categories including not only toys and games but also clothing, costumes, accessories, figurines, collectibles, and other items. As global agent, Spotlight will also be looking for evaluating potential licensing partners and sub-agents around the world.

 

Spotlight to represent Samurai Rabbit

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2022 may be the Year of the Tiger but it is also shaping up to be a big year for the rabbits of the highly anticipated Netflix animated kids series Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles, and the long-running and award-winning Stan Sakai comic book series Usagi Yojimbo that inspired it.

Spotlight Licensing has been appointed by Gaumont to launch and manage the global merchandise licensing programme for Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles (which debuted on Netflix April 28).

“We are incredibly proud of Samurai Rabbit! It’s a fun, funny, action packed, gorgeous, animated kids series that younger viewers will love. Creator Stan Sakai was involved every step of the way so we hope his comic fans will love it as well,” says Terry Kalagian, Executive Vice President of Creative Content at Gaumont US.

Spotlight has simultaneously been tapped to handle global merchandise licensing for Sakai’s creator-owned Usagi Yojimbo.

“Usagi Yojimbo’s Miyamoto Usagi is an ancestor of Samurai Rabbit’s teenage star Yuichi Usagi  and – because Miyamoto is such an integral figure in Yuichi’s life and story – it made sense to consolidate and coordinate licensing efforts for both the series and comics with one agency,” says Sakai, who is an executive producer of the Samurai Rabbit series and has remained involved throughout development to ensure the show would be well-crafted and respectful of Japanese culture.

“We are thrilled to be working with Gaumont and Stan Sakai to find the right licensing partners in the U.S. and around the world for each property, Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles and Usagi Yojimbo, either separately or together if appropriate,” says Spotlight Licensing President Carole Postal.

Spotlight is actively seeking licensing partners across a broad range of product categories including not only toys and games but also clothing, costumes, accessories, figurines, collectibles, and other items. As global agent, Spotlight will also be looking for evaluating potential licensing partners and sub-agents around the world.

 

FuturumKids adds Charlie’s Ark to its roster of preschool series

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With global broadcast sales and licensing activity for its hit preschool property Paddles ramping up and production well under way on its newest preschool property Ling Ling, animation and media company FuturumKids has announced development plans for a major new property, based on the delightful children’s book Charlie’s Ark.

 

Charlie’s Ark tells the story of Charlie, a five-year-old boy, and the ark-shaped toy box in which he keeps his toy animals with their ark-inspired rainbow top-knots, manes and tails. But these are not just toys; they all come to life when Charlie whispers the magic ‘wordspell’, and together Charlie and the toys have many magical adventures.

The books, created and written by award-winning illustrator Mike Payne and illustrated by Adam Pescott and Mike Payne, have clear televisual appeal, and the response to the concept was extremely positive at MIPTV in April. Mike is the creator and original artist of the globally popular grey, blue-nosed bear ‘Tatty Teddy’, which he drew for 17 years.

The 52 x 11 animated series, which has already started production in Ireland and Las Palmas, aims to replicate the engaging style of the books, whose charm, evocative storylines and emotionally engaging illustrations have strong cross-generational appeal.

Longer-term plans will include licensing and merchandising, building on Mike Payne’s enormous success in commercial greeting card design, books, and gift concepts that have sold hundreds of millions worldwide.

Charlie’s Ark is a major addition to the fast-growing FuturumKids portfolio, which already includes Paddles and Ling Ling. Roy Smoothe, international strategic branding specialist, recently joined the Charlie’s Ark team in the role of Global Branding Licensing and Merchandising Director. Arthur Maxfield, former CEO of World of Books, is also involved as a Board Member of the Charlie’s Ark team.

FuturumKids includes members of the team behind the seven-time Emmy-award-winning children’s series Jakers! as well as senior figures from HIT Entertainment and its global franchises Bob the Builder, Barney and Thomas and Friends.

Eamon Mac Giolla Bhuí, CCO at FuturumKids, says: “With two children’s shows already broadcasting or in production we were keen to build on our success to date. However, we needed to find the right property to support our growing reputation as a producer of quality children’s entertainment. Charlie’s Ark is just that property. Both visually and as a magical piece of storytelling it’s ideal for children’s TV. We’re looking forward enormously to developing Charlie’s delightful adventures for the screen.”

FOMO Lab and Banijay partner to launch Mr Bean NFT collection

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Banijay has announced its first activation in the Metaverse with a Mr Bean NFT drop, in collaboration with intellectual property specialist and Metaverse architect FOMO Lab.

Fans will be able to own Mr Bean digital assets and collectibles, inspired by the hit animated series. The genesis Mr Bean NFT collection will be an assortment of 3,333 unique digital collectibles, available to purchase from 25 May using cryptocurrency Ether on FOMO Lab’s NFT marketplace, TheAvenue.market.

By purchasing the Mr Bean digital collectibles, holders will also have access to phygital rewards, competitions and redeemables, including a signed, unpublished hand-drawn still of Mr Bean from the first animated series. Further Mr Bean NFT drops with FOMO Lab are planned throughout 2022.

“Banijay has many exciting Metaverse projects to announce this year, as we continue to adopt new technologies to futureproof our brands,” says Owain Walbyoff, Chief Commercial Officer, Banijay. “With his huge global following, Mr Bean is rightly taking his first steps into this space, and the combination of digital and physical rewards gives the NFT long-term value for the lucky few who manage to purchase them.”

Khalil Kassam, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, FOMO Lab, adds: “”FOMO Lab is the bridge between brands entering the Metaverse and NFT space and the Web3 community, changing the digital landscape forever, and we are delighted to partner with innovator Banijay to launch the official Mr Bean NFT collection.

“We are continuously evolving our product offering, working closely with tier-one brands, as well as the next generation of creators, relentlessly providing value to our community. It’s our mission to bring NFTs to a wide audience, with exclusive access to the latest and most sought-after products on the market.”

One of Britain’s most famous comic creations of all time, Mr Bean, first appeared on screens in 1990, with the versatile performer Rowan Atkinson playing the hapless hero. The show has now been in continual distribution for over 30 years, spawning a globally successful animated series voiced by Atkinson, which launched in 2002.

The brand attracts significant digital audiences, with over 129 million followers on Facebook, making it the biggest TV brand on the platform; nearly 50 million subscribers and 15 billion lifetime views across official YouTube channels; 8.7 million followers on Instagram; and 8.3 million likes on TikTok.

FOMO Lab’s recent partnerships include collaborations with road racing cyclist Mark Cavendish, MEFCC (Middle East and Film Comic Con), entrepreneur Roland Berger, and the heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The legacy NFT collection with Tyson Fury saw FOMO Lab achieving the highest bid in NFT boxing history, selling the 1-of-1 NFT for $987,000

FOMO Lab is creating an entire product suite which includes a multi-chain NFT marketplace, a staking ecosystem, FOMO Lab Launchpad – a Metaverse platform with a ground-breaking mobile social application for NFT collectors – and many more products. The Avenue provides its holders with full control over their digital assets with over 3,000 users signed up, alongside an average visitor count exceeding 30,000 monthly.

Mr Bean: The Animated Series is produced by Tiger Aspect Kids and Family, part of Banijay Kids and Family.

Mondo TV to license popular property Bread Barbershop in Italian market

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Mondo TV Group, one of the largest European producers and distributors of animated content, and a licensing agent for many major international brands, has announced that it has been appointed by brand owner Monster Studio to represent licensing for the hit Korean show Bread Barbershop in the Italian market.

Already a success in Italy, where it launched at the end of 2020 on Discovery Italia free-to-air children’s television channel K2, the 3D animated comedy series for kids aged 6-9 is a makeover show – with a difference. All the characters are different kinds of cake and dessert. They come to master craftsman Bread, a renowned cake decorator, in the hope he will use his skills to change their appearance for the better.

A wealth of supporting characters, including clumsy but lovable Wilk, grumpy receptionist Choco, Sausage, Hamburger, Butter and, of course, a lot of hilarious customers, along with jokes, music and action, keep the comedy and energy levels high.

In Italy, Bread Barbershop ranked first among kids’ FTA commercial channels on the target 4-14 from September 2021 to March 2022.  

“In Bread Barbershop, while the main character gives life-changing makeovers that will put any customer in an amazing mood, one always learns that at the end of the day each of us is special in our own unique way,” says Sandro Sgrulloni, Programming & Content Acquisition Senior Manager, Warner Bros Discovery. “We’re delighted that this series has become one of the most appreciated titles on K2, as it fully reflects our mission to promote diversity and inclusion in an accessible, fun way. That’s why we believe our channel is the place to be for Bread Barbershop.”

Bread Barbershop has also been one of the best-performing shows on pay TV channel DeAKids since its launch at the beginning of 2022. It also boasts well over 1.5 million followers on TikTok, tens of millions of views on YouTube, and a top 10 placing on Netflix, where the first two seasons are now streaming. After the success of series one (39 x 7’) and series two (26 x 11’), series three (26 x 11’) will arrive in English-speaking markets later this year.

In its home market, Korea, Bread Barbershop has already inspired a number of successful product lines. Mondo TV, whose licensing division has successfully built a number of major overseas brands in the Italian market, is now developing a licensing campaign across a wide range of categories including toys, games, books, food and other products.

Matteo Corradi, Mondo TV President and CEO, says: “Bread Barbershop is engaging, colourful, clever and very funny. It’s also highly original – there’s no other show quite like it. This an ideal time to pursue licensing opportunities in an Italian market that has clearly embraced the show and its characters. We’re delighted that Monster Studios has appointed us to manage licensing for this unique property in Italy.”

Hyun Ah Ko, Chief of International Business, Monster Studio, says: “We’re thrilled to be working with Mondo TV on building a licensing programme for Bread Barbershop, and certain that it will be as much of a merchandising success as it has already been a broadcasting success on K2. We are now developing toys, books and other products for fans of Bread Barbershop, which we expect to be a lasting success in Italy.”

 

Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA jumps on board for series 2 of Mush-Mush & the Mushables

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Leading kids’ entertainment specialist CAKE, France’s La Cabane and Belgium’s Thuristar have announced a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA for season two of the Emmy-nominated comedy adventure, Mush-Mush & the Mushables.

Fifty new episodes, including two specials, are now in production and will air on HBO Max and Cartoonito in EMEA.

Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA joins Canal+ (France), VRT-Ketnet, RTBF (Belgium) and RTS (Switzerland), who have already confirmed their commitment to the second season. Season one of Mush-Mush & the Mushables has successfully launched in over 150 territories to date, most recently in the US on preschool block Cartoonito on HBO Max and Cartoon Network.

Created by Elfriede de Rooster, multi-award-winning Mush-Mush & the Mushables is produced by Perrine Gauthier, directed by Joeri Christiaen (Mush-Mush & the Mushables, season one, My Knight and Me) and produced by La Cabane and Thuristar in coproduction with CAKE, which is distributing the series worldwide. Copyrights Group, brand owner and licensing agent for Paddington, is acting as the global licensing agent.

 

Andy and the Odd Socks appoints Brands with Influence to manage worldwide licensing

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When Andy and the Odd Socks formed in 2017 and played the world-famous Glastonbury Festival, they had no idea that just a few years later they would have a hugely successful TV show in the UK, Australia and the USA, plus over 100 live shows under their belt, and a social media reach of 100 million.

The CBBC/CBeebies family show led by Andy Day has gone from strength to strength and Ninja Pig Productions, which put together the band and produces the show, has now appointed Brands with Influence to manage its worldwide licensing programme.

Martin Lowde, MD of Brands with Influence, says: “The energy you get from this series and this band is infectious. They amplify fun, make great music and deliver a really positive message on anti-bullying. They have been building a large loyal fan base over the last few years and we are excited to be asked to help serve this audience by creating fab merchandise.”

With a core audience of 4-9 year olds, Andy and the Odd Socks is a family brand, with parents loving the great music and positive messaging about inclusivity and anti-bullying. Content is now being delivered across TV, live tours and social media, and the brand is attracting guest stars like Brian May to join the fun.

Odd Socks Day in November 2021, which marked the start of Anti-Bullying Week, engaged over 7 million children and 15,000 primary schools in 2021.

Tamsin Skan, Creative Director of Ninja Pig Productions, says: “We were really impressed by BWI’s understanding and passion for what we are producing here at Ninja. We promote a positive social message throughout the TV show, our live show and original songs and we deliver it via a heady mixture of fun, comedy and music.

“Andy and the Odd Socks encourage children to celebrate difference and individuality, which is so important, especially in today’s world. Everyone is invited to join the Odd Socks and we look forward to embracing licensees who share our vision and positive ideas.”

BBC Studios names Tycoon licensing agent for Bluey in South and Central America

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BBC Studios, distributor and licensor for the Emmy Award-winning international preschool sensation Bluey, has appointed Tycoon as its licensing agent for South and Central America, helping to further extend the footprint of the global hit throughout the region.

Elias Fasia-Cohen, President and Co-Founder of Tycoon, says: “We have been long admirers of BBC Studios and could not be happier to represent Bluey, which is a true reflection of the group’s commitment to high-quality content. We are delighted to work hand in hand with such a talented group in bringing Bluey to the homes and hearts of Latin American consumers and look forward to many years of success together.”

Murilo Hinojosa, Director of Licensing, Latin America for BBC Studios, says: “We’re excited to work with Tycoon and confident their expertise will help expand the global sensation Bluey further to South and Central America. The upcoming range of high-quality licensed products will enable children to use their imagination and enjoy their own Bluey-inspired adventures.”

The Bluey toys, from global master toy licensee Moose Toys, will be distributed locally by Imexporta in Chile and Peru; Caffaro in Argentina; and Boing Toys in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Central America and the Caribbean islands beginning later this year.

Early this year, Lotus Global was appointed as licensing agent for Brazil while Panaderia was appointed for Mexico in the last quarter of 2021. In Mexico, the programme keeps expanding into other categories after a very successful toy launch last year.

In 2022, starting in June and extending into the autumn, new licensees will be launched, including Granmark, Ruz, Stor, Union Kids, Novelty Corp, and Penguin Random House, ranging from party goods to apparel and publishing.

In Latin America, Bluey is available on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+ as well as through free-to-air television channels, TV Cultura in Brazil and Azteca 7 in Mexico.

To complement the experience, there is also content on social media, through the Facebook channel launched in January this year and the official YouTube channel, which has reached over 510k followers in less than a year with over 200M views on the Spanish page.

Bluey has won the hearts of kids and parents around the world since it first launched in Australia in October 2018 and has fast become a global hit, achieving outstanding ratings and attracting a multitude of best-in-class partners. In its home market, Australia, Bluey is the #1 children’s show across all age groups (since 2019). With season three already airing in Australia, the show has performed 2.3x above timeslot average audience (total audience) and the new episodes achieved 14 of the top 20 broadcasts on free-to-air TV in 2021.

Season three of Bluey is set to be released globally on Disney platforms later this year. In the U.S., where the series has been a runaway hit since its 2019 debut, Bluey was Disney Junior’s #1 ratings driver with kids 2-5 last year. It also ranked as the #1 most-watched TV series in second quarter of 2021 and a top 3 show every quarter in 2021. In addition, Bluey owned two of the top 10 cable telecasts of 2021 with kids 2-5.4

The series has enjoyed critical success globally, winning an International Emmy Award in the Preschool category in 2020. Most recently, Bluey has earned four 2021 Kidscreen Awards (Best Animated Series, Best Directing, Best Writing, Best Music), a 2021 Rockie Award (Best Animation Program for Pre-school Viewers), and a 2021 ARIA Award for Best Children’s Album.

 

BBC Studios names Tycoon licensing agent for Bluey in South and Central America

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BBC Studios, distributor and licensor for the Emmy Award-winning international preschool sensation Bluey, has appointed Tycoon as its licensing agent for South and Central America, helping to further extend the footprint of the global hit throughout the region.

Elias Fasia-Cohen, President and Co-Founder of Tycoon, says: “We have been long admirers of BBC Studios and could not be happier to represent Bluey, which is a true reflection of the group’s commitment to high-quality content. We are delighted to work hand in hand with such a talented group in bringing Bluey to the homes and hearts of Latin American consumers and look forward to many years of success together.”

Murilo Hinojosa, Director of Licensing, Latin America for BBC Studios, says: “We’re excited to work with Tycoon and confident their expertise will help expand the global sensation Bluey further to South and Central America. The upcoming range of high-quality licensed products will enable children to use their imagination and enjoy their own Bluey-inspired adventures.”

The Bluey toys, from global master toy licensee Moose Toys, will be distributed locally by Imexporta in Chile and Peru; Caffaro in Argentina; and Boing Toys in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Central America and the Caribbean islands beginning later this year.

Early this year, Lotus Global was appointed as licensing agent for Brazil while Panaderia was appointed for Mexico in the last quarter of 2021. In Mexico, the programme keeps expanding into other categories after a very successful toy launch last year.

In 2022, starting in June and extending into the autumn, new licensees will be launched, including Granmark, Ruz, Stor, Union Kids, Novelty Corp, and Penguin Random House, ranging from party goods to apparel and publishing.

In Latin America, Bluey is available on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+ as well as through free-to-air television channels, TV Cultura in Brazil and Azteca 7 in Mexico.

To complement the experience, there is also content on social media, through the Facebook channel launched in January this year and the official YouTube channel, which has reached over 510k followers in less than a year with over 200M views on the Spanish page.

Bluey has won the hearts of kids and parents around the world since it first launched in Australia in October 2018 and has fast become a global hit, achieving outstanding ratings and attracting a multitude of best-in-class partners. In its home market, Australia, Bluey is the #1 children’s show across all age groups (since 2019). With season three already airing in Australia, the show has performed 2.3x above timeslot average audience (total audience) and the new episodes achieved 14 of the top 20 broadcasts on free-to-air TV in 2021.

Season three of Bluey is set to be released globally on Disney platforms later this year. In the U.S., where the series has been a runaway hit since its 2019 debut, Bluey was Disney Junior’s #1 ratings driver with kids 2-5 last year. It also ranked as the #1 most-watched TV series in second quarter of 2021 and a top 3 show every quarter in 2021. In addition, Bluey owned two of the top 10 cable telecasts of 2021 with kids 2-5.4

The series has enjoyed critical success globally, winning an International Emmy Award in the Preschool category in 2020. Most recently, Bluey has earned four 2021 Kidscreen Awards (Best Animated Series, Best Directing, Best Writing, Best Music), a 2021 Rockie Award (Best Animation Program for Pre-school Viewers), and a 2021 ARIA Award for Best Children’s Album.