Category Archives: Highlight

WWE expands its sponsorship partnership with Mars with new Snickers Fix the World campaign

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WWE has expanded its long-standing partnership with Mars Inc in a new deal that will see its Snickers brand serve as the exclusive presenting partner for the upcoming WrestleMania event.

The 2020 partnership will mark the brand’s fifth consecutive year as the presenting sponsor of WrestleMania through which three pieces of custom creative will see WWE Superstars promote the new Snickers Fix the World campaign, each seeing their day to day annoyances solved through the power of Snickers.

WrestleMania will take place on Sunday, April 5 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. It will live stream around the world at 7pm on WWE Network, WWE’s award-winning streaming service.

The custom campaign spots will air in WWE’s flagship TV programmes beginning March 23rd on Monday Night Raw on USA Network and March 27th during Friday Night SmackDown on FOX. The third spot will air during WrestleMania on WWE Network.

“Our partnership has historically shown the power of Snickers to satisfy when WWE Superstars are hungry, and now we’re taking it to the next level by fixing things in their daily lives that are out of sorts,” said Josh Olken, brand director, Snickers. “We’re excited to be back for the fifth year as the presenting sponsor of WrestleMania as we find new and relevant ways to provide satisfaction to the WWE’s passionate fan base.”

John Brody, WWE Executive Vice President, global head of sales and partnerships, added: “We are proud to partner with Mars Wrigley for the fifth consecutive year and incorporate WWE Superstars’ larger-than-life personalities into the next evolution of the popular Snickers campaign.

“Our long-term partnership illustrates WWE’s unique ability to connect with fans across our global platforms and deliver valuable exposure for blue-chip brands.”

The partnership includes Snickers brand presence at WrestleMania Axxess, WWE’s five-day, interactive fan festival at the Tampa Convention Center, plus custom digital and social content sponsorships on WWE.com and WWE’s YouTube channel, which is the most-viewed sports channel and fifth most-viewed channel in the world.

Snickers will also serve as a promotional partner of WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view event in July 2020, and for the third consecutive year will be supported by a nationwide retail program available at all Dollar General stores to support the sale of co-branded WWE Snickers bars.

WWE’s expanded partnership with Mars will also highlight Skittles as the presenting partner of WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event in October 2020. Skittles will be prominently featured as part of cross-platform media assets promoting “Hell in a Cell” and will collaborate with WWE on production of a co-branded custom integration that will air in the telecast.

Additional partnership activations will be unveiled in the coming months.

Entertainment One to drive growth across LatAm with new toy distribution partnerships

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Entertainment One has secured new distribution deals with toy partners across Latin America as part of a move to drive growth for its portfolio of pre-school properties as the licensor heads to Abrin Toy Fair in Sao Paulo this month.

The company has named Sunny as its master toy distributor for both Peppa Pig and Ricky Zoom in Brazil. Under the deal, Sunny will bring Peppa’s best selling toy lines to retail from the second quarter of the year, including Peppa Pig’s house, vehicles, figurines, and new play-sets.

Sunny is also on board to distribute TOMY’s core collection of Ricky Zoom toys and play-sets focused on core characters, Ricky and his Bike Buddies. The range will debut at Abrin Toy Fair in March 2020 before heading to retail in Brazil from May 2020 followed by a launch in Mexico in the second half of 2020.

Meanwhile, Candide will be adding a new line of vehicles to the latest PJ Masks toy range that debuts at retail for second quarter of the year and other new launches from current licensees include Elka, which will be launching a new 20cm vinyl Catboy figurine, and Grow which will be producing new PJ Masks puzzles for Brazil.

Peppa Pig is a top rated show on Discovery Kids Lat Am where it airs throughout the region alongside FTA platforms TV Cultura in Brazil and Televisa in Mexico. New episodes from series eight have been rolling out across the region with a pipeline of new content scheduled throughout 2020.

Series three of PJ Masks continues to bring fresh episodes to its many fans with series four poised to launch from November 20th 2020 on Disney Junior. Entertainment One’s newest TV property, Ricky Zoom, launched on Discovery Kids Lat Am September 2019 to strong ratings with new episodes dropping throughout 2020 including an Easter special in April 2020 and news of a second series in production.

“Our properties are going from strength to strength in South America and we’re delighted to welcome Sunny as new toy distributor, to further expand our presence in the region,” said eOne’s Murilo Hinojosa, VP Licensing – LatAm, Family & Brands.

“A year-long schedule of new episodes, events and digital engagement will bolster our licensing strategy and we look forward to giving visitors to Abrin Toy Fair an insight into our plans for 2020 and beyond.”

ZAG Studios signs new SVOD and broadcast deals for Power Players

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The independent animation studio ZAG has signed multiple deals to bring the first two seasons of its 3D CGI animated-meets-live-action hybrid TV series, Power Players to SVOD and broadcast partners around the world.

ZAG has signed a non-exclusive global SVOD deal with Netflix that saw the series launch on the platform on March 5, 2020, while broadcast deals with Channel 9 in Australia, family/kids’ channel PlusPlus in Ukraine, Karusel in Russia, and Teletoon in Canada.

The new partners join a line-up of broadcast, cable and satellite TV partners including Cartoon Network US, EMEA, and Asia Pacific, France’s France Télévisions, Germany’s WDR, Brazil’s Gloob, and Discovery Latin America.

Power Players follows the adventures of Axel, a boy who transforms into a living action figure, and his unlikely team of toy heroes as they embark on the biggest “small” adventures a kid could ever imagine. Together with his team of toys brought to life, the Power Players fight the destructive fun of villainous robot Madcap and his followers.

Power Players was created by Jeremy Zag and developed in collaboration with ON Kids & Family (Mediawan Group) and Man of Action Entertainment.

“We are extremely proud of this new original creation that we developed alongside Man of Action, Cartoon Network, FTV, and Playmates Toys. It will be launching in 2020, worldwide, with the best international partners. So, now, Play on,”commented ZAG’s CEO, Jeremy Zag.

The 2020 Power Players toy collection includes an assortment of highly detailed and articulated five-inch action figures based on the TV show, as well as nine-inch deluxe action figures that are packed with electronics and sound effects.

The line also features a variety of vehicles, allowing kids to send their favourite Power Players on heroic adventures, as well as role play gear which allows kids to transform into Axel, the leader of the Power Players.

David Lynch’s Blue Velvet turns heads at Paris Fashion Week with Italy’s Off White collection

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The David Lynch American neo-noir mystery Blue Velvet has become the focus of a new licensed fashion line, created by the Italian luxury label, Off White. The collection – developed in collaboration with MGM Studios – was unveiled at Paris Fashion Week.

It includes stylish tees and slacks that feature imagery from 1986’s Blue Velvet, and has been styled to capture the essence of a cult classic film and is set to debut at retail this August 2020.

Blue Velvet is one of only a select few entertainment collaborations created by Off White, an Italian luxury label founded by Virgil Abloh, who also serves as the Men’s Artistic Director for Louis Vuitton.  The items featured as part of Paris Fashion Week included Autumn Winter 2020 runway collection looks adorned in varying blue shades and silver embellishments.

More specifically, the line featured a midnight blue, off-the shoulder gown with silver chainmail belt complemented by scalloped, blue velvet heels, a silver embellished blazer and cerulean blue, leather trousers, and a silver sequin, asymmetrical gown paired with midnight blue velvet scalloped heels to evoke the essence of silver screen glamour.

Directed by David Lynch, Blue Velvet is widely considered a cult classic. It stars Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, and Laura Dern, and is named after Bobby Vinton’s 1963 song.

Robert Marick, executive vice president, global consumer products and experiences, at MGM said: “Off White is one of the most influential fashion labels on the market right now and is universally recognised for its unexpected and fresh designs.

“We knew they would have an artful take on Blue Velvet and are thrilled with the line they’ve created, which really captures this amazing film in an authentic and unique way.”

The collaboration with Off White is part of MGM’s growing licensing program to leverage its library of more than 4,000 films, along with its iconic trademark lion logo, to create meaningful programmes around trending genres including horror and Sci-Fi, anniversaries such as the 45th anniversary of Rocky, and more.

Asmodee Entertainment and Hourglass Escapes unleash the Arkham Horror Files franchise on experiential licensing

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The Seattle-based puzzle room specialists, Hourglass Escapes – renowned in the pop culture circles for its licensed Evil Dead 2 escape room, has partnered with Asmodee Entertainment to unleash a new brand of horror to the experiential genre.

Working with the board game publisher-turned-entertainment studio, Hourglass Escapes has constructed a new Escape Room experience inspired by the Arkham Horror Files tabletop gaming franchise.

The launch will mark the first of its kind for Asmodee Entertainment and Fantasy Flight Games as it delivers “Lovecraftian monsters in the first official Arkham Horror Files escape room in the US.”

Hourglass Escape’s officially licensed Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn Escape Room has become a hit with pop culture fans, having received over 100 five-star reviews.

“It was such an amazing experience developing and opening the Evil Dead 2 Escape Room,” said Hourglass Escapes’ founder and creative director, Seth Wolfson. “We feel so lucky to have a chance to create a new experience based on the iconic board and card games set in the Arkham Horror Universe published by Fantasy Flight Games.”

The concept will launch this summer and will transport participants back to 1927 where the owner of the Gilman Hotel on the coast of Innsmouth has died under mysterious circumstances. Players will have 70 minutes to solve the unnatural mystery or fall prey to its horrors.

As an added level of geekdom, the voice actor of Spider-Man from the PS4 game Marvel’s Spider-Man, Yuri Lowenthal will star as the in-game narrator. Players will also be able to download their characters and costume ideas, as well as receive a special item on arrival that will help their chosen character within the game.

“This new game is going to blow both Arkham Horror and Lovecraftian fans away,” said Wolfson. “Based on A Shadow Over Innsmouth, this will be a story driven escape room with the classic Arkham Horror Files game mechanics woven in.”

Fuzzballs is primed for success as Scribbler expands its licensed card range

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The popular character brand Fuzzballs has found success with the stationery and greetings retailer, Scribbler, who has just detailed its plans to expand its range of Fuzzball licensed cards.

The Fuzzballs greetings range now features over 12 different birthday, novelty, and holiday cards in store, as well as over 100 cards online that span a rang of holidays and occasions. Fuzzballs also boasts a line of 25 cards that can be personalised with photos and messages.

Created in 2013, Fuzzballs sprang into life as a popular web comic. The property now boasts over 300 different licensed products available worldwide, including shirts, stationery, books and homewares. Fuzzballs has built up a global audience of fans with its more than 70 million iMessage and Instagram stickers.

The property’s licensing programme is currently managed by Rocket Licensing.

Its expansion within Scribbler reflects the growing popularity and recognition of the Fuzzballs brand at retail. Its card range aims to tap in to the ‘cute humour’ that has made the brand such a digital sensation.

“It is so exciting to see how positive customers have been at Scribbler to our initial range of Fuzzballs cards and clearly wanted even more,” said Marc Sach, creator of Fuzzballs.

“To so quickly have Scribbler ask us for an even larger range of cards just shows the mainstream market clearly wants more Fuzzballs in their lives and we are thrilled to see Fuzzballs take on an even large presence both in store and online at Scribbler.”

Toybox Labs signs deal with Beano Studios for 3D printed toys

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The kids 3D printing platform, Toybox Labs, has licensed a cast of Beano Studios’ characters in a groundbreaking new deal that brings the first premium toys to the Toybox platform.

The agreement means that kids and fans will now be able to download and print their favourite Beano characters from the global TV hit Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed!, currently streaming on Netflix in the US. Each toy will have a small purchase price from $2.00 to $5.00.

Following its Netflix streaming deal, Dennis and Gnasher: Unleashed! now reaches over 200 million people around the globe, and is based on the characters from the world’s longest-running weekly comic, Beano. Both Dennis and Gnasher will be among the Beano characters made available for kids to 3D print at home.

“This is an exciting development for us here at Toybox. Kids are printing a toy every ten seconds from the 2,000 we already provide, but now with this Beano Studios agreement they will be able to print some of their most beloved comic characters.” said Ben Baltes CEO of Toybox Labs Inc.

Emma Scott, CEO of Beano Studios, added: “At Beano Studios we are always looking at new avenues to get our characters into the hands of our fans. We love the idea that kids of all ages will be able to embrace their creativity and 3D print our famous Beano characters at home.”

WildBrain CPLG grows Greece office with Alice Marinou and Despina Chrisidou

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The entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG is growing its Greece office with the appointment of licensing industry experts Alice Marinou and Despina Chrisidou, joining as commercial director and senior retail and sales manager, respectively.

Marinou (pictured left) joins WildBrain CPLG following an 18-year tenure at The Walt Disney Company where she most recently held the position of senior licensing and retail manager for fashion for 11 years. In her new role at WildBrain CPLG, Marinou will be responsible for driving the company’s activity and strategy in the region.

She will report into Maria Gurrieri, managing director at WildBrain CPLG Italy, Greece, and Turkey.

Meanwhile, Chrisidou’s (pictured right) previous experience includes a tenure at Mattel Consumer Products as country manager for Greece where she was responsible for driving the company’s licensing efforts in the region. At WildBrain CPLG, Chrisidou will report into Alice Marinou and focus on hardlines, publishing, and food and beverage.

Maria Gurrieri said: “Alice and Despina bring an outstanding level of expertise, knowledge and passion for growing franchises and we are very excited to welcome them to the WildBrain CPLG Greece team.

“We have a diverse and colourful portfolio in the Greek market, including brands such as PAW Patrol, Peanuts and Emoji to name just a few, and I look forward to working closely with Alice and Despina as we propel the success of all our brands even further.”

On top of this, WildBrain CPLG is boosting its wider international team with new hires across its territory offices, including: Urszula Anglik as retail and sales manager for Central and Eastern Europe, who joins from FOX Networks Group, Abdel Yakoub as sales manager for Benelux, who joins from Libbey Inc, and Ross Melland as product development coordinator for Benelux, who has spent the last decade as an Art Director in advertising.

Completing the new hires is Nayade Martin Perez who joins as retail licensing manager for Spain from fashion licensee Padma Textiles, and Artem Basharin as licensing manager for WildBrain CPLG Pullman in Russia, who previously worked in fashion retail.

Fireman Sam and Despicable Me join the Tonies licensed audio tales portfolio

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Fireman Sam and Despicable Me are the latest properties to join the popular children’s audio system, Tonies, joining a growing roster of licensed stories that includes The Lion King and The Gruffalo.

Based on the BBC children’s TV series, the Fireman Sam Tonie runs for 60 minutes and tells the tale of its hero Sam saving the day in the fictional Welsh town of Pontypandy. The Despicable Me: The Junior Novel, meanwhile, runs for 116 minutes and follows the tale of Gru and his minions.

In addition to the two licensed stories, a third Tonie completes the newest wave, taking the form of the Easter Bunny Creative Tonie, depicting a bunny holding a basket of Easter eggs and allowing users to record their own audio via the Tonie app.

Tonies co-founder, Marcus Stahl, said: “We are delighted to introduce two such well known and loved titles to our collection. Minions have become iconic animated figures in their own right, and it is fantastic to be able to add the timeless character Fireman Sam to the collection.

“We look forward to seeing the response from new and existing customers and have more exciting launches planned in the coming months.”

Launched in the UK in 2018 by Patric Faßbender and his friend and co-founder Marcus Stahl, the Toniebox is an intuitive speaker system that is revolutionising story time for children thanks to its screen-free engagement.

Billed as an ‘easy, fun and interactive way for three to eight year olds to play their favourite stories and songs’ Tonies encourages kids to place a Tonie figure on top of the box and the content from the audio will begin to play.

Over 10.5 million Tonies and 1,000,000 Tonieboxes have been sold across Europe since the launch and 2020 started with the exciting announcement of the brands’ expansion to the USA – expected towards the end of this year.

Hasbro, Netflix and Rooster Teeth drop first trailer for Transformers: War of Cybertron Trilogy

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Netflix, Hasbro, and Rooster Tooth have formed a tri-force of entertainment powerhouses for the release of Chapter One of the hotly anticipated Transformers: War of Cybertron Trilogy.

The new series will premiere on Netflix later this year as it raises the stakes in the Autobot and Decepticon war. Chapter One will launch with six new 22-minute episodes, complete with a new animation look and style.

Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy: Siege begins in the final hours of the civil war between the Autobots and the Decepticons that has torn apart their home planet of Cybertron. Optimus Prime and Megatron both want to save their world and unify their people, but on their own terms.

Rooster Teeth is producing the original series for Netflix, and Polygon Pictures is serving as the animation studio. Transformers veteran F.J. DeSanto is serving as show runner on the series with several contributing writers, including George Krstic, Gavin Hignight, and Brandon Easton.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Rooster Teeth, Netflix and Hasbro to bring this fan-oriented more than meets the eye story to life,” said Shuzo John Shiota, Polygon Pictures Inc. president and CEO.

“The Transformers universe has so many rich characters and engaging stories. Getting the opportunity to be part of the team bringing the robots in disguise to life in this new trilogy is unbelievable.”

Netflix, Hasbro, and Rooster Teeth, have today released the first teaser trailer for Chapter One.

“The Transformers brand is a global phenomenon with toys, consumer products, films, television shows, and literature, resonating with millions of passionate fans around the world,” said Tom Warner, senior vice president for the Transformers franchise for Hasbro.

“This brand new Netflix series will add to the incredible slate of Transformers offerings with a truly unique story that will delight both existing fans and those being introduced to the wonder of robots in disguise.”

The series voice talent cast includes Jake Foushee as Optimus Prime, Jason Marnocha as Megatron, and Joe Zieja as Bumblebee, alongside an extensive cast of further characters, deepening the Transformers lore.

“Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy marks the inaugural production for our Rooster Teeth Studios division and we’re proud to be partnering with and entrusted by Hasbro and Netflix,” said Matt Hullum, Rooster Teeth co-founder and chief content officer.

“As fans of these characters, it’s been a joy bringing our storytelling and animation expertise to this project. This teaser trailer is just a taste of what’s to come in this series, and we can’t wait to see what the fans think, especially our Rooster Teeth community.”

More details regarding Chapter Two, Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy” Earthrise and Chapter Three will drop in the coming months.