Category Archives: Highlight

Rainbow brings in former Toy Plus director Michael Block as CEO of its Witty Toys business

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The European animation house and entertainment studio, Rainbow, has brought in the former Toy Plus director and senior Hasbro executive, Michael Block as CEO of its own toy company, Witty Toys.

Block will drive the vision of the group forward, utilising his experience as an executive and entrepreneur in the management of growing brands.

“I’m really excited to join the Rainbow family and bring my expertise to Witty Toys. I look forward to exploring new opportunities and to developing new projects, while facing the challenges the competitive and dynamic toy industry offers,” commented Block.

Prior to taking up this key role at Witty Toys – established by Rainbow back in 2008 – Block has been running a consulting business, served as a director of Greenmonkey Yoga and was advisor to Real Eats.

He was previously a partner and director of Toy Plus and director of Smart Christmas Solutions. For over 14 years, Block held senior management and international sales and marketing roles at Hasbro.

Alongside his career in the entertainment industry, Block is also an active philanthropist and leader, committed to addressing issues of food insecurity, hunger, and homelessness. He currently serves on the board of directors of several nonprofits, including Voices for Children Foundation, Feeding South Florida and Swipe Out Hunger.

Beano celebrates Bananaman’s 40th birthday with special comic and online gift range

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Beano is celebrating the 40th birthday of one of the super hero world’s fruitiest creation, Bananaman, with the launch of a special edition comic, featuring an extended story for the character.

The super hero will also appear throughout all of the comic’s Dennis & Gnasher, Minnie the Minx, The Bash Street Kids, and Billy Whizz strips within the special comic that hits news-stands today.

This time Bananaman’s birthday party has been crashed by a robot squid who has stolen all his powers, allowing villains to take over Beanotown. The Beanotown kids come together to defeat the baddies and free Bananaman.

Bananaman, and his alter ego Eric Wimp, first appeared in the British comic Nutty on February 16th 1980. Created by David Donaldson, writer Steve Bright and legendary artist John Geering, Bananaman turned traditional superhero tropes on their head with his hair-brained hijinks and misadventures.

In 1985 he moved across to the Dandy and after a short stint, Bananaman then appeared from 2012 in the Beano comic. Bananaman still appears in the weekly Beano comic, and stars in both The Dandy and Beano annuals each year.

Mike Stirling, editorial director of Beano Studios, said: “Get ready to peel the power. The last few years have been awash with superheroes, but none quite compare to our own barmy Bananaman.

“He might be originally from the Nutty comic but he’s Beano all the way down to his banana boots. This very special edition of the comic celebrating his 40th birthday will become a real collector’s item and treasured by fans for years to come.”

In honour of his birthday the Beano shop has released special edition Bananaman t-shirts and mugs with 15 per cent off all products for a limited time using the code BANANAS.

The range also includes dress-up costumes and ‘Man of Peel’ t-shirts.

Peaky Blinders lands its first official beer with Thornbridge Brewery

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Endemol Shine Group has turned to Thornbridge Brewery to develop the first official beer brand for its hit TV series, Peaky Blinders.

Inspired by the hit series, and developed in partnership with the show’s creator, producer, and official brand owner Caryn Mandabach Productions, Thornbridge Brewery kicks off with the launch of the Shelby, A 5% India Pale Ale.

Thornbridge took its inspiration from the kind of beer styles that would have been around in 1919, at the time of the Peaky Blinders, and has created something it feels The Garrison would be proud to serve.

The official launch of Shelby will be at the new Thornbridge and Co. Pub – The Colmore, in the heart of Birmingham on February 20th. Thornbridge will also be bottling Shelby which will be available next month.

Steve Knight, creator and writer of Peaky Blinders commented: “Shelby beer is the first and only legitimate Peaky endorsed beer. It has been crafted to be the same brew the Peaky boys would have drunk in the pubs of Small Heath. It really is the authentic taste of the Peaky Blinders world. Cheers.”

Jane Smith, group director, brand licensing and gaming, Endemol Shine Group, added: “We have always wanted to find the right partner for a legitimate beer inspired by the Peaky Blinders series.

“Thornbridge is that partner as it is truly passionate about the product it is creating which is an authentic beer capturing the essence of the world of Peaky Blinders. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

Simon Webster, CEO of Thornbridge added: “We’re incredibly proud to be working alongside the creators ofPeaky Blinders, it’s an honour to have been asked to collaborate with such a legendary show.

“We wanted to ensure we created something that thePeaky Blinders would have found on the bar at The Garrison and we think we’ve done just that. We hope Shelby will bring pleasure to many.”

India Pale Ale was developed in England in the late 19th Century and became popular among the East India Trading Co. It was soon discovered that the sulphate rich water in Burton upon Trent created a cleaner, crisp and bitter beer which continued to grow in popularity in the local area.

Thornbridge has worked to create a version of the original India Pale Ale style that the Peaky Blinders would have indulged in. Shelby, named after the infamous brothers, is brewed with Fuggles and Bramling Cross hops. It pours golden amber in colour with a nose of stone fruit and red berries, a gentle maltiness on the palate and a wonderful citrus, lemon-pith bitterness.

The award-winning BBC One and Netflix series Peaky Blinders is produced by official brand owner Caryn Mandabach Productions and by Endemol Shine Group’s Tiger Aspect Productions.

Endemol Shine Group represent a range of global ancillary rights for Peaky Blinders which is distributed by Endemol Shine International across more than 180 countries.

Thornbridge’s beer is the latest in an extensive licensing programme developed by Endemol Shine Group for the BAFTA winning series over the last year, joining recent successes such as the inaugural Legitimate Peaky Blinders Festival; the sell-out officialPeaky Blinders book from publisher Michael O’Mara; and the A/W’19 tailored menswear capsule collection from David Beckham’s menswear label Kent & Curwen.

Five series have aired on BBC and the latest series launched in October on Netflix in the US and in international markets where Netflix hold premier rights.

The Laughing Cow partners with Olympia Le-Tan for exclusive new handbag design

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The iconic food brand-turned lifestyle IP, The Laughing Cow – or, La vache qui rit – has partnered with Olympia Le-Tan, for a new take on its famed handbags.

Owned by Bel Groupe, The Laughing Cow chuckled its way onto the lifestyle licensing scene last year, when it launched a new communication platform in 2019 under the tagline, it’s better to laugh, building on its almost 100 year history in the public space.

Under its new partnership with Olympia Le-Tan, The Laughing Cow’s globally recognised emblem will now adorn a exclusive new handbag design, called dizzie La vache qui rit.

The new launch combines the iconic round shape and design of The Laughing Cow round cheese box, with the unique Olympia le-Tan touch, in a blue canard hand-embroidered silk thread.

The exclusive design comes with a price tag of around €740.

LEGO and PAW Patrol launch new audio content across Spotify, Amazon Music and more

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LEGO is launching a library of new audio content across the biggest music and audio streaming platforms of today, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, Apple music, and Deezer.

The new content will take the form of a series of audio plays set within LEGO’s worlds of LEGO Ninjago, LEGO Friends, and LEGO City. Each will give children the chance to listen to exciting new adventures based on the popular toy lines.

The LEGO content will be joined by a series of audio plays based on the hit PAW Patrol series.

The audio plays are aimed at children aged four to ten and allow the listener to enjoy the stories of the TV-episodes with the original voices, but with the added benefit of a narrator guiding the child through each scene.

‘The audio plays are a great incentive to encourage parents to have the headphones at the ready to reduce screen time but still keep the family entertained,’ read a statement from the firm behind the development of the audio plays, Universum Film, GmbH.

‘The captivating audio plays follow the missions of PAW Patrol six heroic puppies and their leader Ryder, the colourful adventures in Heartlake City with LEGO Friends, the exciting world of LEGO Ninjago, and the modern metropolis of LEGO City; perfect for school runs, play dates, family trips and bedtime.’

The launch arrives following studies that, according to Universum, reveal that comprehension, vocabulary, reading speed, and motivation are all positively impacted by audio content.

Roald Dahl and Natural History Museum partner to launch Extraordinary Explorers clothing range with M&S

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The collaborative efforts of The Natural History Museum and the Roald Dahl Story Company have finally come together, as this week witnesses the launch of a new children’s clothing collection exclusively with Marks & Spencer.

Called Extraordinary Explorers, the collection feature 24 pieces, each made from 100 per cent sustainably sourced cotton and targeting children aged from two to seven.

The range landed in stores and online this week and is a “playful edit of daywear designs” featuring some of the best-loved Roald Dahl characters, as well as animal facts from the scientists at The Natural History Museum.

Among the illustrations in the special spring/summer range are characters from well-known stories like Fantastic Mr Fox, The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, and James and the Giant Peach.

It includes matching sweatshirt and jogger sets, t-shirts, shorts, and day dresses.

A spokesperson from Marks and Spencers, said: “We’ve had a lot of fun designing this collection in collaboration with the teams at Roald Dahl and the Natural History Museum. We want to continue to appeal to our customers and their little ones through stylish daywear and exciting design, all at great value.

“The Roald Dahl characters are so well-loved by children and parents alike, and so we hope that this collection allows them to have some fun with their wardrobe while learning something too.”

Spin Master’s Super Dinosaur eyes new territories with Animaccord distribution

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Spin Master has tapped the international media and licensing specialist, Animaccord, to distribute the first season of the Super Dinosaur – the entertainment company’s latest animated property – across a number of international territories.

26 episodes of Super Dinosaur will be distributed to Russia & CIS, Eastern Europe, Baltic countries, MENA, Turkey, Italy, and France. Animaccord will also manage and develop the property’s consumer products and promotional campaigns.

Super Dinosaur is the latest animated property to be developed by Spin Master in partnership with the multi-platform content company, Skybound Entertainment.

Animaccord is also on board to produce and distribute the IP’s apps and games, as well as replicate its successful experience in content management on YouTube, to release the official “Super Dinosaur” YouTube channels worldwide.

Based on a comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and Jason Howard, the CGI action-adventure series for six- to 11-year-olds follows 10-year-old genius Derek Dynamo and his genetically engineered T-Rex best friend as they protect the planet against evil.

Thom Chapman, senior director sales and distribution, said: “We are very excited to be partnering with Animaccord on Super Dinosaur and building the brand’s European presence after its launch in North and South America.”

Vladimir Gorbulya, CEO Animaccord, added: “It’s great to extend our partnership with Spin Master with the deal on such an exciting and high-quality animated brand as Super Dinosaur – we have been longing to have a boy’s property in our portfolio and now thrilled to represent it.”

Bulldog Licensing secures Rubie’s for Sesame Street dress up and accessories

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Fans of Sesame Street can now dress up as their favourite characters, including Elmo and Cookie Monster, thanks to a new range of dress up and accessories from Rubies Masquerade.

The European agency, Bulldog Licensing – which manages the consumer products programme for Sesame Street in the UK and Eire – has signed the deal with Rubie’s to develop adult, children’s and pet lines for the dress up and accessories range.

Rob Corney, Bulldog Licensing MD, said: “Sesame Street has a special place in the hearts of all generations throughout the UK, so the new partnership with Rubies Masquerade is a great addition to the consumer products portfolio. The characters are part of the nation’s fabric and will make fantastic dress-up products.

“Sesame Street showcased its brand power with the 50th birthday celebrations last year and this is carrying through with activity throughout 2020 and beyond. The licensing programme is seeing significant growth in the territory with new partners, new categories and increased listings, a trend which is set to continue with retailers looking to back the brand in increasing numbers.”

Fans of Sesame Street can catch Elmo’s World and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck on Tiny Pop. With over 25 million fans across its social media channels, over a million of whom are in the UK, Sesame Street continues to engage with both children and adults alike.

Millimages brings Molang to the Paris Aquarium for exhibition on plastic pollution

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The French animation studio Millimages has partnered with the Paris Aquarium to bring the popular character Molang to a special exhibition that will educate children on how to preserve the oceans from plastic pollution.

The exhibition will run from January 11 until March 9 this year and will feature both Molang and his best friend Piu Piu throughout the venue. The aquarium will be re-branded with Molang wall graphics, ticket counters, boutiques, screens, TV, flyers and a photobooth.

A new live show – targeting children aged three years and above – will aim to show children the right actions to take to preserve the oceans. In addition, every weekend and through the school holidays, Molang will appear at the Aquarium for meet and greets with fans.

Lise Cosentino, director marketing and communication, Millimages, said: “We have been working on this collaboration for more than a year now. It has been a unique experience to customise three 500m² in the very heart of Paris with Molang. The Paris Aquarium is a popular family outing for Parisians and tourists.”

Children can also take part in creative workshops themed around the marine world with the characters including building their own mobiles featuring maritime motifs or colouring in the fish with Molang and Piu Piu.

Other activities will include a treasure hunt, while a dedicated app will be available during the exhibition featuring interactive games.

Ian Wickham, director, Licensing Link Europe, added: “We are delighted to see Molang and Piu Piu delivering a campaign such as this at the highly regarding Paris Aquarium. Part of the DNA of the show and interaction of the key characters focuses around happiness and mutual respect – which fits in perfectly with the education of young people to how to respect the oceans which, in turn, delivers a feeling of happiness that they are doing their bit in understanding how we can make positive differences.”

Special screenings of episodes of the TV series will also be broadcast in the Aquarium’s movie theatre.

The partnership will continue to build on the already high profile of Molang in France. Season four launched on PIWI+ (Canal+) in September 2019 and is broadcast every day.

TF1, meanwhile, is airing two episodes in a row every weekday, with season three having launched in November 2019. Molang is also available on Netflix.

Ricky Zoom lands second series for November 2020 as first products ready for launch

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Following a successful debut at the end of 2019, Entertainment One’s international animated hit, Ricky Zoom has landed a second series, slated to air as soon as November this year.

Ricky Zoom raced to success and achieved ‘outstanding ratings’ in multiple markets and across several platforms. It is currently a top five pre-school show with boys on Nickelodeon in the US, number one on Nick Jr. commercial kids’ channel in the UK, and the number one show on Clan in Spain.

Ricky Zoom’s appeal also resonates in China where the series has garnered more than 425 million views on streaming platform, YouKu.

The property’s first app, Welcome to Wheelford has been downloaded more than 4 million times globally since its release in August 2019.

“We are so proud of Ricky Zoom and its success to date. It is premium original content produced by the very best talent and our strong roster of international broadcasters has super-charged the series to a high level of awareness around the world,” said eOne’s Olivier Dumont, President, Family & Brands.

“We are very excited for the potential to explore even more ground in the second season. There are so many more stories to tell that will deepen the connection between the characters and our audience and we look forward to bringing them all-new adventures.”

Entertainment One is now readying the launch of the first wave of consumer products in key territories which will be led by the launch of Ricky Zoom toys from global master toy partner TOMY, including six key products across a variety of price points.

The collection will roll out in multiple territories this spring. The toy launch will be followed by a limited range of secondary category product launches to meet consumer demand in 2020, including publishing, puzzles and games, arts and crafts, apparel and accessories with additional secondary launches planned throughout 2021.