Category Archives: Highlight

UGG teams with Sesame Workshop for kids’ collection

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California-based global lifestyle brand UGG has collaborated with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organisation behind Sesame Street, for the UGG x Sesame Street collection of kids’ footwear.

The collection features classic UGG styles, like the Neumel, Bixbee and Fluff Yeah, enhanced with fun design updates inspired by beloved Sesame Street characters.

Styles include the UGG x Big Bird Fluff Yeah and the UGG x Big Bird Bixbee, and the UGG x Elmo Neumel and UGG x Cookie Monster Neumel, which feature character applications in their iconic colours.

Available in sizes for infants, toddlers and kids, the collection will be sold exclusively through UGG.com and Kids Foot Locker in North America.

Studio 100 Media partners with Brandloyalty on preschool animation Vegesaurs

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While the CGI-animated preschool series Vegesaurs is still in production, Studio 100 Media has joined forces with BrandLoyalty, signing a five-year agreement for international loyalty campaigns.

Claudia Mennen, CEO of BrandLoyalty commented, “We are delighted to be able to partner with Studio 100 on the upcoming Vegesaurs series. A continuing focus for food retailers is to encourage children to choose healthier options, and therefore making vegetables fun through the Vegesaurs is a perfect way to connect with kids across the globe.”

All 20 episodes, each five minutes long, will be available in autumn 2022 for linear and non-linear distribution. Due to the nature of the content, Studio 100 Media also wants to pursue an extensive digital strategy to further increase awareness among children and parents through a viral buzz.

The Vegesaurs are vegetable- and fruit-shaped dinosaurs ready to address and teach relatable themes to upper preschoolers such as getting to sleep, sharing, friendship, nurturing mealtimes, and play. Starring lead character Ginger, a young Tricarrotops (carrot) with others including P(ea)-Rex, Cornasaurus (corn), Bananaraptor, Coconutdon, Broccolisaurus, Bokchoydactyl, Tomatodon, Appleflyrus and Potatodon, Vegesaurs aims to enrich and enhance children’s imagination.

Vegesaurs is produced by independent Australian producer Cheeky Little for the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) and France TV. Principal production funding is provided by Screen Australia, with Studio 100 as co-investor. Based on a concept created by Gary Eck and Nick O’Sullivan, the series is targeted at preschoolers. ABC will broadcast the series in Australia under the title Ginger & the Vegesaurs.

Studio 100 Media is responsible for the worldwide distribution of content, and licensing and merchandising rights beyond Australia and New Zealand, where Cheeky Little Commercial is handling all rights.

Channel 5’s Milkshake! announces UK tour

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Channel 5’s Milkshake! has announced a brand-new live tour show for 2022: Milkshake! Live: Milkshake! Monkey’s Musical.

An all-singing, all-dancing live spectacular starring everyone’s favourite Milkshake! characters, the show will hit the road from February 2022, travelling to over 40 venues around the country, with more dates still to be added.

Milkshake! Monkey will be joined by two Milkshake! presenters plus some of his favourite Milkshake! friends – Paddington, Pip and Posy, Blues Clues & You!, Daisy & Ollie, Milo, Noddy and more.

The tour launches on Saturday 12 February at the Weston-Super-Mare Playhouse and continues through to Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on Sunday 30 October 2022. More dates will be added in due course.

Tickets for all dates are on sale now and available from www.milkshake.tv/milkshakelive.

Mondo TV announces the arrival of MeteoHeroes on Amazon Prime in Italy

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Mondo TV Group, one of the largest European producers and distributors of animated content, has announced that the popular environmentally focused children’s series MeteoHeroes, co-produced by Mondo TV and leading Italian weather forecasting centre MOPI-Meteo Expert, has been licensed to Amazon Prime Video in Italy.

MeteoHeroes is the only cartoon in the world dedicated entirely to climate and environmental issues. Each episode focuses on issues related to ecology and respect for nature through the adventures of six superpowered kids who can control weather phenomena. Working alongside scientists and meteorologists at their futuristic HQ based in Gran Sasso Mountain National Park in Italy, the MeteoHeroes are trained to control their powers and fulfil their mission: to save the Earth.

The first 19 episodes were made available on Amazon Prime on 15 January. The remaining episodes will premiere in April and September 2022. The series will complement the exclusive terrestrial window on Cartoonito (channel 46 DTT), where MeteoHeroes is currently on air.

The first series has already been sold into over 140 countries and 20 languages and has been among the biggest hit shows on Cartoonito in Italy since its launch in 2020.

The agreement with Amazon reinforces the property’s digital presence. Amazon’s streaming service launched in Italy in 2016 and has enjoyed strong growth.

A collaboration in December with tech giant Huawei saw the show’s six planet-protecting superheroes became the stars of numerous wallpapers for mobiles and tablets. The wallpapers are downloadable via the Huawei Themes app all over the world, excluding China.

Matteo Corradi, CEO of Mondo TV, said: “With this major Amazon deal, added to numerous overseas sales and a number of licensing agreements, MeteoHeroes has underlined its international success both as a media phenomenon on multiple platforms and as a popular licensed property. We’re expecting even more success for this entertaining, original and highly relevant title throughout 2022.”

Rubber Road joins forces with Shepperton Design Studios for Original Stormtrooper merch

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Rubber Road continues to expand its relationships with key players in the world of movies to grow its portfolio of merchandise for all things, pop culture, videogame, comicbook and TV related, by kicking off 2022 with a new partnership with Shepperton Design Studios.

In a deal brokered by Golden Goose, Rubber Road will develop an extensive range of Original Stormtrooper themed merchandise landing later this year to meet the demands of the IP’s many fans.

The new deal will see Rubber Road designing, manufacturing and distributing a range of official merchandise with its creative design business, Numskull Designs.

Liam Taylor, Commercial Director at Rubber Road, says: “We are ecstatic to be working with Golden Goose and Shepperton, whose Original Stormtrooper is a fantastic property that complements our portfolio no end. We’re looking forward to a great partnership. This deal sees a fantastic range of Stormtrooper merch in the works at our design studios and we can’t wait to release them to fans later in 2022.”

Rubber Road is known for producing merchandise for some of the leading global brands in entertainment including Universal, Warner Bros, Netflix, Xbox, Sony Pictures, Sony Playstation, SEGA and Hasbro. Franchises in the portfolio include Minions, Harry Potter, DC Comics, Sonic the Hedgehog, Back to the Future, Stranger Things, Jurassic Park, Star Trek, Ghostbusters, Lord of the Rings, Friends and Resident Evil.

Rubber Road extends partnership with Warner Bros Consumer Products

Skullcandy taps Beanstalk to extend its lifestyle audio brand

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Lifestyle audio brand Skullcandy has selected global brand extension licensing agency Beanstalk to extend its brand into new product categories, including audio equipment, consumer electronics, sporting and outdoor goods and accessories, apparel and accessories, collaborations and experiences.

Skullcandy has become the number-one-selling brand in Stereo Headphones and True Wireless Earbuds. The Skullcandy licensing programme will encourage both existing and new fans to “tune into their own Skullcandy lifestyle and express their individual personalities”. Beanstalk will leverage the distinct aesthetic of the Skullcandy brand to further extend its unique voice, style and purpose from audio to lifestyle.

Allison Ames, President and CEO of Beanstalk, says: “We are truly excited to be partnering with such an adventurous and inclusive brand as Skullcandy. It has all of the right ingredients for successful brand extensions. It’s accessible and doing great things in the tech space. It’s diverse and progressive. It understands its audience and in a sea of sameness, Skullcandy stands out from the crowd. This provides us with a wonderful opportunity to create a licensing programme that speaks to Skullcandy’s fans’ lifestyles, interests and values.”

Beanstalk extends global reach with new offices in Mexico and Brazil

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Geronimo Stilton live experience launches in Milan

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The world premiere of the first Atlantyca Geronimo Stilton exhibition – “GERONIMO STILTON LIVE EXPERIENCE: THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME – is taking place until 20 March 2022 at The Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan.
The exhibition is aimed at children aged 4 to 12 and their families. Visitors will be accompanied by expert Time Ranger guides as they immerse themselves in the lost world of the dinosaurs, the mysterious world of the ancient Egyptians, and the adventurous world of Treasure Island, playing exciting interactive games and solving puzzles on a quest to rescue top rodent reporter Geronimo.
The Geronimo Stilton book series, published in Italy by Edizioni Piemme-Mondadori Libri, has become a global phenomenon with 175 million books translated into 51 languages sold worldwide and three animated series co-produced with Rai Fiction and distributed in over 130 countries. International publishing rights as well as animation and licensing rights are managed by Atlantyca Entertainment worldwide.

“Geronimo Stilton has always had special powers: he manages to make even the most superficial topics interesting and stimulating even for his young fans,” says Claudia Mazzucco, Atlantyca Entertainment CEO. “The exhibition in Milan makes this gift of his even more real and creates a new bridge between the world of adults and that of children. By visiting the exhibition, children will discover new educational content and will  travel through different historical eras, but adults will also have more fun than they have had in a long time. Because Geronimo Stilton always makes us feel playful and eager to make discoveries, just as we were when we were our children’s age.”

For more information see www.geronimostiltonexperience.it

Geronimo Stilton becomes the official children’s virtual tour guide of Pompeii

New role for Joann Acevedo at ViacomCBS Consumer Products

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Joann Acevedo has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Softlines Licensing, North America, ViacomCBS Consumer Products.

In this role, Acevedo will lead strategy and growth across multiple categories of business including apparel, accessories and home furnishings, reaching fans of all ages through the Company’s portfolio of franchises including PAW Patrol, Blue’s Clues & You!, SpongeBob SquarePants, MTV and Star Trek.

Joann will also partner with the Toronto-based ViacomCBS Consumer Products team to expand the softlines business throughout Canada. Joann is based in New York and will continue to report to Jose Castro, Senior Vice President, Softlines, Fashion & Lifestyle Licensing and Global Collaborations.

“Joann skillfully navigates softlines licensing across the beloved ViacomCBS brands and characters while working with a complex and diverse licensee matrix,” says Castro. “She continues to inspire our partners and drive excitement for our biggest priority initiatives, securing some of the largest ViacomCBS licensing deals to date.”

Joann is charged with managing existing partnerships and developing new business opportunities for ViacomCBS’ properties across all softlines categories. She also focuses on speciality and department store retail accounts, executing exclusive campaigns that broaden the in-store footprint of ViacomCBS’ franchises.

A 19-year Viacom veteran, Acevedo most recently served as Vice President, Softlines Licensing. In that role, she secured revenue-building partnerships for some of ViacomCBS’ biggest franchises including PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, JoJo Siwa and Yellowstone.

Acevedo has generated record growth for the Softlines division, and has also secured larger strategic partnerships that exponentially extend the reach of ViacomCBS’ properties beyond the screen, developing programs like JoJo’s Closet Apparel Collection at Target.

Joann has also doubled the ViacomCBS Consumer Products presence on e-commerce platforms and launched the first-ever subscription box service for ViacomCBS properties. Acevedo has also played an integral role in a myriad of socially conscious consumer products campaigns, including a reusable face mask programme in partnership with Save the Children, which featured Nickelodeon characters on face coverings which resulted in approximately 4 million dollars being donated to the non-profit’s COVID-19 domestic and global response initiative.

Acevedo has also been passionate about spearheading diversity and inclusion efforts for the ViacomCBS Consumer Products organisation to better reflect the brand’s diverse audience. She continues to advocate for new opportunities and partnerships in this critically important space.

Acevedo began her career as an Apparel Coordinator with the Nickelodeon Consumer Products team in 2003.

 

Buffbunny collaborates with TikTok star Nancy Gonzalez for size-inclusive Journey Collection

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Influencer-founded activewear company Buffbunny has collaborated with TikTok sensation Nancy Gonzalez for its size-inclusive Journey Collection.

The collection is Buffbunny’s first inspired by an athlete. A spokesperson said: “Nancy helped every step of the way to make the designs come to life with her vision, and the playful colours, patterns and silhouettes of the collection were chosen to reflect her bubbly personality.

“It was important to her to include pieces that make her feel confident and comfortable at the gym and in everyday life. The collection is truly about embracing your own path and loving every step in your journey. It is up to us which paths we take, what we look back on, and what we look forward to.”

The size-inclusive collection pieces range range from US $40-70 in sizes XXS – XXXL.

Spielwarenmesse 2022 cancelled

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Following the cancellation of Toy Fair New York, there was more disappointing news for the international toy sector today with the announcement that the 72nd Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany, will not be taking place.

After weeks of speculation, organisers Spielwarenmesse eG confirmed that the show, slated for 2–6 February, is officially cancelled. As an alternative, exhibitors, specialist retailers and media representatives can meet up on the Spielwarenmesse Digital platform.

“We have fought hard to be able to hold the live event and we received strong support initially from toy markets worldwide,” said Christian Ulrich, Spokesperson of the Executive Board at Spielwarenmesse eG. “A large number of suppliers without international distribution networks appealed to the organisers even in December to continue with the fair, which is so important to international business.

“In the last few days, conditions have been deteriorating and, due to the rapid growth of the Omicron variant, the situation with the pandemic is now markedly different. In response to this a large number of Spielwarenmesse exhibitors, out of concern for the health of their teams, cancelled their stands. The Spielwarenmesse thus no longer looked capable of providing its customary broad overview of the international toy market. A further complication was that it was no longer possible to plan ahead with any certainty because it was possible at any time that the event could be cancelled by the authorities.

“We regret having to make this decision and are grateful to everyone who remained committed to a physical trade fair to the very end,” concluded Ulrich.

A multifunctional platform is available both for exhibitors and for visitors: thanks to Spielwarenmesse Digital, they will still have networking opportunities and the facility to discover the latest trends, within the original timetable of the trade fair.