Category Archives: Highlight

The Wand Company partners with The Pokémon Company for new Poké Ball Replica Series

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The Wand Company has partnered with The Pokémon Company International to showcase the Poké Ball Replica Series. The new range will debut at MCM London Comic Con, from Friday 22 October through Sunday 24 October at ExCel London.

The Wand Company will be introducing the entire 2021 range at the event, launching the newest addition to the series, the Dusk Ball Replica, and revealing a sneak preview of the holiday season Premier Ball Replica, as well as the first replica of 2022, the Heal Ball Replica. Select Poké Ball Replicas will be available for sale at the event.

The Dusk Ball Replica will be available for pre-order at MCM London Comic Con and online via participating retailers around the world.

Established in 2009, The Wand Company is renowned for making functional prop replicas combining traditional design with high-tech wizardry. Their first product, the Kymera Magic Wand, has sold over 250,000 units. Since then, The Wand Company has developed and launched display-grade prop replicas from the television series Doctor Who and Star Trek, as well as the video game series ‘Fallout’.

 

Coolabi Group plans to “spook kids silly” this Halloween with comedy brand Scream Street

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International rights owner Coolabi Group and its “spooktacular” stop-motion animation Scream Street are celebrating the launch of Series 2 on CBBC and BBC iPlayer, with a hybrid campaign of fun brand activations, promotional partnerships and brand extensions for the popular comedy this autumn.

Following a preview of the first five episodes in Halloween 2020, all 26 x 11’ episodes of Scream Street Series 2 will launch on BBC iPlayer from 23 October, with 10 brand-new episodes playing out across Halloween week on CBBC from 25 October, bringing the total number of episodes created to 78.

After successfully launching ‘Escape Scream Street’ on Roblox last year, a new Roblox experience called ‘Scream Street Playground’ will launch on the platform on 22 October. The game will allow players to visit various locations in the town with friends starting with Resus Negative’s house. At launch players can play two different themed games – ‘Candy Smash’ and ‘Masks’ – with more mini games added over time as the town is expanded.

A promotional partnership with family restaurant Frankie & Benny’s has also been announced. The initiative, which launched earlier this month, will see Scream Street activity sheets distributed to families in all their restaurants in the UK. It features a competition prize for a free family theme-park visit, with prizes of Scream Street books for runners-up. The partnership will also form part of Frankie & Benny’s Halloween meal with Deliveroo, a Scream Street-themed food offering for the Halloween school holidays that will run until 16 November.

Coolabi Group, Comedy Club 4 Kids and MEGA Magazine have also co-produced a video series about stand-up comedy for kids on MEGA’s official YouTube channel. The four part series, called ‘Screaming with Laughter’, launched this week and features a crash course on how kids can kick-start their comedy careers.

Coolabi and Comedy Club 4 Kids will bring their partnership to life with an in-person family series launch and kids stand-up comedy event that will take place at Everyman Kings Cross on Saturday 23 October for media, influencers and families. The event also marks the release of the Scream Street’s brand new Spooktacular Joke Book, from Walker Books, which came out earlier this month.

Continuing a successful partnership with Girl Talk, established in 2020, Coolabi Group has teamed up with the media title once again to co-produce content for the magazine’s YouTube channel, Girl Talk World. This Halloween, talented 13-year-old chef Sienna Cecco, a specialist in Italian cuisine, will create a Scream Street themed cook-a-long dish.

“We are completely delighted to be launching the much-anticipated new series of Scream Street on CBBC and iPlayer this Halloween,” says Michael Dee, Director of Content for Coolabi Group. “It’s a fun and engaging brand, which is evidenced in the range of partnerships and promotions we have delivered to amplify the launch and bring Halloween fun to families across the UK.”

In addition, the Scream Street costume characters will be appearing at Alton Towers from now until 12 November for daily in-park meet and greets and an interactive dance challenge experience, where visitors can learn the moves to the Scream Street theme tune.

The celebrations continue with the return of the free downloadable ‘Scream Street Halloween at Home’ party pack, which launched last year. The newly updated pack will be available to download on the Scream Street and CBBC website and is filled with activities to get the party started, from Scream Street character masks and puzzles, to cupcake toppers, decorative tent cards and monster making crafts.

Scream Street returns to CBBC on 25 October with all episodes available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 23 October. 

Nelvana secures distribution of The Hardy Boys on Disney+ internationally

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Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, international producer, distributor and licensor of children’s animated and live-action content, has secured international distribution for The Hardy Boys on Disney+ outside of the US and Canada. Season 1 (13 x 60min) and Season 2 (10 x 60min) of the Daytime-Emmy nominated live-action mystery series, developed and produced in Canada by Nelvana and Lambur Productions in association with Corus Entertainment, will launch in select international markets in 2022.

The inaugural season of The Hardy Boys locked in the #1 programme spot last spring on Corus’ YTV network in Canada, as well as garnering industry recognition with multiple award nominations, including a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Young Adult Series, two DGC Award nominations for Outstanding Directorial Achievement and Best Picture Editing, and a CSC Award nomination for Best Cinematography in TV Drama.

“We are so excited for audiences around the world to experience The Hardy Boys series, whether it’s their first introduction to the franchise or they’re fans of the original books,” says Mellany Masterson, Head of Nelvana Enterprises. “Disney+ is the perfect platform to connect families and teens internationally with the high-stakes adventure, compelling storylines and endearing characters that resonate so well with audiences.”

The Hardy Boys is based on the popular books by Franklin W Dixon and features the principal characters in their teen years.

Nelvana and Lambur Productions recently wrapped production of Season 2 in Toronto and Southern Ontario. The second season picks up six months after the events of Season 1. Season 2 is set to premiere on Hulu in the US, YTV and STACKTV in Canada, and Disney+ internationally in 2022.

 

 

Pitch Smarter Brands & Retail Conference 22: new event to launch in January next year

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Ryan Beaird, Pitch Smarter Brands & Retail Conference Event Director (and former Licensing International UK Marketing Manager) has announced a new screening event for the UK licensing industry launching in January next year.

The Pitch Smarter Conference 22 will take place at the British Library on 20 January, from 9am till 6pm, and is free for licensees and retail buyers to attend. Registration is set to open soon at www.brandsretail.uk

“In the seven-plus years in the licensing industry I always felt, as did others in the business, the need for a screening day for the UK licensing industry,” says Ryan Beaird. “Feedback from the industry was positive so I felt that, given my years of event experience, the time was right to launch a new event in the calendar. Also, cementing it in the diary as the ‘first’ event in 2022, and before the toy show season started, just made sense. It also fits nicely into the retail calendar by being held in January.

“Our new Pitch Smarter Conference will get everyone in one place, together, on both sides of the licensing industry, making life easier for retail buyers and licensees to see what 20 character and entertainment brands have planned for their existing IPs – but more importantly, the opportunity to see new content and what IP owners and agents have planned for 2022 and going forward. If a brand taking part wants the audience to sign NDAs we can organise this, giving them piece of mind in showing under-wraps content as well.”

Brand owners and licensing agents can book slots of 15 minutes (30 minutes back-to-back slots are available) to screen and showcase their properties on stage in the 250-seat capacity British Library theatre, which has a giant front projection screen. There are only 20 slots available on the day.

There will also be a VIP party after the event for attendees. Details will be announced soon in the licensing press.

Anyone interested in booking a screening slot can email Ryan directly at ryan.beaird@brandsretail.uk

Mikkeller and Warner Bros Consumer Products launch three new Game of Thrones-inspired beers

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On the occasion of Game of Thrones’ 10-year anniversary this spring, Danish brewery Mikkeller and Warner Bros Consumer Products (WBCP) came together to launch the exclusive ‘Iron Anniversary IPA’. Now the brewery and WBCP are ready with a series of three new beers that pay homage to the characters and the long winters in the series’ icy north.

Night King Double IPA, Ghost Visions Lager and Castle Black Stout celebrate and pay tribute to the snow-capped North, from the world-famous HBO series Game of Thrones. The beers are based on the common theme ‘Winter is Here’ and are based on central places and characters from the series’ universe.

“As the beers are launched right up to winter, and winter plays a significant role in Game of Thrones, it made sense to find inspiration for the beers in Westeros’s frozen, dark world,” says Mikkel Bjergsø, founder and creative director of Mikkeller.

Based on the winter theme, Mikkeller’s team developed beer styles that support the series’ imaginative stories: Night King (8% vol), inspired by the fearsome army commander of the White Walkers, is a fruity New England double IPA; Ghost Visions (4.5% vol), an homage to Jon Snow’s faithful direwolf, is a clean, light and fresh lager, while Castle Black is a bourbon barrel aged imperial oatmeal stout (11.3% vol) that celebrates the bastion of The Night’s Watch, the army protects the Seven Kingdoms from all threats from the cold North.

The three new Game of Thrones inspired beers are out now in major markets including Sweden, the UK, US, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland and South Korea, and through Mikkeller’s webshop: https://shop.mikkeller.dk

Exclusive merchandise and gift sets will be available in Mikkeller’s webshop and exclusive limited gift packs can be purchased in selected retail stores in Denmark, the US and UK.

Mikkeller was founded by a beer-loving Danish math- and physics teacher, who started experimenting with hops, malt and yeast in his small kitchen in Copenhagen; today he exports his craft beer to 50 countries. A key element of Mikkeller’s brand is collaboration. Previous partnerships include David Lynch, B&O, The Danish Refugee Council, Rick Astley, Scandinavian Airlines, Noma, El Cellar de can Roca, Weingut Meierer, Burger King and more.

Mattel announces licensing agreement for Disney and Pixar’s upcoming feature ‘Lightyear’

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Mattel has announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement for Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear, the origin story of Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear. Through the agreement, Mattel has global (excluding Japan) licensing rights to develop a line of toys for the Lightyear franchise, including action figures, playsets, role play, vehicles, preschool, games, plush, value figures, novelty, and more. The collection is expected to launch at retailers across the globe beginning June 2022.

The new licensing agreement builds on Mattel and Disney’s existing licensing relationships for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story and Cars franchises, among others.

“At Mattel, we treat our licensors’ properties as if they were our own,” says Richard Dickson, President and Chief Operating Officer, Mattel. “For more than 15 years, Mattel has collaborated with Disney and Pixar to bring their amazing content to life with our innovative products and marketing initiatives. We are excited to further that collaboration by introducing a line of toys and play experiences for fans of all ages to enjoy, to infinity and beyond.”

Lightyear is a sci-fi action-adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans) – the hero who inspired the toy. The film reveals how a young test pilot became the Space Ranger that we all know him to be today. Lightyear, directed by Angus MacLane (co-director of Finding Dory), will be released in cinemas on June 17, 2022.

Bazooka Candy Brands extends licensing relationship with LMA to include Ring Pop brand

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Lisa Marks Associates, Inc. (LMA) has been appointed as licensing agency to represent the iconic Ring Pop brand. LMA will be developing the licensing program across all product categories, including frozen novelties, powdered and ready-to-drink beverages, personal care, toys and games, apparel and accessories, gifts, novelties and collectables, stationery and party goods, pet products, home décor, digital games and more. The programme will focus on North America with planned new partnership launches beginning Q4 2021.

Launched in 1977, Ring Pop features an iconic gem-shaped hard candy on a wearable ring. Today Ring Pop enjoys nearly universal (98%) awareness and is a consistent top 20 performer in all-outlet non-chocolate candy sales. The innovative oversized gem candy comes in a variety of colourful fruit flavours.

LMA was selected as the licensing agency for sister-brand Bazooka in 2020 and has been building a robust programme including product collections within apparel and accessories, toys and collectables, sporting goods, precious metals, home décor, sports nutrition and more.

“We love working with the talented Bazooka Candy Brands team and are excited to partner with them and bring to life the many creative facets of the storied Ring Pop brand,” says LMA President Lisa Marks. “Ring Pop is a pop-culture icon enjoyed by all – the uniquely fun and playful aspects of this brand lend itself to endless creative licensing opportunities that brand fans will love.”

“Having worked with LMA over the past year to develop and launch the exciting Bazooka licensing programme, we are thrilled to extend the relationship to now include Ring Pop,” says Becky Silberfarb, Senior Director of Marketing for Bazooka Candy Brands. “We know there are a great amount of licensing opportunities across categories for Ring Pop to inspire more fun and memorable ways for fans to connect with our brand.”

Bazooka Candy Brands, a division of The Topps Company, manufactures and markets the popular lollipop brands Ring Pop, Push Pop, Baby Bottle Pop and other candy and gum products, including the iconic Bazooka Bubble Gum.

 

 

 

Sony Pictures Consumer Products adds PlayStation brand and gaming IP to North American licensing portfolio

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Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP) has announced that the company will work with Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) to represent merchandise licensing in North America for the PlayStation brand and its PlayStation Studios games, including God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn and The Last of Us. As part of this collaboration SPCP will manage master toy deals and work closely with SIE to execute licensing programs in North America that tie into global PlayStation licensing strategies.

This collaboration is only related to licensing in North America and will enable SIE to leverage SPCP’s deep expertise in merchandise licensing. SIE will continue to have ownership and approval of the use of its intellectual property, including first-party games, and the PlayStation brand.

“SPCP is a natural fit to help lead merchandise licensing in North America for the PlayStation brand and our first-party games,” says Grace Chen, VP, Global Marketing, Sony Interactive Entertainment. “We are happy to be able to partner with other Sony companies, like SPCP, to leverage their strengths and best practices. This collaboration will help ensure great treatment of our IP in licensing deals as well as innovative merchandising ideas PlayStation fans are sure to love.”

The announcement comes during a dynamic year for the PlayStation brand, with the launch of PlayStation 5 in 2020 and upcoming entertainment content based on popular games, including a film based on Uncharted and a TV Series based on The Last of Us.

“We’re confident this strategic collaboration will provide fans with even more ways to interact with the PlayStation brand and their favourite PlayStation gaming IP through creative consumer products in North America,” says Jamie Stevens, EVP, Worldwide Consumer Products, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “By partnering across Sony divisions, we are able to leverage existing teams and infrastructures to maximise brand exposure and create great products for fans. We look forward to working closely with the PlayStation team to develop new strategies to grow the business.”

 

 

Asmodee Entertainment partners with Trends International for CATAN posters

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Asmodee Entertainment has announced a new licensing agreement with Trends International to produce and market a range of CATAN posters, which will be available exclusively from selected online outlets, including Trends’ own ShopTrends.com site and Amazon.

“Trends is excited to help spread the magic of CATAN by providing new merchandise that fans can collect and share,” says Greg Hill, Associate Licensing Manager at Trends International. “CATAN’s charm has never been limited to the tabletop – and is now expanding to your walls with the help of Trends’ poster products.”

Trends is a market leader and household name in posters and the agreement further expands Asmodee Entertainment’s push to establish the world’s best-selling board game as a true lifestyle brand.

“It is fantastic to welcome Trends International to the CATAN lifestyle merchandise family,” says Alexander Thieme, Licensing Manager for Consumer Products at Asmodee Entertainment. “We’re looking forward to the posters their creative team comes up with in the coming months and are sure that a great many CATAN fans’ homes will show even more of their love for CATAN soon. Exciting times!”

The first of this new range of CATAN posters from Trends are expected to launch in November and will be available from ShopTrends.com and Amazon.

Disguise signs multiyear deal for Disney costume rights in EMEA

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Leading global costume company Disguise, a division of toy and consumer products manufacturer JAKKS Pacific, today announced a multi-year licensing agreement for a wide range of Disney portfolio brands in Europe, the Middle East and Africa for dress-up, costumes and costume accessories, commencing in spring 2022.

After being a North America costume partner for over 30 years, this is the first time that Disguise has held Disney costume rights in EMEA.

Disguise is poised to have a large and robust offering with its portfolio of Disney brand costumes, with many different characters, sizes and offerings for all age ranges. This expanded line will also leverage JAKKS’ expertise in everyday dress-up and its toy line of feature costumes and accessories, including singing and light-up dresses, dress-up trunks and toyetic roleplay accessories.

Placement in EMEA will allow Disguise to celebrate a range of key international holidays such as Book Week, Carnival, Purim, Halloween, Diwali, Eid-Al-Adha and Christmas. Adding to the mix is Disguise’s new innovation SKUs that include adaptive costumes and wheelchair wraps.

“We are well positioned to expand our Disney offering across EMEA and build the business in Europe like it has never been done before. Our insight and experience will enable us to maximise the category from every perspective,” says Tara Hefter, President and GM of Disguise. “Disney has an endless catalogue of magical and inspirational characters and properties, creating endless possibilities to continue to innovate and deliver amazing product year after year. We are so pleased that Disney EMEA has recognised our expertise and 30-plus year history with Disney costumes in the US.”

In anticipation, Disguise is ramping up a team of costume experts to expand on JAKKS’ already existing EMEA team and footprint. These positions include sales, design, marketing and logistics.

“We are busy building up our team for this effort as well as solidifying our distribution channels and retail partnerships. In addition to our own expansion, we are also working closely with JAKKS on maximising the dolls, roleplay and dress-up businesses as well,” says David Carscadden, Managing Director of Disguise UK.