MGA Entertainment joins forces with Dentsu Inc. for Pui Pui Molcar toy line

MGA Entertainment, the fastest growing and biggest privately held toy company in the US, has announced a long-term agreement with Dentsu Inc. for the master consumer products licensing rights to Pui Pui Molcar, a Japanese stop-motion short anime series produced by director Tomoki Misato.

MGA will develop a robust line of Molcar toys that will launch in summer 2022 and are expected to be the next big merchandise trend for the year and beyond. The latest new Japanese IP to release this year, Molcar is a popular anime series that currently airs on YouTube, TV Tokyo and Netflix and has been viewed over 36 million times. Popular in Japan, Europe and North America, the addictive episodes detail the adventures of guinea pig characters who have been transformed into vehicles powered by human drivers and are filled with humour and emotion. Pui Pui Molcar is a global sensation already and the new line of toys will continue to captivate kids and millennial adults worldwide with fantastical elements perfect for immersive play or collecting.

Isaac Larian, CEO and Founder of MGA says: “MGA Entertainment is proud to partner with Dentsu, Inc. and bring innovation, digital dominance, world class performance, and distribution to this collaboration. Every property MGA has launched has been an uber success – and Molcar will be too.

“In addition to its core Molcar toy line, MGA will develop a robust and unique licensing programme featuring best-in-class industry leaders across home, apparel and accessories, electronics, and gaming. Both the Molcar toy and licensed products are slated to be sold at all major retailers in summer 2022.”

The MGA family includes award-winning brands such as L.O.L. Surprise!, Little Tikes, Rainbow High, Bratz, Na! Na! Na! Surprise, Baby Born Surprise and Zapf Creation. Visit www.mgae.com for more information.

First Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 retail store launches in city’s New Street

The first Official Retail Store for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has opened on the city’s New Street. The 3,200ft² store is stocked full of official Birmingham 2022 merchandise, including clothing, hats, caps, water bottles and soft toys. Sports fans can also get their hands on Team England T-shirts, vests and hoodies.

Midlands-based company Cube International was appointed earlier this year as the Master Licensee responsible for designing, sourcing, delivering and retailing official licensed products at all the official Birmingham 2022 retail stores they deliver.

Open seven days a week, the store will employ 25 people and overall more than 400 jobs will be created as part of the official merchandise programme. Where possible, staff will be recruited with the support of the Commonwealth Jobs and Skills Academy, launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority to generate job opportunities for and improve the skills of local people.

Alongside the Birmingham city centre Official Retail Store, around 40 official retail stores will be set up at a number of other city centre locations, transport hubs and Games venues in the run up to and during the Games.

 

SEGA announces Sonic the Hedgehog x Steve Aoki virtual concert event

As part of the continued celebrations surrounding Sonic the Hedgehog’s milestone 30th anniversary, SEGA is teaming up with EDM artist, DJ and producer Steve Aoki to host a virtual concert event coinciding with Aoki’s birthday on 30 November.

Set in a digitally created and immersive Sonic Universe, the one-of-a-kind concert aims to transport audiences to iconic environments like the Green Hill Zone, Chemical Plant and more as they rock out to their favourite Sonic the Hedgehog jams, EDM style. The 60-minute set will feature original songs from Steve Aoki, as well as Aoki remixed versions of fan-favourite Sonic tunes from the 16-bit SEGA Genesis era to today.

For a behind-the-scenes look at how the collaboration came together, click here.

Fans can tune into the virtual concert on the Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube and Twitch channels on November 30, 2021 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET.

SEGA announces Sonic the Hedgehog x Steve Aoki virtual concert event

As part of the continued celebrations surrounding Sonic the Hedgehog’s milestone 30th anniversary, SEGA is teaming up with EDM artist, DJ and producer Steve Aoki to host a virtual concert event coinciding with Aoki’s birthday on 30 November.

Set in a digitally created and immersive Sonic Universe, the one-of-a-kind concert aims to transport audiences to iconic environments like the Green Hill Zone, Chemical Plant and more as they rock out to their favourite Sonic the Hedgehog jams, EDM style. The 60-minute set will feature original songs from Steve Aoki, as well as Aoki remixed versions of fan-favourite Sonic tunes from the 16-bit SEGA Genesis era to today.

For a behind-the-scenes look at how the collaboration came together, click here.

Fans can tune into the virtual concert on the Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube and Twitch channels on November 30, 2021 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET.

GTRACING inks gaming chair deal with Man City

Football club Manchester City has teamed up with one of the leading brands of gaming chairs, GTRACING .

The partnership will see GTRACING become the Official Gaming Chair Partner of Manchester City’s esports operation and players.

Founded in 2011, GTRACING specialises in producing ergonomically designed gaming chairs that offer support and comfort to gamers all over the world, allowing them to reach their full playing potential.

Manchester City’s esports players and GTRACING will collaborate on various content and fan engagement activations throughout the partnership, in addition to the brand featuring across a number of Club digital assets. The parties will also release a line of co-branded gaming chairs.

Gavin Johnson, City Football Group’s Media Director, says: “We’re delighted to welcome GTRACING as a partner of Manchester City Football Club’s Esports team today. As a Club, we are dedicated to providing authentic esports experiences for our fans and I am pleased that GTRACING will be joining us on this journey as we continue to find new ways to engage with our fans within this space.”

“The integration of traditional sports and esports is the inevitable development of the times, and it is also the core growth project of GTRACING,” says GTRACING founder Aaron Wu. “We are very glad to be able to provide fans with a unique competitive experience through this innovative partnership with Manchester City. Gaming chairs are very important to the esports experience. GTRACING will be committed to focusing on optimising product innovation to fully meet user needs.”

 

The Weeknd marks 5th anniversary of STARBOY with Seventh Heaven capsule collab

In celebration of the fifth anniversary of his acclaimed album STARBOY, The Weeknd has announced the launch of a five-piece limited-edition collection designed in collaboration with John Ross’s Seventh Heaven. Originally released on November 25, 2016, STARBOY went double-platinum, hit number-one in 90 countries, and shattered the global streaming record at the time in under a week.
In addition to a hoodie and a short-sleeve tee, the collection features two premium handmade jackets in leather and denim with Seventh Heaven’s signature motif, a padded 3D cross. A signature symbol of the STARBOY era, a cross-shaped shoulder bag completes the celebratory capsule.
“I’m excited to be working with The Weeknd, who is such a great artist, [his co-manager] Cash and [creative director] La Mar being people I really respect,” says Ross. “It’s an honour to reimagine some of our staple pieces for this release.”
The capsule collection will be available exclusively on shop.theweeknd.com today, 25 November, at 3PM EST.

The Weeknd marks 5th anniversary of STARBOY with Seventh Heaven capsule collab

In celebration of the fifth anniversary of his acclaimed album STARBOY, The Weeknd has announced the launch of a five-piece limited-edition collection designed in collaboration with John Ross’s Seventh Heaven. Originally released on November 25, 2016, STARBOY went double-platinum, hit number-one in 90 countries, and shattered the global streaming record at the time in under a week.
In addition to a hoodie and a short-sleeve tee, the collection features two premium handmade jackets in leather and denim with Seventh Heaven’s signature motif, a padded 3D cross. A signature symbol of the STARBOY era, a cross-shaped shoulder bag completes the celebratory capsule.
“I’m excited to be working with The Weeknd, who is such a great artist, [his co-manager] Cash and [creative director] La Mar being people I really respect,” says Ross. “It’s an honour to reimagine some of our staple pieces for this release.”
The capsule collection will be available exclusively on shop.theweeknd.com today, 25 November, at 3PM EST.

Paddington-inspired café opens at London’s Paddington Station

The Copyrights Group has announced the launch of a new Paddington-inspired café at Paddington Station.

Designed with the help of interior designers Avocado Sweets, the unique environment has been created to reflect the Paddington brand values, and features rich colours, vintage furniture, natural textures and a live green wall.

Luggage tag themed way-finding, comfortable booth seating complete with vintage luggage rack and suitcases beside an illuminated ‘Lost and Found’ sign evoke Paddington’s original journey to London where he was found at Paddington station. Playful touches have been designed to “embody Paddington’s spirit”, and include his iconic silhouetted head carefully burned into each tabletop by hand.

Peggy Fortnum’s original Paddington illustration, first published in 1958, has been faithfully reproduced as a piece of mural art on the café’s red brick wall.

The café will serve beverages and locally sourced food, including freshly baked pastries and muffins, and Fairtrade Peruvian Single Origin coffee – a nod to Paddington’s home country.

Building on the successful Paddington store located a few steps away, the Paddington Café will also offer a dedicated range of bespoke products to purchase, including adult apparel and some iconic Paddington products.

“We are thrilled to open our first Paddington Café,” says Sophie Kopaczynski, CEO Copyrights Group. “The warm ambiance, subtly inspired by Paddington, will offer a bubble for a relaxing moment and an invitation to travel, to all our customers, who will be able to enjoy carefully sourced fresh products, and premium quality coffees and teas. But also marmalade sandwiches! Everything has been designed and thought in accordance to Paddington’s main value: kindness. We do believe we’ll offer a unique Café experience to commuters, travellers and Paddington fans.”

The Paddington Café is located on The Lawn, Unit 22, Paddington Station. More information, including opening times, can be found at @PaddingtonCafeLondon on Instagram.

 

 

 

 

SmileyWorld and Tsingtao partner for limited edition beer collaboration

The Smiley Company has partnered with China’s number-one beer brand Tsingtao for an exclusive collaboration. The limited-edition range of beer will be sold across mainland China.

The pairing of SmileyWorld – known for happiness, positivity and self-expression – with trend-driven brand Tsingtao creates the perfect platform to engage with young adults through a campaign centred around creating a “Happy Planet”, full of happy people.

Launched at the beginning of November, the collaboration will feature music-related designs on millions of Tsingtao ‘Pure Draft’ cans and bottles. With eight fun SmileyWorld icons decorating the cans, including bespoke icons created especially for the campaign, Tsingtao and SmileyWorld will encourage people to express their attitude through the Smileys.

A limited edition bottle has also been created, with a design intended to bring people together: when placed together, two bottles create a complete Smiley, showcasing the power of friendship and sharing.

Supported by a 360-degree marketing campaign including TVC, online and social media, content will be created for WeChat, Weibo, Little Red Book and TikTok. Tsingtao’s brand ambassador Hua Chenyu, a musician with 40 million followers on Weibo and over 7 million on Tik Tok, will also promote the partnership through online and social media.

Nicolas Loufrani, SmileyWorld CEO says: “Tsingtao is the most iconic beer brand in China, one perfectly matched to SmileyWorld in terms of appeal to trend-driven consumers. The Smiley Studio has created a new set of bespoke designs which will appeal to Chinese consumers and co-created a fantastic activation with our friends at Tsingtao.This proves once again the talent of the team at the Smiley Studio and our ability to work with the most professional brands and agencies in the world.”

A Tsingtao Beer spokesperson commented: “Our Pure Draft beer and SmileyWorld collaborated to reimagine our current packaging with a fresh SmileyWorld design. The new can and bottle designs are trendy, fun and creative. By creating these impactful and appealing trend-driven products, we have created a link between beer and the lifestyle industry. We believe that the collaboration between our two brands will bring consumers more fresh and novel experiences.”

 

Global Trademark Licensing drives into Scania representation

Leading full-service brand and licensing agency Global Trademark Licensing (GTL) has been appointed to represent Scania, the well-known provider of transport solutions including heavy lorries, trucks and buses. GTL is developing a cross-category global consumer products offering across all major toys, collectables and lifestyle categories, with a particular focus on kids’ mobility products.

GTL has already secured an array of licensees for Scania, including new global toys and collectables licensees WSI Models B.V, Tekno B.V, Mattel Inc and Herpa.

Lindsay Weaver, Director of Special Projects at Global Trademark Licensing, says: “Scania is recognised globally for its continuous innovation, customer-first approach and commitment to building a more sustainable future for the transport industry. This impressive reputation gives the brand strong licensing potential across a number of key categories, as demonstrated by the fantastic line-up of partners we’ve seen come on board in a short space of time. We’re looking forward to building upon this initial success.”

“As we start our journey with GTL, we’re looking forward to collaborating closely with their team to expand the success of our internationally recognised brand,” says Tobias Lindahl, License Manager at Scania. “Our partnership has got off to a really great start and GTL has already identified an array of licensees that are ideally suited to Scania and our wider brand strategy. We’re confident GTL is going to do a fantastic job at taking Scania into new categories and supporting us as we drive the shift towards a more sustainable transport system. We’re only just beginning!”

Scania joins GTL’s roster of many of the world’s most famous automotive and transport brands, including the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), Lotus Cars, McLaren Racing, McLaren Automotive, Mercedes-Benz, Pagani, Jaguar Cars and Land Rover.