Category Archives: Live

Aardman teams with Circa Contemporary Circus to bring Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show to Queensland

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The multi-award winning UK animation studio, Aardman, has joined forces with the performance company Circa Contemporary Circus to produce a new circus-theatre production called Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show.

The world premiere season of the new show will be held in Queensland, Australia’s QPAC’s Lyric Theatre, scheduled in for March 2021. It marks a major win for the arts community that has struggled through a lengthy shutdown at the hands of the coronavirus pandemic.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, said: “Thanks to the way Queenslanders have managed the coronavirus pandemic, we’re now able to return  to the theatre. Today’s announcement is a great win for Queensland, not only for our arts community but also for our economy as we continue to rebuild from the pandemic. 

“Shaun the Sheep is a global phenomenon. It’s great to see Circa – one of the state’s most successful performance companies -premiere this show here in Queensland. The arts industry employs thousands of people throughout the state. World class productions like this will help this sector to recover from the impact of COVID-19.” 

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said Shaun the  Sheep will be able to play to full houses and engage the young and the young at heart. 

“Shaun the Sheep is a family favourite throughout the  world and to have this production here is a fantastic win for Queensland,” Enoch said. 

“The arts, cultural and creative sector plays a crucial role  in our COVID-19 recovery, bringing our communities back together and supporting jobs for artists and arts  workers. That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is implementing  nearly $60 million worth of measures to support the sector through the impacts of COVID-19 including the $22.5 million Arts and Cultural Recovery Package. 

“The Palaszczuk Government will continue to invest  in arts and cultural projects to support Queensland’s social and economic recovery.”  

Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show is being supported by the Queensland Government through a unique three-way partnership, comprising investment from  Screen Queensland, Arts Queensland funding via the Queensland Arts Showcase Program and QPAC as the Presenting Partner. 

Condé Nast opens it first branded property in China with the launch of Vogue Cafe Beijing

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Condé Nast has opened its first branded property venture in China with the launch of the Vogue Cafe Beijing. Opened under a licensing agreement between Beijing Sycamore Seed Advertising and Media, the new cafe marks the first of a sweep of planned branded cafes for China.

The second Vogue Cafe will open in Shanghai in 2021.

Located at the iconic China World Mall in the Chaoyang District in central Beijing, the Café sits among the city’s leading luxury flagship stores. The area brings together local and international visitors, with a mixture of retail, office spaces, hotels and residential.

The Café is positioned as the ‘ultimate destination for shoppers seeking a unique dining experience’, as well as office workers looking to grab a takeaway lunch.

“Beijing’s rich culture and long history paired with the constantly evolving restaurant scene makes it one of the most enticing cities in China, which is why Condé Nast is thrilled to open the country’s first Vogue Café in the capital,” said Markus Grindel, managing director, global brand licensing, Condé Nast.

“Vogue Café Beijing will bring luxury fashion and high-end cuisine together – an experience sure to enchant both local and visiting epicures.”

Vogue Café Beijing, spread over 400 sq. metres, features two elegant dining rooms and a feature cocktail bar. In keeping with Vogue Cafés globally, striking images and covers from the archives of Vogue adorn the walls, including iconic shots featuring some of the world’s most renowned models and photographers.

Joining Vogue Café Beijing as head chef is Jack Yao, whose career spans over 14 years. Having formally trained in Italy and Singapore, Yao’s exclusive menu blends influences from Italian and Asian cuisine for an alluring mix of flavors. Vogue Café Beijing will be open seven days a week, between 10am and 10pm. The Café also operates a full home delivery service.

Vogue Café Beijing joins Condé Nast’s portfolio of branded property under its global licensing division. Other Condé Nast restaurants around the world include Vogue Cafés in Kiev, Moscow, Porto and Riyadh, Vogue Lounge Kuala Lumpur, Vogue Restaurant Istanbul and GQ Bar Berlin.

Condé Nast has published its media titles in China for nearly 15 years, having launched Vogue China in 2005, which today ranks as the country’s most influential fashion authority.

Today, Condé Nast China publishes titles including Vogue, Vogue Film, Vogue Me, GQ, GQ Lab, GQ Style, Condé Nast Traveler and Architectural Digest, under copyright cooperation with partners.

Masha and the Bear become stars of a new branded zone at Turkey’s The Land of Legends theme park

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Masha and the Bear are now the stars of the series own branded destination area within Turkey’s popular theme park, The Land of Legends, featuring a variety of rides and entertainment activities for visitors. The move is the result of a new partnership between Animaccord and The Land of Legends and Rixos Hotels.

The Land of Legends in Antalya has been attracting guests since it opened in 2016, operating throughout the year, including the holiday seasons such as New Year Eve. In 2020 Rixos Group presented its first ever licensed themed land in theme park – Masha and the Bear Land of Laughter – inspired by the popular animated family series.

The brand zone covers the area of 8000 m2.

Hande Tezerdi, Rixos Group’s business development director, said: “Masha and the Bear is a very strong IP throughout Europe, and all over the world.

“It is among the top five brands in Turkey, for most watchable episodes and for consumer brands. We met with Animaccord and explained our vision about what The Land of Legends wanted to create as a themed zone.”

Masha and the Bear now holds the position as centrepiece of The Land of Legends’ Land of Laughter with its ride, A Joyful Journey. The ride is billed as a slow-moving boat ride through the four seasons of the year, with Masha and the Bear as walking mascots with whom park visitors can take photos.

Guests enter Masha’s house before boarding boats that take them in and out of a show building. Most of the scenes show Masha interacting with the seasonal weather conditions and also holidays like Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s. Over 75 cartoon-inspired figurines populate the attraction, both static and animated. 

An indoor play structure called Bear’s Funhouse and a splashpad play area provide other attractions within the land. A quick service restaurant features Russian cuisine while the train-themed Food Station restaurant provides indoor and outdoor sit-down options. Windows on one side of the train face the land while “windows” on the opposite side are actually screens that show animated scenes and characters from the TV series.

LEGO pledges support to Sustainability in Licensing Conference 2020 with keynote talk

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LEGO has pledged its support to the Sustainability in Licensing Conference 2020, the first of its kind for the consumer products and licensing community, set to take place virtually on November 24th and 25th.

Sine Klitgaard Møller, The LEGO Group’s licensing sustainability transformation lead, will take to the digital stage to speak of the importance of change within the toy sector. She will discuss ‘a playful approach’ to sustainable packaging in the licensing industry on the show’s first day, November 24th at 12.30 pm.

Klitgaard Møller began her LEGO career as global licensing creative director over 15 years ago and is now leading the change towards the company’s strategic ambition to have a fully sustainable portfolio for the LEGO licensing portfolio by 2030, starting with packaging transformation by 2025.

“Children are our role models in the LEGO Group and it is their planet we are using, we must protect their future,” she said.

Helena Mansell-Stopher, Sustainability In Licensing Conference curator and director, added: “We are extremely proud to have LEGO join the SILC line up of speakers to present their sustainable journey so far, and learn from the great inroads they are making in this complex area.”

Klitgaard Møller joins a speaker line-up which includes leaders from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Tesco, Asda, Marks and Spencer, Teemil Tech/Rapanui Clothing, Retail Economics, Central Saint Martins, Breakdown Plastics, Wastebusters, Kids Insights and the R&A (The Open) Sustainable Sporting Events covering a wide spectrum of topics.

Click here for the full agenda and speaker information.

The cost of attending SILC 2020 is £95 (+VAT) per delegate. Bookings can be made by clicking here.

A number of companies have already pledged their official support to SILC 2020, underlining their commitment to change within the industry. The Products of Change group is the headline supporter of SILC 2020 while the official supporters include Amscan, BBC Studios, Brandgenuity, Change Plastic for Good, Character World, Discovery, Dreamtex, GB eye, Global Brands Group, Hasbro, MDR Brand Management, Natural History Museum, Smiffys, TDP Textiles, Those Licensing People, University of Oxford, ViacomCBS, and Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

LEGO pledges support to Sustainability in Licensing Conference 2020 with keynote talk

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LEGO has pledged its support to the Sustainability in Licensing Conference 2020, the first of its kind for the consumer products and licensing community, set to take place virtually on November 24th and 25th.

Sine Klitgaard Møller, The LEGO Group’s licensing sustainability transformation lead, will take to the digital stage to speak of the importance of change within the toy sector. She will discuss ‘a playful approach’ to sustainable packaging in the licensing industry on the show’s first day, November 24th at 12.30 pm.

Klitgaard Møller began her LEGO career as global licensing creative director over 15 years ago and is now leading the change towards the company’s strategic ambition to have a fully sustainable portfolio for the LEGO licensing portfolio by 2030, starting with packaging transformation by 2025.

“Children are our role models in the LEGO Group and it is their planet we are using, we must protect their future,” she said.

Helena Mansell-Stopher, Sustainability In Licensing Conference curator and director, added: “We are extremely proud to have LEGO join the SILC line up of speakers to present their sustainable journey so far, and learn from the great inroads they are making in this complex area.”

Klitgaard Møller joins a speaker line-up which includes leaders from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Tesco, Asda, Marks and Spencer, Teemil Tech/Rapanui Clothing, Retail Economics, Central Saint Martins, Breakdown Plastics, Wastebusters, Kids Insights and the R&A (The Open) Sustainable Sporting Events covering a wide spectrum of topics.

Click here for the full agenda and speaker information.

The cost of attending SILC 2020 is £95 (+VAT) per delegate. Bookings can be made by clicking here.

A number of companies have already pledged their official support to SILC 2020, underlining their commitment to change within the industry. The Products of Change group is the headline supporter of SILC 2020 while the official supporters include Amscan, BBC Studios, Brandgenuity, Change Plastic for Good, Character World, Discovery, Dreamtex, GB eye, Global Brands Group, Hasbro, MDR Brand Management, Natural History Museum, Smiffys, TDP Textiles, Those Licensing People, University of Oxford, ViacomCBS, and Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

Spring Fair 2021 cancelled and replaced with Spring Fair @ Home virtual event

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Hyve Group has confirmed that Spring Fair 2021 is cancelled.

In line with the latest UK Government restrictions on the reopening of business conferences and exhibition halls, the show’s organisers have announced that Spring Fair will not be taking place in 2021. The home and gift retail show traditionally takes up a February slot, but has been cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic crisis.

The next planned home, gift and fashion retail event will be Autumn Fair, together with Moda, at the NEC Birmingham on 5th-8th September 2021, while Spring Fair will return as an in-person event, 6th-10th February 2022.

Hyve and the team behind Spring Fair, JWF, Glee at Spring Fair and Moda are now working to deliver an enhanced virtual forum with product features and exclusive seminar content designed to educate and inform participants.

More information on Spring Fair @Home will be available on the Spring Fair website, while Fashion Together can be found on the Moda website in due course.

Julie Driscoll, managing director, UK Retail, said: “While it is regrettable that we won’t be able to meet in person at Spring Fair and Moda in February due to the new UK government rules, we are incredibly excited to host Spring Fair @Home and Fashion Together.

“Following the success of this year’s virtual forums, we’re looking forward to providing our clients and customers another touchpoint to be inspired and stay connected with the retail industry.”

Ian Taylor, managing director, NEC Group Conventions and Exhibitions, added: “We’re saddened to not be welcoming the retail community to the NEC for Spring Fair in February 2021, but are pleased to hear that retail professionals and suppliers will still have an opportunity to connect with each other in early 2021, albeit in a virtual environment with Spring Fair @Home.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the NEC in person for Autumn Fair and Moda in September 2021, with Spring Fair itself returning in February 2022.”

Spring Fair continues to provide exclusive webinars, industry news and product updates that keeps the home and gift retail community informed, connected and inspired on The Community hub.

The London Stationery Show confirms new May dates for 2021

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The London Stationery Show will be making its return in 2021, taking up a new summer slot across May 18th and 19th at the Business Design Centre.

Exhibitions in the UK have been halted over the course of the pandemic and were originally due to resume in October. The government Department for Culture, Media and Sport has already approved the event industry’s Covid-19 guidance, and was also satisfied with pilot events which took place in September.

It is now expected that events will be allowed to restart from March 2021.

The London Stationery Show is the latest in a calendar of events to have to adapt to the current climate and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this week, the organisers of the annual Spring Fair confirmed that its 2021 show would not be going ahead, but instead be held as an all-virtual event ahead of the return of its physical format with Autumn Fair 2021 and Spring Fair 2022.

Last month, the British Toy and Hobby Association made the decision to call off London Toy Fair.

“We are confident that exhibitions will resume in the spring,” said London Stationery Show’s event director, Alex Butler “And to ensure we’re in the best position possible to host a second-to-none event, we have secured a slightly later date than usual for next year’s show.

“From speaking with exhibitors and visitors over the course of this year, we know that everyone is craving the opportunity to meet face-to-face. The industry is in agreement that nothing can replace the organic business which comes from an exhibition.

“The health and safety of everyone involved will continue to be at the core of our planning, and we will be working hard to communicate our plans to ensure everyone feels confident attending the show.

“We are ready to safely open London Stationery Show’s doors and cannot wait to see everyone there.”

London Stationery Show will take place on Tuesday 18 May and Wednesday 19 May 2021. For more information you can contact the team at stationeryshow@oceanmedia.co.uk.

The Natural History Museum teams with the Wizarding World for Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature

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The Natural History Museum has teamed up with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to launch a new exhibition that brings together the magical creatures of the Fantastic Beasts franchise and wonders of life on Earth.

Called Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature, the exhibition was originally scheduled to open at the Natural History Museum in London in May this year, but was forced to reschedule due to the restrictions in place surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Under the partnership, the exhibition will explore how legends and stories have often been inspired by creatures found in the natural world, as well as the threats that they face. Visitors will be able to see the legendary beasts of JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts franchise, alongside specimens and historic objects from the museum’s own scientific collection.

The exhibition is now due to open on December 9th this year.

Clare Matterson, executive director of engagement at the museum, said visitors “will journey through magical realms and walk alongside some of the most fascinating creatures in the world”.

She added: “At the heart of this exhibition is a celebration of all the fantastic beasts we have the privilege of sharing our planet with, and the very real threats they face. Visitors will leave with a renewed love of the wonders of nature, and a revived urgency to help protect it.”

London Toy Fair 2021 cancelled over Covid-19 restrictions

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Toy Fair 2021 has been cancelled, the BTHA has confirmed in an update sent industry-wide today.

Owing to the latest in government restrictions amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the BTHA, in conversation with London Olympia, have made the decision to cancel the 2021 event. The industry body has stated that it looks forward to the show’s return in 2022.

A statement from the BTHA reads:

“We have been working closely with Olympia London and we have together taken the decision that despite all best efforts and endeavours by both parties, regrettably the Toy Fair 2021 is unable to take place.

“This conclusion is due to government restrictions now in place on large scale indoor events in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The wellbeing of our exhibitors, visitors, staff and contractors is paramount and currently the risks are considered too great to allow the show to go ahead as dictated by the government regulations.

“We empathise with the industry’s disappointment – this is the first year that Toy Fair will not take place in 66 years. We express our thanks to all exhibitors for their patience and understanding and for the support of the wider industry, and very much looking forward to a big return in 2022 from 25-27 January.”

The BTHA has also confirmed that there will be no virtual alternative to the 2021 show, however it will be offering all exhibitors an extended exhibitor listing on its website with an opportunity to add company information, links, product photos and videos.

The organisation will also be refunding all money paid already for stand space for 2021. Those in need of refunds are asked to contact Tracey@btha.co.uk

Magic Light Pictures teams with Royal Botanical Gardens to bring new Gruffalo Adventures trail to Kew

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Magic Light Pictures has teamed up with the Royal Botanic Gardens to launch a new Gruffalo Adventures trail in Kew Gardens’ striking Arboretum this October.

The Arboretum – home to 14,000 trees – will play host to author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler’s much-loved characters during the half-term holidays from Saturday, October 17th to Sunday, November 1 on a specially curated, interactive trail on which families can track down The Gruffalo.

On the autumn programme, families are invited to play the role of the ‘little brown mouse’ on a journey through Kew Gardens’ deep, dark wood. As they encounter more characters from the best-selling books and popular animated film adaptations, they can enjoy interactive activities, learn about different habitats and the marks we leave behind as humans in a woodland ecosystem, and enjoy autumn horticultural highlights.

There will also be timed appearances from a Gruffalo costumed character throughout the festival.

Wakehurst, RBG Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, will also host its own Gruffalo half-term programme. Among other activities, visitors will be able to follow a special Gruffalo trail through Wakehurst’s woodlands in all their autumnal colour and go on a hunt to find ingredients for a tasty Gruffalo crumble. A series of Gruffalo wild workshops for youngsters at Wakehurst during half-term saw huge demand and has already sold out.

Daryl Shute, brand director at Magic Light Pictures, said: “We are thrilled to be announcing this partnership with RBG Kew. To bring The Gruffalo to this iconic, deep dark wood of West London is really exciting. By combining the beauty of Julia and Axel’s characters with the theme of ‘the marks we leave behind’, RBG Kew has created a really original activation, which guests will love for sure.”

Sandra Botterell, director of marketing and commercial enterprise at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew added: “We are thrilled to bring such an iconic tale to RBG Kew, in what is set to be a great adventure for families. The Gruffalo is a perfect fit for Kew Gardens and Wakehurst, and we hope visitors venturing through RBG Kew’s landscapes will be transported to Donaldson and Scheffler’s much-loved universe.”

Finally, Magic Light will be bringing Gruffalo magic to more deep dark woods with the launch of the Gruffalo Spotter augmented reality app at Forestry England sites from October 12. New Gruffalo Spotters trails for keen Gruffalo hunters will feature the amazing AR app along with a fun activity pack which will enable them to interact with all their favourite characters along an unmissable trail.