Category Archives: Live

Merlin Entertainments to bring Jumanji brand to life

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Merlin Entertainments, a global leader in location-based entertainment with brands including LEGOLAND, Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE, has entered into a formal multi-territory exclusivity agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment to develop and operate attractions, rides, lands, retail outlets and themed hotel rooms based on the studio’s box office hit Jumanji film franchise across Merlin’s Resort Theme Parks and Waterparks in Europe (including the UK) and North America.

The first Jumanji experience to be launched as part of the agreement will be the world’s first Jumanji ride, which will open in April this year at Merlin’s Gardaland Resort in Italy, with a second activation already in development at a different theme park for a 2023 launch.

Merlin is teaming up with Oceaneering and Framestore for the development of the Jumanji ride at Gardaland. The attraction will be called “Jumanji – the Adventure” and will transport guests to the fantastic world of Jumanji, where an exhilarating adventure awaits them: a journey full of pitfalls, surprises and dangers through the wild jungle. The new “Jumanji – the Adventure” attraction will be a dark ride for adventure lovers of all ages, designed to appeal to a wide audience of families, teenagers and young adults. “Jumanji – the Adventure” will open in April 2022, and will be complemented by the simultaneous launch of fully themed Jumanji hotel bedrooms.

The deal supports Merlin’s broader global strategy to engage and work with leading IP and brands across its global estate, with existing successful partnerships including LEGO, Marvel, Peppa Pig and CBeebies. The agreement is also a pivotal step in Sony Pictures’ larger global strategy to grow and expand location-based entertainment by utilising its strong global film and TV brands to create opportunities for audiences around the world to immerse themselves deeper into the studio’s stories.

The collaboration further builds on Merlin’s successful relationship with Sony Pictures Entertainment, which has already seen the previous roll out of two “in-attraction” themed experiences including the Ghostbusters 5D ride at Heide Park in Germany and the Ghostbusters experience at Madame Tussauds New York.

Chief Development Officer for Merlin Entertainments, Mark Fisher, says: “We are excited to be taking our relationship with Sony Pictures Entertainment to the next level with this strategic partnership. Sony are one of the top movie companies on the planet and Jumanji is a multi-billion-dollar brand which has appealed to guests of all ages for over two decades. Our Merlin team are already hard at work developing brilliant creative concepts, which will bring to life the blockbuster-famous Jumanji film across our Theme Parks and Waterparks. We can’t wait to deliver thrilling rides and experiences for guests and film fans alike. The game is certainly on!”

Jeffrey Godsick, EVP of Global Partnerships and Brand Management and Head of Location Based Entertainment at Sony Pictures Entertainment, adds: “Merlin is the ideal company to bring the world of Jumanji to life.  Their commitment to strong storytelling, quality of craftsmanship and fantastic guest experiences ensure that fans of Jumanji will be fully immersed into the worlds of our films and have an unforgettable experience. I am very pleased to expand our relationship with the great team at Merlin.”

Ranked Europe’s top and the world’s second-largest tourist attraction operator, Merlin runs more than 135 tourist attractions in 24 countries across Europe, America, Asia and Oceania.

Following on from the original Robin Williams film in 1995, the adventure continues in the brand-new film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), starring Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan. The film franchise’s continued success has made it Sony’s biggest wholly owned film franchise of all time. Taking over $2.1bn at the global box office, the Jumanji film franchises are popular with both family and teenage audiences globally.

First pitchers announced for Brands & Retail UK Summer Conference

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Ryan Beaird, Event Director of the Brands & Retail UK Conference, has confirmed a host of big-name participants for the Summer conference, which takes place at the British Library, London, on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 July 2022.

Companies confirmed so far include:

TeamGB – Day 1 and Day 2

The Victoria and Albert Museum – Day 1

Mattel – Day 2

Paramount – Day 1 and Day 2

Acamar Films – Day 2

Kelebek Media – Day 2

MGA Entertainment – Day 2

Penguin Ventures – Day 2

Warhammer – Day 2

With only twelve 15-minute pitching slots left for Day One (6 July) for Lifestyle, Commercial, Heritage, Charity and Sports brands and only seven 15-minute pitching slots left for the Character and Gaming brands on Day Two (7 July), opportunities are limited.

Ryan says: “If you’re already a licensee or retailer of any the brands, please do email to pre-register as the capacity is limited to 200 seats on both days. As a reminder, the conference is free, and you can have up to three members of staff attend from your company.

“The B&RUK Winter conference, which took place on 24 February this year at the British Library, was a huge success. With over 200 key executive representatives from brands, licensees and retailers attending, the feedback from the audience on the format and the quality of the screenings was all positive. I’m excited the Summer conference is now really taking shape.

“The Winter conference sold out in weeks of being announced and I was operating a reserve list so knew we could expand the conference into two days for the summer, which must mean I’m doing something right for the industry.

“Licensees who attended the 24 February conference are already pre-registering for both Days One and Two, and I am speaking with the main UK Retailers about them bringing their wider buying teams and building the retail side of the audience.

“Brands & Retail UK conferences are only open to licensees and retailers, and to watch the screenings and presentations you will need to sign a conference NDA and will be vetted for attendance.

“I am also finalising the closing Summer Terrace Party which take place on the terrace at the British Library from 5pm on 7 July and will only be open to the licensees and retailers attending both days and the brands taking part.

“With capacity for 200 people on the terrace it will be a great place to do business after watching the great screenings and presentations during the day.”

If you wish to book a remaining pitching slot please email Ryan at Ryan.Beaird@BrandsRetail.uk, and if you are a retailer or licensee and wish to reserve your seats now you can do so by reaching out.

More information is available at www.BrandsRetail.uk

 

Disney Junior presents first-ever Fun Fest

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The first-ever Disney Junior Fun Fest, a one-day event celebrating the entertaining and music-filled stories of the number-one preschool TV network’s hit series, will bring the magic straight to fans on Friday April 29. 

Held at Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim, California, the one-day event will include sneak peeks at upcoming Disney Junior series, special announcements, surprise appearances, a “Doc McStuffins” stage show highlighting 10 years of the beloved series, and an “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery Unbirthday Party”, a hands-on cupcake decorating course inspired by the new Disney Junior series that is also being offered for guests throughout Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival from March 4 through April 26.

The event will kick off in the morning with a cavalcade of Disney Junior characters welcoming fans and making their way through the park. Throughout the day, there will be main-stage attractions with fun games, trivia and music to keep preschoolers and their families singing and dancing together. Guests can also enjoy regular Disney Junior programming at Disney California Adventure park, including the “Disney Junior Dance Party!” and the “Spidey and his Amazing Friends” photo wall at the Hollywood Backlot.

Additional details, a schedule of events and special appearances will be announced soon.

 

Pop-up The Batman experience swoops into Singapore

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WarnerMedia has unveiled a unique pop-up experience, The Batman “Unmask The Truth”, in the heart of Singapore’s famous shopping district on Orchard Road.

The interactive event, which was made possible with the support of Singapore Tourism Board and local partners XM Studios, Secretlab and Shopee, as well as global partners LEGO, Spinmaster and McFarlane, will be open daily from February 25 to March 13, and is timed to run alongside the theatrical launch of The Batman in cinemas.

The Batman “Unmask The Truth” pop-up event, at Level 1 of Shaw House, Orchard Road, offers the perfect selfie location with a life-sized Muckle figure of The Batman, a replica Bat Signal and a thematic photo booth. Attendees have the perfect chance to recreate their own movie poster with the movie’s distinctive red-and-blue lighting.

On site, there will be displays of limited-edition merch from local Singaporean brands. XM Studios has released a collectible showcase – The Batman’s Greatest Battles – while Secretlab will unveil the latest addition of the all-new The Batman Movie Edition chair with a magnetically detachable Bat Emblem – the first for any gaming chair.

Fans looking to purchase movie-themed memorabilla can also visit Shopee from February 27 to March 13 and look out for attractive deals and giveaway prizes to be won. Via the e-commerce platform, other DC products from LEGO, Spinmaster and McFarlane will also be on show.

Passersby and shoppers who are around in the evening can look across the street to ION Orchard and catch the Bat Signal for the ultimate photo opp. Every night from 7-10pm, the iconic distress call will shine out from the mall’s enormous ambient screen.

 

DC fans can also participate in The Riddler’s Challenge, an interactive online riddle-based game sending players on a journey down Orchard Road as they test their knowledge about Singapore’s famous shopping stretch. The first 2,000 participants who register for the challenge on the event microsite will redeem an exclusive “The Riddler’s Pack” containing The Batman-themed merchandise. Superfans who complete all of the riddles and share why they are the biggest fan of The Batman stand a chance to win the grand prize worth S$400.

For more details of the event, visit DCTheBatmanExp.com.  

The Batman premieres in cinemas internationally, including Korea on March 1, Indonesia and Philippines on March 2, and in Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia on March 3. The movie opens in India and the US on March 4.

WarnerMedia’s streaming service HBO GO will feature 35 Batman-related titles during the campaign month.

 

Sooty Land coming to Crealy Theme Park & Resort

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Award-winning Devon theme park Crealy Theme Park & Resort has partnered with the world’s longest-running children’s television programme, The Sooty Show, to devise plans for a magical new world at the theme park devoted entirely to the nation’s favourite yellow magic bear, Sooty.

Building work has now started and the attraction is set to open to the public on Saturday 28 May, 2022.

Having been voted as the best day out in Devon for 10 years running, Crealy’s new Sooty Land is set to offer even more fun for the family in 2022. With substantial investment being made in this new area of the park, the plans include:

  • Live daily theatre performances of ‘The Sooty Show’ in the new ‘Sooty Show Time’ outdoor theatre.
  • 4 new rides at the ‘Seaside Themed’ Sooty Land: ‘Sooty’s Magic Bus’, ‘Sweep’s Flying Circus’, ‘Soo’s Sweet Balloon Ride’ & ‘Izzy Wizzy Let’s Get Dizzy’
  • 10 new indoor attractions inside the new ‘Pier’ building: The southwest’s first Interactive Strike Arena, digi-wall ball games, seaside mirror maze, electronic climbing wall, spider climb duo slides, dance tuition studio, giant games room, giant buzz wires, Soo’s music house, Sooty’s TV studio
  • Sooty’s Hall of Fame Exhibition: Memorabilia and props from the past 70 years of The Sooty Show
  • Sooty’s Magic & Souvenir Shop
  • Sooty’s Diner, Sweep’s Hot Dogs, Soo’s Tea Room
  • Outdoor Play Park & Wheelchair Accessible Attractions

Josh Haywood, General Manager at Crealy Theme Park & Resort, says: “Crealy Theme Park & Resort has long prided itself on being a family attraction that caters for all generations. Sooty, Sweep & Soo have been entertaining children, parents and grandparents across the country for over 70 years, and so we couldn’t be more thrilled to be partnering with the gang on our new Sooty Land. We can’t wait to open it to the public in May.”

“This really is such an exciting new chapter for Sooty,” adds Richard Cadell, presenter & owner of The Sooty Show. “As I live close to Exeter myself, I’ve always admired everything they do at Crealy, so to be opening up Sooty Land in partnership with the team there is a real honour. Live daily theatre performances, Sweep selling hot dogs, amazing rides and Sooty’s very own magic shop – there’s going to be so much fun to be had for families and fans of Sooty across the country visiting Devon in 2022.”

 

 

Warwick Castle welcomes back Julia Donaldson’s Zog

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Zog superfans at Warwick Castle will be able to slide into new adventures when the iconic venue becomes the ‘Realm of Zog’ with the launch of the world’s first Zog Playland on 9 April, and the return of the Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star interactive trail.

Following Zog’s roaring 2021 success at Warwick Castle, a Merlin Entertainments attraction, the new Zog Playland has been developed with the multiple award-winning production and brand-building company Magic Light Pictures.

The new land is inspired by the picture book Zog and the Flying Doctors by author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, which also aired in 202o as an animated special  produced by Magic Light Pictures, and combines sensory and physical play elements for children up to the age of 10, as well as accessible activities.

The brand-new Playland will feature colourful dragons, dragon wing zip wires, crawl tunnels, rope swings, Princess Pearl’s Tower, and dragon slides. From interactive sand play and building pretend fires, to keeping the Lion’s cave warm and shopping at the imaginative play market stall for young budding doctors, Zog Playland will offer plenty of opportunities for children to immerse themselves into the imaginative world they know and love from the popular book and film.

The popular Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star trail will also return with some updates for the new season, and will offer children the chance to actually meet some of the key characters from the story, including Zog, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout.

Ultimate Zog fans can extend their magical adventure to the evening with the returning Zog Stay and Play package from 27 February. Guests can choose from cosy Woodland Lodges to Medieval Glamping Tents where they will find special Zog goodies and then enjoy an exclusive storytime with one of Warwick Castle’s brave Knights or enchanting Princesses, and even spend time with Zog himself before bedtime

The new Zog Playland, as well as the Zog trail and other popular Castle attractions will be accessible with Warwick Castle’s annual Gold pass (£65pp) and Silver pass (off-peak only, £45pp).

Jamie Turner, Head of Marketing, says: “I am delighted we are able to continue to develop our product for younger children, which means the Castle has something to offer all the family, from preschool kids to grandparents. Zog has proven to be incredibly popular with our younger guests and is the perfect fit for Warwick Castle. We’re incredibly proud to become the realm of Zog for 2022 and beyond.”

Alex Sanson, Brand Manager, Magic Light Pictures, says: “Warwick Castle feels like the perfect setting for Zog, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout. Rolling grounds for him to run about in, turrets for him to soar between, not to mention all the creatures that Princess Pearl’s assistants will be able to heal – we can’t wait for families to explore the new Playland and be fully immersed in Zog’s Realm.”

After a magical and action-packed day, retiring to The Knight’s Village for an overnight stay will offer guests a unique way to finish an unforgettable experience. Zog Stay and Play packages cost £149 for a family of four and include bed, breakfast and one-day park tickets on selected stay dates.

This latest announcement demonstrates the continued growth of Magic Light properties in location-based activations and follows on from this year’s announcement of the forthcoming The Gruffalo Discovery Land at Twycross Zoo, the launch of Superworm trails at Forestry England and the Room on the Broom trail at Ushaw historic house and gardens in County Durham.

For more information head to www.warwick-castle.com.

 

Sesame Place theme park to open in San Diego

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SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Sesame Workshop have announced that Sesame Street’s favourite furry friends are getting ready to welcome guests from all over the world to the all-new Sesame Place San Diego theme park, opening on Saturday, March 26.

The new 17-acre park will be the only Sesame Place location on the U.S. West Coast and the second location in the country. The park will be open year-round offering Sesame Street-themed rides and attractions, including a kid-friendly rollercoaster and a 500,000-gallon wave pool – one of the largest in Southern California. The park will also feature a musical play area, an interactive Sesame Street Neighborhood complete with the iconic 123 Stoop, daily live character shows, award-winning parades, one-of-a-kind photo opportunities and of course, everyone’s favourite Sesame Street characters.

“This is an exciting milestone for our company, as this is the second Sesame Place in the United States and the first new theme park we’ve opened since 2013,” says Marc Swanson, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment CEO. “We are thrilled to debut this new park and add a premiere tourist destination to California that is so appealing to families. Having spent part of my career with this company at the original Sesame Place in Pennsylvania and being part of its success, I’m looking forward to continuing the legacy on the West Coast and providing a fun place to visit where life-long memories are created as fans experience what they love about the iconic show in a new way.”

“Since 1980, Sesame Place has been a key part of the Sesame Workshop extended family and mission of helping kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder,” says Steve Youngwood, Sesame Workshop CEO. “We are thrilled to partner with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment to introduce the West Coast’s only standalone theme park based entirely on the award-winning educational programme, Sesame Street. Sesame Place San Diego will offer kids and families an immersive opportunity to play and learn with their favorite furry friends, and continue enriching their experiences with Sesame Street.”

 

Haven transforms Sydney’s Darling Square into Hello Kitty Town

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This month, Darling Square in Sydney officially launched Hello Kitty Town, an immersive street festival paying homage to the worldwide phenomenon Hello Kitty & Friends. In partnership with Haven and Sanrio, Hello Kitty Town will be housed at Darling Square until April 29 and will feature themed food and drink offerings and an outdoor art exhibition featuring works by some of the world’s best known illustrators.

Food retailers across the precinct have joined in the fun, creating Hello Kitty themed menu items. Ume Burger has a Bad Badtz-Maru cheeseburger and white peach soda, Toastie Smith will have five limited edition toasties adorned with Hello Kitty ham bows, Bubble Nini Tea will have KeroKeroKeroppi Matcha and Hello Kitty Strawberry Yoghurt Crush teas and Auvers Dining have a suite of dishes including the Lazy Egg Burger based on fan favourite Gudetama. More limited edition food items will be dropped weekly.

The festival has been curated by Eddie Zammit and produced by Authority Creative. Spread throughout the Darling Square precinct, an outdoor art exhibition sees some of the world’s most well known graphic designers, illustrators and street artists add their signature flair to a lovable character from Hello Kitty & Friends. Artists include UK cartoonist, writer and illustrator Gemma Correll; DXTR, a Berlin based artist and illustrator; Melbourne based large-scale mural painter Justine McAllister; Australian artist Travis Price, who is Hello Kitty’s featured artist for the festival, and more.

Hello Kitty merchandise is available to purchase in the precinct from various retailers and includes limited edition plush toys, wallets, cosmetics and even Hello Kitty hand sanitiser. The full list of activities and activations will be announced in the coming weeks and more information can be found at www.Darlingsq.com/hellokittytown

For licensing enquiries on Sanrio in Australia and New Zealand, contact Diana Markezic at Haven Global: diana@havenglobal.com 

Airbnb offering one family the chance to live like Bluey for the weekend

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The iconic Heeler family home from hit Australian kids’ show Bluey is being listed on Airbnb in Brisbane, Queensland, offering one lucky family the opportunity to live like the Heelers for the ultimate Bluey fan weekend.

Bluey is a global phenomenon that follows the adventures of Bluey – a lovable six-year-old Blue Heeler dog – who lives with her Mum (Chilli), Dad (Bandit) and little sister Bingo. The show screens in over 60 countries.

Airbnb has partnered with BBC Studios, co-commissioner and global distributor of Bluey, on this one-of-a-kind experience.

The Brisbane house has been entirely customised to bring the cartoon experience to life, featuring quirky details Bluey fans will recognise from the Heeler family home in the show.

“The Heeler house is almost a character in its own right,” says Madeleine Jelfs, Bluey Senior Marketing Manager, BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand. “We’ve been amazed at the outpouring of love the fans have shown for this iconic setting, and for all the beautiful Queensland locations the crew have so lovingly included across the three series. Bringing Bluey’s backdrop to life in such an ingenious and colourful way for our fans has been an absolute delight.”

Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, adds: “Like many parents with young children, I’ve been captivated by the adventures of Bluey and her family, which bring so much joy and quintessential Aussie humour to audiences across the globe. We’re delighted to add Bluey, Bingo, Chilli and Bandit to our growing community of Airbnb Hosts. And while we have some incredible homes on Airbnb, there will be nothing quite like waking up in the Heeler house and getting to live and breathe in Bluey’s magical world for one wondrous weekend.”

The weekend getaway includes an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the Ludo Studio, where Bluey is created; a Chinese takeaway feast in the backyard; an afternoon decorating the Heeler’s famous duck cake, where the whole family can test their culinary skills, and a puppet-making craft session featuring Bluey’s famous Bob Bilby character (a local Aussie marsupial).

The two-night stay, for two adults and two children, will take place from Friday, February 18 to Sunday, February 20 for AUD $20. Bookings are available on a first come first serve basis. For full details, visit airbnb.com/bluey.

Game of Thrones Studio Tour opens in Northern Ireland

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The official Game of Thrones Studio Tour has been launched by fan favourites Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Kristian Nairn (Hodor), and Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), who together helped to ‘Break the Chains’ for the new global visitor attraction based in Northern Ireland.

Located at one of the acclaimed series’ original filming locations – Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge – the Game of Thrones Studio Tour aims to take fans closer to the Seven Kingdoms than ever before. Guests can step inside the iconic Great Hall at Winterfell where Jon Snow was proclaimed the King in the North, see Daenerys Targaryen’s imposing Dragonstone throne, delve into the incredible props, weaponry and visual effects of Game of Thrones and learn more about the skills and craftmanship that helped bring the show from script to screen.

Julian Moon, Head of EMEA Warner Bros. Consumer Products, says: “The Game of Thrones Studio Tour marks a first for Warner Bros Themed Entertainment in Northern Ireland. It’s a world-class attraction where fans can explore, up close and personal, a vast array of authentic sets, as well as a comprehensive collection of costumes, props, set pieces, and so much more.

“We’re incredibly grateful for our partnership with Linen Mill Studios who have helped bring this concept to life with the attention to detail, along with the scale and depth of production, that makes this experience so special and worthwhile. We are proud to be part of the legacy of the beloved Game of Thrones franchise and we can’t wait for fans around the globe to step inside and immerse themselves in all corners of the Seven Kingdoms and beyond.”

HBO’s Game of Thrones aired in more than 200 countries and territories, culminating in record-setting ratings. The series continues to engage passionate fans and ignite audiences’ excitement with the next iteration of the franchise, House of the Dragon, set to premiere on HBO and HBO Max in 2022.

www.gameofthronesstudiotour.com