WWE and Mattel extend global partnership

WWE and Mattel have announced a multi-year extension of their global master toy licensing agreement. The extended partnership includes exclusive rights around Action Figures, Action Figure Accessories and Kids Toy Title Belts.

The portfolio of innovative toys that Mattel and WWE have developed together since 2009 are currently stocked in more than 50 global markets around the world. WWE Action Figures have ranked as the No. 1 action figure property in the US and consistently hold a top ranking.

Mattel’s WWE Basic Action Figure Series is the longest-running continuous action figure assortment in history. Over the years, WWE and Mattel have launched multiple collaborations such as WWE and Ghostbusters and WWE and Masters of the Universe.

“Mattel is a true industry leader that continues to surprise and delight our fans around the world with innovative and creative WWE products that drive significant revenue for our retail partners,” says Sarah Cummins, WWE Senior Vice President, Consumer Products.

Nick Karamanos, Senior Vice President of Entertainment Partnerships, Mattel, adds: “We are very pleased that WWE has once again chosen Mattel to help bring its storied history and characters to children and fans around the world. WWE is an important partner, and we look forward to continuing our relationship for years to come.”

Spin Master champions new League of Legends Collection

Leading global children’s entertainment company Spin Master has launched the first of its collection as the global master toy licensee for Riot Games’ League of Legends, the most-played PC game in the world.

A mainstay in the multiplayer online battle arena, League of Legends is a team-based strategy game in which two teams of five powerful champions face off to conquer the other’s base. Players choose from over 150 champions to make epic plays and take down towers as they battle their way to victory.

“We are honoured to debut the first of our League of Legends collection, delivering to fans their favourite champions in action figure form and bringing the excitement of the renowned game to the toy aisle,” says Chris Beardall, Spin Master’s President of Toys and Chief Commercial Officer. “Our assortment of core and collector figures deliver innovation, meticulous attention to detail and enhanced collectability for the massive international League of Legends fan base both on and offline – and this is just the beginning.”

“Our mission is to make it better to be a player,” says Ashley Maidy, Head of Global Consumer Products at Riot Games. “This involves extending the joy of our League of Legends IP into the real world through a variety of products including toys and collectibles. We are excited for players to see more of the Spin Master collection in the coming months.”

The Fall 2021 League of Legends Collection includes 6” Collector Figures, 4” Core Figures 5-pack, and 4” Core Figures. To mark the launch, Spin Master teamed up with two renowned toy photographers, Mitchel Wu and Jax Navarro, to create dynamic imagery to honour the champions and highlight the authenticity of the figures.

Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands PAW Patrol, Bakugan, Kinetic Sand, Air Hogs, Hatchimals, Rubik’s Cube and GUND, and is the toy licensee for other popular properties. Spin Master Entertainment creates and produces compelling multiplatform content, stories and endearing characters through its in-house studio and partnerships with outside creators, including the preschool success PAW Patrol and nine other original shows along with multiple short-form series, which are distributed in more than 190 countries. The Company has an established digital games presence anchored by the Toca Boca and Sago Mini brands. With close to 2,000 employees in 28 offices globally, Spin Master distributes products in more than 100 countries.

Founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill, Riot Games is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. In 2009, Riot released its debut title, League of Legends, to worldwide acclaim. League has gone on to be the most-played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Riot continues to evolve the game while delivering new experiences to players with Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, VALORANT, League of Legends: Wild Rift, and multiple work-in-progress titles, while exploring the world of Runeterra through multimedia projects across music, comic books, TV, and more.

 

 

Universal Monsters rise up in new NECA action figure partnership

National Entertainment Collectibles Association – NECA – has detailed plans for a full line of Universal Monsters action figures developed in close partnership with Universal Brand Development to capture the look of the horror world’s most iconic figures.

Frankenstein’s Monster will rise up this July, depicting the classic monster from the 1931 film Frankenstein as it celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. The sculpt will capture Boris Karloff’s poignant portrayal of the misunderstood monster in black and white. A colour version of the figure will follow.

Subsequent figures set for 2021 will include Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man from The Wolf Man (1941), Boris Karloff as the titular figure in The Mummy (1932), and Bela Lugosi as the legendary Count in Dracula (1931).

“We are proud to be working with NECA to include Bela Lugosi as Dracula as an Ultimate figure,” said Lynne Lugosi Sparks, CEO of Lugosi LLC.

“NECA’s attention to detail is amazing and we are happy to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Bela Lugosi’s iconic screen performance as Dracula with this figure.”

NECA’s Ultimate format is a favorite among collectors for its complete portrayal of a character with a wide array of alternate heads, hands, and accessories so that many iconic moments from the movie can be recreated. The fifth-panel packaging also allows collectors to remove and replace without damaging the packaging.

“As a lifelong fan of Universal Monsters, this is a dream come true,” said Randy Falk, NECA VP and senior director of product development.

“I’ve been collecting Universal Monsters toys since I was a kid. This line aims to create something hyper-realistic and ultra-detailed for people like me who grew up watching these amazing movies and have always longed for definitive versions.”

Hasbro signs five year Fortnite deal with Epic Games for action figures, vehicles, and more

Hasbro has outlined a five year extension of its partnership with Epic Games and its world-beating MMO gaming title, Fortnite as the toy company looks to expand its product licensing deal beyond outdoor play products and games and into collectable action figures, vehicles, and role-play gear.

The plan was announced last week during Hasbro’s all-virtual investors event, extending the successful two-year deal brokered by IMG between the global entertainment outfit and Epic Games. The partnership kicked off with the launch of a variety of Fortnite themes NERF blasters and a Fortnite Monopoly.

Now, with the growing partnership, Hasbro is excited to bring new products as well as in-game experiences to Fortnite fans of all ages, first with the recent in-game debut of G.I. JOE character, Snake Eyes. Coinciding with the in-game integration of this fan-favorite character, Hasbro released a Fortnite x G.I. Joe Collab Snake Eyes: Zero Point Edition figure available exclusively on Hasbro Pulse for fans aged 16 and older in the US and Canada.

“Hasbro’s expertise in the realm of collectible figure and role-play segments has yielded incredibly positive results for our long roster of entertainment-based action brands,” said Adam Biehl, SVP and GM at Hasbro, Inc.

“We’ve had tremendous success collaborating with Epic Games and the Fortnite brand over the past few years, and this expanded product licensing partnership allows us to deliver an amazing lineup of Fortnite-inspired toys and collector items that we’re confident fans will be excited to experience.”

New Hasbro-licensed Fortnite products are on track to launch in autumn this year.

Fortnite is the completely free multiplayer game where you and your friends collaborate to create your dream Fortnite world or battle to be the last one standing. Fortnite and its Battle Royale and Creative modes are free and available on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch and Android.

Hasbro signs five year Fortnite deal with Epic Games for action figures, vehicles, and more

Hasbro has outlined a five year extension of its partnership with Epic Games and its world-beating MMO gaming title, Fortnite as the toy company looks to expand its product licensing deal beyond outdoor play products and games and into collectable action figures, vehicles, and role-play gear.

The plan was announced last week during Hasbro’s all-virtual investors event, extending the successful two-year deal brokered by IMG between the global entertainment outfit and Epic Games. The partnership kicked off with the launch of a variety of Fortnite themes NERF blasters and a Fortnite Monopoly.

Now, with the growing partnership, Hasbro is excited to bring new products as well as in-game experiences to Fortnite fans of all ages, first with the recent in-game debut of G.I. JOE character, Snake Eyes. Coinciding with the in-game integration of this fan-favorite character, Hasbro released a Fortnite x G.I. Joe Collab Snake Eyes: Zero Point Edition figure available exclusively on Hasbro Pulse for fans aged 16 and older in the US and Canada.

“Hasbro’s expertise in the realm of collectible figure and role-play segments has yielded incredibly positive results for our long roster of entertainment-based action brands,” said Adam Biehl, SVP and GM at Hasbro, Inc.

“We’ve had tremendous success collaborating with Epic Games and the Fortnite brand over the past few years, and this expanded product licensing partnership allows us to deliver an amazing lineup of Fortnite-inspired toys and collector items that we’re confident fans will be excited to experience.”

New Hasbro-licensed Fortnite products are on track to launch in autumn this year.

Fortnite is the completely free multiplayer game where you and your friends collaborate to create your dream Fortnite world or battle to be the last one standing. Fortnite and its Battle Royale and Creative modes are free and available on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch and Android.

Toikido signs master toy partnership for Netflix’s feature animation Back to the Outback

Toikido has been named the master toy partner for Netflix’s upcoming feature film, Back to the Outback, an animated adventure following a ragtag group of animals and their daring escape from captivity.

With the film scheduled to make its global debut this autumn, Toikido has secured the rights to manufacture a master toy range including action figures and plush across global markets.

Tired of being locked in a reptile house where humans gawk at them like they’re monsters, Back to the Outback is centered on a group of Australia’s deadliest creatures as they plot their escape back to the Outback, a place where they’ll fit in without being judged for their scales and fangs.

Leading the group is Maddie (Isla Fisher), a poisonous snake with a heart of gold, who bands together with a self-assured Thorny Devil lizard Zoe (Miranda Tapsell), a lovelorn hairy spider Frank (Guy Pearce), and a sensitive scorpion Nigel (Angus Imrie).

When their nemesis – Pretty Boy (Tim Minchin), a cute but obnoxious koala – unexpectedly joins their escape, Maddie and the gang have no choice but to take him with them. So begins a hair-raising and hilarious road trip across Australia, as they are pursued by a zookeeper Chaz (Eric Bana) and his adventure-seeking mini-me (Diesel Cash La Torraca).

Directed by Clare Knight and Harry Cripps, Back to the Outback also featuring the voices of Rachel House, Keith Urban, Celeste Barber, Wayne Knight, Lachlan Ross Power, and Jacki Weaver.

Lead by the toy and licensing industry expert, Darran Garnham, Toikido is a London-based entertainment company boasting a global reach and ecosystem across licensing, gaming, music, and entertainment.

Jazwares extends its UFC partnership to bring Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal into the ring

The global toy company, Jazwares, has extended its partnership with the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, UFC, to launch a new range of collectable figures courtesy of Ringside Collectibles.

Under the latest deal, popular UFC fighters Conor McGregor, Jorge Masvidal, Amanda Nunes, Francise Ngannou, Israel Adesanya, and Urijah Faber now join the line-up.

The UFC Ultimate Series limited-edition figures by Jazwares have been billed as ‘the most detailed, realistic, and sophisticated representations of UFC athletes’, allowing fans and collectors to re-create the thrill of fight night with the UFC articulated fighter figures.

Each fighter features character-authentic details including tattoo-like-details, weight class body types, and realistic facial expressions. The 6.5-inch UFC collectibles come with two sets of removable hands and two removable heads. They also come with a fighter-specific flag, UFC champion belt, or other unique fighter accessories.

This new collection comes after the first launch featuring current and former UFC champions including UFC lightweight champion Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones, former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, former featherweight champion Max Holloway and UFC lightweight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

Jazwares to launch first action figure and role play toy line for UFC

Toymaker Jazwares has joined forces with the global mixed martial arts organisation, UFC, to bring the world of this adrenaline fuelled sport to the action figures and role-play aisles. Available for pre-sale at Ringside Collectibles, the Jazwares UFC collectable line will be landing on Amazon in the coming weeks, and into Walmart stores from early August.

The collectables line features current and former UFC champions including UFC lightweight champion Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, and former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor.

Additional fighters such as former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, former featherweight champion Max Holloway and UFC lightweight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone are also featured in the collection.

The UFC Ultimate Series limited-edition figures by Jazwares are billed as  ‘the most detailed, realistic, and sophisticated representations of UFC athletes’. Each figure features the athlete’s true-to-life details including any tattoos, their respective weight classes and realistic facial expressions. These popular athletes also come with two sets of removable hands, each with UFC gloves, feature interchangeable heads and over 30 points of articulation.

“With an extensive roster of iconic UFC champions, this unveiling is unmatched. This new line of collectible figures will allow UFC fans, both kids and collectors, to engage and replicate the biggest UFC super-fight showdowns,” said Laura Zebersky, chief commercial officer, Jazwares.

“The collectibles celebrate the history and icons of the UFC today, and so we’re glad to bring this to life and offer fans authentic action figures that they can keep forever.”

UFC senior vice president, global consumer products, Tracey Bleczinski, added: “Jazwares is a great partner and UFC is pleased to offer fans this new line of limited-edition action figures to celebrate some of the greatest athletes and moments in UFC history.”

Today’s launch at retail includes the first wave of seven 6″ premium figures of iconic UFC athletes. Additional products will debut at retail in Fall 2020, including figures, plush, an Octagon playset and role play items such as the UFC Legacy Championship Belt.