Aurora World and Macmillan Children’s Books lead licensing roster for Aardman’s festive animation Robin Robin

Aurora World has been tapped as the master toy partner for Aardman’s new animated musical special, Robin Robin in a deal that will see the company develop the plush version of the titular character.

The new plush Robin Robin will be launched alongside the publishing and film premiere of the special as it arrives in the UK this Autumn. Leading the publishing roll out for the feature will be Macmillan Children’s Books.

Robin Robin is a 30 minute festive holiday special created in stop-motion by its directors Dan Ojari and Mikey Please. The special is currently in production at the Aardman studios in Bristol and is scheduled to launch on Netflix in November this year.

Robin Robin will feature the voices of Gillian Anderson, Richard E. Grant, Adeel Akhtar, and Bronte Carmichael.

Macmillan Children’s Books has acquired worldwide rights in all languages for an exciting range of children’s books associated with the new film. The publishing range, which will launch in autumn 2021, will include a classic picture book, film tie-in picture book and range of activity and novelty books.

Stephanie Barton, publisher, picture books, brands and classics at Macmillan Children’s Books, said: “To be working with Aardman on Robin Robin is a dream come true; their unique voice, attention to detail and the exuberance and joy with which they approach storytelling is perfect for the printed page, and we are excited to be working in partnership to create what are sure to be classics of the future.”

Belinda Ioni Rasmussen, publisher, Macmillan Children’s Books, added: “We fell in love with Robin Robin at first sight and quickly discovered that the values of Macmillan Children’s Books and those of Aardman were aligned.

“To have the opportunity to publish both a classic illustrated picture book on our Two Hoots list, as well as the animated tie-ins on our Brands and Media list, plays to our strengths across MCB. Robin Robin will be a focus among the other successful high end media brands on our list and is a very exciting acquisition for us.”

The first title, a classic picture book, written by the co-creators of Robin Robin Dan Ojari and Mikey Please, and illustrated by Briony May Smith, will be published by the Two Hoots imprint in October 2021.

A film tie-in picture book featuring stills and lyrics to the songs will be published in November 2021, alongside the Netflix premiere. An audiobook will be available for digital download.

Please said: “We are utterly delighted to be partnering with Macmillan to bring the Robin Robin books to life, and thrilled that we get to actually write one with wondrous pencil-wizard, Briony May Smith. Briony worked with us early on in the development of Robin Robin, so it feels perfect that we get to team up again in creating the classic picture book. And in the hands of the fantastic Macmillan team, we know this picture book and the entire series are going to be things of beauty.”

Alongside the publishing programme, Aardman has appointed Aurora World – a global leader in the character and content industry – as master toy partner, who will be developing the plush version of Robin Robin to be launched alongside the publishing and film premiere in Autumn 2021.

Martin Ringer, sales director, said: “We have built a great relationship working with Aardman to develop Shaun the Sheep plush products over recent years. The opportunity to broaden our relationship and be involved in the development of plush for Robin Robin is incredibly exciting and we look forward to delivering some beautiful product for this wonderful property.”

Robin Robin is the endearing story of a robin who is adopted by a family of burglar mice when her egg fortuitously rolls into a rubbish dump. As she grows up her differences become more apparent. She sets off on the heist to end all heists to prove to her family that she can be a really good mouse, but ends up discovering who she really is.

Aurora World welcomes troupe of new YooHoo plush characters as YoHoo to the Rescue takes off globally

The character and content company, Aurora World, has welcomed a troupe of new YooHoo characters to its popular plush line, inspired by the cast of characters from the newly launched 3D animation, YooHoo to the Rescue.

The expanded collection of 37 new characters will launch mid 2020 with plush available in four different sizes, combining characters from season one of YooHoo to the Rescue with new characters introduced in season two and three. Season three will be launching on Netflix this spring.

In the newly introduced 11-inch YooHoo plush (available in the US and Canada), there will be eight plush made up of main seven characters, along with the popular RingRing the Panda character. In addition, with season two on the air and season three due soon, eight characters from season two and six characters from season three will be added to the best-selling five-inch and eight-inch YooHoo collection of 33 characters launched in 2019.

The new characters include Gina the Giraffe, TJ the Sea Turtle, and Bellus the Congo Peafowl.

The plush line will benefit from synergy with the animated series YooHoo to the Rescue and Aurora World’s established plush toy business, of which YooHoo is a leading part. It will not only meet demand from fans for plush based on their favourite characters from YooHoo to the Rescue, but will also enhance the collectability of the brand.

A full licensing and merchandising programme is under way across many other categories with several products ready for launch in territories worldwide from a number of licensees, including Panini (stickers, mini figurines, trading cards), Nuvita (baby products), Kennedy Publishing and Media Zawada Services (magazines), and Dev Games and Tap Tap Tales (digital apps).

Jay Noh, director of content business, Aurora World, said: “The strong environmental themes of YooHoo to the Rescue, encompassing many animals and habitats, have inspired some truly wonderful characters who have clearly won the hearts of young viewers.

“These new characters are a welcome addition to the successful new YooHoo plush line and will, I am sure, be enormously popular with kids everywhere.”

Aurora World among slew of returning partners for the gifting brand Precious Moments

The gifting and lifestyle brand, Precious Moments, has renewed a slate of long-serving licensees amid a burst of new activity for the IP that spans new partners, new themes, and growth into new product categories.

According to Spotlight Licensing, the Precious Moments brand has had a successful past 15 months, over which time is has increased its retail exposure and product placements, as well as grown into new categories.

Recent renewals for the Precious Moments brand include Aurora World, who will continue to develop plush and soft dolls, Card Corporation, who has renewed the rights to market branded prepaid credit, debit, and gift cards, and Harland Clarke, who will continue to market Precious Moments branded cheque book covers.

These are joined by further renewals from PersonalizationMall.com and its personalised gifting options, Retail Centric Marketing and its activity books, and Zazzle and its print on demand services.

“Precious Moments holds an important place in consumers’ hearts and minds and we are pleased to reaffirm these partnerships with valued licensees who have long recognised the unique appeal and value of the brand and helped get the licensing program to where we are today,” said Carole Postal, president of Spotlight Licensing and Brand Management.

Shehnaz Safiuddin, vice president, product and marketing for Precious Moments, added: “These licensees have been an integral part of building and maintaining our evergreen brand and we are thrilled to be able to continue partnering with all of them to continue creating exciting new products for Precious Moments fans to enjoy.”