Tag Archives: disney

BBC Studios launches Bluey: The Album on US streaming platforms in Demon Music Group partnership

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BBC Studios has partnered with Demon Music Group Ltd for the US launch of the first album from its hit pre-school series, Bluey across all major streaming platforms. Titled Bluey: The Album, the release will feature singles Keepy Uppy, Here Come the Grannies, and Instrument Parade.

The album will feature 17 original compositions from season one of the series currently airing on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney+ in the US. The album has been composed by Bluey’s song-writer Joff Bush and his music team. The soundtrack will initially be released in the US and Australia, with other regions to follow later in the year.

Harriet Newby-Hill, brand director, BBC Studios, said: “Music plays an important part of the storytelling in Bluey and beautifully encapsulates the warmth, energy and humor of the series. We’re thrilled to bring fans of all ages a collection of songs that captures the joyful and heartfelt spirit of Bluey.” 

 Adrian Sear, commercial director, Demon Music, added: “Everyone remembers their first album so we’re excited that this could be the first album for many young Bluey fans and provide the soundtrack for their own played-filled adventures.”

 Bluey composer, Joff Bush, said: “I’m incredibly proud and honored to be a part of something as special as Bluey. This album is for fans young and old and I hope they enjoy listening to it as much as I loved creating it.”

Bluey is a multi-award-winning Australian children’s series that has taken Australia and the US by storm and is currently charming audiences across the globe. Loved by parents and children for its heartfelt and funny portrayal of family life and celebration of play, the series follows Bluey, a six-year-old Blue Heeler dog, who loves to play and turns everyday family life into extraordinary adventures.

 In June 2019, BBC Studios struck a global broadcast deal with Disney to premiere Bluey on Disney Junior and Disney+ in all territories outside Australia, New Zealand and Greater China. 

Wow! Stuff’s collectables range Wow! Pods tops the Amazon Best Seller Charts

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Wow! Stuff’s recently-launched and hit collectable range, Wow! Pods has risen to in the sales ranking to top the charts on Amazon’s Best Seller list in two categories, a result that the company cites as ‘all the more impressive,’ given that the brand’s TV ads haven’t even aired yet.

“We have some super TV commercials waiting in the wings which were due to air across the usual TV channels in the UK,” said Richard North, Wow! Stuff CEO. “We had seen the sell-through success in other territories and now at UK retail without any promotions at all, so decided to launch with our social media campaign from the KidsKnowBest team.

“The sales at our retail partners has beaten everyone’s forecasts and we’ve now sold out several times and are ranked number one in two categories across Amazon: Kids’ Play Action figures and Collectables Figures and Memorabilia.

“Facebook comments are extraordinary, fans just love them and 2021 will reveal loads of new great brands and rare models for fans to add to their collections.”

Marvel, DC, Harry Potter, and Pixar brands are among the leading licenses within the Wow! Pods collection, while Facebook comments indicate that the Wow! Pods collection has already picked up a broad age range of fans and collectors.

One social media comment read: “See, you’re advertising with young kids which means I’m gonna feel stupid buying em… I’m still gonna. I’m 52 and a nerd so the hell with it.”

Disney invests heavily into streaming as it details new Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar content slate

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UK Disney fans could be forgiven for thinking it was Christmas morning as they woke up to the news that the entertainment studio had detailed a raft of some 35 new television series, including ten from Marvel, ten based in the Star Wars universe, new Pixar animations, as well as 15 new movies to be released on Disney Plus in the next few years.

It was possibly the spoonful of sugar needed to help the digestion of the concurrent update that over in the US, the Disney streaming service was to up its prices, while forecasting that the platform will attract between 230m and 260m subscribers by 2024. The surge will, no doubt, be fuelled by the latest scheduling of releases.

Amid the announcement, Lucasfilm confirmed that multiple new Star Wars shows are coming to Disney Plus, including two spin-offs of its The Mandalorian series with Star Wars: Rangers of the New Republic and Star Wars: Ahsoka, with Rosario Dawson – who having just appeared in The Mandalorian in the role of Ahsoka Tano – taking on the lead role.

The biggest news to emerge from the Star Wars universe, however, is that Darth Vader is returning. Hayden Christensen will be reprising his role, alongside Ewan McGregor for the long-awaited Obi-Wan Kenobi standalone series. Production on the series is set to start in March 2021, and will be set after the events of Revenge of The Sith, meaning that Christensen will be playing the role of Darth Vader, rather than that of Anakin Skywalker.

Disney also confirmed a standalone show based on Lando Calrissian, as well as Star wars Visions, a series of short films from Japanese anime creators. Meanwhile, The Acolyte will be a ‘mystery-thriller that will take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era’, while A Droid Story ‘will introduce us to a new hero guided by R2D2 and C3PO’

On top of that, two new Star Wars films will be on the way, with Taika Waititi and Patti Jenkins attached to each.

Yet, despite the barrage of announcements to come from the studio, not forgetting the further 10 series from the Marvel franchise, the slate of Pixar films, and 15 movies to be released on Disney Plus, the firm still warns that the unit would lose money until 2024, underscoring, some have commented on the punishing economics of online entertainment.

The Financial Times reports that Disney plans to double its annual content investment to about $15bn by 2024, at which point its streaming business will turn a profit, the company predicted.

Moonbug Entertainment welcomes former Disney director David Levine to head of studio role

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The digital media company, Moonbug Entertainment, has named the former Disney director, David Levine as its head of studio. He joins from his previous role as VP of kids programming, Disney Channels Europe and Africa, UK and Ireland.

In his new position with Moonbug, Levine will focus on driving the company’s IP expansion by taking properties like CoComelon and Blippi to new formats, markets and platforms to support the company’s continued growth. He will report to René Rechtman, co-founder and CEO, Moonbug.

“David’s track record at Disney as a visionary executive specializing in children’s original content makes him uniquely well-suited to lead Moonbug’s creative, production and content strategies,” said Rechtman.

“This is a key position for Moonbug as we look to expand our content offerings around the world and develop more IP that delivers fun, educational and relevant programming families love.”

Levine brings more than 20 years experience in the media and entertainment industries to Moonbug. During his tenure at The Walt Disney Company, he was an integral member of the senior leadership team that built the Disney Channel Brand and led all strategic and operational aspects of kids’ programming across Disney Channels Europe and Africa.

Levine oversaw the direction of original production and developed and commissioned a number of shows including First Class Chefs, The Lodge, 101 Dalmatian Street and the Emmy-nominated TV series Evermoor. He also launched and commissioned multiple seasons of global hits PJ Masks and Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir.

Additionally, Levine was responsible for spearheading LGBTQ+ inclusive representation in Disney’s programming, with LGBTQ+ characters and themes in commissions such as The Lodge and Best Bugs Forever.

“Kids content is playing an increasingly vital role in early childhood development, and now more than ever parents are looking for safe, inclusive, educational content they can trust. Moonbug is at the forefront of this transformation,” said Levine.

“It’s an exciting time to join the company, and I look forward to building on our strong producer and studio relationships while also increasing the diversity and representation in our content and on our creative teams.”

Prior to joining The Walt Disney Company, Levine was vice president at Ragdoll USA. He also served at The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company, supporting the billion dollar Teletubbies franchise in North America and South America.

Funko’s Loungefly brand sees sales surge and global growth of 25 per cent

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While it’s true enough that the world’s pandemic crisis saw some of the biggest forms of live entertainment hit the pause button for the best part of the year, the likes of Disney’s portfolio of theme parks that draw all manner of pop culture enthusiasts year on year, the desire among fans to buy into their favourite brands hasn’t been diminished.

At Loungefly, the lifestyle and gifting division of the pop culture specialist, Funko, 2020 has seen sales ‘go through the roof.’ The business has told Licensing.biz that it has seen a massive surge in numbers of sales, amid a 25 per cent global growth of its branded products portfolio, proof that the pandemic hasn’t dampened the world’s culture of fandom.

Global sales at Loungefly are now estimated to generate up to $100,000,000 by 2021, while Truffle Shuffle, one of the company’s key retailers in the lifestyle space, has confirmed that it now manages to sell somewhere between 2,000 to 3,000 Loungefly bags per month on average.

Head of softlines, Funko EMEA, Rich Smith

“Sales this year have been incredible, and growth has exceeded expectations, with all things considered,” Rich Smith, head of softlines, Funko EMEA, told Licensing.biz. “We have seen huge success behind some of the Disney properties which are not as mainstream, such as Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, and Pixar’s Wall:E. Our evergreen properties such as Mickey, Star Wars, and Disney Princess have also continued to serve us well too.”

It’s according to Smith that demand in the pop culture lifestyle space this year has, in part, been fuelled by an unsatisfied itch among the fandom space; one that has been exacerbated by the closure of events and destinations like theme parks or conventions throughout the year. As a result, the scene’s audience of fans have taken to engaging with their favourite brands via other means.

“Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the gigantic fanbase who normally save up and visit the Disney Parks haven’t been able to and have therefore spent the money they would normally spend at the parks on product from retailers across Europe and Loungefly,” said Smith.

“Loungefly opens Funko up to a different customer base and vice versa for Loungefly. So many of the fans are wanting to get more product that ties into their collections. The beauty of the Funko umbrella is that you can buy a Marvel backpack, a Marvel t-shirt, a Marvel mug, a Marvel keyring, a Marvel advent calendar, and so forth, all under one roof, with consistent imagery: the perfect collection.”

Among the best-selling items within the Loungefly portfolio this year, it has been the mini backpack range that has stood out as its leading line. Across this range – and akin to its collectables business – Funko’s Loungefly works with a broad licensing portfolio that spans the likes of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Warner Bros, DC, SpongeBob SquarePants, Hello Kitty, Pusheen, MTV, Clueless, and beyond.

“Loungefly is unique as we are a brand who collaborates with some of the world’s most loved licenses,” continued Smith. “We will continue to grow our offering and will continue to add more licenses to our already strong portfolio. We like to look for a license with an impeccable following, and who fits within our brand goals. They also, of course, need to appeal to our fanbase, who we listen to – a lot.”

Like the rest of the waking world, this year has seen Loungefly witness its biggest consumer trend within the online shopping space, and currently boasts a network of retailers 90 per cent made up of purely online players.

“To build on this from here, we will continue to push growth across the EMEA region with some key retail partners, as well as continue to expand our offering on our very own online store,” said Smith.

“Look out for a ton of new exclusives in 2021.”

Arts and crafts firm Craft Buddy lands major Disney licensing partnership

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The arts and crafts specialist, Craft Buddy, has struck up a major licensing partnership with Disney to bring a raft of new licensed Crystal Art lines to market in spring next year. The range will be based upon some of Disney’s most iconic and popular characters.

The license will be available in a range of kits and sets across Craft Buddy’s established Crystal Art range (also known as diamond painting or diamond art), targeting an audience of children aged eight and upwards. Kids and adults across the UK will now be able to create pieces of wall art, cards, notebooks and more.

The technique used to produce sparkling Crystal Art is similar to painting by numbers with each design featuring a numbered, adhesive template. Using the magic pick up pen (included), artists can simply lift up the coloured crystals and place them on the corresponding dots. The result is a piece of rhinestone art which can be kept or gifted to loved ones.

Famous Disney characters will feature across all areas of the Crystal Art portfolio with more designs and products being added to the collection across the year. Disney fans can now re-create iconic movie characters using Crystal Art in four new Notebook designs: “Pride Rock” scene from The Lion King , “The Little Mermaid”, “Classic Minnie” and “Moana”.

Crystal Art Canvas Kits are available in a host of different sizes and multi-character designs, each pre-mounted on wooden frames making them easy to display. Four 30x30cm kits featuring a host of instantly recognizable Disney family favourites will launch as part of the new collection: “Elsa, Anna & Olaf”, “Lion King Family”, “Pooh and Tigger” and “Minnie and Mickey”.

Larger designs include three 40x50cm Crystal Art Kits “The Lion King Medley”, “Beauty and the Beast Medley” plus “Lady & The Tramp” alongside a 70x70cm Kit featuring “Frozen Friends” and a dazzling 90x65cm “Disney Princess Medley” design.

“This is an incredible range that we can’t wait to bring to market and which we have worked extremely hard to develop in partnership with the team at Disney,” said Gary Wadhwani, co-director at Craft Buddy UK Ltd.

“Crystal Art is a creative medium which appeals to all ages and through which we can see characters and scenes brought to life in dazzling formats. It lends itself perfectly to re-creating those iconic and much-loved Disney characters and we are already seeing huge potential at retail for this extensive range.”

Utilising their extensive fan base across their company social channels, Craft Buddy ran a survey earlier this year to find out which Disney characters their consumers would love to see integrated into their hugely successful Crystal Art collection.

Winnie The Pooh came top of the list of favourite characters chosen by their consumer base followed by Mickey and Minnie, Bambi and the Lion King; all of which feature heavily across the new licensed range.

Disney’s first Mando Monday reveals swathe of new Mandalorian products, including a new scene-stealing The Child plush

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It was a new remote-control plush version of The Child – affectionately otherwise known as Baby Yoda – from Mattel that stole the show when Disney Consumer Products and Lucasfilm finally lifted the lid on a swathe of new Star Wars toys and products during its first ever Mando Monday this week.

Star Wars fans from across the globe tuned into a special Star Wars Mando Monday digital event yesterday (Monday, October 26th) where acting talent from Disney’s The Mandalorian, including Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers and Giancarlo Esposito, revealed the latest products and digital content to arrive, inspired by the series.

However, it was Mattel’s new plush The Child that outshone them all, as the global consumer product event revealed the latest in products, games, and publishing to arrive from Disney Consumer Products and its global portfolio of licensing partners.

Mattel’s Real Moves Plush allows fans to assume control of the Child through the use of a wrist strap remote control unit featuring a joystick, in order to make him spin around, move his ears, head and arms, play hide and seek, make sounds and more.

The new launch was one among over 60 new toy product reveals that included launches from Star Wars licensing partners Hasbro, Funko, Sideshow Collectables, Bandai, Diamond Select Toy, and more. Mando Mondays is an all new global consumer products, games, and publishing programme that will debut new goods inspired by the Disney+ series every Monday from now until December 21st.

Products now available for pre-order include the Star Wars Retro Collection from Hasbro, the The Child Real Moves Plush from Mattel, a Mandalorian Flying with Blaster bobblehead from Funko and The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian from ABRAMS.

A new line of skateboards, accessories and apparel inspired by The Mandalorian are also available now from Element, and starting this week, new themed content is coming to multiple Star Wars games such as the recently launched Star Wars: Squadrons from Motive.

Speaking at the event, Paul Southern, senior vice president, licensing and franchise, Lucasfilm, said: “Today’s global digital event celebrates the first of many Mando Mondays to come.

“Over the course of the next eight weeks, we look forward to unveiling the widest assortment yet of highly anticipated products and digital content inspired by beloved characters and moments from The Mandalorian.”

Fans can check out the full list of products revealed on MandoMondays.com and catch a replay of today’s event on Star Wars YouTube.

Stay tuned to MandoMondays.com each Monday through December 21 for the latest new reveals, interviews, videos and more and join the conversation via social media with #MandoMondays.

H&A launches plastic-free gifts for kids as firm ramps up its sustainability drive

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The toiletry and health and beauty specialist, H&A has taken its own stance against packaging waste with the launch of its new plastic-free stocking fillers, a range that is hitting shelves across the UK this autumn. The new range encompasses a raft of Disney licenses, including Disney Princess and Marvel’s Avengers.

Having taken the opportunity to inject new creativity into its reinvented approach to packaging, H&A now boasts ‘not a closed box in sight,’ as the company encourages tear & shares with hidden messages throughout.

Marketing manager, Holly Orton, said: “What makes us stand out this Christmas is our ability to strip out unnecessary plastics without compromising on creativity. Our products are open, secure, and exciting; we have phenomenally talented designers whose passion for delighting children while reducing our plastic footprint has made this possible.

“Our showstopping gifts have never looked so good.”

Meanwhile, the H&A team has also successfully made all of it s secondary product packaging 100 per cent recyclable, as it anticipates a continuation in consumer enthusiasm for reduced plastic and enhanced creativity.

“As market leaders we know from experience how important it is for shoppers to see product at the point of purchase and our innovative card platforms, waxed papers, and folding display trays make our products visible yet secure,” continued Orton.

“Our progress on plastics is a huge source of pride and positivity for us and we have new developments for 2021 already in the making,” she concluded.

One Animation lands Disney Channels US deal for Oddbods Halloween and Christmas specials

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One Animation has secured a new deal with Disney Channels US to bring a package of long-form seasonal specials and shorts of the popular animated comedy series Oddbods to air across Disney XD, Disney Junior, and in DisneyNOW for the coming Halloween and Christmas period.

The Halloween-themed special Party Monsters and the Christmas-themed special The Festive Menace will air on Disney XD, Disney Junior, and in DisneyNOW. Also part of the package is pirate adventure Oddbeard’s Curse, and additional Halloween and Christmas shorts, which will air on Disney XD and in DisneyNOW.

Michele Schofield, SVP, content distribution at One Animation, said: “We are very excited this package of Oddbods seasonal content has found a home on Disney XD and Disney Junior in the US. Each of these episodes and shorts is brimming with the humour and charming adventures Oddbods fans know and love, and we look forward to bringing some seasonal magic to viewers over Halloween and Christmas with these dedicated specials and shorts.”

The latest deal builds upon Disney Channel US’ previous acquisition of season one of Oddbods short-form episodes, which first debuted on Disney XD in 2015 and later in DisneyNOW. Oddbods has also recently been nominated for its third International Emmy Kids Award, with season three of the show being shortlisted under the ‘Kids Animation’ category.

Oddbods is a three-time Emmy Award-nominated, non-dialogue comedy featuring seven highly unique pals. Together, despite their differences, they survive the perils of everyday life, unintentionally turning ordinary situations into unexpected, extraordinary and always humorous events.

BBC Studios details raft of UK licensees for Bluey as the pre-school series lands on Disney+

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BBC Studio’s popular pre-school animated series, Bluey is making its mark on the UK consumer products space with a new raft of licensees spanning toys, apparel, bedding and accessories as the series makes its arrival on Disney+ this year. Bluey has already been met with a ‘phenomenal response’ in Australia and the US.

Global master toy licensee, Moose Toys, will debut Bluey plush and plastic toys at UK retail in autumn next year, where it will hope to mirror the success it has found in the US and Australian markets, where products have been selling at a record rate.

Lucy Wynn-Jones, head of licensing, Europe, Moose Toys, said: “We are thrilled to bring our toy range for the much-loved Bluey series to fans in the UK. We have no doubt that the toys will be loved by kids big and small.”

The master toy range will coincide with the launch of a line of puzzles from Ravensburger, while a selection of softline partners has also been lined up for the UK. TDP & Aykroyd will deliver on nightwear, swimwear and essentials, Dreamtex will develop bedding and home textiles, William Lamb will launch footwear and bags, and Roy Lowe & Sons will serve up socks.

Rikesh Desai, licensing director for merchandise, partnerships and interactive, BBC Studios, said: “The response to Bluey in Australia and the US has been phenomenal and we’re very excited to introduce the brand’s licensing portfolio to the UK hot on the heels of its arrival on Disney+.”