Tag Archives: entertainment one

Peppa Pig and Hunter launch second collection of wellies, backpacks, and accessories

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Hasbro and Entertainment One’s Peppa Pig is at it again, helping kids prepare for all of those muddy puddles with the launch of a second collaboration collection of children’s wellies and accessories with Hunter.

Following on the heels of the successful first launch collection, the latest line up – featuring the Kids First Muddy Puddles Wellington boot, Backpack, Umbrella, and Kids Boots Socks – will be launching in time for the start of a new school year on August 2nd this year.

Through its partnership with Hunter, Peppa Pig continues to celebrate and encourage a love of nature and adventure. Each product features an exclusive camouflage pattern of Peppa Pig splashing in puddles. The print incorporates rain droplets and Peppa Pig herself wearing boots, a rain jacket and holding a Hunter umbrella.

The boot has been handcrafted from natural vegan rubber offering 100 waterproof protection and features the playful camouflage puddle print, available in Dragon Fly, Yarrow and Rose Metal.

Ranging from £25 to £50 the collection will be available online at Hunterboots com, Hunter retail stores and selected retailers from August 2nd 2021.

Hasbro and eOne’s new animated comedy series Ninja Express to launch on CBBC next month

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Hasbro’s global entertainment studio, eOne, has launched a new kids’ animated series to the global stage, an ‘absurd 2D and 3D mix of animated comedy’ for six to 11 year old kids, titled Ninja Express.

The series – c0-produced with Creative Conspiracy and Frogbox – follows the antics of a special delivery service run by super-powered Ninjas and is scheduled to roll out globally, premiering on CBBC in the UK, from July 1st this year.

“We are so proud to share Ninja Express with kids around the world,” said Olivier Dumont, president of eOne’s Family Brands division. “The show balances the ultimate mix of over-the-top humor with real heart and we are confident that people will fall in love with our three colorful ninjas – Aka, Kiro and Konpeki. The teams at Creative Conspiracy and Frogbox truly created something special with this show.”

A description of the new series, issued by Hasbro, asks audiences to ‘imagine a delivery service that delivers anything, anywhere, and anytime. One that not restricted by limitations of time and space, and to top things off, imagine it being run by three little Ninjas.’

Ninja Express follows Kiro – a Yellow Ninja with the ability to look through space and time, Konpeki, the Blue Ninja with the power to travel through space and time, and Aka, the Red Ninja who can temporarily reduce the size of any object by inhaling its mass.

“We’re really excited to bring Ninja Express to audiences everywhere,” said Peter Decraene, partner at Creative Conspiracy. “The show was really fun to create and produce. We are thankful for having such amazing broadcasters on board and are very happy that kids all over the world will now get to know our little ninjas and join them on adventures as they travel through space and time.”

Ninja Express is set to premiere on WarnerMedia’s Boomerang (EMEA, APAC, LATAM) and Ketnet (Belgium) from July 1st onwards. It will air on CBBC in the UK from July 3rd this year, as well as on Gulli in France, and Huace in China later in the year.

Entertainment One grows Peppa Pig and PJ Masks profiles in Japan with TV Tokyo partnership

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The popular preschool properties, Peppa Pig and PJ Masks are picking up the pace across Japan, having landed a new broadcast partnership with TV Tokyo. The deal marks the latest international development for Hasbro’s global entertainment studio, Entertainment One.

Under the deal, TV Tokyo will broadcast 26 episodes of season one of PJ Masks, making this the first time that the property has been picked up by a Japanese terrestrial broadcaster.

Meanwhile, having first launched a short version of Peppa Pig on the Kinder TV timeslot back in October 2017, TV Tokyo is looking to build on the growing fanbase for the series by expanding the offering of the full version to its preschool audiences on a new weekend timeslot.

The broadcast line up has been further bolstered by additional platforms including Disney Japan and Netflix which have the rights to the series and have expanded the show’s availability throughout the market.

The Peppa Pig consumer products program first debuted in March 2018 via an exclusive pop-up shop in the Takashimaya department store in Tokyo, which was attended by the British Ambassador. In 2018, Peppa Pig played an exciting role in the launch of Japan’s first Hamley’s toy store.

Now, the Peppa Pig licensing program boasts 33 licensing partners as the brand’s popularity grows in the market, with more retail partnerships planned in 2021.

Entertainment One is looking to accelerate both brands’ licensing drive by collaborating with Dentsu as the master CP agent.

“We’re thrilled to reach new audiences in Japan with our beloved children’s animated series,” said Olivier Dumont, president of family brands at eOne. “TV Tokyo offers best-in-class children’s entertainment and we’re proud to add them to the global Peppa Pig and PJ Masks families.”

“Peppa Pig is already a global phenomenon and we are glad to have the show on our channel. We’re also very happy and excited to be able to bring PJ Masks for the first time to our Free TV audiences in Japan,” said Sayako Muramatsu and Ryota Kawamura of TV Tokyo.

“Peppa Pig and PJ Masks are two of the most iconic preschool brands in the world and we are so thrilled to be able to have this opportunity to collaborate with eOne and TV Tokyo on bringing these characters to life to a new generation of preschoolers in Japan,” said project leads Kiyofumi Kajiwara and Ayane Kawasaki at Dentsu.

Entertainment One’s PJ Masks to make season six return with global launch on Disney Junior

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Hasbro’s global entertainment studio, Entertainment One will see its popular preschool series, PJ Masks return for a sixth season as it launches globally on Disney Junior in 2023.

Season six will see the superhero trio Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko make their return for ‘their greatest adventures yet,’ as they encounter all new villains in the city, a new planet in outer space, and the discovery of a new frozen wilderness.

“Our audiences can’t get enough of Catboy, Owlette and Gekko, and we’re excited to introduce them to even more friends in season six,” said Olivier Dumont, president of family brands at eOne. “Disney Junior has long been a key global partner and supporter of the series and we’re so happy to continue our relationship with them and take the brand to new heights.”

 PJ Masks has become a global phenomenon since its launch on Disney Junior in 2015 as a leading storyteller for preschoolers across the globe, broadcast in over 180 territories worldwide across several FTA and VOD platforms. The heroes have a digital footprint including 17 billion lifetime views globally on YouTube and 216 million global music streams as well as 138 million lifetime app downloads.

The brand is also maximized through a multitude of consumer products programmes from apparel and role play, to publishing and location-based entertainment, firmly established in 85 markets worldwide – with the sixth season being brought to life at retail with a new full line of toys from Hasbro from 2023.

PJ MASKS Season Six will launch with 52 x 11-minute episodes, including three super feature-length 44-minute episodes and six half-hour specials that tap into the exciting new themes that preschoolers will love.

TOMY puts new Ricky Zoom toys into gear as kids’ series makes second season debut in the UK

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TOMY is preparing to launch its follow up master range of Ricky Zoom toys this year, as the popular preschool series revs itself up for its second season debut here in the UK.

First launched in July 2020 during what has been a challenging period for retail, Ricky Zoom toys have made a solid start and are set to launch more new lines throughout 2021. These include TOMY’s unique Wind & Launch assortment, a wheel launcher that will send Ricky’s red bike racing.

The launch will follow on from the top selling success of last year’s Speed & Stunt Ricky Zoom play-set, the third best-selling Ricky Zoom item overall at retail, and is already tipped to ‘be equally as popular.’

Fresh hype around the TOMY master toy line is expected to coincide with the second season debut in the UK of the CGI animation, as Hasbro and its global entertainment studio, Entertainment One, rev up for its launch on Nick Jr and Channel 5’s multi-platform preschool brand, Milkshake!

The CGI animated series follows Ricky, a speed loving little red rescue bike who enjoys to zoom around Wheelford. The show has already enjoyed a ‘strong success in the UK’ among its preschool audiences, while the brand has picked up a number of licensing partners lead by TOMY master toy range.

“We are thrilled to bring Ricky Zoom back to the number one channel for preschoolers in the UK with Milkshake! and Nick Jr.” said eOne’s Monica Candiani, EVP, content sales, family and brands.

“The show has had such strong success in the UK among young viewers, allowing us to secure a number of licensing partners across a variety of categories. We can’t wait for audiences to watch season two, which I am sure will deliver even more exciting all-bike adventures in the colourful world of Wheelford.”

Louise Bucknole, VP programming kids, ViacomCBS Network UK and Ireland, added: “We’re delighted to be welcoming back Ricky Zoom and his two-wheeled friends on Nick Jr. in June and and Milkshake! later in the year in the UK.

“It’s a fun and playful show which is a favourite among preschoolers, and we look forward to sharing their new adventures with our young viewers.”

Joining master toy partner TOMY on the growing licensee list is the likes of Penguin (story, activity, novelty books); Redan (magazines); Character World (bedding); MV Sports (wheeled toys); Ravensburger (puzzles and games); Cooneen (nightwear & socks); Blues (daywear); and Drew Pearson (accessories).

The supermarket giants have added Ricky Zoom into their preschool aisle following strong performance of the FSDU programme last Autumn/Winter. Other forthcoming toy highlights include the new interactive Maxwell’s Transforming Trailer Playset, which can be renovated into a mobile repair station and comes complete with both Maxwell and Ricky bikes.

Further product ranges from other licensees will roll out gradually throughout the year, bringing broader distribution.

Marketing activity has also been buoyant, with Ricky proving popular among parent influencers. A Dadsnet campaign to support Smyth’s Toys launch of the Speed & Stunt Play-set reached almost 408,000 via influencers and 558,000 via paid media, while a Ricky takeover on UKMums.TV hit almost 622,000 impressions, with a blogger reach of almost 296,000 and the site’s associated Twitter Frenzy reaching almost 392,000 unique accounts.

Hasbro and Entertainment One unveil Peppa Pig content plans through to 2027

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Hasbro’s global content studio, Entertainment One, has outlined a new content plan for Peppa Pig, confirming that 104 new episodes have been given the go ahead for production.

The plans will ensure that a pipeline of fresh content of the popular pre-school IP will be in place through to 2027. The new epsidoe roll-out will bring the total number of Peppa Pig episodes to 485.

Animation studio Astley Baker Davies (ABD), the original creators of Peppa Pig, will work closely with eOne to transition creative production duties to the award-winning British animation studio Karrot, with Andrea Tran at the helm as director. The animation style, music and voice talent will remain unchanged.

“As demand for Peppa Pig remains as strong now as it’s ever been, we couldn’t be more excited to announce that additional new episodes are underway. In creating the global evergreen preschool series, Astley Baker Davies has achieved a rare, once in a generation success story,” said Rebecca Harvey, EVP global brand and marketing at eOne Family and Brands.

“The show’s enduring popularity is a tribute to their skill as storytellers and their dedication to the characters and their craft. We wish them every success as they embark on their next adventure.”

“We remain committed to producing fresh Peppa Pig content that will continue to resonate with each new generation and that will underpin the long-term future of the property. We are, therefore, delighted to welcome award-winning British animation studio, Karrot, who will honour all the elements of the show that make it beloved of families around the world.”

Neville Astley, Mark Baker, and Phil Davies of Astley Baker Davies, said: “Peppa Pig has been a huge part of our lives. It’s a source of great pride that it’s given joy to so many children for so many years.”

“Peppa will always be close to our hearts and we couldn’t be more pleased to be passing the torch to the extraordinarily talented team of artists at Karrot who will continue to deliver our adored Peppa to the world for many years to come.”

Key talent from ABD have been tapped to join Karrot, maintaining continuity and bringing valuable knowledge and experience of making the show over many years. This includes Phill Hall who joins as head writer, having co-written numerous episodes of Peppa Pig since 2007.

Founded in 2008, Karrot is a BAFTA and Emmy award-winning studio that has built an industry reputation and is best known for creating charming British animated series’ including Sarah & Duck.

Jamie Badminton, series producer at Karrot, said: “Peppa Pig has a charm and simplicity that is timeless and universal.  It’s a giant honour to be continuing the legacy that Astley Baker Davies has created. We will remain faithful to their vision and look forward to being part of Peppa Pig’s future, enduring success.”

eOne continues to drive growth for Peppa Pig with an investment in new content, fresh CP lines and wide-reaching brand marketing plans. Series nine kicks off this Spring with the new four-part US special which sees Peppa and family take a road trip around America followed by a further 22 new episodes that will roll out globally throughout 2021.

Inspired by these new episodes, the theme of ‘Peppa Adventures’ will extend into the exciting retail debut of the first global toy line from Hasbro.

 The brand’s digital footprint also continues to expand this year with the release of a second music album in July, new content on the official YouTube channel where Peppa Pig was ranked the number one most streamed kids show of any age in 2020 and new Audio Stories for families to enjoy on-the-go.

In the UK, a partnership between Peppa Pig and Team GB will leverage excitement around the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. More recently, plans for a brand new Peppa Pig theme park in Florida’s Legoland have just been announced to squeals of delight and the attraction is set to open its doors in 2022.

Hasbro celebrates ten years of Peppa Pig in the US with new content, toys, and consumer products

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Marking one whole decade since Peppa Pig first set trotters down on US soil, Hasbro has detailed a programme of 10th anniversary activity, including a year-long pipeline of new content, a new Hasbro toy line, and a roster of marketing activations, brand collaborations, and promotions.

Marking ten years since the pre-school series first aired on the Nick Jr. channel in the US, the anniversary celebrations will kick off on March 1st with Best Of episodes of Peppa Pig airing Monday to Thursday on Nickelodeon. The week will conclude Friday, March 5th with a new four-part special from series nine.

New product launches for the US market will include a collaboration with Reebok and the launch of a limited edition Reebok x Peppa collection featuring five unique footwear skus for toddlers and pre-schoolers. Meanwhile, Hunter will debut a new collection in autumn for the back-to-school season, following on from its success of its Peppa Pig boots, outerwear and accessories.

These latest deals follow close behind a recent partnership with Urban Outfitters in the US for the brand’s first teen collection of apparel and accessories which featured artwork from Peppa’s debut music album release.

Four new publishing titles inspired by the US special episodes will also be released in summer 2021. Book title formats will include pop-up, sticker and story books featuring iconic Amercan locations.

“We’re incredibly excited to be celebrating 10 years of Peppa Pig in the US,” said Hasbro’s Joan Grasso, vice president of consumer products for North America.

“Reaching this milestone cements Peppa’s evergreen status and unlocks some exciting opportunities with new trend led partners targeting multiple demographics that reflect the maturity of the brand.”

The anniversary will also be celebrated with the release of a frozen yogurt flavor, tea-times with fans and expanded charity initiatives including National Jump in Muddy Puddles Day on April 1st, Peppa Pig Birthday Parties and Playdates with The Little Gym and a year-long campaign with The Muddy Puddles Project, including the brilliant event, Mess Fest.

Hasbro launches Peppa Pig audio stories across Amazon Prime, Apple Music, and Spotify

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Hasbro has revealed its plans to release a series of new Peppa Pig audio stories across multiple digital streaming platforms around the world, including on Amazon Prime, Apple Music, and Spotify from today (Monday, November 23rd) onwards, with plans for more to come.

Marking a new first for Peppa Pig, the ten audio stories will be narrated by the familiar voice of John Sparkes and will be based on some of the most popular stories from the animated TV series. They will be available in English language only and will launch in batches of two every two weeks.

Titles under the portfolio of audio stories include George’s New Dinosaur, Shake, Rattle & Bang, Mr Bull’s New Road, Whistling, Nursery Rhymes, Secret Club, Pirate Treasure, Grandpa Pig’s Greenhouse, Noisy Night, and Bedtime Story.

 “We want to be wherever our fans are with great content and our move into audio-first content reflects that,” said eOne’s Esra Cafer, SVP global brand management.

“What we’re really excited about is just how good these stories are. They capture all the values, storytelling and humour of our brilliant show to give our listeners a wonderfully immersive audio story experience – we can’t wait for Peppa fans to discover them.”

 The launch will be supported by an extensive marketing campaign across social and digital media including the brand’s own high reach digital channels.

This latest deal follows the huge success of the brand’s first digital music album release, Peppa Pig: My First Album, in July 2019 which has hit more than 24 million streams worldwide and inspired a licensing range for teens in Urban Outfitters this autumn in the US.

Hasbro and eOne detail global broadcast partners for new My Little Pony: Pony Life series

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Hasbro’s global entertainment studio, eOne has secured a strong line up of broadcast partners across most of the globe for the next latest chapter of the ever-popular My Little Pony brand.

My Little Pony: Pony Life is a new series premiering in select territories this autumn, with a larger roll-out running between the end of 2020 and spring 2021. The series explores the funny side of friendship, following the adventures of the ponies as they spend most of their time at Sugarcube Corner.

The ‘Mane 6’ (Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy) run into all sorts of ‘cupcake conundrums’, ‘frosting fails’ and ‘magical mishaps’ as Pinkie Pie serves up frosted cupcakes to the best customers in the world; her friends.

Several broadcasters around the world have picked up the show including Turner Australia, Turner South East Asia and Channel 9 GO! in Australia, TVNZ New Zealand, Mediacorp Singapore, Spacetoon in the Middle East, Tiny Pop, part of Sony Pictures Television in the UK, Discovery Kids in Latin America, Discovery Family in the US, Corus Entertainment’s Treehouse in Canada, Disney Channel in Germany, Gulli in France and Cartoonito in Italy.

The show will also be available on selected digital platforms at a later stage.

My Little Pony: Pony Life will now join its portfolio partner Peppa Pig in several territories including Canada (Treehouse), Latin America (Discovery) giving the partners the chance to present two iconic brands which are guaranteed to keep their audiences engaged and entertained.

“Pony Life is a fresh and exciting take on a classic brand, and we are so pleased to be able to bring it to many of our TV and digital  partners around the world,” said Monica Candiani, eOne’s EVP content sales at Family Brands. “Going forward, we are confident that we will be able to secure the strongest broadcast platforms for our bigger portfolio of hit  properties and realize incredible benefits by building on the remarkable relationships we have with global partners.”

Following Hasbro’s acquisition of eOne, the newly restructured content division will now oversee all content distribution of stellar family entertainment brands including Peppa Pig, My Little Pony, Transformers, Power Rangers, PJ Masks and Ricky Zoom.  

While continuing to focus on its popular pre-school shows like Peppa Pig and PJ Masks, eOne will now also leverage hottest kids IP’s including My Little Pony, Transformers and Power Rangers to create a one-stop-shop for quality content for global partners.

“Entertainment One is excited to develop, produce and drive the content around our portfolio of world class brands. Our rich content spans multiple ages, demographics and genres across the kids market with some of the most popular and recognisable family brands in the world today,” said Candiani.

Hasbro Consumer Products adds eOne brands to WildBrain CPLG’s Benelux remit

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Hasbro has detailed an expansion to its licensing representation partnership with WildBrain CPLG Benelux to include the globally renowned portfolio of Entertainment One brands, including the likes of Peppa Pig and PJ Masks, following the recent integration of the business.

Under the partnership, WildBrain CPLG will now represent the licensing and merchandising rights for pre-school hits including Peppa Pig, PJ Masks, and Ricky Zoom across the Benelux region.

“We are maximizing our local partnership with WildBrain CPLG Benelux and adding Peppa Pig, PJ Masks, and Ricky Zoom,” said Marianne James, vice president of Hasbro Consumer Products in EMEA.

“With WildBrain CPLG’s local retail relationships, we see this region as a strong growth market to deepen our consumer connections across Merchandising, Publishing, Promotions and short-term Location Based Entertainment.”

Brenda Draaisma, managing director at WildBrain CPLG Benelux, added: “The expansion of Hasbro’s brand portfolio with the addition of eOne’s beloved global preschool brands including Peppa Pig, PJ Masks and Ricky Zoom, has added significant firepower to Hasbro’s already impressive offering.

“We look forward to working across these new brands and we’re confident with their focus on family-oriented storytelling, the properties will drive new growth for licensees and retailers in the Benelux market.”