Tag Archives: funko

MGM details its Legally Blonde Turns 21 merchandise and interactive entertainment campaign

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MGM has lifted the lid on its latest campaign, a commemorative celebration of the popular Hollywood film, Legally Blonde as it celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2022.

In honour of the first film’s milestone, MGM’s licensing and consumer products division has launched Legally Blonde Turns 21, a broad campaign featuring merchandising and interactive entertainment focusing on the film’s key tenets of empowerment, education, humour, and pink fashion.

MGM is encouraging fans to celebrate through a wide-ranging roster of blue-chip partners, with 21 licensing partners already on board across the US, Europe, Brazil, Mexico, and Chile spanning apparel, accessories, collectables, interactive entertainment and more.

Some of the licensees to have signed with MGM for the Legally Blonde Turns 21 campaign, include Jerry Leigh of California for costumes and apparel, Park Agencies for apparel and hats, and POetic Brands for pyjamas, loungewear, and apparel. They are joined by Olympia Le Tan for designer bags and clutches, and Solent Brands Limited for home decor, health and beauty, stationery, and cell phone cases.

Meanwhile, Funko is delivering on the collectables space, while PlaySide Studios is readying a mobile game, and TCG Entertainment is rolling out its concert series.

“Legally Blonde continues to inspire fans around the world with its positive messages and confident characters and has led to some incredible pop culture partnerships and products over the years,” said Robert Marick, executive vice president of Global Consumer Products and Experiences.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the iconic film in 2022, and bring our dedicated fans new and exciting merchandise to honor the milestone.”

Over the past two decades, Legally Blonde and the bold and confident Elle Woods have become a part of pop culture, inspiring fashion collaborations, product launches and a first-of-its-kind Legally Blonde themed mobile game from PlaySide Studios.

Later this year, MGM is also set to launch a movie-themed concert tour to celebrate the fun music of this widely loved franchise. Legally Blonde is making its return to the big screen with Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor co-writing the script for the film’s third iteration, Legally Blonde 3, which will see Reese Witherspoon reprise her role as the beloved Elle Woods.

Funko eyes international growth after record second quarter and major executive moves

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Funko’s president, Andrew Perlmutter is to be appointed the firm’s new CEO as Brian Mariotti transitions to the newly created role of chief creative officer, detailing the top level moves the same week the firm delivered ‘its largest topline quarter in company history.’

Last week, the pop culture specialist revealed that second quarter net sales had increased a massive 141 per cent to hit $236.1 million, with ‘broad-based strength’ in all of its markets, particularly Europe where sales increased 393 per cent.

In the firm’s move to maintain its creative leadership in the pop culture consumer products market while positioning itself for long-term growth, it has now detailed its executive leadership transition.

The changes are expected to come into effect from January 3, 2022, allowing both leaders to ‘uniquely contribute to the next phase of Funko’s growth.’ As COO, Mariotti will be able to concentrate on the creative decisions at the company, overseeing product innovation, fan engagement, business development, M&A, and Funko’s Digital product line.

It all follows some record results for Funko who has seen its flagship Pop! Brand grow 137 per cent on strong evergreen product sales, while Loungefly led its non-figure product sales which itself saw an increase of 136 per cent.

Further and more long-term growth is now fully on the cards for Funko as the firm readies to see Perlmutter take on the CEO role. Having first joined the company as senior vice president of sales in 2013, he was promoted to president in 2017 where he currently has oversight over key strategic and operational functions.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we have accomplished at Funko,” said Mariotti. “We built a small company into the leading pop culture platform, offering our fans across the globe a way to interact and connect with some of their most beloved icons.

“This transition will allow me to remain closely involved with the business while focusing more exclusively on the creating and fan-centric areas I am passionate about.”

On the company’s record Q2 financial results this year, he added: “Our teams delivered the largest top line quarter in company history.

“Second quarter net sales more than doubled versus a year ago and also eclipsed 2019 levels, reflecting broad-based strength across our products, channels and regions.

“We are pleased with our strong year-to-date performance in 2021 and our ability to deliver against our core operating and growth strategies despite the challenges of the pandemic.

“As we approach the second half of the year, we are continuing to navigate the uncertain macro environment, while remaining focused on delighting and engaging our fans around the world.”

Perlmutter, added: “I am honoured to assume the role of CEO in January, while maintaining the longstanding and fruitful partnership Brian and I have enjoyed for many years.

“With the transition, we plan to continue to pursue a four-pillar approach that focuses on leveraging our core Pop! Platform, driving additional revenue streams through product diversification, accelerating growth on our direct-to-consumer channel, and expanding our international business.”

UK and US licensing partners line up to celebrate 40 years of Danger Mouse

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Boat Rocker Studios is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its classic and iconic animated series, Danger Mouse with a full roster of licensing partners spanning the UK and US markets, while crossing both the generations and categories through gifting, apparel, collectables, and more.

Tapping into the adult, nostalgia market, as well as the children’s space, licensing partners have been lined up from both sides of the Atlantic with a licensing programme reflective of the cross-generational appeal of the Danger Mouse IP as it celebrates its 40th anniversary milestone this year.

Kate Schlomann, EVP brand management and content marketing, Boat Rocker Studios, said: “Danger Mouse is the world’s greatest secret agent and one of TV’s most iconic animations, packed with action, comedy and drama. The show has achieved incredible global success in both its original incarnation and its thrilling reboot.

“We are delighted to be celebrating its 40th anniversary with an epic range of products which really capture the style and wit of the show.”

Leading the charge in the toy aisle, Funko has signed a worldwide deal to produce a new range of Danger Mouse Classic collectables, including its trademark Pop! stylised vinyl figures and its Vinyl SODA figures of the heroes and villains from the series, including a limited edition Evil Danger Mouse.

Meanwhile, Smiffys will continue to offer its dress-up costumes for both adults and kids. In addition, adult t-shirts will continue to be produced by Trademark Products Limited and further celebratory products will be available later in the year across a wide range of categories, including annuals, novelty, cards and gifting, children’s nightwear and babywear and pet apparel and accessories.

This will all be joined by a new range of adult and children’s Danger Mouse apparel and drinkware, including t-shirts, sweats, hoodies, face wear, socks, and underwear from Bioworld, alongside adult joggers, slippers, bags, and headwear.

Truffle Shuffle, home of cool t-shirts, retro gifts and more, will also be launching a new range of T-shirts and clothing, knitwear, pyjamas, tote bags, mugs, art prints, metal signs, lunchboxes, enamel pins and door mats launching from June 2021 exclusively on TruffleShuffle.com.

The River Group, the UK’s leading independent content innovation agency, will be producing an 84-page Danger Mouse Anniversary Bookazine to launch in October 2021, while Blu Goblin has signed on for a limited-edition anniversary figurine set with proceeds going towards Kids Out Charity.

Over in the US, Redbubble, the leading print-on-demand online marketplace, will be adding Danger Mouse to its extensive range of apparel, accessories and home items.

The Danger Mouse YouTube channel is joining in on the celebrations by showcasing 40 original classic episodes. Fans will have the opportunity to relive some of their hero’s most death-defying and thrilling missions from September 2021.

Both the classic and the new series are widely available to watch on multiple platforms worldwide, including Netflix which holds the global rights for the new Danger Mouse series and also offers the classic seasons.

Originally produced by Cosgrove Hall Films for Thames Television, Danger Mouse ran on ITV from 1981 to 1992 and returned to TV screens with a high-octane 21st-century makeover on CBBC in September 2015.

The rebooted Danger Mouse has proved to be a global hit with 99 new episodes to date over three series.

Disguise Inc partners with Funko to launch new Disguise Pop! masks range

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The dress up and costume specialist, Disguise Inc has detailed a global agreement with Funko to design, market, manufacture and distribute Pop! masks across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, South America, and Asia.

Initial designs for 2021 will feature iconic characters from major licensing partners like Warner Bros and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The over-sized masks will take on the iconic aesthetic of Funko’s hit Pop! brand, each designed to be wearable and displayable, with limited runs of each style to drive collectability. Next year will see Disguise expand the line with additional licensors and more than 30 styles.

“Disguise is thrilled to be partnering with Funko on a truly break-frame product like our wearable Pop! Masks. The iconic Funko’s Pop! style translates to a really fun wearable product for cosplay and dress up occasions,” said Tara Hefter, president and GM of Disguise Inc.

“We know Funko fans and Halloween lovers will jump at the opportunity to wear, collect and display our new Pop! Masks.”

Jason Bischoff, director of global licensing at Funko, added: “We’ve spent years building up our business around fan-first collectability, community, and affordability. Pop! Masks are born from that same tradition, and just like our other products, Pop! Masks can be celebrated year round.

“It’s another massive opportunity for fans to wear or display their fandom and connect with their fellow pop culture enthusiasts.”

Disguise is a recognised world leader in design and development of inventive and cutting edge costumes and accessories with distribution across the world. Funko provides an array of exciting new and classic characters to create an amazing line of products.

Disguise’s Pop! Masks are now available for pre-order on Amazon in North America and Europe and will be available later this year on Funko.com. They will also be available in Australia, New Zealand and LATAM this fall.

Stateside | Panini America and Funko to launch Funko Pop! Trading Cards

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Collectables giants Funko and Panini America are witnessing their worlds collide, as the pair come together to launch a new Pop! product line, Funko Pop! Trading Card collection that will span multiple sports.

Launching later this year, the initial series will feature six NBA players and six NFL players, hitting retailers across the US in time for the Christmas shopping season.

The introduction of Funko Pop! Trading Card will incorporate Panini’s popular Prizm trading card brand for both the NBA and NFL. Similar to the popular Pop! Albums and Pop! Comic Covers, Pop! Trading Card will feature the Panini Prizm trading card art packaged together in a protective case that can be hung on a wall.

The Pop! Vinyl figure will replicate the poses from the player imagery from their respective Prizm trading cards.

“We are excited to enter into this collaboration with Funko, the success of our Panini trading cards in the collectible space along with the success that Funko is experiencing in the vinyl figure collectibles space, makes this the ideal collaboration for sports fans and consumers,” said Jason Howarth, vice president of marketing of Panini America.

Funko’s manager of brand licensing, Matt Lattier, added: “This is the perfect union of two amazing collector bases. The strength of what Panini is doing in the trading card space and Funko’s passionate fan base provides trading card and Pop! collectors the opportunity to display their fandom in a unique way.”

Space Jam: A New Legacy unveils gigantic licensing plans and ‘largest Looney Tunes merch line-up in decades’

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Hasbro, Mattel, and Upper Deck have joined am all-star line up of licensing partners for Warner Bros. upcoming theatrical release of Space Jam: A New Legacy, with plans for toys, collectables, and games to roll out all year long.

The global toy and entertainment companies join master toy partner Moose Toys who earlier this month released its full line up of toys, play-sets, plush, and figures based on the Space Jam title, a reboot of the hit 90s film this time starring LeBron James.

A full line-up of licensing partners around this year’s blockbuster film was unveiled late last week, spanning the toys, collectables, and games aisles, as well as fashion, food and drink, accessories, sporting goods, publishing, pet products and more. The licensing portfolio for this year’s release has taken on a global scale.

In the toy space, master toy partner Moose Toys us joined by Funko, who will be releasing its Space Jam: A New Legacy assortment including nine Pop! figures, five Pop! key chains, 12 Mystery minis and a Space Jam: A New Legacy Funkoverse board game.

Collectors will be able to get their hands on three exclusives – a ten-inch LeBron James Jumbo Pop! and flocked Tasmanian Devil, a LeBron James variant Funko Pop! available via Amazon, and a Porky Pig landing on Funko.com soon.

This year’s licensing line-up marks the largest Looney Tunes merchandise collection to be rolled out by Warner Bros Consumer Products ‘in decades.’ Further collaborations include partnerships with brands such as Nike, Vilebrequin, Spalding, the Cotton On Group, and LeBron James’ own athlete empowerment brand, Uninterrupted.

It all lands ahead of the film’s release on July 16th this year.

“The original ‘Space Jam’ was a cultural phenomenon when it debuted in 1996, so it’s no surprise that premier partners around the world are inspired by ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ and excited to bring a new collection to a new generation of fans,” said Robert Oberschelp, senior vice president of franchise management and marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

“We are excited to collaborate with such elite brands to deliver a robust lineup of merchandise that unites the singular style of LeBron James with the iconic fun of the Looney Tunes characters.”

Nike Inc. will release a “Space Jam: A New Legacy” collection globally featuring LeBron James and favorite Tune Squad characters including Bugs Bunny, Lola Bunny and the Goons, Vilebrequin will launch “Space Jam: A New Legacy” swimwear and leisurewear, while the Cotton On Group is releasing new products globally including men’s and children’s apparel, along with stationery, mugs and phone accessories.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg for the licensing plans for this year.

The latest iteration of The Carousel @ Bloomingdale’s, the retailer’s rotating pop-up shop, will celebrate “Space Jam: A New Legacy” with a unique curation for the family, offering court-inspired fashion to playful outdoor entertaining finds to gifts that enhance the at-home streaming experience.

It will open next month at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street flagship in New York City, select stores nationwide and Bloomingdales.com.

 Space Jam in fashion

 Warner Bros Consumer Product’s “Space Jam: A New Legacy”-inspired fashion collections offer something for everyone with global collections from Nike Inc. and Vilebrequin; stylish plus-size apparel at Torrid; streetwear fashions from Tommy Hilfiger, Bait, Madhappy, Diamond Supply, and NTWRK x UNKNWN; and additional fashion forward lines from Members Only, Forever 21, MeUndies, PSD, Bleacher Report, Rue21 from Hybrid, and Freeze and Pac Sun from Bioworld in the mix.

Capsule collections will also launch from Junk Food Clothing, Pottery Barn Teen and Cakeworthy. Playing with style will be a slam dunk when wearing “Space Jam: A New Legacy” Gamer Jersey, hat, hoodie and t-shirt,all available on Uninterrupted.

There’s  something for every child from infant to tween with cool kids’ fashions from the Gap, Haus of JR, and Outerstuff.

In EMEA, fashion partners include H&M (Worldwide), Primark (US and Europe), Fanatics, Snipes (Europe), LPP (Europe, Middle East), with more to be announced.

In the Asia Pacific region, A Bathing Ape, Carnival, and Freak’s Store are just a few of the partners providing “Space Jam: A New Legacy”-inspired fashions and footwear, plus a limited edition footwear and hat collection are available only in Japan from Converse Japan.

In Australia and New Zealand, EB Games will offer adult tees, headwear, accessories and stationery – everything from drink bottles and backpacks to keychains and totes. Best & Less will welcome “Space Jam: A New Legacy” to Australia with a new range that includes sleepwear and outerwear for the whole family.

In Latin America, designs will launch from Cuidado con el Perro, Paris, Ruz, Centauro, Colecao and more. In Mexico, there will be Cuidado con el Perro t-shirts, Ruz plush and costumes, and novelty board games. In Chile, Colombia and Peru, Paris, Stilotex and Ripley will give fans access to incredible “Space Jam: A New Legacy” inspired products.

In Brazil, fashion and toys will be available from partners such as Grendene, BandUp!, Piticas, Renner, Marisa, Cartel 011, Acuo, Iron Studios, Riachuelo, Grow, and Jandaia, among others, and Rasip will offer new “Space Jam: A New Legacy”-inspired food. An exclusive “Space Jam: A New Legacy” fashion collection with designer Alexandre Herchcovitch under his brand ÁLG will be revealed soon.

On your feet

Come on and slam with Nike Inc.’s Space Jam collections. Fans can buy and wear the same basketball shoes “King James” wears in the film. With youth and adult styles featuring Wile. E. Coyote, Lola Bunny, Bugs Bunny and the rest of the squad, the whole family can “Jam” out and dress up in Nike’s Space Jam collection, which also includes jerseys, tanks, hoodies, jackets, socks and backpacks.

Converse will launch new graphic Looney Tunes sneakers in adult and youth sizes, featuring classic Looney Tunes designs and animation themes, while Crocs will unveil “Space Jam: A New Legacy” slide-ons.

In the accessories space, partners such as Sprayground, Danielle Nicole, Loungefly, Accessory Innovations and Fast Forwardwill capture the on-court action of favorite Tunes on backpacks, court bags and more.

Fossil will release its exclusive Space Jam by Fossil capsule collection, featuring collectible accessories and a limited-edition box set jam-packed with beloved Tune Squad characters on July 7. Starring characters such as Bugs and Lola, the collaboration includes three collections with limited-edition watches, backpacks, small leather goods and more.

Check out digital watch faces and bands Mobyfox, a limited edition collection of watches by Undone, and more styles for the entire squad from Accutime. Whimsical bracelets from Alex and Ani put the Tune Squad on your wrist.

Caps, beanies, and other headwear will arrive courtesy of Junk Brands, Love Your Melon, Mitchell & Ness and New Era, while socks and hosiery will launch courtesy of Stance, Hypnotic Hats, Highpoint, Berkshire, and Rock Em’ Socks.

Sporting the Goods

Spalding, the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world, will continue its legacy of playing an integral role in growing basketball and culture by releasing a new merchandise line inspired by the family film. Spalding will release exclusive hoops and balls and other limited-edition merchandise, hitting U.S. and international retailers, Spalding.com and the Spalding App this June.

Meanwhile, in Home Goods, Franco will introduce movie-themed bedding with blankets, throws, comforters and more, while Hallmark, GeekiTikis and more will bring the Looney Tunes Squad to the kitchen and beyond.

General Mills, Kraft Heinz, McDonald’s, Ferrara Candy Company and more premier food and beverage partners will also join the roster, while in per products, BarkBox will will provide themed chew toys and plush squeak toys for animals.

The licensing roster is complete with more than 20 published titles, spanning movie tie-ins, readers, books and activity books from Penguin Random House, as well as colouring and activity books from Bendon, and fun novelty book formats from Phidal.

Finally, DC Publishing will launch a graphic novel adaptation of the animated/live action movie, written by Ivan Cohen (The Batman and Scooby-Doo Mysteries) alongside an all-star line up of artists. On sale 6/29 for $12.99. Available at major book retailers and participating comic book stores. Also available on Apple books and Amazon.

Funko sees record first quarter as games, plush, and Loungefly all achieve sales growth

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Funko has seen record first quarter net sales increases across both its US and European markets, reflecting what the pop culture specialist has cited as ‘broad-based strength across geographies, products, and channels.’

Net sales grew 38 per cent to $189.2 million compared to $136.7 million in the first quarter of 2020. The firm also saw the number of active properties increase by 12 per cent to 762 from 681 the year prior, with net sales per active property increasing 24 per cent.

US sales grew 39 per cent to $136.5 million, while Europe saw its net sales increase a full 55 per cent to $39.8 million. Other international regions saw a more modest growth of two per cent to $12.9 million, but Funko has highlighted the ongoing disruptions that many of those regions are experiences due to Covid-19.

Funko’s Pop! branded products grew 33 per cent while net sales across its Other segment – meaning non-figure products – increased by 52 per cent, led by Loungefly branded products which grew 82 per cent in the quarter. Funko has also been strengthened by its recent developments in games and plush.

Direct-to-consumer sales increased more than 160 per cent driven by continued strong demand on the Company’s Funko and Loungefly e-commerce sites, while 66 per cent of the company’s sales were attributed to evergreen content.

“Improving consumer demand in the US and Europe contributed to broad-based strength within our brands, products and distribution channels, leading to a record first quarter,” said Brian Mariotti, chief executive officer.

“Throughout the pandemic, our teams have maintained a relentless focus on delivering innovation and engaging with our fans around the world, positioning the business to drive topline growth as the demand environment strengthens.

“In the first quarter, this enabled us to achieve sales growth of 38 per cent, strong Adjusted EBITDA margins and a substantial increase on the bottom line.

“We are confident that our innovation pipeline, strategic focus and experienced teams will enable us to deliver continued growth and expansion in the dynamic macro environment. We’re investing behind our key strategic priorities and expect to achieve topline growth of 33 per cent to 38 per cent in 2021, above our previously stated range, while also driving increased profitability.”

On a brand basis, Pop! branded products grew 33 per cent to $150.3 million, reflecting strong growth in the US and Europe. Loungefly branded products grew 82 per cent to $24.5 million. Both brands generated strong demand in the US and Europe, as well as strength across our direct-to-consumer channels.

Net sales of other branded products increased 41 per cent to $14.3 million driven by board games, plush and action figures.

“Game changer” | Funko celebrates potential for NFT market with TokenHead acquisition

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Funko is strengthening its position amid the global collectables scene by making a play for the NFT space through the acquisition of a majority ownership stake in TokenWave, the developer behind TokenHead.

TokenHead is recognised as a leading mobile app and website for showcasing and tracking Non-Fungible Token or NFT, a blockchain platform for digital collectables that has picked up steam among audiences and media over the course of the year.

The financial terms of the investment have not been disclosed, but the move has gone to highlight the potential the NFT space has for licensing, as Funko approaches the market with a ‘clear strategy for its pop culture content across TV, film, sports, music, anime, video games, and comic books.’

TokenHead is currently available on iOS and Android and displays over 10 million NFTs, with more than 100,000 visits per day.

The investment accelerates Funko’s initial entry into the NFT market and will extend the Company’s pop culture platform to include digital assets. Funko expects to launch its initial NFT offerings in June, featuring a unique property each week at a starting price point of $9.99.

Products will be sold on the WAX platform, the leading decentralized wallet on the blockchain, which provides verifiable authenticity for purchases of Funko NFTs.

“Funko is thrilled to advance another platform that our fans and collectors will love and find valuable,” said Brian Mariotti, chief executive officer of Funko. “Our strategy in this space is clear – bring the value-added NFT opportunity to our licensing partners to leverage our broad range of existing pop culture content across Television, Movies, Sports, Music, Anime, Video Games and Comic Books.

“Our amazing licensing partners are excited about our entry into this new digital space and we believe the diversity of our licensing portfolio sets us up for long-term success.”

Mariotti has highlighted the ‘game changing potential’ that the deal now lends the pop culture specialist as the firm begins to draw clear plans to combine its new Funko Pop! digital NFTs with exclusive Funko Pop! Vinyl Figures.

“The marriage of digital and physical using WAX’s patented NFT technology known as vIRLs™ is powerful,” said Mariotti. “By backing the rarest of the Funko NFTs with exclusive redeemable Funko Pop!, we are poised to enter the NFT market in a very unique manner.

“Importantly, we plan to make Funko NFTs broadly accessible to our fans by providing affordable entry pricing. Utilizing WAX Blockchain technology, we have the opportunity to eventually bring Funko collectible NFTs to our millions of fans around the globe. The NFT world is all about content, and Funko has been connecting fans to the content they love for over 20 years.”

Direct to consumer and expanded toy offering helps Funko to strong Q4 2020 finish

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A bolstered direct to consumer platform, the launch of new games and toys, and an expanded presence across its key retail partners have helped Funko to strong fourth quarters results for 2020.

The pop culture specialist has reported a six per cent sales growth to $226.5 million, reflecting what CEO Brian Mariotti has described as a “better than expected performance across brands, products, channels, and geographies.”

Net sales for the firm grew in the fourth quarter 2020 from the $213.6 million in the same period the year prior. The increase is reflective of the business’ strength in its domestic market in the US, which was partially off-set by the impact of Covid-19, particularly within Europe.

Funko grew its number of active properties to 724 from 667 in the fourth quarter of 2019. On a geographical basis, net sales in the United States increased 18 per cent to $171.5 million, while net sales in Europe decreased 24 per cent to $40.3 million.

Net sales in other international regions decreased seven per cent to $14.7 million, both primarily driven by continued impacts from COVID-19.

“We are pleased to finish the year with strong fourth quarter results, including six per cent sales growth, which reflects better than expected performance across our brands, products, channels and geographies,” said Mariotti.

“Against a challenging environment in 2020, our teams were resilient, quickly adapted to the dynamic environment and remained focused on executing our strategic growth priorities. During the year, we successfully strengthened our direct-to-consumer platform, launched new games and toys that extended our reach, expanded our presence among key retail partners in mass and digital, and drove robust fan engagement through global virtual events.

“We believe the Company is strongly positioned to deliver solid top line growth and improved profitability in 2021. We are remaining focused on our strategies to maximize Funko’s core pop culture platform, drive further category diversification, expand internationally and accelerate our direct-to-consumer business.

“For the full year, we expect to achieve revenue growth of 25 per cent to 30 per cent versus 2020, which also reflects growth from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.”

On a product category basis, net sales of figures were flat at $170.2 million reflecting strength within the domestic market which was offset by international performance.

Net sales of other products increased 30 per cent to $56.3 million versus the fourth quarter of 2019, primarily reflecting strong growth in the company’s Loungefly branded products, as well as strength within our games, plush and accessory categories.

Pop! branded products grew one per cent to $169.4 million, while Loungefly branded products grew 51 per cent to $31.6 million in the quarter reflecting strength in both its wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels.

Net sales of other branded products increased five per cent to $25.5 million, reflecting a strengthening board game, toy and figure offering from the firm.

primarily reflecting strength in Funko’s expanded board game, toy and figure offerings.

“We feel confident about the trajectory of the business and believe we are well-positioned from a strategic, operational and financial perspective,” said Jennifer Fall Jung, CFO.

“We expect to continue investing for growth in 2021 while also driving strong Adjusted EBITDA margins and improvement on the bottom line.”

Pokémon celebrates 25 years with toy collabs, new content, and a music programme led by Katy Perry

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The Pokémon Company International is celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary with a wide-ranging raft of new partnerships, product roll-outs, and activations that includes special anniversary merchandise from licensees such as Jazwares, Mattel, Funko, and The Wand Company.

New product from its portfolio of global partners will coincide with landmark partnerships and the franchise’s first venture into the music business that sees the firm team up with Universal Music Group to work with some of the biggest artists in the space to launch its project P25 Music.

Pop icon, Katy Perry, has been revealed as a premier collaborator on the new year-long music campaign that aims to celebrate the multi-media appeal that Pokémon has wielded since its launch in 1996.

The star-studded program will accompany fan-focused activations celebrating 25 years of Pokémon across the franchise’s portfolio of video games, mobile apps, animation, merchandise and more.

“Pokémon has been a constant in my life from playing the original video games on my Game Boy, to trading Pokémon Trading Card Game cards at lunch, to the adventures of catching Pokémon on the street with Pokémon GO,” said Katy Perry. “It is an honour to be chosen to help celebrate a franchise that has given me so much joy in the last 25 years, and to be able to watch it evolve in the ways it has provided that kind of electric joy for the kids in my life and around the world.”

Further details about Katy Perry’s participation, additional artist surprises, and more about the P25 Music programme will be announced throughout the year.

Meanwhile, and tapping into the concept of exploration of new worlds that has been at the heart of the Pokémon video game franchise since its launch in 1996, The Pokémon Company International is inviting fans to relive journey’s through the regions of the Pokémon world via a new website launch that will serve as the hub for all fan celebration activities as they are announced.

Building on its programme of collaborations for the year ahead, however, and The Pokémon Company International is partnering with the likes of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Levi’s, McDonald’s and more, while fans can expect special anniversary merchandise from partners including Jazwares, Scholastic, Mattel, Funko, Power A, and The Wand Company.

Additional partners and the means in which they will celebrate the milestone anniversary this year will be detailed throughout the year.

Of course, the celebrations wouldn’t be complete without fanfare for the cornerstone of the Pokémon brand, so The Pokémon Trading Card Game will be launching a special 25th anniversary-themed collection of Pokémon Trading Card Game cards later on in the year.

In the meantime, fans will be able to collect over-sized cards featuring Pikachu and first partner Pokémon from the various regions featured in the franchise.

According to The Pokémon Company International, the details revealed today ‘are a glimpse into what the world can expect from Pokémon in 2021.’ With 25th anniversary activations planned for Pokémon animation, video games, mobile games, and more, “fans have a year full of new journeys ahead.”