The LEGO Group unveils host of new products at LEGO CON

The LEGO Group has launched its 90th anniversary summer celebrations with the virtual and free to attend LEGO CON. Designed specifically for brick-loving families, the two-hour live show, hosted by Vick Hope, Joel McHale and Melvin Odoom, gave LEGO fans a sneak peak into a new range of exciting products, including a host of sets celebrating the world’s biggest movie, sport and gaming franchises.

Among the new products revealed, fans were treated to an exclusive look at the brand-new LEGO Avatar product range celebrating the overall franchise to-date in advance of Avatar: The Way of Water premiering this December. The newly revealed set features the LEGO Avatar Toruk Makto & Tree of Souls that lets fans recreate the moment from the first film when Jake, as Toruk Makto, rallies the Omatikaya Clan to defend not only one of their most sacred sites, the Tree of Souls, but all of Pandora.

Another big reveal saw viewers given an exclusive first look at new LEGO Star Wars sets. LEGO Star Wars The Justifier and LEGO Star Wars AT-TE Walker will offer fans the chance to recreate the epic Star Wars: The Bad Batch stories with the incredible model of bounty hunter Cad Bane’s starship, The Justifier, or power into battle against the Separatist Droid Army with the AT-TE.

Fans of LEGO Marvel, meanwhile, were treated to a first look at a new Doctor Strange set showcasing the Sanctum Sanctorum as featured in a number of films, giving them a chance to open up their very own multiverses. LEGO Minecraft builders were spoilt with two brand new sets to add to their collection: LEGO Minecraft The Abandoned Village and LEGO Minecraft The Skeleton Dungeon.

Lovers of LEGO Super Mario were given a glimpse at the brand-new Character Packs that will be introduced to the LEGO Super Mario universe, with fun characters including Nabbit, a Purple Toad, Hammer Bro, Waddlewing, Toady, Baby Yoshi, Red Yoshi and Blue Shy Guy joining the fun. They were also shown how new and existing characters alike can interact with the LEGO Mario, LEGO Luigi and LEGO Peach Starter Courses.

There was also a preview of a new sporty range of LEGO Brickheadz, allowing fans to become a FC Barcelona player in LEGO BrickHeadz form. Viewers were the first to be shown the very latest LEGO Minifigures collection that will be joining the LEGO range later this year.

To top the many product reveals and sessions, the jam-packed show was also full of opportunities for fans to immerse themselves in live building activities and conversations with experts from around the globe.

Event highlights included a creative masterclass from inside Pixar Animation Studios, given by the director of Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear, Angus MacLane. LEGO Harry Potter fans, meanwhile, were given the chance to see how movie sets are turned into LEGO sets through a magical building tour of the Warner Bros. Studios London – The making of Harry Potter, with Harry Potter film actress Evanna Lynch and LEGO designer Marcos Bessa giving audiences tips and magic tricks for building their very own creations along the way.

LEGO CON 2022 is now available to stream for free in full at www.LEGO.com/LEGOCON or on the LEGO YouTube channel  http://youtube.com/LEGO.

 

 

The LEGO Group unveils six new Jurassic World Dominion sets

 The LEGO Group and Universal Brand Development have officially revealed six new sets inspired by the upcoming feature film Jurassic World Dominion, from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, set to hit cinemas in June 2022. Each set offers a chance for fans to dive into their very own prehistoric world, with endless creativity, storytelling and adventure, with fan-favourite characters like Owen, Claire, Ian Malcolm and Dr. Ellie Sattler.

The six new sets are:

10938 LEGO® DUPLO® Dinosaur Nursery

Age: 2+

Piece Count: 27

Price: 19.99 EUR/USD

Measures: The Triceratops stands over 1 in. (5 cm) tall and the set can be reconfigured to inspire endless imaginative play possibilities

Description: Animal-loving toddlers can join Jurassic World’s Claire Dearing to care for three baby dinosaurs. This set includes a Triceratops in a cave, a Pteranodon in a nest, and a Brachiosaurus using its long neck to nibble leaves from a tree. 

76943 LEGO® Jurassic World Pteranodon Chase

Age: 4+

Piece Count: 91

Price: 19.99 EUR/USD

Measures: Over 3.5 in. (9 cm) high, 4.5 in. (12 cm) wide and 5 in. (13 cm) deep

Description: Includes a brick-built dock, fish stall and buggy, Owen Grady and Maisie minifigures with a fishing rod and lasso, and a Pteranodon figure. 

76944 LEGO® Jurassic World T. rex Dinosaur Breakout

Age: 4+

Piece Count: 140

Price: 49.99 EUR/USD

Measures: Over 6 in. (15 cm) high, 6 in. (16 cm) wide and 2.5 in. (6cm) deep, and the T. rex stands over 4 in. (11 cm) tall

Description: Build the airport with a helipad, a helicopter and a fence for the mighty T. rex to smash through. The set also includes Owen Grady, Zia Rodriguez and wildlife guard minifigures, plus a dinosaur egg, walkie-talkie and tranquiliser.

76945 LEGO® Jurassic World Atrociraptor Dinosaur: Bike Chase

Age: 6+

Piece Count: 167

Price: 19.99 EUR/USD

Measures: Over 2.5 in. (6 cm) high, 7 in. (17 cm) wide and 5 in. (13 cm) deep. This playset combines with the T. rex & Atrociraptor Dinosaur Breakout (76948) set

Description: Features a market with a wall for the Atrociraptor and motorcycle to smash through, a battle pit for two small dinosaur figures, plus Owen Grady and Rainn Delacourt minifigures.

 76946 LEGO® Jurassic World Blue & Beta Velociraptor Capture

Age: 6+

Piece Count: 173

Price: 29.99 EUR/USD

Measures: Over 2.5 in. (6 cm) high, 5.5 in. (14 cm) long and 2.5 in. (6 cm) wide, and the whole playset can be combined with other LEGO® Jurassic World building toys

Description: With Maisie and Rainn Delacourt minifigures, dinosaurs Blue and Beta, a truck, bike and a dinosaur cage with a trap, plus a chicken drumstick to use as dinosaur bait.  

76947 LEGO® Jurassic World Quetzalcoatlus Plane Ambush

Age: 7+

Piece Count: 293

Price: 49.99 EUR/ 39.99 USD

Measures: The Quetzalcoatlus dinosaur figure measures over 11.5 in. (29 cm) wide and has posable wings and a snapping beak; The airplane measures over 3.5 in. (9 cm) high, 8.5 in. (22 cm) long and 11.5 in. (30 cm) wide, and Owen’s motorcycle from the 76945 set fits inside the cargo hold

Description: Features an airplane with space in the cockpit for Owen Grady, Claire Dearing and Kayla Watts. The plane also has spinning propellers, an opening cargo hold and engines designed to break off under attack from the Quetzalcoatlus. 

76948 LEGO® Jurassic World T. rex & Atrociraptor Dinosaur Breakout

Age: 8+

Piece Count: 461

Price: 89.99 EUR/ 79.99 USD

Measures: The market measures over 7 in. (18 cm) high, 10 in. (26 cm) wide and 3.5 in. (9 cm) deep, and it combines with the LEGO® Jurassic World Atrociraptor Dinosaur: Bike Chase (76945) set

Description: Build a market with an enclosure for the T. rex and a big rig truck with a cage to transport the Atrociraptor. Also includes Owen Grady, Claire Dearing, Rainn Delacourt and Soyona Santos minifigures, plus two tranquilisers.

 These new sets will be widely available starting April 17, 2022 on LEGO.com, in LEGO Retail Stores and at major retailers worldwide.

 

The LEGO Group and PlayStation team up for LEGO Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck set

The LEGO Group and PlayStation have joined forces to create the first LEGO set inspired by the world of Horizon Forbidden West, developed in collaboration with the video game’s creator, Guerrilla Games.

Designed for adults as a build and display model, the 1,222-piece Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck set will take builders into an adventure world through the character of Aloy, a fierce machine hunter, and the Tallneck, the iconic machine she uses in her mission to restore order and balance in Horizon Forbidden West.

“Getting to team up with Guerrilla was truly remarkable,” says Isaac Snyder, Designer at the LEGO Group. “The Guerrilla team is incredibly passionate about the world of Horizon Forbidden West and were a huge help in ensuring we were able to create an authentic representation in LEGO form.

“Thanks to our close collaboration we were able to include references to all the most iconic aspects of Horizon Forbidden West, from incredible machines to mysterious ruins, unique tribes and stunning scenery. There is a huge amount of mutual respect between the design teams and everyone involved was beyond excited to see this model come to life. Our hope is that everyone building this model has as much fun as we did designing it.”

The buildable Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck model measures over 34 cm high x 23 cm wide x 17 cm deep and will be available from May 2022 at LEGO.com, LEGO brand Retail Stores, and major retailers globally for 69.99 GDP/79.99 EUR/ 79.99 USD.

Fans eager to learn more can get a sneak peak of the model in this video posted today.

The LEGO Group and PlayStation team up for LEGO Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck set

The LEGO Group and PlayStation have joined forces to create the first LEGO set inspired by the world of Horizon Forbidden West, developed in collaboration with the video game’s creator, Guerrilla Games.

Designed for adults as a build and display model, the 1,222-piece Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck set will take builders into an adventure world through the character of Aloy, a fierce machine hunter, and the Tallneck, the iconic machine she uses in her mission to restore order and balance in Horizon Forbidden West.

“Getting to team up with Guerrilla was truly remarkable,” says Isaac Snyder, Designer at the LEGO Group. “The Guerrilla team is incredibly passionate about the world of Horizon Forbidden West and were a huge help in ensuring we were able to create an authentic representation in LEGO form.

“Thanks to our close collaboration we were able to include references to all the most iconic aspects of Horizon Forbidden West, from incredible machines to mysterious ruins, unique tribes and stunning scenery. There is a huge amount of mutual respect between the design teams and everyone involved was beyond excited to see this model come to life. Our hope is that everyone building this model has as much fun as we did designing it.”

The buildable Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck model measures over 34 cm high x 23 cm wide x 17 cm deep and will be available from May 2022 at LEGO.com, LEGO brand Retail Stores, and major retailers globally for 69.99 GDP/79.99 EUR/ 79.99 USD.

Fans eager to learn more can get a sneak peak of the model in this video posted today.

Manuscript Brands builds portfolio with new Lego stationery products

Manuscript Brands has been selected as the exclusive UK distributor of a new range of Lego stationery products. 

Lego 2.0 is the new generation of Lego stationery that features everything you would expect from the iconic brand including its hallmark brick-based technology. With Lego’s universal appeal, Lego 2.0 has been cleverly branded without a specific theme, expanding its popularity to a wide variety of age groups.

The extensive range of Lego 2.0 products includes notebooks, gel pens, coloured pencils and highlighters which easily stack and build offering creative and easy storage. The convertible ruler, mechanical pencil, hard pencil case and some gel pen sets are packaged with a traditional Lego minifigure and showcase the clipping technology that Lego has made famous worldwide.

Charlie Stockbridge, managing director at Manuscript Pen Company, says: “We are really excited to be the sole distributor for Lego stationery in the UK. Adding this revered brand to our current portfolio is a fantastic opportunity and great fit for us and we look forward to bringing these iconic products to market.

“We have been supplying stationery products to education for decades and we have a strong foothold with our Lionheart Range, which is seeing a rapid rise in popularity. We believe the Lego 2.0 range will complement this market as well as attract a whole new legion of Lego fans.”

A number of Lego accessories are also included as part of the range, which introduces iconic characters such as Ninjago and the Star Wars theme. The portfolio also comprises Lego Dots products and bag tags featuring a host of well-known designs including Hot Dog as well as the classic brick design that has been popular for generations.

For more information on the range, visit www.manuscriptpen.com

StoryToys launches LEGO DUPLO MARVEL mobile app

StoryToys (a subsidiary of Team17 Group plc), the LEGO Group and Marvel Entertainment have announced the launch of LEGO DUPLO MARVEL, a mobile app for preschoolers. With over one million pre-orders globally, the app is now available from the App Store and Google Play.

In LEGO DUPLO MARVEL even the youngest Marvel fan can engage with their favorite Super Heroes including Spider-Man, Captain America, Ghost-Spider and more. In each activity children help their favorite Super Hero save the day, whether shooting webs with Spider-Man or rescuing a cat with Captain America. They can also create and build structures with virtual 3D LEGO DUPLO bricks.

The app has been carefully aligned with the Headstart Early Learning Outcomes Framework to ensure it meets the developmental needs of 2–5-year-olds. Each play pack features fun challenges to support learning and development skills, including early math, creativity, reasoning and problem-solving.

The LEGO DUPLO MARVEL app is now available worldwide in twenty-six languages, with more to come in 2022. It’s free to download with additional content available to purchase.

“As a lifetime fan of both Marvel and LEGO bricks, this project is one that’s very close to my heart,” says Emmet O’Neill, CEO of StoryToys.

“We’re delighted to once again be collaborating with our amazing partners at the LEGO Group, and to be working with Marvel for the first time on such a special project. Preschoolers adore and aspire to be Marvel heroes and this app will offer them a positive digital experience tailored to their abilities. Whether kids are LEGO DUPLO fans, Marvel fans, or both, it’s our absolute privilege to bring them the opportunity to engage with their favourite heroes in this fun and educational digital experience.”

 

 

Universal Brand Development prepares for the return of Minions in summer 2022

Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, the long-awaited next installment of the most successful animated franchise in history, is set to hit cinemas across the globe in July 2022.

In anticipation, Universal Brand Development (UBD) is pulling out all the stops to support the new feature film with global toy partners Mattel and The Lego Group. The toy collection will feature fresh new looks of action figures, construction sets, electronics, plush, collectibles and playsets. Other partners include Topps, Asmodee, Ravensburger, Clementoni, Posh Paws, Danilo and Boxine.

During last year’s 2020 lockdown, Minions’ global popularity in the international grocery sector, which remained open, kept the beloved characters front-of-mind. The franchise has shown continued strength throughout Europe in FMCG, food, personal care and beauty categories and UBD is planning a broad-based programme in a number of categories with Yazoo, Brioche, Pez, Danone, Volvic, Perfetti Van Melle, Colgate, Avon, BIP and Glamglow.  Softlines will also be a focus as Minions: The Rise of Gru sparks further interest in the franchise.

With a roster of local agents around the globe, UBD is taking a tailored approach to retail activations and licensing and merchandising opportunities. It is a formula that has consistently delivered results, establishing Minions as a powerhouse brand.

Last summer, UBD developed a number of online-only events and promotions including the Free the Fun digital pop-up event in the UK that included giveaways and prizes that enlisted top-tier UK grocers including ALDI, ASDA, Sainsbury, Tesco, as well as toy stores Smyths, The Entertainer and Hamleys. Leading up to the film’s release in 2022, UBD’s promotional and marketing efforts will be doubled as the pent-up demand and anticipation for all things Minions is expected to be huge.

 

LEGO Group unleashes epic new range of LEGO Marvel sets

The LEGO Group has launched an epic new range of LEGO Marvel sets that will get superhero fans excited, including the LEGO Marvel Spider-Man’s Drone Duel, LEGO Marvel The Eternals In Arishem’s Shadow and LEGO Marvel Rise of the Domo.

The new products are:

  • 76240 LEGO® DC Batman™ Batmobile™ Tumble (available 1 November) £209.99
  • 76145 LEGO® Eternals’ Aerial Assault £8.99
  • 76154 LEGO® Marvel Deviant Ambush! £17.99
  • 76155 LEGO® Marvel The Eternals In Arishem’s Shadow £59.99
  • 76156 LEGO® Marvel Rise of the Domo £89.99
  • 76184 LEGO® Spider-Man vs. Mysterio’s Drone Attack £17.99
  • 76185 LEGO® Spider-Man at the Sanctum Workshop £34.99
  • 76195 LEGO® Spider-Man’s Drone Duel £17.99
  • 76237 LEGO® Sanctuary II: Endgame Battle £34.99

The new LEGO Marvel set are available for order now through www.LEGO.com and from selected leading retailers around the world.

The LEGO Foundation and KIRKBI offer $15.7m of support to children in Haiti and Afghanistan

The LEGO Foundation and the LEGO Group’s owners, KIRKBI have offered up 100 million Danish Kroner – the equivalent to $15.7m – to support vulnerable children in Haiti and Afghanistan with partners Unicef, the UN Refugee Agency, and Education Cannot Wait.

Through the pledge, 30 million DKK will go to UNHCR, 20 million DKK to Unicef, and 35 million DKK to Education Cannot Wait. The remaining 15 million DKK will be distributed in due course as the needs of the emergencies unfold.

“The humanitarian crises that are happening in Haiti and Afghanistan are unimaginable and only intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both require a response that focuses attention on the immediate and long-term impacts,” said Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, chair of the governing board, The LEGO Foundation, and fourth generation representative of the LEGO owner family.

“KIRKBI and the LEGO Foundation, as the owners of the LEGO Group, have an immense opportunity to respond to the crises. With the grant, we hope to take a targeted approach to support the needs of the people of Haiti and Afghanistan – not least the children who are in a urgent need of protection assistance.”

Before the current political crisis, almost half the population of Afghanistan – 18.4 million people (8.2 million children) – were in need of humanitarian and protection assistance. Since May 2021, over 500,000 people have been displaced, and the rights of women, families and children are gravely endangered.

According to the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA), Afghanistan has one of the youngest and fastest growing populations in the world, with 46 per cent of the population (11.7 million children) under 15 years old.

Those who have fled the crisis require immediate and ongoing support, especially families and young children.

John Goodwin, CEO of The LEGO Foundation, said: “These grants are an important part of our ongoing commitment to supporting children affected by crises. We know that by giving attention to young children and their continued access to learning in crisis settings, especially their early stimulation needs, we can make a big positive difference to them immediately and in the long-term.

“Together, we hope to provide more children with access to early childhood and education services needed to develop skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving. Social and emotional skills are vital for children to overcome the stressors caused by crisis situations, and to build resilience and adapt to the needs of the rapidly changing world.”

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on August 14th, followed by Tropical Storm Grace, has left half-a-million Haitian children with limited or no access to shelter, safe water, healthcare, and nutrition.

With COVID-19 still an imminent threat to the health and safety of Haiti’s population, the loss and damage associated with these most recent natural disasters only further compounds the dire situation so many children and families are experiencing.

“As a global fund dedicated to education in emergencies, our First Emergency Response is one of impatience. Education cannot wait until the emergency is over. Thanks to the rapid support by the LEGO Foundation we can now establish safe learning spaces for children, and provide mental health and psychological social support without delay,” said Yasmine Sherif, director, Education Cannot Wait.

“Early Childhood Education needs are central to our response, alongside other components of quality education. In Afghanistan, this additional funding will enable us to continue implementing community-based education to target the most vulnerable children, with an emphasis on girls.”

To learn more about how LEGO Foundation supports children around the world, visit www.LEGOfoundation.com.

In addition to the 100M DKK grant from the LEGO Foundation and KIRKBI, Ole Kirk’s Fond has supported the people of Afghanistan with a 50M DKK grant to Red Cross in Denmark. Visit www.olekirksfond.dk for more information.

PlayMonster, LEGO, and Crayola among 2021 Licensing International Excellence Awards winners

PlayMonster, LEGO, Crayola, and Hasbro have all been named among the winners of the 2021 Licensing International Excellence Awards at a ceremony held via a virtual gathering during this week’s Licensing Expo Virtual.

Big name toy companies featured among the 22 award winners from seven different countries, including China, Finland, France, Japan, Singapore, the UK, and the US at the event that brought together nearly 1,000 industry executives.

The winners were whittled down from a total of 152 nominees – itself a shortlist of finalists from more than 650 entries from around the world. An elite judging panel narrowed the entries down to the final ballot, which was then voted on by members of the licensing industry.

PlayMonster secured its win in the Toys, Games, Novelties for ages 0 to 8 category, receiving its accolade for its popular Peppa Pig Grow and Play Peppa Pots, while LEGO secured its Toys, Games, Novelties for ages 8 upwards category win for its Andy Warhol LEGO Art Edition.

Hasbro took home the Entertainment, Character Brand: Animated category win for Peppa Pig, and Crayola was voted Best Licensed Collaboration in its tie up with Adidas and Donovan Mitchell.

The Licensing International Excellence Awards honour innovation and creativity in licensing, as well as how licensees develop and bring to market products, and how retailers creatively spotlight licenses on their shelves. A special award this year – Pandemic Pivot – went to Peanuts Worldwide to honour its work in developing and making available for free in-home educational materials and lesson plans.

“In our 36th year of honoring the best of the global licensing industry, it’s inspiring to see the quality of the work produced by people and companies even as they were adapting to new ways of creating and collaborating amid the effects of the pandemic,” said Maura Regan, president, Licensing International.

“The achievements that we honor today are testament to the power of brands, and the power of licensing as a business to create products and programs with lasting appeal.”

Here are the 2021 Licensing International Excellence Awards winners:

Best Licensed Products

⦁ Apparel / Footwear / Accessories – Dr. Martens for Jean-Michel Basquiat Boots
⦁ Appliance / Automotive / Housewares / Electronics – Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co. for Pokémon Travel
⦁ Toys / Games / Novelties for Ages 0 – 8 – PlayMonster for Peppa Pig Grow & Play Peppa Pots
⦁ Apps / Sofware / Video Games – Top Golf for Angry Birds Interactive Golf Game
⦁ Food / Beverage – Kinnerton Confectionery for Harry Potter Chocolate Range
⦁ Health and Beauty Aids – Mad Beauty for Friends Bath & Body Essentials
⦁ Home Decor – Secret Lab for Batman Gaming Chairs
⦁ Publishing / Back to School – Chronicle Books for LEGO Note Brick
⦁ Toys/ Games/ Novelties for ages 8 upwards – LEGO for Andy Warhol LEGO Art Edition

Best Licensed Brands
⦁ Art/ Design/ Celebrity/ Fashion Brand – The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Studio
⦁ Digital App/ Video Game Brand – Super Mario by Nintendo
⦁ Corporate Brand – Goodyear by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and IMG
⦁ Entertainment/ Character Brand: Animated – Peppa Pig by Hasbro & Hasbro China
⦁ Entertainment/ Character Brand: Live-Action – Harry Potter by Warner Bros. France
⦁ Food/ Beverage/ Restaurant Brand – Coca-Cola, Hi-C & Sprite by The Coca-Cola Company
⦁ Sports/ Collegiate Brand – NFLPA by NFL Players Association

OTHER AWARDS
⦁ BEST LICENSED PROMOTION – Direct Line & Born Licensing for “We’re On It” with Transformers, TMNT & Robocop
⦁ BEST LICENSED COLLABORATION – Crayola x Adidas x Donovan Mitchell
⦁ BEST RETAILER FOR A CHARACTER / ENTERTAINMENT INITIATIVE – BoxLunch for Marvel Eat the Universe
⦁ BEST RETAILER FOR A CORPORATE / LIFESTYLE/ SPORTS INITIATIVE – H&M for Coca-Cola
⦁ BEST LICENSING AGENCY – IMG
⦁ THE PANDEMIC PIVOT AWARD – Peanuts At-Home-Offerings by Peanuts Worldwide