Tag Archives: loungefly

Tweety’s 80th anniversary celebrations take flight

Posted on by

WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences (WMGBE) is reminding the world that Tweety is no ordinary canary by launching an 80th anniversary celebration on a global scale.

As one of Looney Tunes’ most beloved characters, Tweety is known for being unflappable and unapologetically authentic. WMGBE has commissioned a diverse group of artists worldwide to design 80 original murals reflecting Tweety’s rich history and dynamic personality.

The “80 Years of Tweety” campaign kicked off in Austin at SXSW 2022 on March 11, where the first group of murals officially debuted. The anniversary honours will continue throughout the year across the Studio with new Tweety content from HBOMax, WarnerMedia Kids & Family, along with new themed experiences and collections from Warner Bros. Consumer Products. The celebration will culminate on Tweety’s birthday on November 21, 2022.

Free for everyone to enjoy, the Tweety-themed works of art will appear in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, United Arab Emirates and more. In the United States, Tweety murals will be seen in more than 30 cities. To track where to find Tweety murals, as well as all things Tweety, visit Tweety’s Anniversary website.

“For eighty years, Tweety has marched to the beat of his own drum, inherently representing what it means to be unapologetically yourself. His endearing personality has made him a pop culture favourite and he’s known for making appearances in the most unexpected ways,” says Pam Lifford, President, WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences.

“As a key member of the Looney Tunes franchise, we definitely wanted to celebrate Tweety’s 80th in a big way and are excited for the year-long celebration ahead. Keep your eyes out for him to pop up anywhere, from fashion to collectibles and more.”

To complete the murals, WMGBE collaborated with 16 artists, each with a different take on the tiny hero. Tweety’s signature yellow colour runs through the designs, but the artists’ different styles will make each one unique. Artists have been selected through the lens of diversity across different countries, artistic mediums and expressions, ethnicities, genders and sexualities.

In addition to the murals, Tweety’s 80th Anniversary celebration features products, content, experiences and more, including:

  • Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) will announce new offerings and partnerships across all categories (fashion, collectibles, beauty, and more) throughout the year. Available now only on WBCP’s Looney Tunes Shop is the all-new Tweety’s 80th Mural Collection. The collection is set to feature a number of the 80 Tweety-inspired mural designs on a unique selection of merchandise and apparel. The ultimate fan destination to celebrate Tweety, the Looney Tunes Shop will unveil product drops throughout the year, including merchandise with Tweety mural designs yet to be revealed, leading up to Tweety’s birthday on November 21, 2022.
  • Loungefly has produced a Tweety 80th Anniversary Plush Backpack. The front features Tweety’s unmistakable shape, featuring wings on the front zipped compartment that move back and forth ($80.00). Also available is a Tweety and Sylvester 80th Anniversary Zip Around Wallet ($40.00). Available now, both products feature Tweety 80th Anniversary motif on the inside lining, along with vegan leather.
  • Available now, the Ugly Dukling x Tweety Bird Collection is a limited-edition, box collection of luxury 3D magnetic eyelashes featuring a special-dose of Tweety. The curated collection features four classic statement style lashes named “Tweety Pie,” “Tweety Bird,” “Looney Luxury Lashes” and “I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat!” Presented in Tweety-themed keepsake packaging, the collection continues Ugly Dukling Beauty’s tradition of high quality, hand crafted seven-magnet eyelashes.
  • Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment will be joining in on the festivities for Tweety’s birthday with exclusive murals around the world including at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. Movie World in Australia, and Parque Warner Madrid.
  • HBO Max: Tweety continues to star in the hit Looney Tunes Cartoons animated series from Warner Bros. Animation now streaming on HBO Max. New episodes will debut from the Max Original series throughout the year in celebration of the beloved yellow canary.
  • Cartoonito: This summer, Tweety will star alongside fellow Looney Tunes characters in Bugs Bunny Builders, a new preschool animated series produced by Warner Bros. Animation, coming to Cartoonito on HBO Max and Cartoon Network.

 

Hello Kitty and Pusheen pounce on limited edition collaboration for plush, fashion, and more

Posted on by

Sanrio has entered into a new collaboration with the Pusheen brand to launch a limited edition collection of Hello Kitty x Pusheen consumer products, spanning apparel, accessories, collectables, stationery, housewares, health and beauty products, and plush. The collection unites Hello Kitty and Pusheen for the first time in the consumer space.

The deal brings with a swathe of premium licensing partners already on board to launch a selection of Hello Kitty x Pusheen products, including Hybrid for apparel, Loungefly for bags and small accessories, Taste Beauty for health and beauty care products, GUND for plush and slippers, and Hamee for squishy toys and phone accessories.

They are joined by further licensing partners, Monogram for pins, bag clips, and lanyards, Stitch & Story for crochet kits and craft accessories, Blueprint for stationery, and Thumbs Up for housewares and figurines.

“Hello Kitty has always believed ‘You can never have too many friends’ and we couldn’t be more excited for Pusheen to join her side,” said Craig Takiguchi, chief operating officer at Sanrio, Inc. “With both of our avid fanbases and the wide range of products designed for every occasion, these pop culture icons will encourage friends to come together and make even more everyday memories.”

Claire Belton, creator of Pusheen, said: “It’s a dream come true to collaborate with Hello Kitty. It’s been so much fun to work together and see everything come to life. I grew up loving Hello Kitty, so it feels like coming full circle.”

Similar to Pusheen, whose animated comics and GIFs have spread smiles and laughter worldwide, Hello Kitty also stands for friendship, kindness, and inclusivity. These values have brought the two together to help spread positivity and acceptance to friends and fans everywhere.

The Hello Kitty x Pusheen collection will be available on September 3, 2021 at Sanrio.com, select Sanrio boutique stores, and Pusheen.com while supplies last. The collection will also be available at select specialty retailers such as Hot Topic, Claire’s, FYE, Barnes & Noble, and IT’SUGAR later this autumn.

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

Posted on by

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.

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

Posted on by

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.”

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

Posted on by

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.”

Funko sees 14 per cent sales dip but CEO Brian Mariotti praises global team in a ‘challenging 2020’

Posted on by

Despite a decrease of 14 per cent in net sales in its third quarter financials year on year, Funko’s CEO Brian Mariotti has praised the efforts of the pop culture specialist’s international teams in its executions throughout a challenging 2020, and believes the firm is ‘well-positioned for the Holiday season’ with its most diverse product offering to date.

The company’s chief executive has also expressed optimism for the outfit’s Q4 2020 performance, citing expanded presence within key retailers as it makes plans to “remain agile in the face of today’s dynamic environment.”

Funko saw net sales decrease 14 per cent to $191.2 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $223.3 million in the same period the year prior. The decline has been primarily attributed to the slower recovery from Covid-19 impacts within the domestic specialty channel and European region.

These impacts were partially offset by growth within the domestic third party e-commerce and mass-market channel as well as the Company’s own direct-to-consumer business. Funko’s direct to consumer e-commerce sales increased more than 150 per cent compared to the year prior.

Meanwhile, Funko’s Loungefly branded products grew 25 per cent compared to 2019, driven by the momentum of Loungefly.com and within wholesale channels.

In the third quarter of 2020, the number of active properties was 715, which represents a 14 per cent increase from the third quarter of 2019.

On a geographical basis, net sales in the United States decreased four per cent to $140.9 million. Net sales internationally decreased 34 per cent to $50.3 million, reflecting more significant impacts from Covid-19 primarily within the European region.

On a product category basis, net sales of figures decreased 18 per cent to $145.0 million. Net sales of other products decreased one per cent to $46.2 million, reflecting strength in Loungefly branded products which increased 25 per cent compared to the prior year due to strong momentum on Loungefly.com as well as at wholesale retailers.

“Our teams have executed well in 2020 despite the challenges presented by the pandemic,” said Brian Mariotti, chief executive officer. “In the third quarter, we outperformed revenue expectations, reflecting strength within our domestic mass market and digital channels.

“We also maintained strong gross margins and cost controls, which allowed us to deliver improved profitability. The quarter was highlighted by our successful evergreen programs, expanded product offerings and enhanced e-commerce capabilities, all of which are enabling us to drive increased engagement with our fans around the globe.

“While we expect to face continued headwinds in specific channels and regions in the fourth quarter, we believe we are well positioned for the holiday season with our most diverse product offering yet and an expanded presence within key retail partners. Looking further ahead, we are staying focused on our four key strategies and remaining agile in the face of today’s dynamic environment.”

The Company anticipates that effects from the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to impact sales in the fourth quarter of 2020 and currently expects net sales on a percentage basis to be down 10 per cent to eight per cent compared to prior year.

Funko is relocating its operational base to ‘state of the art’ centre in Coventry

Posted on by

Funko is relocating its operational base to a new ‘state of the art’ distribution centre located in Coventry, in the Midlands, in a move prompted by the firm’s continued ‘exceptional growth’ across the UK and Europe.

Since it began trading in January 2017, Funko EMEA has seen significant expansion, with the past three years growth surpassing expectations as the business continues to extend into new and existing markets.

In 2019, Funko further accelerated its business development through diversification, bringing in brands such as Loungefly, Funko Games, Funko Home + Gifts, and softlines, all in order to meed the demands of new and existing customers across EMEA.

Compounding the expansion, Funko is relocating its operational base to the new centre in Coventry in order to ‘provide its partners with an upgraded level of service, and alleviate pressure on the company’s operational infrastructure.’

With 349,000 sq. ft. of operating space, including 17,000 sq. ft. of new offices, the state-of-the-art fulfilment centre is nearing completion. The new facility will mostly be servicing the UK and Irish markets, however, a portion of its capacity will be dedicated to mainland European customers.

Managing director of Funko EMEA, Andy Oddie, confirmed: “We are reacting to our customer needs with an innovative operational system that can mirror the pace of our company – the new space meets all our extensive requirements, and we are delighted.”

The transition to the new location in Coventry has already begun, and is scheduled to go live from early April, 2020.