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Royal Ascot launches its first online shop and lines up new premium British brand partnerships

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Ascot Racecourse has launched a suite of new licensed product collections for 2021, with a selection of premium British brands and its first online shop through a flurry of deals brokered by IMG.

In a landmark moment for the racecourse, The Ascot Shop was launched in April and represents Ascot’s first e-commerce offering. Beyond the eight on-site stores managed by IMG, Ascot and Royal Ascot collections will now be showcased and available for consumers to purchase globally throughout the year via The Ascot Shop.

Meanwhile, new licensed products for 2021 include L.K.Bennett ladies ready-to-wear silk dresses, jumpsuits, skirts and tops, suits and silk scarves, plus Ascot’s first footwear collection, featuring courts and wedges. Available now from L.K.Bennett stores in the UK and China and John Lewis, prices range from £175-450.

In another first, 2021 marks the first year Royal Ascot will permit navy blue morning suits inside the Royal Enclosure. To celebrate, Favourbrook has launched its first Royal Ascot collection featuring a navy morning suit in addition to the more traditional grey and black variants. The collection also includes pinstripe trousers, waistcoats, ties and pocket squares.

Radley’s 2021 Royal Ascot collection has 13 new styles, including small leather goods for the first time, in wearable shades of Chalk, Salt Lake Pink and Butter Brown. The silhouettes are inspired by traditional leather saddlery techniques and one of the styles features hand-drawn illustrations.

Additionally, Charbonnel et Walker has created a bespoke top hat chocolate box, featuring a new flavour duo combination of milk sea salt and strawberries and cream truffles. Longstanding partners Christy’s London and Oliver Brown are also launching new Ascot-inspired collections in time for the Royal Meeting.

Felicity Barnard, commercial director at Ascot Racecourse, said: “We’re delighted to launch these new product collections for 2021 and extremely grateful to all our licensees who have created such elegant and inspiring collections. In a year when public attendance at Royal Ascot will be much reduced, we’re thrilled that The Ascot Shop website will provide people with the opportunity to purchase the Ascot and Royal Ascot collections online for the first time.”

Tim Smith, associate vice president of licensing, IMG, added: “We’re extremely excited for the return of the summer racing season and are delighted to have worked with Ascot Racecourse to launch a curated portfolio of beautiful products specially designed to celebrate the occasion, as well as the online Ascot Shop.”

App game My Singing Monsters makes move to board game space with Kickstarter project

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The award-winning app game, My Singing Monsters – a game in which players build a collection of singing monsters who all chime their parts in unison – is expanding into the analogue gaming sector with the launch of My Singing Monsters: The Board Game on Kickstarter.

A worker placement game designed by Sen-Foong Lim and Jay Cormier, the crowdfunding project has already surpassed its initial goal as it now surges towards £30,000 in fan backing.

Players can choose between two versions of the game, a Standard Edition, which includes all core components and the Deluxe Edition, which features nine fully painted Monster mini-figures, upgraded components, and a Kickstarter exclusive expansion starring the Werdos (a tribe of singing monsters in the app game).

In addition to the Standard and Deluxe versions of the game, three backers have the chance to back the project for the Ultimate Creator Experience offering an all-expenses paid trip to Big Blue Bubble’s studios, as well as a two-day in studio experience where backers will have the chance to create their own Monster that will appear in My Singing Monsters.

“We are very excited for the opportunity to bring the Monster World to both fans and board gamers in a brand new, physical format,” said Damir Slogar, CEO and founder of Big Blue Bubble.

“Our team is working very hard to make this a really enjoyable board game experience that you will want to play over and over again with friends and family.”

In My Singing Monsters: The Board Game, players will choose one of five Monsters to represent them as they go from Island to Island, levelling up their abilities to be the first to cross the finish line. The game will call on strategic worker placement gameplay that allows players to start easy and build up to a full-on strategy game, meaning that it can tap into the casual gamer market as much as the more experienced board game player market.

Stretch goals will continue to roll out during the campaign that comes to a close on June 21st this year.

BBC Studios adds VTech to growing global toy roster for preschool series Bluey

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BBC Studios has agreed a multi-territory licensing deal with VTech to produce electronic role play toys based on its multi-award winning children’s TV property, Bluey.

Marking the latest expansion of the series’ global licensing programme, VTech’s initial Bluey range will feature popular characters from the series and lines include electronic books, role play watches and a phone.

Product is expected to launch at retail in both Australia and USA for Q3 2022, followed by future roll outs in the UK, France, Canada and New Zealand.

Andrew Barrett, director of product development and licensing at VTech, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with BBC Studios on this beautifully crafted show. Its focus on imaginative play combined with adventurous storytelling fits perfectly with our ethos of play, learn and develop.”

Julie Kekwick, senior licensing manager at BBC Studio, added: “Our new partnership with VTech symbolises a significant extension of our Bluey franchise, joining our other global partners such as Penguin Random House and complementing the highly successful Moose Toys, master toy range.”

First launched in Australia in October 2018, Bluey is fast becoming a global hit, achieving outstanding ratings and attracting a multitude of best in class partners.

In its home market, Australia, Bluey was the number one children’s programme on metro broadcast television in 2020 and is the number one series ever on ABC iview with over 480 million views across series one and two. It also won ‘Pre-School License of the Year’ for the second year in a row at the Australian Toy Association (ATA) Awards.

In the US, Bluey is the number one new license in the super plush category, and was the number two top new growth property in 2020 for the total toy industry. Across Disney Junior and Disney Channel in Q1 2021, it was the third most watched TV series with kids aged two to five years old.

Bluey is also available on CBeebies in the UK, where it has become the top programme on the channel since it launched in April. Its episodes constitute the top five most requested CBeebies episodes on BBC iPlayer. Toys from global master toy partner Moose are set to launch at retail in the UK in July.

Maroon 5’s Adam Levine lends voice talent to PAW Patrol: The Movie with original song ‘Good Mood’

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The American singer, songwriter and lead vocalist from Maroon 5, Adam Levine is the latest name to lend his voice to the upcoming animated feature film, PAW Patrol: The Movie, by performing the film’s title track.

Called ‘Good Mood’, the new song was written by Shellback, Savan Kotecha, Oscar Görres and Adam Levine, and produced by Shellback from MXM Productions and Oscar Görres for Wolf Cousins Productions. The track features Levine’s characteristic falsetto on top of an upbeat and light-hearted track.

Scheduled to be unleashed in theatres on August 20, 2021, PAW Patrol: The Movie is based on the award-winning preschool series produced by Spin Master Entertainment and broadcast by Nickelodeon. The movie features an all-star voice cast includingKim Kardashian West, Dax Shepard, Jimmy Kimmel, Tyler Perry, Yara Shahidi, Randall Park, Iain Armitage, Marsai Martin, and Will Brisbin, along with existing members of the current PAW Patrol series.

The PAW Patrol feature film is directed by animation veteran Cal Brunker (Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature; Escape From Planet Earth). Jennifer Dodge, Spin Master Entertainment’s President, is producing the film and Ronnen Harary, Spin Master’s Chair and Co-Founder, Adam Beder, Spin Master’s Executive Vice President Strategic Partnership & Franchise Development and Peter Schlessel are executive producers.

The PAW Patrol movie is the first of several feature films in the works by Spin Master Entertainment.

Bravado and Warner Bros. Consumer Products line up expansive UK licensing partnership

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Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Bravado – the merchandise and brand management division of Universal Music Group – have detailed a new partnership across some of the biggest titles of the Studio’s 2021 and 2022 slate, as well as over 100 iconic movies and heritage brands.

A first of its kind partnership between the two industry giants, the agreement recognises Bravado as a key UK licensee, covering adult apparel for iconic film and entertainment brands including Space Jam, Mortal Kombat, and The Matrix, as well as franchises within the DC universe, including Aquaman, Batman, Black Adam, and Justice League.

The first lines of merchandise will hit UK retail, online and in-store, beginning Summer 2021.

‘Having developed an impressive and extensive roster of entertainment-based licenses, the Warner Bros. Consumer Products partnership reaffirms Bravado’s position as the go to licensing management company for global brands that cross into music, film, TV and sport,’ read a statement from the firm.

‘With its extensive range of partners and licenses, Bravado’s scope compliments Warner Bros.’s vast portfolio of multigenerational titles, delivering a breadth of opportunity in the retail space.’

Keith Taperell, vice president, retail and sales, Bravado UK, said: “We’re extremely excited about the creative possibilities this partnership carries. The huge offering and diversity of titles, iconic brands and the multi-generational fanbases that accompany them, delivers real scope from design stage to retail placement. We’re very much looking forward to working with the team at Warner Bros. on making this collaboration as far reaching as possible.”

The multi-collection partnership will service a broad range of partners across all areas of retail including a series of fashion led capsule collections. Product will be live across UK retail stores and eCommerce from Summer 2021.

British animated kids’ property Moley appoints Bulldog Licensing as its global licensing agency

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The British made children’s property, Moley, has appointed Bulldog Licensing as its global licensing agency, marking the latest step for the new animated kids’ IP following the adventures of a fun-loving mole who lives in bustling city of MoleTown.

The character, voiced by Warwick Davis, finds himself on a series of escapades as he explores the world around him with accompanying magic, comedy and adventure.

Bulldog will be launching the brand to the licensing world at a star-studded event, including talent from the Series, at Chelsea’s Physic Garden this July. As one of the first opportunities for the industry to get together since March 2020, the event, set in a four-acre site on the bank of the River Thames, promises to be a spectacular debut for the property and an opportunity to introduce the cast of the 52-episode animation.

Alongside Warwick Davis (Star Wars, Harry Potter, Maleficent), the voice cast includes Julie Walters (Harry Potter, Paddington, Billy Elliot), Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, The Crown), Gemma Arterton (Tamara Drewe, Saint Trinians), Richard E Grant (Withnail and I, Logan) and Togo Igawa (Mama Mia, Star Wars).

Rob Corney, MD, Bulldog Licensing, said: “We are delighted to add Moley to Bulldog Licensing’s carefully selected portfolio of brands. It’s a truly unique property that has the potential to be a global powerhouse in licensing.

“Moley has an endearing appeal which really connects with children and their families. We can’t wait to start working with partners in building a range of products that will capture the essence of this brilliant property and ensure its success everywhere.”

Creator of Moley, James Reatchlous, added: “The journey of Moley has been incredible – he has gone from a father’s bedtime stories to the star of an incredible animated show. I can’t wait for the Physic Garden event at which we will premiere a number of episodes to show the industry how Moley will reach new audiences around the world.

“With Bulldog now building the global licensing programme for Moley, I’m so excited for the next chapter of the brand.”

To find out more and catch up on all Moley news, please go to www.mastermoley.com/master-moley-news 

Fanattik renews gift and collectables deal with Rare to span Sea of Thieves, Banjo-Kazooie and more

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The award-winning pop culture specialist, Fanattik has renewed its gift and collectibles licence with the video game studio, Rare, in a partnership brokered by Tinderbox, the digital media division of Beanstalk.

The pan-European licence covers Rare’s smash hit Sea of Thieves, the pirate-themed video game with 20 million players, as well as classic titles created by the studio including Banjo-Kazooie, Battletoads, Viva Piñata, and more.

Anthony Marks, MD at Fanattik, said: “We worked closely with the Rare team prior to the launch of Sea of Thieves back in 2018. With regular updates and features being announced all the time, this is a game that continues to excite gaming fans. As well as product for the general trade, we have been working on a lot of exclusive product for the official online store as well as selected gift retailers here in the UK.”

Gaming merchandise, which was already a growth area for the gift trade, has exploded given the millions of people who are gaming more due to having to spend more time at home during the pandemic. Fanattik and Rare now look to capitalise on this growth with gaming gifts and collectibles for Rare fans.

With Fanattik unable to exhibit this year at Toy, Spring Fair and Nuremberg, buyers have been invited to book video appointments with the team to learn more about the new products coming to market.

Luiz Ferreira, head of sales at Fanattik, said: “We are looking forward to bringing the trade up to speed with all our new release information, not just for Sea of Thieves, but all the other classic games that Rare has been behind.”

For further details and to book a video appointment, please contact hello@fanattik.co.uk

Oddbods focuses on children’s mindfulness in new series Oddbods: Busy Bodies

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One Animation is launching a new iteration of its animated series Oddbods, placing a new focus on helping kids relieve stress, move their bodies, and engage in imaginative play.

Called Oddbods: Busy Bodies, the show will place emphasis on mindfulness in children with each episode in the series hosted by the veteran yoga therapist and teacher trainer, Hersha Chellaram, a specialist in children’s and accessible yoga. The series, a mix of live action and animation, is debuting on the AVOD Safe Streaming service, Kidoodle TV this week.

Oddbods: Busy Bodies encourages children to get active and use their imaginations as they participate in adventures with Hersha and the Oddbods characters to locations including space, a winter wonderland, the park, or enjoying a rainy day at home. During each episode, Hersha guides viewers through movement, stretching and breathing exercises while participating with the Oddbods to achieve their goals.

Hersha Chellaram is a certified Integral Yoga instructor with expertise in bringing the complete practice of yoga to adults and children of all ages and abilities, including those with special needs, disabilities and chronic health conditions. Hersha was selected for the list of 20 Yoga Teachers of Colour to Watch in 2020, and the 2014 Women of Hope Award as Children’s Advocate, presented by the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation.

Michele Schofield, SVP, content distribution at One Animation, said: “During the pandemic, children have experienced an emotionally challenging and turbulent time, during which they’ve shown remarkable resilience and courage. At One Animation, we wanted to show up for kids and deliver tools that would alleviate stress, promote mindfulness, and encourage them to get active physically and with their imaginations, and so we put our efforts into creating Oddbods: Busy Bodies – a series to offer kids a chance to release energy and have a few moments to process their feelings.

“As an existing partner of Kidoodle.TV, we’ve seen the platform’s positive uptake and tremendous growth, especially this past year, and we knew this trusted and kid-focused platform would be the ideal place to premiere this hopeful new series.”

Brenda Bisner, CCO for Kidoodle.TV at A Parent Media Co. Inc, added: “The pandemic has challenged our children in multiple ways and the new Oddbods: Busy Bodies show is a great example of not only addressing individuality, but also celebrating it.

“How we get through this looks different for everybody but we can do it together. The mindful techniques this series delivers are a powerful way to integrate a more meaningful and timely form of kindness and understanding into the lives of kids and families. We couldn’t be happier than to be the first to show this original series to millions of kids and families globally.”

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

Genius Brands taps Never Wrong Toys as global master toy partner for Rainbow Rangers

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Genius Brands International has named Never Wrong Toys – a subsidiary of China’s leading toy manufacturer, Markan Industrial Group – as its global master toy partner for the animated series, Rainbow Rangers.

Under the partnership, Never Wrong Toys will develop a broad range of preschool products in the toy category, including dolls and figures, play-sets, plush, vehicles, technology and interactive toys, musical toys, role play and more. It is scheduled to hit the retail market in Q1 2022 to coincide with the premiere of season three on Kartoon Channel.

Rainbow Rangers currently streams on Kartoon Channel but will land on Netflix in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East from July this year. It will also stream on Amazon Prime Direct in the US and the UK, and HBO Lat Am in due course, as well as key broadcasters around the world such as  CCTV (China), Televisa (Mexico), Treehouse(Canada), Cartoonito (Italy), Nine Network (Australia), TVNZ (New Zealand), and HOP (Israel), among others.

“As season three readies for launch on Kartoon Channel! in the fall, season one will begin roll out on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video Direct beginning this July,” said Harold Chizick, president global content sales, marketing and consumer products, Genius Brands.

“We are seeing increasing demand across social media for more ways to interact with the characters and stories of this highly engaging series about seven diverse girls with seven different powers who work together to protect the planet and its animals.”

“Season three is going to have a unique twist on the stories that we are excited to bring to consumer products as well. We are thrilled to partner with Never Wrong Toys to create a brand new comprehensive toy line for global retail distribution that truly reflects the core value of this unique preschool brand and in line with the demands of the market.”

Eva Wong, co-founder, Never Wrong Toys, said: “Rainbow Rangers is a unique original preschool brand that appeals to both girls and boys with its messages of empowerment, friendship, adventure and environmental consciousness, and we are excited to collaborate with Genius Brands to further engagement with the brand through an all-new action-based toy line that will resonate with young kids around the world.”

 Rainbow Rangers is a rescue-based series that follows the adventures of seven girls who are Earth’s first responders – protecting people, animals, resources, and the natural beauty of our world.

Toy Fair NY’s Steve Pasierb | “Brands Untapped” comes to New York to Showcase Toy Brands and Licensing Partners

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Many well-known toy companies have successfully built their properties into iconic global brands that can be found in almost every aisle at retail – spilling out of toys and games into kids’ apparel, backpacks and lunchboxes, cosmetics, school supplies, housewares and more.

As this phenomenon grows, toymakers are also finding creative ways of tapping into older audiences who are either nostalgic for the toy brands they knew and loved as kids, or simply embracing their own inner child, resulting in toy company relationships with high-profile partners spanning the apparel, housewares, food & drink, hospitality, live event, video game, film & TV, and publishing industries.

During Toy Fair New York ’22 (taking place 19 to 22 February), we’ll be celebrating and showcasing these important properties and licensing partnerships in the show’s innovative “Brands Untapped” area at the newly renovated and expanded Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. 

This partnership between The Toy Association and the team at Mojo Nation, who are dedicated to celebrating the creativity of the toy, game, and designer community, assures “Brands Untapped” will be an experience-rich, curated area that will feature multiple activations designed to showcase toy and game brand extensions, product ranges, and licensed interactions. 

An accompanying “Brands Untapped” conference will host talks and panels delving into design stories behind the extensions of well-known toy brands into categories like footwear, video games, and even hotel suites, allowing New York attendees to get an up-close look at the synergistic relationship between toys, play, and licensing – both within children’s product categories and well beyond.  

Our annual New York marketplace continues to expand and evolve to serve a growing range of attendees across everything play at all ages, importantly including licensors and entertainment executives. With licensed products accounting for better than 30 percent of US toy sales, the future is far more than the past’s licensed product stemming just from movies. All forms of content and digital-first brands (originating from streaming platforms, social media, esports, and so on) are having an incredible impact on the business of play, and companies are licensing their own brands and transforming them into household names, following in the footsteps of Barbie, LEGO, Hot Wheels, and many others. 

Each February in New York, seminars on licensing fundamentals, the latest global trends in licensing, and how to evaluate whether a property is ready for licensing play a vital role. The Toy Association’s trends team also tracks and monitors the impact of blockbuster movies, preschool properties, non-linear channels, and original IPs on toys, among other toy and play trends, and their findings will be announced at Toy Fair ‘22.

In addition to licensing activations, content, and trends via “Brands Untapped” and other programming, the global toy & play community continues to tell us they greatly anticipate returning to the Javits Center next February. There will be so much to explore and discover – and even more reasons to celebrate and connect with toy industry colleagues who are passionate about play and entertainment! We look forward to seeing you all at Toy Fair New York 2022. Visit www.ToyFairNY.com for the latest show news.