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Special ‘Miraculous’ episode to highlight the issue of plastic pollution

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International non-profit the Breteau Foundation – which provides quality education tools to disadvantaged children worldwide – has announced a partnership with independent animation studios ZAG and ON kids & family (Mediawan Group) to collaborate on a special episode of the global hit animated series Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir to raise awareness about the global plastic crisis. 

To be released in spring 2023, the episode, which will reach millions of Miraculous fans around the globe, seeks to inspire the next generation to be sustainable changemakers in the fight against plastic.

In the special episode, Marinette, Adrien and their friends want to actively fight plastic pollution in Paris, but as a small group, the task seems just too enormous. It occurs to Marinette that they should try to fix the problem at the root, by trying to meet with the largest plastic manufacturer in person and convince him to change his habits. But the heroes are about to meet an opponent in plain clothes far more fearsome than some of the supervillains they encounter! And what if, on top of that, Monarch, the super villain, decides to akumatize the baron of plastic?

The Breteau Foundation initiated the collaboration with ZAG and ON kids & family (Mediawan Group) in 2020 after searching for an entertainment partner with a strong presence among children. ZAG and ON kids & family (Mediawan Group) are producing the special episode on reducing plastic, and the Breteau Foundation will work with them to enhance the script with key educational messages. Furthermore, the Breteau Foundation is developing an accompanying series of workshops that will include lesson plans, teaching resources and STEAM learning tools catered to local primary school curriculums and available to download for free.

“At the Breteau Foundation, we believe in providing opportunities for children to become engaged in real-world issues that transcend classroom walls. Partnering with Miraculous to produce a special episode on plastic was a unique opportunity for us to reach millions of children worldwide to raise awareness on the global plastic crisis and inspire them to become active change makers,” says Sebastien Breteau, Founder of the Breteau Foundation.

“We are sensitive to ecology and environmental protection through the actions we plan to launch shortly within our future foundation ZAG Forest,” adds Jeremy Zag, Founder and CEO, ZAG. “In this context, it seemed obvious to us to participate in the initiative of the Breteau Foundation and to put our heroes at the service of this cause. Ladybug and Cat Noir are the best ambassadors of tomorrow’s issues and will be able to accompany children in their mission to create a better world.”

“We are very happy to get involved with the Breteau Foundation in an absolutely essential initiative: to enable our children to be aware of current issues and to protect the future of the planet,” says Aton Soumache, Founder and President of ON kids & family. “This message will be all the more powerful as it is carried by Ladybug, a heroine as famous as she is aspirational. The DNA of our series and the values it conveys are naturally in line with the issues defended by the Breteau Foundation.”

The educational film and workshops will be accessible for free on the Breteau Foundation website in spring 2023, available initially in six languages:  English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and Norwegian.

For more information, head to this link on the Breteau Foundation website.

 

Wurlitzer partners with LMCA to extend the brand into new categories

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WURLITZER, the iconic German-American brand known for its innovative musical instruments and equipment, has appointed global brand extension licensing agency LMCA to extend its brand into new categories in audio, music and entertainment areas.

LMCA will draw on the brand’s legacy in music innovation and long-lasting craftsmanship to extend WURLITZER’s footprint into new areas for the music enthusiast in North America and Europe.

Gudrun Wurlitzer, President of WURLITZER, says: “We are overjoyed to partner with LMCA to create new opportunities for our fans to experience WURLITZER. WURLITZER is our family’s brand and we have been making musical instruments and products since 1659. Through licensed product extensions, the company’s original brand mission of bringing people together through the joy of music will continue to live on and inspire music lovers in new and exciting ways.”

Ciarán Coyle, CEO of LMCA, adds: “We are delighted to be working with WURLITZER, an iconic, fun, and engaging musical powerhouse, to extend the brand into new and creative areas. WURLITZER’s reputation and influence in music and culture, and its unique designs, offer significant opportunities to create beautiful products that offer relevant, new touchpoints for consumers. We look forward to working alongside the Wurlitzer family to build out a successful international licensing programme.”

Hot Wheels is latest Mattel IP heading for the big screen

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Mattel and Warner Bros. Pictures have announced that J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot will produce Hot Wheels, a live-action motion picture featuring the iconic toy racing car.

“As the global leader in car culture, Hot Wheels has been igniting the challenger spirit in auto enthusiasts for generations,” says Robbie Brenner, Executive Producer, Mattel Films. “Fans of all ages are now in for the ride of their lives with the incredible talent of J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot joining us alongside Warner Bros. Pictures to transform Hot Wheels’ legendary IP into a thrilling story for the big screen.”

Hot Wheels is the #1 selling toy in the world, with over 8 billion vehicles sold. The franchise has proven its influence through unparalleled collaborations with global leaders in automotive, streetwear, fashion, luxury, entertainment, gaming, action sports and motorsports.

“Growing up, Hot Wheels were more than just cars, they were vehicles for our imaginations,” says Peter Dodd, Vice President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures. “Today, we at Warner Bros. are thrilled to bring that imagination to the big screen with Robbie Brenner and the creative team at Mattel along with the ingenious minds of J.J. Abrams, Hannah Minghella and the team at Bad Robot.”

Hannah Minghella, Bad Robot’s President of Motion Pictures, adds: “Before Hot Wheels became the global household name it is today, it was the dream of Elliot Handler, who was inventing and building toy cars at home in his Southern California garage. It’s that imagination, passion, and risk-taking spirit that we want to capture in this film.”

Kevin McKeon, Vice President, and Andrew Scannell, Creative Executive, will lead the project for Mattel Films. Peter Dodd will lead the project for Warner Bros. Pictures. Hannah Minghella and Jon Cohen will oversee for Bad Robot.Mattel Films and Warner Bros. Pictures are also partners on the upcoming motion picture, Barbie. Now in principal photography, the film is targeted for theatrical release in 2023. The film stars and is produced by Margot Robbie under her Lucky Chap Entertainment banner and directed by Greta Gerwig, who also wrote the screenplay alongside her husband Noah Baumbach.

In addition to Hot Wheels, the Mattel Films development slate features movies based on American Girl, Barbie, Barney, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the Universe, Polly Pocket, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View Master, and Wishbone. Mattel Films is also developing Christmas Balloon, based on all-new IP.

RHS continues homeware expansion with Sofas & Stuff partnership

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Continuing the successful expansion of the RHS brand into homeware, the Royal Horticultural Society has announced a major new partnership with British company Sofas & Stuff Ltd, a creator of bespoke sofas, chairs, beds, footstools and more.

The agreement will see RHS-inspired designs adapted for fabrics that can be used across any of the Sofas & Stuff range of handmade furniture, or purchased as fabrics for curtains and blinds or other soft furnishing projects.

Titled the RHS 22 Fabric Collection, the designs will be based on the vast range of assets available to RHS licensees from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world’s finest collection of botanical art. The RHS 22 Fabric Collection draws from a broad span of the RHS archive, taking inspiration from botanical artists and garden designers from the 17th through to the 20th centuries.

The new collection will be exclusively previewed at the Soane House Installation, Stand AR597, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show between 23 and 28 May 2022.

Sofas & Stuff was chosen by the RHS not just for the durability, quality and British craftsmanship essential to its output but also for its strong environmental credentials. The company is committed to creating and promoting eco-friendly furniture; this includes sustainable sofas and fabrics and cushions made from recycled plastic.

The collection will be available to purchase exclusively through Sofas & Stuff, both in-store at the company’s 20 showrooms across England and Scotland, and online. Details of availability will follow in due course.

Andrew Cussins, Founder of Sofas & Stuff, says: “It was a real honour to be given the opportunity to delve into the world-renowned horticultural archives of this great British charity to select drawings and designs I could rework to create the first official fabric collection in collaboration with this iconic heritage organisation. Our customers expect quality, diversity and richness in design, and we are excited to be unveiling a preview of the RHS 22 Fabric Collection at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, showcasing the designs in a situation that reflects both their origin and inspiration.”

Cathy Snow, Licensing Manager, RHS, says: “Sofas & Stuff craftspeople are true experts in making and upholstering bespoke sofas, chairs, beds and sofa beds, and these glorious new fabric designs are a delight. This is British craftmanship of the highest quality and we are delighted to endorse it – and indeed, to help inspire it.”

CluedUpp Games introduces new Smurfs experience

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IMPS and CluedUpp Games have announced a brand new licensing agreement that will transform hundreds of cities into a giant Smurf-tastic experience in 2023.

In a number of city-wide events, players will immerse themselves in a unique experience which combines augmented reality with the physical world to turn their hometown into the setting of a brand new Smurfs adventure. Exploring city streets, solving wacky challenges, and meeting their favourite Smurfs characters along the way, players will attempt to save the day from the evil wizard Gargamel.

Tref Griffiths, founder and CEO of CluedUpp Games, says: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be developing a new range of events alongside such an iconic brand as The Smurfs. This partnership presents a wonderful opportunity for families to explore their city and discover The Smurfs in a completely new and exciting way.”

Véronique Culliford, President of IMPS and daughter of Peyo, the creator of the Smurfs, commented: “We’re so excited about this new collaboration with CluedUpp Games. Getting together and having fun, this is what every Smurf likes to do. We can’t wait to see blue waves of Smurfs fans from all around the world exploring their city and thwarting Gargamel’s plans.”

Events are scheduled to take place in more than 800 cities and over 20 countries worldwide. Tickets will go on sale to the public from October 2022.

Reemsborko signs on as EMEA agent for Gloomy Bear, All Purpose Bunny and Mimi & Neko

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Reemsborko, the licensing agency specialising in animé and animé-adjacent properties, comics, films, TV and tattoo art, has teamed with Octas to bring Mori Chack’s Gloomy Bear and other IPs to EMEA.

Created by Japanese illustrator Mori Chack in 2000, the cute-yet-edgy, cuddly-but-violent Gloomy Bear took hold when counter-culture enthusiasts embraced him as the perfect antithesis to the typically cute but harmless kawaii characters loved by the mainstream.

Now, fueled by 30 short humorous animé episodes that will stream everywhere, Gloomy Bear is being licensed around the globe, with Funko, Bioworld, Isaac Morris, ID Supply, GE Animation and Fossil already on board as partners.

A long-form Gloomy Bear anime series is also planned, which will stream globally.

Other Mori Chack properties that will be represented by Reemsborko across EMEA include All Purpose Bunny – a genetically modified test-lab rabbit with strange properties and unnaturally long ears, who finally retaliated against humans for years of abuse. All Purpose Bunny and Gloomy Bear often team up to attack humans and get their revenge.

Also included in the Mori Chack portfolio are Mimi and Neko, a friendly duo of a cat and a bunny with cute bum cheeks as their charm point. Their origin story begins with Mimi and Neko as regular pets who aspired to become human. Suddenly, a magic star came along and granted their wish – but the wish was only 50 per cent effective. Mimi & Neko now have hands and feet, and distinctly cute behinds.

Max Arguile of Reemsborko commented: “Reemsborko continues to sign the most interesting IP out there. Octas are masters in securing very cool properties that will delight anime fans everywhere. There are some great partners on board already and if this looks right for you, please email max@reemsborko.com.”

Vince Shortino of Octas commented: “Octas brings Japanese artists and their IP to the world. We are delighted to have Reemsborko as the agent for all our cherished properties and look forward to the hustle they will bring.”

Octas was established in 2018 by Shortino, the founder of Crunchyroll Japan. With a mission to connect Japanese creators and their IP directly to fans around the world, Octas provides artists with collaboration opportunities, marketing support, brand management and business development.

 

 

 

VeryNeko creates magic with Fantastic Beasts collection

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VeryNeko, “the home of all things cute and retro”,  has launched an exclusive clothing collection based on The Wizarding World. The range launches in line with the latest instalment of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, which landed in cinemas at the beginning of April, and joins a host of other Wizarding-world items on the VeryNeko website.

The new range includes a range of oversized tees, a hoodie and a sweatshirt, and four reversible bucket hats that feature the colours and crests of the Hogwarts houses.

The clothing pieces have been inspired by the origins of the Wizarding World, embossed with books such as ‘Jinxes for the Jixed’, ‘Sonnet of a Sorcerer’ and ‘Extreme Incantations’. The hoodie features the crest of the ‘International Confederation of Wizards’ on its chest, whilst the Dumbledore crest is also recognisable on items in the collection.

The collection is available exclusively on VeryNeko with prices starting at £7.99.

Miraculous and Bing join tonies® lineup

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tonies®, the leading children’s audio system, has three new releases lined up for May: Pride Tales, Bing and Miraculous.

Ladybug and Cat Noir fans will be excited for the new Miraculous Tonie (ages 6+), set to bring superhero adventures to life on the Toniebox. Find out how the pair became their city-saving superhero personas with a little help from the Kwamis, with flashbacks based on the original episodes from the hit TV show.

Bing makes his debut on top of the Toniebox this month, with a collection of stories aimed at kids aged 3 and up, featuring Bing, his carer Flop and all their friends. The new Bing Tonie features dialogue from the original episodes paired with songs from the popular series. With a running time of almost an hour, it’s guaranteed to be a hit with preschoolers.

Ahead of Pride Month in June, tonies® is launching ‘Pride Tales’ (4+), an exclusive collection of LGBTQ+ stories, poems and songs. This Tonie offers the perfect way to explain different stories of love to young children, and to encourage them to always follow their own rainbow.

For more information, visit https://tonies.com/en-gb/

MAD:BOXX to release the latest officially licensed Popeye NFT series

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Popeye the Sailor Man is partnering with UNDONE, the world’s leading custom watch brand, and MADworld to release an NFT collection across Asia.

The POPEYE METAVERSE MADNESS tells the story of Popeye in different parallels, where the balance of time and space is broken and chaos occurs. The programme will include more than 4,000 Popeye character variations dressed in an assortment of costumes, set against a variety of backgrounds, and released in the form of algorithmically generated NFTs. The deal was brokered by MEDIALINK, Popeye brand owner King Features’ local agent in China.

The first drop of 2000 Popeye NFTs will be sold in the form of MAD:BOXX blind boxes, to help ensure random distribution of the NFTs across all three tiers and create a fair environment for buyers.

The Whitelisted Mint date will be on May 18, 2022. The Public Mint date will be on May 20, 2022. Information regarding the whitelisting campaign, minting link, and scheduling will be released in a later official announcement.

 

 

LEGO Group debuts Star Wars Luke Skywalker Landspeeder set

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The LEGO Group has announced the new LEGO Star Wars Luke Skywalker Landspeeder set – the latest in the LEGO Ultimate Collector Series (UCS). A faithful recreation of Luke’s battered vehicle, the new 1,890-piece model is designed to appeal to Star Wars and LEGO fans alike.

In the Star Wars universe, X-34 Landspeeders are typical civilian transports, designed to withstand the roughest terrains. The Landspeeder was first seen in Star Wars: A New Hope, where Luke used the vehicle extensively as part of his farm work, travelling across Tatooine’s harsh deserts. Accompanied by C-3PO, Luke used the Landspeeder to locate R2-D2, when he was discovered by Obi-Wan Kenobi.  It was also the vehicle they were travelling in when Obi-Wan used a Jedi mind trick to get past stormtroopers guarding entry into Mos Eisley. Eventually Luke sold the Landspeeder to pay for his transport to the planet Alderaan.

The LEGO Star Wars Luke Skywalker Landspeeder building set is 49cm long when complete and features the two-seater cockpit, the turbine engine without a cover, the iconic curved cockpit windscreen and an exclusive C-3PO minifigure (with 2K moulded legs and a side print) and Luke minifigure – complete with lightsaber.

The new set forms part of the LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series sets, which also include the Millennium Falcon, the A-Wing, the Republic Gunship, and the recently released AT-AT.

The Landspeeder building set has been created by LEGO set designer César Carvalhosa Soares, who says: “It’s been an amazing adventure creating Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder in LEGO brick form. It is such an iconic vehicle in the Star Wars saga. We’ve ensured no detail has been forgotten and have even included some of the scratches.  The finished product makes an incredible display and is the perfect addition to the UCS collection.”

The LEGO Star Wars Landspeeder set is available for LEGO VIPs (LEGO.com/VIP) from 1 May 2022 and everyone from 4 May 2022 from LEGO Stores and at LEGO.com/star-wars, at the recommended retail price of $199.99 / £174.99 / € 199.99.