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Planeta Junior names Paula Taborda dos Guaranys as director of content

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Planeta Junior has bolstered its executive team with the appointment of Paula Taborda dos Guaranys as its director of content. She will lead the creation of a strong content portfolio through co-productions, original productions, and acquisition.

She will report directly to Diego Ibáñez, Planeta Junior’s international commercial director.

Paula Taborda dos Guaranys was the creative and business mind behind the Globo Group children’s channels, responsible for putting Brazil on the map of major kids’ players, closing several coproduction agreements including Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, Paper Port, Trulli Tales, Denver, Power Players, Alice & Lewis, Dronix, and others.

“It is an honour to have the opportunity to work at Grupo Planeta, a communication leader in Spain, and to extend my content expertise from Planeta Junior in Spain throughout the group’s offices in Europe,” she said.

“It’s a brand new start full of challenges and joy and I’d like to thank Ignacio Segura and Diego Ibáñez for entrusting me with this opportunity.”

Paula Taborda’s new role forms part of the Planeta Junior strategy for becoming a global children and youth entertainment company. It currently owns over 350 hours’ co-produced content featuring big name series like Gormiti, Power Players and Squish, with further series in development including: That’s Joey, Milo, Tilly, Superpigs and Pio Rocks.

Egmont is launching a new Milkshake! magazine for early years audiences

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Egmont Publishing is to launch a new Milkshake! magazine later this month, bringing Channel 5’s multi-platform pre-school brand back to the publishing sector.

During its day-part, Milkshake! is the top performing TV segment on a free-to-air channel and is currently experiencing a 15 per cent growth in kids’ viewership year on year.

A compilation magazine for all children who love Milkshake!, Egmont’s new title will be aimed at three to five year olds. In the new Milkshake! magazine, readers can learn and play with their favourite characters including Peppa Pig, PAW Patrol and Thomas & Friends, as well as their favourite Milkshake! presenters too.

All 44 pages of Egmont’s first issue of Milkshake! magazine will be full of pre-school fun, plus an extra eight-page Peppa Pig mini mag and an amazing Peppa Pig shopping set, so Milkshake! readers can extend the world of play and discovery beyond the magazine.

Through Egmont’s own research, Milkshake! magazine’s content will be rooted in Early Years Foundation Stage learning, delivered through fun and play, with Egmont’s Ages and Stages insight to make sure that each page caters to multiple skill levels and abilities.

Over the next twelve months, Milkshake! magazine will be promoted at the end of Milkshake! programmes on air. Milkshake! fans will also be in with a chance to win a year’s worth of the new magazine, as a competition to win subscriptions will run on air and online.

As well as social media advertising across Milkshake! and Egmont platforms, a website takeover for Milkshake! magazine will run on popular parenting website, UKMums.tv.

Kiran Vara, publisher of Milkshake! magazine, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching our take on Milkshake! magazine and to be offering a high-quality magazine to the segment’s 1.6 million monthly viewers.

“We’re sure that the package of Egmont’s lively and engaging editorial, vibrant, contemporary design and quality cover mounts will mean that this new look magazine is a big hit with Milkshakers!”

Issue number one goes on sale on February 12th and is priced at £4.99.

Sanrio extends its partnership with Licensed to Charm for Valentine’s Hello Kitty collection

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Licensed to Charm has extended its partnership with Sanrio to launch a new valentine’s gifting collection of Hello Kitty jewellery.

The new charms are retro-styled and based on the original 1970s Hello Kitty designs, with Kitty holding a bunch of roses along with a love letter, double-sided Hello Kitty winking coin charm, and a magical rainbow.

To create a fresh spring feel, the new pieces come with a bright polished Sterling Silver, or 18ct gold vermeil finish.

“These new charms are a must have for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day gifts, designed with loved ones at heart,” read a statement from Licensed to Charm.

“We know they will be loved as much as we have loved designing them in collaboration with the Sanrio team. Whether you’re a flower fan, want a symbol of love in a letter, want a cheeky winking coin or the rainbow to signify all love is equal – the choice is yours.”

Hello Kitty made its debut in 1974, becoming a cultural icon in the last almost 50 years.

There are eight charms to collect in the first range of the collection, including Seated Hello Kitty, Hello Kitty Face, Peek-a-boo Hello Kitty, Kitty’s Milk Bottle, her Bow, and her Handbag.

SEGA joins forces with Puma to launch latest Sonic sports style collection

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SEGA is once again joining forces with the sports brand Puma to bring Sonic, the world’s fastest hedgehog and the video game maker’s flagship character to the world of sports style fashion.

Launching ahead of the release of the upcoming blockbuster Sonic the Hedgehog movie, SEGA’s famous character will feature in a new collection that plays with the designs and graphics that appear in both the game series and film.

The Puma x Sonic collection consists of the RS-X³ Sonic sneaker in two new colourways with a semi-transparent white or black grid look, bright colour pops and gold accents, available in adult and kids sizes.

The collection is supplemented with the Puma x Sonic hoodie in bright blue or sleek black, and the Puma x Sonic tees with graphics on the front and back as well as a tee with AOP print.

Completing this Puma x Sonic drop, the new collection also offers matching apparel, footwear and accessories for kids, adorned with cool prints and hints of the Sonic universe.

Disrupting the speed of sound with style, the collection hits the shelves globally on Puma.com, at Puma stores and selected retailers on February 7th, while the kids’ collection arrives on February 15th.

Rita Ora to launch own bedding and accessories collection with Ashley Wilde

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Not content with chart success, singer-songwriter and actress, Rita Ora, is making her debut in the textiles sector through the launch of a new interior home collection with the textile experts, Ashley Wilde.

The collaboration was brokered by Attachment Licensing and will see a collection of luxurious bedding and accessories launch this month. It will ‘provide an unrivalled opportunity for her fan base to have a part of their favourite superstar in their home.’

The collection will comprise six unique designs, each inspired by one of Ora’s many loves and reflects the glamorous style she is renowned for.

The designs are available in Single, Double, King and Super King sizes, complete with complementary pillowcases. All designs have accompanying decorative cushions and throws, adorned in lavish trimmings to complete the luxurious look.

It will be stocked at major UK retailers including Amara, Shop Direct, Next, House of Fraser, Seymour’s, Fishpools and Leekes, and exclusive to Myer in Australia. Launching on February 10th, bedding sets will retail from £65 to £134 and accessories from £34 to £120.

The collection will be available for an exclusive pre-sale to fans from ritaorahome.com from February, Thursday 6th.

“I’m so excited to launch my first bedding collection. Interiors are a passion of mine and it’s been fun to be able to incorporate my favourite things into the designs,” said Ora.

“I hope people love the collection as much as I do. It’s comfortable with a touch of luxe, with colours that are warm and calming; perfect to make your bedroom a sanctuary.”

Charlotte Clisby, managing director at Attachment Licensing, added: “This partnership is a brilliant example of how effective working with global superstars can be. When there is authenticity, originality and integrity in a new talent led brand, matched with a pioneer in their consumer product category, there really is no boundaries.

“That’s what Attachment Licensing is excited by and this is the perfect example. Working with both Rita & Ashley Wilde has been nothing short of brilliant, this is just the start of very big things to come.”

Marc Strong, Brand Director at Ashley Wilde Group, concluded: Ashley Wilde Group is thrilled to add the esteemed celebrity, Rita Ora, to our roster of established lifestyle home brands. We’re very pleased to partner with the globally respected artist as she begins this new venture, to launch her first bedding collection with the support of our industry expertise and exceptionally talented design team.”

Pokémon soars at UK and German retail as both toys and trading cards ‘enjoy best year ever’

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Sales of both the Pokémon Trading Card Game and toys from Wicked Cool Toys soared at retail across the UK and Germany throughout 2019, according to the latest figures revealed by NPD.

The Pokémon Company has reported year on year sales that ‘continue to be substantially above the market average’ for Pokémon in what has become somewhat of a regular achievement for the brand in recent years.

According to figures recorded by the NPD Group Toys retail tracking service, total UK toy sales for Pokémon in 2019 were up 24.1 per cent against an overall market downturn of 7.1 per cent, while Germany recorded a remarkable 100.6 per cent increase in sales against market growth of just 3.3 per cent.

The Wicked Cool Toys range is distributed in the UK and Ireland by Character Options and in Germany by BOTI.

Meanwhile, in Strategic Card Games (SCG), Pokémon continues to be the category market leader with the number one slot in both the UK and Germany. UK sales were up 30.8 per cent – almost double the total market, which grew by 17 per cent, while in Germany the increase was an impressive 98.8 per cent, which helped the market to achieve total growth of 71.7 per cent.

Pokémon generates over 50 per cent of the total revenue of the top 14 best-performing SCG brands in the UK, and more than triple that of the 14 next best-selling brands combined in Germany. The Pokémon TCG is distributed by Asmodee in the UK and by Amigo in Germany.

“In another fantastic year for Pokémon, we are delighted to see an ever-growing appetite for our product,” said Mathieu Galante, licensing director (EMEA) for The Pokémon Company International.

“Wicked Cool Toys’ innovative and extended toy range is really connecting with fans, coupled with huge demand for tie-in products from the hugely popular Pokémon Detective Pikachu film. We also enjoyed great success from yet another first this year with our new video games Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, when the first partner Pokémon plush were available to buy from selected retailers on the same release date as the VG for the first time ever.

“With an even bigger toy line to showcase at this year’s key top toy shows, which we expect to do just as well, we are very excited for 2020.”

Simon Benton, vice president of Pokémon TCG sales for Europe, added: “We had one of our best-ever years at retail in 2019 with exciting consumer promotions and highly impactful permanent and temporary space solutions that capitalised on the incredible TCG content and elevated Pokémon brand profile throughout the year.

“With the first Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield expansion launching at retail on February 7th, supported by major retail promotions and media campaigns, 2020 will see TCG sales achieve new records. We’re looking forward to a successful year with our distribution and retail partners and thank them for their ongoing support.”

The global phenomenon of Pokémon was first launched in Japan in 1996 as a role-playing game for Nintendo’s Game Boy system and reached the United States and Europe in 1998–99.

Pokémon has since grown into one of the most popular entertainment properties in the world, encompassing video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), mobile games and apps, animation and movies, Play! Pokémon competitive events and licensed products.

It is recognised as one of the most successful video game franchises of all time with more than 340 million video games sold worldwide. In addition, more than 22 billion TCG cards have been shipped to 77 countries in 13 languages, while the mobile game sensation Pokémon GO has received more than one billion downloads globally since launching in 2016.

More than 1,000 episodes of the animated TV series span 22 seasons, licensed for broadcast in 169 countries and regions in more than 30 languages.

Surprise results at Funko as Q4 2019 financials take 8 per cent dip

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In a surprise turn of events in the narrative of the pop culture specialist, Funko has detailed lower than expected net sales of $214m in its preliminary fourth quarter 2019 results.

The company reported its preliminary financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 this week, showing that it expected to see a decrease of eight per cent compared to the $233m is totalled in Q4 2018.

Net sales were below expectations in mature markets, including in the US, due to the challenging retail environment, which according to the firm, resulted in lower than expected purchases among Funko’s top customers over Christmas.

The lack of big hitting, box office films through 2019 has also been highlighted as a reason for the decrease. These factors more than offset the strong growth that Funko had seen in Europe, as well as the strength of the Loungefly brand during the quarter.

“While we are disappointed in our fourth quarter results, we are confident that our strong track record of innovation through new product categories and properties, as well as continued international expansion, will continue to propel the company in 2020 and beyond,” said Brian Mariotti, chief executive officer.

“The underlying strength of our Pop! And Loungefly brands, combined with Funko’s unique ability to leverage evergreen properties will enable the company to achieve high-single-digit to low-double-digit sales growth in 2020.

“Since 2017, we have grown sales at a compound annual rate of more than 20 per cent. The key drivers that have fuelled our growth and brought Funko to where it is today remain intact. Looking forward, we plan to continue investing in existing and new products, people and global operations to ensure the company is positioned for long-term success.”

Pop!, Loungefly and new product introductions in toys and games have all been highlighted as drivers for the company’s growth throughout 2020.

Funko will report its fourth quarter and full year financial results after the market closes on Thursday, march 5th this year.

Original Stormtroopers march upon UK retail with more food and drink partnerships

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Shepperton Design Studios has unleashed an army of galactic delicacies upon the nation’s biggest retailers this year, with the launch of a range of Original Stormtroopers licensed foods and drinks.

Complementing an already successful line of cakes and beer from BBF and The Sourceror, the company – through partnerships brokered by its licensing agent Golden Goose – has unveiled a swathe of new treats, including Original Stormtrooper Easter Eggs, pancakes, and hot sauces.

Modern Gourmet Foods will be helping sci-fi fans kick off lent with its stormtrooper-shaped pancakes, or spice things up a bit with its selection of hot sauces in Stormtrooper-shaped bottles.

The Original Stormtrooper Easter Egg can be found on the shelves of M&S, the Original Stormtrooper cake from BBF is in Asda, and the new Original Stormtrooper Lightspeed Pilsner is currently in Morrisons.

Modern Gourmet Foods will be launching its range on Amazon and selected stores later in the year.

Adam Bass of Golden Goose, said: “The Original Stormtrooper licensing programme continues to move forward at pace adapting to consumer demand and market innovation. Now that the Original Stormtrooper’s quirky, eccentric and unique personality is well established, we look forward to taking the licensing programme from strength to strength in 2020 and beyond.”

Brand Licensing Europe opens applications for 2020’s Retail Mentoring Programme

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Brand Licensing Europe has opened applications for this year’s Retail Mentoring Programme, marking the tenth year of the initiative that helps introduce UK retailers to the licensing scene.

To date, the programme has seen over 300 industry professionals take part since its launch in 2011, with a record-breaking 80 participants in 2019, an increase of 48 per cent over the 2018 edition.

“The Retailing Mentoring Programme offers an in-depth introduction into the world of licensing and unique access to some of the industry’s most important players,” said Anna Knight, VP, Global Licensing Group.

“The wealth of expertise and insight on offer to buyers, creatives and managers is immense. That we’ve seen so many people across a range of sectors participate in the programme, demonstrates its value and scope, with the 2020 edition set to be the best yet.”

An opportunity for retailers to learn about the benefits and fundamentals of licensing, BLE’s Retail Mentoring Programme is a Continuing Professional Development accredited course offering insight into the licensing industry to help retail teams gain a competitive edge when identifying new brand partners and negotiating licensing deals.

The Retail Mentoring Programme runs from the spring until Brand Licensing Europe and is delivered through workshops, seminars and one-to-one consultancy sessions. Valued at £499, the programme is offered free to qualifying retailers.

In addition to the course, participants will also receive a place at the Licensing Essentials Course and Spring Fling in May, organised in conjunction with Licensing International; an invitation to judge the Licensing Awards organised by Max Events; a place at the Retail Mentoring Programme’s closing Licensing for Retail conference, and access to exclusive retail content at BLE, including the retail trends lounge.

Those taking part will also receive a day with a licensor to help them understand licensing from the brand-owner side, as well as receiving tips on how to work effectively with some of the world’s best-known properties and agents.

Previous hosts have included eOne, NBCUniversal, Natural History Museum, Penguin, The Point.1888, and Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products.

Emma Edwards, buyer for four to 14 girls wear at Asda George described enrolling on the 2019 edition of the Retail Mentoring Programme as “the best way I could’ve been introduced into the world of licensing.”

“There was so much opportunity on the course to learn from industry professionals and the seminars really did offer a wealth of key and concise information in such a short amount of time,” she said.

Retailers can apply to take part in the programme online. BLE welcomes applications from:

 

  • Buyers, designers, merchandisers and marketers with existing licensing programmes
  • Buyers, designers, merchandisers and marketers engaged in licensing but want further development
  • Teams who would like to learn how to develop their licensing relationships
  • Teams looking for cross-category opportunities
  • Individuals new to retail and hoping to develop their career and expertise within licensing

35 retailers participated in the 2019 Retail Mentoring Programme including: Amazon, Asda George, Character.com, The Entertainer, Fat Face, Hamleys, John Lewis, Jo Jo Maman Bebe, M&Co, Moonpig, Morrisons Nutmeg, Next, Pep & Co, River Island, Sainsbury’s Argos, Sainsbury’s Tu, Tesco and Truffle Shuffle.

Young Adult fantasy brand The Red Harlequin lands audiobook, graphic novel, and TV partners

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The Young Adult fantasy brand, The Red Harlequin has secured a trio if multimedia deals, spanning an audiobook agreement, a new graphic novel publishing deal, and a TV development partnership.

The tranche of new partnerships arrive as Pantomimus Media – brand owners of The Red Harlequin IP – looks to build out a further reaching licensing programme for the fictional fantasy brand.

Under the deal, Dreamscape Media LLC will develop an audiobook series, Broken Icon Comics will deliver a series of graphic novels, and Omnifilm Entertainment will begin developments of a new action adventure fantasy series for television.

Dreamscape Media offers distribution, marketing, and production services for audiobooks, eBooks, film, and documentaries.

Releasing in May 2020, all five books in the series will be available everywhere audiobooks are sold including Amazon, Audible, Recorded Books, iTunes, Google, Overdrive, and dozens of other digital audiobook resellers.

The Red Harlequin audiobook collection will be also available on hoopla digital to over 5 million registered library patrons, Midwest Tape’s mobile and online service for public libraries. The YA Fantasy novels will join hoopla digital’s collection of more than 750,000 eBooks, audiobooks, albums, movies and television shows.

Meanwhile, Broken Icon Comics – one of the fastest growing independent comic companies in the industry – has acquired US print rights to the brand. The first two volumes will make up BIC’s tentpole summer releases with media blitzes leading up to their launch at San Diego Comic Con, the largest comic convention in the world.

The books will be available for bookstores to order through BIC’s partner printer and the wholesale book registry, and to comic stores through their direct distribution channels.

“The Red Harlequin Volume I sets up a world riven with war, and the political and religious elites that control the fates of all men and women,” said Nick Wentland, creative coordinator, Broken Icon Comics.

“Fast paced and driven by the struggles of society, identity, and what it takes to survive,The Red Harlequin is a tale so powerful, one cannot help but be drawn into the world from the very first page. A perfect blend of fantasy world-building, religion and magic, political intrigue, and character driven stories, it’s a must read for those who love unique and dramatic graphic novels.”

Finally, the development agreement with Omnifilm will work towards creating a high-end action adventure fantasy series. Scriptwriter and showrunner Robert Butler, recent BAFTA winner for Creeped Out, and Rick Porras (co-producer of The Lord of the Rings) are attached to the project.

Brian Hamilton, principal and executive producer, Omnifilm, stated: “Audiences are hungry for stories which connect epic fantasy and escapism with the issues of today. The Red Harlequin book series was made for television and has serious international potential. Omnifilm is honoured to be working with such a talented team.”

Roberto Ricci, creator and director, Pantomimus Media, concluded: “I am very excited to partner with companies that not only excel in their field, but also share our creative vision for developing The Red Harlequin as a global entertainment property.

“With its established track record, Omnifilm is perfectly positioned to forge a solid TV platform for the series, and Dreamscape is on the cutting edge of audio/video storytelling which – together with Broken Icon’s comic readers – opens up new avenues to reach new fans: a truly multi-platform approach.”