PAW Patrol, Bakugan, and a strong preschool line up drive ‘exceptional’ Q2 performance for Spin Master

Another global toy company and another ‘exceptional second quarter performance’ rings in this week, as Spin Master joins the ranks of those experiencing Q2 2021 revenue surges.

Total revenue for the Canada-based toy maker increased 39 per cent this past quarter to hit $390.8 million, up from the $281.1 million it posted in the same period last year, with gross product sales growing 27.2 per cent, driven by higher sales in preschool and girls and boys.

Broken down market by market, gross product sales across Europe grew 23.7 per cent on last year, 23.7 per cent in North America, and 58.2 per cent in its Rest of World market.

“Our strong financial performance this quarter reflects our success in creating exceptional play experiences for children and their families across toys, entertainment, and digital games,” said Max Rangel, Spin Master’s global president and chief executive officer.

“By leveraging this strength of each creative centre, we are differentiating Spin Master in the children’s entertainment space. We are well positioned for the second half with an amazing toy line up, growth in our digital games franchise, and the highly anticipated release of PAW Patrol: The Movie, our first foray into feature films.

“Looking to the future, we are focused on adapting to the changing dynamics of play through innovation, customer driven decision making, partnerships and relentless drive to reimagine where imagination can take us, all while delivering profitable growth for our shareholders.”

Driven primarily by preschool and girls and boys sectors, Spin Master’s gross product sales increased by $70.3 million to hit $352.9 million for Q2 2021. Preschool and Girls grew by 60 per cent thanks to increased sales of PAW Patrol, as well as Gabby’s Dollhouse and Present Pets.

Activities, Games and Puzzles, and Plush decreased by $1.8 million. The decline was driven primarily by the Games and Puzzles portfolio, offset in part by sales of Rubik’s, Influencer, GUND, and Orbeez.

Gross product sales in Boys increased by $23.6 million driven by sales of Bakugan, Tech Deck, and Monster Jam RC. This was partially offset by declines in DreamWorks Dragons.

The outdoor product sector decreased by $1.1million.

In first half of the year terms, total revenue at Spin Master has increased 39.1 per cent on the six months ended June 30th, 2020. Gross product sales have increased by $129.2 million to hit $653.7 million.

Mark Segal, Spin Master’s chief financial officer, said: “We delivered very strong financials and operating performance this quarter.

“Our revenue trajectory continued to strengthen, driven by accelerating momentum in our Digital Games and Entertainment creative centres, which drove margin expansion and we are raising our total revenue outlook for the year.

“We remain committed to our financial framework for value creation, underpinned by our formula for innovation and global growth across toys, entertainment, and digital games.”

Warner Bros and DC launch first AR Batman mobile app featuring digital comics, games and more

Warner Bros Consumer Products and DC Comics have lifted the cowl on a new Batman mobile experience for young fans with the launch of the DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition app – a free mobile app that immerses fans in a story that takes a deep dive into the technology of the caped crusader.

The new app encourages kids to join Batman’s crime-fighting team, the Knightwatch, and experience a first of its kind augmented reality immersion in the world of the Dark Knight himself, learning how to use his Bat Tech to fight crime and defend Gotham City from his evil adversaries.

COPPA compliant, free to use and available in 13 different languages, the new app experience is DC and Warner Bros Consumer Products’ latest leap into the digital space to bring young fans a fully interactive and immersive dive into the world of the DC Super Heroes.

The Joker, Mr Freeze, The Riddler, and other DC Super-Villains each make an appearance in the narrative-driven app game, while in addition to learning about Batman’s technology through the app’s AR storytelling features, kids can play mini games, transform photos with AR face filters and stickers, and read exclusive digital comics.

Fans will also be able to watch Batman Bat-Tech themed video content and gain access to the Batcomputer, the super-computer where Batman’s tech secrets are stored.

“Batman is one of our most important franchises, so bringing together the DC and Warner Bros. Consumer Products teams to develop this app featuring his fan-favorite gadgets and crime-fighting tech was a chance for us to give fans yet another way to engage with a favorite DC Super Hero,” said Pam Lifford, president, WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences.

“The app creates a truly unique experience that gives kids around the world a chance to immerse themselves in the DC Universe — there’s no other app like it available today.”

Kevin Morris, vice president, franchise management and marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, added: “The Batman mobile app showcases Batman’s innovative technology, using augmented reality like never before, and gives kids a way to unlock the mystery behind Batman’s crime-fighting gadgets.

“Kids can now experience being a DC Super Hero alongside Batman, and while learning and playing they can also help save Gotham City.”

At launch, the DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition app features Augmented Reality mission to complete as kids become members of Batman’s new Knightwatch team, Mini Games such as the Batman themed mobile driving game, the Batarang Practice campaign, or the Grapnel Launcher game, AR face filters featuring Batman, The Joker, Batgirl, and more, and Sticker packs that kids can use to decorate photos.

The app, meanwhile, will also house Batman Bat-Tech video content delivered through its connection to the popular DCKids’ YouTube channel. A new series titled Batman Science Lab will launch this autumn, exploring the real world application of Batman’s technology.

New missions, games, filters, sticker packs, and video content will be added and updated on a regular basis.

On top of all of this, the DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition app will host an exclusive digital comic series – Batman – Knightwatch, through which kids can explore how the Knightwatch programme was created and follow along with Batman and his Super Hero team as they take on Gotham City’s Super-Villains.

Fans can download the DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition today and help Batman save Gotham City.  Available for free on the App Store and the Google Play store, the app is playable on both tablets and smart phones. The app is available globally and is localized in 13 different languages.

Jazwares appoints new commercial and licensing director amid continued ambitious plans for European growth

As part of the company’s ambitious and ongoing growth strategy for the European market, toy maker and licensing specialist, Jazwares, has appointed a new European Commercial Director and European Licensing Director.

After almost two decades at Argos and Sainsburys, most recently as the Buying Manager for Sports, Leisure, Outdoor Toys & Nursery, Matt Stent joins Jazwares as its new European Commercial Director, reporting into Jonny Taylor, SVP Europe. Stent will be responsible for growing Jazwares’ business in Europe both through its regional offices and third-party distributors.

Meanwhile, Sam Bourne, the former Head of Licensing and Brand at Rubie’s Masquerade, brings a wealth of experience within licensed consumer goods to her new role as European Licensing Director. Reporting into Global VP of Licensing, Sam Ferguson, her role will focus on ensuring Jazwares delivers commercial value and results to global licensing partners, as the business continues to grow.

In addition to both of these appointments, Jazwares has expanded its UK team with a further ten hires to fill newly created positions across licensing, sales, marketing, operations, and business intelligence.

“We are thrilled to be adding such strong talent to our team, to match our growth both in the UK and across Europe,”  said Jonny Taylor, SVP Europe. “Exciting times ahead.”

Mattel welcomes Oxford Vaccine professor Dame Sarah Gilbert to its Barbie Role Model line-up

Vaccinologist and a member of the team behind the development of the Oxford vaccine, Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert has been welcomed into the ranks of Barbie Role Model by Mattel, who has honoured the scientist with the production of a Barbie in her own likeness.

Professor Gilbert is the Saϊd Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford and Project Leader for ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 which is now in use in many countries around the world.

In recognition of her achievements, Mattel has not only produced a Barbie in her own likeness to be a part of the Barbie Role Model line-up, but is to make a donation to Professor Gilbert’s chosen STEM-focused organisation, WISE (Women in Science & Engineering) in the UK. The organisation supports the outreach resource, My Skills My Life; created to inspire girls to consider a career in STEM.

The programme allows girls to explore personality types and matches them with relatable role models who have rewarding and successful careers in STEM, ultimately, opening eyes and minds to the endless possibilities in STEM.

Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert said: “I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls into STEM careers and hope that children who see my Barbie will realise how vital careers in science are to help the world around us. My wish is that my doll will show children careers they may not be aware of, like a Vaccinologist.”

WISE analysis highlights that just 24 per cent of the STEM roles across the UK are taken up by women and highlights the wide recognition that women are underrepresented globally in STEM fields.

The Barbie brand has detailed its own commitment to the cause, recognising Professor Gilber among five other STEM and healthcare professionals around the world who have worked tirelessly in the fight against Covid-19 since the pandemic began.

The all-female line-up are experts in their fields, who have shown unprecedented courage and tenacity against the virus and achieved greatness in their chosen careers.

“Barbie recognises that all frontline workers have made tremendous sacrifices when confronting the pandemic and the challenges it heightened,” said Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel.

“To shine a light on their efforts, we are sharing their stories and leveraging Barbie’s platform to inspire the next generation to take after these heroes and give back. Our hope is to nurture and ignite the imaginations of children playing out their own storyline as heroes.”

Professor Gilbert leads the line up that also features Amy O’Sullivan, RN (US), an emergency room nurse who treated the first Covid-19 patient at the Wycoff Hospital in Brooklyn, Dr Audey Cruz (US), a frontline worker from Las Vegas who joined forces with other Asian-American physicians to fight racial bias and discrimination, and Dr Chika Stacy Oriuwa (Canada), a psychiatry resident at the University of Toronto, Canada, who advocated against systemic racism in healthcare.

The line is made complete with Brazil’s Dr Jaqueline Goes de Jesus, a biomedical researcher credited for leading the sequencing of the genome of a Covid-19 variant in Brazil, and Australia’s Dr Kirby White, a general practitioner who co-founded Gowns for Doctors, a gown that could be laundered and re-used, allowing frontline workers to continue seeing patients during the pandemic.

In the UK, previous Role Models recipients include Broadcaster Clara Amfo, Fastest Woman in British History, Dina Asher-Smith, Champion Skateboarder Sky Brown, Activist & Model Adwoa Aboah, and Boxer Nicola Adams.

Silvergate Media appoints its first chief diversity officer in new commitment to ‘amplify diverse voices’

Silvergate Media has appointed its first chief diversity officer in the form of Shelli Rottman who takes on a new dual role with the firm as its EVP of Business and Legal Affairs.

In her position as both chief diversity officer and EVP of business and legal affairs, Rottman will oversee Silvergate’s growing diversity and inclusion programme currently guiding the company’s pledge to create a more equitable and welcoming working environment while, at the same time, amplifying fresh, diverse voices through mentorship and guidance.

Rottman joined Silvergate Media in 2011, and over the past decade has played a major part in heading up the company’s Business and Legal Affairs team, supporting global licensing, content distribution, business development, and production.

Prior to joining Silvergate Media, Rottman served as in-house counsel in the entertainment, fashion and publishing industries, including at Chorion, Liz Claiborne (now Kate Spade) and Condé Nast.

Silvergate recently made a commitment to magnify diverse voices throughout its creative slate with the investment in a new production ¡Vamos!, based upon the award-winning Spanish and English language work of Mexican-American author Raúl (González). Similar projects, with an emphasis on exploring different cultures and traditions, are also under consideration.

“I am thrilled to be able to make a meaningful impact in an area that is important to me,” said Rottman. “The overwhelming support for embracing new and emerging talent from different communities is clearly evident in the company’s philosophy and its substantial investment in new and exciting productions

“This is an amazing opportunity to help promote and guide the next generation of diverse storytellers and their work.”

Waheed Alli, chief executive at Silvergate Media, added: “With her unique outlook and industry expertise, Shelli is the perfect choice to lead our efforts in shaping a more diverse and inclusive company culture and to align those values with our overall business strategy.”

Genius Brands begins third series production on hit animated IP Rainbow Rangers

Production has begun on a third season of the popular animated series, Rainbow Rangers as the Genius Brands property continues to grow its audience numbers through global broadcast partnerships with the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video Direct, HBO Max, Nickelodeon Latin America, and China’s CCTV.

The series is now gathering momentum with audiences across the world, reflected in its popularity on platforms such as Netflix, where the release of season one propelled it to the Top Ten children’s programmes on the platform.

 “It takes time for a brand to establish itself, but we are clearly seeing that this is now occurring with Rainbow Rangers across multiple-platforms, including the recent release of season one on Netflix, where the series cracked the Top 10 of children’s programs for the first time, and is consistently a top performer in Netflix categories such as “Girls Take the Lead,” “Everyone’s Watching,” and “Exciting TV Shows,” said Jon Ollwerther, president of Kartoon Channel and EVP of business development at Genius Brands.

“At the same time, we are witnessing adoption across a growing base of broadcasters, including the launch of Rainbow Rangers on Paramount Plus network on August 18th”

 The broadcast success corresponds with the development of a new 2022 retail program with master toy partner, Never Wrong Toys. The retail program is based on a broad range of preschool products, initially focused in the toy category. The launch is planned to coincide with the world premiere of season three of Rainbow Rangers, exclusively on Kartoon Channel!

 Genius Brands’ chairman and CEO, Andy Heyward, said: “The recent success of Rainbow Rangers reminds me of the early trajectory of Strawberry Shortcake, which started with Hasbro Toys, but moved to Bandai Toys, and Playmates, where it eventually drove a highly successful, multi-billion dollar global licensing program.

“We are taking a page from the Strawberry Shortcake playbook, with Emmy Award-winning producer Mike Maliani of that property leading the production of Rainbow Rangers in season three, introducing a twist in the new season – the addition of a scent in the storyline. Not unlike Strawberry Shortcake where all the dolls and products were scented strawberry, the dolls and products coming forth from Rainbow Rangers will be scented as well.

“We believe this will be a huge driver in the girls’ product category.” 

With two seasons available and season three currently in production, Genius Brands has a growing slate of media partners around the world on board for Rainbow Rangers, including Netflix (U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East), Amazon Prime Video Direct (U.S., U.K.), Nickelodeon (U.S.), Kartoon Channel! (U.S.), HBO Max (Latin America), Nickelodeon & NOGGIN (Latin America), and CCTV (China).

Kerry Phelan, executive vice president and general manager of Global Franchise Management at Genius Brands stated: “Rainbow Rangers is a special series that is clearly resonating with young audiences around the world as we continue to build our viewership with new partners, such as Netflix, coming on board.

“To crack the Top 10 for the first time so quickly on Netflix, coupled with the traction we’re gaining on Amazon and our own platform, Kartoon Channel!, is a testament to the strong appeal of the themes and positive messaging of the show.

“Our strategy continues to center around growth in viewership, which, in turn, is designed to feed our long-term merchandising strategy. We are enthusiastic about our partnership with Never Wrong Toys and are excited about developing an exciting range of preschool toys that tap into the most appealing elements of the show for 2022.”

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.

Warner Bros Consumer Products opens new office in Mexico to grow channel for local partners

Warner Bros Consumer Products has opened a new office in Mexico City in order to provide local partners with new opportunities to develop licensing programmes around the company’s portfolio of brands by working directly with the studio.

WBCP Mexico will offer fans unique retail entertainment experiences and promotions inspired by its slate of global properties including the likes of Space Jam: A New Legacy, Fantastic Beasts 3, and DC’s The Suicide Squad, The Batman, The Flash, Aquaman, and more.

“Mexico is a hugely important market for us and having our own flagship office there working directly with our amazing partners simply makes sense,” said Preston Kevin Lewis, senior vice president of WBCP Latin America. “As we drive new business and partner across WarnerMedia divisions currently based in Mexico, including HBO Max, WB Games, WB Home Entertainment, and others, having our team in market allows us to be much more collaborative with our licensees and ensure the highest quality fan experience.”

Javier Garza will be the new head of Warner Bros. Consumer Products Mexico. He will report into Lewis and Sharon Zyman, General Manager of WarnerMedia Mexico and Colombia. Garza will also join the local WarnerMedia Mexico executive leadership team.

Garza previously worked for WBCP for more than 14 years as the licensing vice president for Latin America and general manager of Mexico, before launching his own agency, The Brand Licensing Entertainment Co. (BLEC), in 2015. Now Garza brings his years of experience within WB and serving as a WBCP licensing agent to best serve partners and deliver programs with a fan-first approach.

“It is a great responsibility to lead the Mexico office, knowing the huge opportunities this market provides Warner Bros. The goal for our team will be to develop unforgettable content, products and world class experiences for fans of Warner Bros. brands and franchises,” said Garza.

WBCP Mexico will be staffed by a team of passionate professionals with expertise in merchandising, retail, marketing, creative and more ready to deliver premier experiences for fans of DC, Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, HBO, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim.

WBCP Mexico will also support global franchise opportunities this summer/fall 2021 including the annual Back to Hogwarts celebration, Wonder Woman’s 80th anniversary, Batman Day, and DC FanDome.

Jazwares taps costume industry veteran Stephen Stanley to lead its new Costume Play division

Jazwares has detailed the formation of its Costume Play division, a new department that will focus on the development of licensed costumes for all ages to be led by the costume industry veteran, Stephen Stanley.

Under Stanley’s watch, the division will look to bring stylised features and innovation to the costumes sector, enabling fans to dress up as their favourite characters from across the pop culture and entertainment space. The division will produce costumes for fans of all ages.

Items within the portfolio will span dress-up trunks with outfits, masks, and role-play accessories for kids’ everyday costume play, as well as high-end cosplay outfits, masks, and accessories for comic conventions. The division will also develop pet costumes, seasonal Halloween items and treat carriers.

Jazwares’ first lineup of dress-up trunks and everyday costume play products will be available beginning Spring 2022, with all-new styles launching across retail channels for Halloween 2022, including hundreds of costumes, masks and other costume accessories featuring beloved characters from the Star Wars galaxy, the Marvel Multiverse, Spider-Man’s Spiderverse, and Squishmallows.

Costume industry veteran, Stanley will oversee the Costume Play team as General Manager. Stanley, a co-founder of the Halloween and Costume Association, has more than 20 years of costume business experience. He served previously as co-president of Disguise and was most recently managing director of the licensed costume business at Rubie’s Costume Company.

Reporting to Jazwares’ executive VP and partner Michael Rinzler, Stanley leads a team of costume industry executives. He is joined by divisional design lead Anthea Koveos Rodgers, who was previously head of costume design at both Disguise and Palamon.

The team will also consist of Halloween & Party senior sales director Michael Esposito, who was most recently national sales manager at Rubie’s; senior brand director Thomas Schilling, previously category manager at FunWorld and the Marvel and Star Wars brand manager at Rubie’s; and VP and general manager of Jazwares Costumes in China, Terry Ma, who joins the company from his previous role as general manager of Disguise China.

Rounding out the team are Angelina Castro as marketing director, Maxwell Lux as Senior Brand Manager, and Daniel Jung as Associate Brand Manager.

“As we continue to grow Jazwares’ offerings into new categories of play from pet toys to costumes, we are thrilled to launch a dedicated division for all things costume play,” said Rinzler. “Stephen has earned an incredible reputation as a leader in the Costume business and we are thrilled to welcome him and this tremendous team of industry experts into the Jazwares family.”

The Jazwares Costume Play team is supported by Jazwares executives across multiple areas, including global licensing, sales and planning, design, product management and development, and Jazwares China.

Floral Street channels Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers in first of its kind fragrance partnership

The independent, sustainable British Brand, Floral Street has struck up a collaboration with the internationally revered Van Gogh Museum in a deal that will see fine art meet fine fragrance for the first time.

Under the partnership, Floral Street has developed a new fragrance that channels the Dutch artist’s passion for the natural world and nature, ‘bringing to life the optimism of one of the world’s most famous masterworks in both scent and floral design,’ taking on the fragrance and artistic appeal of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.

Described as a fruity-citrus fragrance, the new launch is both a vegan and cruelty free, luxury eau de parfum that ‘arrives bursting with rays of optimism,’ as intentioned by its creator, the master perfumer, Jerȏme Epinette.

Epinette is known for his mastery of sustainable natural raw materials, which are traceable from source to scent.

“The idea was to capture the vibrance and beauty of the South of France, while also somehow painting the passage of the day. I started with an impactful top where a burst of morning sun comes alive in the citrus and fruits, while the heart brings the heat of the afternoon with a rich and colourful floralcy,” said Epinette. “The back then carries us into early evening with a poppy sweetness and a touch of unexpected warmth that makes it fun, yet truly luxurious.”

Ian Wickham of Licensing Link Europe, said: “This is the first product to launch within the Floral Street range of personal and home fragrances and we are super excited by the reaction the product is getting from retailers around the world.

“What Floral Street has delivered is a superb example of an incredible quality product created through a thorough understanding of the story behind Sunflowers and then delivered in a completely sustainable way – even the packaging cartons that hold the bottle are fully biodegradable and can be reused as seed planters once finished with.”

Among the ingredients used in the fragrance is natural bergamont fro Calabria in Italy to provide a fresh, peppery herbaceous scent “that is lightly sweet and brings a unique sparkle to this citrus composition,” as well as mandarin which brings a bright, summery hue to the fragrance.

The perfume also features a warm honey accord – a nature identical, vegan synthetic blend created to mimic the aroma of fresh honey, and a Bellini accord – described as “a fantasy note that brings an effervescent ‘pop’ to the perfume.”

The new Sunflower Pop fragrance is available from August 1st, 2021, on www.floralstreet.com, in the Van Gogh Museum and retailers worldwide.

Anderson Entertainment launches limited edition silkscreen print collection inspired by its iconic IP

Anderson Entertainment has stepped into the world of wall-art with the launch of a series of limited edition silk-screen prints insipired by some of its most iconic properties. Featuring characters, craft, and scenes from Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet, the imagery will be drawn from the popular Anderson comics that appeared in the ’60s and ’70s.

Anderson Entertainment was founded by Gerry Anderson, the man behind iconic shows like Thunderbirds and Space: 1999 as well as more modern hits like Space Precinct and the 2005 reimagining of Captain Scarlet.

In its latest artistic endeavour, the company is launching a series of 50 limited edition prints by the artist John Patrick Reynolds, whose handmade silkscreen prints, inspired by classic cartoon characters, have been popular with collectors and fans all over the world, as well as stockists and art lover in the UK, since 1999.

The prints are now available at the official Gerry Anderson Store, where they will target a growing customer community numbering in the tens of thousands. They will also be available at John Patrick Reynolds’ site, thecomicartwebsite.com.

The silkscreen printing approach is highly suited to comic imagery, a medium that is stylised and that uses strong colours and inks. The silkscreen process highlights and enhances these bold graphics to powerful effect.

Highly regarded by art collectors and fans for over 20 years, John Patrick Reynolds’s handmade silkscreen prints have been featured on TV shows and in newspaper and magazine features. His best-selling titles include Asterix, Dennis the Menace, Minnie the Minx and Alf Tupper. All his prints are limited editions printed on paper from St Cuthbert’s Mill in Somerset – one of the last English paper mills.

The launch of these silkscreen prints comes hard on the heels of a new agreement with rightsholder ITV Studios which allows Anderson Entertainment to expand its ranges of product derived from its classic brands. This agreement will enable a wide range of new and innovative products inspired by the best-loved Gerry Anderson creations.

John Patrick Reynolds said: “As a child I was a big fan of Gerry Anderson’s inventive and exciting shows and I’m not at all surprised that his characters and concepts are still popular today. It’s an absolute delight to be asked to produce silkscreen prints of some of his best-loved properties based on some wonderful and striking imagery.”

Writer, producer, director, and MD of Anderson Entertainment, Jamie Anderson added: “Limited edition prints are a new category for Anderson Entertainment and one that I’m certain will be welcomed by fans of Gerry’s shows. John Patrick Reynolds’ work is rightly admired, and he has produced some amazing and exciting prints based on classic Anderson imagery that will be much sought-after – by fans and art lovers alike.”