Line Friends partners with Universal to launch Minions x Brown & Friends collaboration

The internationally celebrated character brand, Line Friends, has partnered with Illumination and Universal Brand Development to unveil its Minions x Brown & Friends collection, a new line-up of products that will feature the Minions’ Stuart, Kevin, and Bob alongside Line Friends’ own Brown and Sally.

A collaboration long over-due, early reaction among Millennials and Gen Z has – understandably – gone viral, as the first glimpse of Brown and Sally dressed in the signature Minions’ get up of overalls and goggles ignited the imaginations of its core audience the world over.

 Launched as part of the collaboration between these two powerhouse brands, the Minions x Brown & Friends collection consists of fashion and tech accessories ranging from AirPods cases to phone grips to canvas tote bags, as well as to golf accessories and camping gear. Collection items are anticipated to hit a record-breaking sellout worldwide.

The Minions x Brown & Friends collection is available for global purchase on the official on- and offline stores of Line Friends in countries and regions including Korea, the US, Japan, and China, from July 22. Line Friends is also slated to drop big surprises of digital contents, including Line messenger stickers and Instagram AR GIFs for this collaboration, sparking viral sensation among Millennials and Generation Z.

“With our unrivalled creative capabilities, Line Friends once again captures the hearts of Millennials and Generation Z across the world with this collection jointly collaborated with long-standing partners Universal Brand Development and Illumination,” said the Line Friends team.

“We anticipate that this phenomenal collaboration between Brown & Friends, originally created for use as Line messenger stickers, and the beloved Minions will stir up fun and excitement for fans worldwide.”

Innovation and creativity take the spotlight as The 2021 Licensing Awards finalists are revealed

From Ghostbusters Trap Incense Burners and LEGO Super Mario, to Gruffalo recycled bedding, innovation has found itself at the forefront of this year’s shortlisted finalists of The2021  Licensing Awards.

Whether it’s within the Best Sustainable Licensed Product category, or one of the nine finalists in the Best Licensed Written, Listening, or Learning Range, in its endeavour to celebrate the best in licensing partnerships across the industry, it will likewise be throwing the spotlight on some of the best examples of innovation and creativity that the sector has to offer.

Making its return to its physical format this year, The 2021 Licensing Awards will once again fill The Great Room of The Grosvenor House Hotel in London to herald an industry-wide reunion of licensees, licensors, licensing agencies and everyone else the sector has to offer, this September 14th.

Categories will span Best Licensed Live Event, Best Licensed Toys or Games Range, and Best Retailer of Licensed Products (preschool and kids), all of which deliberated over by a judging panel of more than 200 retail buyers from Asda, B&M, Blue Diamond Group, Character.com, Clarks, The Entertainer, Forbidden Planet and more.

“After the year and a half that we have all had, it feels all the more triumphant to be able to announce the finalists in The Licensing Awards 2021 – with the winners being revealed at a physical awards event on September 14th, which will be some reunion,” said Ian Hyder, joint managing director of Max Publishing, owners and organisers of the event.

In addition to the returning categories this year, a new consumer award category will be joining The Licensing Awards 2021, with details being revealed soon.

“The Licensing Awards truly celebrate all that is great about the licensing community. The level of support and input has been incredible and we just can’t wait to get everyone back together at the awards event this year,” added Jakki Brown, joint managing director of Max Publishing.

All winners will be announced at a physical evening awards event on Tuesday, September 14th, held in The Great Room at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

The Licensing Awards 2021 finalists, are:

THE UK RISING STAR AWARD
This is a Licensing International UK award. The award is designed to recognise excellence among junior industry professionals in the United Kingdom under the age of 35.

Abbie Burrows, category manager hardlines and FMCG of Hasbro UK & EMEA
Jessica Campbell, licensing manager – Europe of National Football League (NFL)
Janna Kirkby, associate licensing manager of Acamar Films
Chelsea Schep, senior licensing manager of IMG
James Barlow, export manager of Rainbow Productions
Olivia Wiggett, associate commercial manager of The Point.1888
Lucy Williamson, manager brand management of Beanstalk

RETAIL CATEGORY FINALISTS

BEST RETAILER OF PRESCHOOL LICENSED PRODUCTS (AGE GROUP 0-5)

Character.com
The Entertainer
George@Asda
Nutmeg at Morrisons
Tesco
Next

BEST RETAILER OF KIDS’ LICENSED PRODUCTS (AGE GROUP 5-16)

Asda
Character.com
The Entertainer
Next
Smyths Toys
Tesco

BEST RETAILER OF ADULT LICENSED PRODUCTS

Asda
ASOS
Forbidden Planet
HMV
Primark
Tesco

THE RADAR AWARD

B&M
Card Factory
Zavvi
The Range
Studio.com
Superdrug

BEST OVERSEAS RETAILER

Aldi
H&M
Pull & Bear
Uniqlo
Urban Outfitters
Zara

BEST LICENSED RETAIL MARKETING INITIATIVE

MTV x River Island x British Fashion Council with Iceberg, Music Meets Fashion Competition
Natural History Museum x Finisterre, The Resilience of Nature Campaign
KFC and Comic Relief’s Merry Clucking Christmas Campaign
Mrs Hinch Exclusively at Tesco Campaign
Peppa Pig x Regatta at Next
The Rolling Stones RS No.9 Carnaby Street Activity

BEST LICENSED PROMOTIONS CAMPAIGN

Peppa Pig with National Children’s Gardening Week Campaign
PJ Masks Superhero Bedtime campaign for UNICEF UK
Pokémon Happy Meals Promotion with McDonald’s
Tom and Jerry and Xplora: The Movie Partnership (Agency: Lime Communications)

BEST LICENSED LIVE EVENT

The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience from Little Lion Entertainment
Dennis & Gnasher’s Big Bonanza at Royal Botanical Gardens Kew and Wakehurst Place
Doctor Who: A Dalek Awakens at Resorts World from Escape Hunt
The Gruffalo Adventures at Royal Botanical Gardens Kew Gardens
Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour from Brigit’s Bakery
Peter Rabbit Christmas Grotto at Centre:MK from Eskimo Jo Events
Warhammer 40,000 Immaterium Escape Room from Escapologic
Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star at Warwick Castle from Merlin Entertainments

BEST LICENSED TOYS OR GAMES RANGE

Adventures of Paddington Toy Range from Rainbow Designs
CoComelon Toys from Bandai
The Gruffalo Master Toy Range from Wow! Stuff
Maya Angelou Inspiring Women Barbie Doll from Mattel
Mini Brands Collectables from ZURU
Peppa Pig Wooden Mud Kitchen from HTI
Back to the Future Range from Playmobil UK
Pokémon Toy Range from Character Options
Super Mario Range from The LEGO Group

BEST LICENSED DRESS-UP OR PARTYWARE

DC Superheroes Sustainable Dress-up Range from Amscan
Disney Princess Collection for George@Asda from Christys by Design
Disney Princess Premium Range for Sainsbury’s from Smiffys
Harry Potter Boy’s Suitmeister Dress-up from OppoSuits
Mog The Cat Deluxe Costume from Smiffys
Peppa Pig Careers Dress-up Collection from Christys By Design
Pokémon Dress-up and Partyware Collection from Amscan
Roald Dahl’s Matilda Costume for Tesco from Smiffys
Star Wars, The Mandalorian Costume for TU Sainsbury’s from Rubies Masquerade

BEST LICENSED PRESCHOOL APPAREL OR ACCESSORIES RANGE (0-5 YEARS)

Elmer the Patchwork Elephant SS21 Collection from JoJo Maman Bébé
The Gruffalo Footwear Range for Next from Brand International
The Jungle Book Collection x Baby World from Primark
Peanuts Collection from Cribstar
Peppa Pig Collection from Regatta Outdoors
Peppa Pig Toddler Girls Range for Tesco from Fashion UK Global Licensing
Peter Rabbit Collection from Cath Kidston
Peter Rabbit Classic SS21 Collection for Nutmeg at Morrisons from Dennicci
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt SS21 Collection for Asda from Jainco

BEST LICENSED CHILDREN’S APPAREL OR ACCESSORIES RANGE

Barbie x Very.com Powered by Kindness Girls Athleisure Range from Very
LEGO x Adidas Children’s Footwear from Adidas
LEGO Ninjango X Hype Collection from Global Brands Group
Miffy Collection for Next from Fashion UK Global Licensing
Peppa Pig Girls Night Time Range for Tesco from Misirli
Roald Dahl x Natural History Museum Extraordinary Explorers Clothing Range from M&S
Roald Dahl Pyjamas Nightwear for TU at Sainsbury’s from Aykroyd and Sons
Super Mario Range for Zara from Fashion UK Global Licensing
The Wizarding World Kids Fashion Range from M&S

BEST LICENSED ADULT APPAREL OR ACCESSORIES RANGE

Barbie 1959 Collection from Zara
Dr Seuss Collection from Irregular Choice
Friends Women’s Range from Tesco
Harry Potter In The Style Sweatshirts from Brands In
Mickey Mouse Cares Range from Primark
Minnie Mouse Cookies Backpack and Headband Combo from Loungefly by Funko
The National Gallery Collection for ASOS from Poetic Brands
Peter Rabbit Women’s Collection from Cath Kidston
Pokémon 25th Anniversary Collection from The Hut Group

BEST LICENSED WRITTEN, LISTENING OR LEARNING RANGE

Adventures of Paddington Fun to Learn Magazine from Redan Publishing
BBC Earth Blue Planet II Book from Penguin Random House
Elf on the Shelf Magazines from Signature Publishing
LEGO Explorer Magazine from Story House Egmont
L.O.L. Surprise! Sticker Books from Centum Books
Mr Men Little Miss Books from Farshore Books
PAW Patrol Chase Tonie from Tonies
Peppa Pig Ladybird Range from Penguin Random House
Timmy Time Ladybird Readers Beginner Level Books from Penguin Random House

BEST LICENSED PAPER PRODUCTS OR STATIONERY RANGE

Animal Crossing Villager Squares Stationery Collection from Pyramid International
The Beatles Song Titles Greeting Card Range from Hype Associates
Boofle Stay at Home Greeting Card Range from Moonpig
The Gruffalo Stationery Range from Robert Frederick
The Mandalorian – The Child Greeting Card Range from UK Greetings
Minnie Mouse Positivity Collection from Hallmark Cards
Only Fools and Horses 40th Anniversary Stamp Collection from Royal Mail
Peaky Blinders Calendar, Diary, Greeting Cards and Gift Bag Collection from Danilo Promotions
Spitting Image Greeting Cards Range from Emotional Rescue

BEST LICENSED GIFTWARE RANGE, HOME DÉCOR, TABLEWARE OR HOUSEWARES RANGE

A Celebration of the National Trust Fabric Range from Sanderson Design Group
Mickey & Friends Collection from Mad Beauty
Minecraft Gift and Homewares Range from Paladone Products
Monopoly Personalised Homewares and Gifting Range from Star Editions
Mrs Hinch Collection from Tesco
PAW Patrol Coverless Carefree Bedding from Character World
Peanuts 70th Anniversary Homewares and Gift Collection from Cath Kidston
Pokémon 25th Anniversary Giftware from Abysse Corp
Roald Dahl x Natural History Museum Extraordinary Explorers Range
Homeware Collection from M&S
The Wizarding World Collection from Wow! Stuff

BEST LICENSED FOOD OR DRINK RANGE

Barratt x Iceland Ice Creams from Ice Fresh
Ghostbusters Candy from Rose Marketing
Harry Potter Confectionery for M&S from Kinnerton Confectionery
Mr Men Little Miss Confectionery from Crème d’Or
Original Stormtrooper Galactic Dry Gin from Blue Tree
Peaky Blinders Wine from Vignobles Bardet
Peter Rabbit Classic Chocolate Novelties Easter Collection from Cadbury’s
Wallace & Gromit Biscuit Collection from Deans of Huntly
Xbox Celebration Cake from Finsbury Foods

THE INNOVATION AWARD

Batman Cape Backpack from Bioworld International
Crayola Rainbow Toothpaste from H&A
Ghostbusters Trap Incense Burner from Numskull Designs
Hey Duggee Plush Chair from 8th Wonder
LEGO DOTS Range from Levi’s
Marvel Battleworld Range from Funko
Minecraft Block Building Light from Paladone Products
Peppa Pig’s Clever Car from Wow! Stuff
Scooby-Doo Products for Dogs from Fred & Ginger

BEST SUSTAINABLE LICENSED PRODUCT

Alice Scott Gift Range for Tesco from H&A
The Beano, Dennis’ 70th Anniversary Limited Edition Tartan from The Prickly Thistle Scotland
Grand Designs Sofas from The Branded Furniture Company
The Gruffalo Pop-out Play-set from Play Press Toys
The Gruffalo Repreve Recycled Bedding Collection for ASDA from Dreamtex International
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous Happy Meal from The Marketing Store)
National History Museum The Resilience of Nature Range from Finisterre
Peppa Pig Brand Threads Nightwear Range from Cooneen By Design
Peppa Pig Eco Plush from Character Options

PROPERTY CATEGORY FINALISTS

BEST PRESCHOOL LICENSED PROPERTY (AGE GROUP 0-5)

Baby Shark
Bing
CoComelon
The Gruffalo
Hey Duggee
PAW Patrol
Peppa Pig
Teletubbies
That’s Not My…
Thomas & Friends

BEST CHILDREN’S OR TWEEN LICENSED PROPERTY (AGE GROUP 5-12)

Barbie
Jurassic World
LEGO
L.O.L. Surprise!
Miraculous
NERF
Trolls
Wizarding World
The World of David Walliams

BEST TEEN OR ADULT LICENSED PROPERTY

Barbie
Emoji
Friends
The Grinch
The Mandalorian
Marvel Universe
Peaky Blinders
Stranger Things
Wizarding World

BEST GAMING LICENSED PROPERTY

Animal Crossing
Assassin’s Creed
Destiny
Fortnite
Minecraft
Pokémon
Roblox
Sonic The Hedgehog
Super Mario
Warhammer

BEST FILM LICENSED PROPERTY

Cruella
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
Tom and Jerry: The Movie
Wonder Woman 1984

BEST MUSIC OR CELEBRITY LICENSED PROPERTY

The Beatles
Billie Eilish
BTS
Hearts by Tiana
Motörhead
Mrs Hinch
Queen
The Rolling Stones

BEST SPORTS LICENSED PROPERTY  

Arsenal Football Club
British & Irish Lions
Chelsea Football Club
England Football
England Rugby
Liverpool Football Club
Manchester City Football Club
Manchester United Football Club
NFL
NFL Players Association
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club

THE CLASSIC LICENSED PROPERTY AWARD
This award is for properties that have stood the test of time (with at least a decade of licensing activity). The winner will join previous winners in The Licensing Classics Hall of Fame. Previous year’s winners are Barbie, The Beano, Peppa Pig, Peter Rabbit, Pokémon, Mickey Mouse, Miffy, The Snowman, Star Wars and Thomas & Friends.

This year’s finalists are:

Batman
In the Night Garden
Me to You
Minnie Mouse
Mr Men Little Miss
Paddington
Peanuts
Roald Dahl
Sesame Street
Spider-man
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Wallace & Gromit

Honorary Achievement Award
There are no finalists announced for this prestigious award. It will be given to someone in recognition of their contribution to the industry.

Tickets and tables can be reserved quickly and securely online by visiting Max-Tickets.net or by contacting Clare Hollick at Create Events: clare@createvents.co.uk or phone +44 (0)1183 340085.

Mattel’s Richard Dickson and Roz Nowicki to deliver keynote at Licensing Expo Virtual

Mattel’s president and COO, Richard Dickson and the firm’s head of global consumer products and franchise marketing, Roz Nowicki will be taking to the stage at the upcoming Licensing Expo Virtual next month, when the pair deliver the online conference’s Day Three Keynote address.

In a fireside chat titled Mattel and Living its Brand Purpose, the pair will explore how the IP driven toys and entertainment company empowers the next generation by introducing purpose-driven products from its portfolio of brands. You can sign up for the free-to-attend keynote presentation here.

Joining senior executives from Warner Bros. Consumer Products, who will open the event as keynote speakers on Day One, Dickson and Nowicki will address the event’s thousands of attendees confirmed to date, who will get an inside look into building and progressing the toy giant’s brand purpose.

Attendees of the event – running from August 24th to 26th – will benefit from the duo’s combined experience that exceeds 50 years of leading brand and innovation strategy, design and development, and franchise marketing. They are responsible for the worldwide growth of brands including Barbie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Peanuts, Hot Wheels, among many others.

The keynote presentation will begin at 8:00 a.m. PST/11:00 a.m. EST, followed by a final day of live content including the new Digital Brand Roadshows, Retail and Sustainability Clinics, industry networking, and many meeting opportunities with hundreds of leading brand owners.

“Year after year, Mattel is an industry leader in delivering new products that not only excite consumers but bring characters and stories to life in a meaningful way,” said Anna Knight, VP of licensing at Informa Markets.

“We are thrilled to announce that Richard and Roz will impart learnings from their work that spans a full range of toy and entertainment brands across categories.”

Mattel’s president and chief operating officer, Richard Dickson, added: “We are proud to represent Mattel at the upcoming Licensing Expo Virtual event this August and speak to a topic that is foundational to our business: delivering purpose-driven products that help shape how children perceive, engage with, and someday, influence the world around them.

“Licensing is a powerful tool that enables us to build brand stories and reach a global audience – Roz and I could not be more excited to share our learnings that attendees can incorporate into their work.”

In addition to announcing the Day Three keynote, Licensing Expo Virtual has also revealed a selection of exhibitors participating in the all-new Digital Brands Roadshows, a collection of curated exhibitor case studies designed to spotlight compelling brands and IP broadcast live at the live event.

Among those participating are:

  • New Exhibitors to the Event with Chan-Chan, Playlife Media, Piney: The Lonesome Pine and Boat Rocker
  • Heritage & Nostalgia with MGM and Art Brand Studios
  • Licensing Around the World with Wildbrain CPLG and Yale University
  • The Live Experience with Penske and Nickelodeon
  • Animation & Anime with Viz Media

Licensing Expo Virtual also confirmed some of the experts as part of the exclusive retail program, composed of ‘Ask me Anything’ live Q&As and sessions on how brand licensing can support retail businesses.

Speakers for this program include Steven Heller, founder of The Brand Liaison; Andrew Cohan, co-founder/co-CEO, ACI Licensing; Sharon Weisman, CEO, Power Station Studios; Michael Connolly, founder & CEO, Retail Monster; Julia Redman, Retail Expert, Buyers Eye; Ankit Mangal, Director, Wayfair; The Insights Family.

Indie trainer label Lavair teams with SEGA to launch Mega Drive themed footwear and accessories

The independent trainer label, Lavair has detailed the launch of a limited edition Mega Drive-themed sneaker series developed in partnership with the gaming company, SEGA.

The new offering – spanning a four-piece collection – will be available to purchase from July 28th exclusively online at the Lavair website.

The range will feature two styles; the retro-hued Exo SEGA Mega Drive Analog, and the more understated Exo SEGA Mega Drive Mono and each will arrive with matching caps. The trainers will retail at £200 while the caps will sell at £50 each.

The Mega Drive console (named Genesis in the USA), originally debuted in Japan in 1988, and took the world by storm in the subsequent years.

The Exo SEGA Mega Drive flaunts technical aesthetics with a full thermoplastic polyurethane eye-stay and weather resistant toe guard and draped in a hi-tensile nylon upper. Exo sits on top of a streetwear-inspired outsole, combined with outdoor trekker detailing for optimal comfort underneath the brands’ signature, lighter-than-air sole.

“The designs Lavair has come up with for their Mega Drive themed collection really capture the timeless appeal of this iconic brand,” said Jason Rice, brand licensing director at SEGA Europe. “We can’t wait to hear what SEGA fans and trainer aficionados alike, think of the collaboration.”

Silvergate Media’s animated TV series Hilda picks up two Daytime Emmy Awards

Silvergate Media has expanded its trophy collection this week, having secured a double win at the 2021 Daytime Emmy Awards for its highly acclaimed Netflix animated TV series, Hilda.

During the live streamed ceremony on Friday, Hilda found itself the recipient of the coveted award in the Outstanding Children’s Animated Series category, as well as in the Outstanding Editing in a Daytime Animated Series. The series had picked up Emmy nominations in three other categories.

The show’s latest plaudit establishes what has become a winning streak for Hilda which recently triumphed at the Annie Awards in April where it took home no fewer than three awards.

“It’s been an incredible year so far for Hilda and we’re all enormously proud of these latest Daytime Emmy Award wins,” said Waheed Alli, chief executive at Silvergate Media. “As each new season of Hilda unfolds and we go deeper into the world of Trolberg, its very gratifying to receive critical recognition at such a high level and together with Mercury Filmworks we look forward to bringing audiences more exciting adventures for Hilda in 2022.”

First launched to Netflix in September 2018, Hilda is the result of a collaborative effort between Silvergate, Mercury Filmworks and Hilda creator, Luke Pearson who first debuted the character in a popular graphic novel format.

A second season was released on December 14th 2020, delivering new adventures for the blue-haired heroine as she delves deeper into the magical wilderness of Trolberg. Through her entertaining and inspiring adventures, Hilda learns that not everyone shares her open-minded view of the ‘hidden world’, while her Mum worries that her growing rebelliousness will lead to more trouble than Hilda can handle.

Both season one and two of Hilda are now available in 130 countries on Netflix’s global platform and Silvergate has an extended special in the pipeline. There is a consumer products program in place that spans toys, games, publishing, accessories, apparel and homewares.

Geek Retreat moves into Dumfries and stays on track to open 60 stores by end of 2021

The geek culture retailer, Geek Retreat, is continuing on its ambitious plans for the UK with the successful launch of its new store in Dumfries, bringing its total numbers of shops around the country to 28.

Situated on Church Crescent and providing five local jobs, the new Geek Retreat store – a geek culture retailers, gaming cafe, and events space rolled into one – aims to offer a safe and friendly environment ‘where people can gather and enjoy shared interests.’

The retailer aims to provide for all fanbases within the geek culture community, from Marvel and Magic the Gathering to Yu-Gi-Oh, Warhammer, and Pokemon, as well as traditional board games. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a full menu with vegetarian, vegan, and kids’ options all developed in partnership with the food service firm, Booker.

The Geek Retreat has previously outlined the importance it places on providing an inclusive, welcoming, and social environment for its more vulnerable customers such as those with autism or with mental health issues. The retailer has a national partnership with the National Autistic Society, while the Dumfries store locally supports The D&G Queerier, LIFT D&G, and Dumfries Gamers.

Samuel Glendinning, franchise owner at Geek Retreat Dumfries, said: “We are excited to have opened our doors and be bringing something new and different to the Dumfries Town center and to the local community. A safe and inclusive place to play, relax, have fun and make friends, where they can share their love of all things geeky from anime and manga to trading card games such as Pokemon and Magic:The Gathering.”

Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, added: “The opening of the unique Geek Retreat store and café in Dumfries is great news. The store proposes to offer a safe, friendly environment where people can come and enjoy their shared gaming interests as well as traditional board games.

“It is also extremely welcome that Geek Retreat provides an inclusive, welcoming, and social environment for more vulnerable customers, like those with autistic spectrum or with mental health or anxiety issues. Geek Retreat has a national partnership with the National Autistic Society, and locally supports The D&G Queerier, LIFT D&G and Dumfries Gamers.

“I have no doubt that Geek Retreat will be an invaluable asset to Dumfries and I encourage all with gaming interests to pop in and see what it has to offer. I am looking forward to going along for myself in August.”

Geek Retreat is now on track to open 60 of its planned 100 new stores on high streets by the end of 2021, creating 360 jobs around the UK.  The franchise is on track to meet its previously announced target of a total of 100 new stores in 2022.

Its growth is echoed by the increasing popularity of boardgames, card trading and tabletop games which make up an industry worth £8 billion in the UK and is predicted to grow by 3.1 per cent annually over the next three years.

Peter Dobson, chief executive of Geek Retreat, said: “The success of the Dumfries store is another step in the growth of the Geek Retreat franchise. The Geek Retreat proposition and unique culture has proved particularly resilient during the pandemic and has shown us how important it is for people to have a safe please to visit and to share their interests with friends as part of a community.”

All stores commit to a COVID-19 secure environment, with strict social distancing and hygiene measures in place, to give customers extra piece of mind that they can visit in confidence.

From the US | Mighty Mojo Toys named plush toy partner for Geronimo Stilton

The Italian entertainment media company, Atlantyca Entertainment has secured a new US toy partner for Geronimo Stilton, bringing its popular children’s book IP into the plush toy sector thanks to Mighty Mojo Toys.

In a deal brokered by the appointed US licesing agency, Firefly Brand Management, the plush range will be based on the series’ cast of characters to the North American market.

Created by Elisabetta Dami, the adventures of Geronimo Stilton and his family and friends have featured across almost 250 volumes, selling more than 175 million copies in 51 different languages around the world. 

In North America, the book series is published by Scholastic for all English speaking countries, making Geronimo Stilton one of the most globally popular kids’ books series.

Meanwhile, Mighty Mojo Toys has experienced its own success on the global stage, having enjoyed a fruitful run of plush lines for the popular children’s YouTube series Booba, PBS’ Super Why, and the Instagram celebrity, Doug the Pug.

The toy firm’s most recent releases include several officially licensed products from Spin Master’s Etch-A-Sketch.

“We’re so excited to be collaborating with the Geronimo Stilton team,” said Arash Maghaddam, CEO of Mighty Mojo Toys. “As fans, we’ve been watching its popularity explode over the years and cannot wait to share what we have in store for Geronimo and his friends.”

Cynthia Modders, president of Firefly Brand Management, added: “We are thrilled to be working on expanding the Geronimo Stilton programme with Mighty Mojo Toys. Geronimo Stilton is one of the best selling children’s books series, the famed mouse journalist is loved by children everywhere, maintaining a huge young fan base who are certainly going to enjoy these devoted character plush and toys.”

Acamar Films launches Amazon Alexa Skill for its hit preschool IP, Bing

Acamar Films is extending the reach of its multi-award-winning preschool series Bing with the launch of a new interactive Amazon Alexa Skill, Bing Time.

Developed in partnership with voice design agency Voxly Digital, Bing Time aims to bring together new script writing, high production values and technical innovation to deliver exclusive audio stories and play-along games, in addition to a selection of Bing music and songs.

The Skill has been designed to respond to the rhythm of a child’s day; encouraging movement and active play during the morning and afternoon, while offering calmer bedtime stories and soft music in the early evening.

Jodie Morris, chief content and audiences officer, Acamar Films, said: “We are thrilled to be able to launch Bing’s fantastic new Alexa Skill with Amazon’s Kids+, and can’t wait for Bingsters to start exploring our new digital innovation.

“As with everything we do, we have designed Bing Time to serve the needs of our treasured young audience, and – working alongside the wonderful team at Voxly Digital – I think we have succeeded in delivering something really quite exceptional; providing children with a brand new, immersive way to deepen their relationship with our stories and characters.”

In its 2020 research, Voxly Digital identified that families make up a big proportion of regular voice users in the UK, with two out of three of them actively using their voice-assistants together.

Ravi Lal, CEO of Voxly Digital said: “We wanted to design an experience which was fun and easy for the whole family, so we created a fluid and easily navigable voice app, which gives users what they want quickly: amazing Bing content.

“Behind the scenes, the team put a lot of thought into creating an incredible user experience. Working with Acamar Films, we’ve really pushed the capabilities of the Alexa platform; leveraging videos, animation and recorded audio to bring the world of Bing and his friends to life.”

The Bing Time Alexa Skill is a further extension of Acamar Films’ successful digital programme for their pre-school property, which also includes the mobile app Bing: Watch, Play, Learn. First launched in the UK in September 2019, the app has now exceeded 1 million downloads across the UK, Italy and Poland.

Bing Time will be exclusively launched via Amazon Kids+ from 21 July, with a general audience release scheduled for December 2021.

Asterix and Obelix to make their Playmobil debut when play-sets launch in 2022

The iconic comic book and movie character Asterix is getting a Playmobil makeover via a new partnership between the toymaker and the Asterix brand owner, Les Editions Albert Rene.

Under the partnership, a series of play-sets will be developed, marking the first time that Asterix and his sidekick Obelix have been given the Playmobil treatment.

The play-sets are scheduled to land sometime in 2022.

Playmobil issued a statement this morning that read: “Editions Albert Rene and Playmobil are pleased to announce the creation of a new universe around the famous comic book characters Asterix and Obelix, for the first time in Playmobil figurines.”

The message signed off that fans will require ‘a little more patience’ before the plans are unveiled in full, but that the collection promises to be a ‘magical’ one.

Asterix is a French comic book series about Ghaulish warriors and their adventures in fighting the Roman Republic during the era of Julius Caesar during the Gallic wars. The series first appeared in the Franco-Belgian comic magazine Pilote in 1959 and has subsequently become a world-revered brand and the focus of a slate of live action films.

This is the latest in a series of teases from Playmobil this month who recently unveiled a collaborative project with the classic TV series The A Team.

Since the launch and subsequent success of its Back to the Future play-sets, and the nostalgia driven success of its Scooby Doo collection, Playmobil has sought to tap further in the classic IP space, eyeing a large market in the kidult fan sector.

The Adventures of Asterix boasts a loyal cross-generational following around the globe.

Peanuts Worldwide taps brand executive and licensing expert Tim Erickson as Executive Vice President of Brand

Peanuts Worldwide has appointed the consumer products and brand executive, Tim Erickson as its Executive Vice President of Brand, Peanuts Worldwide, a role in which he will oversee the team managing the brand’s global licensing business.

Working alongside the family of Peanuts creator, Charles M. Schulz as well as WildBrain’s content and management teams and the brand’s co-owners, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), Erickson will help sustain a global licensing approach that remains true to the heritage of the Peanuts brand.

Within his remit, Erickson will over the opening of new licensing, partnership, and retail opportunities, as well as support brand marketing and leverage new content launches. The plan is to expand the global presence of the Peanuts brand as it approaches its 75th anniversary in 2025.

Based in New York, Erickson reports to Eric Ellenbogen, CEO of WildBrain, the majority owner of Peanuts.

Ellenbogen said: “I’m delighted that Tim has joined the team at this important moment for the Peanuts brand. The response to our original series The Snoopy Show and Snoopy in Space on Apple TV+ and to our ‘Take Care With Peanuts’ initiative has been nothing short of fantastic.

“With lots more new content rolling out worldwide in the coming years in partnership with Apple TV+, the Peanuts gang has never been more popular. Working in tandem with our Peanuts content team, Tim will bring a breadth of experience at the intersection of family entertainment and consumer products that makes him the ideal person to lead the evergreen Peanuts licensing business.”

Erickson brings more than 20 years’ experience in consumer products and brand building to the role, having worked for global leaders in the space including Twentieth Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, and LEGO. He most recently held the position of Chief Operating Officer at the media company GoldieBlox, creating innovative STEM-focused brand experiences for girls through consumer products, retail and storytelling, as well as overseeing the company’s business development and operations.

Erickson said: “As a lifelong Peanuts fan, I’m elated to join Peanuts Worldwide. I’ve long admired Charles Schulz’s storytelling, both personally and professionally, so I look forward to engaging with the team and our partners to continue telling meaningful Peanuts stories through content, products and experiences that will engage fans for generations to come. I’m so excited about the opportunity to connect the Peanuts content pipeline with fan engagement around the world.”