Octonauts activity trail set to make waves at SEA LIFE centres

Silvergate Media and Merlin Entertainments have announced their new activity trail, Octonauts: The Great Gup Rescue, which has just been unveiled at SEA LIFE at Mall of America before beginning its voyage to SEA LIFE centres around the world.

Expanding on its successful global partnership with Merlin, Silvergate’s new interactive activity-based Octonauts trail will allow visitors to embark on a journey with their favourite characters by completing missions and saving the sea creatures. The Great Gup Rescue starts with an underwater storm that has caused major electrical problems leading to all the Gups (the Octonauts’ aquatic vehicles) to break down. Alongside Captain Barnacles and Dashi, preschoolers and their families will experience an activity trail throughout the site where they can help save the day and become a hero in the rescue. 

As a continuation of last year’s successful activity trails that were brought to life at 13 SEA LIFE centres and aquariums across the UK and ANZ, this exciting new adventure will educate and inspire guests about important conservation topics while attracting new visitors to SEA LIFE centres. 

The Great Gup Rescue activity trails launched initially at SEA LIFE at Mall of America on 10 March 2022 before launching at SEA LIFE locations around the world. This latest activity trail joins a strong and expanding portfolio of global live event partnerships from Silvergate and continues to build on their long-standing partnership with Merlin, including the world’s biggest Octonauts attraction at Merlin’s Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai.

“I’m always looking for exciting experiences for our guests at SEA LIFE at Mall of America, so we are thrilled to have The Great Gup Rescue,” says General Manager Trisha Ruf. “This partnership will spark even more imagination, adventure and wonder with guests at SEA LIFE Aquariums here in Minnesota and around the globe.”

“We are thrilled to be introducing a brand-new Octonauts activity trail at SEA LIFE centres this spring. Children will have the opportunity to become truly immersed in their own Octonauts adventure and as restrictions begin to lift, it’s perfectly timed to meet rising consumer demand for live experiences that deliver on fun and education,” says Lisa Macdonald, SVP Content and Consumer Product Sales at Silvergate Media. “This activation marks the start of a busy year ahead for the brand as we build towards the highly anticipated toy line from Moose Toys and we’re delighted that our latest collaboration with Merlin Entertainments will create real life experiences for families to enjoy.”

Moose Toys partners with Silvergate Media for new Octonauts toy line

Moose Toys has partnered with Silvergate Media, the producers of Octonauts, on a new line of toys launching August 2022.

Moose will release a range of vehicles, figures, plush and playsets based on the popular animated TV property and its latest series, Octonauts: Above & Beyond, to preschool toy aisles nationwide.

Moose will continue the Octo-fun with line expansions, including new characters, vehicles and more, in late 2022.

“Anticipation for the new line of Octonauts: Above & Beyond toys has been building since we announced our partnership,” says Belinda Gruebner, chief marketing officer, Moose Toys. “We simply could not contain our enthusiasm and desire to share this first look at the line any longer.

“Moose’s strength and expertise in the preschool aisle shines with these toys designed to capture the hearts and imaginations of young Octo-fans. Widely regarded as one of the top preschool properties, Octonauts is action packed, educational and anchored in learning through problem solving and teamwork, and our toy line continues this outside of the episodes.”

The first wave of the range includes:

Playsets

  • Octoray Transforming Headquarters Playset [pictured above]: The ultimate transforming playset that goes from flying Octoray transporter to Headquarters. The large-scale playset comes with Captain Barnacles, three cute creatures and a collectible mission card for kids to create and play their own adventures and rescue missions. SRP $69.99
  • Octopod Action Playset: The command centre of the Octonauts world that’s featured in every Octonauts episode. The Octopod Action Playset includes Captain Barnacles, three creatures and a collectible mission card. SRP $34.99

Vehicles and Figures

  • Octonauts Deluxe Vehicles: This lineup of vehicles includes new vehicles from the latest Octonauts: Above & Beyond series as well as must-have vehicles from the original hit Octonauts show. Each vehicle comes with an Octonauts crew member, creature, and a collectable mission card. SRP $16.99
    • Gup-A and Captain Barnacles: The most iconic Octonauts Gup, the Gup-A is a submarine that is perfect for all underwater missions and adventures.
    • Gup-B and Kwazii: This shark-inspired vehicle comes complete with a chomping jaw feature.
    • Terra-Gup 1 and Dashi: Based on the new Octonauts: Above & Beyond content, the Terra-Gup 1 and Dashi are ready for land adventures.

Figures

  • Adventure Packs: Collectible packs that include one figure, an environment, a creature and a mission card to take kids on their own Octonauts adventure.  The packs feature four of the most popular Octonauts and their companion creatures, including Panni and Reindeer, Barnacles and Puffin, Kwazii and Tiger and Peso and Salamander. SRP $8.99

Gup Racers

  • Gup Racer Assortment: The debut assortment includes six collectible favorite Octonauts characters and their vehicles. With an assortment of sea and land vehicles, each vehicle comes with rolling wheels and a fixed figure. SRP $4.99

Plush

  • Plush and Talking Plush: Super-soft and cuddly Octonauts plush featuring four of the series’ most popular characters, including a talking Captain Barnacles who delivers some of his signature phrases. SRP $9.99 (plush figures); $24.99 (Captain Barnacles talking plush)

The toys will be available nationwide wherever toys are sold beginning August 2022. The launch of the new Octonauts line will be supported by a 360-marketing campaign including national television, digital media buys, influencer partnerships and in-store point-of-sale features.

There are five seasons and a trio of Netflix Original movie-length specials currently available on Netflix. The series is a ratings hit with leading broadcasters worldwide including CCTV, BBC, ABC and Super RTL. The Octonauts official YouTube channels have delivered more than 2 billion lifetime views, with in the region of 2 million subscribers.

The property’s newest series Octonauts: Above & Beyond takes the much-loved crew of intrepid explorers beyond the sea and onto land with an exciting array of new locations, vehicles and storylines to enjoy.

 

 

Octonauts to ‘make waves’ across UK Sea Life Centres this summer ahead of spin-off series launch

A series of new activity-based Octonauts trails are set to ‘make waves’ across Sea Life centres and aquariums in the UK and ANZ this summer, thanks to an extensions of an established partnership between Silvergate Media and Merlin Entertainments.

The new deal will also see an all year-long experience launch at Chang Feng Ocean World in China ahead of the launch of the new spin-off series, Octonauts: Above and Beyond later this year.

The interactive events will allow preschoolers and their families to ‘Be Captain For A Day’ as part of a themed and immersive experience which puts them centre-stage of their own Octonauts adventure, looking for Captain Barnacles alongside favourite characters from the show such as Kwazii, Peso and Inkling.

Guests to the attractions will also learn about conserving the world’s oceans as they complete tasks, challenges and activities as part of their mission.

Making a big splash from June to July in the UK, Octonauts events will be taking place at 11 UK Sea Life centre locations, including London, Manchester and Brighton, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bray, Great Yarmouth, Hunstanton, Loch Lomond, Scarborough and Weymouth from June to July.

Visitors to Australia’s Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium (August) and Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium in New Zealand (June to July) will also be able to enjoy the fully-themed family experience.

“We are delighted to bring this latest exciting Octonauts adventure to life for fans in the UK, ANZ and China as we build towards the broadcast launch of OctonautsAbove & Beyond,” said Lisa Macdonald, SVP content and consumer product sales at Silvergate Media.

“Merlin Entertainments’ world-class Sea Life centres are the perfect setting for children to fully immerse themselves in the brand and learn all about saving the oceans. Visitors will be able to embark on a real-life adventure with their favourite characters for a family day out that’s both fun and educational.”

 Rita Marcal, global head of brand and products, added: “Octonauts has such a fantastic affinity with Sea Life and our goal of inspiring guests to fall in love with the ocean and its animals through fun and education. We’re thrilled to welcome our guests to experience the event and learn about conservation with the help of the Octonauts.”

The UK and ANZ events follow close behind the recent Octonauts attraction which launched at Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai in December 2020 and will also be hosting the new Octonauts trail throughout the year. This is the latest in a series of multi-territory partnerships between Silvergate and Sea Life aquariums, with plans to extend the roll out to the US and the rest of Europe in 2022.

The second half of 2021 promises to be an exciting time for the popular pre-school brand, which is poised for a major relaunch as it makes a welcome return to experiential events.

Silvergate is readying the global launch of the new animated spin off series Octonauts: Above & Beyond in autumn 2021 which has inspired a brand new toy line from the global master toy partner, Moose Toys, including figures, vehicles, play-sets, plush, and games set to debut at retail in 2022.

Silvergate taps Moose Toys for new Octonauts and spin-off series toy line

Moose Toys has partnered with Silvergate Media to launch a new Octonauts toy line developed to support the popular animated pre-school series and the upcoming release of its spin-off series, Octonauts: Above & Beyond.

First launched to screens in 2010, Octonauts has a global broadcast platform spanning multiple territories and huge fanbases in the UK, US, and China. Recently the show extended its reach by debuting in Latin America and the Middle East.

The upcoming new series Octonauts: Above & Beyond will take the crew of intrepid explorers beyond the sea and onto land with an array of new locations, vehicles and story lines to enjoy. Kids will learn facts about creatures, extreme environments and the challenges of water and weather phenomena.

“We’re incredibly honored to partner with Silvergate to bring the next chapter of Octonauts to fans across the world. The rich storyline and characters make for an incredible sandbox to develop fun, original toys,” said Joe Smith, senior director of global marketing, licensed brands, Moose Toys.

“Octonauts is widely regarded as one of the top preschool properties, and this partnership further solidifies Moose’s strength and expertise in the preschool aisle.”

As part of the deal, Moose Toys will create a full range of Octonauts toys including figures, vehicles, play-sets, plush, games and more. Octonauts: Above & Beyond, the new spin-off series will debut in 2021.

With this latest partnership, Moose Toys continues to expand its licensing portfolio and acquire highly coveted shelf real estate in the booming pre-school aisle. The toy company has seen success with its pre-school properties through its successful Kindi Kids doll line and its master toy deal with Australian ultra-hit animated series, Bluey.

Kindi Kids debuted on shelves summer 2019 and was recognized by The NPD Group as being the number one new doll property launched over its first three months of being in the market. Following its first foray into the pre-school space with Kindi Kids, Moose reinforced its strength in the category this year when Bluey was named number one new pre-school property by The NPD Group.

“With proven success in the preschool aisle and a reputation for innovation, Moose Toys is the perfect partner to capture the world of Octonauts: Above & Beyond in toy form,” said Ron Allen, executive vice president of commercial, Silvergate Media.

“We’re excited to collaborate on a new toy line that will help us take the brand in a fresh direction and create a collection of toys that kids will love.”

Silvergate Media unveils world’s biggest Octonauts attraction at Sea Life Shanghai

Silvergate Media has released the first images from the launch of the world’s biggest Octonauts attraction at Merlin Entertainment’s Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai, part of the Sea Life global aquarium chain.

The new Octonauts experience opened its doors to the public on December 28th and visitor numbers are already expected to surpass 500,000 a year.

The new attraction offers an authentically themed experience that will give families the opportunity to go on a real life Octonauts adventure in a fully submerged Octopod capsule within Merlin Entertainment’s new ‘Ray Bay’ experience at Changfeng Ocean World.

Visitors can join characters including Captain Barnacles, Kwazii and Peso to learn about the world’s oceans and help save baby rays. They will also be able to take home a memento of their day, with a range of Octonauts merchandise available to buy on-site at a dedicated SEA LIFE gift shop.

The new attraction arrives ahead of a new content launch for Octonauts, as new spin-off series Octonauts: Above and Beyond prepares to debut globally this autumn, with new licensing partners soon to be announced. The new Octonauts experience in Shanghai builds on the momentum of previous SEA LIFE partnerships with Merlin Entertainments in the UK, Europe, Australia and the US, with additional new activations due to be announced.

“What better way to bring the brand to life than a fully immersive attraction at a world-class SEA LIFE centre,” said Ron Allen, EVP Commercial Silvergate Media. “This promises to be an exciting year for the brand as we build up to the launch of Octonauts: Above and Beyond and we’re excited that families in China now have the opportunity to step into the world of Octonauts in this unique underwater adventure.”

Matthew Williams, senior brand director midway, Merlin Entertainments, added: “We are delighted to have opened the world’s biggest Octonauts experience at Changfeng Ocean World in the fantastic new Ray Bay area, immersing families in a heroic underwater adventure with their favourite characters from the series.

“Octonauts is an ideal IP for SEA LIFE with fun and discovery at its core, and we look forward to working with Silvergate to share more exciting and innovative themed Octonauts experiences with families at our aquariums around the globe.”

Silvergate’s Octonauts makes a splash in Latin American and the Middle East

Silvergate Media’s pre-school animated series, Octonauts, is making a splash in new markets with recent broadcast deals that bring the award-winning show to audiences in Latin America and the Middle East for the first time.

In a deal brokered byPanaderia, Mexico’s TV Azteca has acquired the broadcast rights to Los Octonautas, marking the property’s first major launch in the LatAm region. The show debuted in October 2019 and is already demonstrating excellent ratings in its timeslot.

Alongside TV Azteca and the show’s other LatAm broadcast platform, Netflix, the official Spanish language YouTube channel has seen rising audience figuresIn Q4 2019, Mexico became the fourth highest rating global territory for Los Octonautas on its YouTube channel.

On top of this, Silvergate is also embarking on a new mission to bring Octonauts to audiences in the Middle East following a recent broadcast deal with Spacetoon, one of the biggest family entertainment content providers in MENA.

The agreement was brokered by 20too agency and saw the first episodes debut in prime-time slots from March 2020. Building on the property’s growing popularity, Silvergate is now readying the launch of the Octonauts live stage show which will premiere in the region with daily performances at Global Village Dubai, the world’s leading multicultural family attraction, welcoming more than 7 million visitors every season.

Ron Allen, EVP commercial, said: “Mexico and the Middle East are key territories in our global brand strategy.  We are delighted to be working with regional partners of this calibre to grow our fan base and we’re excited to be planning a wider brand launch for LatAm for 2021.”

Silvergate and Merlin Entertainments bring world’s biggest Octonauts attraction to Shanghai

Silvergate Media has landed a major new creative partnership with Merlin Entertainments that will bring its hit pre-school property Octonauts to Chang Feng Ocean World in Shanghai, part of the Sea Life global aquarium chain.

Launching to the public in June 2020, the new attraction will be the biggest Octonauts attraction worldwide and will expand the universal appeal of the brand by offering a unique new underwater experience.

“Our partnership with Merlin Entertainments underlines our ongoing commitment to dive deeper into innovative and immersive events that bolster our brands,” said Ron Allen, EVP commercial, Silvergate Media.

“This new interactive adventure with Changfeng Ocean World  will give fans an unforgettable Octonauts experience that truly reflects the show’s core values of education, exploration and entertainment – it’s a perfect brand synergy. We look forward to sharing the attraction with fans in China this summer.”

The world-class visitor attraction operator Merlin is creating an authentically themed Octonauts experience that will give families the opportunity to play and explore in a fully submersed Octopod within Changfeng Ocean World’s huge new ‘Stingray Bay’ experience.

Visitors to the new attraction will join characters including Captain Barnacles, Kwazii, and Peso and embark on an exciting Octonauts mission, learning about the world’s oceans and the creatures that live within them. There will also be a dedicated gift shop on-site offering retail opportunities to the brand’s many licensing partners.

The attraction will be promoted with a heavyweight media campaign and a press launch is scheduled in January 2020 that will give media a first look at the new site prior to its official opening in the summer.

This latest deal further cements Silvergate’s existing relationship with Merlin, and builds upon the momentum of previous Sea Life partnerships in the UK, Europe, Australia and the US with additional new activations due to be announced in 2020.

Fun and discovery are at the core of what we do at Merlin and that is why Octonauts is an ideal fit for us. The new attraction will bring Octonauts to life in a way that has never been done before and we are very confident it will drive growth in visitor numbers when it launches at Changfeng Ocean World,” said Anthony Newman, Sea Life’s global brand marketing director, Merlin Entertainments.

Silvergate Media’s pre-school animated TV show, Octonauts, continues to appeal to audiences around the world with the show’s storytelling, educational narratives and compelling characters enabling it to cross cultural divides.

Currently, Silvergate is readying the launch of the fifth season of Octonauts which will bow this year.