Talking Tom & Friends goes global as it lands new CGI series and a raft of interactive product deals

Things are hotting up for the award-winning family entertainment brand, Talking Tom & Friends thanks to a slew of new licensing deals across the US and a brand new 3D CGI animated series for global distribution.

Denoting a step up in its plans for global expansion, the popular Talking Tom IP will be the focus of a new series titled Talking Tom Heroes: Suddenly Super headed for distribution on the world stage. The series will see the brand’s popular characters transform into superheroes, each of whom must unlock their superpower potential to save the day.

This is the latest development for Outfit7 and its North American global licensing partner, Epic Story Media, who have also secured a suite of new licensing deals that will take Talking Tom further into the interactive product space.

“Talking Tom Heroes: Suddenly Super is an exciting new development for Outfit7’s groundbreaking entertainment brand, which already has 79 billion global views of its video content,” said Ken Faier, El Presidente and founder of Epic Story Media. “We’re thrilled to be able to work with Outfit7 and take a brand with such incredible global reach to new heights.”

The series is just one of three deals set to deliver more Talking Tom & Friends to its fans worldwide. Epic Story Media and Outfit7 have partnered with Lukis Global Corp, a multi-industry conglomerate and private label manufacturer, to launch a range of new Talking Tom & Friends products at US retailers in the food, apparel, jewellery, and health and beauty categories.

Meanwhile, this autumn will see the launch of the GameBud Talking Tom – a first-of-its-kind, game-connected, interactive product. The Talking Tom GameBud, which will be released for presale in Q4 this year, is the first product to launch from direct-to-fan premium play company, HUGE! Play.

Kevin Mowrer and Adrian Roche, Co-CEOs of HUGE! Play, said: “We’re incredibly excited to introduce the world to GameBud, an innovative 3D interactive character that will live-connect to your favorite Talking Tom games, while also acting as your very own in-home streamer. It’s an honor to partner with Outfit7 and Epic Story Media on this exciting new milestone and industry first.”

Epic Story Media named US and Canadian licensing agent for Outfit7’s Talking Tom and Friends

Epic Story Media, the independent content creation, distribution, and licensing company, has been named the US and Canadian licensing agent for Outfit 7’s flagship family entertainment brand, Talking Tom and Friends.

Under the partnership, Epic Story Media will assemble a consumer products programme with key categories, including toys, plush, publishing, party/novelty, experiential/events, and promotions.

To date, Outfit7 has developed and launched over 22 Talking Tom and Friends mobile games, which have received over 10 billion downloads globally. In 2019, its innovative virtual pet game My Talking Tom 2 ranked as the sixth most-played mobile game in the world.

The Talking Tom and Friends brand is also one of the top 20 favourite game brands in the US and has amassed over 325 million local views across its YouTube content.

Its YouTube channel was the seventh most-viewed in 2018, and overall the brand has received over 23 billion views worldwide. Its popular, original content is a global sensation, with over 40 billion total views to date.

Ken Faier, El Presidente and founder of Epic Story Media, said: “We’re extremely excited to join forces with Outfit7 Limited and work on one of the world’s strongest gaming and video brands.”

Epic’s head of licensing and merchandising, David Sztoser, added: “We will leverage Talking Tom and Friends’ success and build an innovative and robust licensing program in the US and Canada.”