Three new publishing deals for ‘eatertainment’ brand Chefclub

Chefclub, the eatertainment brand, has announced three new publishing deals inspired by its internationally broadcast video content: in France, Chefclub has launched its new Super Veggies illustrated kids’ cookbook; in Germany, Panini Verlags GmbH is launching a one-off, standalone Chefclub Kids magazine; and in Italy, Vallardi Editore is publishing a family cookbook.

Super Veggies is Chefclub’s brand-new cookbook concept designed to help young chefs discover and love vegetables by casting them as superheroes. Much easier to digest than a nutrition lecture, the 25-recipe book illustrates seasonal vegetables in action with their secret weapons: vitamins to become invisible to viruses, calcium for indestructible teeth, and so on.

Marie-Laure Marchand, SVP Global Consumer Products & Business Development, Chefclub, says: “Being a content-driven company, publishing represents one of our core pillars for building a long-lasting brand. We have internally developed more than 25 titles for a family and kids audience, and have sold over 700,000 units so far. We are very happy to partner with renowned partners such as Panini and Vallardi and look forward to encountering the same success in Germany and Italy.”

In Germany, leading publisher Panini is launching a one-off Chefclub Kids magazine as a special edition of the well-established lifestyle magazine LandKind. An initial run of 55,000 copies was launched in kiosks starting this spring. In the 60-page magazine, the Chefclub Friends entertain young cooks with lots of fun activities and games that allow them to discover ten Chefclub Kids’ recipes. With 100 million monthly views, Chefclub is an extremely strong brand in Germany, where it won the 2021 Digital Licensing International Award for Best Digital Brand.

Finally, this September Italian publisher Vallardi Editore will launch Cucina da Leccarsi i Baffi (“Mouthwatering Cuisine”), a richly illustrated book featuring 100 recipes, including appetisers, main courses and desserts, all based on the popular video-recipes conceived, produced and distributed by Chefclub on social media.

Marcella Meciani, Editorial Director of Vallardi Editore, says: “​We are very happy to collaborate with Chefclub, a dynamic, original and innovative company, to bring cooking enjoyment to every Italian family. The book will feature Chefclub’s most popular video recipes which are ideal for kids, parents and grandparents to cook together.”

The publishing agreements follow a number of strategic moves by Chefclub into streaming, FAST and linear platforms. In April, the brand partnered with Pluto TV in the US, Latin America, Spain and the UK to stream 100 hours of eatertainment content in both English and Spanish; in December 2021 it launched a standalone FAST channel in France and Switzerland with Samsung TV, and a first animated series starring the popular Chefclub Kids animated mascots is in development.

Since its launch in 2016 Chefclub has become the No.1 cooking brand in the world on social media, winning three Licensing International Awards for Best Digital Brand in France (2021, 2019) and Germany (2021).

The Premier League and Panini announce further multi-year extension

The Premier League and Panini have announced a further multi-year extension to the Premier League collectables license granted to Panini in 2019.

Domestically, sales of Premier League Adrenalyn trading cards have doubled this year, confirming Adrenalyn as the market-leading brand for trading cards in the UK. Panini has also established the iconic Panini sticker album brand as the number-one collectable in the UK with Premier League sticker sales last season climbing to the highest level for 15 years, despite the challenges of the pandemic. Internationally, Premier League collectables are at an all-time high as Panini leverage the strength of the Premier League brand worldwide thanks to its global network.

Mike Riddell, Panini UK Managing Director, says: “We are proud to be awarded the most prestigious license in the UK, and we relish the prospect of continuing to grow the market in the coming years.”

“Panini has ignited the Football collectables market in the USA, China and internationally,” says Peter Warsop, Panini Group Licensing Director. “The Premier League will continue to attract new fans and collectors with Panini enjoying continued substantial growth both domestically and through 60-plus other International markets.”

Will Brass, Premier League Chief Commercial Officer, adds: “Stickers and trading cards are a great way for fans around the world to engage with the Premier League and its clubs. Panini has been a great partner since becoming the Premier League’s official sticker and trading card licensee in 2019, and we look forward to continuing to build our relationship over coming seasons.”

The Panini Group to become exclusive trading card and sticker album partner of WWE

The Panini Group and WWE have announced a multi-year agreement that will make Panini WWE’s exclusive trading card and collectible sticker partner. The agreement will begin in the first quarter of 2022 and will include multiple trading card products and a sticker album collection during the first year.

The first two product releases – 2022 WWE Prizm trading cards and a WWE Sticker Album – will coincide with the buildup surrounding WrestleMania, WWE’s biggest annual event, taking place on April 2 and 3 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

“We have aspired to become a WWE licensing partner for a long time and so we are extremely excited to be able to deliver to fans around the world an extended publishing programme,” says Panini Group Licensing Director Peter Warsop. “The WWE is an iconic brand and along with our own brands and in-depth International reach will ensure not only an explosive start to the relationship but a long-lasting trend of continued growth and excitement.”

“Panini has a 60-year history in sports and entertainment collectables and is a leader in the trading card space throughout the U.S. as well as in Latin America, Europe and Asia,” adds Scott Zanghellini, WWE Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategy & Development. “We believe that this partnership perfectly aligns our mutual interests in providing fans with exclusive collectibles and, ultimately, growing this category globally.”

 

Masha and the Bear scores new magazine and comic books deal with Panini across Italy

New Masha and the Bear magazines and comic books are about to land at kiosks across Italy, thanks to a new partnership between Maurizio Distefano Licensing – the licensing agent for Masha and the Bear in Italy – and Panini.

Under the partnership, Panini will launch a new monthly, official Masha and the Bear magazine and series of comic books. The magazine is available at retailers now while the comics will launch on April 29th.

The Panini publications are all carefully designed to encourage reading among kids and will include simple and fun activities, stories, colouring-in pages and gifts. They can be found in bookstores, in kiosks and on the www.panini.it website.

The animated series Masha and the Bear is now a children’s classic, enjoying incredibly high levels of awareness. According to Parrot Analytics, a leading TV analytics company, the animated series was among the top five most in-demand kids’ shows in the world in January 2021.

It is also ranked third among the top favourite kids’ entertainment brands in Europe and MEA among children from 0 to six (source: Kidz Global, Jan 2021 edition).

Masha and the Bear airs daily on Rai YoYo. Its many regular showings have been a key factor in the enormous success of the series since its arrival in Italy. The episodes are also available on the Rai app Rai Play.

“This partnership between a leading Italian publisher of children’s magazines, books and comics and one of the most popular children’s series, both in the world and in Italy, is guaranteed to be successful,” says Maurizio Distefano, president of Maurizio Distefano Licensing. “Panini has developed some highly attractive products for Masha and the Bear, bringing together high-quality educational content and great fun! This magazine and these comics are perfect for their young target audience.”

Millimages builds strong Molang licensing roster for 2021 spanning plush, collectables, and more

Millimages has secured a raft of new licensing partners for its popular animated IP, Molang, spanning the plush and stationery aisles, as well as apparel, collectibles, and more.

Kicking off the slate, Millimages has tapped NICI to develop new Molang plush ranges to launch across Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Austria this autumn. The collection will feature not only plush, but plush keyrings and special Molang stationery.

Meanwhile, this year’s fourth quarter will see Molang strengthen its presence in the collectables space with the launch of a new partnership with Panini. The deal will witness the arival of a Molang sticker book, completing a wider collection of books and a Molang magazine. The sticker book will launch in Germany and Spain.

Abysse will have the accessories sector tied-up with the launch of a series of cosmetic cases, acrylic figures, and 2d acrylic key chains, as well as a selection of mugs, all to be released this July. September will then see the launch of a line of Molang phone cases, pins, 2D and 3D keyrings, glasses, cookie jars, notebooks, and pens.

Molang has found recent succes in the publishing sector with the launch of the first Molang magazine earlier this month. A second issue will be released in June and will aim to help teach children about positivity and positive education. It will run a feature on yoga and kids’ meditation.

Across broadcast, Molang has secured new partnerships with a host of European channels, including Rai YoYo in Italy for seasons three and four, Tiny POP in the UK for season four, OCS in France for season three, and Canal Panda in Spain for season three.

EOLO Toys and Panini on board for new animated series and app game SuperMasked

EOLO Toys and Panini have been named among a portfolio of licensing partners already on board to launch exclusive toys and collectables based on an upcoming animated series and app game, SuperMasked.

A joint venture between Maya Studio and EOLO’s own toy design house and motion graphics centre, Toy Zone, SuperMasked is an animated superhero saga that teaches kids that they don’t need to be perfect to be a hero. The animated comedy will become the focus of its own app game this autumn.

Multiple licensing partners have already been tapped for the new IP, including Panini and EOLO Toys who will each launch ‘very unique and exclusive lines’ in the coming months.

“Our main mission is to make everyone happy and keep smiling even through difficult times,” said EOLO’s Toy Zone director of fun, Alex Prieto. “We love this property, its values and of course it’s going to be lots of fun. [It has been] great to work with Maya on this, they are very talented and know how to enjoy the process, this will for sure be reflected in the end result.”

Maya Studio has made a name for itself in the entertainment and licensing space through the success of its Catrinas Underworld brand, a playful adaptation of the Mexican skulls art and style. The brand has enjoyed vast success in licensing with products spanning books and bags to collectable dolls, costumes and more.

Maya’s creative director, Javi Monler, added: “The toy world is something that fascinates us. Seeing that the things you have created move and serve to entertain is the greatest thing a creative could dream of.

“Catrinas is the brand that has shown us the way, and while establishing itself with top products in the market, we present SuperMasked, a new property that will not leave anyone indifferent.”

UFC taps Panini America as its official collectable trading card partner

The mixed martial arts organisation, UFC has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Panini America to become the brand’s official and exclusive collectable trading card partner.

Under the new deal secured by IMG, Panini America – recognised as the world’s largest licensed sports and entertainment collectables company – will launch its official UFC collection this April with the roll-out of the UFC Prizm collectable series. Panini will also add UFC trading cards to other popular product lines such as Select, Contenders, and Immaculate throughout the year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Panini America as UFC’s new official collectible trading card partner,” said UFC senior vice president of global consumer products, Tracey Bleczinski.

“Many of our fans use collectible trading cards to stay connected to our brand and to their favorite UFC athletes, and Panini America is the industry leader, creating innovative and unique products for our fans to enjoy.”

Panini America CEO, Mark Warsop, added: “This truly is a dream match-up that brings together the unquestioned leaders of trading cards and combat sports for a partnership that will excite and captivate UFC fans and collectors across the globe for years.

“We’ve watched with great interest over the years as UFC has grown into a major force on the mainstream sports landscape with some of the most marketable athletes in the world.

“We’re passionate UFC fans here at Panini America, and we’re excited about what we can do with the UFC brand and the athletes on our trading cards. We’re looking forward to this relationship.”

As part of the partnership, Panini America will capitalize on UFC’s biggest moments in real-time with the company’s direct-to-consumer Panini Instant platform. Panini Instant makes trading cards of UFC’s biggest fights, moments and milestones available just hours after they happen. These special cards will be available for a limited time and are made to order.

Panini ‘working to get more stickers into UK’ following sell-out success for Official Premier League Collection

Panini UK has ‘been taken aback’ by the demand for the new Premier League Official Sticker Collection 2021, that – despite the current lockdown restrictions – has seen sales outperform the success of the 2020 collection.

The range has been such a hit at retail that customers in some parts of the country have reported difficulty in getting their hands on the sticker packets, with hot spots for the new collection to be Leeds and Birmingham in particular.

Panini suggests that sales in these areas have been driven by Leeds United and Aston Villa fans who have embraced the collection as the ‘perfect antidote to lockdown’ and not being able to see their teams play in person.

‘The Panini Premier League 2021 Sticker Collection has already established itself as – by a distance – the fastest selling collectable currently available in the UK and Ireland, with fans both young and old enjoying both the quality of the new album, the stickers (including plenty of shinies) and the amount of detail included for each team,’ read a statement from Panini UK.

‘Many are finding the sticker packets the perfect reward for children who work hard at “home school”!’

Panini UK has stated that it is now working hard behind the scenes to get more sticker packets into the country ASAP to meet the demand, and more stock available on its online store.

Starter packs, priced at £3.99 include an album which is packed full of facts, stats and analysis, plus four sticker packets. Each packet costs 70p and contains five stickers.

Panini ‘working to get more stickers into UK’ following sell-out success for Official Premier League Collection

Panini UK has ‘been taken aback’ by the demand for the new Premier League Official Sticker Collection 2021, that – despite the current lockdown restrictions – has seen sales outperform the success of the 2020 collection.

The range has been such a hit at retail that customers in some parts of the country have reported difficulty in getting their hands on the sticker packets, with hot spots for the new collection to be Leeds and Birmingham in particular.

Panini suggests that sales in these areas have been driven by Leeds United and Aston Villa fans who have embraced the collection as the ‘perfect antidote to lockdown’ and not being able to see their teams play in person.

‘The Panini Premier League 2021 Sticker Collection has already established itself as – by a distance – the fastest selling collectable currently available in the UK and Ireland, with fans both young and old enjoying both the quality of the new album, the stickers (including plenty of shinies) and the amount of detail included for each team,’ read a statement from Panini UK.

‘Many are finding the sticker packets the perfect reward for children who work hard at “home school”!’

Panini UK has stated that it is now working hard behind the scenes to get more sticker packets into the country ASAP to meet the demand, and more stock available on its online store.

Starter packs, priced at £3.99 include an album which is packed full of facts, stats and analysis, plus four sticker packets. Each packet costs 70p and contains five stickers.

Panini makes a move on the confectionery aisle with Easter Egg and Christmas treats

The collectables brand, Panini is making its first move into the confectionery space via a new partnership with Icam S.p.A. a new licensing partner who will take the IP into celebration-themed chocolate items.

Based in Modena, in Italy, Panini is a worldwide leader in collectable stickers and trading cards, while Icam is an outfit known for its production of high quality chocolate. The deal will see the development of a range of Panini branded sweets for Easter and Christmas holidays. The line will first land in stores from Easter 2021.

The first Panini product manufactured by Icam under the Panini license will be the Calciatori Panini Easter 2021 egg, which will launch next March. It will be followed by the launch of Panini Christmas socks featuring branded cholocates.

The Calciatori Panini Easter 2021 egg will feature a surprise set of 20 stickers from the current football 2020/21 collections, plus and exclusive Panini sticker celebrating the company’s 60th anniversary in 2021.

This is the latest development for the Panini who detailed its intentions to commence licensing out the brand name this October, timing its announcement to coincide with the industry’s Festival of Licensing.