Kangaru Toys plans expanded licensing offering to the UK and Europe through Two in 1 Direct

Two in 1 Direct has detailed a new licensed segment from the international scented stationery, toys, and activities specialist, Kangaru Toy, following the recent news that it would handling the outfit’s UK business.

Kangaru will be making its UK debut at what it has billed ‘an exciting stage of the company’s development,’ having confirmed a new licensing programme with a host of popular food and confectionery brands in the US, including Chupa Chups, Mentos, and Kelloggs’ cereals.

With this series of licensing partnerships, Kangaru will look to tap into the popular food licensing trend and reinvigorate the craft and stationery categories. Key characteristics of these brands, such as shapes, scents and colours, will bring this collection to life.

Joe DiPalma, Kangaru’s founder and CEO, has spent the last year adopting a licensed strategy to this new product development to capitalise on top selling brands.

Speaking of the company’s plans for its licensing programme, he said: “Over the coming year we plan to expand the licensed products into the UK and Europe, South America and Asia. Where the UK is concerned, we’ve been working with Paul to better understand the opportunities within the market.

“He’s been drawing on his vast experience in toys and the children’s entertainment business, as well as his impressive ability to customise products and licensing for customers, to really help tailor our licensed offering for the UK.”

Paul Fogarty, co-founder of Two in 1 Direct, added: “We’ve seen the foodie craze hit the toy aisle and now we get to bring it to the stationery and craft aisle.

“Something we’re particularly excited about is the opportunity to customise this line of products to suit our retailers’ unique needs. We’re going to be working closely with our retail partners over the coming months to deliver a collection that appeals to customers and meets their individual needs.”

Cats vs Pickles sets paws down in UK to mirror US success through plush and licensing plans

Cats vs. Pickles, an international children’s IP that has rocketed to fame on YouTube, is looking to mirror its US success as it prepares to set all four paws down on the UK’s shores this year.

Made available to the UK market through Paul Fogarty’s TWO IN 1 Direct, Cats vs Pickles will introduce its eclectic range that spans more than 100 different styles of Cat and Pickles collectable plushies, Kitty Condo Habi-cats, themed special editions, Jumbo Plush, character pillows, and more.

It follows a soft launch for the brand here in the UK that, through a limited roll-out of the collectable plush range before Christmas, was met with ‘an impressive response,’ and reports of retailers selling 1,500 units within just a few weeks.

In the US, the demand for Cats vs Pickles has been driven by a large volume of bespoke online content created by Cepia. Short form video content on YouTube has generated more than 110 million views from a global audience, with more than 16 million views in the UK alone.

According to Fogarty, average sales of the Cats vs Pickles range have hit over 30 units sold per week, with many major outlets hitting as high as 50 units per store, per week.

Fogarty said: “Cats vs. Pickles is a long-term brand with much more to come from the range later in the year, including licensing. Cepia will be supporting the collection with a comprehensive and heavy marketing schedule, including TV, pre-roll and influencer activity. It’s going to be big.”