Tag Archives: Paw Patrol

ViacomCBS teams with Asda Opticians for film and TV-branded eyewear

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ViacomCBS Consumer Products UK has announced a new partnership with Asda Opticians and optical wholesaler Alexander Parker Ltd to launch branded optical ranges for spectacle wearers of all ages. The new collections will include branded glasses showcasing some of ViacomCBS’s most iconic properties including PAW Patrol (produced by Spin Master Entertainment), SpongeBob SquarePants and Paramount movie classics such as Grease and Baywatch.

This first-time partnership with Asda Opticians comprises of two ranges of colourful eyewear for kids and adults which are rolling out across more than 130 Asda stores across the UK. The “Kids”collection, featuring Nickelodeon properties such as children’s favourites PAW Patrol, launched this autumn with SpongeBob SquarePants launching on 30 January 2022. The “In the Movies” adult range also launched this autumn and spotlighted some of Paramount Pictures’ classic movies including Grease, Footloose, Top Gun and Baywatch.

The “In the Movies” collection is priced at £80 for one pair, even if lenses need to be varifocal or if consumers need to have thinned lenses. This range also includes sun tints for adults; a second pair includes buy2 save £40 pricing. The “Kids” collection is free with an NHS voucher*, and any of the kids’ frames can be used for prescription sunglasses for just £15.

*NHS vouchers for glasses will only be issued following an eye test if a prescription is required. For more information, visit www.opticians.asda.com.

 

PAW Patrol, Bakugan, and a strong preschool line up drive ‘exceptional’ Q2 performance for Spin Master

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Another global toy company and another ‘exceptional second quarter performance’ rings in this week, as Spin Master joins the ranks of those experiencing Q2 2021 revenue surges.

Total revenue for the Canada-based toy maker increased 39 per cent this past quarter to hit $390.8 million, up from the $281.1 million it posted in the same period last year, with gross product sales growing 27.2 per cent, driven by higher sales in preschool and girls and boys.

Broken down market by market, gross product sales across Europe grew 23.7 per cent on last year, 23.7 per cent in North America, and 58.2 per cent in its Rest of World market.

“Our strong financial performance this quarter reflects our success in creating exceptional play experiences for children and their families across toys, entertainment, and digital games,” said Max Rangel, Spin Master’s global president and chief executive officer.

“By leveraging this strength of each creative centre, we are differentiating Spin Master in the children’s entertainment space. We are well positioned for the second half with an amazing toy line up, growth in our digital games franchise, and the highly anticipated release of PAW Patrol: The Movie, our first foray into feature films.

“Looking to the future, we are focused on adapting to the changing dynamics of play through innovation, customer driven decision making, partnerships and relentless drive to reimagine where imagination can take us, all while delivering profitable growth for our shareholders.”

Driven primarily by preschool and girls and boys sectors, Spin Master’s gross product sales increased by $70.3 million to hit $352.9 million for Q2 2021. Preschool and Girls grew by 60 per cent thanks to increased sales of PAW Patrol, as well as Gabby’s Dollhouse and Present Pets.

Activities, Games and Puzzles, and Plush decreased by $1.8 million. The decline was driven primarily by the Games and Puzzles portfolio, offset in part by sales of Rubik’s, Influencer, GUND, and Orbeez.

Gross product sales in Boys increased by $23.6 million driven by sales of Bakugan, Tech Deck, and Monster Jam RC. This was partially offset by declines in DreamWorks Dragons.

The outdoor product sector decreased by $1.1million.

In first half of the year terms, total revenue at Spin Master has increased 39.1 per cent on the six months ended June 30th, 2020. Gross product sales have increased by $129.2 million to hit $653.7 million.

Mark Segal, Spin Master’s chief financial officer, said: “We delivered very strong financials and operating performance this quarter.

“Our revenue trajectory continued to strengthen, driven by accelerating momentum in our Digital Games and Entertainment creative centres, which drove margin expansion and we are raising our total revenue outlook for the year.

“We remain committed to our financial framework for value creation, underpinned by our formula for innovation and global growth across toys, entertainment, and digital games.”

Story House Egmont reveals its new PAW Patrol kids’ magazine, PAW Patrol Extra

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Story House Egmont has launched its newest preschool magazine, teaming up with Spin Master Entertainment to introduce PAW Patrol Extra, a new monthly title designed to ‘satisfy the incredible demand’ for PAW Patrol content.

The new launch marks the second PAW Patrol licensed title in the Story House Egmont portfolio and follows the successful launch of the PAW Patrol flagship magazine some five years ago. Half a decade on, and Egmont still reports “incredible demand” for the UK’s leading preschool magazine.

Last year, amid what is recognised as a challenging year for the children’s magazines market, the flagship PAW Patrol title sold 880,000 copies and delivered £4 million in RSV. Out of a 17-issue publishing schedule, 2020 saw three issues selling over 63,000 copies and generating close to £1 million in RSV on those issues alone.

The new PAW Patrol Extra has now been billed as ‘the perfect complimentary purchase for PAW Patrol fans’, focusing on specific characters, themes and seasonality, and creating new and captivating content. The branded covermounts are closely linked with the editorial and will reflect important core themes from PAW Patrol TV episodes like empathy and friendship.

The first issue of PAW Patrol Extra focuses on Marshall – the fan favourite fire-fighter pup. From the firehouse to his fire truck, Marshall is a Dalmatian who is all action, which is exactly what readers will find in the first issue of PAW Patrol Extra. As well as stories, stickers, games and posters, issue number one is complimented by four Marshall-themed gifts.

Kiran Vara, publisher of PAW Patrol Extra magazine, said: “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the launch of PAW Patrol Extra magazine. In such a highly competitive market, the sustained growth and popularity of the flagship magazine is a testament to the strength of this incredible evergreen brand and we’re so excited to be giving fans even more action-packed fun with the launch of PAW Patrol Extra.”

ViacomCBS lands slate of CEE partners for PAW Patrol, SpongeBob, Shimmer & Shine and more

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WildBrain CPLG has secured a wave of new and extended FMCG partnerships in Central and Eastern Europe across ViacomCBS’ portfolio of popular animated brands including PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Shimmer & Shine and Bubble Guppies.

The pan-regional deals brokered by the WildBrain CPLG CEE team include those with Foodcare for a range of PAW Patrol instant porridge, hot cereals, and instant cocoa, an oral care range from GSK, and an extended offering of fruit and vegetable juices and pouches from Hortus to include Jurajska Junior PAW Patrol water.

In addition, long-term licensee Dairy4Fun continues to significantly grow the business across Europe with its range of children’s desserts and snacks featuring PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants and Blaze and the Monster Machines.

In Poland, WildBrain CPLG has secured a deal with the market’s largest ice cream manufacturer, Koral, for a range featuring PAW Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants. The partnership marks Koral’s first licensed offering and the range’s recent launch was supported by an extensive outdoor marketing campaign, including branded trucks. Alongside this, a new deal with Cerbona in Hungary saw a range of breakfast cereals featuring SpongeBob SquarePants recently launched at local retailers Auchan, Spar, Tesco HU and CBA.

Additionally, Cerbona is gearing up to roll out the range into new territories, including Czech Republic and Romania from this summer.

Meanwhile, in Serbia, WildBrain CPLG has signed beverage market leader KNJAZ MILOS (part of the Pepsi Group) for a flavoured water featuring Blaze and the Monster Machines, and Shimmer & Shine, with PAW Patrol joining the offering from August 2021. Also in Serbia, Plazma is celebrating ongoing success with its range of PAW Patrol snacks and cereal.

Slawomir Ekiert, managing director CEE and Nordics at WildBrain CPLG, said: “We’re seeing significant growth within the FMCG category across Central and Eastern Europe, which is largely being driven by beloved kids’ entertainment properties.

“ViacomCBS’s engaging slate of animated IP is ideally placed to captialise on the vast business potential FMCG partnerships offer, as demonstrated by this robust line-up of new and expanded deals. For 2021 and beyond, we’ll be focused on further boosting our footprint within the FMCG space and setting the standard for licensed products across our portfolio of entertainment and lifestyle properties, in both the CEE region and wider European market.”

PAW Patrol: The Movie first trailer drops as ViacomCBS cites ‘major milestone for iconic property’

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The first trailer for the hotly anticipated PAW Patrol: The Movie has landed, offering a first glimpse at ‘the biggest adventure yet’ for the cast of pups as the film readies to open in cinemas on August 20th this year.

Featuring an original song from Maroon 5’s front man, Adam Levine and an all-star cast including Ian Armitage, Marsai Martin, Yara Shahidi, Kim Kardashian West, and Jimmy Kimmel, the film will follow a big screen adventure as the PAW Patrol pups take on their biggest rival, Humdinger.

An official synopsis of the film reads: “The PAW Patrol is on a roll! When their biggest rival, Humdinger, becomes Mayor of nearby Adventure City and starts wreaking havoc, Ryder and everyone’s favorite heroic pups kick into high gear to face the challenge head on.

“While one pup must face his past in Adventure City, the team finds help from a new ally, the savvy dachshund Liberty. Together, armed with exciting new gadgets and gear, the PAW Patrol fights to save the citizens of Adventure City!”

Brian Robbins, president, kids and family entertainment, ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks, said: “Expanding PAW Patrol into the world of theatricals is a major milestone for this iconic property, and we can’t wait for kids and families everywhere to experience it together.

“We are incredibly excited to work with Spin Master Entertainment and our sister division Paramount Pictures on this latest title from the Nickelodeon Movies slate.”

Maroon 5’s Adam Levine lends voice talent to PAW Patrol: The Movie with original song ‘Good Mood’

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The American singer, songwriter and lead vocalist from Maroon 5, Adam Levine is the latest name to lend his voice to the upcoming animated feature film, PAW Patrol: The Movie, by performing the film’s title track.

Called ‘Good Mood’, the new song was written by Shellback, Savan Kotecha, Oscar Görres and Adam Levine, and produced by Shellback from MXM Productions and Oscar Görres for Wolf Cousins Productions. The track features Levine’s characteristic falsetto on top of an upbeat and light-hearted track.

Scheduled to be unleashed in theatres on August 20, 2021, PAW Patrol: The Movie is based on the award-winning preschool series produced by Spin Master Entertainment and broadcast by Nickelodeon. The movie features an all-star voice cast includingKim Kardashian West, Dax Shepard, Jimmy Kimmel, Tyler Perry, Yara Shahidi, Randall Park, Iain Armitage, Marsai Martin, and Will Brisbin, along with existing members of the current PAW Patrol series.

The PAW Patrol feature film is directed by animation veteran Cal Brunker (Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature; Escape From Planet Earth). Jennifer Dodge, Spin Master Entertainment’s President, is producing the film and Ronnen Harary, Spin Master’s Chair and Co-Founder, Adam Beder, Spin Master’s Executive Vice President Strategic Partnership & Franchise Development and Peter Schlessel are executive producers.

The PAW Patrol movie is the first of several feature films in the works by Spin Master Entertainment.

Tonies to open exclusive pop-up in Harrods’ Fourth Floor Toy Department

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An exclusive Tonies pop-up is preparing to open at the world-renowned department store, Harrods and its Fourth Floor Toy Department this May 29th, welcoming kids and families to the world of the popular children’s audio player.

The pop-up will feature best-selling Tonies from the company’s collection of over 100 characters, including stories from the beloved author Julia Donaldson, such as The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, and Stick Man, as well as the young, charming Zog.

Offering content to entertain and educate both infants and children of up to ten years old, the Harrods’ pop-up range will also feature childrens’ favourite, Peppa Pig, as well as a selection of Disney classics including the Lion King, the Jungle Book and Toy Story.

As well as an abundance of Tonies, a range of Tonies accessories will also be available at the pop-up, including the firm’s line of Tonie-Carriers with space to hold 20 of the Tonies figures, each available in six different colours.

Tonies has been active in the licensing space in recent weeks, having announced a new slated of characters to join its audio storytelling platform, including the likes of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Bob the Builder, and PAW Patrol. This week has seen the company detail a partnership with the BookTrust and the Life-changing Libraries initiative, created by How to Train Your Dragon author, Cressida Cowell to move the government to increase funding for primary school libraries.

Tonies library of licensed audio stories now span some of the biggest entertaiment franchises, from Disney and Universal, to Julia Donaldson and more.

SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol to boost presence across Japan in major new Rakuten partnership for Nickelodeon

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SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will each be bolstering their presence across the Japanese market thanks to a new partnership between ViacomCBS Networks International and Rakuten Group.

The long-term agreement will kick off with the launch of Nick+ – Nickelodeon’s kids’ streaming service – on Rakuten’s video on demand platform, Rakuten TV across Japan, covering mobile, web, and Smart TV devices.

The pairing will also include the creation of a dedicated Nickelodeon zone on Japan’s e-commerce platform. Rakuten Ichiba.

“This long-term agreement with Rakuten, a key player in the media and e-commerce industry, connects the world of streaming to the world of consumer products for the first time. The integration of Nick+ and the Nickelodeon digital storefront into the Rakuten Ecosystem will enable us to create an interconnected Nickelodeon experience for consumers and leverage strategic cross-platform promotional opportunities,” said Raffaele Annecchino, president and CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International.

“This innovative deal is testament to ViacomCBS’ expertise in developing unique and versatile partnerships and it will allow us to explore additional collaboration opportunities outside of Asia.”

Koji Ando, Rakuten group managing executive officer and senior vice president of Rakuten’s communications and energy company, added: “We are very excited to partner with ViacomCBS Networks International to bring their iconic brands and top-tier content to new audiences through our streaming and e-commerce platforms.

“Through these new initiatives, families across the country will have even more reasons to engage with our services and enjoy the rich customer experience of the Rakuten Ecosystem. We look forward to building on this partnership to deliver even more entertaining content and initiatives in the future.”

Nick+, a subscription service, is planned for launch on Rakuten TV on April 28, 2021, bringing many of the most popular series from the Nickelodeon library to Japanese audiences. Kids and families will be able to watch on demand favorite shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Bubble Guppies, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues & You!, Deer Squad, The Loud House, Game Shakers, The Thundermans and more.

In addition to hit kids and family entertainment via the Nick+ service, Rakuten will host the first Nickelodeon digital storefront in Asia on the Rakuten Ichiba internet shopping mall in Japan. Showcasing a collection of select Nickelodeon products from multiple merchants, Japanese audiences will be able to purchase products featuring some of the brand’s favourite characters from franchises such as SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the new dedicated e-commerce zone on Rakuten Ichiba.

Products will cover multiple categories, including fashion, stationery and collectibles.

Nick+ will be available on Rakuten TV’s official site and mobile app, STB/dongle, web and Smart TV devices as of April 28, while the digital Nickelodeon storefront on Rakuten Ichiba is planned for launch in May 2021.

Spin Master launches toy and game recycling scheme with TerraCycle in the US and Australia

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The global toy company, Spin Master has partnered with the international recycling organisation, TerraCycle to launch its own toys and games recycling scheme across the US and Australia.

Through the Spin Master Recycling Programme, consumers will now be able to send in Spin Master toys and games to TerraCycle to be recycled for free. Consumers will simply have to sign up to the TerraCycle programme page and post their used toys using the prepaid shipping label provided.

Once collected, the Spin Master toys will be cleaned and melted into hard plastic that can be remolded to make new recycled products, such as park benches and picnic tables.

“As a global company that creates innovative toys and games that inspire magical play experiences, we recognize the need to help preserve our environment for the benefit of the children we entertain today and for generations to come,” said Tammy Smitham, Spin Master’s VP of communications and corporate citizenship. “Our program with TerraCycle gives our well-loved toys a reimagined future while also reducing our impact on the environment.”

TerraCycle CEO and founder, Tom Szaky, added: “The Spin Master Recycling Program is a perfect chance to engage the next generation through sustainability in a fun and approachable way.

“This program makes it easy to show your children that recycling and the environment don’t have to be relegated to the classroom – kids can grow into responsible environmental citizens with every toy they outgrow and recycle with their parent’s help.”

In addition to diverting waste from landfills, Spin Master has made other environmental commitments including streamlining manufacturing processes to prioritize recovery and recycling, alongside goals to reduce plastic packaging and offset self-generated carbon emissions annually.

More information on Spin Master’s CSR Strategy and initiatives aimed at protecting the environment are available at https://www.spinmaster.com/en-US/corporate/corporate-social-responsibility.

The Spin Master Recycling Program is open to any interested individual, school, office, or community organization in the United States. For more information on TerraCycle’s recycling programs, visit www.terracycle.com. All Spin Master toys and games are eligible with the exception of the Kinetic Sand brand.

New York | Toy of the Year awards underscores big year for children’s licenses

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Pokemon, Super Mario, Star Wars The Mandalorian, and PAW Patrol are just some of the leading children’s brands to have won big this weekend when the annual Toy of the Year awards hosted an all-virtual event to reveal its winners.

A tussle of the titans ensued as the awards – recognised as the ‘Oscars of the toy industry’ – watched global toy makers LEGO and Mattel emerge with no fewer than four award wins each, with the likes of LEGO’s Super Mario play-sets and Mattel’s The Mandalorian The Child Plush thrust into the spotlight.

License of the Year went to Disney for The Mandalorian, while the Pokemon Trading Card Game took home Game of the Year. Pre-school Toy of the Year was swept up by Spin Master and its PAW Patrol franchise, while Playmibile drove home at 88mph with the Vehicle of the Year award for its Back to the Future DeLorean play-set.

“It’s an exhilarating feeling to be recognized for our relentless drive to push the boundaries of play,” said Anton Rabie, Spin Master’s chairman and co-chief executive officer of the firm’s win in the Pre-school Toy of the Year category.

“Every year our incredibly talented team, in collaboration with our amazing community of external inventors, raises the bar on innovation with the purpose of developing magical moments and experiences for kids and families around the world. Together, we’re committed to reimagining where imagination can take us.”

Meanwhile, in a surprise announcement, two winners were chosen for the People’s Choice Award; Story Time Chess (Story Time Chess), a classic game re-imagined for the youngest of players, and The Original Spawn Action Figure and Comic Remastered (McFarlane Toys), a fan-favourite that has its roots in Kickstarter success.

Toy of the Year Awards were handed out in 16 categories. The winners are:

Action Figure of the Year: Fisher-Price #ThankYouHeroes Line (Mattel)

Collectible of the Year: LEGO Super Mario Character Packs (LEGO)

Construction Toy of the Year: LEGO Star Wars The Razor Crest (LEGO)

Creative Toy of the Year: Crayola Colors of the World Crayons (Crayola LLC)

Doll of the Year: Barbie Color Reveal (Mattel)

Game of the Year: Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy (The Pokémon Company International)

Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year: Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Grow-the-Fun Garden to Kitchen (Mattel)

Innovative Toy of the Year: Star Wars: The Child Animatronic Edition Toy (Hasbro)

License of the Year: Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney)

Outdoor Toy of the Year: Ultimate Go-Kart (Radio Flyer)

Playset of the Year: LEGO Super Mario Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set (LEGO)

Plush Toy of the Year: Star Wars: The Mandalorian The Child 11” Plush (Mattel)

Preschool Toy of the Year: PAW Patrol Dino Patroller (Spin Master)

Specialty Toy of the Year: LEGO Ideas Grand Piano (LEGO)

STEAM Toy of the Year: Mega Cyborg Hand (Thames & Kosmos)

Vehicle of the Year: PLAYMOBIL Back To The Future DeLorean (PLAYMOBIL)

Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Toy Association, said: “From 117 outstanding finalists to this year’s TOTY winners, to Hasbro’s Toy of the Year Award and two unique People’s Choice winners, each underscores the joy of play in uncertain times, the togetherness of family game night, as well as the swiftly-evolving retail and e-commerce landscape.

“The TOTYs continue to reflect the toy and play community’s passion and perseverance, all while honoring the richly deserving Hall of Fame inductees. It also raises vital funding for The Toy Foundation as it embarks on impactful new programs supporting children’s hospitals and driving diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in the toy industry. We thank the independent expert judging panels and the tens of thousands of individuals who voted this year.”

During the event, four toy industry visionaries were also officially inducted into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame. This year saw Philip Bloom, founder and former publisher of The Bloom Report; William C. Killgallon, chairman of the board at The Ohio Art Company; Pleasant T. Rowland, founder of American Girl, a division of Mattel, Inc.; and the late Margarete Steiff, founder and creator of Steiff were all inducted.

Read more about the Hall of Fame inductees here.

More than 500 TOTY Award nominees poured in late last summer. Of those, 117 finalists were selected by a panel of expert judges. Category winners were then determined based on votes from toy retailers (mass and specialty), media, Toy Association members, and consumers.

The “Toy of the Year” winner was determined by an expert panel that discussed all the finalists before rendering a decision based on TOTY votes, holiday sales, and media buzz (traditional, online, and social).

The “People’s Choice” award winners were uniquely selected by online consumer votes. All results were audited for accuracy, including the judging and voting process, and The NPD Group validated marketplace acceptance. Descriptions of all TOTY finalists can be found at ToyAwards.org.