The Light Fund announces Master Sponsors for English Channel Relay fundraiser

This summer, on a day between the 30th of June and the 3rd of July when the weather conditions are right, two boats of six swimmers will be racing each other across the English Channel to France in aid of The Light Fund charity. All the participants will be from the licensing industry, trying to be first to make it from Dover to the French coast – a 21-mile journey that could end up closer to 40 miles if you include tidal shifts.

The Light Fund has attracted a large and growing number of sponsors and donations for its forthcoming English Channel Relay fundraiser, and it can now proudly announce the Master Sponsors – the two groups that have taken on the biggest sponsorships available for this year’s Light Fund challenge.

Playmates Toys and Wow! Stuff have both guaranteed five-figure sums to support the pivotal role of the two pilot boats transporting, supporting and protecting both six-member swim teams during the relay.

A Light Fund spokesperson says: “For over 55 years, Playmates Toys’ commitment to quality and excellence in the design, development and marketing of character-rich toys has inspired imaginative play for generations of children worldwide. Wow! Stuff is a name globally synonymous with toy innovation for licensed brands. The names of both Master Sponsors will now appear on the two vessels: Pilot Boat Optimist and Pilot Boat High Hopes.

“The Playmates Toys and Wow! Stuff sponsorships won’t just support the hire of the boats, they will pay for the pilot, crew, observers, Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF) registrations and access to the internal marina at Dover as well as pick-up collections, car parking and – of course – a licence for swimming across the busiest shipping channel in the world – with around 1,000 vessels per day in transit.

“Both sponsorships also include a more-than-generous donation towards this year’s Light Fund Challenge target of £250,000, which will be shared by principal beneficiary the RNLI and a number of other organisations and projects supported by the charity that is inspired, and run, by the licensing industry.”

Playmates Toys and Wow! Stuff are in distinguished company. Some 70 other businesses working in the licensing industry have supported the swimmers with sponsorships varying from hundreds to thousands of pounds – and covering everything from drinks bottles to deep sea water training, towels to film and drone technology.

The money raised and pledged so far has taken the two teams almost two-thirds of the way to their target of £250,000 – which will be a record for any single Light Fund challenge.

The generosity of all the companies backing the cross-Channel swim will be saluted both on and beyond the day of the swim itself. Every sponsor will be namechecked in a special thank-you video that will be among the highlights of this year’s Licensing Awards ceremony.

With only four months until the English Channel Relay takes place, there are still many sponsorship opportunities available. Interested parties can find out more about corporate sponsorship options here. Individuals are very welcome to donate via the event’s Just Giving page, where you can also follow the teams preparing for the big day. There’s also an Instagram feed and a Facebook page containing team photos and updates.

On the day itself a limited-access live feed is also planned in tandem with GPS trackers on each pilot boat: watch out for announcements on how to follow the challenge as it happens.

Michael Chan of Playmates Toys says: “We jumped at the opportunity to give our backing to this extraordinary challenge and play a role in bringing essential support to these two brave and committed teams. It’s a real honour to be a Master Sponsor for the licensing industry’s biggest charity challenge of the year.”

Richard North, CEO, Wow! Stuff, says: “When we heard that the licensing industry was supplying two teams to do a relay swim across the Channel we thought two things: ‘Are they mad?’ and ‘How can we help?’ The Light Fund helped the toy industry initiative ToyAid, which Joel Silverman and I set up during the height of the pandemic. This is Wow! Stuff’s thanks for that involvement and our commitment to be with the mad team of Light Fund swimmers every step – or stroke – of the way.”

As Stephen Gould, who will be captaining one of the two teams, says: “Without the dozens of sponsors and hundreds of smaller donations from so many people in the licensing industry this wouldn’t be happening. If you’ve backed us already, our sincere and grateful thanks. If you haven’t as yet, there are many more opportunities to support our teams and the many very worthwhile causes backed by the licensing industry’s very own charity.”

The Light (Licensing Industry Giving Help Together) Fund was born when a group of like-minded people from the UK licensing industry came up with the idea to form a committee to help those less fortunate than themselves. The Light Fund is a registered charity, which raises monies to fund worthwhile charity projects that help children, women and men. Since its inception, back in 2004, The Light Fund has raised over £1.7 million and funded hundreds of different charity projects.

https://www.lightfund.org

 

Playmates Toys and Paramount Consumer Products reveal first look at Star Trek: Prodigy action figures

Playmates Toys and Paramount Consumer Products have revealed a first look at the action figures from the Paramount+ animated series Star Trek: Prodigy.

Star Trek: Prodigy follows a motley crew of young aliens who must figure out how to work together while navigating a greater galaxy, in search for a better future. These six young outcasts know nothing about the ship they have commandeered – a first in the history of the Star Trek franchise – but over the course of their adventures together, they will each be introduced to Starfleet and the ideals it represents.

Produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio and CBS Studios, Star Trek: Prodigy is currently available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ and will debut on Nickelodeon in the U.S. later this year.

At launch, the new toy line will include the following Star Trek: Prodigy characters:

  • Dal R’El figure with Murf
  • Gwyndala
  • Jankom Pog
  • Hologram Janeway
  • Zero
  • Rok-Tahk (coming early 2023)

These five-inch, 1:14 scale figures will feature 14 points of articulation and come packaged in a brand-new blister pack style designed exclusively for the Star Trek: Prodigy toy line.

“We are excited to be bringing Star Trek: Prodigy toys and accessories home to families for the first time. This new lineup we are unveiling is highly focused on playability — we want kids to take the toys out of the packaging and engage in imaginative play as if they were part of the Star Trek world themselves,” says Karl Aaronian, senior vice president, Playmates Toys.

The action figures will be available at online retailers beginning in October 2022 and on store shelves in spring 2023. New Star Trek: Prodigy ships, vehicles and role play toys will be available later in 2023.

Billie Eilish launches her own doll line with Playmates Toys and Bravado

The American singer-songwriter, Billie Eilish, has released a new line of collectable toys and figures inspired by the looks she adopts in her music videos for Bad Guy and All Good Girls Go To Hell. The new range has been developed by Playmates Toys in a licensing partnership forged by Bravado.

The toy line will launch this October and will be available via Eilish’s official website as well as on Target.com.

Drawing on the artist’s specific looks, the All Good Girls Go To Hell collectable figures comes in at six inches in height and features removable and poseable wings. The figure, taking the jet black look that Eilish adopts in the video, has 18 points of articulation. It arrives in a collectable box that flips open to reveal a diorama and stand.

Meanwhile, Eilish’s Bad Guy doll stands 10.5 inches tall and features a life-like sculpt of Eilish in her iconic yellow sweatsuit. There are 14 points of articulation, including the singer’s blue hair. Like the other figurine, this one comes in a box that transforms into a backdrop inspired by the Bad Guy music video.

According to a press release issued, Eilish launched the first 200 dolls this week exclusively on NTWRK, with fans and collectors able to score limited edition numbered dolls. The dolls are also now available to pre-order at Target ahead of the range’s October 15th release.
Eilish has teased that more additions to the collectables will be following shortly.
billie eilish doll

Billie Eilish launches her own doll line with Playmates Toys and Bravado

The American singer-songwriter, Billie Eilish, has released a new line of collectable toys and figures inspired by the looks she adopts in her music videos for Bad Guy and All Good Girls Go To Hell. The new range has been developed by Playmates Toys in a licensing partnership forged by Bravado.

The toy line will launch this October and will be available via Eilish’s official website as well as on Target.com.

Drawing on the artist’s specific looks, the All Good Girls Go To Hell collectable figures comes in at six inches in height and features removable and poseable wings. The figure, taking the jet black look that Eilish adopts in the video, has 18 points of articulation. It arrives in a collectable box that flips open to reveal a diorama and stand.

Meanwhile, Eilish’s Bad Guy doll stands 10.5 inches tall and features a life-like sculpt of Eilish in her iconic yellow sweatsuit. There are 14 points of articulation, including the singer’s blue hair. Like the other figurine, this one comes in a box that transforms into a backdrop inspired by the Bad Guy music video.

According to a press release issued, Eilish launched the first 200 dolls this week exclusively on NTWRK, with fans and collectors able to score limited edition numbered dolls. The dolls are also now available to pre-order at Target ahead of the range’s October 15th release.
Eilish has teased that more additions to the collectables will be following shortly.
billie eilish doll

ZAG details slate of licensing partnerships and renewals for Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir

ZAG has detailed a slate of new key licensing partnerships and renewals across key categories including publishing, apparel, food, and home decor as the company continues to ‘set new milestones’ for its flagship brand, Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir.

The latest update follows the recent appointment of leading veteran consumer products executives at ZAG, brought on board to help propel the success of the Miraculous brand as it continues to build on its global network of major licensing partners.

New to the Miraculous licensing programme is Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, a division of the Hachette Book Group, and InSpirit Designs, a division of the lifestyle retailer Spencer Spirit Holdiongs that owns and operates Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween. The multi-year deal with LBYR includes picture books, leveled readers, storybooks, chapter books, middle grade novels, guide books, and sticker books.

Meanwhile, InSpirit Designs will create costumes and accessories for wholesale retailers. Other new licensees for the North American region include Jay Franco for bedding and home decor, Handcraft Manufacturing for underwear, and Customized Personal Solutions for print on demand merchandise for kids.

In Europe, multi-territory licensees Panini and Ferrero – Miraculous partners since the brand’s launch – are continuing their relationship with ZAG. Panini has renewed its multi-product deal that includes its signature sticker album, monthly magazine, and traditional books in Germany. Ferrero has now launched Miraculous Kinder Surprise Eggs and other seasonal products in more than 50 countries.

In France, ZAG is extending is partnership with McDonald’s that saw a May/June 2020 promotion launch featuring Miraculous themed arts and crafts kits with collectable cards, while a new license has been signed with La Plume Doree for a range of back to school Miraculous products.

Turbulences launched a new Miraculous Lifestyle magazine in June, and Prodhex will launch first aid kits for new adventurers. Elsewhere in Europe, new publishing agreements have been signed for a variety of products, including Eksik Parca Yayincilik Ticaret (Missing Piece Publishing) in Turkey, Ranok Publishing Limited in Ukraine, and Kennedy Publishing (UK).

In Latin America, the newly appointed The Novelty Book Company becomes ZAG’s pan-regional publishing partner, with book programs going into Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru.

Also recently renewed is an agreement with Australia’s Five Mile Press who will continue to publish chapter books, novelizations, guide-books, and book gift sets, together with additional new categories.

“Miraculous continues to be one of the most beloved brands around the globe and bringing aboard so many new best-in-class partners, as well as continuing our long-standing relationships,  is a testament to the tremendous popularity of the brand,” said Julian Zag, EVP global operations.

“We are currently in production on seasons four and five of the series with two new TV movie specials set to debut on Disney Channel and Disney+ at the end of this year and early next ahead of our US$70m theatrical move release. We’ve sold over 150 million products at retail over the past three years, and Miraculous is the number one direct-to-retail license for Spirit Halloween for kids and adults.

“Winning 15 prestigious awards, and with over 100 million downloads of the official app, the future continues to look absolutely Miraculous.”

The new consumer products deals for Miraculous coincide with the retail roll-out of the new toy line from ZAG Lab, ZAG’s toy division, and Playmates Toys.

The first product line from the two companies – since announcing their long-term global alliance earlier this year – is set to debut this fall across key European territories, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Benelux, as well as Mexico, and throughout the rest of the world in 2021.

Additionally, season three of the series launches this summer and fall around the world. Seasons one and two currently air in key territories, consistently ranking number one in the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Brazil and Mexico and top-ranked in the U.S. on Disney Channel.

According to Parrot Analytics, Miraculous was the most in-demand children’s show on Netflix when it launched in the U.S. and Russia (2018 and 2019).

Miraculous follows the adventures of two seemingly typical teens with secret identities, Marinette and Adrien, who magically transform into superheroes, Ladybug and Cat Noir. As secret superheroes, Ladybug and Cat Noir are partners in the action. But in the daytime, Marinette is just a normal girl, living a normal life. Cat Noir will do anything to support and impress Ladybug but does not know this is Marinette from his class. Marinette, the regular girl, in turn dreams of Adrien and simply gets little response. When evil threatens, can they beat the unexpected villains?

Playmates Toys forms alliance with Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir studio ZAG

Playmates Toys has been called upon to begin development of a line-up of innovative new toy lines for ZAG’s portfolio of popular animated brands, including its hit Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir.

Playmates Toys is recognised as a global marketing company with over 50 years of innovation and success in the character licensing world. It’s now struck up an alliance with ZAG, the global independent entertainment studio.

“What we love most about Playmates Toys, aside from their fantastic team, is its ability to not only capture the magic of our characters but also bring them to life,” said Jeremy Zag, chief executive officer, ZAG.

“The team’s ability to tackle any and all production challenges inspires us to further push the envelope and continue to innovate. We couldn’t ask for a better partner.”

Karl Aaronian, senior vice president of marketing, Playmates Toys, added: “We’re thrilled to enter into an enduring partnership with such a high caliber entertainment studio. We continuously strive to create unique product lines for kids that are entertaining, innovative and high-quality, and ZAG is the perfect partner as we look to the future, sharing the same values as us.

“This is truly a new way of doing things. Working hand in hand with Jeremy and his team from the IP inception right through to having toys on shelves allows for a truly unique creative approach that will lead to incredibly innovative entertainment content and toy product.”

ZAG is led by founder and CEO, Jeremy Zag. After founding the company in France in 2009, he has since expanded the company and operations to the United States. With a new corporate headquarters in Santa Monica, California that has recently expanded to include the Global Brand Franchise office, ZAG has become a beacon of creative collaboration.

The company’s first entertainment property, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, has become an international phenomenon, with new and upcoming titles Power Players and Ghost Force already creating significant buzz.

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, which airs in over 120 countries worldwide, continues on a rapid growth path, with new seasons in production, movies, a major worldwide theatrical release and more. New title Power Players, currently airing on Cartoon Network, is an all-new action-comedy animation series with real stakes, large laughs and over-the-top action.

One of the most realistically animated, episodic shows ever produced, this heroic fantasy follows a young boy Axel as he transforms into a living action figure with a wild new perspective on the world.

Meanwhile, Ghost Force, an upcoming CGI-animated series, follows a group of junior high school friends who form a secret superhero team dedicated to protecting New York City from spectral villains, large and small.