Tag Archives: Pop Culture

Pokémon partners with The Wand Company to launch the first Poké Ball Replica Series

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The Pokémon Company International has teamed up with The Wand Company to release the first die-cast Poké Ball Replica Series, giving fans the chance to collect premium replicas of the iconic Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Premier Ball.

Equipped with proximity-sensing technology, each of the die-cast replica’s buttons glows when it senses motion. Pressing the button changes the light colour or starts a Pokémon-catching illumination sequence. Each Poké Ball also comes with a presentation case and a polished stainless steel ring.

Fan can also enjoy the multi-coloured lights when opening the lid of the case, which can be controlled through a touch-sensitive metal plaque on the front of the case.

“The Poké Ball is an iconic part of the Pokémon franchise, and we are thrilled to work with The Wand Company to re-create the Poké Ball as a high-quality collectible for our fans,” said Amy Sachtleben, director of licensing at The Pokémon Company International.

“The Wand Company is known for its innovative designs and world-class manufacturing, making them the perfect partner to bring this vision to life.”

Chris Barnardo, CEO of The Wand Company, added: “Working on such an iconic property as Pokémon is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for The Wand Company team. It’s been such an exciting development and we look forward to sharing our gorgeous Poké Ball series with fans everywhere.”

To highlight the launch, the classic Poké Ball version was prominently featured in Pokémon’s appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Flanked by a troupe of dancing Pikachu, a Pokémon Trainer triumphantly held up the Poké Ball for millions of fans around the world to see.

As the first to launch in the series, the Poké Ball replica is available for preorder starting today via Amazon and other participating retailers around the world, and products will ship to preorder customers to arrive on Pokémon Day, February 27, 2021.

Products will be available at Sideshow.com, Zavvi, Forbidden Planet, and Yellow Octopus, among other retailers.

Silvergate Media lines up partners in Spin Master, Hot Topic and Forbidden Planet as Hilda returns to Netflix

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Silvergate Media has detailed a tranche of new partners for its popular animated series, Hilda, that includes not only a direct to retail partnership with the pop culture specialist, Forbidden Planet, but the series’ first board game courtesy of Spin Master and an extension of its successful plush line with GUND.

Details of an extending licensing slate for the Scandinavian-inspired animated series have been releases in anticipation of the launch of Hilda’s second season on Netflix this December 14th. Silvergate has secured exclusive retail partnerships with Hot Topic and Forbidden Planet, as well as a slate of new toys.

Co-produced by Silvergate Media and Mercury Films, the 13 x 22-minute episodes in season two of Hilda bring fresh adventures for the blue-haired heroine as she delves deeper into the vast wilderness of Trolberg. The animated series is based on Luke Pearson’s acclaimed graphic novels.

The upcoming second season follows on the success of the multi award-winning first season, which debuted on Netflix in September 2018 and went on to scoop multiple awards including a BAFTA, Kidscreen, International Emmy award and three Annie awards. Silvergate’s licensing programme has been developed to tap into the series’ growing international fanbase.

“The first season of Hilda set the bar high in terms of what a children’s animated series could achieve and it was so rewarding for our creative team that it received the widespread recognition that it did,” said Waheed Alli, CEO at Silvergate Media.

“It’s now a genuine pleasure to bring audiences new adventures in season two that will expand the universe of Trolberg in unexpected ways.”

The US-based pop culture retailer, Hot Topic, is launching an exclusive line of Hilda inspired t-shirts for the North American market. While here in the UK, science fiction and fantasy retail specialist, Forbidden Planet, has an exclusive direct to retail agreement with Silvergate that will see the retailer launch its own line of apparel in 2020 before expanding into homewares and gifting from 2021.

“We’re really excited to be developing our own range of Hilda merchandise,” said Anthony Garnon at Forbidden Planet. “The show’s fantastical storylines and imaginative visuals speak directly to our consumer base and give us plenty of inspiration for products that will stand out on shelf and become must-have items for Hilda fans.”

The growth of the apparel category will be boosted by additional product lines launching to coincide with season two. This includes global toy partner, GUND, which is adding further plush accessory lines targeting girls and teen fans to the main lines which launched earlier this year, and lead publisher Flying Eye Books, who has released three new novelisations tying in with season two.

Additionally, Spin Master is readying the first-ever Hilda board game, scheduled to hit retail from next summer.

LEGO Art grows its mosaic-building ‘relaxation’ portfolio with Harry Potter Hogwarts Crests sets

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The LEGO Group is growing its LEGO Art portfolio with the launch of a range of Harry Potter Hogwarts Crests sets, designed to give Harry Potter fans and adult LEGO builders the chance to display their house allegiances.

The new 2D tile mosaic wall art sets each allow Harry Potter enthusiasts to build one of four different Hogwarts house crests: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw with the 4,249 piece set. Four sets can be combined to make the ultimate Hogwarts crest.

LEGO Art offers adults a creative experience to help them relax and recharge as they transform a blank canvas (or in this case, small interlinking base plates) using LEGO tiles. The new LEGO Art Harry Potter Crests set can be reimagined in a number of different ways to display a different crest if loyalties change.

The new launch also comes with an immersive soundtrack designed to give fans a ‘behind the scenes’ peek into the Wizarding World as experts talk more about Hogwarts and the different houses. The range and its soundtrack is designed to helping builders “switch off and explore their love of Harry Potter as they build”.

The soundtrack includes stories of those close to the Wizarding World™ including Miraphora Mina, graphic designer for the Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts films, Eduardo Lima, graphic designer for the Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts films, Alan Gilmore, creative director for the Harry Potter films, Pierre Bohanna, head prop maker for theHarry Potter & Fantastic Beasts films, and Kitt Kossmann, LEGO designer.

A Harry Potter logo tile adds the final touch to the impressive 15.5” (40cm) square tile mosaic before it is proudly hung on the wall. The new LEGO Art Harry Potter Hogwarts Crests set is designer for builders aged 18 and over, and will be available from January 1st, 2021 from LEGO.com, LEGO Stores and other retailers globally priced from $119.99/€119.99.

Funko’s Loungefly brand sees sales surge and global growth of 25 per cent

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While it’s true enough that the world’s pandemic crisis saw some of the biggest forms of live entertainment hit the pause button for the best part of the year, the likes of Disney’s portfolio of theme parks that draw all manner of pop culture enthusiasts year on year, the desire among fans to buy into their favourite brands hasn’t been diminished.

At Loungefly, the lifestyle and gifting division of the pop culture specialist, Funko, 2020 has seen sales ‘go through the roof.’ The business has told Licensing.biz that it has seen a massive surge in numbers of sales, amid a 25 per cent global growth of its branded products portfolio, proof that the pandemic hasn’t dampened the world’s culture of fandom.

Global sales at Loungefly are now estimated to generate up to $100,000,000 by 2021, while Truffle Shuffle, one of the company’s key retailers in the lifestyle space, has confirmed that it now manages to sell somewhere between 2,000 to 3,000 Loungefly bags per month on average.

Head of softlines, Funko EMEA, Rich Smith

“Sales this year have been incredible, and growth has exceeded expectations, with all things considered,” Rich Smith, head of softlines, Funko EMEA, told Licensing.biz. “We have seen huge success behind some of the Disney properties which are not as mainstream, such as Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, and Pixar’s Wall:E. Our evergreen properties such as Mickey, Star Wars, and Disney Princess have also continued to serve us well too.”

It’s according to Smith that demand in the pop culture lifestyle space this year has, in part, been fuelled by an unsatisfied itch among the fandom space; one that has been exacerbated by the closure of events and destinations like theme parks or conventions throughout the year. As a result, the scene’s audience of fans have taken to engaging with their favourite brands via other means.

“Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the gigantic fanbase who normally save up and visit the Disney Parks haven’t been able to and have therefore spent the money they would normally spend at the parks on product from retailers across Europe and Loungefly,” said Smith.

“Loungefly opens Funko up to a different customer base and vice versa for Loungefly. So many of the fans are wanting to get more product that ties into their collections. The beauty of the Funko umbrella is that you can buy a Marvel backpack, a Marvel t-shirt, a Marvel mug, a Marvel keyring, a Marvel advent calendar, and so forth, all under one roof, with consistent imagery: the perfect collection.”

Among the best-selling items within the Loungefly portfolio this year, it has been the mini backpack range that has stood out as its leading line. Across this range – and akin to its collectables business – Funko’s Loungefly works with a broad licensing portfolio that spans the likes of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Warner Bros, DC, SpongeBob SquarePants, Hello Kitty, Pusheen, MTV, Clueless, and beyond.

“Loungefly is unique as we are a brand who collaborates with some of the world’s most loved licenses,” continued Smith. “We will continue to grow our offering and will continue to add more licenses to our already strong portfolio. We like to look for a license with an impeccable following, and who fits within our brand goals. They also, of course, need to appeal to our fanbase, who we listen to – a lot.”

Like the rest of the waking world, this year has seen Loungefly witness its biggest consumer trend within the online shopping space, and currently boasts a network of retailers 90 per cent made up of purely online players.

“To build on this from here, we will continue to push growth across the EMEA region with some key retail partners, as well as continue to expand our offering on our very own online store,” said Smith.

“Look out for a ton of new exclusives in 2021.”

Waxwork Records lifts lid on Universal’s 1932 classic horror The Mummy Spinature

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Waxwork Records, the cult and pop culture record label and specialist in the collectables space, has lifted the lid on its latest Spinature collectable figure: The Mummy, as played by British actor William Henry Platt (stage name of Boris Karloff) who played the infamous monster in Universal’s 1932 classic fantasy horror film.

The new Spinature features a detailed sculpt of Karloff in his iconic mummy look and stands at around four inches tall. The new release features detailed likeness, bandages, ring, and The Mummy’s classic pose.

This is the latest launch from Waxwork Records who partnered with Universal to release a series of collectable Spinatures figures from across its vault of Monster movies. Earlier this year, the firm launched its Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein figures, while – hitting the Halloween market – it detailed its Halloween II and Halloween III collection on October 30th.

Many more Spinatures are to come this autumn/winter, including Dracula, The Phantom of the Opera, The Creature From The Black Lagoon, The Wolfman, and The Invisible Man. 

Cornwall’s Beer Buddies details launch of Original Stormtrooper bottle opener range

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Cornwall’s own Beer Buddies – the designer and distributor of character wall-mounted bottle openers – is preparing to launch its fourth licensed product taking the form of the Original Stormtrooper from the first ever Star Wars film.

The launch arrives as the latest addition to Beer Buddies’ ICON range, a collection that to date features the likes of Motorhead, Iron Maiden, and Judge Dredd Beer Buddies bottle openers.

The range was set to launch earlier this year, but suffered delays owing to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The company has now confirmed that its Original Stormtrooper line will launch on December 4th.

Based in Helston in Cornwall, Beer Buddies has become synonymous with the men’s gifting sector, and has been met with a surge in demand for product over the course of the year.

“We’ve been inundated with Star Wars fans wanting to know the release date,” said Richard House of Beer Buddies. “They don’t have long to wait now, December 4th is the day.”

 Like all Beer Buddies ranges,  the artwork for the packaging has been executed by the Falmouth designer and illustrator Elly Jahnz of Foxcub Studios.

“The packaging itself is very important to us for ecological reasons, we use virtually all cardboard and keep polystyrene and plastic to a minimum so its easily recyclable,” said House. “Once again, Elly from Foxclub Studios has done a brilliant job.”

The Stormtrooper project has taken a year to get this point as the company has had to work with extended production deadlines and transport delays due to the Covid restrictions.

“We think the wait has been worth it,” House concluded.

LEGO reveals new LEGO Super Mario building sets and collectable character packs

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The LEGO Group has expanded its 2020 LEGO Super Mario line with the launch of a new line of sets and characters, including the Master Your Adventure Set, the Chain Chomp Jungle Encounter Expansion Set, The Pirhana Plant Puzzling Challenge Expansion Set, and more.

Leading the newest line up, the Master Your Adventure Maker Set delivers a creative toolbox that enables kids to customise LEGO Super Mario building, play and ways to earn coins. Users can change how LEGO Mario reacts to three Special Bricks, offering a variety in play and a new element of surprise.

The Maker Set also introduces a new special Start Pipe that will shuffle the known rules of the level play, in that players are challenged to reach the Goal Pole in less time, yet with increased rewards up for grabs. The Maker Set comes with 366 pieces, all selected to ensure that children can unleash their creativity and customise their own levels for themselves or other players.

Further sets that have been introduced today are the Chain Chomp Jungle Encounter Expansion Set, the Piranha Plant Puzzling Challenge Expansion Set, the Wiggler’s Poison Swamp Expansion Set, Penguin Mario Power-Up Pack and the Tanooki Mario Power-Up Pack.

As well as this, Series Two of the LEGO Super Mario Character Packs has also landed, all featuring an action tag that LEGO Mario can read for fans to easily integrate into the level play. Series Two features ten new collectable, buildable characters.

Kept a surprise until opened, fans could be getting a Huckit Crab, Spiny Cheep Cheep, Ninji, Foo, Parachute Goomba, Fly Guy, Poison Mushroom, Para-Beetle, Thwimp or a Bone Goomba.

The new sets and characters will give fans the chance to have LEGO Mario slide on his belly as Penguin Mario or spin round as Tanooki Mario. The sets will also introduce much-loved enemies including the Piranha-Plants, Larry, a Goomba, Wiggler, and Koopa Paratroopa, to the play, all of whom can be defeated or played with for coin rewards.

LEGO Super Mario jumped into existence earlier this year through a unique partnership between The LEGO Group and Nintendo. The adventures were kick-started with an entry-point set: LEGO Super Mario Starter Course, which includes an interactive LEGO Mario figure that collects coins in interactive level play created with LEGO bricks.

Each Expansion Set and Collectable Character is designed to be used with the entry point set, featuring seven action bricks for different interactions with the LEGO Mario figure, which has LCD screens in its eyes, mouth and belly to display instant reactions to movement, colour and action bricks.

All sets and characters are compatible, allowing fans to combine sets and characters announced today with the Starter Course and all other LEGO Super Mario products revealed in June this year. Each set also comes with its own series of distinctive challenges and characters, and have been designed to work alongside the free LEGO Super Mario app.

The app hosts 3D Building Instructions for the sets, keeps track of scores and provides inspiration for builds and ways of playing to encourage continuous rebuilding and extended playtime.

Simon Kent, design creator and creative lead for LEGO Super Mario, The LEGO Group, said: “It wouldn’t be Super Mario if we weren’t constantly creating new worlds and adventures for everyone’s favourite Plumber.

“The LEGO Super Mario sets we released earlier this year have been extremely well-received by fans and we’re really excited to build on those with even more characters and experiences today.

“We really want to empower users to be as creative as possible with LEGO Super Mario – and today’s expansion sets and new collectible characters have been launched to broaden the horizons of the LEGO Super Mario universe, letting players be as imaginative as possible in the way they have Mario interact with his friends – as well as defeating his enemies.”

King Features rolls out extensive slate of activity for 40 years of the 1980 cult film Flash Gordon

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It’ll be a full four decades since the release of the 1980 cult classic film Flash Gordon this December 5th, and King Features Syndicate has lined up a full roster of activity, including theatrical screenings, fresh content and home entertainment, as well as new licensed products and publishing, in order to best celebrate.

“Flash Gordon’s comic adventures have influenced how we define the modern science fiction genre, but the 1980 film is what really solidified the comic star as a lasting pop-culture icon,” said Carla Silva, vice president and general manager, global head of licensing for King Features.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 40thanniversary of the film this year with such a strong lineup of partners from across the globe. It’s our mission to continue bringing fans new Flash Gordon products and experiences that showcase their love for the savior of the universe.”

Kicking off the action, Universal Pictures and Fathom Events will present a line up of theatrical screenings in over 330 theatres across the US, each featuring an on-screen introduction to the film by actor Sam Jones (Flash Gordon), as well as the world premieres of a new Flash Gordon comic strip series called Flash Forward – the first ever motion comic strip for the brand.

Meanwhile, this summer, StudioCanal, Europe’s leader in production, distribution and international sales of feature films and TV series, brought Mike Hodges’ cult classic film back to the big screen in 4K Ultra-High definition at Picturehouse Central, The Luna Drive In Cinema and other select UK cinemas with additional screenings across France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand throughout the year.

Launched on Sunday, November 15, a new Flash Gordon original comic strip anthology project features 40 world-renowned artists and illustrators, each telling the story of Flash Gordon through their own unique lens. Talent includes Tana Ford (LaGuardia, Livewire, Black Panther), Jim Keefe (Flash Gordon, Sally Forth), and Liniers(Macanudo) among many others.

“The new product offering of Flash Gordon-inspired comic strips from King Features is an anniversary celebration that everyone who loves the Savior of the Universe will enjoy in both print and digital formats,” said the company.

Next up, Flash Gordon: A Minute to Save the World, the first-ever Flash Gordon motion comic series, made its world debut at the Fathom Events theatrical screening on November 15 when the first five 60-second episodes played on screen. This new twist on classic comic storytelling uses a fresh animation style to follow Flash Gordon’s battle to save earth from Ming the Merciless. The motion comic series is produced by King Features and drawn by David Reddick and will be available to watch on the Comics Kingdom YouTube Channel beginning Sunday, November 15.

In the consumer products space, a robust lineup of Flash Gordon-inspired merchandise and licensed products, including board games, artwork, collectibles and much is all scheduled to land.

Boss Fight Studio, a creator-owned company focused on high-quality, collectible toys, debuted its Flash Gordon figure for the 40th anniversary, which is the first Hero H.A.C.K.S. licensed character. The figure features extensive articulation, multiple hands, multiple heads and a “football” accessory to allow fans to build their collections and continue customizing in a special way.

This limited-edition figure comes packaged in a collectible retro lunchbox featuring a mix of classic movie poster art and brand-new art created by superstar comics artist, Erica Henderson.

This limited-edition figure is the first in the Flash Gordon line from Boss Fight Studio featuring both comic and movie version characters.

King Features is also in developing a new line of Flash Gordon figures with National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA).

Meanwhile, Plastic Meatball – creator of pop culture products that should have been, but never were – is developing a retro style Flash Gordon family board game that is launching with a Kickstarter campaign later this year, as well as a series of ‘70s style “Heat Transfer” t-shirts, enamel pins with iconography from the film, a set of four drinking glasses and ‘80s style jigsaw puzzles inspired by the film.

Additional product launches include new stylish art prints inspired by the cult sci-fi film from Art & Hue and Vice Press, Flash Gordon-inspired apparel from CEND International and Trademark Products and a Flash Gordon: Death to Ming card game coming soon from Wayland Games.

King Features is also expanding its publishing program for the brand with the launch of a 40th anniversary title from Titan Books titled Flash Gordon: The Official Story of the Film, on December 1.

Flash Gordon himself, actor Sam Jones, also embarked on an anniversary tour this year with stops across the country, including one where he was presented with a custom made 40th Anniversary Flash Gordon Harley-Davidson motorbike. Upcoming dates for Jones’ tour can be found on his social channels.

As King Features continues Flash Gordon’s 40th anniversary celebration throughout 2021, fans can expect to see a fresh look for Flash Gordon and his crew as new character art developed by popular comic book cover artist, Amelia Vidal (Marvel Studios, Boom! Studios), is released.

Looking ahead, a new Flash Gordon feature film is in development with 20th Century. Taika Waititi, director of Marvel’s Thor: Ragnorok and Jojo Rabbit, is attached to the production. In the meantime, the latest Flash Gordon content can be found at www.ComicsKingdom.com and the Comics Kingdom YouTube channel.

Wow! Stuff sees sell-out success of its character brand collectables Wow! Pods

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Wow! Stuff’s character brand collectable range, Wow! Pods has struck sell-out success in less than four weeks since its UK launch across Amazon and other retailers, making it the company’s ‘fastest-selling toy range to date.’

Manufactured and distributed in the UK by Wow! Stuff, the Wow! Pods range has seen its ranking on Amazon shoot up by 80,000 places at launch. The rise in sales took it to the number one position in its category and a top 500 Best Seller rank across the Amazon Toys and Games category before selling out.

Wow! Pods also sold out at other retailers with new stock arriving this week. It all repeats the sell-out success seen at launch in Australia and New Zealand by appointed sole distributor, Jasnor.

“Sell in is important but sell out is even more so. Wow! Pods are the fastest selling toy we have launched to date,” commented Dawn Lavalette, commercial director at Wow! Stuff. “Our new Wow! Pods TV commercial featuring the Marvel brand and characters has not yet gone live so to sell out before it does is proof that consumers love the product, and is a great precursor to our North America launch next year.”

Wow! Stuff co-founder and head of licensing, Kenny McAndrew, added: “The combination of tier one key licensed brands such as Marvel, Disney, Pixar, The Wizarding World (Harry Potter) and DC (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman) with Wow! Stuff’s artistry and innovation seems to have hit the Zeitgeist.

“Our ‘Swipe to Light’ feature combined with ‘Collect and Connect in both Physical and Digital’ approach using Augmented Reality has proven a winning recipe. There’s much more to come as we move into 2021 with a raft of special editions and rare Wow! Pods plus we’re adding more of the most sought after brands loved by fans.”

OPINION – Hurrah for the madding crowd: How crowdfunding is fueling the flames of fandom

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It’s like the old Funko strapline says: Everybody’s a fan of something. It’s no secret that adult fandom has become an increasingly important market to the toy industry and pop culture scene in general, but – with limited shelf space among retailers – just how can brands and manufacturers cater to it all? Here, Start Licensing’s Ian Downes tells us why he’s such a big fan of the crowdfunding scene

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Whether its football, film or TV, we are all fans of something. Fandom is a bond that ties people together. Fans are at the heart of licensing. Fans are the consumers who buy into licensed products or have licensed products bought for them.

Traditionally, it was difficult to have a direct relationship with fans. In the age of social media it has become easier to communicate with fans and build a rapport with them. Rights owners have got better at dialoguing with fans and have recognised that having a direct relationship with them is a valuable asset.

That said it is still quite challenging to know what fans want. Sometimes as an industry, we haven’t always tried that hard to find out. Licensing can be an industry that lives in the moment. Often reacting to ‘what’s hot’ and delivering a standard range of products.

Moving forward it would be good to see more products developed that reflect IP more distinctively and reflect fan interest.

“It’s a good time to talk to fans more frequently and with a higher level of engagement. Crowdfunding campaigns are a great way of doing this.”

In licensing, you traditionally need a licensee and a retailer to support your brand and back your idea. Retailers have finite space and manufacturers are not able to invest in all new ideas they see. Of course online selling and opportunities like print on demand have changed this up, but there are still gatekeepers to get past to get products to fans.

But there is an increasingly viable alternative, and it’s crowdfunding.

This is, of course, not a new thing and is a path that has been trod by IP owners and licensees already. Aardman Animations used Kickstarter to help finance a new Morph animation series back in 2013, while many a boardgame has been launched following on crowdfunding campaigns. Meanwhile, Unbound offers a route to market for authors with a highly engaging crowdfunding platform for new books. It’s true that a number of their books wouldn’t have been published otherwise, but have been commercially successful as they found their audience.

It’s a good time to talk to fans more frequently and with a higher level of engagement. Crowdfunding campaigns are a great way of doing this. Crucially they are also a proven way of bringing good creative ideas alive. So often these ideas would have stayed on the drawing board.

The Vine Lab has recently launched a Kickstarter campaign around Wallace & Gromit’s A Close Shave. The team is crowdfunding a high spec Collector’s Model that is being launched to help celebrate the film’s 25th Anniversary. In the real world it would have been difficult to find a retail home for it. Fans would have missed out on a super product.

As more and more, consumers are looking for original products and experiences, crowdfunding is becoming an increasingly  viable way of tapping into their passion and getting closer to fans. Used carefully and responsibly crowdfunding should be a feature in a contemporary licensing programme. It’s also a fabulous way of supporting the creative community.

We are all fans of something, and I’m a fan of crowdfunding.