Tag Archives: publishing

Netflix inks deal with Penguin Random House for Brian Jacques’ Redwall book series

Posted on by

Netflix and Penguin Random House Children’s UK have signed a new partnership for Brian Jacques’ Redwall books, as the streaming giant details new plans to develop an animated feature based on the first book in the series.

Netflix has tapped writer Patrick McHale – known for his work on Over the Garden Wall and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, to pen the first animated feature. Netflix is also planning an event series based on the character of Martin the Warrior.

This will be the first feature based on Jacques’ book series, which chronicles the adventures of heroic animals that inhabit the forest haven of Redwall Abbey. The titles have sold roughly 30 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages.

“We couldn’t be more delighted to announce this deal,” said Ben Horslen, fiction publisher, Penguin Random House Children’s. “These perennially popular stories have been etched onto the hearts of millions of readers, and we are thrilled to partner with Netflix to bring those beloved characters on screen for families worldwide to enjoy.”

Alan Ingram, representative of The Redwall Abbey Company, owner of the Jacques intellectual property, added: “Brian often travelled the globe to tell his Redwall stories to young audiences, more often than not at their schools.

“Brian would have been very happy to see that Netflix shares his joy and desire to bring his stories to life as a new universe of films, series and potentially much more for audiences of all ages to enjoy. We are very excited to embark on this new endeavour with Netflix and Penguin Random House UK.”

Rainbow Designs to launch new We’re Going on a Bear Hunt toys in Walker Books deal

Posted on by

Rainbow Designs is encouraging children to undertake their own Bear Hunt adventures this year as it launches its new We’re Going on a Bear Hunt collection of soft and wooden toys to the market.

Based on Walker Books’ classic storybook of the same title, the toys take inspiration from the adventurous tale that has been entertaining children for over 30 years.

The new range of toys will include a super soft Bear toy and Wooden Shape Puzzle featuring the Bear, Rufus the dog, and will be illustrated with paw prints and the Bear Hunt sayings, such as Splash, Splosh and squelch, squerch. New additions to the range will follow later in the year.

Anthony Temple, managing director of Rainbow Designs, said: “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is the perfect fit with our portfolio of prestigious and nurtured children’s brands and it is exciting to be kicking off Rainbow’s milestone 50th Anniversary year with the launch of such a joyful and iconic character range.”

Pindy O’Brien, licensing and retail development director (UK & Europe) for Walker Books, added: “We are thrilled to have Rainbow Designs launching toys for our classic “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”.

“The softness of their plush product and high quality delivers everything we’d want from our toy range. We are excited to have them on board as our EMEA partner.”

Full steam ahead for Spin Master’s Mighty Express as Penguin Young Readers is named global publishing partner

Posted on by

The global children’s entertainment company, Spin Master has secured a global publishing deal for its Mighty Express IP with Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House.

Under the new deal, the publisher will have the global rights to roll out 8x8s, board books, shaped board books, picture books, novelty books, leveled readers, holiday books, and exclusive rights to sticker, activity, colouring and novelty books, all based on the animated pre-school series.

Spin Master Entertainment launched mighty Express – an original animated pre-school series – on Netflix in September 2020. The series appeals to both pre-schoolers and their parents through inclusive and diverse characters combined with stories that promote hard work and celebrate accomplishments.

Built within a franchise ecosystem that includes the streaming series, a YouTube content destination, a Mighty Express mobile app and a toy line slated to launch fall 2021, Penguin Random House will aim to ‘further enrich the franchise sharing the quirky characters and their exciting adventures with pre-schoolers in new formats.’

“Mighty Express is an exciting franchise, with content developed through the lens of play which reaches preschoolers and their families through a multi-platform approach,” said Juli Boylan, Spin Master’s VP of franchise development and outbound licensing.

“We are thrilled to be working with Penguin Young Readers, who are experts at sharing stories that will continue to build deeper engagement and brand love for Mighty Express.”

Daniel Moreton, vice president and associate publisher, Penguin Workshop, added: “When we first stepped into the wonderfully engaging and adventurous world of Tracksville, we knew immediately that we wanted to get onboard. The Mighty Express themes of partnership, unity, and connection, are universal, and something we all need right now.

“Penguin Young Readers Licenses is thrilled to be partnering with Spin Master once again. Their collaborative creative energy and brand building strategies, aimed at reaching kids everywhere they are, make the journey just as exciting as the destination.”

Mighty Express marks Spin Master Entertainment’s first series launching straight to a streaming platform and is part of the Company’s commitment to a multiplatform content strategy. The Mighty Express franchise is wholly-owned by Spin Master and the Company retains the rights to distribution of the series including licensing of consumer products.

The Penguin Young Readers line of books and activities are expected to launch in autumn 2021.

Gallery Books to publish the rise, fall, and rise again memoirs of WWE Champion Drew McIntyre

Posted on by

The Simon & Schuster imprint, Gallery Books has struck a deal with WWE to publish the memoirs of the Drew McIntyre, a WWE Champion, under the title of A Chosen Destiny: My Story.

The new title will highlight McIntyre’s life journey from a small village in Scotland to the global spotlight of WWE, documenting how from a young age, he dreamed of becoming a WWE Champion.

Slated for release on May 4th, this year, A Chosen Destiny will be published simultaneously as an audiobook from Simon & Schuster Audio and will be read by the author.

The memoir will recount his younger years proving himself to the small crowds on the UK’s Butlin circuit, before making the move to the WWE at the age of 22. He was touted by WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon as The CHosen One to lead the WWE into the future.

However, a series of ill-advised choices and family tragedy saw McIntyre’s life and career spiral. Struggling under the pressure of expectations, he was eventually released from WWE. But, buoyed by the support of his wife and the memory of his beloved mother, McIntyre embarked on a mission to recharge, reinvent and revitalize himself to fulfill his destiny.

“Throughout my career, I have always had an honest and open relationship with my fans,” said WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. “I am honored that Gallery Books has given me the opportunity to tell my story in hopes of inspiring others around the world to follow their dreams.”

“Drew McIntyre has captivated WWE fans everywhere with his explosive popularity and persona in and out of the ring,” said Ed Schlesinger, senior editor, licensing manager for Gallery Books. “We’re incredibly thrilled to be partnering with him and WWE to present his unforgettable, no-holds-barred story of making it to the top as World Champion.”

Novel Entertainment launches month-long Story a Day initiative for Horrid Henry fans

Posted on by

Novel Entertainment is launching a month-long Story a Day initiative as part of its Hibernating with Henry campaign, one which will see a free audio story posted each day to Horrid Henry’s new website.

Starting Monday, February 1st, the first title available will be Horrid Henry and the Antiques Rogue Show, with additional stories including Horrid Henry Computer Whizz and Horrid Henry’s Favourite Day to follow.

The stories will go live at 4pm each day.

Story a Day is part of Novel Entertainment’s current Hibernating with Henry campaign, which is offering online resources and activities to keep children and families entertained and active during the current pandemic. Further activities will be announced in the coming weeks.

Lucinda Whiteley, creative director and co-founder of Novel Entertainment, said: “Henry’s been hard at work, thinking up ways to share his top hibernation tips. Of course, being Henry, he’s full of ideas, but first up we’re excited for Henry fans to be able to settle down after finishing their school day, with or without their grown-up, and listen to a different story every day throughout February.”

Novel Entertainment first launched Horrid Henry audio content in Spring 2020 and continues to expand the offering for fans. Most recently, Novel Entertainment launched a Horrid Henry’s Winter Wonderland audiobook compilation featuring Horrid Henry’s Christmas, Early Christmas Present and Winter Wish titles, and the ‘Super Scary One’, which includes Horrid Halloween, Horrid Henry and the Weird Werewolf and Horrid Henry’s Haunted House. 

These latest offerings are available on major platforms including Audible, Amazon and Spotify and join the initial six Totally Horrid Collections which debuted last year.

Novel Entertainment’s Horrid Henry audio content takes the form of dramatisations from its hit Horrid Henry TV series, featuring the show’s voice talent with additional narrative from Henry (voiced by Elizabeth Waterworth-Santo) and songs.

A Horrid Henry podcast also launched in 2020 which is titled Horrid Henry Unlocked and presented by radio host Sean Thorne, voice actor Lizzie Waterworth, and Henry himself. It offers fans insights into the inner workings of the world of Horrid Henry.

Since the start of the pandemic, Novel Entertainment has created over 100 pieces of fresh content for Horrid Henry, produced under the banner of Horrid Henry Unlocked which is designed to offer a familiar environment for fans to discover how the Horrid Henry family is responding to the current crisis.

As well as the Horrid Henry podcast and audio stories, material includes Horrid Homework in the form of activities, projects, challenges, puzzles, and bespoke videos including newly created songs, short videos and behind the scenes content and interviews.

Novel Entertainment also recently brought fans new long-form animated content including Horrid Henry’s Gross Day Out, a new 65’ action-adventure film which launched globally on Netflix in September 2020, alongside Horrid Henry’s Wild Weekend which debuted on Netflix in the UK last June and Nickelodeon UK in December 2020, and for Sub-Saharan Africa, Viacom/Nickelodeon has acquired the rights to Seasons one to four of Horrid Henry.

Season Five of Horrid Henry is currently airing on Netflix in the UK, and also on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons UK and Ireland.

JoJo Maman Bebe launches fourth Elmer clothing collection in Andersen Press partnership

Posted on by

JoJo Maman Bebe has launched its fourth Elmer clothing collection, a range of hoodies, joggers, sleepsuits, and cardigans all featuring new styles and graphic specially created by the retailer’s design team.

The launch has been supported by digital marketing and social media campaigns from the retailer and Elmer publisher, Andersen Press. Shoppers who buy two or more items will receive a complimentary copy of Elmer’s Little Library.

The deal is managed by the UK licensing agent, Metrostar.

Sarah Liversidge, childrenswear buyer, said: “We are so excited at JoJo to have our favourite elephant, Elmer, return for our fourth “JoJo Loves Elmer” collection.

“The fresh design direction is bolder and more playful than ever whilst reflecting Elmer’s joy, colourfulness and diversity, all combined with our practical styles, great quality and JoJo sense of humour. We have really enjoyed collaborating with Andersen Press and Metrostar once again and hope our customers will enjoy the complimentary Elmer’s Little Library gifted by Andersen Press.”

Paul Black, brand director at Andersen Press, added: “Elmer has really found a brilliant home with JoJo Maman Bebe, and this new range shows him off in all his multi-colour glory.

“We’re delighted to work with the team to offer a free Elmer’s Little Library for online customers, and hope it brings many fans new and old to this new range.”

Claire Potter, managing director at Metrostar, concluded: “This DTR was one of our first signings for Elmer back in 2017 and it’s wonderful to see the partnership going strong. The design team at JoJo really embrace Elmer’s aesthetic; creating garments which are original yet very obviously Elmer.

“Their ability to develop fresh treatments is undoubtedly a key reason that consumers keep coming back for more.”

Major expansion at The Point. 1888 sees five new members join the team

Posted on by

The Point. 1888 has detailed its latest major expansion with the appointment of five new employees across its commercial, product development, marketing, and legal divisions. The move comes, according to the firm, as it manages the increased attention and demand driven by ‘an incredible 2020.’

The past year not only saw The Point. 1888 roll-out a calendar of successful Virtual Immersion Events and record-breaking product launches – including a Barratt’s partnership with Iceland which sold 1.3 million units in its first 12 weeks – but it also witnessed its management team take home a pair of the industry’s most prestigious awards when MD Will Stewart won the BLLA’s Brand Ambassador of the Year, and head of retail Hannah Stevens won Licensing International’s Global Rising Star Award.

Now, as the team continues its plans for major expansion, it has welcomes a suite of new employees. Katie Wilkinson has joined as senior commercial manager for publishing, bringing with her 20 years’ experience in the publishing industry. Most recently, she worked in DJ Murphy’s children’s division and last year secured the licensed to launch Blippi magazine.

Meanwhile, Amy Wickham-Hurd has been appointed as creative commercial manager, reporting to senior commercial manager for home, Janine Richmond. She joins from eOne where she managed product development for Peppa Pig, PJ Masks, Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom and Ricky Zoom, and prior to this she worked as a Buyer for Mothercare, Boots and Monsoon Accessorize.

Sadie Wright joins as product development executive from Santoro Licensing, reporting to product development manager Carrie Sharland, while Ellen Fazakerley has taken the newly created role of marketing executive, working under head of marketing Sarah Crimes and for the agency’s fast-growing Story.1888 division.

Finally, Kate Buitendach has joined the team as contracts manager, making the move from Disney.

Will Stewart, Managing Director of The Point.1888, said: “We’re so excited to be growing our business, creating five new roles to meet the demand from clients and have these incredible, talented legends each bring something new to our team. This is a huge step forward for our business and will allow us to fulfil the many exciting plans we have for 2021.”

Each new appointment will be crucial for the company’s continued growth. In her new role, Wilkinson will be focussed on securing the right partners to deliver new publishing opportunities that resonate with both consumers and retailers and help extend the brands the agency works with into new markets.

Wickham-Hurd’s role will be a hybrid of creative and commercial, allowing her to apply her knowledge and experience across the business while also getting involved in style guides and new collaborations.

As product development executive, Wright will be supporting the team in ensuring all items move smoothly through the development process and assisting The Point.1888’s partners in any way possible.

Fazakerley will be responsible for social media both for The Point.1888 and Story.1888’s clients. She will also be charged with upping the video content across the business and supporting head of marketing, Sarah Crimes.

Finally, Buitendach will be working alongside contracts manager Lynne Chappel, initially focussing on the busy and ever growing Moonbug account.

No stranger to The Point.1888 having worked with them as a licensee for many years, Katie Wilkinson commented: “I always found their integrity, passion, expertise, honesty and ethos refreshing and inspiring.

“When an opportunity to join them arose I was absolutely thrilled… a chance to work with a fantastic team on a diverse and hugely exciting portfolio of brands, exploring and developing products in the space I know and love.”

Amy Wickham-Hurd added: “I chose to join The Point due to the diverse and expanding portfolio of brands, such as the preschool phenomena under the Moonbug umbrella, iconic sports brands including Team GB and The British Lions, classic properties such as Moomins and carefully curated design brands like Miss Print and Jimbobart to name but a few.

“Not to mention a fantastic team that are pushing the boundaries within Licensing to bring innovative new products to market.”

Established in 2014, The Point.1888 delivers retail focused brand extension programmes by creating new products based on the gaps it sees at retail, rather than what it thinks the brand’s target demographic might like.

Rights & Brands signs ‘Master of horror’ artist Hans Arnold with portfolio of 2,000 illustrations

Posted on by

Rights & Brands has signed with Hans Arnold Productions to represent the ‘Master of Horror’ artist and illustrator and his portfolio of surrealistic, horror, mystery, and fantasy art.

A Swiss-Swedish artist who died in 2010, Hans Arnold has often been referred to as the ‘Swedish Salvador Dali’, recognised for a style that makes everyday items appear ghostlike and unsettling.

Having grown up in a strict and conservative Catholic area in Sursee, Switzerland, Arnold has attributed his obsession with horror, fairytales, and women, to his upbringing.

“My sister adored nuns and dragged me to the Catholic church,” he said of his childhood. “Mother was a protestant and dragged me to the Protestant church. My grandfather was a train driver and took me to the pub.

“In church, I learned all about hell, at the pub I learned all about beer, swearing and telling filthy stories.”

After finishing art school in Luzern and traveling Europe, Arnold settled in Stockholm in Sweden where he worked as an illustrator for magazines, papers, and children’s books. He finally got his big break as the ‘Master of Horror’ while illustrating short stories known as Veckans chock in the women’s magazine Veckorevyn.

Alongside children’s book illustrations, Arnold is well known for ABBA’s Greatest hits cover. He also made a name for himself in animation, TV vignettes, opera, theatre, and TV scenorgraphy.

Rights & Brands now represents a portfolio of over 2,000 illustrations created by the artist.

Wastebuster and Products of Change call on industries to back Recycle to Read and Toy Take Back campaign

Posted on by

The environmental awareness platform, Wastebuster has partnered with Products of Change to bring together a cross-sector of stakeholders to share knowledge, resources, and finance, to develop an efficient, environmental, and sustainable means of recycling plastic toys.

In partnership with EPPIC (Extended Plastics Partnerships for Innovation in Circularity) the programme will operate under the title Recycle to Read and will engage consumers to recycle their toys (including small electricals and textiles) and to reward participating schools and communities with books and reading resources to improve literacy.

The programme aims to provide an industry-wide solution for recycling all plastic toys while providing a platform for consumers to engage with easily. It will look to co-ordinate toy, tech, and textiles ‘Take Back’ collections in retailers, schools, and household recycling centres across the UK.

As it builds it will look to unlock considerable social, economic, and environmental benefits for the communities in which it operates.

The programme also provides research and industry insight into toy design for recyclability, to support the move towards a more circular future for toy production.

Collected plastic toys will be recycled into new products, such as construction boards, outdoor furniture, or playground equipment. Any plastic toys suitable for reuse will be recirculated by charity partners. The project will drive a nationwide call to action to ‘Recycle Right’ and promote the Toy Take Back linked to the Recycle to Read rewards programme across schools, retail, brand, toy, and publishing partners.

By bringing together a critical mass of cross-sector members, Recycle to Read can deliver a recycling system for toys that benefits its members, society and most importantly, the environment.

Developed by Katy Newnham, founder of Wastebuster, the Recycle to Read campaign and its Toy Take Back initiative is being billed as a ‘dynamic research programme’ and the “start of the creation of a circular and sustainable future for toy production.” The programme will be a multi-stakeholder collaboration that spans industry, government, and consumer networks.

Already 40 companies and 70 local authorities have taken steps to become a part of the programme, having taken part in a special roundtable webinar last month.

“We believe in the power of collective impact,” said Newnham. “By coming together, brand owners, toy manufacturers, retailers, publishers, recyclers, governments, schools, and consumers, we have the ability to work together to share intelligence and resources to create a workable, long-term, sustainable solution to plastic toy recycling.

“The real power of the Recycle to Read/Toy Take Back programme is in collective impact. We all have a role we could play to support this important project and the move towards not only creating a more sustainable future for the toy industry but educating and empowering a whole generation to act as responsible consumers.”

“There is no time like now to change the future of the toy industry. Acting as a responsible business is no longer a ‘nice to have’. It is a commercial necessity and environmental imperative. We can turn the dial for a whole generation, to promote and enable responsible consumption and production. Let’s make this a good news story for industry, for children and for the planet. Let’s work together to do that.”

Helena Mansell Stopher, director of Products of Change, added: “Products of Change is extremely proud to be working with Katy and her team to bring a fully circular solution to toy recycling in the UK, to be rolled out internationally over the coming years.

“For an industry to be part of actually building an infrastructure of this magnitude, to also be linked to rewarding schools to positively effect children’s literacy, is pretty phenomenal.”

Among those to have pledged their support to the campaign as founding members is Immediate Media.

“We hope it will bring the whole toy industry together to help create a recycling ecosystem for plastic toys at the end of their useful life and generate a momentum of its own once the word of the scheme spreads,” said Andy Marshall, group managing director of Immediate Media Co.

Peter Rooke, director of Smart Toys and Games, a member of Recycle to Read, added: “Sustainability in toys is so important for the toy industry.

“The single use and giveaway toy world is particularly under threat and is in the sights of regulators so change must come to that aspect of the industry quickly.

“I fully support the circular economy and for toys, one that is restorative and regenerative by design.”

For more details on the campaign (and to sign up to the next webinar), simply click on this link. You can also contact Simon, on Simon@recycletoread.org to find out how to get involved.

Children’s author David Lawrence Jones to read Super Geek Heroes books for National Storytelling Week

Posted on by

The author and producer, David Lawrence Jones, has produced a series of seven read-aloud videos of the popular Super Geek Heroes picture books to coincide with National Storytelling Week that will run from January 30th to February 6th.

Lawrence Jones is the author and producer behind the pre-school 3D animated series Super Geek Heroes that is currently available to view on digital platforms across the globe. He will be reading all seven early years picture books, aimed at children aged three to six.

Each adventure story features one of the super heroes and introduces the listeners to their wider world whilst at the same time delivering a core message in a fun and engaging way that relates to the key development areas within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

“We are thrilled that David has undertaken this initiative, these stories are certain to delight fans of the show and the feedback from our existing digital partners has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Denise Deane of Edutainment Licensing, the licensing representative for the popular IP.

The 7 x 10 minute episodes include – Ant’s apple core Mission, Jake’s missing book Mission, Millie’s number nine Mission, Peter’s super space Mission, Ronnie’s rocket guitar Mission, Suzi’s scare bear Mission, and Vicki’s violet vowels Mission.

Super Geek Heroes is an animated series featured on SVoD, VoD, Smart TV Apps and OTT platforms around the world. The series educates and entertains children while enhancing their development through preschool and early years education.