MeteoHeroes and Real Madrid join forces for summer workshops

Mondo TV Studios, part of Mondo TV Group, one of the largest European producers and distributors of animated content, has announced that the popular video game based on award-winning hit kids’ animation MeteoHeroes – a series co-produced by Mondo TV S.p.A and Meteo Expert – will be playing a leading role in the kids’ summer camp taking place at Real Madrid City, the world-famous football team’s training complex.

The aim of the Campus Experience Football and Responsible Gaming camp is to offer a unique experience that encompasses football training, gaming activities and the encouragement of positive values. With this in mind, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has announced a programme of PlayStation Talents activities at the event, which will open its doors to thousands of girls and boys from all over the world from 3–15 July 2022.

The Responsible Football and Gaming programme is an opportunity the Real Madrid Foundation offers boys and girls aged 9 to 12 to combine their two passions – football and gaming – in a responsible way and with a strong educational component.

PlayStation Talents is playing an important role in the programme with activities centred on various PlayStation titles including MeteoHeroes – Saving Planet Earth.

These activities will include entertaining and informative sessions and activities incorporating an environmental theme. They will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 July to 16 July and will accompany the training programme prepared by The Global Esports Academy, a benchmark esports academy in Spain.

This year the show has arrived in multiple Latin American and Portuguese-speaking markets and, thanks to the exclusive partnership of the show’s co-producers with mega hit-maker Kenn Viselman (Teletubbies, Thomas the Tank Engine), also made its broadcast debut on PBS in the US with an Earth Day Special. As a result of a deal struck between Viselman and Adventure 2 Learning, MeteoHeroes will debut in 30,000 schools across America this autumn, impacting as many as 15 million children.The first series of MeteoHeroes is now available in over 20 languages and has been sold into or confirmed in over 145 countries. Starting in April, the second season of MeteoHeroes (52 episodes x 13′) had its world premiere on Cartoonito in Italy, where season one is already among the most successful Cartoonito children’s series. MeteoHeroes has enjoyed similar success in Spain on Clan.

The MeteoHeroes videogame, like the TV show, builds on the unique value proposition of the MeteoHeroes brand, one that combines an important and valuable message about climate and environmental issues, and ways to protect the planet, with fun and entertainment.

MeteoHeroes – Saving Planet Earth invites children of all ages to join the much-loved characters from the popular environmentally themed TV series in a fun action platform game. There are enemies to escape from, fast-moving adventures and multiple locations on all the world’s continents, where players have to find hidden items on the screen that will help them rid each city of pollution and decay.

The MeteoHeroes videogame has been available worldwide on PlayStation and PC (STEAM platform) from 28 February. It is expected to start launching in retail stores in autumn 2022. Release dates and territories will be confirmed later this year.

The video game is a co-production between Sony Interactive Entertainment España (SIE España), development partner Gammera Nest and Mondo TV Studios. It can also boast the support of PlayStation Talents in its area of PlayStation Alliances, the company’s programme that promotes the development of video games in Spain. Worldwide publishing is managed by PlayStation Talents, as well as communication, promotion and launch activities. North American distribution and marketing for the game is managed in partnership with The Itsy Bitsy Entertainment Company, from producer Kenn Viselman.

MeteoHeroes is the only cartoon in the world dedicated entirely to climate and environmental issues. Each episode focuses on issues related to ecology and respect for nature through the adventures of six superpowered kids who can control weather phenomena.

Maria Bonaria Fois, CEO of Mondo TV Studios, says: This is an important opportunity for MeteoHeroes, both to let children known more about an excellent video game based on their favourite TV series and to highlight the message of the show about caring for the planet. We are delighted to be working with Sony and Real Madrid at this important and timely event.”

 

Experiences expert Legends appoints new VP International Retail to expand client merchandising and licensing efforts

The sport and entertainment experiences expert, Legends, has appointed Victoria Hawksley to the new role of vice president, international retail, a role in which she will oversee the merchandise operations and strategy for the firm’s expanding business.

Hawksley will be responsible for developing innovative merchandising strategies for Legends’ roster of world-class clients, including the newly launched omnichannel retail programme for Real Madrid. She will work closely with the firm’s HQ in London to lead event retail and merchandising across e-commerce, in-venue retail, live events, brick and mortar store operations and custom merchandise.

The new VP joins Legends after 14 years with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club where she most recently served as the head of retail and visitor attractions. In this role, she was responsible for all retail operations for the club, including global e-commerce, the Tottenham Experience, all retail stores, buying and merchandising, and licensing efforts.

She also led the development, launch, and operations for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium’s comprehensive visitor attractions at their much-acclaimed new stadium, including the Stadium Tour Experience, The Dare Skywalk, and The Tottenham Hotspur Archive.

“Legends has significantly grown our international footprint during the past few years, and we are fortunate to add Victoria to our leadership team in Europe as we continue to invest in our global merchandise vertical,” said Andrew Hampel, president Legends International.

“She brings an incredible depth of knowledge and experience to Legends from her previous role and will be critical as we develop long term merchandising and retail strategies to support our roster of blue-chip partners on a global stage.”

Hawksley said: “I’m excited to build upon all the recent momentum at Legends, as we think about the future of merchandising and how we can create innovative and customized programs and solutions for clients. I see a huge opportunity to merge the expertise and capabilities of Legends Global Merchandise division, with the insights and local expertise that Legends has in markets across Europe and Asia, to develop customized strategies.”

Previously, Hawksley served as a general manager at World Duty Free, leading the business at Terminal 4 London Heathrow Airport. She also worked for The John Lewis Partnership for seven years, from a Graduate trainee to a Merchandise Manager, before moving to Airport retailing.

Hawksley will be based out of Legends’ operations in Madrid.