Tag Archives: Roblox

Former Roblox VP Jon Vlassopulos joins advisory board at metaverse company Dubit

Posted on by
Dubit, the creator of metaverse experiences, games, and events for brands, has announced the appointment of Jon Vlassopulos – former Roblox VP, Global Head of Music – to its advisory board. 
Vlassopulos joins following almost three years leading music initiatives at Roblox, which reaches over 200 million users a month with games and experiences, and where he remains an advisor. The groundbreaking virtual concerts and experiences that he produced for major artists like Lil Nas X, Twenty One Pilots, KSI, 24KGoldn and Zara Larsson, reached and engaged over 100M people around the world.
Dubit recently created the first virtual experiences for the two biggest music awards shows, the BRITs and the Grammys, featuring standout virtual performances from viral UK artist Pink Pantheress and Latin star Camilo. The company is also behind Samsung’s Superstar Galaxy, which last Friday 17 June) showcased an exclusive concert from British singer-songwriter Charli XCX.
Vlassopulus will work with Dubit in a senior advisory capacity on future metaverse strategies, supporting its partnerships with brands, publishers, artists, and metaverse platforms.
Announcing the appointment, Matthew Warneford, CEO and Co-Founder of Dubit, commented: “We have had the pleasure of working closely with Jon and his team on multiple occasions over the past couple of years, and we’re thrilled he has chosen to join our advisory board. Jon’s relationships, unrivalled experience and creative production expertise will be an invaluable part of our ongoing strategy to help forward-thinking brands, artists and events activate in the metaverse.”
“Dubit became a trusted partner during my time at Roblox delivering entertaining and immersive virtual experiences for our music and brand partners,” says Vlassopulos. “The beauty of the metaverse is its power to reach and engage massive global audiences that are unreachable on other platforms and in the real world. Dubit’s ability to create experiences for this new medium that strengthens bonds between fans, brands and artists is among the best in the business. I’m looking forward to working with them to help conceive and activate many more iconic virtual events and experiences on platforms like Roblox.”
The possibilities are limitless for branded events and musical experiences in the metaverse. As well as Roblox (over 200m monthly active users), Minecraft (170m), and Fortnite (270m), newer platforms such as Core and web3 based platforms including The Sandbox are providing unprecedented choice and depth of experience for audiences.

Forever 21 x Barbie launches in-store, online and in the metaverse

Posted on by

On the heels of launching a new brand campaign entitled ‘Forever LA’, leading fashion retailer Forever 21 has announced its latest collaboration with Barbie.

The new limited-edition collection includes a range of on-trend vintage-style apparel items, swim, sleepwear, beauty and accessories as well as home décor, inspired by the Barbie DreamHouse. The collection will be simultaneously available in-store, online, and in the Forever 21 Shop City experience on Roblox.

Forever 21’s experience for Roblox was created in partnership with the Virtual Brand Group (VBG), a web3 fashion designer, game developer and retailer that creates immersive metaverse experiences for global brands’ web3 businesses, and which was recently awarded “Best Digital Product” by Licensing International. The metaverse collection was created by VBG’s global multicultural design team working across five countries.

The Forever 21 x Barbie collection meticulously replicates its real-life inspiration and campaign using Roblox’s latest Layered Clothing technology powering hyper-realistic 3D clothing that fits any avatar body type. The designs feature real-world fabrics and details like intricate stitching on the collection’s Malibu Denim Jacket, embossed art, beadwork, and textured fabrics on jumpsuits, dresses, hoodies, iconic t-shirts, trucker hats, and jelly bags. Fans globally can now follow the “#TwinWithYourAvatar” trend.

“Barbie, a SoCal native, plays in the same inclusive, empowering and fashionable space that our customers love, appreciate and have come to expect from our business,” says Winnie Park, CEO at Forever 21. “We are thrilled to offer shoppers unexpected line extensions that include Barbie in-store and online and virtual fashions in the metaverse. This was the perfect collection to launch first, under our Forever LA umbrella.”

Another in-store and online first for the fashion retailer, Forever 21 will be offering the Barbie Fashionistas, the most diverse doll line on the market, which celebrates an inclusive view of beauty and fashion, representing a range of body types, skin tones, eye colours and unique physical traits.

Available at all Forever 21 locations, the Barbie Summer 2022 Collection celebrates inclusive fashion with sizes ranging from XS up to 3XL and offers an additional assortment for kids. Prices range from $6.99 – to $54.99, and pieces will be available for a limited time only at Forever 21 stores, on the Forever 21 App, and online on www.forever21.com. The new inclusive fashions can also be acquired in the Roblox Avatar Shop and worn by any avatars on the platform.

 

Sanrio creates My Hello Kitty Cafe on Roblox

Posted on by

Sanrio has debuted My Hello Kitty Cafe on Roblox. The immersive experience, created in partnership with game development studio Rock Panda, enables visitors full control over their very own cafe in the Hello Kitty universe. Community members have the chance to build from the ground up, manage, and expand their cafe with help from Hello Kitty and her friends.

Starting from a simple cafe truck all the way to a massive coffee house, the fun and creativity is endless. With a built-in Gacha system, members can collect an array of different Hello Kitty themed staff members along with multiple characters from Sanrio.

“For several decades, our core values of friendship and kindness have helped build a positive community in the physical world. As the world moves to the digital space, we are evolving with our audience to create authentic digital experiences that are uniquely Sanrio,” says Craig Takiguchi, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Business Development at Sanrio, Inc. “Sanrio’s online presence will allow players of all ages to express themselves through our characters and extend the inclusive and kind Sanrio community to the digital world.”

As visitors progress through the experience, they’ll unlock familiar characters such as My Melody, Pompompurin, and Keroppi, along with many surprise characters. They can style their cafes with unique Hello Kitty decor, create original menu items for their customers, or hop on the Shinkansen to explore Hello Kitty City and visit a friend’s Cafe Town to see what they are up to.

 

 

Sonic the Hedgehog speeds into Roblox

Posted on by

Leading professional game developer and publisher Gamefam, in collaboration with SEGA of America, Inc., today announced the launch of Sonic Speed Simulator, an all-new game featuring SEGA’s entertainment icon, Sonic the Hedgehog.

The game is now available on the Roblox platform and marks the first time that a world-renowned, AAA gaming character has been officially featured on Roblox.

In the game, players will be able to level up and gain speed by running through multiple unique worlds while racing against friends to earn rewards, including pets that can increase stats and Sonic character skins. Players can also expect regular weekly updates and will earn an exclusive community Sonic the Hedgehog skin once the game has received 10,000 “likes” from players.

This is the latest in a long line of partnerships in which Gamefam has been entrusted to unlock the metaverse for well-known brands. The company previously worked with leading global innovators including Ubisoft, Mattel, Sony, MGA and more to create highly engaging experiences for players, helping brands to connect with Roblox’s rapidly expanding user base.

For more information on Gamefam, including details around the company’s recent $25M Series A funding round led by Konvoy Ventures, visit https://gamefam.com/ or follow the company on Twitter at @gamefamstudios.

Forever 21 teams with Virtual Brand Group for Roblox experiences

Posted on by

Virtual Brand Group, a metaverse creation company which accelerates global brands into the metaverse, and iconic fashion brand Forever 21, owned by Authentic Brands Group, today announced an exclusive partnership to build a fashion retail experience on Roblox, the global online platform for shared experiences connecting tens of millions of people every day.

The all-new experience, Forever 21 Shop City, is designed to allow Roblox users, fashion influencers and creative world builders to own and manage their personal store.

Users will be able to buy and sell Forever 21 merchandise, including accessories and clothing, hire non-player characters (NPCs) as employees and express themselves by customising every aspect of their own store as they try to become the ‘top shop’ in the experience.

Forever 21 Shop City is a community-first game launching in collaboration with some of Roblox’s most “fashion fabulous” user generated content creators and Roblox influencers. Sam Jordan @Builder_Boy curated the Forever21 Shop City fashion line in partnership with @Beeism, @OceanOrbsRBX, and @JazzyX3 who have all created exclusive items for Forever 21 Shop City and collectively had millions of item sales on the platform.

In addition, Forever 21 Shop City will feature personally designed stores by influencers such as KrystinPlays, Shaylo, and the Sopo Squad.

“The metaverse is the most transformative innovation since the creation of the internet,” says Justin Hochberg, VBG’s CEO. “Roblox is one of the platforms creating the biggest business opportunities for brands with more than 50 million daily active users who socialise and live digital lives for hours every day, just like my son, daughter and all their friends do.

“Our collaboration with Forever 21 marks not just one of the biggest metaverse launches this year, but also one that uniquely combines the physical and virtual worlds by delivering IRL content from Forever 21 in-game and finding ways for Roblox UGC creations to exist in real life.”

Katrina Glusac, Chief Merchandising Officer at Forever 21, says: “With Forever 21 Shop City, our goal is to expand how we engage with customers, extending our presence and product in new ways. We’re excited to provide a new space on Roblox where our fans can connect with their community and bring their own vision of Forever 21 to life.”

Every 21st of each month, Forever 21 Shop City will have “Forever 21 Day”, integrating new themed content and activities. December 21st will mark the first-ever Forever 21 Day and will commence with a holiday-themed update.

 

WildBrain serves up more Strawberry Shortcake deals

Posted on by

WildBrain has signed a further wave of licensees for both the new and classic Strawberry Shortcake brand, brokered by its consumer products licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG. Additionally, the new Strawberry Shortcake series, Berry in the Big City (80 x 4’), plus four brand-new CG-animated seasonal specials (4 x 44’), produced by WildBrain’s Vancouver animation studio, will be available on Netflix worldwide, with the series launching Spring 2022 and specials to follow in 2023. Other streaming and linear television partners across the globe are expected to be announced in the coming months.

“Strawberry Shortcake’s evergreen status as a cherished brand continues to attract major partners across the entertainment and licensing industry,” says Michael Riley, Chief Brands Officer at WildBrain. “We look forward to building on these strong foundations as we continue to roll out the new Strawberry Shortcake for fans to enjoy on and off screen.”

The new 44-minute CG-animated specials are part of the global rollout of WildBrain’s new Strawberry Shortcake brand across animated content, gaming, music, toys, food, apparel, events and other licensing partnerships. Berry in the Big City made its digital-first debut this September on WildBrain’s premium kids’ and family AVOD network, WildBrain Spark. A new Roblox game, Bake with Strawberry Shortcake, is also launching this fall.

Jasen Wright, VP of North America at WildBrain CPLG, says: “Strawberry Shortcake has always had enduring popularity, and the relaunch has seen excitement around this property really ramp up. We’ve seen strong interest from licensees in WildBrain’s new version of the brand, and that halo is fueling a simultaneous renaissance around the classic brand from the 1980s, all of which is testament to the strength of Strawberry Shortcake’s appeal across generations.”

Newly signed promotional partners for WildBrain’s new Strawberry Shortcake include I’m the Chef Too! (culinary educational) and Bahama Buck’s (ice cream). These add to the list of previously announced licensees, including Moose Toys (Master Toy) and Penguin Random House (publishing), plus promotional partners Naturipe (strawberries and blueberries), Sunkist Growers (oranges, lemons and limes), Envy Apples (apples), Zolli Candy (dentist-approved lollipops), Dippin’ Dots (ice cream), Snip-Its (kids’ hair salons) and Challenge Butter (butter).

Classic Strawberry Shortcake is also enjoying a surge in interest from licensees with multiple new deals signed, highlighting the evergreen appeal of the brand amongst girls and their mothers. The vintage brand is partnering with boutique specialty retailers in North America and Canada in unique capsule collections, as well as ranges that feature classic artwork from the original brand. Dolls Kill and Unique Vintage are planning Strawberry Shortcake apparel with the Dolls Kill capsule collection including apparel, outerwear, swimwear, loungewear, intimates, accessories, footwear and home for ladies and junior in the US (stores) and worldwide (online), while Unique Vintage will launch apparel, accessories and home ranges, available worldwide.

Additionally, designer Samii Ryan will be releasing a Strawberry Shortcake apparel and accessories collaboration for early 2022; PacSun will be launching ladies and junior holiday collections by The Forecast Agency in the US and Canada, following the success of its summer line launch, which will feature apparel, underwear, socks, tote bags and headwear; and Glamlite is set to launch a cosmetics line in Spring 2022.

 

Popular snack Lunchables joins Roblox

Posted on by

Kraft-Heinz Lunchables, the buildable snack, is joining the virtual universe of Roblox, the global platform where fans can imagine, create and have fun with friends as they explore virtual worlds.

For the first time ever, Lunchables lovers can enter the world of Lunchables Racing, where players can build the ultimate Lunchables racing kart (with over 100 unique items to choose from ) and try to beat their friends to the finish line. There are three Lunchables tracks to choose from – the Moon Landing, Snack Valley and the Totally Tropical – and four new Lunchables minigames that players can take part in with their Roblox avatar: the Dance Fest, Cracker Stacker, UFO Movie Set and the classic Diner Dash. Players can use ‘cash’ earned in the games to decorate their karts, search for hidden coins, or visit the Lunchables town and talk to its food-crazy citizens.

Find out more about Lunchables Racing here.


					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Coolabi Group plans to “spook kids silly” this Halloween with comedy brand Scream Street

			
						

				Posted on   by  			

			
					


				

			
International rights owner Coolabi Group and its “spooktacular” stop-motion animation Scream Street are celebrating the launch of Series 2 on CBBC and BBC iPlayer, with a hybrid campaign of fun brand activations, promotional partnerships and brand extensions for the popular comedy this autumn.


Following a preview of the first five episodes in Halloween 2020, all 26 x 11’ episodes of Scream Street Series 2 will launch on BBC iPlayer from 23 October, with 10 brand-new episodes playing out across Halloween week on CBBC from 25 October, bringing the total number of episodes created to 78.


After successfully launching ‘Escape Scream Street’ on Roblox last year, a new Roblox experience called ‘Scream Street Playground’ will launch on the platform on 22 October. The game will allow players to visit various locations in the town with friends starting with Resus Negative’s house. At launch players can play two different themed games – ‘Candy Smash’ and ‘Masks’ – with more mini games added over time as the town is expanded.


A promotional partnership with family restaurant Frankie & Benny’s has also been announced. The initiative, which launched earlier this month, will see Scream Street activity sheets distributed to families in all their restaurants in the UK. It features a competition prize for a free family theme-park visit, with prizes of Scream Street books for runners-up. The partnership will also form part of Frankie & Benny’s Halloween meal with Deliveroo, a Scream Street-themed food offering for the Halloween school holidays that will run until 16 November.


Coolabi Group, Comedy Club 4 Kids and MEGA Magazine have also co-produced a video series about stand-up comedy for kids on MEGA’s official YouTube channel. The four part series, called ‘Screaming with Laughter’, launched this week and features a crash course on how kids can kick-start their comedy careers.


Coolabi and Comedy Club 4 Kids will bring their partnership to life with an in-person family series launch and kids stand-up comedy event that will take place at Everyman Kings Cross on Saturday 23 October for media, influencers and families. The event also marks the release of the Scream Street’s brand new Spooktacular Joke Book, from Walker Books, which came out earlier this month.


Continuing a successful partnership with Girl Talk, established in 2020, Coolabi Group has teamed up with the media title once again to co-produce content for the magazine’s YouTube channel, Girl Talk World. This Halloween, talented 13-year-old chef Sienna Cecco, a specialist in Italian cuisine, will create a Scream Street themed cook-a-long dish.


“We are completely delighted to be launching the much-anticipated new series of Scream Street on CBBC and iPlayer this Halloween,” says Michael Dee, Director of Content for Coolabi Group. “It’s a fun and engaging brand, which is evidenced in the range of partnerships and promotions we have delivered to amplify the launch and bring Halloween fun to families across the UK.”


In addition, the Scream Street costume characters will be appearing at Alton Towers from now until 12 November for daily in-park meet and greets and an interactive dance challenge experience, where visitors can learn the moves to the Scream Street theme tune.


The celebrations continue with the return of the free downloadable ‘Scream Street Halloween at Home’ party pack, which launched last year. The newly updated pack will be available to download on the Scream Street and CBBC website and is filled with activities to get the party started, from Scream Street character masks and puzzles, to cupcake toppers, decorative tent cards and monster making crafts.


Scream Street returns to CBBC on 25 October with all episodes available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 23 October. 

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Spin Master’s Bakugan becomes first franchise to air full-length episode in Roblox metaverse

			
						

				Posted on   by  			

			
					


				

			
Spin Master’s popular Bakugan franchise will be the first ever to premiere a full-length series episode on the global online platform, Roblox, when it makes its debut to the Roblox universe this September 8th.


Bakugan is a global battling franchise that boasts an anime adventure series and digital content, as well as an innovative toy line, card game, and video game. Premiering on September 8th this year, episode 317 from season three, Bakugan: Geogan Rising will debut within the Bakugan hub on the Roblox platform.


It will aim to create a unique viewing experience for Bakugan fans, while attracting a host of new ones to the brand.


“Roblox has become a new way for people to come together through shared experiences and premiering the first full-length series episode on Roblox demonstrates our commitment to our evolving digital-focused approach – helping us reach kids and teens wherever they are,” said Laura Henderson, Spin Master’s EVP, Marketing.


“We can’t wait to introduce another dimension of Bakugan storytelling within Roblox and deepen our fans’ connection to the Bakugan franchise with this immersive new virtual experience.”


Christina Wootton, vice president of brand partnerships at Roblox, added: “Roblox offers entertainment franchises a completely new way to engage with fans online in immersive 3D virtual experiences that make up the metaverse. By merging our collective audiences, we are able to offer the Roblox community as well as Bakugan fans new and unique ways to connect and experience entertainment together within the Roblox metaverse.”


Bakugan: Geogan Rising is season three of the series. Part one of Geogan Rising currently airs on Netflix. Episode 317 is part of part two, which will debut on Roblox on September 8th and on Netflix on September 15th.

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Spin Master’s Bakugan becomes first franchise to air full-length episode in Roblox metaverse

			
						

				Posted on   by  			

			
					


				

			
Spin Master’s popular Bakugan franchise will be the first ever to premiere a full-length series episode on the global online platform, Roblox, when it makes its debut to the Roblox universe this September 8th.


Bakugan is a global battling franchise that boasts an anime adventure series and digital content, as well as an innovative toy line, card game, and video game. Premiering on September 8th this year, episode 317 from season three, Bakugan: Geogan Rising will debut within the Bakugan hub on the Roblox platform.


It will aim to create a unique viewing experience for Bakugan fans, while attracting a host of new ones to the brand.


“Roblox has become a new way for people to come together through shared experiences and premiering the first full-length series episode on Roblox demonstrates our commitment to our evolving digital-focused approach – helping us reach kids and teens wherever they are,” said Laura Henderson, Spin Master’s EVP, Marketing.


“We can’t wait to introduce another dimension of Bakugan storytelling within Roblox and deepen our fans’ connection to the Bakugan franchise with this immersive new virtual experience.”


Christina Wootton, vice president of brand partnerships at Roblox, added: “Roblox offers entertainment franchises a completely new way to engage with fans online in immersive 3D virtual experiences that make up the metaverse. By merging our collective audiences, we are able to offer the Roblox community as well as Bakugan fans new and unique ways to connect and experience entertainment together within the Roblox metaverse.”


Bakugan: Geogan Rising is season three of the series. Part one of Geogan Rising currently airs on Netflix. Episode 317 is part of part two, which will debut on Roblox on September 8th and on Netflix on September 15th.