Sambro International appoints Paul Blackaby as new chief executive officer

The popular toy manufacturer and distributor, Sambro International Limited has appointed Paul Blackaby as its new chief executive officer, as he looks to “lead the team through its next stage of development.”

Blackaby joined the Sambro business in February 2020 as chief financial officer, bringing with him many years of experience in both the manufacturing and consumer goods sectors at a senior level.

“I am completely delighted to be given the opportunity to lead this fantastic business and terrific team through its next stage of development,” said Blackaby. “There has been some great work undertaken in recent years which we will harness and build from – we are all excited about Sambro’s future.”

The award-winning, Manchester based business recently announced that it was assessing growth opportunities after securing a £13 million funding package with its banking partner.

Sambro achieved strong sales in 2020 despite the challenges of the pandemic and employs more than 90 people in its offices in Bury, Amsterdam and Hong Kong.

Sambro eyes ‘period of accelerated growth’ following £13m funding from Barclays

Toy manufacturer and distributor Sambro International Ltd is assessing new growth opportunities after securing a £13m funding package with Barclays Bank.

Despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic, the Manchester-based toys and licensed children’s products specialist achieved strong sales throughout 2020. It is now aiming to build on the momentum through its latest funding package.

Sambro currently employs more than 90 staff across its offices in Bury, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam.

Tony Hicks, CEO of Sambro International, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Barclays’ team and have been very impressed with their desire to understand our business and build a strong partnership approach. The next few years will be very exciting for our business.”

Tom Falcon, chairman of Sambro and partner at Elysian, added: “We have been really impressed by Sambro’s resilience and business improvements over this challenging period. Combining Sambro’s highly capable team with Barclays Bank support, the platform has been laid for a period of accelerated growth.

“Sambro can pursue new opportunities and markets and we are excited by the future for the business.”

Barclays’ head of North and Midlands large corporate retail and wholesale, Matt Ryan, added: “Barclays has been building a close relationship with Sambro International since it was acquired by Elysian in 2016 and I’m delighted to see this latest facility put in place to support their continued growth aspirations.”

PAW Patrol: The Movie lands raft of 21 UK licensing partners ahead of film’s August 2021 release

ViacomCBS Consumer Products has secured a raft of 21 UK partners for the popular pre-school brand, PAW Patrol ahead of the slated launch of PAW Patrol: The Movie in August next year. The licensing programme will kick into action from July 2021 and will include new toy lines, apparel, accessories, consumer packaged goods, home, publishing, and home entertainment.

The series producer and master toy partner, Spin Master, will lead the charge with the launch of a specially developed toy line comprising figures, plush, role-play, vehicles, and play-sets, as well as a range of True Metal vehicles.

The roll out will be followed by ranges from the likes of Crayola, VTech, Play by Play, RMS International, Sambro, and Kiddieland, all of which will create toys and games inspired by the new PAW Patrol movie look and feel.

On the home and apparel front, ViacomCBS Consumer Products has partnered with Blues and Fashion UK for daywear, Aykroyd TDP for nightwear and Amscan for costumes. Bedding and textiles will be created by Character World.

ViacomCBS Consumer Products will also continue its partnership with Worlds Apart, Kinnerton, Seabrook, Yoplait and Beiersdorf, as well as joining forces with new partners.

In the publishing space, Signature Gifts will release personalized books, and Egmont is set to release a PAW Patrol magazine special and movie tie-in books. Other partnerships include Danilo for social expressions and DNC and Sambro for back-to-school accessories.

PAW Patrol: The Movie is a Spin Master Entertainment production in association with Nickelodeon Movies and will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Venetia Davie, VP of ViacomCBS consumer products for the UK and Ireland, said: “PAW Patrol continues to shine in the pre-school space, dominating across traditional TV, streaming services, digital and retail, with next year’s movie set to be a summer cinema hit.

“We’re excited to be collaborating with such strong partners including Paramount Pictures and Spin Master, ensuring that the magic of the big-screen is translated into products which children up and down country will continue to love long after they have seen the movie.”

Sambro teams with ViacomCBS and Pinkfong for Baby Shark arts & crafts, novelty, and outdoor toys

Sambro International has detailed its new partnership with ViacomCBS Consumer Products and Pinkfong to produce and launch a range of children’s arts and crafts, novelty, and outdoor products inspired by the Baby Shark brand.

The new range will include painting sets, doughs, and inflatable play products, and is scheduled to hit shelves in spring 2021.

Tony Hicks, Sambro CEO, commented: “We are delighted to be continuing our long running partnership with ViacomCBS Consumer Products and are excited to be diving into the exciting world of Baby Shark.”

Next year will see Baby Shark swim from YouTube and onto Nick Jr. with a new series titled Baby Shark’s Big Show, featuring a whole cast of characters, a humorous script, and a collection of songs billed ‘just as catchy as the original.’

Venetia Davie, vice president of consumer products, ViacomCBS UK, added: “We are thrilled to be working with Sambro and Pinkfong to expand the world of Baby Shark and create innovative new products that will be hitting homes, gardens, swimming pools and the great outdoors early next year.”