Gigantosaurus stomps into the European dress up sector in Smiffys partnership

Smiffys is bringing the cast of the popular children’s CGI animated series Gigantosaurus to the dress up and costumes space thanks to a new partnersip with Cyber Group Studios and the licensing agency Brand-Ward.

Characters Rocky, Bill, Tiny, and Mazu will each find themselves receiving the dress up treatment in a new range that will launch in time for World Book Day next year. The range will be distributed across Europe.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Smiffys to build on our award-winning children’s licensed costume portfolio with these adventurous characters,” said Dominique Peckett, director at Smiffys.

Bruno Danzel D’Aumont, international licensing and marketing vice president at Cyber Group Studios, said: “Smiffys is a talented company and well recognized in its market. I am proud that Gigantosaurus will be part of the range and I am looking forward to seeing children wearing the costumes of their favorite dinosaurs characters around Europe.”

The partnership was forged by the licensing agency, Brand-Ward Services who has been tapped to help grow the property’s presence across the European consumer products space.

Trudi Hayward, co-founder of Brand-Ward, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Smiffys across Europe in the dress up category, as they are an extremely dynamic company that has established distribution across Europe and we are all very excited to be working with them on Gigantosaurus costumes which will launch in time for World Book Day 2022.”

Smiffys lands Masha and the Bear costumes and tableware through Lisle Licensing deal

The party and fancy dress specialist, Smiffys has been named the costume and tableware partner for the popular children’s animated IP, Masha and the Bear. The partnership arrives via a deal brokered by Lisle Licensing, the UK licensing agency for Masha and the Bear.

The popular animated series has become a firm favourite with children across the world, and now, thanks to Smiffys latest signing, will be able to delight in a range of officially licensed costumes, scheduled to launch at the start of 2021.

This will be followed by the roll-out of a range of Masha and the Bear tableware. Both will be made available across the UK and Europe.

Smiffys has long been recognised as a leading supplier of fancy-dress costumes, wigs, accessories and make up. The company, originally founded as R H Smith & Sons (Wigmakers) but now more commonly known as Smiffys, is a family-run company and has been in business since 1894.

The firm is proud to design all of its costumes and accessories “in-house” in the UK.

Masha and the Bear secures host of UK licensees as Season Four lands on Tiny Pop

The international animation studio and name behind the popular kids’ show Masha and the Bear, has secured a host of new UK licensees to coincide with the arrival of season four of the animated series on Tiny Pop this month.

In a swathe of deals brokered by the UK licensing agency, Lisle Licensing Masha and the Bear is now moving into licensed backpacks, school bags and fashion bags with William Lamb Group, as well as branded costumes and accessories, tableware, paper decorations, party bags and balloons courtesy of Smiffys.

On top of this, a partnership with The Entertainer will see the UK toy retailer stock Masha and the Bear – Masha’s Songs branded caps in over 170 of its stores nationwide.

The local licensing activity all gets under way as the popular animated series lands on Tiny Pop with its season four debut this month. Called Masha’s Songs, the 13 episode season is dedicated to exploring different countries and their music, values, and culture. The season will see Masha travel the world with her friends.

Tiny Pop is supporting the Season Four launch with a series of marketing activities including a nationwide on-air and digital musical competition, asking viewers to go to the Tiny Pop Artpad and design a picture of the Masha Musical Band.

The competition will run for three weeks from November 9 to November 30 2020 and will raffle prizes from Animaccord’s retail and toy partners, Smyths and Simba Dickie Group. There will also be a separate schedule of Tiny Pop online and social competitions in conjunction with Masha and the Bear toy manufacturers Simba Dickie Group and Tactic

Smiffys partners with Magic Light Pictures to launch Gruffalo, Highway Rat and Stick Man dress up

The dress up and costumes specialist, Smiffys has struck upon a magical new partnership with Magic Light Pictures to develop a range of dress up costumes based on the popular book series from Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler, spanning The Gruffalo, The Highway Rat, Stick Man, Zog, and Room on the Broom.

The launch of the new licensed collection will kick off with the much-loved Gruffalo and a character costume that will wander into retailers in time for World Book Day 2021. The new toddler costume features a deluxe all-in-one fit with a novelty hood – billed as ‘perfect for any little one wishing to bring the literary character to life.’

Further Smiffys character costumes, all based on books by Donaldson and Scheffler, will launch later in the year, landing on the global stage in time for Australia’s own 2021 Book Week next year.

“We are delighted to be announcing this partnership; Julia and Axel’s work is renowned across the globe and has delighted children for nearly 30 years with her imaginative stories,” said Dominque Peckett, director at Smiffys.  

Aidan Taylor-Gooby, licensing manager at Magic Light Pictures, added: “Dress up is a crucial part of our licensing programme and always a fantastic product for us at key events like World Book Day, Halloween and Christmas. We’re really pleased to have found such a great partner in Smiffys who can deliver the great quality product that our consumers expect.”

Six new licensing deals takes Peaky Blinders into new categories for Q4 ‘retail boost’

Endemol Shine Group, alongside the brand owner and production company Caryn Mandabach Productions, has detailed a suite of six new licensees – spanning a new and varied product range –  inspired by the multi-award-winning hit series Peaky Blinders.

It’s believed by the licensing unit that the new products across multiple consumer categories will provide a ‘much-needed boost to the retail industry for Q4’ and have been billed as perfect additions to any Peaky Blinders fan’s Christmas lists.

Already an existing licensee, Half Moon Bay, who have a successful range of glassware, will be launching a premium range of mugs, shot glasses, whiskey stones and hip flasks inspired by the property.

Meanwhile, Kimm and Miller is launching a range of crafted, bespoke gift sets which will include tea and ceramic mug gift set and a whiskey fudge tin gift set. Both ranges will be available in major retailers in AW20.

The boutique bedding specialist Dreamtex Ltd will be launching bedlinen, flannel blankets and a towel, all featuring the Shelby Company branding in a simple black and white design. Reversible bedding sets will be available in single, double and king sizes to cater for all ages.

In the entertainment space, Steamforged Games is bringing Peaky Blinders to table tops with an official card game, Peaky BlindersTM: The Card Game featuring the iconic characters that fans know and love. In the true spirit of the award winning TV drama, the game centres on bluffing and tricking your opponents and will be suitable for three to six players.

Following on from the success of the board game which sold out across multiple retailers, Just Media has developed a Peaky Blinders travel game which will incorporate elements of the current strategic board game, slated for release next year.

Fans will be finally able to host the ultimate Peaky Blinders themed party thanks to a range of party accessories that Smiffy’s will launch in time for Halloween, together with fancy dress outfits inspired by the main characters.

Funiglobal has also come on board as the international e-commerce destination for the Peaky Blinders fancy dress costumes for both Men and Ladies, available for our fans to buy in time for Halloween.

Other forthcoming products include the first licensed videogame, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind from Curve Digital which will launch on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC later this summer.

Jane Smith, group director, brand licensing and gaming, Endemol Shine Group said: “Landing deals with six new licensees demonstrates the strength of Peaky Blinders and its place in the market, and I am thrilled this popular brand shows no signs of slowing down. These latest products are for very different retail areas and without a doubt will bring something for every fan out there.”

Susan Waddell, commercial director, Caryn Mandabach Productions, added: “We are delighted that the fans of the show will now have an even broader range of officially licensed Peaky Blinders inspired products.”

Created and written by Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises and Locke), the multi-award-winning BBC One series is produced by Peaky Blinders official brand owner Caryn Mandabach Productions and Endemol Shine Group’s Tiger Aspect Productions.

Endemol Shine Group represent a range of global ancillary rights for Peaky Blinders which is distributed by Endemol Shine International across more than 183 countries and airs widely on Netflix internationally including the USA.

In July 2020 Endemol Shine Group was acquired by Banijay, creating the world’s largest international content producer and distributor spanning 22 territories with over 120 production companies and a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 88,000 hours of original standout programming.

Smiffys owner RH Smith & Sons acquires US business Chasing Fireflies

RH Smith & Sons – the parent company of the popular Smiffys fancy dress and party specialists – has acquired the US party and costume business Chasing Fireflies after its holding company went into administration.

Chasing Fireflies is a long-established brand name in the US, known for its wide product offering from occasion wear and costume to party lines. The brand has been a household name and a loyal customer of R H Smith for over a decade.

However, Chasing Fireflies struggled to maintain its brand value in recent years after numerous acquisitions. The move by R H Smith and Sons to acquire the brand will see the revival of the much-loved family favourite.

“As a brand that celebrates childhood, we will deliver the high-quality and unique product design that Chasing Fireflies is renowned for, along with excellent customer service that embodies the R H Smith and Sons ethos,” said Dominique Peckett, director at R H Smith.

Chasing Fireflies deals with numerous licensed and IP-driven dress up options for children. The business will now be housed under the larger RH Smith & Sons entity, who has – through Smiffys – built a reputation for quality dress up items, spanning licensed and non-licensed ranges.