Smyths Toys launches Funko Pop! Vinyl to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity

The UK toy giant, Smyths Toys, has teamed with Funko to create a special Smyths Toys exclusive Pop! Vinyl figure of the retailer’s own mascot, Oscar in a fundraising effort for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity in support of seriously ill children across the UK.

The initiative kicked off this week, making the special Oscar Pop! Vinyl available across of of Smyths Toys Superstores in the UK. The figure retails at £9.99.

Last Christmas, Smyths Toys raised £50,000 for GOSH Charity following profits from the sales of their Oscar Plush. The retailer has now committed to donating at least £50,000 to GOSH Charity again this year.

Sinead Byrne, joint head of marketing at Smyths Toys, added: “We are delighted to launch Oscar as a Funko POP! Vinyl to bring our character Oscar to life this year. Smyths Toys is proud to partner again with GOSH Charity to help support seriously ill children from across the UK and continue to be amazed at the work the Charity carries out on a daily basis.”

Liz Tait, director of fundraising at GOSH Charity, said: “Now in the fourth year of our partnership, we are thrilled that Smyths Toys Superstores are supporting GOSH Charity once again with the launch of the Oscar POP! Vinyl. This is a brilliant opportunity for us to raise much-needed funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital, at a time when the hospital needs our support more than ever, so for that we’d like to say a huge thank you.”

Eva Verhaak, head of strategic marketing and sales – Funko EMEA, added: “Smyths Toys Superstores’ initiative to support GOSH Charity is an amazing cause and we are absolutely delighted to be part of it, working with Smyths to create an exclusive collector’s item, a POP! Vinyl figure of the well-known character, Oscar.”

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