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.”

 

The Point.1888 jumps on board with new client Flip Out

Flip Out, the UK’s leading trampoline and adventure park operator, is to embark on its first ever brand licensing programme with the help of its new agent The Point.1888.

With 27 sites across the UK offering slides, free running, inflatables, assault courses, synthetic ice rinks, bumper cars and crazy golf, Flip Out has amassed a huge fanbase. It hopes to use brand licensing to boost engagement and generate new revenue opportunities.

The Point.1888 was Flip Out’s first choice thanks to the agency’s knowledge and experience working with some of the world’s biggest brands in sport and kids entertainment, such as Team GB, British & Irish Lions, CoComelon, Moomin and Blippi.

Product ranges in planning include apparel, activity products and trampolines, and key to the strategy will be Flip Out’s ability to get kids, teens and families away from their screensand having fun in an active way. This is much needed following the release of research earlier this year which showed a 100% increase in kids’ screen activity compared with the same period in 2020.

Hannah Stevens, Head of Sports and Retail, at The Point.1888, says: “We are acutely aware of how the world is progressing as we all spend more time than ever glued to screens. This has also been a major factor in the struggles of retail as people choose to shop online rather than on the high street. Flip Out has a huge opportunity to reverse this trend by using products to entice people to get out and be more active, experiencing more of real life.

“Flip Out is more than a trampoline park; it’s a space to get lost in and explore, with everything from Ninja obstacle courses to Cyber Towers. Combined with its electric urban identity, you really are taken on a complete adventure. It is this purpose, authenticity and creativity that we find incredibly exciting and why Flip Out will be able to deliver incredibly powerful products.”

“The Flip Out brand is focused on getting young people and families active and having fun,” says Richard Beese, Co-Owner at Flip Out. “Our parks offer a range of activities to appeal to all ages and we believe this partnership with The Point.1888 will enable us to deliver these benefits to a wider audience.”

 

UEFA launches sales process for UEFA national team football licensing rights

UEFA has announced that it is inviting interested parties to make proposals for certain licensing and marketing rights in relation to the Master Licensee, Onsite Retailer and Online Retailer categories for certain UEFA national team football competitions taking place during the period 2023 -2028. The national team football competitions in question are: the UEFA European Football Championship 2024 and 2028, the UEFA Nations League Finals 2023, 2025 and 2027, the UEFA European Women’s Championship 2025, the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2023, 2025 and 2027 and the UEFA European Futsal Championship 2026.

Interested parties should send an email to CAA Eleven via the address below as soon as possible and include the following initial information in their email:

  • Company profile presentation;
  • Details of any relevant licences held and events operated.

Any company wanting to take part in the formal request for proposals (“RFP”) process should register its interest to CAA Eleven Sàrl via: licensing@caa11.com by no later than Friday 26 November, 2021

The RFP process will be administered by CAA Eleven Sàrl on behalf of UEFA.

 

TSBA Group signs five year deal with American Golf to launch new range inspired by The Open

The TSBA Group has singed a five year partnership with American Golf to design and exclusively retail an officially licensed range of products inspired by The Open.

The core product range will include apparel – designed under American Golf’s Stromberg label – for men, women and children including polos, shorts, trousers, and waterproofs, as well as high-tech golfing accessories and equipment including tees, golf bags, luggage, and trolleys.

The range will officially launch in 2022, coinciding with The 150th Open and will feature designs celebrating the milestone in the Championship’s history. Since The R&A held the first tournament in 1860, The Open has seen more than 120 golfers lift the coveted Claret Jug after facing the challenges of The Open’s links courses.

The official range will be available exclusively via American Golf’s 96 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland, along with its online store, and has been designed to appeal to golfers at every level.

Jo Edwards, head of global licensing at TSBA Group said: “We are delighted to have secured this long-term partnership between American Golf and The R&A. One of the key objectives of the licensing programme is to make The Open accessible to all, 365 days of the year; American Golf’s significant retail presence will help us in this goal with a range of The Open apparel, accessories and equipment for every golfer.”

Gary Favell, CEO at American Golf, added: “Partnering with The R&A on a new range of apparel, accessories and equipment for The Open is incredibly meaningful for us. 

“This range will provide golfers of every level with the kit intended to make them feel like they’re stepping out to play at the Open Championship – affordable without compromising on quality, we will ensure that we are behind every golfer.”

Formula 1 eyes moves into NFT and Cryptocurrency through Crypto.com global partnership

Formula 1 has embarked on a new partnership with Crypto.com that woll see the global crypto platform become a global partner, an inaugural partner for the sport’s new Sprint series this year, and the official Formula 1 NFT partner.

Under the deal, Crypto.com will have a trackside presence at every race for the remainder of the season as it continues to grow its brand awareness on an international stage. With 10 million users worldwide, Crypto.com is recognised as one of the world’s fastest growing crypto platforms.

As Formula 1 continues with its plans to explore new ways for fans to engage and become more immersed in the sport, Crypto.com will also become the Official Cryptocurrency Sponsor and NFT Partner for the motor sport brand. Mirroring the fan-first approach F1 has adopted to engage with new audiences, Crypto.com aim to democratize the world of cryptocurrency for fans, through education and experiences in the new partnership.

Crypto.com will also present a brand new award, which will be announced ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Aligning with the sustainability plans for Formula 1 to be Net Zero Carbon as a sport by 2030, Crypto.com laid out an ambitious pledge in May 2021 to become carbon negative within 18 months. It aims to offer the industry a path and a model for ‘clean crypto’ by late 2022. This plan will initially focus on an assessment of the carbon generated through cryptocurrency trading, deposit and withdrawal activities across all of its own platforms.

Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO, Formula 1, said: “We are pleased to welcome Crypto.com to the Formula 1 family, as we continue to attract progressive global brands anchored in performance and innovation.”

Ben Pincus, director of commercial partnerships at Formula 1, added: “We are thrilled to announce Crypto.com as a Global Partner and lead partner of the Sprint event as we bring this exciting new format to fans for the first time this year. We will rely heavily on their expertise as we explore the world of cryptocurrency, an area we are very interested in, and this will be the first time as a sport we are able to offer fans the opportunity to explore this exciting world as we further increase our digital presence.

“Crypto.com is revered in the industry and its experience was key in the decision to partner with them, as well as the company’s commitment to becoming carbon negative, as we continue to move towards sustainability goals of our own.”

Kris Marszalek, co-founder and CEO of Crypto.com, said: “We are extremely proud to be the first cryptocurrency sponsor of Formula 1, joining a prestigious collection of brands supporting a sport with technology and innovation at its core. We look forward to many years of innovating together, and will begin at the Belgian Grand Prix where we will present a brand new award.

“We’re also excited to partner with F1 in the development of exclusive NFTs, connecting fans to the sport in new and innovative ways.”

The partnership between Formula 1 and Crypto.com was facilitated by CAA Sports, the global representative for F1.

Stateside | US toy firm on mission to lift women’s sports with first talking plush sports stars

An American toy company is on a mission to not only change the face of sports toys but also the narrative around women’s sports with the launch of a new series of talking plush toys dedicated to some of the country’s biggest names in the genre.

Sports Bigs has made no secret of its desire to disrupt the $1.25 billion US plush toy industry with a new host of celebrity-inspired plush toys, celebrating only women’s sports. It’s part of the firm’s bigger plan to ‘reveal the true potential of the marketability of women sports stars.’

“In the past, if you were an athlete in girls’ and women’s sports, you didn’t have many visible role models. And you certainly didn’t have a talking sports action toy that encouraged you to use your own power and voice while training like a pro athlete,” said founder Pam Kosanke, a six-time competitor in world championships across three different sports, who is also a mom and a professional marketer.

“This changes all that, and so much more.”

Sport Bigs has teamed up with three of America’s biggest women’s sports legends, including five-time WNBA champion, basketball all-star and current Minnesota Lynx assistant coach Rebekkah Brunson; professional football legend and current football commentator and analyst Lori Lindsey; and four-time world champion, multi-gold medalist and current UCLA softball head coach Lisa Fernandez.

Through their partnerships, each have provided their likenesses and voices to the first round of Sport Bigs. Over time, the plan is to build out the roster to include more women’s sports personalities over time.

“When I think about the 25th anniversary of the WNBA, I can’t help but think about how long the league has been around, but also how young it is,” said Brunson.

“Now that I’m in a position to inspire young girls and empower them to be their authentic selves, I wish that I’d had something that represented me when I was a child – something that I could play with that showed strength and power, and wasn’t packaged as male.

“Sport Bigs are so exciting because they fill that space. They inspire young girls and allow young people to imagine strong, powerful women who dream of what they can be, and what the world should look like. They’re about being big, speaking big, acting big and living big.”

To support its bigger goals around changing the women’s sports landscape, Sport Bigs will funnel portions of proceeds from the toys into women’s sport sponsorships, athlete compensation and additional grassroots efforts.

“As a kid, I was starved for trading cards, memorabilia or toys that looked like me,” said Kosanke. “Today you have a few special-edition toys – used as one-off stunts – that come across as wimpy and barely marketed. Nothing really comes close to respecting the breadth of sizes, shapes and big-time attitudes of real athletes in women’s sports.

“This toy line is a first in the market and necessary for all ages to truly celebrate big athlete identities in women’s sports.”

Adidas and LEGO build on creative partnership to introduce a new ZX 8000 ‘Bricks’ Collection

Adidas and The LEGO Group have extended their partnership to launch a new ZX 8000 ‘Bricks’ collection of footwear, building on the pairing that previously introduced the landmark A-ZX series.

Bringing the globally renowned Danish toy brand’s signature aesthetics to one of Adidas’ most iconic styles, the collection marks the next stage in a partnership inspired by the two companies’ shared passion for creativity.

The footwear collection plays host to six sneakers, each made up in one of the primary LEGO colors: Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, Black, and Grey. Boasting a classic construction based on the original ZX 8000 material composition, each pair in the collaborative ‘Bricks’ offering features a mesh upper matched with synthetic suede overlays, a ghillie lacing system, and a TPU heel counter which playfully emulates the texture of LEGO bricks.

Accompanying the launch of the collection is a playful campaign which follows the journey of the ZX 8000 silhouette as it is constructed piece by piece by LEGO minifigure engineers.

The Adidas Originals and the LEGO Group ZX 8000 ‘Bricks’ collection arrives on May 7th and is available in adult and junior sizing through adidas.com/LEGO and select retailers.

24 Hours of Le Mans renews IMG partnership to build 2023 Centenary licensing programme

The world’s oldest active sports car endurance race, 24 Hours of Le Mans is eyeing a new move into the toys, games, and collectables space as the prestigious annual event nears its 100th anniversary in 2023.

Under the renewal of its longstanding licensing representation agreement with IMG, the brand owner, Automobil Club de l’Quest is looking to develop further licensing opportunities for the event, building on its portfolio of some 80 strong licensees already in place.

Amid the plans for an extended licensing programme for the event that has been held annually near Le Mans in France since 1923, ACO is looking to take the 24 Hours of Le Mans brand into the toys, games, and collectables aisles, as well as apparel, homeware, and accessories.

The renewed licensing agreement will see IMG lead the licensing charge through to 2024.

With the return of major manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, Audi and Peugeot, the ACO and IMG will be looking to add even more new renowned partners to the 24 Hours of Le Mans licensing programme.

Stéphane Andriolo, customer and events director, ACO, said: “The renewal of our agreement with IMG is in line with our global licensing strategy. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest is now focused on the Centenary of its iconic race in 2023. More than ever, our goal is to make the 24 Hours of Le Mans brand shine throughout the entire year and expanding our global footprint in all territories.”

Arthur Virapin, senior licensing manager, IMG, added: “We are proud that the ACO has once again entrusted us with the 24 Hours of Le Mans consumer licensing programme. In the last four years alone, together we have doubled the size of the race’s licensing portfolio, showing that almost 100 years since being established, its popularity and prestige is as strong as ever.

“As we start to rev up for the milestone centenary race in 2023, we look forward to further developing the programme into new and existing key categories and expanding 24 Hours of Le Mans’ presence globally.”

Braille Skateboarding launches its first skate shoe with R&R Footwear

YouTube’s leading skateboarding channel, Braille Skateboarding, has partnered with R&R Footwear to launch a new skate shoe, marking yet another brand extension for the brand that has made its move on the lifestyle and toy licensing sectors in recent months.

In a deal brokered by Semaphore Licensing Solutions, Braille Skateboarding has been working closely with R&R to develop a skate shoe that will offer skaters comfort, support, quality, and style. The shoe’s footbed has been developed to provide the wearer with a level of comfort and support while allowing them to maintain a good level of board feel.

Available in three classic color ways, black with a white sole, black with a honey sole, and grey with a white sole, the collection (available in adult men’s sizes only) will be rolled out to the US and UK in early summer. Braille Skateboarding founder, Aaron Kyro will be autographing the shoe boxes of the first 1,000 pre-orders.

“This footwear launch symbolizes Aaron’s devotion to developing the best products for skateboarders of all experience levels. As a hobby turned official Olympic Sport, skateboarding as a category has rolled into the spotlight. We couldn’t be more excited for both Aaron and Braille as we help execute their mission to get the entire world skateboarding,” said Michael Bienstock, founder and CEO, Semaphore Licensing Solutions.

Nick Smith, head of sales and marketing, R&R Footwear, added: “R&R Footwear develops and manufactures high-quality footwear for a range of global brands. Braille’s commitment to design, develop and deliver a high-performing skate shoe has been equivalent to what we see from professional footwear teams from around the World and we’re delighted to see Braille’s dreams of creating their own range of skate shoes become a reality.

“The future looks incredible bright for Braille Skateboarding and we’re proud to be a part of their journey.”

Cyclewear studio Milltag turns it up with Motorhead collaboration

The cyclewear studio, Milltag has partnered with Global Merchandising Services to launch a new range of cycle gear inspired by the heavy rock legends, Motorhead, tapping into the vibe of some of the band’s iconic song titles Iron Horse, White Line Fever and Keep Us On the Road.

Produced in partnership with GMS, the collection promises to be ‘more metal than most bikes’ as it arrives emblazoned with the band’s famous ‘War Pig’ logo and motto, Everything Louder Than Everything Else.

Milltag founder and creative director, Ed Cowburn, said: “It’s with great excitement that we start 2021 with a collaboration with Motorhead that should blow away the cobwebs.

“We hope the collection will reach a wider audience of music loving cyclists who want to wear cycling clothing that means something more to them than just another item of functional clothing.”

In developing the line, Milltag has opted for its club fit jersey which uses a roomier fit while not being too baggy. The collection is billed a ‘perfect when worn as a full set, but still easily identifiable as individual pieces.’ The cap and snoof feature large scale designs of the ‘War Pig’ logo.

Jens Drinkwater, Global Merchandising Services, added: “Milltag produces excellent, technical cycling apparel and we are incredibly excited to see fans take to the road in this unique collaboration.”

The range will be available for pre order via the Milltag website www.milltag.cc from Friday February 5th for a limited time (ending February 20th) for delivery in April.