Tag Archives: toys

PlayMonster, LEGO, and Crayola among 2021 Licensing International Excellence Awards winners

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PlayMonster, LEGO, Crayola, and Hasbro have all been named among the winners of the 2021 Licensing International Excellence Awards at a ceremony held via a virtual gathering during this week’s Licensing Expo Virtual.

Big name toy companies featured among the 22 award winners from seven different countries, including China, Finland, France, Japan, Singapore, the UK, and the US at the event that brought together nearly 1,000 industry executives.

The winners were whittled down from a total of 152 nominees – itself a shortlist of finalists from more than 650 entries from around the world. An elite judging panel narrowed the entries down to the final ballot, which was then voted on by members of the licensing industry.

PlayMonster secured its win in the Toys, Games, Novelties for ages 0 to 8 category, receiving its accolade for its popular Peppa Pig Grow and Play Peppa Pots, while LEGO secured its Toys, Games, Novelties for ages 8 upwards category win for its Andy Warhol LEGO Art Edition.

Hasbro took home the Entertainment, Character Brand: Animated category win for Peppa Pig, and Crayola was voted Best Licensed Collaboration in its tie up with Adidas and Donovan Mitchell.

The Licensing International Excellence Awards honour innovation and creativity in licensing, as well as how licensees develop and bring to market products, and how retailers creatively spotlight licenses on their shelves. A special award this year – Pandemic Pivot – went to Peanuts Worldwide to honour its work in developing and making available for free in-home educational materials and lesson plans.

“In our 36th year of honoring the best of the global licensing industry, it’s inspiring to see the quality of the work produced by people and companies even as they were adapting to new ways of creating and collaborating amid the effects of the pandemic,” said Maura Regan, president, Licensing International.

“The achievements that we honor today are testament to the power of brands, and the power of licensing as a business to create products and programs with lasting appeal.”

Here are the 2021 Licensing International Excellence Awards winners:

Best Licensed Products

⦁ Apparel / Footwear / Accessories – Dr. Martens for Jean-Michel Basquiat Boots
⦁ Appliance / Automotive / Housewares / Electronics – Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co. for Pokémon Travel
⦁ Toys / Games / Novelties for Ages 0 – 8 – PlayMonster for Peppa Pig Grow & Play Peppa Pots
⦁ Apps / Sofware / Video Games – Top Golf for Angry Birds Interactive Golf Game
⦁ Food / Beverage – Kinnerton Confectionery for Harry Potter Chocolate Range
⦁ Health and Beauty Aids – Mad Beauty for Friends Bath & Body Essentials
⦁ Home Decor – Secret Lab for Batman Gaming Chairs
⦁ Publishing / Back to School – Chronicle Books for LEGO Note Brick
⦁ Toys/ Games/ Novelties for ages 8 upwards – LEGO for Andy Warhol LEGO Art Edition

Best Licensed Brands
⦁ Art/ Design/ Celebrity/ Fashion Brand – The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Studio
⦁ Digital App/ Video Game Brand – Super Mario by Nintendo
⦁ Corporate Brand – Goodyear by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and IMG
⦁ Entertainment/ Character Brand: Animated – Peppa Pig by Hasbro & Hasbro China
⦁ Entertainment/ Character Brand: Live-Action – Harry Potter by Warner Bros. France
⦁ Food/ Beverage/ Restaurant Brand – Coca-Cola, Hi-C & Sprite by The Coca-Cola Company
⦁ Sports/ Collegiate Brand – NFLPA by NFL Players Association

OTHER AWARDS
⦁ BEST LICENSED PROMOTION – Direct Line & Born Licensing for “We’re On It” with Transformers, TMNT & Robocop
⦁ BEST LICENSED COLLABORATION – Crayola x Adidas x Donovan Mitchell
⦁ BEST RETAILER FOR A CHARACTER / ENTERTAINMENT INITIATIVE – BoxLunch for Marvel Eat the Universe
⦁ BEST RETAILER FOR A CORPORATE / LIFESTYLE/ SPORTS INITIATIVE – H&M for Coca-Cola
⦁ BEST LICENSING AGENCY – IMG
⦁ THE PANDEMIC PIVOT AWARD – Peanuts At-Home-Offerings by Peanuts Worldwide

 

YouTube star Like Nastya to launch Jazwares toy line and NFT collection

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The YouTube sensation, Like Nastya, has detailed the autumn launch of her first toy line, a range developed by the international toy maker, Jazwares in a partnership brokered by the global licensing agency, IMG.

The seven-year-old social media star’s toy line represents the latest expansion of Nastya’s universe in which Nastya and her parents play, learn, sing, explore, and share their life experiences on social media. Her YouTube videos cover topics from songs, nature, and animals, to the importance of eating healthily.

Like Nastya currently enjoys more than 220 million subscribers on YouTube, 5 million followers on TikTok, and a thriving Instagram channel.

The toy space is not the only sector into which the Like Nastya brand is expanding this season as IMG has also secured an NFT collection with Gary Vaynerchuk’s VaynerNFT.

Nastya, who at birth was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which inspired her first YouTube video and has since significantly improved, and her family will be donating a portion of proceeds from her NFT collection to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Eyal Baumel, CEO of Yoola and Nastya’s manager, said: “Millions of kids and families around the world embrace Nastya as a friend and role model, and we are excited to expand Nastya’s universe into the physical world with the new toy line, and in the metaverse with our unique NFT program.

“This will allow Nastya’s community to own a collectible memory of Nastya, but to also use some of the unique utility NFTs to engage with her in the most special ways, including birthday greetings, connecting on social media, shoutouts, and even a live video call.”

Laura Zebersky, president of Jazwares, said: “Based on Nastya’s unbelievable success as a young content creator and role-model, imaginative play is the focus in our toy line so we are bringing to life and extending Nastya’s colorful adventures and positive messages.”

The toy line has been created to appeal to girls aged four to six years old and features Nastya’s Fancy Princess Surprise Doll, an eight-inch doll in the likeness of Nastya and it includes 50 unique surprises such as outfits, wear-and-share accessories, and more.

Other toys in the line include themed Nastya eight-inch dolls such as Sleepy Time, Princess and Rock Star, 12 distinctive three-inch Collectible Figures, a Nastya Bedroom Playset, plush toys and headbands. The toys will range in price from $4.99 to $39.99 and will be available in the US and UK at retailers including Target, Amazon, Walmart.com and Claire’s starting this autumn, before being released worldwide in different drops through spring 2022.

Nastya’s NFT collection, meanwhile, presents a new way for Nastya to engage with her community; and capitalise on the hyper-growth NFT market. With multiple tiered price points, and plenty of surprise and delight activities, “Nastya’s Originals’ collection is designed to bring a smile to the face of her fans, and extend the Like Nastya community into the metaverse.

“There are very few people on earth that have ever amassed an audience the size of Nastya and we are thrilled to work with her and her family,” said Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerNFT, who recently launched his own successful VeeFriends project in May, 2021.

“The fact that her circle is thoughtfully thinking about how to bring her audience value through an NFT project instead of trying to make a quick buck is exactly why we wanted to work with them and is exactly the way that VaynerNFT wants to structure projects.”

Van Kokeh, Associate VP, Licensing, IMG, added: “Nastya’s engaging content, reach and musical talent allows us to expand her licensing program across all key areas and categories. Our unique strategy to launch her toy program with Jazwares, alongside her first NFTs, is just the start of the incredible program we have planned for the long-term growth of the Like Nastya brand globally.”

Mattel debuts new He-Man and The Masters of the Universe toys as first Netflix trailer lands

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Mattel has lifted the lid on a new collection of toys and action figures inspired by the new animated Netflix series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, a CGI reinvention of the cult classic series that has been developed for a new generation of fans.

Detailed in a post issued by Mattel’s vice president and global head of action figures, PJ Lewis, the new collection of toys features both classic and never before seen characters, enabling fans of all ages to ‘join the battle to save Eternia.’

The new range takes inspiration from a new CGI animated series, scheduled to land on Netflix this September 16th. Reinvented for today’s audiences, the series will deliver a reimagined storyline and a new stylised take on the world of Eternia.

The first trailer for the new series was dropped earlier this week. Check it out and take a first look below:

The series lands amid a run of recent activity for the Masters of the Universe franchise that most recently made its comeback in the form of the Netflix animated series – Masters of the Universe: Revelation – released this July.

As we continue to reintroduce Masters of the Universe to the world, I am excited to share that on September 16, the sword is being passed to the next generation of fans with the release of the new animated Netflix series He-Man and The Masters of the Universe, a show reinvented for kids today with a reimagined storyline and new stylized take on the world of Eternia,” said Lewis.

“But what’s most exciting to me is we are taking kids’ favourite heroes off the screen and into their hands with the introduction of a slew of amazing toys and action figures inspired by these new series.”

Each articulated figure in the new range comes with an attack feature or projectile, while He-Man and Skeletor can race into action with The Masters of the Universe Vehicle Pack, or engage in head to head battle using the Snake Mountain Throne play-set.

“The options are limitless for even our youngest fans to recreate their favourite Masters of the Universe scenes, and the fun starts October 1st when the new collection becomes available at Walmart,” said Lewis.

Toys R Us is planning a major return to the US in Macy’s shop in shop partnership

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Toys R Us is preparing for its latest reincarnation, this time through a major new partnership to launch shop within shop concessions in more than 400 Macy’s stores across the United States.

Revealed earlier this week, Macy’s Inc has teamed up with WHP Global to bring the Macy’s and Toys R Us brands together, delivering an expansive assortment of toys and games both online via macys.com/toysrus as well as in Macy’s more than 400 stores across America.

The shop within shop Toys R Us concept will roll out nationwide in 2022.

“As a Toys”R”Us kid, I could not be more excited to bring this beloved brand that so many of our customers know and love into Macy’s online and to our stores across America,” said Nata Dvir, Macy’s chief merchandising officer.

“Our toy business grew exponentially in the past year, with many families looking to inspire their children’s imagination and create meaningful moments together. Toys”R”Us is a globally recognized leader in children’s toys and our partnership allows Macy’s to significantly expand our footprint in that category, while creating more occasions for customers to shop with us across their lifestyles.”

The Toys”R”Us experience at macys.com/toysrus lets shoppers search for products by age, toy type, character and brand. From perennial favorite toy cars and dolls to STEM-inspired products for creative learners, Macy’s expanded assortment of the most popular items, including products that highlight inclusivity, discovery and learning, will offer something for every parent and child.

Powered by Macy’s, ToysRUs.com will look to serve as the dedicated authority for all things toys and play, with immersive content that aims to connect consumers to the toy offering at macys.com.

Within Toys“R”Us shop-in-shops rolling out to more than 400 Macy’s stores nationwide in 2022, customers will be welcomed by Geoffrey the Giraffe before discovering and playing across dedicated sections by age, interest and category, with interactive experiences, activation centers and iconic elements throughout.

Yehuda Shmidman, chairman and CEO of WHP Global and Toys“R”Us, commented: “Our partnership with Macy’s marks the greatly anticipated return of Toys”R”Us in the USA, and changes the retail landscape by combining two beloved retail brands together for consumers across the nation in a completely innovative way. We’re thrilled to be launching this new partnership together with Macy’s.”

Founded by Charles Lazarus, Toys”R”Us became one of the world’s best loved toy stores and a globally recognised household name in the toy category. Today, Toys”R”Us has a vibrant business that generates more than $2 billion in global retail sales annually through nearly 900 branded global stores outside the US and e-commerce businesses in more than 25 countries.

Chess sets and Transformers: The Movie ReAction figures, Hasbro is laying on a nostalgic treat for fans

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Having never been one to shy away from its adult fanbase or one to tread lightly around the kidult market of collectors and geek culture community, Hasbro is serving up a platter full of nostalgic fodder for followers of its generation-spanning Transformer franchise this season.

The geek culture outfit and pop culture licensing specialist, Super7 is celebrating the 35th anniversary of Transformers: The Movie with a special raft of Tranfsormers ReAction figures.

The Super7 team has become recognised for its ReAction brand, bringing nostalgia to the shelves of specialist retailers the world over as it taps into some of the best loved properties of yesteryear, and feeding a growing audience of kidult collectors.

The company’s latest look back now takes the shape of its Transformers ReAction Wave 4 collection, developed to celebrate a full 35 years since the release of the animated Transformers: The Movie. The exclusive toy line pays tribute to some of the most iconic characters and moments, including Hot Rod, King Starscream, Fallen Leader Optimus Prime, and – for the first time in 3.75-inch figure form – Galvatron.

The collection will be available from next month. The launch of the range coincides with Hasbro’s own anniversary celebrations for the cult classic, during which the toy maker will re-release the 1986 animated feature film to select US cinemas for two days only.

Presented by Fathom Events and Hasbro, The Transformers: The Movie 35th Anniversary will land in cinemas across the US on Sunday September 26th and Tuesday, September 28th, bringing its all-star cast including Judd Nelson of The Breakfast Club, and Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek fame back to the screen in their Autobot adventure.

Adam Biehl, SVP and GM, action brands at Hasbro, said: “We look forward to bringing families and fans back to the theatres for this milestone Transformer anniversary.

“With thanks to our Fathom partners, Autobots and Decepticons of all ages will be treated to a one of a kind movie experience celebrating this beloved animated film.”

But that’s not the only activity being stirred up around the classic Transformers property this season, as Hasbro is continuing to dish out the nostalgia fodder thanks to a new team up with the pop culture collectables outfit, Hero Collector.

Under the partnership, Hasbro is embarking on its first Kickstarter campaign to bring to life a new Transformers Chess Set, featuring 16 heroic Autobots and 16 villainous Decepticons, all modelled on the classic 1980s Generation One Transformers animated cartoon.

The sculpts each show the Transformers in their robot form and have been developed in collaboration with Hasbro, based on the original animation designs and animated series.

The Kickstarter launched on August 13th this year, and is scheduled to deliver in Q4 2022. A variety of backer gifts are planned for fans, including a Transformers pin badge, Transformers profile book, and exclusive Gen-1 chess pieces.

Fans can visit the Kickstarter page here.

Toikido talks | “Video game licensing is in the best health of any entertainment platform”

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Fresh from welcoming the latest major gaming IP to the fold in the form of the British indie game developer’s multiplayer title, Gang Beasts, there’s a palpable and persistent excitement among the Toikido team right now. This was an outfit that, upon launch last year, promised to turn the toy and licensing sector on its head.

So far, having turned around a successful toy line based on one of the biggest gaming franchises of the past two years, within a record-setting six months (navigating a pandemic and shipping chaos out of China along the way), Toikido’s debut product portfolio for the Among Us IP appears to have done just that.

Straight out of the box, the Among Us toys have been subject to rave reviews online from across the markets, hitting demand in a timely fashion as retailers now begin to reap the benefits of the Toikido model. It’s why expectations are now high for the team’s follow up property, and why excitement levels are even higher; all for a game that is yet to receive an ‘official’ launch.

Licensing.biz catches up with Toikido co-founder, Darran Garnham for a quick run through of all the latest:

There was a lot of excitement around the announcement that Toikido had signed with Among Us – what has the momentum behind the signing been like in the months since – the buzz doesn’t seem to have gone away – what’s been fuelling the excitement?

The team at Innersloth and Duel Wield have managed the programme phenomenally well. Protecting their licensees and not double licensing ensures the products supply and demand is in a great balance to keep momentum. Inbound interest from fans has been incredible and great fun.

What plans have you got in place for the Among Us brand from here and for the rest of the year onwards? What categories will be key for you as you build the brand from here?

Product is just hitting shelves now with toys in market in most countries.  We have moved from contract to shelf in just six months which is amazing.  We could have been even quicker had we not had Covid & the shipping chaos out of China. The reaction from every market has been positive and we have delivered to retail ontime.

The toys will be driving the programme but design on apparel, bedding and puzzles looks really strong. The game itself has had some exciting updates so this allows us to plug into new characters / colours and ship elements.

How do audiences for gaming IP differ to other entertainment, how does it influence the licensing strategy for the brand? How do you tap into the cross-generational audiences?

The gaming community are extremely supportive and invested in the game and products and are very vocal on social media. I love that. I want the fans to tell us what we are doing right, wrong and what products are missing from the range.

Gaming content – compared to entertainment like films – is never static – i.e. subject to updates and new gaming modes etc… To what extent does this influence the licensing programme, what level of creativity or freedom does this bring to the table for you guys?

Thankfully working with digital IP is nothing new to the team at Toikido. We are set up to flex and move fast as game updates drop. We all love what we do and so the WhatsApp / Slack chat over the weekend is as busy as it is during the week.

Can you talk us through the latest gaming IP under the Toikido umbrella? What will this be bringing to the video game licensing space?

We are really proud to have added Boneloaf and the multi-award winning Gang Beasts. This is a crazy, bright character fun filled multiplayer game. I know when my kids are playing as I can hear the shouts and laughter.

We will be working closely with Boneloaf so expect a wide variety of products and some super fun toys. The game is coming to Switch this fall and so it’s great timing building on the current fanbase and expanding with Nintendo. 

 Why is this the right move for you guys, what makes this an ideal partnership and IP for Toikido?

The Boneloaf team share our values. We like working in partnership rather than just feeling like ‘another licensee’, that’s what we have with Innersloth and now with Boneloaf.

 

Is the video game licensing space in good health? What do you think of the state of innovation and creativity in the video game licensing sector? What is Toikido bringing to that space?

I think it’s in the best health of any of the entertainment platforms. I think it’s also setting positive visions of change through the #RaiseTheGame Diversity Pledge – ‘RaiseTheGame is a collaborative and high-impact pledge to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in the games industry – creating cultures where everyone belongs, voices are heard and ideas can thrive.’

It’s exciting to be working with studios to expand their fanbase, work with current fan crop and expand global opportunities for their IP.

What’s the next step for you guys?

We have three of our own IP in development, a Netflix IP launching in fall and an NFT project that I believe is very unique in this exploding space.

We will also announce an exciting strategic investor in the coming months so we not only have fuel for growth but additional IP coming into the business.

 

Funko EMEA appoints regional sales director to spur its ‘phenomenal European takeover’

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The pop culture specialist, Funko has bolstered its EMEA sales management team with the appointment of the former MGA Entertainment sales director, Karen Athill.

Joining the European arm of the US headquartered collectables specialist, Athill takes on the role of regional sales director, where she will lead the regional sales team as Funko continues what it has dubbed its ‘phenomenal European takeover.’

During her tenure at MGA Entertainment, Athill helped to spearhead the company’s growth within the UK through a vastly successful sales strategy for brands like LOL Surprise, Rainbow High, Little Tikes, Baby Born, and Baby Annabel.

Prior to this role, she headed up sales for the UK at Rubie’s – the world’s largest manufacturer of licensed costumes and accessories – where she delivered multi-channel strategies across their vast portfolio of products in both hard and softlines.

Athill said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Funko family. Its huge range of license partnerships offer unlimited opportunities and I’m thrilled to be working on such a diverse product range spanning multiple categories.

“Additionally, the ongoing portfolio expansion (Loungefly to name just one) make this an exciting time to be a part of the business. It’s great to be back in a cross-category environment and I cannot wait to be working with the talented Funko team and look forward to supporting our EMEA retailer partners towards further growth.”

Malcolm Ottley, vice president of sales at Funko (EMEA), added: “We are delighted to have been able to secure someone with Karen’s proven experience to help strengthen our retailer relationships throughout the UK, France and Iberia regions.

“Karen will lead our sales teams in those regions, further enhancing our strategic partner relations and continuing to drive our category expansions across our Pop! collectibles, toys, games and softlines through our thriving Loungefly business.”

British gaming studio Boneloaf taps Toikido for Gang Beasts global master partnership

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Toikido has struck a new major, global master partnership in the gaming space, this time partnering with the British indie games publisher Boneloaf to launch a range of toys, apparel, stationery, and more for the popular, multi-player beat ’em up party game, Gang Beasts.

The new pairing marks the second major gaming IP that Toikido has signed up since its launch last year, following the success of its Among Us toy line, a range that it currently causing a stir on the global toy and retail scene.

“We are huge fans of the Boneloaf team and have been playing Gang Beasts together and with our families for age, so to bring it into the Toikido stable is amazing,” said Darran Garnham, founder of Toikido.

The British studio, Boneloaf is currently working on a series of experimental multi-player party games, protoyping and play-testing to best identify fun new titles. Having grown up on a diet of Mario Kart 64 and Goldeneye 007, the studio has set out its mission to develop titles with a similarly lively and fun feel to them.

Recently announced for release on Nintendo Switch, Gang Beasts already has a strong fanbase and a series of honours, including Honourable Mention for Excellence in Design the Friendly Fire (Best Game to Mess with Your Friends) from Curse at E3, the Gamer’s Voice Award in the Multiplayer category at SXSW, Better with Friends Steam Awards, and a BAFTA nomination in the Multiplayer category in 2018.

The first range of product from Toikido will launch in 2022, spanning categories including, but not limited to toys, apparel, stationery, and more.

Toikido is a business that “pushes the envelope of innovation” in not only the kind of toys and IP it delivers to a contemporary toy industry, but in the way the industry itself operates. Boasting an infrastructure to operate at lightning speed, the outfit brought Among Us to market in under six months from agreeing terms to hitting the shelves, a practice deemed as revolutionary to the normal route to market.

“Toikido has been born by handpicking amazing people who I have always wanted to bring together,” Darran Garnham, the businesses founder told ToyNews.

“We’ve developed an ecosystem across many disciplines and skills that are really going to shake things up a bit and I’m really very excited about the future of the business.”

British gaming studio Boneloaf taps Toikido for Gang Beasts global master partnership

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Toikido has struck a new major, global master partnership in the gaming space, this time partnering with the British indie games publisher Boneloaf to launch a range of toys, apparel, stationery, and more for the popular, multi-player beat ’em up party game, Gang Beasts.

The new pairing marks the second major gaming IP that Toikido has signed up since its launch last year, following the success of its Among Us toy line, a range that it currently causing a stir on the global toy and retail scene.

“We are huge fans of the Boneloaf team and have been playing Gang Beasts together and with our families for age, so to bring it into the Toikido stable is amazing,” said Darran Garnham, founder of Toikido.

The British studio, Boneloaf is currently working on a series of experimental multi-player party games, protoyping and play-testing to best identify fun new titles. Having grown up on a diet of Mario Kart 64 and Goldeneye 007, the studio has set out its mission to develop titles with a similarly lively and fun feel to them.

Recently announced for release on Nintendo Switch, Gang Beasts already has a strong fanbase and a series of honours, including Honourable Mention for Excellence in Design the Friendly Fire (Best Game to Mess with Your Friends) from Curse at E3, the Gamer’s Voice Award in the Multiplayer category at SXSW, Better with Friends Steam Awards, and a BAFTA nomination in the Multiplayer category in 2018.

The first range of product from Toikido will launch in 2022, spanning categories including, but not limited to toys, apparel, stationery, and more.

Toikido is a business that “pushes the envelope of innovation” in not only the kind of toys and IP it delivers to a contemporary toy industry, but in the way the industry itself operates. Boasting an infrastructure to operate at lightning speed, the outfit brought Among Us to market in under six months from agreeing terms to hitting the shelves, a practice deemed as revolutionary to the normal route to market.

“Toikido has been born by handpicking amazing people who I have always wanted to bring together,” Darran Garnham, the businesses founder told ToyNews.

“We’ve developed an ecosystem across many disciplines and skills that are really going to shake things up a bit and I’m really very excited about the future of the business.”

Nickelodeon and toy maker WowWee partner on new digital animated brand, The Squish

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WowWee, the international toy maker and team behind Fingerlings and the Got2Glow Fairy Finder has struck up a new partnership with Nickelodeon Digital Studios to turn its My Squishy Little Dumplings characters into an animated brand.

The project will see the characters from the My Squishy Little Dumplings line come together as The Squish – a new, digital, K-pop inspired band devised to bring a new genre of music – called S-pop (aka Squish Pop) – to kids.

The partnership will see Nickelodeon Digital Studios produce a suite of digital content starring The Squish, kicking off the activity with a featured song and music video on the Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. YouTube Channels. Titled ‘Can You Resist the Squish?!,’ the song and video focus on the unique personalities of each of the characters: Doe, Dip, Dee and Dot.

The song will be available on all digital streaming platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, and more. Additional pieces of content will be released throughout the year on Nickelodeon’s YouTube Channels, including music videos, behind the scenes content, and House Party Tour.

“Kids and families from all over the world will adore ‘My Squishy Little Dumplings,’ the same way we do,” said Ashley Kaplan, senior vice president, Digital Studios, Nickelodeon.

“We are so excited to create an environment where these characters can evolve and thrive, and kids can fall in love with them in a whole new way.”

“When WowWee first showed us My Squishy Little Dumplings we immediately knew these fun, surprising and loveable characters were a natural fit for the Nickelodeon portfolio,” said Jamie Drew, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Americas Licensing, ViacomCBS. “We’re thrilled to work with such a creative and innovative partner to launch this digital-first execution.”

Sydney Wiseman, vice president of brand development and creative strategy at WowWee, added: “We know kids everywhere are going to love the My Squishy Little Dumplings digital content on Nickelodeon’s digital platforms just as much as we do.

“Nickelodeon is the perfect partner for us to bring the Dumplings into this next phase of fandom around the world.”