Tag Archives: VTech

BBC Studios adds VTech to growing global toy roster for preschool series Bluey

Posted on by

BBC Studios has agreed a multi-territory licensing deal with VTech to produce electronic role play toys based on its multi-award winning children’s TV property, Bluey.

Marking the latest expansion of the series’ global licensing programme, VTech’s initial Bluey range will feature popular characters from the series and lines include electronic books, role play watches and a phone.

Product is expected to launch at retail in both Australia and USA for Q3 2022, followed by future roll outs in the UK, France, Canada and New Zealand.

Andrew Barrett, director of product development and licensing at VTech, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with BBC Studios on this beautifully crafted show. Its focus on imaginative play combined with adventurous storytelling fits perfectly with our ethos of play, learn and develop.”

Julie Kekwick, senior licensing manager at BBC Studio, added: “Our new partnership with VTech symbolises a significant extension of our Bluey franchise, joining our other global partners such as Penguin Random House and complementing the highly successful Moose Toys, master toy range.”

First launched in Australia in October 2018, Bluey is fast becoming a global hit, achieving outstanding ratings and attracting a multitude of best in class partners.

In its home market, Australia, Bluey was the number one children’s programme on metro broadcast television in 2020 and is the number one series ever on ABC iview with over 480 million views across series one and two. It also won ‘Pre-School License of the Year’ for the second year in a row at the Australian Toy Association (ATA) Awards.

In the US, Bluey is the number one new license in the super plush category, and was the number two top new growth property in 2020 for the total toy industry. Across Disney Junior and Disney Channel in Q1 2021, it was the third most watched TV series with kids aged two to five years old.

Bluey is also available on CBeebies in the UK, where it has become the top programme on the channel since it launched in April. Its episodes constitute the top five most requested CBeebies episodes on BBC iPlayer. Toys from global master toy partner Moose are set to launch at retail in the UK in July.

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

Posted on by

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.”