Rubber Road extends partnership with Warner Bros Consumer Products

Pop culture specialist Rubber Road has announced a continuing partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to produce merchandise inspired by some of the biggest, most iconic global entertainment franchises under its design arm, Numskull Designs.

Rubber Road has been working with WBCP since 2018 and has launched official merchandise inspired by Lord of the Rings, Friends, DC properties including The Suicide Squad and Wizarding World, and horror properties including The Lost Boys, It and The Exorcist. Characters from these franchises have been made into TUBBZ Cosplaying Collectibles, with Lord of the Rings being the biggest collection featuring 16 characters, available now for purchase. Other licensed lines include gaming lockers and Christmas jumpers.

This continued partnership will see Rubber Road introducing many more new products for these franchises as well as having the opportunity to design merchandise based on other much-loved Warner Bros. properties.

Liam Taylor, Commercial Director at Rubber Road, says: “We are thrilled to have this extended opportunity with Warner Bros. Consumer Products. We have had the pleasure of introducing some fantastic products over the last few years which have gone down really well with pop culture fans.

“Warner Bros. has some super exciting stuff coming up and we can’t wait to develop the current franchises and get started on some new ones. We have lots of ideas up our sleeves and our designers are raring to go!”

Hasbro partners with Rubber Road to launch merchandise range based on its hit global franchises

Spread Group launches Game of Thrones print-on-demand collection

Spread Group and Warner Bros. Consumer Products have announced the launch of an all-new print-on-demand collection inspired by Game of Thrones, featuring branded products for fans to use, wear and carry.

The new collection will include apparel, accessories, homeware and more, and is available just in time for the holidays,

Print-on-demand means fans can customise the collection within the parameters of the brand’s guidelines. Spread Group’s offering provides a range of designs from the series in colours, styles and products to suit the brand. Designs with signature phrases like ‘Winter is Here’, ‘Not Today’ or ‘A Lannister Always Pays His Debts’ are among the versatile collection.

The combination of customisation and print-on-demand produces a greater choice for fans, while offering a strong aspect of sustainability; it means no overproduction, and a wider choice of products such as organic cotton t-shirts.

Sven Burscher, Spread Group’s new Head of Licensing says: “We are very excited to expand our strategic partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products. We can now offer Game of Thrones fans an appealing product range with a level of customisation, which increases their affinity with the series, whilst retaining control of the brand image. As no product is printed until it’s ordered, Spread Group can offer a greater range, meaning fans can always find the size they need, unlike in the store.”

Spread Group’s last UK order deadline for standard shipping is 13 December.

HBO’s Game of Thrones has aired in over 207 countries and territories, culminating in record-setting ratings, and over its eight seasons, the show became one of the biggest and most iconic series in television history.

Having celebrated “The Iron Anniversary” in April 2021, which marked 10 years since the first episode hit television screens, Game of Thrones continues to engage passionate fans and ignite audiences’ excitement with the next iteration of the franchise, House of the Dragon.

DC FanDome exclusives and new ‘The Batman’ merch available now

Hot on the heels of a record-breaking DC FanDome, DC and Warner Bros Consumer Products have revealed more products inspired by DC Super Heroes.

Multiple retailers including the DC Shop and Walmart have unveiled toys, collectables and apparel, with the DC Shop offering more than 60 exclusive DC FanDome 2021 graphics with the potential for fans to choose from more than 270 different products.

Fans are getting a first look at the new The Batman merchandise. LEGO’s The Batman collection is available for presale exclusively at Walmart.com and features three new building sets. Meanwhile, manufacturer McFarlane Toys Collectibles has debuted a lineup of collectables related to The Batmanmovie. The Batman, The Riddler and Catwoman are all available to pre-order for $19.99.

The Batman Batmobile by Hot Wheels (pictured) is a collectible replica of Batman’s newest vehicle from the highly anticipated film. This 1:10 scale Ultimate edition features movie-accurate graphics, LED lights, smoke and flame FX from both the hood and the rear, detailed exterior and interior, a Batcave-inspired plinth, and a posable Batman figure behind the wheel. It boasts high-tech features such as light and sound effects and working suspension, as well as a diorama plinth.

Puma and Warner Bros Consumer Products have dropped five PUMA Suedes, each tied to a specific DC character, designed by award winning comic artist Jen Bartel. She took her inspiration from The Suicide Squad to create sneakers for King Shark, Harley Quinn, Peacemaker, Polka-Dot Man, and Bloodsport.

Tango Hotel is releasing a limited-edition clothing collection featuring key artwork from Batman: The World, DC’s new 184-page hardcover anthology book. Apparel collections from Extra Butter and Meshika Hats have also dropped.

DC FanDome shattered last year’s viewership with 66 million views worldwide to date from the streaming event on October 16. The virtual event drew fans from around the world to immerse themselves in the DC Multiverse with exclusive first-looks and behind-the-scenes previews from highly anticipated feature films, live-action and animated television series, games, comics, home entertainment releases and more.

 

 

Mikkeller and Warner Bros Consumer Products launch three new Game of Thrones-inspired beers

On the occasion of Game of Thrones’ 10-year anniversary this spring, Danish brewery Mikkeller and Warner Bros Consumer Products (WBCP) came together to launch the exclusive ‘Iron Anniversary IPA’. Now the brewery and WBCP are ready with a series of three new beers that pay homage to the characters and the long winters in the series’ icy north.

Night King Double IPA, Ghost Visions Lager and Castle Black Stout celebrate and pay tribute to the snow-capped North, from the world-famous HBO series Game of Thrones. The beers are based on the common theme ‘Winter is Here’ and are based on central places and characters from the series’ universe.

“As the beers are launched right up to winter, and winter plays a significant role in Game of Thrones, it made sense to find inspiration for the beers in Westeros’s frozen, dark world,” says Mikkel Bjergsø, founder and creative director of Mikkeller.

Based on the winter theme, Mikkeller’s team developed beer styles that support the series’ imaginative stories: Night King (8% vol), inspired by the fearsome army commander of the White Walkers, is a fruity New England double IPA; Ghost Visions (4.5% vol), an homage to Jon Snow’s faithful direwolf, is a clean, light and fresh lager, while Castle Black is a bourbon barrel aged imperial oatmeal stout (11.3% vol) that celebrates the bastion of The Night’s Watch, the army protects the Seven Kingdoms from all threats from the cold North.

The three new Game of Thrones inspired beers are out now in major markets including Sweden, the UK, US, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland and South Korea, and through Mikkeller’s webshop: https://shop.mikkeller.dk

Exclusive merchandise and gift sets will be available in Mikkeller’s webshop and exclusive limited gift packs can be purchased in selected retail stores in Denmark, the US and UK.

Mikkeller was founded by a beer-loving Danish math- and physics teacher, who started experimenting with hops, malt and yeast in his small kitchen in Copenhagen; today he exports his craft beer to 50 countries. A key element of Mikkeller’s brand is collaboration. Previous partnerships include David Lynch, B&O, The Danish Refugee Council, Rick Astley, Scandinavian Airlines, Noma, El Cellar de can Roca, Weingut Meierer, Burger King and more.

WarnerMedia to donate more than $400,000 in branded face mask proceeds to UNICEF’s Global Education Fund

WarnerMedia has announced it will donate more than $400,000 in proceeds generated from sales of branded face masks featuring DC, Wizarding World, Looney Tunes and other iconic WarnerMedia properties, to UNICEF’s Global Education Fund. The donation will support UNICEF education programmes to help ensure every child has equitable access to learning opportunities and could help 86,000 children continue their education during times of emergency through the distribution of 2,000 School-in-a-Box kits.

During 2020, as the world grappled with the pandemic, Warner Bros. Consumer Products EMEA joined forces with its licensees to create face masks featuring logos and characters from the DC Universe, the Wizarding World, Looney Tunes and other iconic WarnerMedia properties. The donation from the proceeds of these mask sales will now help UNICEF address the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19 on learning. Last year, more than 1 billion students were affected by school closures. Vulnerable and hard-to-reach children continue to be in danger of dropping out of the education system altogether because of significant inequities in access to remote learning widening the education gap.

“We thank our partners for joining with us to create face masks that provided a bit of inspiration – and added safety – during a very challenging time,” says Julian Moon, Senior Vice President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products EMEA.  “We are humbled by the response to the masks, and are thrilled to fund a donation to UNICEF’s Global Education Fund that will help children whose learning was impacted.”

As part of UNICEF’s Global Education program, the School-in-a-Box kits have become a part of the standard response in emergencies and used in many back-to-school operations around the world. Containing supplies and materials for a teacher and up to 40 students, the kits help ensure the continuation of children’s education by the first 72 hours of an emergency. WarnerMedia’s donation can also enable UNICEF to collect and transfer online and remote learning resources onto a digital learning platform, which allows out-of-school children to access quality learning opportunities.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, part of WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences, extends the Studio’s portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBCP partners with licensees globally on an award-winning range of toys, fashion, home décor, and publishing inspired by franchises and properties such as DC, Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, HBO, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. The division’s successful global themed entertainment business includes experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

Warner Bros Consumer Products opens new office in Mexico to grow channel for local partners

Warner Bros Consumer Products has opened a new office in Mexico City in order to provide local partners with new opportunities to develop licensing programmes around the company’s portfolio of brands by working directly with the studio.

WBCP Mexico will offer fans unique retail entertainment experiences and promotions inspired by its slate of global properties including the likes of Space Jam: A New Legacy, Fantastic Beasts 3, and DC’s The Suicide Squad, The Batman, The Flash, Aquaman, and more.

“Mexico is a hugely important market for us and having our own flagship office there working directly with our amazing partners simply makes sense,” said Preston Kevin Lewis, senior vice president of WBCP Latin America. “As we drive new business and partner across WarnerMedia divisions currently based in Mexico, including HBO Max, WB Games, WB Home Entertainment, and others, having our team in market allows us to be much more collaborative with our licensees and ensure the highest quality fan experience.”

Javier Garza will be the new head of Warner Bros. Consumer Products Mexico. He will report into Lewis and Sharon Zyman, General Manager of WarnerMedia Mexico and Colombia. Garza will also join the local WarnerMedia Mexico executive leadership team.

Garza previously worked for WBCP for more than 14 years as the licensing vice president for Latin America and general manager of Mexico, before launching his own agency, The Brand Licensing Entertainment Co. (BLEC), in 2015. Now Garza brings his years of experience within WB and serving as a WBCP licensing agent to best serve partners and deliver programs with a fan-first approach.

“It is a great responsibility to lead the Mexico office, knowing the huge opportunities this market provides Warner Bros. The goal for our team will be to develop unforgettable content, products and world class experiences for fans of Warner Bros. brands and franchises,” said Garza.

WBCP Mexico will be staffed by a team of passionate professionals with expertise in merchandising, retail, marketing, creative and more ready to deliver premier experiences for fans of DC, Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, HBO, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim.

WBCP Mexico will also support global franchise opportunities this summer/fall 2021 including the annual Back to Hogwarts celebration, Wonder Woman’s 80th anniversary, Batman Day, and DC FanDome.

Warner Bros.’ Batman vs Superman tops the John Lewis ten toys for Christmas list

The Warner Bros. and DC Comics icon, Batman has swooped in on the first of the major retailers’ top Christmas toy predictions this year, having secured top billing within John Lewis’s Top Ten Toys for Christmas 2021.

It’s Warner Bros Consumer Products’ partnership with the leading hobby brand, Hornby’s own Scalextric that is tipped to excite Christmas shoppers this season, featuring not once but twice upon a list that otherwise sees licenses somewhat thin on the ground this year.

The Scalextric Batman vs Superman (exclusive to John Lewis) sits atop the list, followed by the retailer’s non-exclusive version. A read through the top ten, however, and it’s a sparse presence that the licensing department holds with the retailer’s selection this year.

A £59.99 Harry Potter Games Compendium features above the Tonies Soft Cuddly Friends – Hoppie Rabbit Audio Play line this year, while the seven items selected among this year’s top ten lean towards the traditional toy and play-sets trend, tipped to be a core element within the Christmas toy shopping scene this year by the retailer.

LEGO makes its appearance in the form of its LEGO Elf Clubhouse, while sustainability finds itself at the forefront as John Lewis places its FSC Wooden My 1st Train Set and FSC Wooden Waitrose Supermarket firmly within the top ten picks.

Elsewhere, Ravensburger secures two listing with its Space Puzzle and Gravitrax Pro Starter Extrme (another John Lewis exclusive), while the rundown is made complete by the Secret Garden Book and the Kaloo My First Doll.

Rachael Larkman, toy buyer at John Lewis, said: “This year we’ve seen a huge surge in the popularity of traditional toys and games that can be enjoyed by the whole family. We predict this trend will continue for Christmas 2021.

“The selection chosen by our panel includes toys suitable for all ages – a great variety that will guarantee excitement on Christmas day.”

Warner Bros Consumer Products and Myprotein flex new collab with limited edition Superman collection

Warner Bros. is once again flexing its consumer products muscles, this time through a renewed partnership with the popular fitness brand, Myprotein, to launch a limited edition Superman protein range.

Launched this week, the new whey protein and accessories collection follows a successful pairing between the Warner Bros Consumer Products and My Protein that first landed in 2020 when the fitness brand introduced its Justice League Hero Protein.

Fuelled by a demand for DC Comics inspired workouts, the brand reconnected at the tail of last year to introduce its Warrior Protein, a limited edition run themed around the Wonder Woman film, WW84.

Now, the two are at it again, this time bringing out a solo collection for Warner Bros’ own Man of Steel, Superman. The collaboration features the Myprotein Superman Clear Whey Protein in Acerola Cherry, available in 10 and 20 serving tubs, as well as a limited edition bundle that includes a Superman t-shirt along with a 20-serving protein tub and shaker.

“Last year, Myprotein and Warner Bros Consumer Products launched their official licensing agreement with the introduction of a special Justice League Hero Protein, followed by a Wonder Woman 84 range. The Superman limited edition is the latest installment of three super hero lines for Myprotein,” read a statement from the firm.

The company is expecting the range to be ‘a blockbuster’ among fans and is urging consumers to get their orders in fast, signalling the Superman range to be the final launch in its Warner Bros. collaboration.

Licensing Expo Virtual details ‘most robust educational agenda to date’ ahead of next month’s online event

Retail education, sustainability clinics, and a keynote from senior executives from Warner Bros. Consumer Products make up just a fraction of the agenda for this year’s Licensing Expo Virtual, taking place August 24th to 26th in an online format.

Celebrating 40 years… yes, 40, of connecting IP owners with retailers, manufacturers, and licensees, Licensing Expo Virtual will feature what it has billed as ‘the most robust educational agenda to date.’ What’s more, visitor registration for the event next month is free of charge.

This year’s event features the return of Licensing U, produced by Licensing International, the US market debut of License This!, and an opening keynote address from senior executives at Warner Bros. Consumer Products, plus the launch of Digital Brand Roadshows, Retail Clinics, Sustainability Clinics produced in partnership with Products of Change.

“We are so excited to reveal this year’s agenda as we tailor-made each offering to mirror the industry’s most pressing and ever-changing needs,” said Anna Knight, vice president of Licensing, Informa Markets.

“As a result of extensive conversations with our exhibitor and attendee community, we have devised the strongest agenda to date that is geared toward inciting collaboration, drawing hundreds of IP to the forefront, and addressing the challenges our attendee-base faces daily.”

The agenda will split into live and on-demand content and include:

LIVE SESSIONS

Digital Brand Roadshows: New to Licensing Expo, the Digital Brand Roadshows aim to highlight compelling brands and IP through an exciting collection of exhibitor case studies linked via a common theme, spotlighted in panel conversations broadcast live at the event. Categories for the 2021 event include:

  • Collaborations and Partnerships
  • New Exhibitors to the Event
  • Heritage and Nostalgia
  • The Live Experience
  • Animation and Anime
  • Licensing Around the World

Sustainability Clinics: Also new to the 2021 agenda are the Sustainability Clinics made possible by partner Products of Change, a global educational hub to drive sustainable change across consumer product markets and beyond. Attendees have the opportunity to participate in 30-minute clinics with experts from Products of Change to garner personalized advice on how to improve their current approach and gain a deeper understanding of what other players are doing in the licensing industry.

Retail Education & Ask Me Anything Sessions: Licensing Expo Virtual will offer Retail Clinics comprised of tailored educational sessions provided free of charge for all retailers. “Our intention with Retail Clinics is to ease the challenge of keeping up with and understanding key trends, helping retailers meet a range of licensing experts and gain the inspiration required to introduce licensing into retailer’s strategy,” commented Knight. Education sessions will include:

  • On-demand: Sessions on future trends, category-specific brand licensing case studies, and licensing 101 for retailers.
  • Live Broadcast: Ask Me Anything sessions where a panel of brand licensing experts will be on hand to answer any questions you have about brand licensing and retail. Questions can be submitted live or in advance and can remain anonymous.

Keynote Address: Senior executives from Warner Bros. Consumer Products will deliver the opening keynote address entitled “Unlocking the Fan Power of Global Franchises,” moderated by License Global magazine’s content director Amanda Cioletti. To tune into the address on August 24 at 11:00 a.m. EDT/8:00 a.m. PDT presented by Pam Lifford, president, global brands and experiences, WarnerMedia, and Robert Oberschelp, senior vice president, global franchise management and brand product, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

License This! Finale: On Day 2 of the event, attendees can be a part of the License This! competition finale, a global initiative produced in partnership with Licensing International and InventHelp that provides select illustrators, designers, animators, and product inventors, the exciting opportunity to pitch their concepts online in front of a panel of expert judges.

ON-DEMAND SESSIONS

GLG Educational Content: Attendees can enjoy on-demand content produced by License Global, which will go live two weeks before the event and spotlight various industry categories, including:

  • Changing the Channel: The Evolution of Kids’ Content
  • Ordering Up: How F&B is Feeding Limited Edition Drops
  • Untapped Potential: How Mobile Gaming is Gearing Up for Big Change
  • Collectibles – Who’s Collecting What Now?
  • WTF is an NFT???!!

Licensing U: A Licensing Expo staple produced by Licensing International, Licensing U supports brand licensing newcomers and those interested in honing their expertise. This year’s educational offering will span three tracks:

  1. Basics, offering an essential introduction to how the licensing industry works
  2. Spotlights, providing insight into the latest topics and trends in key segments
  3. Tactics and Strategies, offering insight into the topics and trends impacting the brand licensing industry

A selection of Basics sessions includes:

  • Basics of International Licensing: A licensing program that operates in more than one country requires a specific set of considerations that can involve such aspects as financial, regulatory, and legal systems, cultural considerations, retail structures, and many others.
  • What You Need to Know About Royalty Rates: Find out how royalty rates are determined, what brand owners and licensees need to be thinking about when they’re being discussed, as well as the implications of the array of structures under which they’re calculated.
  • Developing a Retail Plan: A key element of any licensing effort to create a strategy for getting products to (and through) retail. Attendees will gain perspectives on how to understand the differences among various kinds of retailers, figure out their hot buttons, and match property or product lines to the appropriate targets.

A selection of Tactics and Strategies sessions includes:

  • The Future of NFTs: It might be the hottest topic in the business, with implications for corporate brands, sports, entertainment, celebrities, art – literally every category in licensing. What’s the state of the business, and where is it all headed? Experts will provide perspective.
  • Sustainability Strategies: Environmental responsibility is on the minds of an ever-growing number of consumers. Manufacturers and brand owners in all product categories need to address those concerns—a look at the latest thinking on sustainable sourcing and other topics.
  • Confronting Supply Chain Challenges: The pandemic didn’t just disrupt consumer behavior; it also sparked a significant disruption in manufacturing, shipping, and all aspects of getting new products to market in a cost-effective and timely way. How have things changed, and what’s the outlook for the future?

Attendees can secure their Licensing U Pass from just $88 for one track or $156 for the All-Access Pass by booking before July 23 to take advantage of the 20 per cent Early Bird discount. Licensing International members benefit from an additional 10 per cent discount.

For a full download of the 2021 Licensing Expo Virtual agenda, visit here. All sessions will remain available on-demand for three months after the live event ends.

Licensing Expo Virtual: Leading figures from Warner Bros. Consumer Products take opening keynote of online event

Key figures from Warner Bros. Consumer Products will kick off the first day of Licensing Expo Virtual this year, taking the digital stage for the opening keynote of the free-to-attend online event this August.

Pam Lifford, president of WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experience will be joined by Robert Oberschelp, senior vice president, global franchise management and brand product for Warner Bros, Consumer Products, to deliver the address titled Unlocking the Fan Power of Global Franchises.

Scheduled for August 24th, Lifford and Oberschelp will take the virtual stage at 11am EDT or 8am PDT, presenting attendees with insight into their business strategy, a key contributor to the $292.8 billion licensing industry.

“Licensing is a strategic tool for brands to leverage in order to extend their audience reach and gain market share – we are honored to headline Licensing Expo Virtual and share our deep pool of insights and learnings from across Warner Bros. Consumer Products’ wide assortment of portfolios,” said Lifford.

Lifford is responsible for developing all-new fan-engagement business opportunities at WarnerMedia, in addition to aligning current fan-focused activities, while Oberschelp’s role includes oversight of Warner Bros. Consumer Products’ global licensing program that brings new and existing collections to fans.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products is currently super-sizing its franchises across its portfolio to create multiple consumer touchpoints – from content to commerce – enabling it to meet its fans wherever they are. Attendees will be invited to learn from Lifford and Oberschelp in this fireside conversation that will touch on topics spanning the power of super fandom to leveraging e-commerce channels in 2021 and 2022, as well as when to pull on direct-to-consumer levers, and how to maximize multiple platforms, enhance collaborations and in-store retail.

“We could not be more excited to share that executives from a world-renowned studio with global reach and influence will kick off this year’s event; Lifford and Oberschelp’s address is a must-attend,” said Anna Knight, vice president of Licensing, Informa Markets.

“Between the two executives, attendees will have access to decades of experience in executing licensing campaigns that have shaped the entertainment sector and will walk away with newfound learnings they can apply to foster brand growth and expansion.”

Among pre-registrations for Licensing Expo Virtual this year, are retailers including Alibaba, Amazon, Claire’s, Lidl, Primark, rue21, Superdry, TJX, and Toys’R’Us, as well as licensees Bentex Group, Bioworld International, Boeing Group, Colgate Palmolive, Ferrero, Garmin, Hallmark Cards, HER Accessories, PUMA, Ravensburger, Tastemakers, and TOMY International.