The HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show & Asian Licensing Conference 2024 will take place at the end of April, created to boost licensing partnerships.

The HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS), set to take place from 27th to 29th April, has firmly established itself as a leading platform within Asia’s thriving licensing industry. It offers unparalleled opportunities for licensors and brands to forge new business alliances. Furthermore, HKILS will be held concurrently with the HKTDC Gifts & Premium Fair, presenting an excellent opportunity to explore prospects in lifestyle licensing. To ensure unmatched access to industry players from around the world, HKILS will offer vast business matching opportunities.

A diverse array of international intellectual properties from various sectors, including art licensing, character licensing, corporate licensing, lifestyle licensing and sports licensing, will participate in the event, showcasing more than 500 brands and properties. Prominent names such as Doraemon, Spy x Family Tokidoki and University of Cambridge will be featured, among many others. In addition, there will be more than 70 home-grown Hong Kong brands, including newcomers like Plastic Thing and Dustykid, exhibitors from DLAB as well as local designers.

Running parallel to the HKILS is the Asian Licensing Conference (ALC), a key event for industry players seeking to capitalise on emerging trends and opportunities. This three-day conference brings together top-notch global licensing industry players, sharing the latest market intelligence, trends and opportunities within the global licensing industry. The conference will cover a wide range of topics, including legal issues surrounding Generative AI and the innovative channels introduced by new technologies in beauty licensing. Additionally, sustainability and the emergence of new intellectual properties will be prominently discussed.

Those interested in attending still have time to register for free admission through this link: https://bit.ly/3UPl0g4.

For more details on the event, visit: https://hktdc.com/hklicensingshow/en

Spearheaded by a team of industry veterans, Zuru Studios is an all-new animation studio that will produce content that is both entertaining and enriching. 

Zuru has announced the launch of its brand-new animation studio, Zuru Studios, marking a significant expansion into the realm of digital storytelling and content creation. The state-of-the-art studio is being built from the ground up to ensure that every piece of content delivered meets the highest quality standards.

Leading this new venture is a team of industry veterans, whose collective experience in creating engaging, high-quality animation is set to captivate and educate. The team brings together a wealth of experience and a vast network of creatives dedicated to delivering on Zuru’s vision of crafting stories that matter. With a focus on producing content that not only entertains but also enriches, the studio is committed to ensuring that children worldwide have access to programming that is as meaningful as it is fun.

As a testament to the business’s efficiency and dedication, Zuru has achieved this move in under 18 months, from the decision to move into creating an animation studio to having its first series ready to launch. This rapid progression, alongside having assembled a 120-strong crew of talented professionals across three countries, underscores Zuru’s capability to set ambitious goals and meet them with unparalleled commitment and speed. The team is committed to producing best-in-class content, and over the next five years, will consistently develop its film-making and creative techniques to build Zuru Studios as a creative powerhouse, equal to some of the world’s best-loved children’s entertainment giants.

The first series from the new studio, Eggy Wawa, is a pre-school series that aims to educate and entertain. Set to debut on YouTube at the end of March, Eggy Wawa follows the adventures of four children and Sheldon the elephant as they explore and learn with the Eggy Wawa, magical eggs that reveal surprises and solutions to all the questions that pop up. Complementing the series release, the on-screen narrative will be brought to life with the unveiling of a new Eggy Wawa toy range, which launches with three themed interactive eggs featuring characters, music and elements from the show.

With a first-class screenography, including work on blockbuster hits such as Avatar and Lord of the Rings, Zuru Studios creative director Theo Baynton is at the helm of the new series. Eggy Wawa also sees Theo’s children involved in voicing some of the characters, cementing the brand connection from concept through to its final development.

“We pride ourselves on developing innovative products and with a relentless pursuit of excellence, we are committed to extending these values into the realm of animation,” said Theo. “The creation of this studio reinforces our dedication to not just meeting, but exceeding expectations, promising a new era of quality children’s content that reflects our deep regard for and commitment to our audience.

“We are working with some of the best visionaries to bring a world of imagination, quality and fun, and as we embark on this journey, Zuru looks forward to not only setting new benchmarks in the animation industry, but also enriching the lives of children around the globe with stories that inspire, entertain and educate.”

Following closely on the heels of Eggy Wawa, the studio has another series in the pipeline planned for release later in the year.

Here’s everything you need to know about Toy World’s May Licensing World feature, and how you can get involved. 

We will once again be publishing a dedicated licensing feature in the bumper May edition of Toy World.

In Licensing World, we’ll be speaking to licensees, licensors and  retailers about the market for licensed toys and goods and providing a comprehensive preview of the Las Vegas Licensing Expo.

In addition, the feature will include category features on Character Licensed Merchandise and Hot Properties, along with bonus editorial content that makes Licensing World unmissable for anyone with a vested interest in the kids’ licensed marketplace. With almost one-third of UK toy sales coming from licensed ranges, it’s important for licensees and retailers to choose wisely when it comes to which properties to work with. Toy World looks at the latest key licensed properties that will be driving the toy market in 2024 to help readers make the right decisions.

The May issue will also include a focus on Dolls and a first-ever Toymaster supplement. The deadline for editorial will be 2nd April, while the deadline for adverts will be 15th April.

Advertisers in this issue are guaranteed generous editorial coverage and the chance to get involved in additional content opportunities. As the UK’s leading toy trade magazine, this means your company will be able to place its brands in front of all the major buyers and decision makers that turn to Toy World at the start of each and every month for the latest industry news and product information.

For further information regarding editorial opportunities in the May issue, (in any of the features), please contact:

To find out more about advertising opportunities, in the May issue or any other edition, contact Mark Austin, mark@toyworldmag.co.uk.

Bandai Namco Amusement Europe will be expanding its One Piece Card Game Official Pop-Up Shop presence outside of the UK for the first time, in France.

This will be Bandai Namco’s first One Piece Card Game pop-up in Mainland Europe, opening at Westfield Forum des Halles, Paris in mid-March.

The One Piece Card Game Official Pop-Up Shop in Paris opens several days ahead of the latest One Piece Card Game booster pack, Wings of the Captain, release, and fans can head over to the pop-up shop to buy it from 15th March. Enthusiasts of the hugely popular One Piece manga, anime and movies will now have the opportunity to experience the card game in the physical world in a combination of collecting and play.

“To bring the One Piece Card Game Official Pop-Up Shop across the channel from the UK to France has been something we’ve been looking forward to, as there’s a great enthusiastic fan base of the One Piece franchise in the country,” said Rob Cook, Locations Based Operations director, Bandai Namco Amusement Europe. “Providing a physical space where fans of the card game can meet up, collect and trade cards, and play matches, are the fun and memorable experiences we want to offer.”

A One Piece Card Game Official Shop launched successfully on the 23rd November 2022 in the UK at Metrocentre in Newcastle, followed by the Bandai Namco Cross Store in Camden, London, in 2023.

For more information on the One Piece Card Game Official Shop, follow @OPCGShopUK on X (formerly Twitter) or visit the official website.

In December, Bandai Namco launched new permanent stores in the UK in Brighton, Ealing and Sheffield, with more launches planned for this year.

Mattel will carry on as UP&E’s global toy licensee for Jurassic World toys based on more than 30 years of franchise characters and stories, as well as future content plans.

Mattel and Universal Products & Experiences have announced they have renewed their licensing partnership to produce toys inspired by the iconic Jurassic World franchise.

Through the agreement, Mattel will continue as UP&E’s global toy licensee for Jurassic World action figures, play sets, role-play, pre-school, vehicles, games and plush based on more than 30 years of franchise characters and stories as well as future content plans. This includes the all-new Jurassic World event film just announced for 2025, and the upcoming animated series – Jurassic World: Chaos Theory from Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation and Amblin Entertainment – which will be available on Netflix later this year.

The renewal builds upon a longstanding licensing partnership between Mattel and UP&E for toys celebrating globally beloved IP which also includes DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls and Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious.

“We’re thrilled to announce the continuation of our best-in-class partnership on this blockbuster franchise,” said Nick Karamanos, SVP Entertainment Partnerships at Mattel. “Together, we’ve not only established Jurassic World as a top-tier toy property, but also built a legacy of evergreen success. Jurassic World fans are incredibly devoted and we are committed to delivering consistently stunning products, innovative marketing strategies and impactful retail programs.”

“Mattel offers incredible innovation and craftsmanship along with a storied history of creating enduring toy lines,” said Rafa Macias, EVP and global commercial officer for Universal Products & Experiences. “The 30-year legacy of the Jurassic World franchise is stronger than ever and we’re excited to bring fans of all ages even more inspiring and thrilling toys through this extended partnership.”

The MENA region celebrated the first-ever Licensing Horizons Awards, recognising outstanding achievements in children’s entertainment and educational content.

The inaugural Licensing Horizons Awards took center stage at the prestigious Licensing Horizons conference, a collaborative effort by BrandTrends Group, a leading Marketing Research agency, and Markettcom, the renowned Licensing Agency. Held at Sofitel Downtown in Dubai on 27th February, the event marked a significant occasion, gathering 100 professionals from the field of licensing.

With Maura Regan, president & CEO of Licensing International, serving as the keynote speaker, the conference provided a dynamic platform for industry leaders to exchange insights and expertise. The co-organisers of the Licensing Horizons event, BrandTrends Group and Markettcom, have strategically selected six categories for the prestigious Excellence Awards. The awards are a testament to the outstanding contributions within the licensing landscape, aiming to honour brands and entities which have demonstrated excellence.

Emphasising a commitment to authenticity and consumer-centricity, all awards have been attributed solely on the merit of data derived directly from the voice of consumers in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reflecting the dynamic pulse of children aged 0-14. This approach ensures that the accolades are not influenced by external factors but are a true reflection of consumer sentiment and preferences in these dynamic markets. The recognition spans across diverse categories, acknowledging the innovation, resonance and impact of brands in the ever-evolving licensing landscape.

Top Brand for Educational Content
Winner: Blippi

Blippi takes home the Top Brand for Educational Content award, demonstrating its effectiveness in engaging and educating young minds. This win solidifies Blippi’s commitment to providing quality educational content that resonates with children and parents alike. Other nominees in this category included Paw Patrol, Roma & Diana, Dora the Explorer, and Cocomelon.

Environmental and Social Responsibility
Winner: Birds of Paradise (Toyor Al-Jannah)

Birds of Paradise soared high to claim the Environmental and Social Responsibility award. This heartwarming show not only entertains but also imparts valuable lessons on responsibility, making it a standout choice among environmentally conscious young viewers. The competition included nominees such as Dora the Explorer, Batman, Garfield, and Lego.

Most Innovative Digital Experience
Winner: Barbie

Barbie dazzled with its innovative digital experience. The iconic brand showcased creativity and adaptability in the digital realm, demonstrating its commitment to staying at the forefront of children’s entertainment. Other nominees in this category
featured Cocomelon, Marvel, Minecraft, and Roblox.

Most Engaging Social Media Presence
Winner: Boomerang

Boomerang took the crown for the Most Engaging Social Media Presence award, captivating audiences across platforms. The channel’s interactive and entertaining content proved to be a hit, making it the go-to destination for social media-savvy young viewers. The competitive line-up included Aquaman, The Lion King, Birds of Paradise (Toyor Al-Jannah) and DC Comics.

These awards stand as a testament to the vibrant and dynamic landscape of children’s entertainment in the MENA region. The winners have not only captured the imagination of their young audience but have also exemplified excellence in providing quality content. The Licensing Horizons Awards set a new standard for recognising and celebrating the best in children’s entertainment, and anticipates the continued growth and innovation in this exciting industry.

An award-winning entrepreneur from Ilkley who produces 100% natural British wool laundry products has partnered with Aardman to create a Shaun the Sheep range.

A mum of two from a Ilkley, who built her business Little Beau Sheep from her kitchen table in Yorkshire to become an award winning entrepreneur, is celebrating having acquired the world renowned and multi-award-winning Aardman creation, Shaun the Sheep, as a licence for her brand.

Sarah Turner, 44, the only UK producer of 100% natural British wool dryer balls, and winner of the 2019 Wool Innovation Prize, is delighted to partner with Aardman, to create a special range of products using British wool featuring Shaun the Sheep and with fragrances inspired by the meadow flowers found on Mossy Bottom Farm. The partnership is off to a great start with the products being selected as finalists for Branded Gift of the Year in the The Gift of the Year Awards, run by the Giftware Association.

Sarah, who shared her views on the power of wool and the tragedy of it being an underrated material in a TedX talk, has worked with the Aardman licensing team to create a range of products including laundry balls, laundry fragrance, linen spray and felted soap.

Sarah said: “One of the things I love most about my job is being able to advocate for this incredible magic material, collaborating with Shaun the Sheep allows us to take this message to a much wider audience.”

Rachael Peacock, senior brand manager at Aardman added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Little Beau Sheep on this lovely collection of eco-friendly laundry products. The collaboration is a perfect match for Shaun the Sheep and goes hand in hand with our One Farm initiative, which actively promotes sustainable living through a planet friendly licensing programme. It’s also fantastic to see the collection already nominated for Gift of the Year. Mossy Bottom Farm has never smelled so good.”

Shaun the Sheep’s ethos is the perfect match for Sarah who offers an effective and sustainable alternative to traditional plastic balls. Little Beau Sheep tumble dryer balls are a natural alternative to fabric softeners. Handmade in Yorkshire from 100% British wool, the dryer balls are chemical free, relying instead on their native lanolin content to naturally soften clothes. Natural and biodegradable, they provide a much quieter, planet-friendly alternative to their plastic prototypes. Little Beau Sheep also produces an eco-friendly range of other laundry and body care products.

Using British wool, Sarah and her team hand make a range of natural and novel gifts and goodies in the heart of the Yorkshire near Ilkley. From dryer balls for a faster more fragrant tumble-dry to felted soaps for an invigorating bath or shower, there’s a whole flock of fabulous stuff to choose from. All Little Beau Sheep products are designed with sustainability at their core to reduce the use and dependency on single-use plastics.

The Shaun the Sheep x Little Beau Sheep range is available now, RRP from £12.50. To view the range, click here.

The age specific stationery company Love Writing Co. has introduced a new Paw Patrol Collection to help foster a love for reading and writing.

With the help of early years education experts, Love Writing Co. is becoming a trailblazing force in the early learning space, by creating innovative pencils, books and writing tools that are centred around building confidence, developing writing skills and alleviating pressure points for children.

Love Writing Co.’s products are ergonomically designed to comfortably fit in a child’s hand for extended lengths of time, by being the right length and width and featuring a tripod grip. The softer core also allows for a tension free experience, reducing strain on the hands and creating a smoother pencil to paper journey.

The new Paw Patrol range continues to pave the way for future product launches with industry giants.

The company describes the innovative range as a gateway to creativity and education for children and will focus on fostering a love for reading and writing with the help of their favourite TV characters. It will feature ethically sourced and sustainable products: a Pre-Writing Skills Ages 2+ Workbook, Handwriting Book ages 3-5 and ergonomic tripod grip writing pencils and erasable colouring pencils.

Surlender Pendress, CEO and co-founder of Love Writing Co., said: “We’re thrilled to release our latest Paw Patrol collection of age-appropriate products. Currently, 50% of under-11s are not meeting literary guidelines, nearly 3m children per year. Our aim is to turn writing into a fun adventure for children, and as a result help combat these statistics.”

She added: “Paw Patrol is the No. 1 children’s TV programme in over 15 countries. We’re not only tapping into the children’s love for the show and characters, but we’re also assisting their education and helping to develop their motor skills.”

This collection follows the launch of The Adventure of Paddington collection earlier this year.

Since launching, Love Writing Co. has seen more than 35,000 customers, with a year-on-year growth of 38% in the last two years. Currently available on the company’s website, Amazon and at independent stockists, Love Writing Co. is imminently expanding to the USA.

Love Writing Co. invites retailers to reach out for in-depth product demonstrations and to explore collaboration opportunities. Visit the website for more information on the Paw Patrol range or contact hello@lovewritingco.com to discuss retailing opportunities.

Paramount+ has released the debut trailer for a brand-new Dora animated series set to launch in April. 

Dora the Explorer is making a return in the brand-new CG-animated pre-school series, Dora. The new series, produced by Nickelodeon Animation, will feature 26 11-minute episodes set to premiere on Friday 12th of April in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia exclusively on Paramount+. Meanwhile, 20 episodes will be available to stream in all Paramount+ international markets outside France and Japan.

The upcoming Dora series follows the bilingual explorer, Dora and her best friend Boots as they take off on adventures in a rainforest. Guided by the Map, Dora and her friends must overcome obstacles while challenged by the sly fox, Swiper. Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora the Explorer, is making a return to the new series as Mami, and Mike Smith Rivera is joining the cast as Papi.

In addition to Zermeño’s breakout role as Dora, other cast members joining the series are Maria Canals-Barrera as Abuela; Danny Burstein as Grumpy Old Troll and The Fiesta Trio’s Frog and Marmoset; Katarina Sky as Backpack; Donovan Monzon-Sanders as Tico; Tandi Fomukong as Isa; Quintún Muñoz as Benny; Chris Gifford as Big Red Chicken; and Quiñones as The Fiesta Trio’s Armadillo.

The new series is produced by Nickelodeon Animation in Burbank, California. Rich Magallanes, Chris Gifford and Valerie Walsh Valdes are executive producers. Henry Lenardin-Madden serves as co-executive producer and Alejandro Bien-Willner is the story editor. Marielle Kaar is Nickelodeon’s executive in charge of production for the series. Dora the Explorer was created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner.

This spring will also introduce Dora’s Recipe for Adventure, Nickelodeon’s brand-new podcast aimed at pre-schoolers and families, which centres on Dora and celebrates culture, food, family and the importance of embracing oneself. Featuring all-new music, the 10-episode audio series follows Dora and Boots on their journeys through the rainforest as they search for the missing ingredients for some of her family’s favourite dishes. Dora’s Recipe for Adventure will be available wherever listeners get their podcasts.

Readers can watch the new trailer below.

Fibre-in-slime furry compound innovation is the most recent patented tactile sensory toy to join GennComm’s IP portfolio.

GennComm Imagennation, the product development and licensing division of GennComm, has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company’s latest patent on its novel fibre-in-slime furry compound innovation, which makes slime products furry, hairy, or ultra stretchy.

This is the fifth issued US Patent for tactile and sensory products in GennComm’s IP portfolio, which includes four relating to squishy memory foam used in plush toys.

GennComm’s patented technologies were all invented in-house by Jeremy Brian Medwed, who serves as director of innovation at GennComm’s Imagennation division. GennComm pioneered the squishy memory foam in the plush toy category in 2017, licensing it first to Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company for the introduction of the Squeezamals plush.

Now, seven years later, GennComm’s newest licensee, Wyncor has incorporated GennComm’s memory foam in plush US patents and know-how into the Miraball line. Miraball licences include popular brands like Miraculous from Zag Entertainment, Paramount’s SpongeBob SquarePants, Paw Patrol and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hasbro’s My Little Pony, Peppa Pig, Transformers and Monopoly and Emojis.

GennComm first licensed its now-patented fibre-in-slime furry compound technology to global giant Zuru Toys, which sold licensed products during the pandemic as “Hairy Slime.” GennComm has reacquired the rights from Zuru and is seeking a new licensee to bring its now-patented formulations and unique know-how to market.

“It’s a promising time for our Imagennation team. We have interest and momentum for multiple product segments within our patented tactile and sensory consumer products portfolio, which includes GennComm’s four issued US patents and know-how for memory foam in collectible plush toys, this fun and unique furry slime patent; and several pending provisional and full patent applications in the works for toys, apparel and more”, said GennComm CEO, Genna Rosenberg. “We’re honoured to be playing with major new partners like Wyncor and others who value our vision and IP.”

Inventor Jeremy Medwed, said: “Tactile toys feel amazing to hold, and squishing them can be calming and satisfying. With fibre-in-slime, there are so many options to innovate with different formulations. Variations change the consistency, making it extra stretchy, giving it more texture, making it furry, fuzzy, webby, colourful, relaxing to squish and even gross, capitalising on myriad toy trends. Our proprietary formulations allow for a whole new segment for this category.”