The new Transport for London (TfL) Brio set, from the Trains of the World series, includes a three-part train, a tunnel, two figures and a London Underground sign. 

Transport for London (TfL) has partnered with popular toy brand Brio to launch a London Underground-inspired toy train in a deal facilitated by TfL’s global licensing agency, IMG.

A part of Brio’s Trains of the World series, the toys replicate the London Underground’s iconic red, white and blue design bringing the authentic British experience to children’s playrooms. The push locomotive plays sounds and lights up as it travels through the red tube tunnel, creating a realistic playing activity that helps young train fans further explore the world of transport. The set includes a three-part push train, a Tube tunnel, two figures and a London Underground sign.

Stina Wallin, International product manager for Brio, said: “Our range of toy trains, known as Brio World, is designed to help children discover and explore the world in a fun and playful way. Introducing such an iconic train to our play sets is a fantastic opportunity for children all around the world to get a sense of the London experience.”

Launching worldwide this month, the set is suitable for children aged three and over and has a recommended retail price of €49.99. The products will be available in-store and online, including Amazon (global), John Lewis and Argos.

The set includes a three-part push train, a Tube tunnel, two figures and a London Underground sign.

This collaboration is the latest addition to a robust licensing programme being developed by TfL and IMG to bring the London Underground’s rich legacy and brand identity to global audiences in engaging new ways.

Ellen Sankey, Brand Licensing manager for TfL, added: “We are particularly excited for this launch of London Underground-inspired toy train, as TfL’s brand embarks into the children’s toy market. With Brio being one of the world’s leading toy brands, we look forward to bringing our instantly recognisable Underground trains to children across the world, allowing them to play with a little piece of London and its transport network at home.”

The hit theatre show Bluey’s Big Play will tour Spain, Paris and Luxembourg following critical acclaim in Australia, the UK, Ireland and North America. 

For the first time ever, hit theatre show Bluey’s Big Play will visit Europe following sell-out shows across Australia, the UK, Ireland and North America.

Bluey’s Big Play, a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning children’s television series produced by Ludo Studio, will hit the stage across Spain (under the name of El show de Bluey) as well as Paris and Luxembourg (under the name Bluey le spectacle).

Audiences of all ages will get to see Bluey, Bingo, and Mum and Dad, Bandit and Chilli as they’ve never seen them before, as the Heeler family embarks on its first live theatre show featuring brilliantly created puppets and iconic sets. Based on an original new story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, the theatrical adaptation contains new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush.

Kate O’Connor, director of Brands and Licensing BBC Studios ANZ, said: “Following the incredible reaction to the live theatre show in the US, UK and Ireland and Australia, we are so excited to bring Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show to fans across Europe in Spain, Paris and Luxembourg.”

Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show is presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show to Spain, Paris and Luxembourg this year and next,” said director Rosemary Myers of Windmill Theatre Company. “The response to the show from fans across Australia, the US and the UK and Ireland has been nothing short of amazing and we can’t wait for families in Europe to experience all the fun and excitement of having Bluey and her family on stage live in their city.”

The stage show has enjoyed much success in Australia, where it premiered in Bluey’s hometown, Brisbane, and went on to perform 447 times across 65 venues, including the Sydney Opera House. The tour is currently in North America, where it premiered at the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York. The show is also currently touring the UK & Ireland, where it premiered in December last year at the iconic Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London. Bluey’s Big Play will also be making its Asia premiere in Singapore at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, from 13th June this year and will make its premiere in the Middle East at the Etihad Arena Abu Dhabi from 30th August 2024. To date, Bluey’s Big Play has been seen by nearly 1m fans worldwide.

The new branding includes a redesigned company logo symbolising Studio 100 International’s commitment to innovation and creativity.

Studio 100 Media has announced that it is rebranding to Studio 100 International. The new company name reflects its expanding role as the pivotal international distribution entity of the Studio 100 Group, producing and delivering high quality films and series to global markets as well as engaging in worldwide brand rights licensing.

With Studio Isar Animation, Studio 100 International owns a state-of-the-art animation production studio in Munich, producing top class content for the global family and kids’ audience. In addition, Studio 100 International brings along an excellent track record in comprehensive financial engineering for both its own and third-party films and series.

Recently, the company has forged strategic partnerships with 3 Doubles Producciones and Gaumont Animation and collaborates with industry leaders to produce and distribute content globally.

The new branding includes a redesigned company logo symbolising Studio 100 International’s commitment to innovation and creativity. Furthermore, the Munich production and distribution company is launching a new website, providing access to its extensive portfolio of popular brands and productions.

Martin Krieger, CEO of Studio 100 International, said: “The transition to Studio 100 International marks a significant milestone in our journey and reflects our ambitions to consolidate the company’s position among the leading players in the media industry.”

For more information about Studio 100 International and to explore the company’s new website, visit www.studio100international.com.

In addition to the latest news and opinions from across the industry, the March issue of Toy World includes features on Outdoor Toys, Science & Nature Toys, and Action Vehicles.

The 124-page March issue of Toy World is out now, and can be read both in print and online.

In this issue, we pay homage to cover star Playmobil, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024. Head of Marketing Jamie Dickinson takes us from the company’s early days to its plans for the future, as readers are invited to ‘Join the party!’ and get involved in the company’s celebrations.

Playmobil isn’t the only one celebrating an anniversary this year, with the multi-award-winning Toys & Games industry PR agency Playtime PR turning 10. Lesley Singleton, founder & CEO of Playtime PR, tells Toy World how the communications industry has changed over the years, the achievements she’s most proud of, and why she’s keen to keep making lives more playful.

In February, Rachael Simpson-Jones, Toy World’s resident natural history geek and lover of all things taxidermy, was invited for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Natural History Museum with its senior licensing manager, Emma Russell, to find out more about its push into the kids’ licensed toys and games space with the support of partners including Galt and Tonies.

Rachael also spoke to Johnny Taylor, chief creative officer at Toikido, about why kids and adults alike will be seeking out PeaKeeBoo content when it arrives later this year. This animated series leans into the charm of the classic childhood game, with its unique visuals and celeb narrator making it one to watch in the competitive pre-school space.

Elsewhere, the team team looks back on show season with reviews of London Toy Fair and Spielwarenmesse 2024, before turning its attentions to this month’s major category features: Outdoor Toys, Science & Nature Toys, and Action Vehicles. Each feature opens with a deep dive into the respective sectors, with expert comment from leading suppliers such as MV Sports, Little Tikes, Brainstorm Toys, Learning Resources, Mattel and Bruder.

On top of all this, the issue also brings readers the latest news and opinion pieces from regular expert contributors including Jon Chambers from Generation Media, Stephen Barnes from Toy Barnhaus, Rory Partis from Circana, and Rick Derr from Learning Express, as well as our popular Talking Shop feature, in which indie retailers share their thoughts on London Toy Fair.

To read the March issue of Toy World, click here.

Don’t forget, the team is now well and truly stuck into preparation for the April issue of Toy World, but readers can still be involved if they act quickly. The deadline for editorial is 1st March (but can be extended at the team’s discretion), while the deadline for adverts will be 14th March.

For further information regarding editorial opportunities in the April issue, or to take part in our Talking Shop feature, please contact:

The agreement with Zynga’s Rollic marks the next step in Mattel’s mission to grow its digital games business for all audiences.

Mattel has announced a new partnership with Rollic, a subsidiary of Zynga Inc., a wholly-owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive, to introduce a new mass-market Barbie mobile game. The game is slated to launch later this year.

Mattel’s ongoing expansion of its licensed digital games portfolio is part of a strategic initiative to bolster its digital games business. This endeavour aims to provide captivating and engaging entertainment experiences based on Mattel’s beloved intellectual properties that will resonate with fans across generations.

“Partnering with Rollic and Zynga enables us to bring a fresh and exciting mass market Barbie mobile game to fans worldwide,” said Mike DeLaet, global head of Digital Gaming at Mattel. “This collaboration underscores Mattel’s dedication to leveraging our iconic brands in innovative ways and propels our digital games division’s ability to deliver best-in-class immersive entertainment experiences for fans of all ages.”

The forthcoming Barbie mobile game will be published by Rollic, which recently surpassed 2.7b lifetime downloads worldwide. Rollic develops and publishes hit mobile titles in over 175 countries and has had 22 titles reach the No. 1 and No. 2 spot in the US Apple App Store. The company has redefined the hyper-casual genre, adding live services and a steady cadence of in-game events to encourage long-lasting player engagement. Rollic’s fast-paced data process allows its teams to quickly tap into of-the-moment cultural trends and to build updates that capture player reactions. This combination of creative and data-driven talent makes Rollic the ideal partner to bring a new Barbie gaming experience to life, accelerating Mattel’s strategic initiative to expand its iconic intellectual properties across all entertainment mediums.

“Barbie is beloved by generations of players around the world, and we are delighted to partner with Mattel to bring the latest iteration of this icon to mobile gaming,” said Burak Vardal, CEO of Rollic. “Our teams’ ability to translate cultural moments into lasting gameplay allows us to provide players with another place to engage with their favourite IP and we are excited to step into the world of Barbie with this brand-new title.”

New Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go episodes start airing 7th March on Netflix, with Thomas & Friends: The Christmas Letter Express debuting later this year.

Mattel has announced that Season 27 of the animated series Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go premieres 7th March on Netflix.

Featuring all-new original music, Season 27 consists of 26 11-minute episodes released in two 13-episode instalments, with the second half of the season debuting 19th September. The second portion of Season 27 includes the franchise’s first-ever 60-minute holiday movie, Thomas & Friends: The Christmas Letter Express, debuting late 2024. Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go is co-produced by Mattel Television Studios and Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Studios.

In Season 27 of Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, the train and his friends are ready for more Sodor surprises. The engines are celebrating the grand opening of a new bakery-café connecting farm-to-table routes and keeping busy bringing ingredients and sweet-smelling, flatcar-filling treats to festive tables. Thomas, Percy, Kana, Nia, Bruno and Diesel take on every challenge, coupling with new and returning friends to get each job done.

In Thomas & Friends: The Christmas Letter Express, Percy discovers a child’s letter to Santa Claus forgotten at the bottom of his mail cart on Christmas Eve. He is determined to make things right, even if that means tracking down Mr. Claus himself. With help from Thomas and his friends, Percy travels through dazzling parades, sweet-smelling gingerbread bakes and snowflake flurries on a quest to deliver the letter to Santa and make a child’s Christmas wish come true. Written by Rick Suvalle and featuring three original holiday songs, Thomas & Friends: The Christmas Letter Express premieres on Netflix in late 2024.

“As we embark on the 27th season of Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, we celebrate a character that has captured the hearts of fans worldwide for decades,” said Michelle Mendelovitz, global head of Mattel Television Studios. “This season is not just a testament to the enduring charm and timeless appeal of Mattel’s beloved characters, but also a milestone as we proudly present the first-ever holiday movie in the franchise’s storied history. As we continue to foster the spirit of friendship, teamwork, and adventure, this season reaffirms the enduring legacy of Thomas & Friends, bringing joy to both young and old across the globe.”

Inspired by Mattel’s Thomas & Friends toys and consumer products, Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go features the voice talents of Kai Harris, Ava Ro, Charlie Zeltzer, Chuck Smith, Will Bhaneja, Glee Dango, and Talia Evans. Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go is co-produced by Mattel Television Studios and Nelvana, and is executive produced by Christopher Keenan and Fred Soulie for Mattel and by Colin Bohm, Doug Murphy, and Pam Westman for Nelvana. The series and 60-min special include an original score by Erica Procunier.

Season 27 of Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go will be available March 7 on Netflix in the US as well as many international markets including Canada, Spain, South Africa, India, and Singapore. The content will also debut later this year on Milkshake and Nick Jr. in the United Kingdom, Cartoonito in Italy, Treehouse in Canada, Televisa in Mexico, and SBT in Brazil.

To watch the Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go Season 27 trailer, click here.

An animated pre-school TV series is in the works based on Eric Hill’s classic lift-the-flap book series Spot, which has sold over 65m copies worldwide.

Puffin, part of Penguin Random House Children’s UK, has announced that the TV rights to its best-selling children’s book series, Spot, have been optioned by Guru Studio.

Eric Hill’s loveable puppy Spot first appeared in 1980 in the first ever lift-the-flap storybook, ‘Where’s Spot?’ and has since become a perennial best-seller with over 65m books sold worldwide. The books have been translated into over 60 languages including braille and sign language across more than 20 formats including lift-the-flap books, board books and novelty titles, with Puffin releasing new titles every year. The best-selling series has enjoyed notable recent growth throughout many key global territories including the US and Australia. In the UK, over 1m Spot books have been sold since 2020 alone, more than double the volume sold in the prior four years.

The Fun with Spot consumer products and licensing programme, including toys, apparel and live experiences, is managed in-house by Penguin Ventures and, together with Puffin, supports the continued global growth of the brand, connecting Spot with family audiences in new and exciting ways.

The new TV series will follow Spot, the beloved, rambunctious and curious puppy. Just like in the classic books, children will see their own everyday experiences reflected in Spot’s adventures with his family and friends as they discover the big, wide, world around them.

“Spot holds a special place in the hearts of millions of families around the world as Eric Hill’s dynamic storytelling and lift-the-flap discovery moments invite children to become part of the story,” said Frank Falcone, president and executive creative director of Guru Studio. “As stewards of this cherished literary legacy, we will inspire that same engaged curiosity, bringing a fresh and contemporary feel, for today’s pre-schoolers.”

Francesca Dow, managing director, Penguin Random House Children’s UK, added: “Puffin is proud to be the home of Eric Hill’s beloved Spot. His child-like, inquisitive nature and boundless energy have captivated small children for over 40 years. Spot’s timeless appeal lies in his simplicity and in Eric’s ability to capture the essence of early childhood experiences. Guru recognises Spot’s unique appeal and this, together with an impressive portfolio and roster of talent, creates an exciting opportunity to bring Spot to new audiences via animation. We can’t wait to see Spot come bounding onto screen to excite and entertain millions of young children and their families, reaching new fans and old.”

Guru has brought on board award-winning children’s author and TV veteran Sarah Maizes to guide the project. A former executive at Amazon Kids+ and the Jim Henson Company, Sarah’s credits include Harriet the Spy (AppleTV+), Dinosaur Train (PBSKids), Randi Zuckerberg’s Dot. and Hello Kitty: Super Style (Amazon Kids+).

Guru Studio is the animation studio behind some of the most recognisable and beloved children’s properties including the global smash Paw Patrol, Netflix’s True and the Rainbow Kingdom, and Sesame Street’s animated spin-off Mecha Builders. The studio is also currently in production on the family mini-series adaptation of the beloved classic Charlottes’ Web for Warner Bros Discovery’s Max.

The 24/7 Moonbug Channel, designed to support parents and carers in their day-to-day parenting journey, will be launching on Allente across Nordic countries next month.

Moonbug Entertainment has announced an agreement with Allente to launch the Moonbug Channel in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. The channel, which will include content from across the Moonbug portfolio of much-loved IPs, is scheduled to launch in mid-March.

With this expansion into Western Europe, the Moonbug Channel is now available in 83 different countries across EMEA and APAC.

The 24/7 Moonbug Channel has been carefully designed to put families at the forefront, supporting parents and carers throughout their daily routines such as mealtime, bath time, bedtime and more. All Moonbug IPs will be featured, including CoComelon, Blippi, Little Angel, Gecko’s Garage, Morphle, Oddbods and many others. As part of this deal, the channel will be supported with VOD offerings, which will also launch mid-March.

“Our partnership with Allente signifies the introduction of the Moonbug Channel to Western Europe, bringing the total number of countries where families can enjoy our channel to 83. This is a significant milestone for Moonbug as we expand our offering across EMEA and offer our content to families and fans in convenient and accessible ways,” said Dilek Doyran, head of channel partnerships EMEA, Moonbug Entertainment. “We are looking forward to bringing the joy of our stories and characters to more kids and supporting parents and carers in their day-to-day parenting journey with shows that inspire little ones to laugh, learn and grow.”

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Moonbug, an acclaimed global entertainment powerhouse dedicated to bringing joy and education to children worldwide”, said Michael Bärlin, chief content officer at Allente. “I am excited about the prospect of introducing Moonbug’s iconic brands, such as CoComelon and Blippi, to our audience. Moonbug’s commitment to making high-quality, enriching content accessible to every child aligns seamlessly with our mission. This collaboration marks a significant step in providing our viewers with unparalleled content that not only entertains but also nurtures the growth and learning of the next generation.”

Courtney Holt joins the team following its recent growth and success, as Moonbug looks to establish a globally renowned music brand within the children’s entertainment space.

Courtney Holt

Moonbug Entertainment, a part of Candle Media, has announced the appointment of Courtney Holt as the company’s first global head of Music and Strategic Audio Initiatives.

As part of his role, Courtney will foster the growth of Moonbug’s music label through strategic partner alliances and by strengthening relationships with established and emerging artists. He will also be responsible for the international expansion of the audio division and global music operations including further developing Moonbug’s music commercial and creative partnerships and exploring emerging audio-based initiatives.

Courtney joins the team following its recent growth and success, as Moonbug looks to establish a globally renowned music brand within the children’s entertainment space. He will be instrumental in ensuring that the business continues to provide music and entertainment that resonates with and inspires families all over the world.

Courtney brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role at Moonbug. His career, cultivating growth and driving engagement within the music industry, spans over three decades including leadership roles at Spotify, The Walt Disney Company and Viacom. Courtney also worked at Universal Music Group.

Rene Rechtman, co-founder and CEO, Moonbug Entertainment, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Courtney to the Moonbug team. We often hear from music creators who are looking to interact with our content and I’m excited about the opportunities that having Courtney on board will create. He brings with him a proven track record in delivering strong performance in the music and media industry and his appointment will be instrumental in cementing our position as a leader in the global music landscape.”

Courtney added: “I look forward to collaborating with our talented team to explore new opportunities, forge strategic partnerships and push the boundaries of what is possible. As a parent, I am inspired by the work Moonbug has been doing to produce great and inspirational content for kids. I am excited to embark on this exciting journey with Moonbug.”

Courtney is based out of Moonbug’s Los Angeles office and plans to grow and expand the local Los Angeles music and audio team.

Reinvented Licensing Expo closing day content includes AI keynote, Women in Toys (WiT) Empowerment Day, CMO focus panel and more.

Zack Kass

Licensing Expo (held at Mandalay Bay Convention Center from May 21st-23rd 2024) – dedicated to brand licensing, IP extension, partnerships and collaborations – has unveiled a preview of the ‘Shaping the Future’ content taking place across this year’s campus and curated an impactful agenda for the final day of the show.

The final day of Licensing Expo opens with AI Futurist Zack Kass, former head of Go-to-Market for OpenAI, developers of the pioneering ChatGPT chatbot, and previous advisor of brands including Coca-Cola and Morgan Stanley. Zack will give a keynote on the complexities of artificial intelligence, helping senior leaders provide foresight and direction so organisations can adapt and thrive alongside rapid advancements in AI (Thursday, 23rd May). Featured in outlets like Fortune, AdAge and Entrepreneur, Zack offers experience and pragmatic insights for major organisations looking to build a brighter future with artificial intelligence.

Following the keynote, a panel will discuss ‘Building Teams’ and ‘How Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Needs to Start at Recruitment’, detailing various perspectives and practical solutions on fostering and attracting unique and diverse talent as the industry turns its attention to the next generation of licensing professionals.

On the last day of Licensing Expo, for the first time, the event will partner with Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) to welcome the WiT Empowerment Day to campus. WiT Empowerment Day presents women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs a forum to pitch products Information Classification: General or ideas to top companies and buyers exclusively from Walmart. Mentor Roundtable discussions will also be available to provide learnings from the best in the business.

Ahead of Licensing Expo, there will also be a specialised WiT Empowerment Day Pitch Prep Program, led by Azhelle Wade, known as The Toy Coach. This programme includes everything from preparing product pitches to on-demand video lessons, digital workbooks and a virtual Prep Session to ensure Empowerment Day participants will be confident and ready for meetings.

Concluding the final day of education at Licensing Expo, a dedicated panel of chief marketing officers will speak on constructing forward-facing brands and how to connect with audiences while engaging consumers in new and innovative ways.

“We have invested resources to comprehensively research how we can continue to evolve and offer even more value to our Licensing Expo community, and the resounding theme that emerged was the importance on the power of connection and the future of the industry,” notes Anna Clarke, senior vice president of Global Licensing Group. “Licensing Expo is known as the tentpole destination to secure the biggest and most exciting licensing deals but this year, we also place emphasis on the trajectory of the business by crafting this special must-attend closing programme for the first time ever in show history.”

“Licensing Expo is about making the most of the entire industry being in Las Vegas at the same time,” added Ella Haynes, event director, Licensing Expo. “We want to accentuate all the spaces and places across our whole Mandalay Bay Campus, as well as the intentional touchpoints created to maximise the chances to meet contacts that could ultimately lead to the next big partnership.”

On Sunday 19th May, Licensing International (LI) will host its annual networking fundraiser in support of the LI Foundation Scholarship Program at TopGolf, MGM Grand. The following day, 20th May, Licensing International’s Global Excellence Awards take place Monday evening at the HyperXArena in the Luxor Hotel & Casino. The Licensing Expo Opening Night Party also returns on Tuesday 21st May at the Daylight Beach Club, with talent soon to be announced.

Additional details for opening and second-day agendas as well as campus programming are to be announced in due course. For more information or to register to attend or exhibit at Licensing Expo 2024 visit LicensingExpo.com.