The popular preschool properties, Peppa Pig and PJ Masks are picking up the pace across Japan, having landed a new broadcast partnership with TV Tokyo. The deal marks the latest international development for Hasbro’s global entertainment studio, Entertainment One.
Under the deal, TV Tokyo will broadcast 26 episodes of season one of PJ Masks, making this the first time that the property has been picked up by a Japanese terrestrial broadcaster.
Meanwhile, having first launched a short version of Peppa Pig on the Kinder TV timeslot back in October 2017, TV Tokyo is looking to build on the growing fanbase for the series by expanding the offering of the full version to its preschool audiences on a new weekend timeslot.
The broadcast line up has been further bolstered by additional platforms including Disney Japan and Netflix which have the rights to the series and have expanded the show’s availability throughout the market.
The Peppa Pig consumer products program first debuted in March 2018 via an exclusive pop-up shop in the Takashimaya department store in Tokyo, which was attended by the British Ambassador. In 2018, Peppa Pig played an exciting role in the launch of Japan’s first Hamley’s toy store.
Now, the Peppa Pig licensing program boasts 33 licensing partners as the brand’s popularity grows in the market, with more retail partnerships planned in 2021.
Entertainment One is looking to accelerate both brands’ licensing drive by collaborating with Dentsu as the master CP agent.
“We’re thrilled to reach new audiences in Japan with our beloved children’s animated series,” said Olivier Dumont, president of family brands at eOne. “TV Tokyo offers best-in-class children’s entertainment and we’re proud to add them to the global Peppa Pigand PJ Masks families.”
“Peppa Pig is already a global phenomenon and we are glad to have the show on our channel. We’re also very happy and excited to be able to bring PJ Masks for the first time to our Free TV audiences in Japan,” said Sayako Muramatsu and Ryota Kawamura of TV Tokyo.
“Peppa Pig and PJ Masks are two of the most iconic preschool brands in the world and we are so thrilled to be able to have this opportunity to collaborate with eOne and TV Tokyo on bringing these characters to life to a new generation of preschoolers in Japan,” said project leads Kiyofumi Kajiwara and Ayane Kawasaki at Dentsu.
Zuru Toys has revealed plans to make its two largest global brands under the Five Surprise banner – Mini Brands and Mini Toys – 100 per cent virgin plastic free.
Its latest stride in the company’s ongoing mission for better sustainability measures and a reduction of its own carbon footprint on the planet, the global toy maker has today confirmed that it will be introducing 100 per cent certified, traceable recycled plastic across the brands.
The announcement was made during last week’s Sustainability in Licensing Conference, an online event focusing on the sustainability developments and measures of some of the world’s leading brands names and retailers.
Speaking at the conference, Zuru’s co-founder and CEO, detailed the company’s move to implement new sustainability measures across its leading Five Surprise brands: Five Surprise Mini Brands, and Five Surprise Mini Toys, the number one and number five toy brands in the US markets, respectively.
The move will prevent an estimated 180 tonnes of virgin plastics from entering the environment and will match the recent environmental moves made across its wildly popular Bunch O Balloons brand. Combined, the latest measures will prevent around 3,000 tonnes of virgin plastics from entering the environment.
“Sustainability is a big passion of mine, and is crucial to the longevity and prosperity of all companies,” said Anna Mowbray, CEO and co-founder of Zuru Toys. “It’s not only important to me in business, but also as the parent of young children who are growing up to inherit all that lay down.
“Bunch O Balloons had been our biggest transition towards sustainability within our products to date, but I am super excited to announce our most recent initiative in this space, introducing measures to make every single unit across our Five Surprise brands entirely from certified, traceable recycled plastic.”
Zuru Toys has taken the sustainability message to the next level in recent months with the first roll out of its ‘summer just got greener’ campaign for its leading seasonal product, Bunch O Balloons, highlighting the company’s move to more sustainable production methods by using 100 per cent certified and traceable recycled plastics to make its stems and caps.
The company also switched its balloon pieces to be made from natural rubber (derived from plants).
The original goal was to remove 500 tonnes of virgin plastics from entering the environment, but Zuru subsequently doubled the number of its original target this summer season.
Mowbray added: “Our goals for the future are mapped out across manufacturing, packaging, product, and the supply chain, and include key components such as making our packaging across all ranges 100 per cent recyclable, transitioning three major brands to 100 per cent recycled plastic and packaging, and all of this we want to do by 2025.”
Jazwares and its Kellytoy subsidiary are expanding the world of Squishmallows with the launch of a new animated YouTube series Squishville, developed in partnership with Moonbug Entertainment.
The original content, produced by the award-winning global entertainment company behind CoComelon, will kick off with the launch of its first episode on June 26th, with new episodes released every Saturday through to October this year.
This new development for the franchise follows hot on the heels of the retail debut of Squishville, a line of Squishmallows-inspired collectable plush and soft fabric play-sets and accessories. The range arrived in stores earlier this year.
Since launching in 2017, more than 86 million Squishmallows have been sold with the brand expecting to reach its 100 million milestone in the next couple of months. The debut of Squishville comes at a time when the popularity of Squishmallows is at an all-time high, having exploded into a TikTok toy sensation with more than 2.8 billion organic video views.
Squishville will follow the adventures of characters Fifi, Lola, Cam, and Winston as they take on Squishville with a few of their friends like Jeanna, Sharie, Leonard, and Hans.
“The launch of Squishville speaks volumes to the growth in popularity Squishmallows has had over the last year,” said Laura Zebersky, president of Jazwares. “With original animated content, fans can now engage with the Squishmallows Squad and experience their adorable, colorful personalities like never before.”
Friday Night Dinner actor, Tom Rosenthal is among the British talent to be lending their voices to Lloyd of the Flies, a new CGI comedy series from Aardman Animation and CITV. The series is scheduled to air on CITV in autumn 2022.
Rosenthal will voice lead character Lloyd, a housefly and middle child of 453 siblings. With his best friend Abacus Woodlouse, little sister PB, and eccentric tag-along Cornea Butterfly, the motley crew will embark on a series of misadventures in a family comedy of entomology.
Rosenthal joins a cast of British acting talent, including Alex Lawther (Black Mirror) who will voice Abacus, Lauren Patel (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) who will take on the role of PB, Teresa Gallagher as Cornea Butterfly, and Callum Scott Howells (It’s a Sin) will voice Lloyd’s nemesis, Berry.
Pearl Mackie and Rob Rackstraw provide the voices of Lloyd’s parents, Gena and Malcolm. Completing the cast are Ayesha Antoine, voicing Julie and Libby, and Marcel McCalla who plays Ampersand and Bob.
Lloyd of the Flies is created and directed by Matthew Walker (episode director, Shaun the Sheep: Adventures from Mossy Bottom Farm and winner of a jury award at Aspen Shortsfest, Jury Special Mention at Clermont-Ferrand for his film ‘John and Karen’ and best graduation film ‘Astronauts’ at Annecy Animation Festival 2006). He is joined by co-director and voice director Jane Davies, who has over 25 years animation and directing experience in long form series.
Aardman’s Sarah Cox will act as executive creative director.
Seamus Malone (Arthur Christmas, Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death) is Animation Director, with Tom Parkinson (Shaun the Sheep: Adventures from Mossy Bottom Farm) in the role of Script/Story Advisor. The Series Editor is Victoria Stevens (A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon).
The writing team includes Anna Leong Brophy, Alex Collier, Tasha Dhanraj, Isabel Fay, Mark Oswin, and Jen Upton. Black Sheep’s Andrew Barnett Jones and Ciaran Murtagh are Script Editors on the series.
Using a mix of computer animation and 2D techniques, Lloyd of the Flies is the first CGI series to be produced entirely in-house at Aardman’s headquarters studio in Bristol.
Tom Rosenthal, voice of Lloyd, said: “Despite the fact that I believe Lloyd of the Flies to be a work of genius and am thrilled to bring these fantastic stories to life, the amount of people who have told me that I do actually sound like a fly has begun to get hurtful.”
Lloyd of the Flies is the flagship project for the government-funded Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF), which is managed by the BFI and supports the creation of distinctive, high-quality content for audiences up to the age of 18.
The Fund offers production funding for projects which have secured a broadcast commitment from a UK Public Service Broadcaster to make the programme available to a UK audience on a free-to-access, Ofcom-regulated service.
Mattel has unveiled plans to develop its popular micro doll brand, Polly Pocket into a live-action motion picture, partnering with Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) on the family comedy. The pair has brought Lena Dunham’s production company Good Thing Going in on the project.
Lily Collins (Emily in Paris) will take the lead role of Polly as the film follows the story of a young girl and a pocket-sized woman who form a friendship.
“Polly Pocket was responsible for countless hours of childhood escapism for me – Polly gave me a tiny world of magic and autonomy to narrate, so it’s pretty poetic to be tackling these same ideas now as a director collaborating with the brilliant Lily Collins, Robbie Brenner, Mattel and MGM,” said Dunham.
“I’m so thrilled to bring to bear both my love of this historic property and also my deep-seated belief that young women need smart playful films that speak to them without condescension.”
Collins said: “I’m so excited to partner with this inspiring powerhouse of a team. Developing this project with Robbie, Lena, Mattel and MGM to reintroduce Polly in a fun, modern way has been such a treat. As a child who was obsessed with Polly Pocket, this is a real dream come true and I can’t wait to bring these tiny toys to the big screen.”
Robbie Brenner and Kevin McKeon will lead the project for Mattel Films. Sandino Moya-Smith and Winnie Carrillo will lead for MGM. Good Thing Going’s Liz Watson and Michael P. Cohen will serve as executive producers.
“Polly Pocket is an iconic franchise that has resonated with children for more than three decades,” said Brenner, executive producer of Mattel Films. “The incredible nostalgia that Polly evokes, coupled with Lena’s fresh approach and Lily’s take on the character, will introduce an entirely new interpretation of this classic brand to audiences. We look forward to working with MGM to produce a feature film that will appeal to the whole family.”
Polly Pocket, which was first introduced more than 30 years ago, is the original micro-scale doll and accessories line of toys and, today, is the number one global play-set dolls growth property. In 2018, Mattel reintroduced the popular ’90s sensation with a product line that pays homage to the brand’s origins, with updates to the tiny and mighty doll for a new generation, adding features such as hidden worlds and fun surprise formats.
Children today can also experience Polly Pocket and her world through an animated television series, as well as content on YouTube, that inspires kids to be adventurous, bold and to never let being little get in their way.
Polly Pocket joins other Mattel Films projects in development including movies based on American Girl, Barbie, Barney, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Masters of the Universe, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View Master, and Wishbone.
Moose Toys is delivering a knockout new launch this summer and its ‘biggest boys’ launch to date’ with the arrival of Akedo – Ultimate Arcade Warriors, a battling action figure series that will launch with a new animated series, a licensing programme managed by WildBrain CPLG, and a special tournament hosted by Nickelodeon.
Derived from the Japanese word for arcade, Akedo has a retro gaming look and combines it with kids battling one-on-one with 39 unique warriors including ninjas, robots, gladiators and Vikings, alongside teddy bears, a dinosaur and clowns, using skill and strategy to claim victory over their equally well-equipped opponents.
Building excitement for the action-packed game play of Akedo, Moose is making its largest ever investment in content with WildBrain. Moose also is partnering with Nickelodeon to create a branded “as live” event ― The Akedo Super Ultimate Ultimate Tournament ― on Nickelodeon’s YouTube channel which garners over 50 million views each month.
To create full franchise opportunities for the new brand, Moose and WildBrain Spark are co-producing a new animated series bringing the world of Akedo to life. The action-packed series trailer can be viewed on the MooseTube Mania YouTube channel, a mini movie will premiere on July 2 and full episodes will roll out shortly thereafter.
Episodes also can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video Direct. In Canada, WildBrain also will debut the new Akedo series on its leading television network beginning this fall.
Alongside the robust content offering, Moose also has partnered with WildBrain CPLG, to manage a global licensing program for the Akedo brand across all categories to follow the toys’ launch. WildBrain will handle global distribution for the new series.
Action-packed gameplay is created by figures that are attached to individual coin bases that are reminiscent of arcade play. Using the included controller, figures deliver a unique split strike action that literally splits the other Akedo figure in half. Players’ skill and strategy increase as they move through the collection of 39 warriors, including Classic, Epic, Ultra Rare, Legendary, Exclusive Ultra Rare and the very Limited Edition Mythical Stormstrike, a glow-in-the-dark Viking.
For the ultimate battle experience, players can match up in the ’90s retro style Ultimate Battle Arena, a play-set that emulates an old-school arcade game complete with its own theme song. The arena comes with two exclusive Ultra Rare warriors, Turbo Chux and Screen Shot, both with double battle accessories.
Included are two interchangeable backdrops, two deluxe controllers and detachable training punching bag. Adding excitement, and a bit of humor, to the battles, the arena plays more than 35 real battle sound effects.
“Our success in the boys’ aisle with the Treasure X and Heroes of Goo Jit Zu lines established Moose as a toy super innovator in the category. We are pulling out all of the stops with the Akedo launch,” said Ronnie Frankowski, chief marketing officer, Moose Toys.
“Combining our expertise in collectibles, WildBrain’s cutting edge approach to content and licensing and Nickelodeon’s ability to create on-trend interactive events for its highly engaged and loyal audience, Akedo is positioned to deliver a knock-out hit.
“It’s the most dynamic battling toy ever, and with deep collectability and engaging entertainment, we are delivering a fully-rounded experience that meets kids where they are. It’s a bold move that is consistent with Moose WOW innovation. Akedo is the next global boys’ action franchise mega hit.”
Rachel Taylor, commercial director, WildBrain Spark, added: “Having successfully managed Moose’s YouTube strategy for a number of years at WildBrain Spark, we know just how incredibly engaged kids are with their content online. As more and more kids’ brands move to digital-first launch strategies, it’s a natural step to extend our Moose partnership across WildBrain’s integrated offering of production, distribution and licensing for the amazing new Akedo franchise.
“Moose has an excellent track record of delivering toys kids love, and we’re confident Akedo is going to be a big hit both on and off screen.”
Frankowski added: “Working with Nickelodeon we’ve created an action-packed interactive component to the product launch, The Akedo Super Ultimate Ultimate Tournament, that literally brings to life the Akedo experience in a way no other partner could.
“Moose has had a long-standing relationship with Nickelodeon, but this is the first time we’ve partnered with them for a branded “as live” event. Tapping into Nickelodeon’s group of top-level influencers to introduce kids to Akedo and this absolute next level game play will be entertaining as well as demonstrate how the game is played by enthusiasts that kids can relate to.”
April L. McKenzie, Vice President, Kids & Family Activation, Velocity, ViacomCBS, said: “Through this collaboration with Moose Toys, Nickelodeon continues to push the envelope by creating innovative content and experiences that appeal to fans of all ages.
“The Akedo Super Ultimate Ultimate Tournament not only spotlights the exciting launch of this new action-based toy, but also offers kids and families an opportunity to be at the center of the action.”
The Akedo Super Ultimate Ultimate Tournament will tap the power of Nickelodeon’s 35 million social reach, and enlist its talent and influencers to reach kids and parents. The event will match up 16 competitors made up of kids and top influencers in an exclusive bracket-style tournament, with each competitor battling for their warrior to win the title and become the Ultimate Akedo Champion.
Leading up to the event, influencers including Ninja Kidz, Onyx Kids, Kyle’s Toys & Games and Ohana Boys will be sharing content that showcases how they are training for battle.
On Aug. 15, the event goes live on Nickelodeon’s YouTube channelhosted by digital creator and YouTube star Nathan from Unspeakable calling the action through Aug. 21. Catch it after Aug. 21 on Moose’s YouTube channel, MooseTube Mania.
Akedo will launch on Walmart.com and Amazon in July and in stores at all major retailers in August.
The Swedish death metal band, Arch Enemy has entered into a new deal with Bravado, the merchandise arm of Universal Music Group, to develop and distribute a new collection of band merchandise across Europe.
With 25 years of successful album releases, extensive touring, and a dedicated global fanbase, the brand will now work with the merchandise heavyweight on a range of stylised items and eco-friendly products, spanning its entire merchandise business for Europe, including tour merch, online products, and retail.
Michael Hahn, general manager, Bravado Germany, said: “We are proud to have Arch Enemy on our roster, they have such an extraordinary legacy. We look forward to creating a range that is truly authentic, something they and their fans can cherish.”
Angela Gossow, Kult Management, added: “I am stoked to be working with a company with such focus on customer care, high quality, certified, organic garments and fair-trade standards. It was time to step up the game whilst staying true to our DIY policy of creating artwork designs and picking selected merchandise items ourselves.
“We are control freaks, yet happy to benefit from the large-scale professional infrastructure and support of Bravado Europe. Especially in times like these we appreciate the support and constructive cooperation with the Bravado team. Thank you all for being a part of our journey for 25 years now. We are here to stay!”
A prototype LEGO brick made from recycled plastic has become the latest advance made by the Danish toy maker in its ongoing journey towards better sustainability and its ‘ambitious goal’ of becoming 100 per cent sustainable by 2030.
It’s taken a team of more than 150 engineers three years to work on sustainable solutions for LEGO products and test 250 variations of PET materials and hundreds of other plastic formulations. The result is a new prototype, which uses PET plastic from discarded bottles, and the first solution to meet the firm’s strict quality and safety requirements.
Materials testing spanned a spectrum of prototypes, from bricks that didn’t clutch sufficiently, to some that wouldn’t separate throughout what The LEGO Group’s vice president of environmental responsibility, Tim Brooks, has billed ‘as the biggest challenge in the company’s sustainability journey.’
“We are super excited about this breakthrough,” said Brooks in a press release. “The biggest challenge on our sustainability journey is rethinking and innovating new materials that are as durable, strong, and high quality as our existing bricks – and fit with LEGO elements made over the past 60 years.
“With this prototype, we are able to showcase the progress we’re making.”
It will however, be some time before bricks made from a recycled material appear in LEGO products on shelf and in-store, LEGO has admitted. A further testing and development of the PET formulation phase is expected to take at least another year, before the company can assess whether to move to pilot production.
“Experimentation and failing is an important part of learning and innovation. Just as kids build, unbuild and rebuild with LEGO bricks at home, we’re doing the same in our lab,” said Brooks.
At a LEGO Fan Media roundtable interview this week, Brooks revealed that despite the unveiling of the first recycled LEGO brick, Brooks acknowledged the ‘big, big challenges’ still faced by the company in reaching its ‘ambitious target’ of achieving 100 per cent sustainability by 2030.
Speaking to Brick Fanatics, he said: “For the safety, the quality, the colur, the durability, the shininess – and it’s the same we see on the packaging as well, getting paper bags to perform in a strong way and not be punctured and all the rest of it. They’re all big, big challenges.
“I can’t say whether we’ll make it or not. I can definitely say it’s our aim to make it, and we’re putting as much effort as we can behind it. We’ve put significant resources behind it, both financially and people.”
Efforts and resources include a $400 million investment over three years into finding new, sustainable materials to replace traditional ABS. The announcement this week of the first prototype LEGO brick made from recycled plastic bottles is the first step on that journey.
The prototype is made from recycled PET sourced from suppliers in the United States that use US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approved processes to ensure quality. On average, a one-litre plastic PET bottle provides enough raw material for ten 2 x 4 LEGO bricks.
In 2018, LEGO began producing elements from bio-polyethylene (bio-PE), made from sustainably sourced sugarcane. Many LEGO sets contain elements made from bio-PE, ideal for making smaller, softer pieces such as trees, branches, leaves and accessories for minifigures.
Bio-PE is not currently suitable for making harder, stronger elements such as LEGO bricks.
“We’re committed to playing our part in building a sustainable future for generations of children,” continued Brooks. “We want our products to have a positive impact on the planet, not just with the play they inspire, but also with the materials we use. We still have a long way to go on our journey but are pleased with the progress we’re making.”
Milo, the new preschool series from Fourth Wall and Planeta Junior, is celebrating high ratings across Channel 5’s Milkshake, the channel’s preschool segment upon which it made its UK debut in mid-May this year.
Within one month of launching on May 10th in its prime time 8am weekday slot, the series has, according to the firm, ‘achieved great ratings on Milkshake!’ with expectations abound that the series will ‘continue to go from strength to strength.
The series is also available for viewers on the broadcaster’s on-demand platform, My5.
Milo follows the adventures of its titular hero, a five year old cat who, together with his friends Lofty and Lark, uses role-play to explore the world of vocations, be that a doctor or mechanic, a hairdresser or chef, or a postal worker. The aim of the series is to introduce preschoolers to a variety of professions in a positive and entertaining way.
Milo is already a successful children’s book character with over 30 titles published and sold in more than 20 territories worldwide.
The production of the preschool series has been supported by the UK Government’s Young Audiences Content Fund. Managed by the BFI, the fund supports the creation of distinctive, quality content for young audiences. The fund is intended for providing content that informs our understanding of the world, stimulates knowledge and learning, as well as representing diversity and alternative viewpoints.
Planeta Junior holds and manages the series’ worldwide consumer products rights and is working with Lisle Licensing in the UK to build a strong brand presence and licensing programme.
With the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship now in full throttle, Formula 1 has signed off a multi-year extension of its partnership with the licensed sports merchandise specialist, Fanatics.
The extension has been agreed following what the firm billed ‘an outstanding 2020 performance’, and will see Fanatics retain global e-commerce and manufacturing rights fort he F1 brand. The news arrives amid celebrations in the F1 camp, following a year that has sales on the official online F1 Store grow by more than 40 per cent globally.
Official Formula One merchandise is now delivered to fans in 143 different countries across the world. The strong performance has accelerated in the first six months of 2021, with sales on the official online F1 Store growing by triple digits compared to the same period in 2020.
The sport has also enjoyed an increased presence in the US, with the region becoming the most significant market with the most sales for the F1 site.
Fanatics, which partners with more than 300 of the biggest sports clubs and organisations in the world, has worked with Formula 1 to grow sales by almost 200 per cent since 2017 and has changed the way F1 fans purchase their merchandise online through a tech-infused approach to making and selling fan gear in today’s on-demand, mobile-first culture.
The official F1 online store utilizes Fanatics’ vertical commerce model, which combines on-demand manufacturing with an agile supply chain to produce the timeliest assortments of merchandise for Formula 1 fans. A key driver of sales on the official F1 online store in 2020 was the store’s move to Fanatics’ Cloud Commerce technology, which provides rapid navigation for fans across online and mobile sites.
Fanatics partners with many of the largest sporting organisations in the world including Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, NFL, NBA, MLB and the NHL.
Ben Pincus, director of commercial partnerships at Formula 1, said: “We are pleased to extend our ecommerce and licensing partnership with Fanatics on the back of an exceptional 2020 performance, which follows the remarkable growth we have seen over the last few years.
“Our ambition is to serve all our fans no matter where in the world they are located, and our focus in the years to come will be to access new markets and grow strategic territories like China.”
Zohar Ravid, general manager for Fanatics’ International Business, said: “We have worked in partnership with Formula 1 for a number of years now and grown its global merchandise business significantly in that time. The recent transfer of the site onto our innovative cloud commerce platform has delivered some incredible results in recent months; we are committed to building on that growth in the coming years and I am delighted that we will now be able to continue to deliver results and an incredible service to its global fanbase.”
