Brand-Ward named UK and Ireland licensing agent for pre-school IP Pikwik Pack

Posted on 19th January 2021 by Sam Giltrow

The UK-based licensing agency, Brand-Ward, has been tapped to represent Guru Studio’s latest pre-school series, Pikwik Pack across the UK and Ireland, with a focus on consumer products including toys and games.

The licensing firm already represents Guru Studio’s True and the Rainbow Kingdom and will now add Pikwik Pack to its remit as it looks to build a licensing portfolio for the IP across apparel, housewares, accessories, publishing, party decorations, and live events.

“After a successful premiere on Disney Junior in the US and Treehouse in Canada, we’re excited to partner with Brand-Ward to lead Pikwik Pack’s expansion into the UK and Ireland,” said Jonathan Abraham, VP of sales and business development at Guru Studio.

“The team at Brand-Ward are industry veterans that have brought expertise and strategic planning to the forefront of all our deals. We will be announcing our broadcast partners for the UK and Ireland shortly.”

Trudi Hayward, co-Founder of Brand-Ward Services, said: “We are delighted to be extending our relationship out with Guru Studio and to be working with them on their delightful new property Pikwik Pack. Deliveries and awaiting for those special packages has become a very big part of our lives during this last year with lockdown, so Pikwik Pack could not be more topical right now.”

Pikwik Pack debuted on Disney Junior US and Treehouse Canada late last year, with new episodes continuing to air throughout 2021. The series will be rolling out worldwide later this year with broadcasters such as Super RTL (Germany), Canal Panda (Portugal), HOP (Israel), Minimini+ (Poland), and more.

In the US, the series is represented by Licensing Street, with Playmates Toys (master toy) and Scholastic (US Publishing) already on board.

Brand-Ward named UK and Ireland licensing agent for pre-school IP Pikwik Pack

Posted on 19th January 2021 by Sam Giltrow

In the US, the series is represented by Licensing Street, with Playmates Toys (master toy) and Scholastic (US Publishing) already on board.

Children’s entertainment licenses praised by Toy Retailers Association among its Toy of the Year Award winners

Posted on 19th January 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Children’s entertainment licenses PAW Patrol, Super Mario, Harry Potter, and Star Wars have been among those praised by the Toy Retailers Association for the role they have played in helping the toy industry through a troubled 2020.

In this year’s Toy of the Year awards, reflective of the change of pace for the retail scene in general over the course of last year, a strong line-up of licensed product has been championed alongside some of the best performing companies to have fuelled the industry’s five per cent year on year sales increase.

In a change of approach to the usual Toy of the Year selection process, this year’s listing reflects the impact that the pandemic has had on the sector. Yet, while online sales have accounted for just under half of all toy sales of 2020, suppliers and retailers have still played a major role in keeping the nation’s children smiling.

Amid the uncertainty, there have been four outstanding categories which have played their part in delivering the industry’s growth, all of which have outperformed the overall market.

The TRA recognises that multiple suppliers have played an integral part in each of the categories, but the selection panel has decided to highlight a ‘winner’ in each of these categories to represent the largest overall contribution to the category in a unique year for the industry.

“This year, in keeping with the year we have just experienced, we decided to be total different in our approach,” Alan Simpson, chairman of the Toy Retailers Association, told ToyNews.

“When people look back at award winners in years to come, they will notice that 2020 was totally different. I believe that this was the correct approach to reflect the challenges we have all had to overcome.”

GAMES & PUZZLES

This was a key performer in the overall market. As well as helping educate and entertain children, this category topped the growth (year on year) performance with various suppliers driving this increase.

It was the like of Ravensburger, Orchard, Gibsons Games, Asmodee, Hasbro and Tomy (Drumond Park) that all performed superbly well throughout the year.

The panel has chosen RAVENSBURGER as its standout performer in this category.

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION

This is an area dominated by one supplier, although Hornby with its Airfix range added a different dimension to this category with notable ranges from K’Nex and Geomag.

The winner in this category is LEGO. Delivering remarkable growth consistently over the last 10 years, LEGO has yet again outperformed the market and is to be commended for keeping the nation’s children (and kidults) entertained and amused throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and various lockdowns.

OUTDOOR & SPORTS

In a category that benefitted from people having to stay at home, it was inevitable that growth would be achieved in this area. Many products helped with our children’s mental and physical health – bicycles, trampolines, skateboards, as well as outdoor ranges from the likes of Little Tikes.

The standout performer in this category was MOOKIE TOYS for its swingball range.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Again, a variety of suppliers contributed to making this category such a success. These were Galt, Crayola, John Adams, and Spin Master with its Kinetic Sand, to name but a few.

The winner in this category is HASBRO for its domination in the arts and crafts sector through its Play Doh brand.

Many other suppliers contributed to the success of 2020 and the panel recognised the most notable listed below, with the reasons noted alongside. These will all receive a “Highly Commended” certificate this year.

BANDAI for its launch of the Cocomelon range.

CHARACTER OPTIONS for continued success with its Peppa Pig, Goo Jit Zu and Pokemon ranges

FUNRISE for its Fart Ninja line

GOLDEN BEAR for its Hey Duggee and Bing ranges

MGA ENTERTAINMENT for its L.O.L. Surprise! range

MATTEL for its success with its Barbie, Hot Wheels and Star Wars’ The Child ranges

SPIN MASTER for Paw Patrol

VTECH for its varied pre-school learning range

ZURU for the successful launch of its 5 Surprise Mini Brands range

Meanwhile, LICENSES continued to play a big part in 2020. In addition to licenses already mentioned, Frozen, Super Mario and Harry Potter continued to deliver throughout the year.

The TRA sincerely hopes that ‘normal service’ resumes in 2021 when we can revert to our customary criteria and identify the actual toy winners and allocating awards accordingly. In the meantime, we wish you all a successful and healthy 2021.

Pokémon in for “a massive year” says Asmodee UK as Trading Card Game anniversary expansion prepares for launch

Posted on 18th January 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Asmodee UK has cited 2021 to be a ‘massive year for the Pokémon Trading Card Game’ which is gearing up top release the Shining Fates expansion, its first major product release in the year as the brand celebrates its milestone 25th anniversary this year.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the Pokémon Trading Card Game saw a ‘phenomenally successful 2020,’ and is now set to receive ‘an even bigger boost’ thanks to the milestone year for one of the most popular and successful entertainment franchises in the world.

Launching this Febraury, the Shining Fates set spotlights the game’s ultra-rare and powerful Shiny Pokémon variants with a special expansion that sits outside of the current Sword & Shield expansion block. The latest instalment of the Sword & Shield expansion will arrive in March.

This is the first time that the game has released such a set this early in a year, having previously only done so in Q4.

The set will be led by the iconic Pikachu, who stars in the Pokémon TCG: Shining Fates – Pikachu V collection. This boxed set features Pikachu V in the form of both a full-art foil promo card and a foil oversize card, as well as coming with four booster packs.

Another fan-favourite Pokémon, Eevee, will take a turn in the spotlight as well as it fronts the set’s Elite Trainer Box in gigantic VMAX form. This bumper product, attractive to both collectors and players, includes a majestic foil promo card of Eevee VMAX as well as 10 Shining Fates booster packs and a variety of themed accessories.

The Pokémon TCG, including the full Shining Fates expansion and other exciting lines in the works for the remainder of this celebratory year for the game, is available to the UK trade exclusively through Asmodee UK. Retailers wanting a closer look at what’s next for this mega-popular brand should make sure that they book a meeting at the third edition of AsmoFair, the company’s pioneering virtual trade show.

Running from January 17 to 23, AsmoFair will bring attendees closer than ever to the feeling of an in-person event thanks to additions including a 360-degree virtual tour of a fully built show stand.

With meetings also available at evenings and weekends in order to accommodate as many needs as possible, retailers can visit asmofair.co.uk in order to book a slot and see everything that’s coming up from the games specialists.

Chefclub teams with Upyaa! to launch kids culinary toys and play-sets

Posted on 18th January 2021 by Sam Giltrow

The digital culinary brand, Chefclub has partnered with Upyaa! to launch a new range of toys and games throughout Europe, enabling kids to engage with a collection of creative play-sets and undertake their own journey to becoming little chefs.

The new sets will encourage kids to create their own ice cream, popsicles, and chocolate bars while each pack includes a booklet with three recipes, designed to help little ones be creative and become autonomous in the kitchen.

The Chefclub Kids culinary collection will be developed around the themes of chocolate, ice cream, and smoothies and will be composed of six products: Best Friends Chocolate Bar Set, Funny Face Chocolate Bar Set, Chocolatier Kit, Ice Cream Set, Popsicle, and Surprise Ice Cream Bar.

The first products will be sold in France in Spring/Summer 2021 and will be released in other European countries thereafter.

Chefclub is recognised as the world’s leading broadcaster of culinary videos on social media, with more than a billion views worldwide and more than 600 million monthly views in Europe. Chefclub’s easy, inspiring, and innovative recipes have already gained over 95 million followers worldwide and 20 million people in Europe.

Meanwhile, Chefclub Kids has more than 20 million monthly views in Europe and has an active and growing community.

Marie-Laure Marchand, SVP, global consumer products and business development at Chefclub, said: “Since its launch at the end of 2019, our digital channel, Chefclub Kids, has been increasingly successful with families with children. It seemed natural for us to partner with Upyaa! a specialist in culinary and educational games to complete our product offering for the youngest and to make our debut into the games/toys categories.”

Stéphane Borgeais, co-founder of Upyaa! added: “Chefclub Kids is a very important license for us and we are happy to start this partnership with such a dynamic franchise. With Chefclub Kids, we are motivated and will offer six products based on the themes of chocolate and ice cream. Our objective is to add 50 per cent of new products per year over the next two years.

“To date, the collection has already received excellent response and we will be available, from this spring, in all the specialty shops and websites.”

Global Icons named worldwide exclusive agent for Betty Boop and Fleischer Studio’s classic character slate

Posted on 18th January 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Global Icons has been named the worldwide exclusive licensing agent for Fleischer Studio’s slate of classic characters, including the animated screen star, Betty Boop. The new deal was made official at the start of the month as part of Fleischer Studio’s plans to expand licensing opportunities for its portfolio of properties.

“We’re excited for the future and all the fantastic ideas in the works with Global Icons. I’m confident they’ll do a superb job representing Betty Boop and our other classic characters,” said Mark Fleischer, chairman and CEO of Fleischer Studios. “We also look forward to continuing to build our demographics and wonderful relationships in the Betty Boop marketplace in every way possible.”

Jeff Lotman, CEO of Global Icons, added: “I have been a longtime fan of Betty Boop and Fleischer Studios. Betty is truly a cultural Icon that has gained the respect and admiration of millions of fans around the word. We can’t wait to let our global team have the opportunity to grow the program in a very strategic and aggressive way.”

Global Icons will combine its expertise in brand building with its strength and resources around the world to connect Betty with new territories and consumers while creating exciting new opportunities for her core fan base.

Last year saw Betty Boop celebrate her 90th anniversary, marking nine decades of setting trends, breaking rules and turning conventions on their head. Betty Boop has become one of the most popular and successfully licensed characters in entertainment history, with licenses in the US and around the world.

Betty Boop’s popularity today shines through her prevalence in pop culture. Fashion magazines, advertisers, designers and entertainment producers are constantly including and referencing Betty in their offerings. She is considered a style icon, trendsetter and a symbol of women’s empowerment.

In addition to Betty Boop, other Fleischer Studios classic characters adored by fans include Betty’s beloved pup Pudgy, Grampy, her pal Bimbo and the groundbreaking character Koko the Clown, the first character to ever be animated with the Rotoscope.

US: Sesame Workshop builds global toy portfolio with MasterPieces Sesame Street partnership

Posted on 15th January 2021 by Sam Giltrow

The iconic pre-school property, Sesame Street is continuing to grow its international portfolio of toy partners, having signed a new partnership with the US games, puzzles, toys, and crafts specialist, MasterPieces.

The new MasterPieces Sesame Street products will begin to appear on shelves across the US this summer with a raft of launches designed to engage children in original craft activities, memory games, and classic card games designed to entertain and educate young minds.

MasterPieces is a staple of the US toy industry, having successfully delivered puzzles, toys, games, and more to the market for 25 years. It’s partnership with Sesame Workshop will see licensed product featuring a cast of popular Sesame Street characters, including Elmo, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and more.

David Rolls, president of MasterPieces, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Sesame Workshop. Together, we’ve been able to create some of our most captivating and fun, educational products that all feature many of the tremendously popular characters, including Elmo, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and more.

”For over 50 years, Sesame Street, produced by the nonprofit organization Sesame Workshop, has delivered not only school-readiness lessons promoting literacy and numeracy, but also age-appropriate guidance on healthy habits, self-expression and self-regulation, empathy, friendship, and much more.

“Sesame Workshop’s mission is to help kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder, and that means nourishing the mind and body,” said Gabriela Arenas, vice president of licensing, North America, Sesame Workshop. “We’re pleased to be working with MasterPieces to bring fun and engaging activities to children and families.”

The new Sesame Street products include craft kits such as the Sesame Street Garbage Truck ( a DIY wood paint kit featuring Oscar the Grouch), the Sesame Street Best Friends Character Bank, and the Sesame Street School Bus. In games, MasterPieces will launch the Grouchy Old Oscar card game, Elmo & Friends Matching Game, and Sesame Street 3-in-1 Educational Card Games.

Percy the Park Keeper picks up partnership with Poetic Brands for baby and children’s apparel

Posted on 15th January 2021 by Sam Giltrow

The evergreen children’s property, Percy the Park Keeper is moving in on the baby, children’s wear, and accessories space thanks to a new partnership with Poetic Brands, adding to the firm’s strengthening portfolio across the kids’ market.

The collection with include babywear, layette and baby accessories including bibs, hats, scratch mitts, booties, and muslin cloths, as well as baby changing bags. For children, the range will include apparel and outerwear, swimwear and towelling ponchos, as well as nightwear and essentials.

Percy the Park Keeper’s narrative has encouraged generations of children, especially in schools, to take an interest in, and care for, the natural world around them. Written by award winning author, Nick Butterworth, Percy the Park Keeper has sold around nine million books since its first appearance in 1989. Since then the character has been the subject of an animated TV series, where he was voiced by Academy Award-winning British actor, Jim Broadbent.

As the brand celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, there has been a range of activity around the much-loved park keeper, including a partnership with National Trust at Blickling Estate, and Dunham Massey, featuring online activity including story time with Nick himself.

Anne Bradford, director, Poetic Brands, said: “Percy The Park Keeper was already on our radar for 2021 and as soon as Hannah at The Point.1888 confirmed that they were representing Percy, the deal memo was signed.

“The brand is a true evergreen from both a book and television perspective, but has a completely clean retail space for apparel. We’re looking forward to working with these incredible illustrations to create some premium ranges with a broad appeal to adults and children alike who know and love these books.”

Olivia Wiggett, senior commercial executive, at The Point.1888, added: “‘We are absolutely delighted to be working with Anne and the specialist team at Poetic on this truly magical range of products. Percy is a brand dear to so many families, across the generations – and we look forward to expanding this brand to retail across various categories in 2021.”

BBC Studios launches Bluey: The Album on US streaming platforms in Demon Music Group partnership

Posted on 15th January 2021 by Sam Giltrow

BBC Studios has partnered with Demon Music Group Ltd for the US launch of the first album from its hit pre-school series, Bluey across all major streaming platforms. Titled Bluey: The Album, the release will feature singles Keepy Uppy, Here Come the Grannies, and Instrument Parade.

The album will feature 17 original compositions from season one of the series currently airing on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney+ in the US. The album has been composed by Bluey’s song-writer Joff Bush and his music team. The soundtrack will initially be released in the US and Australia, with other regions to follow later in the year.

Harriet Newby-Hill, brand director, BBC Studios, said: “Music plays an important part of the storytelling in Bluey and beautifully encapsulates the warmth, energy and humor of the series. We’re thrilled to bring fans of all ages a collection of songs that captures the joyful and heartfelt spirit of Bluey.”

Adrian Sear, commercial director, Demon Music, added: “Everyone remembers their first album so we’re excited that this could be the first album for many young Bluey fans and provide the soundtrack for their own played-filled adventures.”

Bluey composer, Joff Bush, said: “I’m incredibly proud and honored to be a part of something as special as Bluey. This album is for fans young and old and I hope they enjoy listening to it as much as I loved creating it.”

Bluey is a multi-award-winning Australian children’s series that has taken Australia and the US by storm and is currently charming audiences across the globe. Loved by parents and children for its heartfelt and funny portrayal of family life and celebration of play, the series follows Bluey, a six-year-old Blue Heeler dog, who loves to play and turns everyday family life into extraordinary adventures.

In June 2019, BBC Studios struck a global broadcast deal with Disney to premiere Bluey on Disney Junior and Disney+ in all territories outside Australia, New Zealand and Greater China.

Pokémon celebrates 25 years with toy collabs, new content, and a music programme led by Katy Perry

Posted on 14th January 2021 by Sam Giltrow

The Pokémon Company International is celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary with a wide-ranging raft of new partnerships, product roll-outs, and activations that includes special anniversary merchandise from licensees such as Jazwares, Mattel, Funko, and The Wand Company.

New product from its portfolio of global partners will coincide with landmark partnerships and the franchise’s first venture into the music business that sees the firm team up with Universal Music Group to work with some of the biggest artists in the space to launch its project P25 Music.

Pop icon, Katy Perry, has been revealed as a premier collaborator on the new year-long music campaign that aims to celebrate the multi-media appeal that Pokémon has wielded since its launch in 1996.

The star-studded program will accompany fan-focused activations celebrating 25 years of Pokémon across the franchise’s portfolio of video games, mobile apps, animation, merchandise and more.

“Pokémon has been a constant in my life from playing the original video games on my Game Boy, to trading Pokémon Trading Card Game cards at lunch, to the adventures of catching Pokémon on the street with Pokémon GO,” said Katy Perry. “It is an honour to be chosen to help celebrate a franchise that has given me so much joy in the last 25 years, and to be able to watch it evolve in the ways it has provided that kind of electric joy for the kids in my life and around the world.”

Further details about Katy Perry’s participation, additional artist surprises, and more about the P25 Music programme will be announced throughout the year.

Meanwhile, and tapping into the concept of exploration of new worlds that has been at the heart of the Pokémon video game franchise since its launch in 1996, The Pokémon Company International is inviting fans to relive journey’s through the regions of the Pokémon world via a new website launch that will serve as the hub for all fan celebration activities as they are announced.

Building on its programme of collaborations for the year ahead, however, and The Pokémon Company International is partnering with the likes of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Levi’s, McDonald’s and more, while fans can expect special anniversary merchandise from partners including Jazwares, Scholastic, Mattel, Funko, Power A, and The Wand Company.

Additional partners and the means in which they will celebrate the milestone anniversary this year will be detailed throughout the year.

Of course, the celebrations wouldn’t be complete without fanfare for the cornerstone of the Pokémon brand, so The Pokémon Trading Card Game will be launching a special 25th anniversary-themed collection of Pokémon Trading Card Game cards later on in the year.

In the meantime, fans will be able to collect over-sized cards featuring Pikachu and first partner Pokémon from the various regions featured in the franchise.

According to The Pokémon Company International, the details revealed today ‘are a glimpse into what the world can expect from Pokémon in 2021.’ With 25th anniversary activations planned for Pokémon animation, video games, mobile games, and more, “fans have a year full of new journeys ahead.”