Orkla Cederroth partners with emoji – The Iconic Brand

Oral Cederroth & emoji – The Iconic Brand are joining forces to bring a smile to little ones’ faces.

Designed to bring a pop of colour and happiness to the family first-aid kit, Orkla Cederroth has debuted “Doctor San” X emoji – The Iconic Brand infant and children’s plasters. The range will launch exclusively at Spain’s no.1 supermarket chain, Mercadona, which has more the 1,600 stores.

Each emoji branded pack contains 20 water-resistant and hypoallergenic plasters of various designs. The deal was brokered by Wildbrain CPLG.

“It’s fantastic to partner with Orkla, a company with more than 350 years’ heritage in the personal care sector. We can be sure that emoji brand plasters will bring a smile to many children’s faces,” says Ingo Sonego, Licensing Manager of WildBrain CPLG Spain.

“We are delighted to team up with a company such as Orkla Cederroth that cares about children,” adds Marco Hüsges, CEO and Founder of emoji company GmbH. “Orkla Cederroth is truly committed in R&D and in this joint collaboration we created great products that are simply making kids happy.”

Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story Brand sign 16 deals for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s educational media organisation behind multiple Emmy-winning PBS KIDS series, and 9 Story Brands, the worldwide licensing agent for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, are again expanding the ”Neighborhood” for the beloved hit animated series with 16 new and existing licensing partners.

The upcoming product offerings will span multiple categories, from apparel to books, sporting goods to food and beverages, and more. In addition to signing new deals, Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story have finalised contract renewals with master publishing partner Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing as well as current licensees Cottage Door Press (sound books), Happy Threads (apparel), Komar (pajamas), Playmonster (Colorforms), and University Games (games).

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood continues to be a favourite with preschoolers and their families nearly a decade after making its on-screen debut, and our consumer products programme has been growing steadily to meet demand for more ways for fans to experience the brand off-screen,” says Matt Shiels, Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs for Fred Rogers Productions. “We’re very excited to work with these outstanding companies to provide terrific new products that will deepen kids’ connection to the brand.”

“As we celebrate Daniel Tiger’s 10th anniversary, it’s exciting to see the demand for our consumer products programme continue to grow,” says Kyra Halperin, co-VP of Consumer Products for 9 Story Brands. “We’re thrilled to be working with leading partners on such a diverse range of products to bring kids their favorite tiger in new and meaningful ways.”

New consumer products partners for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood include:

  • CreateOn – Magnatiles magnetic toys
  • Glo – Sensory toys
  • Good2Grow – Consumables, drinks
  • Isaac Morris – Apparel
  • PACT – Apparel
  • Pioneer Life Sciences – Vitamins
  • Spirit – Kohl’s Cares plush
  • Tonies – Audio toy
  • Waloo Products – Sporting goods
  • Weatherman – Umbrellas

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is distributed in 180+ countries and has expanded beyond the screen to include more than 40 licensees, two live-action stage shows, and an amusement park ride plus award-winning web games, top-rated apps for parents and children, and outreach events with public television stations across the country.

In February 2022, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood was the #1 PBS KIDS show for kids ages 2-8 across broadcast and digital with over 47 million streams on the PBS KIDS Video app.

 

More playtime for Magic Light Pictures’ preschool hit Pip and Posy

Pip and Posy, the hit pre-school series from multiple Oscar-nominated Magic Light Pictures, has been recommissioned for a second series of 52 x 7’ episodes to debut in early 2023 on Milkshake! on Channel 5 and Sky Kids and NOW in the UK and ROI.

Pip and Posy is the first joint co-production between Paramount and Sky and the show launched to acclaim in March 2021.

Series 2 will build on the success of the first series, which is one of the top rated shows on Milkshake! (3 million viewers since launch). Pip and Posy has also seen significant growth across its own social media platforms on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

Magic Light has sold the show worldwide, securing major international broadcast partners including ZDF (Germany), FTV (France), RAI Yoyo (Italy), ABC (Australia), SVT (Sweden), Hop! Channel (Israel), NPO Zapp (Netherlands), CTV (Czech Republic), Asiana (South Korea), PTS (Taiwan), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), SYN (Iceland), NRK (Norway), RTV (Slovenia) and TVO (Canada). It will also air on Nick Junior UK from this spring.

Pip and Posy are the best of friends whose lives revolve around a wonderful world of play. Packed with warmth and humour, the series is a joyful celebration of their great friendship with all its ups and downs, laughter and games.

Louise Bucknole, VP Programming Kids, Paramount, says: “We’re delighted that Pip and Posy has been such a hit with the audience. We are very happy to commission a second series of this endearing show which has quickly found its way into the hearts of our young viewers, where they can relate to the stories of friendship, creative play and being a preschooler.”

Lucy Murphy, Director of Kids at Sky UK & Ireland, says: “We aim to bring our youngest audience the very best entertainment and Pip and Posy has proved to be a show preschoolers and their families love. We’re hugely looking forward to seeing what further fun and games the lovable pair will be getting up to in series two!”

Pip and Posy is Magic Light’s first animated series and we’re thrilled that it’s got off to such a successful start,” says Michael Rose, co-founder of Magic Light. “We’re delighted that Milkshake!, Sky and ZDF share our passion for the show, and we’re looking forward to bringing more episodes to our young audience.”

Pip and Posy has been jointly commissioned by Louise Bucknole for Milkshake! on Channel 5 and Lucy Murphy for Sky Kids with the participation of ZDF, Germany. The series is executive produced by Michael Rose and produced by Vici King for Magic Light Pictures. The showrunner at Magic Light is Jeroen Jaspaert (Stick Man and The Highway Rat). Animation services are provided by Blue Zoo, where the director is Sean McCormack.

Magic Light Pictures holds the global distribution and merchandising rights to Pip and Posy (excluding publishing) and is planning a full consumer products programme to complement the property with the first products due at retail this year, whilst the online shop went live at the end of 2021. The Pip and Posy characters are also appearing in Milkshake! Live and will be touring nationwide from February 2022 through to 2023.

Nelvana and Cloudco Entertainment announce host of new partnerships for Care Bears

The lovable, huggable Care Bears from the whimsical land of Care-a-Lot are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. To celebrate, Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, a world-leading international producer, distributor, and licensor of children’s animated and live-action content, and Cloudco Entertainment, owner of the Care Bears entertainment brand, are bringing the iconic Care Bears brand to life through food, apparel, and experiential event collaborations with companies across Canada.

“We’re honoured to pay homage to 40 incredible years of the Care Bears, and to provide opportunities for the devoted fan base in Canada to join in on celebrating this landmark anniversary,” says Mellany Masterson, Head of Nelvana Enterprises. “The enthusiasm and excitement from so many well-known Canadian companies to develop unique Care Bears-themed products and experiences speaks to the power of the nostalgic franchise and how much the brand’s values of sharing, caring and togetherness resonates with fans both young and old.”

With anniversary collaborations set to launch this summer and autumn, food and apparel retail partners include:

  • iHalo Krunch – Known for Asian-inspired soft-serve ice cream served in activated charcoal house-made cones, all retail locations in Toronto will offer limited-edition Care Bears inspired twists and milkshakes.
  • Bunners Bakeshop – Toronto’s premier vegan and gluten-free bakery will offer limited-edition rainbow Care Bears sugar cookies, rainbow s’mores squares, mini rainbow birthday cake doughnuts, mini rainbow chocolate chip creamies, and rainbow mini heart cookies with birthday frosting dunking kits at all storefront locations.
  • Eva’s Original Chimneys – Chimneys are delicious and unique, bread-like freshly baked Hungarian pastries – which Eva’s famously serves in a cone shape filled with ice cream. Eva’s Bloor Street, Port Credit, Square One, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia locations will offer limited-edition Care Bears-inspired Chimney Cones.
  • SQUISH Candies – Canadian female-owned gourmet gummy shop with real fruit pieces, no sugar added options, and vegan delights in juicy flavours will offer limited-edition Care Bears-themed candy and packaging, available through their website for delivery across Canada.
  • Peace Collective (PC) PC produces quality apparel that looks good and does good, and in turn makes you feel good. Every garment sold gives back to the communities that need it most. A limited-edition Care Bears clothing collection will feature the characters in unique ways and celebrate sharing, caring, and pride. Available in-store and online.
  • Retrokid – Retrokid celebrates your fondest childhood memories through timeless design, authentic collaborations, and quality apparel. A limited-edition collection of Care Bears tees, hoodies, and sweats is available online now.

This summer, Nelvana will also be delivering one-on-one time with the Care Bears themselves through experiential activations across Ontario, including a Peace Collective x Care Bears event in Toronto’s Distillery District on June 25 to celebrate the collection launch and an event at Pride Toronto on June 26 at Church Street Junior Public School. Events will include meet and greets, photo opportunities, and unforgettable memories for everyone in the family. More events and details will be announced soon.

“The Care Bears have always felt at home in Canada, and we are thrilled to have so many exciting collaborations lined up as we celebrate our 40th anniversary this year,” says Cristina Villegas, Vice President of Licensing for North America, Cloudco Entertainment. “The opportunity to bring sharing and caring to our fans in real life, as well, is always a treat and we look forward to seeing these partnerships come to life.”

First introduced in 1982 through a line of greeting cards, the Care Bears have amassed fans of all ages over the last 40 years, and are now featured everywhere from consumer products and plush toys to animated television shows and feature films. Known all over the world for spreading sharing, caring, and togetherness, and with a reach of over 1 million on social media around the globe, the Care Bears look forward to embarking on new adventures with their fans for years to come.

CareBears.com

Jetpack restructures sales, acquisitions and marketing outfit for global expansion

Global kids and family content distributor Jetpack Distribution has today announced a new team structure to grow its operations across the globe and consolidate the company’s efforts in the sales and acquisitions of stand-out, high quality content.

Sophie ‘Kido’ Prigent has been promoted to Global Head of Sales, leading sales in Asia, Canada, France, Latin America, Portugal, Spain and the Nordic countries, and AVOD sales globally. She will drive the sale of all content within Jetpack’s catalogue, working with broadcasters and VOD platforms, to find homes for the company’s diverse range of kids and family series across all genres and formats. Kido will continue to support the global acquisitions team and be the direct contact for producers in her territories.

Gillian Calvert Ridge has been promoted to Global Distribution Director – Acquisitions and Development, leading the company’s acquisition of shows that are produced and in development stages. She will be focused on significantly growing this area, to further build Jetpack’s slate and identify the best content from producers and creators across the world. She will also handle content sales for Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Matt Bowen has been appointed as Acquisitions Co-ordinator and will report directly to Gillian.

Sales Executive Toby Jones grows his remit to include selling kids’ and family content in Benelux, Central Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Italy. Toby will report to Sophie ‘Kido’ Prigent.

Rhiannon Lyons has been promoted to Marketing and Operations Manager, working alongside CEO Dominic Gardiner to promote the company – and its slate – across the world.

Sophie, Gillian and Rhiannon will report directly to Gardiner.

Gardiner says: “Jetpack has enjoyed exponential growth since launch, momentum we wish to pick up and accelerate even further! We’re blessed to work with 40-plus producers of exceptional quality content and are focused on further expansion.

“The changes and promotions reflect the hard work and dedication of the team, as well as their brilliant relationships and connections within the kids and family industry.”

Jetpack Distribution was founded in 2014 and it has gone on to become a leading global distributor of kids shows including Master Moley, Clangers, Chuggington, Mighty Little Bheem, Wolf, Talking Tom and Friends, Yoko, Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed and Kitty is Not a Cat. The company was nominated the number one distribution business in the prestigious KIDSCREEN HOT 50.

Introducing Infinite Drive, the world’s first driving metaverse

The Tiny Digital Factory, a leading developer and publisher of world-class racing and motorsport games, has announced Infinite Drive – the world’s first real driving metaverse. Ushering in a new era of racing games fuel-injected by web3 technology, Infinite Drive rolls out worldwide on mobile devices in Q4 2022.

Testing players’ driving skills with high-octane fun, Infinite Drive combines accessible and authentic gameplay with stunning recreations of officially licensed cars. The Tiny Digital Factory has long-standing relationships with world-class carmakers such as McLaren, Porsche, Mercedes AMG and Ford, while Infinite Drive’s showroom already includes high-performance cars from Renault, Alpine, Ruf and W Motors. Many more licenses are set to be confirmed within a few months, bringing Infinite Drive up to a full complement of over 150 officially licensed cars from more than 20 automotive brands.

Designed by racing fans for racing fans, Infinite Drive’s simulation-based gameplay brings the thrill of being in the driver’s seat to the mobile metaverse. Players will be able to feel, hear and experience each car’s unique characteristics out on track, competing online to earn the acclaim of being the number one driver. With the power of web3 technology, highly skilled drivers can even ‘race to earn’, taking the wheel on behalf of other players, entering official races, competitions and even sharing in the winnings, just like a real-world racing team.

As well as ‘race to earn’, meaningful integration of web3 technology allows players to build, trade and own their own dream car collection as they compete for pole position on track. Starting in summer 2022, Infinite Drive will offer an initial collection of 5,000 licensed NFT cars from premium real-world brands, which will provide immediate access to the game’s closed Alpha phase. However, there is no requirement for players to own a car to enjoy Infinite Drive and hone their racing skill, and the full game will be free-to-play on iOS and Android.

Stephane Baudet, Founder and CEO at The Tiny Digital Factory, says: “With its game-first engine architecture and unique digital car ownership, Infinite Drive is the zenith of twenty years of making driving simulation games. For decades, racing fans have been staring lovingly at dream cars in virtual garages. So we’ve used web3 tech to make it possible for gamers to actually own and earn from their vehicles, alongside a stunning player experience out on track. Infinite Drive offers the accessibility of mobile games, combined with play and earn, providing the tools to reward passionate players who are already organising racing events and helping us create the very best driving experience.”

Developed by industry veterans behind some of the most successful free-to-play mobile titles such as Jurassic World: The Game, Gangstar, Hitman Sniper, Fallout Shelter, and Rollercoaster Tycoon Touch, The Tiny Digital Factory team’s experience includes the chart-topping GT Manager and F1 Mobile Racing. It also worked with Animoca Brands to develop F1 Delta Time, a pioneering web3 driving game, as well as the renowned REVV Racing game. Built with this motor gaming development pedigree, Infinite Drive delivers a unique blend of exhilarating racing, missions, and achievements, with web3 digital supercar ownership and trading.

Ice cream brand Weis teams with Bounce Foods for healthy new snack option

Unilever Australia’s brand extension agency, Asembl, has lined up the first ever licensed brand extension partnership for much-loved brand Weis – taking the fruity flavoured ice-cream icon out of the freezer for the first time in 65 years and into the muesli bar aisle with Bounce Foods.

Weis’ exciting and delicious partnership with one of Australia’s leading healthy snacking brands rings in a new approach to snacking, with four fruit and cream flavour-filled tasty nut butter balls launching from today in Woolworths stores across Australia.

With flavours including Mango Cream, Raspberry Coconut Cream, Fruito Cream and Passionfruit Cream, this first-time partnership between the two brands is sure to be the taste on everyone’s lips all year long.

Filled with the iconic Weis fruit and cream combination Australians love, the innovative and smooth Bounce snacking balls are Australian made from 100% natural ingredients, real fruit, and nut butters. Each ball contains 10g or less natural sugar (from real fruit), zero refined sugar, are gluten free and contain 123 calories or less.

“This is a momentous day for the Weis brand, getting out of the aisle for the first time with no better match than Bounce,” says Unilever Australia Marketing Manager, Annie Lucchitti. “This is an exciting opportunity for both brands to extend the iconic Weis flavours outside of the freezer and into the exciting muesli bar aisle with four fruity and very tasty snacking balls. Both brands are synonymous with flavourful healthy snacking, so we are certain both Weis and Bounce fans are going to love this innovative and unique snack offering.”

Stephen Hamilton, Bounce Australia’s CEO, says: “Unique to the category, and first to market, our collaboration with Weis merges two category champion brands into a new product for the Woolworths muesli bar category and the impulse food category. At Bounce, we are always pushing the boundaries when it comes to healthy snacking, offering our consumers a fresh and modern approach to ‘better for you’ nutritional snacking.”

The new Bounce x Weis range is now available in the muesli bar aisle at Woolworths for $6 for a 4-pack, or in bulk at bouncefoods.com.au

Crayola partners with WildBrain CPLG to drive growth across EMEA

Crayola is continuing to drive international growth across new and existing categories in EMEA through a new representation partnership with world-leading licensing agency WildBrain CPLG.

The brand’s successful global partnerships with the likes of Vans and Fat Face have driven significant interest from IP owners and brands who see exciting opportunities to explore the colourful world of Crayola.

In partnership with WildBrain CPLG, Crayola will continue its expansion of its consumer products business through strategic licensing programmes targeting fans of all ages, in key categories including apparel, accessories and footwear, toys, homewares and FMCG products across mainland Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Rob Spindley, Licensing Director EMEA, says: “Whilst we will retain the UK business within Crayola, we will be leaning into Wildbrain CPLG across its extensive European network of teams and offices. WildBrain CPLG demonstrated an innate understanding of the Crayola brand values, positioning and strategic growth pillars, making the agency best placed in translating this into licensed product programmes across the territory.

“The team’s experience across all consumer product categories integrated into Crayola’s strategic approach to growth, promises to deliver further expansion and opportunity for licensees and brands bringing new and innovative products into the market.”

Meike de Vaere-Hoorn, VP Partnerships & Business Development at WildBrain CPLG, says: “Crayola is a beloved brand in homes around the world, celebrated for inspiring creative freedom, making it an exciting addition to our EMEA portfolio. We’ll be focused on bringing the brand’s playful and imaginative values to life through an engaging consumer products programme for the whole family and we can’t wait to get started on this colourful journey with the team at Crayola.”

 

Emma Thompson and Axel Scheffler team up for heartwarming V&A Christmas tale

This autumn, Puffin, in collaboration with the V&A, is to publish the heartwarming Christmas tale Jim’s Spectacular Christmas, written by Dame Emma Thompson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Oscar-winning actor Dame Emma Thompson has teamed up with bestselling illustrator Axel Scheffler to write the story about Jim, the real-life dog who belonged to Sir Henry Cole, the V&A’s founding director. Sir Henry Cole famously sent the first-ever Christmas card in 1843.

Sir Henry Cole founded the V&A in 1852 when it began as a Museum of Manufactures, and it was officially opened by Queen Victoria at its current Kensington site in 1857. Jim was Sir Henry Cole’s Yorkshire terrier, and Cole’s diary entries indicate the fondness they had for one another, regularly strolling around together, with Jim accompanying Sir Henry everywhere around the museum. There is now a commemorative plaque dedicated to the “Faithful Dog” set into the wall of the V&A’s John Madejski garden.

After receiving a Jim-shaped Christmas decoration and becoming enraptured by a drawing that Sir Henry had made of his faithful pet, Emma Thompson was inspired to pen the tale of the scraggly canine hero, who she fondly describes as having a “gamey whiff”. Emma weaves fact and fiction together, as Jim goes on a Christmas adventure filled with high emotion, redemption, unexpected presents and a life-changing brush with royalty. Axel Scheffler’s magical illustrations bring the story to life with his own special brand of warmth and humour, creating what is sure to become a beloved Christmas classic.

Emma and Axel have corresponded for 30 years, their relationship based on mutual fandom for one another. This culminated in the pair finally meeting at a Waterstones Christmas event in 2019, the moment serendipitously captured on video. Jim’s Spectacular Christmas will be their first project together, celebrating their enduring friendship with a heartwarming Christmas story.

Emma Thompson says: “Upon learning about Sir Henry and Jim for the first time, I couldn’t help but run amok with ideas about what it must have been like for this unlikely pet to be living in such an amazing museum. I’ve been a fan of Axel’s work for many years because of the humanity and humour in all his illustrations, so to be collaborating with him on this project is an utter joy.”

“Emma originally contacted me by letter to request a commission some 30 years ago (and many followed over the years),” says Axel Scheffler. “That’s how our correspondence began, and we only met in person at a signing in a bookshop a few years ago. When Puffin came to me with this project, I was very excited to get involved and to do a book with Emma. Illustrating her wonderful story has been a great pleasure and I hope that many readers – young and old – will share the enjoyment in time for Christmas.”

Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A Museum, adds: “Sir Henry Cole’s legacy is relatively unknown to the public, yet it is such an important part of the V&A’s rich history. Working with Puffin has been the perfect collaboration for this wonderful project, and we are completely thrilled that Emma and Axel have taken it on. We can’t wait to share this beautiful Christmas story with the public.”

Jim’s Spectacular Christmas will be published by Puffin in association with the V&A on 27 October. To find out more, and to pre-order the book, visit Penguin.co.uk.

Hasbro presents: The Light Fund Channel Relay – the film

The two teams taking on The Light Fund English Channel Relay fundraiser are now to star in a short film – which will be unveiled during the 2022 Licensing Awards, The Great Room at The Grosvenor House Hotel, London, on Tuesday 13 September 2022. The film will be sponsored by Hasbro.

The action-packed short film will include highlights of both the arduous training process and then the gruelling swim itself before rounding off with a triumphant landing for the teams in France and a thank-you to all the sponsors, including, of course, Hasbro. The global play and entertainment company, which delivers immersive brand experiences for global audiences through consumer products, including toys and games, entertainment and gaming, is the sponsor of the film, funding the entire production process from staffing to filming to editing, and adding a generous donation to the Channel Relay effort.

The film will be made by Albus Studios, a company founded in 2014 that specialises in film, photography and art, delivering exciting and effective content for B2B and B2C clients. The award-winning Albus team has worked with top brands across automotive, lifestyle and tourism, technology and current affairs, so is ideally suited to the requirements of a film that focuses on licensing – albeit a very unusual area of the licensing business.

It’s going to be quite a film too, in which two teams – a total of 14 people – endure prolonged physical exertion and try to avoid potential hazards, including hypothermia, seasickness, boats, sewage and oil, in sea temperatures of 16C or lower (without a wetsuit) while trying to race each other to the shores of France.

The big swim is scheduled to start between the 30th of June and the 3rd of July around 2am on a day when conditions for the swim are optimal.

Hasbro’s generous donation has taken the money raised and pledged even closer to the Light Fund target of £250,000 – which will be a record for any single Light Fund challenge. But there’s a lot more money to be raised and there are still many opportunities to sponsor a brave and slightly offbeat fundraising effort as well, of course, as being name-checked in the film at the 2022 Licensing Awards.

You can find out more about corporate sponsorship options here. And of course, individuals are very welcome to donate via the event’s Just Giving page, where you can also follow the teams preparing for the big day. There’s also an Instagram feed and a Facebook page containing team photos and updates.

Sally Carnota, Director Category Licensing at Hasbro, says: “This film will be a record of an inspirational and very brave fundraising effort. It will also be a big thank-you to all the participants and supporters involved in The Light Fund English Channel Relay fundraiser. We are enormously honoured to be sponsoring the official record of this memorable effort.”

Team captain Stephen Gould says: “The toughest Light Fund Challenge yet is nearly with us and, thanks to Hasbro and Albus Studios, our efforts will be professionally recorded for what we hope will be a triumphant record of a successful swim. Our thanks to all our sponsors and donors to date. Don’t forget: there are still many opportunities to support The Light Fund English Channel Relay fundraiser.”

About the Light Fund

The Light (Licensing Industry Giving Help Together) Fund was born when a group of like-minded people from the UK licensing industry came up with the idea to form a committee to help those less fortunate than themselves. The Light Fund is a registered charity, which raises monies to fund worthwhile charity projects that help children, women and men. Since its inception, back in 2004, The Light Fund has raised over £1.7 million and funded hundreds of different charity projects.

https://www.lightfund.org