Category Archives: Highlight

WildBrain CPLG promotes two as it forms new territory teams for Northern and Southern Europe

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The entertainment, sport, and brand licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG, has promoted two of its management executives to head up territory teams across newly formed regions for Northern and Southern Europe.

John Taylor (pictured top left), who is based in London, has been named VP Northern Europe and managing director UK and France, while Pau Pascual (top right), based in Barcelona, has been named VP Southern Europe and managing director Iberia and MENA. Both will report into Maarten Weck, WildBrain CPLG’s EVP and MD.

Weck said: “I feel confident that under our new European management regions, spearheaded by the highly experienced John and Pau, we will be able to further synergise our pan-European offering to drive growth for licensors and continue the strategic evolution and expansion of WildBrain CPLG. Congratulations to both John and Pau on their well-deserved promotions.”

Reporting to Taylor under WildBrain CPLG’s new Northern European hub are Brenda Draaisma, managing director for Benelux, Slawomir Ekiert, managing director for Central Eastern Europe and Nordics, and Anna Artyukhova, managing director for Russia and CIS.

For the Southern European hub, Maria Gurrieri, managing director for Italy, Greece and Turkey will now report into Pau Pascual. Sibylle Gondolf, managing director for Germany, Austria and Switzerland will continue to report into Weck.

Flowhaven marks three months ‘of accelerated growth’ with new US office opening

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The licensing solution unit, Flowhaven, is marking three months of accelerated growth with the opening of its new office in Santa Monica, California, and the appointment of a string of key new positions within it.

The team is also celebrating an expanding client roster and customer support footprint.

The new office – located in the US entertainment capital – includes the new US director of sales and marketing, customer success, and operational staff, while an EMEA director of sales will operate out of London.

The news comes just three months after Flowhaven closed a $5.2 million (€4.75 million) seed round of financing. Global Founders Capital led the investment round with participation from existing investors including Icebreaker.vc. Following the round, Flowhaven entered a portfolio of investments that includes Facebook, Slack, Trivago, Canva, Eventbrite and more.

“Our goal has always been to build a great team and company culture to foster long-term growth,” says Kalle Törmä, CEO and co-founder, Flowhaven. “With our new office in L.A, we can be closer to our customers in both North and South America, and translate their needs to innovate our product and provide best-in-class service on a global level to drive their success.”

The company has grown to more than 30 team members across its permanent and satellite office locations, including headquarters in Helsinki, in addition to hubs in London, Tokyo, New York and more.

The company has now welcomed two new senior hires in Thomas McMillin, who joins as US director of sales, and Jeremy Robinson EMEA, as its director of sales. McMillin began his career as the director of sports licensing at The Walt Disney Company, while Robinson is a toy industry veteran whose previous posts include UK sales manager at Tomy, among others.

The company has also signed several new customers including licensors, agents and licensees such as Full-Color Black dba Brandalised whose portfolio includes Banksy among others; Lisle Licensing who oversees Masha and the Bear, Nitro Circus, Tetris and more; as well as Licensing Link who works on behalf of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Pantone, Van Gogh Museum, Molang, and others.

Flowhaven is set to drastically increase its footprint in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other key countries within the year.

WWE finds way to celebrate WrestleMania 36 with I Wasn’t There t-shirt range

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WWE has found a way to handle the Coronavirus pandemic and the restriction on spectators attending sporting events with a novel new approach to its merchandising roll-out.

Capitalising on the matter that WrestleMania 36 will push ahead this year without the roar of the on-looking crowds, WWE Shop has launched a range of t-shirts that WWE fans can all relate to.

The ‘I Wasn’t There’ t-shirt features that exact messaging on the front, with the tagline ‘Too Big for One Night’ at the bottom. The shirt also dates this year’s WrestleMania event.

WrestleMania 36 will take place on Saturday, April 4th and Sunday, April 5th on pay-per-view and the WWE Network, from the WWE Performance Centre and other multiple locations, but with no crowds.

The show was moved from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa after all of the WrestleMania 36 Week was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A tweet from the official WWE Shop declared: WrestleMania 36 will be an historic event in WWE history, and you won’t be there. Declare to the world that you did your part and stayed home with a new I Wasn’t There t-shirt.”

Spin Master updates financial outlook for 2020 following coronavirus pandemic

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The global entertainment company, Spin Master – the home of brands including the popular PAW Patrol and Bakugan franchise – is to withdraw its 2020 outlook in connection to projected product sales, stating that the potential impact of the developing COVID-19 situation on the firm is as yet unquantifiable.

The firm previously provided a 2020 outlook on March 4th this year, but, as the global coronavirus pandemic continues to deepen, will issue no further guidance in the near term due to the uncertainty surrounding it.

It is anticipated that the spread of COVID-19 and global measures to contain it, will have an impact on the company, however it is challenging to quantify the potential magnitude of such impact at this time. Spin Master is regularly assessing the situation and remains in contact with its customers and suppliers to assess any impacts and risks. It will provide a further update when it reports Q1 2020 results on May 6, 2020.

The 2020 outlook provided by Spin Master on March 4, 2020 reflected the information available to the Company at that time. This information included factory capacity in China, Vietnam and India, labour return rates, tooling availability, raw material and component availability, the ability to shift production between various geographies and products and customer acceptance of modified delivery dates.

Since that time, production levels have increased significantly and are approaching normal levels. However, due to the current market disruptions and heightened uncertainty caused by the spread of COVID-19 in global customer markets, the company is withdrawing such guidance.

“Since early March we have seen a substantial improvement in our Asian supply chain, particularly in China, as expected. However, the disruption we are now seeing in key customer markets resulting from the impact of COVID-19 is significant and we are withdrawing our fiscal 2020 guidance statement as a result thereof,” said Mark Segal, Spin Master’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“Our balance sheet remains strong, with cash on hand and committed credit lines available, which provides us with significant financial flexibility. Spin Master is known for its resiliency and entrepreneurial spirit. We believe in our ability to withstand any issues and continue to succeed.”

Has Nintendo cracked the next big gaming IP amid the Coronavirus pandemic?

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Animal Crossing: New Horizons has become the fastest-selling single title on Nintendo’s Switch to date, selling more copies in its first week of sale than the combined launch sales of all previous Animal Crossing games in the franchise.

Reports are already coming in that the title is ‘3.5 times bigger than the last game in the series, 2013’s Animal Crossing: New Leaf on Nintendo 3DS.’ The title was previously the biggest launch for Nintendo’s franchise.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a non-linear life simulation game played in real-time. Each player assumes the role of a customisable character who moves to a deserted island. The open world game then allows players to explore the island as it develops into a community of animals.

Not only is the game one solution to maintaining communication and world-exploration social distancing, but also carries the potential to be one of Nintendo’s next big franchises. Video games analysts already expect New Horizons to be shipping over 12 million games in the next few months, and that is not accounting for digital downloads.

Benji Sales, an independent video game analyst, wrote on Twitter:

“Animal Crossing New Leaf was the previous best-selling Animal Crossing game, hitting over 12 million sold lifetime. Whatever your optimistic sales expectations for Animal Crossing New Horizons launch sales were, I can already tell you it’s too low. Holy hell, HUGE opening incoming.”

Digital download numbers – which Nintendo does not share externally – are tipped to be vast, particularly considering the concerns around the COVID-19 virus that has seen the UK Government recommend self isolation measures across the country.

Sesame Workshop launches Caring for Each Other platform as US states enter lockdown and schools close for ‘the foreseeable’

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Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organisation behind Sesame Street is offering a wealth of free resources to help children and families throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The initiative – called Caring for Each Other – marks the beginning of a commitment to support families for the duration of the crisis, with Sesame Street content, learning activities, and virtual play dates all launching soon.

The launch arrives as families across the US battle the coronavirus pandemic with self isolation measures, and as New York enters lockdown. Across the UK, families and parents prepare to tackle a period of school closures for the ‘foreseeable’ future.

Sesame Workshop’s initiative features resources designed to help parents provide comfort and manage anxiety, as well as help with creating routines, fostering playful learning at home, and staying physically and mentally healthy.

SesameStreet.org/caring will be regularly updated to meet the needs of families as the situation evolves.

“Around the world, young children’s lives are being turned upside down, and parents and caregivers are looking for ways to give their children – and themselves – a sense of stability in this new normal,” said Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, senior vice president for curriculum and content, Sesame Workshop.

“But there are things parents and caregivers can do to face each day with optimism. Sesame Street is here to provide the caring adults in children’s lives with the resources they need to help children, and foster their healthy development at home.”

Sesame Workshop is also creating new content on topics like hand washing, how to cough or sneeze properly, and how taking good care of yourself means taking good care of others, which will be available in the US and globally in a wide range of languages and released in the coming weeks.

“Sesame Street has long been a source of comfort for children and families during difficult times,” said Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, senior vice president for US Social Impact, Sesame Workshop. “While we don’t always know what to expect, we know that Sesame Street friends have the power to convey simple strategies and messages to help children and the caring adults in their lives find comfort.

“With Caring for Each Other, we can help families get through these uncertain times and build hope for the future.”

Additionally, over 110 free Sesame Street ebooks are available on all major ebook platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Nook, Google Play, and Kobo.

Resources will also be distributed through a wide range of partners in the US and globally, including community providers serving vulnerable families through Sesame Street in Communities and PBS stations.

The Licensing Leadership Summit postponed over Covid-19 outbreak

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The Licensing Leadership Summit has been rescheduled for November 5th and 6th this year, in light of the growing concerns and actions taken amid the ongoing spread of Covid-19.

The Licensing Leadership Summit, which was originally set to take place March 16 and 17, will still be held at the same location, the Hilton Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York.

The decision to postpone the Licensing Leadership Summit, which is organised by the Global Licensing Group (GLG) at Informa Markets, follows guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO) and careful consideration from Informa Markets’ Managed Postponement Program.

As the health and safety of our attendees, speakers, staff, and the surrounding community is the utmost priority, the GLG has concluded that rescheduling Licensing Leadership Summit to a later date is a vital choice given recent COVID-19 developments in New York City and the surrounding areas.

“Attendees can be assured that we are committed to bringing the same high-quality Licensing Leadership Summit to New York this fall,” said Anna Knight, vice president of the Global Licensing Group, Informa Markets. “We believe the Summit remains a premier opportunity for the licensing industry to meet as one to work through challenges and build the future of the industry, thus, we will proceed with the event in a safe manner later in the year. At this time, our thoughts are with those that have been directly and indirectly affected by COVID-19.”

Speakers from Netflix, Buzzfeed, UTA, and more, have already confirmed their continued participation including:

  • Michelle King, Director of Inclusion, Netflix, and author of the new book, The Fix
    • Keynote: A Culture of Equality
  • Eric Karp, Senior Vice President, Brand Licensing, BuzzFeed
    • Session: How Social Media is Driving Products
  • Terése Whitehead, Senior Manager, Sponsorships and Operations, Player Services, NFLPA
    • Session: The Athlete Influencer Difference
  • Blippi, also known as Stevin John, YouTube star
    • Session: Digital Talent: The Future
  • Sid Kaufman, Licensing Agent, UTA
    • Session: Digital Talent: The Future
  • Robin Sayetta, Associate Director of Licensing and Partnerships, MoMA
    • Session: Different by Design: MoMA’s Modern Approach to Museum Licensing

The Licensing Leadership Summit website will remain updated and we will communicate any significant changes to the speakers, attendees, and partners directly.

Sagoo scoops big win at the Licensing International France Awards

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The independent agency, Sagoo received the Best Lifestyle, Corporate or Celebrity Brand award at the Licensing International France Awards where it was recognised for its work with the renowned artist, Keith Haring.

The firm triumphed to take the award earlier this month, fighting off competition in the category from finalists including Mattel and Barbie, Textiss and Freegun, and Sanrio with Hello Kitty.

The bright colours, bold lines and simple subject matters of Keith Haring’s art has made it instantly recognisable and unique as a brand. Haring covers relatable concepts with his work, such as birth, death, love and war, which he conveys using iconic symbols, embodied in everyday figures such as hearts, babies, dogs, waves and more.

Sagoo manages the licensing rights for Keith Haring in France and has built a popular consumer products range across a number of categories and age groups, including apparel, accessories, footwear, sports equipment and more with key licensees throughout the territory.

Veronique Pichon, owner of Sagoo, said: “We are proud that a small agency has been recognised for its work on one of the leading contemporary artists. We are also thrilled to have been able to conclude deals on a global basis for the property with major partners such as Lacoste.”

Archie and Flash Gordon form alliance in one-off comic book collab for King Features and Archie Comics

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King Features Syndicate is partnering with Archie Comics for a crossover licensing deal that will see Archie’s Pals and Gals enter a new storyline with Flash Gordon in a one-off comic book, Archie Meets Flash Gordon.

The 48 page special issue will be written by Jeff Parker – who wrote Flash Gordon for Dynamite Entertainment – with art by Archie mainstay, Dan Parent. 

The exclusive comic book will see the Riverdale gang discover a crashed alien spaceship that will lead them to the planet Mongo and Ming the Merciless, with Flash Gordon in tow.

“I’m now a pretty big believer that the Riverdale gang can fit with practically any other characters and genres, but it’s best when they get to really flex and go way outside their zone like say, the planet Mongo with Flash Gordon, King of the Impossible, said Parker.

Flash Gordon was launched in 1934 as a newspaper comic strip created by Alex Raymond. The property is currently under the ownership of King Features Syndicate, the media firm known widely in the licensing space for its management of Popeye and Betty Boop IP.

“King Features and Archie Comics are a great team, so having our beloved characters, Flash Gordon and the Archie kids team up too, is an exciting moment for both of these classic brands,” said King Features Syndicate editorial director, Tea Fougner.

“To top it off, to work with such amazing talent like Dan Parent and Jeff Parker is an honour. Their love for all of these characters shines through every page, and we’re thrilled to share this story with fans new and old.”

Carte Blanche’s Me to You partners with Tesco for Mother’s Day £1,000 shopping spree competition

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Carte Blanche Greetings’ award-winning Me to You brand has partnered with Tesco for the seventh year running to offer customers the chance to win a £1,000 shopping spree for Mother’s Day.

The campaign will roll out across 400 of the supermarket giant’s stores, and will be hosted online, as well as promoted across all of Me to You’s Mother’s Day gifting and cards, including pajamas, mugs, and chocolates.

Customers to the store can enter the free prize draw simply by entering the competition URL promoted on Me to You Mother’s Day product and submitting their details online.

Me to You marketing manager, Grace Elphinstone, said: “We are really excited to be partnering with Tesco for the seventh year running on this Mother’s Day activity. We are delighted that Tesco has recognised the synergy between the Me to You brand and this special occasion, allowing our product portfolio to own the Mother’s Day space in store, offering customers a one stop solution for their Mother’s Day gifting and the ability to shop across categories for the brand they love.”