Category Archives: Highlight

Brand’s Hatched: Formula One’s race for the toy aisle

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If there’s something not many of us were expecting for 2020, it surely has to be that Formula One is looking to speed into the toy aisle with its first official toy line for kids and collectors alike.

Upon momentary reflection, however, it actually makes perfect sense. The F1 brand isn’t exactly new to the industry, having previously sat within its parameters, most notably via a successful partnership with the Scalextric brand in years gone by, while Formula One has been growing its presence in the consumer products space steadily.

Most recently, the racing franchise may have appeared to have put its foot on the brakes, maintaining only a couple of long- lasting licensing partnerships in the video games market and in part works. It wasn’t until 2018 that it decided to refocus.

A partnership with the licensing agency, CAA-GBG in tow, Formula One has been systematically extending its brand into a new consumer product categories such as merchandise, health and beauty, digital gaming, streetwear collaborations, and more, with a portfolio of new products and collaborations lined up for the year ahead.

Most interesting is that the brand now has its sights firmly locked on toys.

“Our licensing programme focuses on the F1 brand, and after doing a very thorough research and analysis, we believe there is a demand from our fans all over the world for a wide range of Formula One toys,” Joan Carrera López, senior manager, retail and CPG licensing at Formula One, tells Licensing.biz.

“In terms of assets, we have very recently announced the 2021 regulations and have an amazing 3D model of the 2021 car that can be fully customised and adapted to a number of categories and opportunities some 15 months before the teams actually unveil their cars.”

A recent history of the Formula One brand saw it acquired by Liberty Media at the start of 2017 and soon after announced the re-launch of its brand transformation with a fresh new-look logo hitting the world stage by 2018. It was a move that seems to have fuelled a drive for brand extension ever since.

“We are an entertainment and lifestyle brand whose DNA is all about innovation, technology, and performance,” continues López. “New and exciting licensing partnerships will be announced in the upcoming months, and we expect to keep growing the brand and serving our fans.

“We already have a successful educational programme called F1 in Schools that works with a significant number of schools and students worldwide. Formula One is therefore a very aspirational brand that is synonymous with technology, and our ambition is to extend our brand into new and innovative products that will allow kids to learn, play, and have fun.”

It will come as little surprise then that of the categories Formula One is targeting for its toy debut, include ride-ons, models, remote controlled toys and slot cars, construction toys, and of course the growing STEM toy sector.

Actually, it all couldn’t be better timing for the F1 brand. The coming years will mark the onset of a number of changes that will certainly reposition the brand, including big changes in 2021 to the rules that govern the sport itself; technical rules that will “create closer wheel to wheel racing and reduce the gap between the front and back of the grid,” states López.

Presumably, Formula One is looking to inject yet more adrenaline into the sport. And with these rules, come new look cars.

“As part of the creation of the rules, Formula One has designed a car that is both futuristic and more akin to the look of a traditional F1 car,” explains López. “The fan feedback so far has been very positive and we think it will really excite the fans.”

It’s also expected that among those fans, will be a new generation of youngsters looking to experience the Formula One brand through new consumer products, including a portfolio of toy products.

López adds: “Our data shows that F1 has a broad audience in terms of age and gender, and since the Liberty Media acquisition, it is not a surprise that the majority of our new F1 fans are younger than before. We want the sport to be closer to our fans, and toys is definitely a great platform to do so, allowing parents and kids to share their passion.

“That’s why we’re looking for leading and established toy brands that we can collaborate with, as well as best-in-class manufacturers to develop innovative and quality F1 mono-branded toys. For the time
being, we’re not looking to develop products in- house, but we’ll obviously guide licensees to create true to brand toys.”

When it comes to distribution, Formula One comes with its own tailored and curated retail platforms, underscoring the benefits of a brand that already has its own footprint and franchise model in the global marketing space.

“Being part of the F1 family comes with important benefits such as distribution through our owned trackside and online stores,” adds López, “as well as access to our digital channels and advertising.”

And at a time when franchising has become a core component to the success of a toy line and brand, it’s surely a rather appetising prospect.

Gene Simmons to take lead keynote at Licensing Leadership Summit 2020

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Gene Simmons, the world-renowned entertainer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of KISS will headline the Licensing Leadership Summit 2020 as the lead keynote speaker this year.

Simmons will once again take to the stage, this time to tantalise an audience with his insight and experience of more than four decades worth of licensing and merchandising knowledge.

Not only is Simmons is the co-founder of KISS, America’s number one Gold Record award-winning group of all time, but the brains behind the merchandise powerhouse that has driven more than $1 billion in retail sales of licensed consumer products for brands ranging from Gene Simmons Family Jewels to Rock & Brews, Erebus Pictures, Simmons Records, LA KISS and more.

He’s also engineered collaborations with best-in-class partners such as Archie Comics, Coca-Cola, Hello Kitty, Visa, USPS, Indy Car Series and more.

In his keynote, Gene Simmons: Creating a Brand, Simmons will speak candidly to the Licensing Leadership Summit audience about the launch of his newest branding empire and the secrets to leveraging a brand when you’re the star.

“Licensing is an ever-changing, multi-faceted industry that, if executed passionately and strategically, allows brands to showcase and monetise their style and personality,” said Simmons.

“I look forward to sharing my personal experience and lessons learned over my years mastering the art of this electric business with Licensing Leadership Summit attendees.”

Year-over-year, the business of brand licensing is continuously growing and evolving. According to the Licensing International Annual Global Licensing Survey, global retail sales of licensed merchandise and services grew to $280.3 billion in 2018.

The Licensing Leadership Summit is set to take place at the New York Hilton Midtown, March 16th to 17th, 2020 and will bring together more than 300 brand licensing and retail executives for two full days of networking and thought leadership.

To register to attend, please visit: LicensingLeadershipSummit/Register2020.

“We are honoured to announce that Gene Simmons will headline this year’s Licensing Leadership Summit,” said Anna Knight, vice president, Global Licensing Group.

“Simmons is truly a merchandising genius – as the driver of one of the biggest music brands of all time, the innovation behind and staying power of his brand is certainly one any business leader would want to emulate. His ability to take risks, foster deep and lasting brand growth and diversify across product categories is inspiring and will be an experience our attendees will take back to the board room.”

Additional keynotes and speakers at Licensing Leadership Summit include:

  • Research and analysis organisation, The NPD Group
  • 19 million subscribers strong YouTube star Steven John (Blippi)
  • Artestar
  • Beanstalk
  • Dependable Rights
  • Funko
  • Future State Brands
  • Google Shopping
  • JPatten
  • MoMa
  • NFL Players Association
  • Spin Master
  • Trevco
  • United Talent Agency
  • Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products
  • Viacom CBS Consumer Products
  • Zynga
  • And many more!

Confirmed attendees include executives from:

  • Beanstalk
  • Coty Inc.
  • Crayola
  • Major League Baseball
  • Mars Wrigley
  • Steve Madden
  • The Pokémon Company
  • Warner Bros.
  • Warner Media
  • And many more!

European children’s specialist Chicco picks up Bing for pre-school capsule collection

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Acamar Films’ hit pre-school IP, Bing is embarking on a new European jaunt, thanks to a partnership with the children’s products specialist, Chicco.

Maurizio Distefano Licensing closed the licensing agreement for the Italian market this year, in a deal that will now see Bing become the inspiration for a capsule collection for pre-schoolers for spring/summer 2020.

‘It’s a brand-new line, but one that brings together all of Chicco’s established strengths – understanding of fabrics and how to ensure maximum comfort for the little ones – with graphics that reflect the charm and fun of Bing,’ read a description of the line.

As well as the daily broadcast on leading Italian free-to-air kids’ channel Rai Yoyo of 15 episodes a day, Bing can also be seen on Sky Italia channel DeA Junior.

The Italian licensing effort has been launched off the back of not only the series’ broadcast success in the region. Bing also has his own themed area as one of the best-loved children’s characters at Leolandia, Italy’s most popular theme park, where visitors can meet Bing and his friend Flop in person.

Bing is also a growing presence on Italian social networks, with more than 70,000 Likes on the Bing Facebook page, and more than 415,000 subscribers on the Bing YouTube channel, which gets 1,000,000 views every 24 hours!

The Point. 1888 delivers sumptuous line up for food and events brand River Cottage

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In a somewhat sumptuous start to the year, the brand licensing agency, The Point. 1888 has secured four new licensees for its client, River Cottage.

The successful food and events business brought on The Point.1888 last year to help it generate further brand awareness, and encourage the nation to eat seasonal, local, organic and wild food through the introduction of a broader range of consumer products.

 A task The Point. 1888 was keen to sink its teeth into, the UK licensing agency has since secured a raft of deals with Percol/Lofbergs – a company that specialises in organic, sustainably made and packaged ground coffee, Stroud Brewery – a sustainable and ethical brewery in the Cotswolds, The Beeswax Wrap Company – a company that provides planet-friendly alternatives to cling film and tin foil, and Newton Court Cider who ferments award-winning cider from English fruit.

As part of the deal with River Cottage, Stroud Brewery is collaborating on unique organic beer recipes, Newton Court Cider will be hand picking the apples from the River Cottage Estate for fermentation at their cidery, while The Beeswax Wrap Company will be making its shelf debut in the partnership.

 Louise Williamson, head of FMCG, The Point.1888, said: “Our brand licensing programme has been developed in close collaboration with River Cottage to make us think about the way we buy and consume products, and to inspire change at every stage.

“Thanks to this new wave of ethical licensees, coffee lovers, craft beer and cider drinkers and households across the country will be able to enjoy these products guilt-free, guided by principles that are ethical, sustainable and respectful.”

Stewart Dodd, chief executive from River Cottage, said: “We are thrilled with the licensees secured so far and cannot wait to see the products develop. The Point.1888 team is so thorough in their processes and has successfully identified new River Cottage products that are in line with our values and ethos.”

 Established in 2014, The Point.1888 delivers retail focused brand extension programmes through partnership licensing agreements.

The company has seen exponential growth in the last 24 months, building strategic licensing programmes for Yvonne Ellen, Team GB, Battersea, and more recently the Metropolitan Police Service.

 The first products are expected to be in stores by SS2020.

LMI plays the licensing game with Asmodee’s best-seller Dobble

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Asmodee’s number one selling brand, Dobble is exploring a life outside of party gaming thanks to a new partnership with LMI, a UK licensing agency that will identify opportunities to expand the reach and audience for the IP through licensing partnerships.

Andrew Maconie and the team at LMI have been appointed as the licensing agent for the UK, Eire and Benelux and are now already busy identifying and planning the brand’s development.

Having sold 21 million games worldwide and been named the UK’s best selling game has given the Dobble game a firm platform from which to build a wider brand.

In the UK, Asmodee has been the country’s most effective marketer in the Family Games category and now stand as the top-ranked manufacturer in the overall Games category – progress made thanks in no small part to titles like this one.

The partnership has been announced as Dobble now celebrates its 10th birthday this year.

Alex Green, managing director of Asmodee UK, said: “We are delighted to have LMI on board to help take the Dobble brand even further. The game has come from humble beginnings to become a household name and we can’t wait to see it thrive with new opportunities as a result of this partnership.”

The development is part of new campaign from Asmodee UK which will see it launch a new Family Games range at Toy Fair next week, showcasing ‘best in class products that excel at bringing all ages together around the tabletop for shared fun.’

The Family Games range will be led by Dobble 360, lending the title a 360-degree twist. Like all of the Family Games portfolio, Dobble 360 will benefit from comprehensive marketing support, including a huge TV and digital ad campaign.

Also featured are Ticket to Ride London, the bite-sized edition of the millions-selling Modern Classic board game that lets players rush around the capital for points in just 15 minutes, and the hugely popular BrainBox range of educational games, which deliver learning and memory challenges based on a variety of topics.

The collection is completed by the hilarious dexterity challenge of Crazy Eggz, the shadow-puppetry creativity of Picture Show and the magnetised sailing adventure of Bermuda Pirates.

The creation of the Family Games range follows similar groupings of key products by Asmodee for clear marketing focus, including the Modern Classics, Party Games and newly rebranded Quick Play titles.

Visitors can find Asmodee at Toy Fair on Stand E109 but should also keep an eye out for a second stand on E15, where some of Asmodee’s standout brands will be celebrated, including Dobble, Catan and BrainBox.

Read the Toy Fair special issue of ToyNews today for plenty of licensing updates…

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The Toy Fair special issue of ToyNews is ready to read online, on your smart device or iPad – giving you look at the year ahead and the trends that will be hitting the toy industry the most.

It’s the first ToyNews of 2020, and of the decade, making this not only – with London Toy Fair right around the corner – our Toy Fair issue, but also our chance to cast our predictions for what’s going to be setting the agenda for the coming year.

And it’s packed with news of all the latest developments within toys and licensing, too; whether that’s talk of Mattel’s Masters of the Universe, the latest good news story from the licensing powerhouse that is Games Workshop and the Warhammer franchise, or what plans Formula One now has for toys and the wider licensing space.

Of course, we’ll be diving into Spring Fair once again, and stop by with pop culture licensing specialists, Fanattik and Pyramid International to get their takes on the scene.

As ever, we kick off proceedings with the usual ToyNews wealth of ever-engaging and always exclusive content thanks to our Big Interview with Mattel’s VP and country manager, Michael Hick as we explore why 2020 is going to be a major year for the global toy powerhouse – and it’s not only with thanks to the return of He-Man…

Setting the tone for how we foresee bigger movements from the retail space, and the industry as a whole, towards inclusivity and accessibility for all of its audiences, we explore topics of autism and the toy industry, as well as games and puzzles and mental health, and all those wonderful people pushing this industry and the important messages ever-forward.

Our cover star of this month’s feature-packed issue, Generation Media, talks us through its evolution over the past decade, and, as we embark on a whole new one, sets out just what might be in store for the children’s media space.

As Asmodee UK announces its partnership with Mojo Nation to check out the art and design talent with the UK university student’s scene, we explore the topic of the evolving artwork of board games and tabletop titles, and how important it is to driving the success of some of the scene’s biggest sellers.

Of course, we at ToyNews like to champion the talent of the industry’s rising stars… and it turns out, you lot do too. This year, we have been inundated with nominations for our annual 30 Under 30 – sponsored by Gameplan Europe – making the task of whittling it down to just 30 a very difficult one indeed. It’s uplifting to see this industry continue to nurture and celebrate the talent of the up and coming generation, as well as to see the parameters of this business extending wider year after year.

Then, as Hornby turns 100 this year, we sit down with the hobby and model specialist to discover just how the team will be celebrating, and find out what plans this heritage and staple of British history and culture has got planned to continue to grow its audiences well into the future.

From one Great British success story to another, ToyNews talks exclusively to Games Workshop, a thriving retail, gaming, and licensing business that continues to go from strength to strength, as well as get the inside, exclusive track on Formula One’s plans to enter the toy space this year. Both making for a fascinating read this season – if we do say so ourselves.

There’s more to come still, as ToyNews dives into this year’s toy fair offerings with show guides covering Spring Fair, Nuremberg’s Spielwarenmesse, and of course, London Toy Fair.

On top of this, no ToyNews would be complete without its run of exclusive regulars, including the agenda setting opinions from industry voices, the latest industry insights, and our expert panel of retail specialists.

Read all of this and more here.

Rachel Lowe talks a passion for bringing IP to the board gaming sector

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Rachel Lowe is the creative mind behind some of the most popular titles in the licensed board game space at the moment and a revered name when it comes to key licenses looking to expand into this ever-growing category.

2019 culminated, for Lowe, with a run of successes, whether it was receiving a joint award from the Toy Retailer’s Association for her work on the hugely popular Jumanji board game, or the launch of her newest compendium of board games and card games developed in partnership with the global entertainment platform, WWE.

But that was so last decade. This year, and with London Toy Fair, Nuremberg’s Spielwarenmesse, and London Toy Fair just around the corner, Lowe will be using the toy fair season to showcase some of the latest brands she has to her ever-growing portfolio. This includes brands, by the way, like Elf on the Shelf and the British comic classic, Beano.

Licensing.biz takes the chance to talk to Lowe about her creativity, her career path into board game design (she started out as a taxi driver), and her passion for developing IP into games.

Hello Rachel… You had another busy and successful year last year, how did your career in board games start, where did it all begin for you?

My career in board games started when I was working as a part time taxi driver to pay my way through university back in 2002. I was out on a shift one night when I stopped at some traffic lights and a thought popped into my head; “Red light – Miss a turn.” 

That thought is where it all began. 

I imagined my taxi being a miniature playing piece on a board and all the destinations I was travelling to being part of the game play and the aim of the game would be to collect as many fares as possible.If you landed on traffic lights you would pick up a card and this would either be a help or hindrance to your journey and you would have to try not to run out of fuel or lose your licence along the way.The player with the most money at the end of the shift wins.

This game became known as Destination and I started with Destination London and Destination Portsmouth which I launched in 2004 and went on to create over 30 editions including licensed games for Harry Potter, Disney Pixar, London 2012 Olympic Games and Downton Abbey. 

My career has taken me on a rollercoaster journey and through this I found the licensing is what I love the most.  So I now have a company specialising in licensed board games, puzzles and playing cards.

You have a portfolio of successful games, from the Destination portfolio to all the licensed titles you have worked on. What’s your secret – how do you tap into your creativity?

Well, I love watching TV so that helps! So a good TV series or movie that can translate into a board game is a good place to start. I have to admit to binge watching to get familiar with story lines. Then I sketch out ideas and board layouts. I have certain elements that I will always try and include to make a game work. I then work with designers to take it through the next stage of the creative process.  Sometimes I also bring in other talent to help with concept development if we have tight deadlines to work with.

Secondly, what is more rewarding, the development of licensed titles, or cooking up your own?

Having your own IP is definitely rewarding but working with huge corporations such as Sony Consumer Products and WWE to develop products for them is massively exciting. 

We work with their style guides to create product in keeping with their branding and it is exciting to see the finished product with my company logo on it for such big brands. 

You’ve found yourself being the go to name for licensing and developing licensed titles. Has this been a conscious move on your part? What was the allure? What do you bring to this space, and what do you think this space brings out in your creativity?

I have been very fortunate to work with very established brands early on in my career such as Harry Potter and Disney Pixar properties. I find it easy to come up with ideas for game-play based on the content of the licensed property. I enjoy it and I especially love going behind the scenes for movies and TV series to get ideas for the content for the games. It is an exciting part of what I do and the style guides provide the assets which our designers use to bring our ideas to life. It is a creative process and something I will always enjoy doing.

Growing up, was there a moment that you think put you on course for this life in the toy and games industry?

I don’t know if it was destiny but I do remember a few of significant things from my childhood which evoked a love a board games.

The first was when McDonalds was running a competition. I was with some school friends, I was about 13 years old and we had popped into McDonalds after school. I bought some fries and was given a ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ Scratch card. I got the answer right and I won a Trivial Pursuit Board Game! 

I posted my winning card to claim my prize and a few weeks later this huge parcel was delivered to my house. My dad brought it up to my room which I shared with my sister and I remember opening it and everyone being gobsmacked that I had one such an amazing game.

My second memory was working in a fish shop when I was 14 years old earning £1.20 per hour and saving up all of my wages (which back then was cash in a small square brown envelope). Each week I would take my wage to Woolworths and buy one board game, so one week was Cluedo, the next was Scrabble etc. We already had Monopoly (and of course Trivial Pursuit) but I really wanted my own collection of games.

My third memory was in my art class at school when I was 15 years old. Our teacher Mr Wylie gave us a board game project to do and I remember creating a board game about gardening which I loved working on. 

Mr Wylie told me a story about someone who created a game and it got manufactured. I think it had a castle in it. I thought it was the coolest thing ever but never imagined I would one day be creating and retailing my own board games.

I still have all of the games I bought when I was a teenager, including the Trivial Pursuit Game that I won from McDonalds!

What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?

My proudest moment will always be achieving the number one position in Hamley’s of London with my first board game Destination London. It was my first big achievement in the Toy Industry and will always be a magical memory.

What piece of professional or design-related advice would you give to those looking to break into the career you have been so successful?

I would say the best bit of advice I can give is to surround yourself with good people. Focus on the things you are good at and out-source the things that others may do better. You don’t have to be good at everything to succeed. You just need to prioritise and delegate when needed.

Being where you are now, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Oh my, there are so many things I would tell my younger self. But hindsight is something that doesn’t actually change anything and I am proud of everything I have achieved, even my mistakes because I learned so much from all of it.  Everything I do now is based on all of my years of experience which is priceless.

What’s the next big project for you?

I have several big projects coming, some are still embargoed. WWE is obviously an exciting one that we have just launched but I also have signed with Elf on the Shelf for 2020 and also Beano.   

Rachel Lowe will be exhibiting at London Toy Fair (Stand GH16), Spring Fair Birmingham (Hall 5, Stand 5J60) and Nuremberg, Germany (Hall 10.0 Stand D-20). 

 

Warner Bros’ Pam Lifford and WWE’s Stephanie McMahon to receive WIT’s Wonder Women Awards Honours

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Warner Bros Global Brands and Experiences president, Pam Lifford will join WWE chief brand officer, Stephanie McMahon in becoming the 2020 Honourees of Women in Toys, Licensing, and Entertainment’s 16th Annual Wonder Women Awards.

This year’s ceremony will see Lifford take the WIT’s Mentor of the Year Award, while McMahon will receive the WIT Changemaker Award.

Lifford is responsible for strengthening consumer engagement across Warner’s iconic characters and Global Franchise businesses, including, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Themed Entertainment and fan-focused brands, DC, HBO and Cartoon Network properties.

Her oversight includes domestic and international licensing, worldwide marketing, business and legal affairs, finance, and retail business development related to some of the most highly regarded entertainment franchises in the world.

In Lifford’s first year at WBCP, she increased overall business by 47 per cent and has continued a consistent growth trajectory ever since. She spent 12 years at Disney, rising through the ranks to become a member of the consumer products executive leadership team as Executive Vice President.

With more than 25 years of experience, Lifford is a widely respected industry veteran, who embraces the power of collaboration and mentorship and was recently installed in the LIMA Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile, as WWE Chief Brand Officer, McMahon is responsible for the company’s Brand, Community Relations and Pop Culture strategies, and represents WWE as its global brand ambassador.

Among her many contributions, she has been the driving force behind WWE’s women’s evolution, which has given female performers an equal share of the spotlight both in and out of the ring. Adweek has included McMahon in their list of the Most Powerful Women in Sports for the past four years and recently recognised her as a 2019 Brand Genius.

She was also recently named to Forbes’ Most Influential CMOs report. In 2014, McMahon and her husband, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, established Connor’s Cure, a fund dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer, which has raised $3 million to date and has helped more than 400 families.

“Pam Lifford and Stephanie McMahon are two extraordinary and exemplary women business leaders, and we are thrilled to honour them for their commitment and overall impact on advancing women both within and beyond their own organisations,” said Genna Rosenberg from GennComm and Jennifer Caveza, from ViacomCBS, Wonder Women Awards Co-Chairs.

The 16th Annual Wonder Women Awards, held on Sunday, February 23 at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, coinciding with Toy Fair New York, honours top female executives, thought leaders, entrepreneurs and other change makers for their extraordinary accomplishments and impact within the toy, licensing and the entertainment industries.

The Elf on the Shelf eyes global expansion as CCA B makes double appointment

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Creatively Classic Activities and Books, the company behind the best selling The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, the hit animation An Elf’s Story, and a programme of consumer products, is looking to increase its global footprint with new entertainment content and immersive experiences.

In order to do so, CCA and B has welcomed Michael Champion and Regan Holyroyd to the roles of president and chief administrative officer, respectively.

Together they will work closely with the company’s founders and co-CEOs Christa Pitts and Chanda Bell to fulfil the company’s vision of expansion.

“Mike is the perfect choice to lead the company into our next chapter,” said Pitts. “We are no longer a company whose focus is solely on a book about a magical Scout Elf, but one focused on an entire North Pole universe filled with a cast of characters with endless stories to be told.”

Since joining CCA and B in 2012, Champion has been an active member of the Executive Board and the architect of innovative business and legal strategies that have taken the company from a small, family-owned organisation to a globally recognised IP company.

He has already significantly expanded the company’s global distribution network and has developed a sophisticated framework of legal protection throughout the world. Additionally, he has played a key role in the strategic planning of corporate administrative functions.

“I am thrilled and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead this organisation at such an exciting point in its trajectory and to continue this family-owned company’s legacy,” said Champion. “We want to bring heartwarming stories and family traditions to the world.  I am just honoured to be an integral part of it all.”

In addition to his new responsibilities as president, Champion will continue to directly manage the brand protection teams and maintain the role of Chief Legal Officer.

Meanwhile, Holroyd joined the company in 2012 and most recently served as vice president of Human Resources.

“Regan has built a best-in-class HR function during a period of immense growth,” Pitts, “so, the new CAO role headed by Ms. Holroyd will be essential as we develop programmes and strategic initiatives, which will align the organisation’s resources, policies and business objectives.”

During her time with the company Holroyd has been promoted from within several times. She has been responsible for directing the administrative functions of the business including philanthropy. Most recently, she was tasked with direct oversight of five internal departments and was appointed chairperson for the company’s leadership team.

Mr Magoo makes his move on the US market thanks to DreamWorks deal for Xilam

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Mr Magoo is making his move on the US market, thanks to a new deal struck between the award-winning French animation studio Xilam Animation and DreamWorks Animation’s Classic Media.

Under the deal, DreamWorks has exclusively picked up all US TV, home video, and VOD rights to season one of the new animated series. It will be available from today on CBS All Access streaming service.

Marc du Pontavice at Xilam Animation, said: “Since debuting in fall 2018, Mr Magoo has drawn strong ratings and captured the hearts of kids and their families around the world. The original version of Mr Magoo was first created in the US so we’re delighted DreamWorks has now come on board to introduce local audiences to our fresh take on this wonderfully candid and optimistic character, back where it all began 70 years ago.”

Originally commissioned by France Télévisions,Mr Magoo currently airs on Turner’s Boomerang channel in France, Africa, the Middle East, Israel, Turkey and Nordics, Cartoon Network (Asia), Discovery Kids (Latin America), Super RTL (Germany), VRT and RTBF (Belgium), SIC K (Portugal), RTVE (Spain), RTS (Switzerland), CITV (UK), Discovery and DEA Kids (Italy), among other channels.

This latest deal expands Xilam’s US footprint which includes its recently announced Netflix commission for the CGI animated preschool series Oggy Oggy, based on the company’s hit global franchise Oggy and the Cockroaches.

Netflix also acquired worldwide rights to the studio’s critically acclaimed first adult animated feature I Lost My Body, which launched on November 29 and received the International Critics’ Week Grand Prize at Cannes Film Festival, Cristal for a Feature Film and Audience Award at Annecy and Grand Prize at the Animation is Film Festival last year.

I Lost My Body has also just been nominated in the Animated Feature Film category for the Academy Awards 2020. Additionally, Xilam is in production on Disney+ original Chip ‘n’ Dale, which will feature the return of Disney’s much-loved chipmunk troublemakers in a non-verbal, classic style comedy.