Category Archives: Highlight

Nelvana and TIME Studios to develop preschool animation Leela’s Island

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Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana and TIME Studios Kids and Family, the recently announced kids and family programming division of the Emmy Award-winning TIME Studios, have teamed up to develop the new original preschool series Leela’s Island.

Marking the first development partnership between the two renowned companies, and the first preschool content deal for TIME Studios, the animated comedy-adventure series features a curious five-year-old girl named Leela who discovers she has inherited a gift that allows her to transform into any animal she wishes and see the world through its eyes, in the process gaining a new point of view on her own problems.

“Leela’s Island is a show that will help kids learn to see the world from others’ perspectives. Featuring one of the first Afro-Latina girls in an animated preschool series, Leela’s Island will go far in addressing the lack of representation in children’s content both in front and behind the camera,” says Maria Perez-Brown, Head of Kids and Family, TIME Studios. “We’re so excited to collaborate with Nelvana to bring this important preschool property to life.”

Leela’s Island is created and written by a team of diverse storytellers, including award-winning writer Fracaswell Hyman (Gullah Gullah Island, Taina, Little Bill, and The Famous Jett Jackson) and Maria Perez-Brown (Gullah Gullah Island and Taina), developed in partnership with writer Janice Burgess (The Backyardigans).

“We are incredibly passionate about Leela’s Island and believe Leela will become an icon for kids around the world,” says Athena Georgaklis, Head of Development, Nelvana. “The calibre of talent behind this project is unmatched, and is evident in the series’ perfect blend of heartwarming, magical moments and fierce, empowered storytelling. Working with the team at TIME has been a true highlight.”

 

The Point.1888 signs three new world-famous artists and designers

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The Point.1888 is starting 2022 with some new colour, pattern, and impact thanks to the signing of three renowned artists as new clients: Ben Eine, Emily Burningham and Real Hackney Dave.

They will be joining The Point.1888’s existing book of artists and designers which includes leading British interior design brand MissPrint and award-winning artists and designers Rachel Ellen, Jimbobart and I Like Birds as they continue to meet the growing demands from consumers for products that express their personalities and inject colour and life into their homes.

Known for his iconic use of type, Ben Eine is a world-famous grafitti artist whose work can be found on the streets of London, LA, Mexico City, Paris, Tokyo, Dublin and Stockholm. He has collaborated with Banksy and his work was once given to Barack Obama as a gift from the British Prime Minister.

Dave Buonaguidi, AKA Real Hackney Dave, is a London-based artist known for making work that creates a reaction by combining the visual and verbal language of advertising and propaganda with unique imagery and materials of found objects and ephemera. He is best known for printing his bold trademark pink typography onto vintage maps and photographs and even makes art out of decommissioned hand grenades and 1000lb bombs.

London-based print designer Emily Burningham has a passion for pattern and colour and has featured in Liberty, House & Garden and Ideal Home, among others. Her sophisticated designs explore the relationship between distinct eras of art and design.

Both Ben and Emily have previously benefited from brand licensing activity, having worked with Paul Smith and Louis Vuitton; and Liberty, Waterstones and Paperchase respectively.

During the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, The Point.1888’s artist and designer clients saw soaring interest in their designs and a multitude of deals including placement on Fy for MissPrint, Thermos for Rachel Ellen, and a homeware deal for Jimbobart. The Point.1888 also signed new sub-agent deals for I Like Birds in Japan, as well as sub-agents in Iberia and the US for Jimbobart.

Janine Richmond, Head of Product & Brand at The Point.1888, commented: “Artists have been an important focus for The Point.1888 for many years, not least because of their ability to respond quickly to new consumer desires and trends. For example, MissPrint’s bold colourways and nod to the biophilic trend was of great appeal to consumers wishing to bring nature indoors.

“Thanks to our talented team of specialists and our keen eye on retail trends, we’ve been able to bring our clients great success over the past few years and we’re confident we can build long-term, sustainable partnerships with Ben Eine, Real Hackney Dave and Emily Burningham too.”

Conversations with first-phase partners for the artists are underway.

The Point.1888 launches dedicated retail services arm

Fanatics strengthens international business with Matthew Primack hire

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Fanatics, the leading global digital sports platform, has announced the appointment of Matthew Primack as Senior Vice President, International Business Development.
Primack, who began in his new role this month, will be responsible for building on Fanatics’ strong international growth through the acquisition of new rights and commercial routes to market.
Fanatics’ international presence has grown significantly in recent years, with the company now operating more than 40 offices, manufacturing facilities and fulfilment centres in 11 countries across the world. Primack, who will be based in London, will look to enhance Fanatics’ world class business development function, capitalising on the company’s innovative business model and global capabilities to establish new long-term partnerships.
Primack was previously the long-term Senior Vice President at IMG Licensing, responsible for leading a global team of specialist sales, marketing, product and operations executives. In his leadership role at IMG, Primack designed and delivered licensed consumer product extension businesses for a broad portfolio of high-profile brands in sport, entertainment, gaming, corporate IP, and celebrity personalities. He will report into Fanatics President of Business Affairs, Gary Gertzog.
“Matt’s experience and extensive network within the world of sport and entertainment will be invaluable as we look to accelerate our international growth,” said Gertzog. “Fanatics has an established global business that serves millions of sports fans across the world every year and Matt’s expertise will help us to build new partnerships to enable us to reach more fans, whichever team they support and wherever they are in the world.”
Zohar Ravid, currently General Manager and Head of Corporate Development for Fanatics’ International business, will shift his focus into a new role to lead Global Corporate Development across all of Fanatics’ businesses. From mid-2022 Ravid will be based out of Fanatics’ New York office and alongside his new responsibilities will continue in his work with the company’s global partners.
Fanatics partners with many of the largest sporting organisations in the world including Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, The FA, UEFA, NFL, NBA and Formula One.

Rubies extends Fireman Sam license

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Costume manufacturer Rubies has announced the continuation of its successful partnership with leading global toy company, Mattel, Inc., as they announce the extension of the Fireman Sam license.

The new deal signifies the strong relationship built over the years between Rubies and Mattel, as they look to expand their dress-up portfolio across EMEA.

With over 30 years of legacy, the Fireman Sam brand holds a special place in the hearts of millions of children and adults across the globe, with the series airing in over 100 countries. Rubies will continue to manufacture and distribute its current styles along with the addition of exciting new designs to the range for 2022.

Tracey Devine-Tyley, Head of Portfolio and Licensing at Rubies, says: “Our partnership with Mattel and its subsidiaries, responsible for the creation and continued success of the Fireman Sam brand over the years, is set to grow exponentially following this extension. The Rescue Team have been educating young children for over 30 years on the importance of teamwork and safety and we are proud of the values it upholds as they align with our own company morals which we wish to share and impart on our youngest audience, children.

“We are happy to be able to continue to provide youngsters with dress-up that encourages them to act in the heroic and ambitious way that the rescue team of Pontypandy do. Part of our company mission is to inspire children to be the best they can be with our costumes and therefore we are delighted to be able to continue doing this.”

Helen Genia, Head of UK Licensing and Hardlines EMEA Mattel Consumer Products adds: “Fireman Sam is an important piece of British pop culture and a much-loved character across toys, books, fashion, nightwear and dress-up. We are thrilled to expand the license with Rubies to offer children more role-play opportunities and bring to life the characters and world of Pontypandy through fantastic new dress up looks, allowing children to play out heroic adventures.”

Fireman Sam content has over 9.36bn global views to date on the official YouTube Channel and it is a top 5 preschool character brand in Europe, with 360 integration, including toy, consumer products, live events, and publishing.

The Fireman Sam show is produced by Mattel Television and WildBrain and distributed by WildBrain, and is available to watch in the UK on Cartoonito, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Milkshake (Channel 5) and Virgin Media, as well as networks across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The official Fireman Sam costumes are available to order from Rubiesuk.com or from online stores including Amazon.

WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences to launch most robust Batman film product collection in over a decade

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In celebration of the upcoming cinematic experience created by director Matt Reeves, WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences has revealed the largest collection of Batman film products in over a decade, with partners worldwide launching The Batman fashion, accessories, beauty products, toys and collectibles.

Batman influenced the latest style statement of French fashion house Lanvin, who for the first time in the character’s more than 80-year history, has dedicated a collection to DC’s iconic Super Hero and his on-again/off-again antagonist, Catwoman. First seen on the runway during Paris Fashion Week, the collection will be available online and in select Saks Fifth Avenue stores starting March 2 and on saks.com on March 15, in line with the film’s release on March 4 in North America and international release beginning March 2, 2022.

To celebrate the film’s debut, Saks Fifth Avenue’s iconic New York Flagship store will design custom window displays transporting shoppers directly into Reeves’ version of Gotham City. Inside, guests can peruse a bespoke pop-up shop showcasing The Batman-inspired apparel from EleVen by Venus Williams, Maison Labiche, and Lanvin as well as accessories, beauty products, toys and collectibles. The exclusive merchandise collection will also be available to shop online on saks.com.

“WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences’ mission is to engage fans with our iconic characters and stories and excite them for new content releases. The Batman is hotly anticipated and will be complemented by imaginative, authentically crafted new products and experiences for fans worldwide,” says Pam Lifford, President, WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences. “This is the first solo Batman theatrical release in more than a decade, and this powerful new story inspired even more ways for fans to engage and celebrate this iconic DC Super Hero.”

Warner Bros. Consumer Products’ expansive ‘The Batman’ collection features products across multiple categories, and includes:

  • Fashion and footwear from Lanvin
  • Apparel from Carhartt and TomboyX
  • Activewear from EleVen by Venus Williams, available from Saks Fifth Avenue, Tennis Warehouse and internationally at Zalando
  • A training collection from PUMA
  • DC Shop merchandise including apparel, sporting goods and more, available to order from 1 February
  • Fashion and footwear styles for adults, juniors and kids from national retailers and specialty stores including Target, Walmart, and others. International fashion partners include Zara, Carrefour, and Tealer
  • Accessories from Boxlunch, Fast Track, Accessory Innovation, Funko, Manly Bands, Pull & Bear, Global Junk Brands, Mobyfox and Zara. Fossil will drop The Batman x Fossil capsule collection, including collectible watches, jewellery and leather goods
  • Beauty products from House of Sillage, Emily Heathe and Dr Squatch
  • Toys and collectibles from Funko, Spin Master, McFarlane, LEGO and Hot Wheels
  • Adult’s and children’s costumes from Rubies
  • Limited edition Oreos emblazoned with The Batman emblem.

 

Royal Mail to honour The Rolling Stones with a set of 12 special stamps

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Royal Mail has revealed 12 new special stamps to honour 60 years of the legendary rock group, The Rolling Stones.

The main set of eight stamps features images of the band performing at venues all around the world at various points during their career: Hyde Park, London, UK, July 1969; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, August 2019; Rotterdam, Netherlands, August 1995; Tokyo, Japan, March 1995; New York City, USA, July 1972; Oslo, Norway, May 2014; Knebworth, Hertfordshire, UK, August 1976; Düsseldorf, Germany, October 2017.

An additional four stamps, presented in a Miniature Sheet, feature two shots of the band together and of two of the many posters which have promoted their worldwide tours over the years.

In 2005, the Rolling Stones were awarded the accolade of greatest touring band of all time at the World Music Awards. They have sold an estimated 250m records and in the UK have eight no.1 singles and 13 no.1 albums. Their countless awards include four Grammys, three MTV Music Awards and nine NME Awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

Celebrating their 60th anniversary in 2022, the Rolling Stones become only the fourth music group to have a dedicated Royal Mail stamp issue – following on from The Beatles in 2007, Pink Floyd in 2016 and Queen in 2020.

David Gold, Director of Public Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail, said: “Few bands in the history of rock have managed to carve out a career as rich and expansive as that of the Rolling Stones. They have created some of modern music’s most iconic and inspirational albums, with ground-breaking live performances to match.”

The collaboration was brought together and facilitated by Bravado, Universal Music Group’s leading brand management and lifestyle division.

The stamps are available to pre-order from today (11 January) at www.royalmail.com/rollingstones and by phone on +44 (0)3457 641 641.

The stamps go on general sale on 20 January.

 

NFL and Nickelodeon team up for co-branded collection

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The NFL and Nickelodeon are set to launch the NFL x Nickelodeon collection ahead of CBS Sports and Nickelodeon’s special slime-filled presentation of the NFL’s Super Wild Card Weekend game on Sunday, Jan. 16, at 4:30 p.m. (ET). The collection celebrates both NFL and Nickelodeon fans and provides an opportunity for kids and families to showcase their fandom in a fun and elevated way.

The collection will feature designs and logos of NFL teams with a mix of ‘90s fan-favorite Nickelodeon characters from hit series such as Rugrats and Hey Arnold!, as well as pieces with the iconic SpongeBob SquarePants and Nickelodeon Slime. The NFL x Nickelodeon collection will include t-shirts from Junk Food, socks from Rock ‘Em Socks, water bottles from Tervis, and bobbleheads* from FOCO (*pre-sale only).

The collection will be available on NFLshop.com/Nick beginning Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m. (ET). Products will also be available at JunkfoodClothing.com and Tervis.com, as well as FOCO.com and RockEmSocks.com, which will offer expanded assortments.

Panini America sponsors The MINT Collective

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The MINT Collective presented by eBay, has announced that exclusive trading card partner of the NFL, NBA, UFC, Premier League, FIFA World Cup and WWE, Panini America, will be the first trading card manufacturer to join as an Official Sponsor of the first-of-its-kind event uniting sports collectors, professionals, and investors. The MINT Collective is taking place March 25-27, 2022 in Las Vegas.

Those attending The MINT Collective’s speaker series, MINT Signature Sessions, featuring keynotes from leaders in the industry, will hear from Panini America’s VP of Marketing, Jason Howarth, and receive an exclusive UFC Chronicles White Sparkle parallel card.

“The trading card category has seen unprecedented growth, transforming the category into a global marketplace and as a result bringing new collectors into the market. Panini has experienced this first-hand anchored by the power of our brand IP and expansion of trading cards into new markets,” says Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America. “We are excited to partner with The MINT Collective to bring collectors and business leaders together from the collectibles world and to deliver a new experience to engage with one another.”

The MINT Collective will celebrate the love of collecting and explore its role in portfolio building and long-term earning potential. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with top collectors and experts, leading sports and collectible brands, investment strategists, and influencers seeking to shape the future of this industry; buy, sell and trade in an exclusive marketplace; take part in an on-site auction; view rare memorabilia at a Collector’s Carnival; and go behind-the-scenes at UFC APEX.

The MINT Collective is a joint endeavor from IMG, a global leader in sports, events, fashion, and media, and Collectable, the leading fractional investing platform for blue chip sports collectibles. Tickets for The MINT Collective are now on sale at TheMINTCollective.com.

Tycoon Enterprises named as Latin America rep for animated Topo Gigio series

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Topo Gigio S.r.l. announced today the appointment of Latin American licensing powerhouse Tycoon Enterprises as licensing agents for the iconic Italian television character Topo Gigio’s new animated series across Latin America, including Brazil.

Produced in Italy by Topo Gigio S.r.l., with Movimenti Production as executive producer and in collaboration with Rai Ragazzi, the new animated series introduces a collection of engaging adventures based on a revamped Gigio, and an ensemble cast of delightful characters that will connect with today’s kids and touch the hearts of families worldwide.

The animated show premiered on Rai Yoyo in October last year and has expanded since to countless international markets. The series launched on Discovery Kids Latin America in November and is rapidly amassing fans.

“There is no question about the love that Latin American audiences have for Topo Gigio,” says Dalia Benbassat, head of Corporate Relations at Tycoon. “To see Gigio come back in such an amazing and up-to-date form is not only a gift for those of us who grew up with the original character, but a fresh and powerful new inspiration for kids and young families today. This transversal appeal truly sets Gigio apart from any other show on TV. We could not be happier to be part of the extended G-Team!”

Established in Mexico in 1990, Tycoon Enterprises is the leading licensing network in Latin America. It has eight offices, in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Costa Rica.

For more information visit www.tycoon.mx and www.topogigio.com

Xilam Animation hits new digital content milestones

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Academy Award-nominated French animation studio Xilam Animation has reached significant milestones in its global digital content strategy, including debuting on Samsung TV Plus and securing a second YouTube Diamond Play Button.

After launching on Samsung TV Plus in Brazil – the free, ad-supported streaming service pre-installed on all 2017-2021 Samsung Smart TVs – Xilam’s unique users hit 600K. The dedicated Xilam TV channel available on Samsung TVs in Brazil features titles from the studio’s extensive catalogue, including Zig & Sharko, Oggy and the Cockroaches, Where’s Chicky?, A Kind of Magic and Floopaloo – Where Are You?.

In a further milestone, Xilam has been awarded a coveted Diamond Play Button for its Oggy and the Cockroaches YouTube Channel, which now has 10 million subscribers. This marks Xilam’s second Diamond Play Button after its Zig and Sharko channel received the award in 2020. Also on YouTube, Xilam has now reached the 50 million subscriber mark across its network of dedicated brand channels.

Across all digital platforms worldwide, Xilam cumulated 12.5 billion views for its content in 2021. Of this total, 1.5 billion views were generated from Facebook Watch, making Xilam the No. 1 provider of kids’ content worldwide in terms of views on the VOD service.

Marc du Pontavice, Founder and CEO at Xilam Animation, said: “Digital platforms continue to play an integral role in our content strategy, as we ensure that fans can access our vast library of content wherever they are in the world, and from whichever device they prefer. As one of the first French production companies to launch a dedicated ad-supported linear channel in an international market, we’re proud to be taking an innovative approach in the digital sector and look forward to hitting even more milestones in the future.”