Shannon Spisak elevated to VP Marketing and Communications, Dr Seuss Enterprises

Global children’s entertainment company Dr. Seuss Enterprises has announced the promotion of Shannon Spisak to her new role as Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

Spisak, who previously held the role of Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, will spearhead all marketing-related activities for the company. Additionally, Dr. Seuss Enterprises is expanding its management team with the new appointments of Vienna Downes, Jimeka Broussard, and Raquel Ojalvo into positions within retail and licensing, on the heels of an immense year of growth for the company.

Spisak will report directly to the CEO & President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Susan Brandt, and will be involved as part of the DSE executive management team, helping to move the business forward while continuing to support its strategic vision.

Additionally, Spisak will play a key role in helping to develop the company’s product, marketing, creative, social media and business plans. As an industry veteran, Spisak will continue to help the company evolve and expand the Dr. Seuss brand platform, while developing strategic, 360-degree marketing programmes that create excitement, retail opportunities, and collaboration moments with key partners.

“I am excited and honoured to be elevated to this role at Dr. Seuss Enterprises,” says Spisak. “It’s an incredible time to be at Dr. Seuss Enterprises and with these new responsibilities, I am looking forward to helping our beloved property grow even further.”

Vienna Downes will join the team as the Senior Director of Licensing and Sales, leaning on her extensive experience in orchestrating winning business initiatives and innovative licensing programmes.

Raquel Ojalvo is also joining the team as the Director of Retail Sales. She brings over 10 years of experience in entertainment licensing and sales, focusing on new business development and category management.

Jimeka Broussard has been hired as Licensing Manager, and brings to the team a background in budget, product, and contract management. 

Susan Brandt says: “Shannon has shown an impressive ability to not only manage and lead our team members to success but has also been a force of creativity and innovation. I am also thrilled to welcome Vienna, Jimeka, and Raquel who come from impressive backgrounds and each with the skills to help propel Dr. Seuss Enterprises to even greater heights.” 

 

New line of Dr Seuss books in development

Dr. Seuss Enterprises (DSE) and Random House Children’s Books (RHCB) will launch Seuss Studios, a line of books for early readers by new and emerging authors and illustrators who will create original stories inspired by Ted Geisel’s (aka Dr. Seuss) unpublished sketches and illustrations. The news was announced today, Dr. Seuss’s birthday, by DSE and RHCB.

Seuss Studios will carry forward Dr. Seuss’s legacy of inspiring millions of people to learn to love to read by working with an inclusive community of authors and illustrators to create books for all young readers and families that capture Dr. Seuss’s hallmark spirit of creativity and imagination.

The sketches and illustrations that will serve as inspiration pieces for Seuss Studios books have been selected from the Dr. Seuss Collection archives at UC San Diego and curated by Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books. The original Dr. Seuss sketch that serves as the inspiration for each of the new Seuss Studios books will be included in the book, along with a note from the creators explaining how they were inspired, and their process.

The launch of Seuss Studios is a tribute to Ted Geisel’s commitment to supporting new writers and artists. In 1957, Ted Geisel co-founded the Beginner Books imprint at Random House, the iconic line that includes enduring classics like The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. With this imprint, Geisel sought not only to create a robust and enriching library for kids, but also to open new doors for creators who were either at the beginning of their publishing careers or who worked in other creative industries.

Continuing the tradition started with Beginner Books, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books will seek out and work with a varied roster of fresh new voices to develop the Seuss Studios line.

Mallory Loehr, EVP and Publisher, Random House Books for Young Readers, and Martha Rago, VP, Executive Creative Director, RHCB, will oversee editorial and art direction at Random House Children’s Books.

Susan Brandt, President and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, says: “Seuss Studios is a new, exciting step in the continued evolution and growth of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and one that will help us ensure that Dr. Seuss’s images live on in the best possible way – and in new ways – for future readers. We look forward to putting the spotlight on a new generation of talent who we know will bring their unique voices and style to the page, while also drawing inspiration from the creativity and imagination of Dr. Seuss.”

Mallory Loehr adds: “I can’t wait to see what the Seuss Studios creators come up with! The unique styles and voices of each author and illustrator in the Seuss Studios line will shine through on every page, cover to cover – with a glimmer of Dr. Seuss’s imagination tucked inside each book. I know that these stories will connect to today’s young readers and inspire a joy in reading for years and years to come.”

Seuss Studios books will be geared towards readers ages 4 to 8. Additional details on the inaugural list will be announced later this year.

 

Susan Brandt promoted to CEO of Dr Seuss Enterprises

Dr. Seuss Enterprises has announced that Susan Brandt, an entertainment industry veteran who has been leading the company for more than two decades, has been promoted to president and CEO. 

Brandt, who was previously president of the company, will continue to lead the charge around the iconic entertainment property and oversee the worldwide operations.

During her tenure Brandt has put a focus on finding new and innovative ways to connect with fans. The Dr. Seuss brand has expanded from books to include films, television, stage productions, theme parks, digital games, exhibitions, licensed products, and more while maintaining the integrity of the beloved Dr. Seuss stories and characters. Under Brandt’s stewardship, 2021 was the highest revenue year in the company’s history.

Some of Brandt’s most recent deals for the portfolio include a three-part movie deal with Warner Animation Group, the launch of the first ever NFT experience for Dr. Seuss with Dapper Labs, and conceiving the idea for the highly successful travelling exhibition, the Dr. Seuss Experience, with Kilburn Live. Brandt has also worked closely with Netflix on the hit series Green Eggs and Ham and with PBS-TV on the award-winning show, The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!

“It has been my distinct pleasure to work with Susan Brandt over the last twenty years, so I am delighted that the Geisel-Seuss Enterprises (GSE) Board of Directors has decided to promote her to CEO,” said Brian E. C. Schottlaender, Chair of the GSE Board. “Over the years, Susan has put her heart and soul into Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and under her leadership, the company has expanded into new markets and expanded its suite of products. We look forward to working with Susan to realise the myriad opportunities before us, while promoting our core values of literacy, education, and instilling confidence and creativity in children.”

Susan Brandt said, “I am a lifelong fan of Dr. Seuss and it’s been a privilege to be part of this company, collaborate with great partners, and wonderful employees to expand the Dr. Seuss universe in ways that continue to delight. I’m looking forward to continuing the wonderful work of guiding, innovating around, and protecting this widely beloved property.”

Prior to joining Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Brandt was Vice President of home entertainment at 20th Century Fox Film Corporation where, working with the President, she launched the $500M international video division and then ran the $320M Asia Pacific region while working and living in Hong Kong.

 

 

Dr Seuss Enterprises teams with Vacasa to create the Grinch’s famous cave

Dr. Seuss Enterprises is teaming up with Vacasa, North America’s leading vacation rental management platform, to create the Grinch’s famous cave. The story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! will be brought to life for a limited time, giving holidaymakers the chance to experience the Grinch and his dog Max’s home like never before.

Travellers can book the Grinch’s infamous cave (located “Three thousand feet up, Up the side of Mt. Crumpit”) on Vacasa.com starting from 3 December for stays leading up to the Christmas holiday from Dec. 13­–23. The cave is set just outside Boulder, Utah, on a beautiful, remote property. The nightly rate for a stay will be $19.57* in honour of the book’s original release in 1957.

The Grinch’s rocky residence is within a hand-carved cave on the side of a mountain. Designers have decked the halls of this multi-level 5,700 square-foot lair with everything a Grinch fan could imagine: there’s a kitchen stocked with roastable beast, Who-pudding, and an emergency stash of Who-hash. A music room includes the Grinch’s organ alongside Max’s drum set leading into the study, main bedroom, guest bedroom, and more. Everywhere they go, visitors will be completely immersed in the world of the Grinch. Even more, the house is outfitted with all of Grinch’s gadgets; his over-the-top coffee machine, armoire with green furry pants, and all the kitchen supplies one would need to host a festive FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!

True to the much-loved Dr. Seuss tale, the cave will have all the details that make the Grinch’s Mt. Crumpit home so iconic. When asked why he won’t be at the cave to greet visitors, the Grinch commented, “I just don’t really want to. Now go away.”

Grinch fans staying at the Grinch’s cave will have the added benefit of Vacasa’s 24/7 guest support and elevated home care. Just like every other Vacasa vacation rental, the Grinch’s cave will be professionally cleaned and cared for by a dedicated local team, so guests can pack up their snoof, and their tringlers and fuzzles and enjoy a worry-free stay.

Interested visitors are encouraged to visit vacasa.com/Grinch for a 3D tour of the cave, and to mark their calendars for booking release times—the limited stays are expected to fill immediately.

*$19.57 nightly rate does not include local lodging tax.

WildBrain CPLG lands raft of UK partners for Dr Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Dr Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Green Eggs and Ham will all be expanding their UK licensing presence in the coming weeks, thanks to a raft of new deals and consumer products programmes landing courtesy of the licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG.

Among the new signing, Brand Alliance will be delivering a range of apparel and accessories based on the How the Grinch Stole Christmas IP, where it will be joined by Solent Brands and its ‘bag for life’, H&A’s health and beauty items, and Fizz Creations’ gifting and kitchenware range.

Meanwhile, Beautiful Games will be developing stickers and decals for various Dr Seuss titles.

Further UK deals will see Brand International release How the Grinch Stole Christmas footwear and accessories, as well as nightwear for The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. Stor is creating a line of How the Grinch Stole Christmas kitchenware. The new ranges will roll out from Autumn/Winter 2021, with the How the Grinch Stole Christmas lines being available for the festive 2021 season.

John Taylor, VP northern Europe and managing director UK and France at WildBrain CPLG, said: “The iconic brands of the Dr. Seuss portfolio continue to celebrate enduring popularity among consumers, licensees and retailers alike. We’ve already established significant licensing partnerships for Dr. Seuss across Europe and these latest wave of deals will offer fans in the UK even more unique products across a compelling array of categories, such as health & beauty and kitchenware.”

Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P., said: “We’re very happy with our partners continued success in the UK, making the Grinch a best-selling character at retail each year. It’s also exciting to see new and existing partners expanding our product categories for Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat, two properties that continue to make Dr. Seuss the number one licensed children’s book brand in the US.”

Dr Seuss catalogues and Clangers audio adventures are landing on the Tonies platform

Still fresh from its latest portfolio extension with Disney earlier this week, the children’s audio storytelling platform, Tonies, is continuing to roll out the classics, having welcomed the popular works of Dr Seuss as well as the British preschool sensation Clangers to its content library.

In a new partnership with Dr Seuss Enterprises, Tonies is introducing a series of five bundles showcasing the most beloved Seuss characters and stories, kicking off with The Cat in the Hat in early 2022. The deal arrives as Dr Seuss Enterprises details a new major focus on building more audio-first experiences for children.

In time for its 65th anniversary, The Cat in the Hat will be the first Dr Seuss Tonie to debut, and will feature original audio productions of some of the most iconic characters and stories, including The Cat in the Hat, The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, and There’s a Wocket in My Pocket.

Further titles will be unveiled in the coming months.

Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, said: “Audio continues to be on the rise as parents look for new ways to entertain their kids beyond screen time, whether its audiobooks or podcasts, or something as innovative as tonies.

“The tonies team has created an experience that is verbal, tactile and inspirational for kids’ imaginations. As our team continues to bring our properties further into the world of audio, we see tonies as a cornerstone partnership.”

Christoph Frehsee, president of Tonies USA, added: “The Dr. Seuss library is filled with timeless and universally loved stories that appeal to imaginations of so many youngsters. Beginning with The Cat in the Hatwe are looking forward to bringing this whimsical world of characters to the Tonies universe in 2022 and beyond.”

But the new additions to the Tonies platform don’t end there. The system has also welcomed the popular preschool property, Clangers, to the portfolio. Narrated by Sir Michael Palin, the new Clangers Tonie figurine can be placed on top of the Toniebox to take listeners to the unique and imaginary world on the little blue planet, somewhere out in space.

Billed by the company as ‘a great introduction to the CBeebies TV show for little ones’, the new Tonie plays six adventures that take children on an exploration of the Clangers’ planet under the stars, where they will be joined by Small, Tiny, Mother, Major and Granny Clanger.

As well as encouraging independence, the stories told by the new Clangers Tonie will inspire conversations and the development of emotional bonds with parents.

Jeremy Banks, CEO of Coolabi Group, rights holders to the Clangers IP, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to be announcing this new partnership and the Clangers Tonie release. The partnership celebrates all the fantastic music and sounds that make Clangers so magical and unique.”

Pinky Laing, UK partnerships at Tonies, added: “Tonies is committed to helping children through the power and magic of storytelling. We are delighted to be working with Coolabi Group to release our new the Clangers audio Tonie for families.

“Telling the nostalgic, loveable and iconic tales of the pink, knitted creatures that live together on a little blue planet, we hope that the new Tonie will develop bonds amongst parents and their little ones.

“Fostering a love of narrative and adventure, the launch of our new Tonie continues our commitment to engage the next generation by introducing them to beloved classic stories, such as The Clangers.”

But hold on a minute. The thing about Tonie figurines is – they’re like buses. And indeed there is a whole trail of new releases for the month of August, including the new How to Train Your Dragon Tonie boasting 35 minutes of adventure with the young dragon trainer Hiccup and his loyal dragon Toothless, as well as Trolls, following the adventures of Poppy, Branch, and the residents of Troll Village, and Super Wings – a full 72 minutes of quests with Jett as the plane sets off to deliver packages to children around the world.

Dr Seuss Enterprises lands new eco-friendly partners for The Lorax ahead of Earth Day 2021

Dr. Seuss Enterprises is celebrating Earth Day and the 50th anniversary of its popular title, The Lorax, with the launch of a line-up of sustainable brand partnerships that underscore the book’s core message of environmental activism.

Launched to tie in with Earth Day this year, the range will span new eco-friendly products including pet toys, home decor, publishing, and apparel which will kick off with a collection developed by the sustainable apparel brand, Tentree.

The eco-friendly Lorax collection will consist of hoodies, crewnecks, sweatpants, and t-shirts for adults and children, while inspired by the book’s activism theme will be the newest MantraBand engraved bracelet featuring the famed Lorax quote, Unless Someone Like You Cares A Whole Awful Lot, which is marked as a reminder to use your voice to make change.

Elsewhere, the story of The Lorax will enjoy new entertainment and publishing deals throughout the year, as – adding to a line-up of anniversary partnerships – Random House Children’s Books readies to roll out a robust publishing programme with new The Lorax books printed on recycled paper.

New to the catalogue this year is The Lorax Deluxe Doodle book, which is out now, followed by The Lorax: 50th Anniversary Edition, Dr. Seuss’s Thank You For Being Green And Speaking For The Trees, Let’s Go to the Garden! With Dr. Seuss’ Lorax,with more to come this Spring.

Additionally, through a partnership with Oceanhouse Media, The Lorax comes to life on iPads and iPhones in the digital book edition with playful interactivity, animations and fun activities.

US book retailer, Barnes & Noble has teamed with One Tree Planted for a special campaign in which every copy of The Lorax related titles sold in stores or online over April will see Dr Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books donate $1 to the cause.

Meanwhile, Dr. Seuss Enterprises is making its mark in an untapped category with BARK, the maker of BarkBox, for a line of sustainable dog toys. Debuting in April for BarkBox subscribers and in Petco stores, pets will be able to play with and chew on Lorax-themed toys, all made with environmentally friendly materials.

As part of its partnership expansion, Aurora, the world’s leading manufacturer and distributor of plush toys and gifts, has released a new eco-friendly Lorax plush toy, and Tervis, maker of expressive and sustainable drinkware, has rolled out a Lorax inspired collection of travel tumblers.

The global celebrations continues, meanwhile, as The Lorax hit London in celebration of Earth Day 2021. The Old Vic Theatre is presenting the iconic Dr. Seuss book The Lorax for six live-streamed performances as part of the OLD VIC: IN CAMERA series.  David Greig and Charlie Fink’s Olivier Award-nominated adaptation, directed by the award-winning director Max Webster,  is transformed into a semi-staged pint-size version to keep young (and older) minds entertained.

Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, said:The Lorax has always been a beloved Dr. Seuss story and introduces children to why we need to protect our planet through a beautiful story. We are proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the book in 2021 and further encourage our readers to speak out and make change in our world.

“This year we are partnering with a wide range of brands, such as Tentree, BarkBox, and more, to create sustainable products that will continue spreading The Lorax’s message.”

The Lorax, which was first published in 1971, quickly became a cultural phenomenon with an important and hopeful message about our environment. Over the past 50 years, the book has encouraged children to not only speak up for the protection of our trees, but to also use their voice to help make change because “unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is  going to get better. It’s not.”

Dr Seuss Enterprises halts the publication and licensing of six Dr Seuss titles over insensitive imagery upset

Dr. Seuss Enterprises has ceased the publication of six titles from the author’s catalogue of children’s books following audience feedback for a review over the insensitive and racist imagery within.

The organisation confirmed that it would ceasing the sales of And to Think That I saw It on Mulberry street, If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot’s Pool, On Beyond Zebra, Scrambled Eggs Super!, and The Cat’s Quizzer for illustrations found within that “portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.”

The decision to cease publication and sales of the books was made last year after months of discussion, but announced this week in conjunction with the author’s birthday.

“Today, on Dr. Seuss’s Birthday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises celebrates reading and also our mission of supporting all children and families with messages of hope, inspiration, inclusion, and friendship,” said the company in a statement issued on its website and to the Associated Press.

“We are committed to action. To that end, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, working with a panel of experts, including educators, reviewed our catalog of titles and made the decision last year to cease publication and licensing of the following titles:  And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot’s Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super!, and The Cat’s Quizzer. These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.

“Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’s catalog represents and supports all communities and families.”

Books by Dr Seuss – who was born Theodor Seuss Geisel in Massachusetts on March 2nd 1904 – have been translated into dozens of languages as well as in braille and are sold in more than 100 countries.

The impact of the decision has not been without its reverberations and Universal Studios is reportedly re-evaluating its If I Ran the Zoo play area, as well as its And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street inspired shop that makes up a part of the destination.

‘Seuss Landing continues to be very popular with our guests and we value our relationship with Seuss Enterprises,’ a Universal spokesperson told Spectrum News.

‘We’ve removed the books from our shelves as they have asked, and we’ll be evaluating our in-park experience too. But our guests can plan on continuing to be able to enjoy their favorite experiences at Seuss Landing.’

Dr Seuss walks into Irregular Choice partnership for The Cat in the Hat collection

The shoe and accessory brand, Irregular Choice has walked into a new partnership with Dr Seuss Enterprises to launch a new collaborative collection based on the iconic The Cat in the Hat.

Brokered by WildBrain CPLG, which represents Dr. Seuss Enterprises across EMEA, the deal will launch an adult collection that includes heeled shoes, boots, sneakers, bags and tights – all featuring the iconic Cat and Thing One and Thing Two from the famous picture book.

The collection is now available worldwide on the Irregular Choice website, and will also launch at Irregular Choice stores across the UK. To support the collaboration, Irregular Choice and Dr. Seuss are promoting the range on social media, with Irregular Choice also executing influencer outreach and installing branded window displays across its UK stores.

John Taylor, VP Northern Europe and managing director UK and France at WildBrain CPLG, said: “Irregular Choice is celebrated for creating unique, bold and eye-catching products that stand out from the crowd. As we continue to expand the merchandise offering for adults who’ve loved The Cat in the Hat since childhood, we knew Irregular Choice would be an ideal partner to capture the brand’s mischievous and energetic spirit, and we can’t wait to see fans enjoying the collection.”

Susan Brandt, president of Dr Seuss Enterprises, added: “Dr. Seuss books are not your typical books, and shoes from Irregular Choice are not your typical shoes. That’s why we believe this collaboration is so well paired and this expressive collection really speaks to the originality of both brands.”

Dan Sullivan, founder and designer at Irregular Choice, added: “Irregular Choice’s ethos is to ‘Recapture your freedom which eloped with your youth’, and better than anyone, Dr. Seuss epitomises that freedom of thought, and unstifled creativity.

“Not only amazingly inspirational, but words to live your life by. There are so many thought provoking quotes, stories and images, which when growing up drove my young mind, and I have tried to take them with me throughout my life. To have the chance to even slightly tap into that world of fun filled imagination, has been a dream fulfilled.”

Fashion UK, Portico Designs and Rubber Road among new UK partners for How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Fashion UK, Portico Designs, and the pop culture licensee Rubber Road are among a tranche of new UK licensing partners now signed for Dr Seuss Enterprises festive IP How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The latest signings arrive as WildBrain CPLG secures a new wave of European deals for the property.

In the UK, Portico Designs will release a line of calendars and diaries, Fashion UK is developing new kids’ daywear, and Rubber Road has introduced The Grinch to it popular collectables line up Tubbz. Meanwhile, Enesco is launching figurines and CHristmas decorations, Ecell is developing new phone covers and accessories, and Widdop & Co has signed up for gifting and home accessories.

Additional fashion partnerships have been secured outside of the UK with Trucare for the Middle East and North Africa, and Elyaf for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The new product ranges will launch from October 2020.

John Taylor, VP Northern Europe and managing director UK and France at WildBrain CPLG, said: “Thanks to his quirky humour and holiday spirit, the Grinch has firmly established himself as an icon for the festive season. This broad line-up of new partners means the brand will continue to have a robust presence during the Christmas retail period, and also have a wider range of products available than ever before.”

“We are excited about the broad reach of Grinchmas at retail this year, due in large part to all the great work WildBrain CPLG has done to select fantastic licensees who creatively connect our fans with the Grinch through consumer products,” said Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

These new partnerships join long-standing apparel and homeware UK licensees for the brand which include: Somerbond, BC International, Park Agencies, Misirli, Brand International, Dreamtex, Paul Dennicci, Cooneen, IG Design Group, Hype and Aurora.

Beyond the UK, the licensing programme also features European partners LPP for adult and kids wear and H&M for apparel and accessories, alongside Thalia for gifting in Germany, Australia and Switzerland.