Funko teams with Hasbro for My Little Pony NFTs

Funko has announced the upcoming release of a new collection of NFTs based on Hasbro’s iconic My Little Pony characters, including Pinkie Pie, Princess Luna, Rainbow Dash, and more.

The My Little Pony x Funko Digital Pop! NFTs will be released on 28 June on NFT platform Droppp.io

Funko Digital Pop! are non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, in the form of digital collectibles featuring Funko’s unique stylised figures. My Little Pony Funko Digital Pop! will be available for $9.99 USD for the Standard Packs and $29.99 USD for the Premium Packs, with both limited to 18,000 copies available each for a total of 360,000 NFTs.

Each pack of Digital Pop! gives buyers a chance to reveal one of the rare Funko Digital Pop! when opened, which can then be redeemed for a free, limited edition, physical vinyl collectible.

Funko Digital Pop! will be available to purchase through the Droppp.io platform using a Droppp account and a credit card.

Reemsborko signs on as EMEA agent for Gloomy Bear, All Purpose Bunny and Mimi & Neko

Reemsborko, the licensing agency specialising in animé and animé-adjacent properties, comics, films, TV and tattoo art, has teamed with Octas to bring Mori Chack’s Gloomy Bear and other IPs to EMEA.

Created by Japanese illustrator Mori Chack in 2000, the cute-yet-edgy, cuddly-but-violent Gloomy Bear took hold when counter-culture enthusiasts embraced him as the perfect antithesis to the typically cute but harmless kawaii characters loved by the mainstream.

Now, fueled by 30 short humorous animé episodes that will stream everywhere, Gloomy Bear is being licensed around the globe, with Funko, Bioworld, Isaac Morris, ID Supply, GE Animation and Fossil already on board as partners.

A long-form Gloomy Bear anime series is also planned, which will stream globally.

Other Mori Chack properties that will be represented by Reemsborko across EMEA include All Purpose Bunny – a genetically modified test-lab rabbit with strange properties and unnaturally long ears, who finally retaliated against humans for years of abuse. All Purpose Bunny and Gloomy Bear often team up to attack humans and get their revenge.

Also included in the Mori Chack portfolio are Mimi and Neko, a friendly duo of a cat and a bunny with cute bum cheeks as their charm point. Their origin story begins with Mimi and Neko as regular pets who aspired to become human. Suddenly, a magic star came along and granted their wish – but the wish was only 50 per cent effective. Mimi & Neko now have hands and feet, and distinctly cute behinds.

Max Arguile of Reemsborko commented: “Reemsborko continues to sign the most interesting IP out there. Octas are masters in securing very cool properties that will delight anime fans everywhere. There are some great partners on board already and if this looks right for you, please email max@reemsborko.com.”

Vince Shortino of Octas commented: “Octas brings Japanese artists and their IP to the world. We are delighted to have Reemsborko as the agent for all our cherished properties and look forward to the hustle they will bring.”

Octas was established in 2018 by Shortino, the founder of Crunchyroll Japan. With a mission to connect Japanese creators and their IP directly to fans around the world, Octas provides artists with collaboration opportunities, marketing support, brand management and business development.

 

 

 

WarnerMedia unveils Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore merchandise

WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences will launch a spellbinding collection of products to help fans celebrate the magic of the highly anticipated Warner Bros Pictures film Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, debuting in cinemas in the UK on 8 April and in the USA on 15 April.

As fans get ready for the new film, they can look forward to the following Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore merchandise and experiences:

Publishing:

  • The Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore: Movie Magic book from Insight Edition hits stores and online marketplaces on April 15. Available on Amazon.com for pre-order.

Fashion:

  • LeSportSac will launch a summer collection on 18 April featuring various creatures from the Fantastic Beasts movies and offering a magical assortment of bags and unique items.
  • Hot Topic FB3 has unveiled an exclusive fashion collection inspired by the magic and mischief of Fantastic Beasts, available now in select Hot Topic stores nationwide and at hottopic.com.
  • EB Games/Zing Pop Culture launched a collection in Australia on 5 April offering women’s and men’s apparel, accessories, stationery and home products, including a Niffler T-shirt and matching backpack and Niffler hooded blanket.

Toy:

  • Build-A-Bear introduces its new Fantastic Beasts collection in April, allowing fans to make Nifflers in all colours and sizes, a plush of Newt’s beloved Bowtruckle, and more. The new collection will be available in stores and online.
  • Running Press will release a collectible figure of Niffler, mounted on a base, which plays its mischievous sound at the push of a button. The Niffler collectible is available for pre-order now on Amazon.
  • Funko will be releasing later this year a range of Pop! vinyl figures based on the fan-favourite characters, brought to life in Funko’s iconic signature style.

Art:

  • Award-winning design studio MinaLima recently debuted new graphic art prints celebrating the latest film in the Fantastic Beast series in Soho, London.  The curated collection of Graphic Art of Fantastic Beasts is on display and available for sale now at House of MinaLima in London and will be unveiled in House of MinaLima New York, House of MinaLima Osaka and House of MinaLima Paju on Friday, 8 April.

Themed Entertainment:

  • Harry Potter: The Exhibition. The all-new behind-the-scenes exhibition celebrates the iconic moments, characters, settings, and beasts as seen in the films and stories of Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, and the expanded Wizarding World, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Visitors can get an up-close look at everything from original costumes to authentic props as they embark on a journey through magical environments using  immersive design and technology. The exhibition is currently at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
  • Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature will be coming to the Royal Ontario Museum summer 2022. This new exhibition explores the links between the magical creatures of the Wizarding World and the remarkable animals in our natural world, encouraging a greater connection to our planet.

“The Wizarding World franchise is full of rich detail, beautiful settings and fascinating creatures and we have collaborated with top partners globally to curate a Fantastic Beasts programme that will allow fans of all ages to engage with their favorite on screen characters in their everyday lives,” says Pam Lifford, President, WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences.

To learn more about the upcoming film, visit www.fantasticbeasts.com.

WarnerMedia unveils Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore merchandise

WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences will launch a spellbinding collection of products to help fans celebrate the magic of the highly anticipated Warner Bros Pictures film Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, debuting in cinemas in the UK on 8 April and in the USA on 15 April.

As fans get ready for the new film, they can look forward to the following Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore merchandise and experiences:

Publishing:

  • The Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore: Movie Magic book from Insight Edition hits stores and online marketplaces on April 15. Available on Amazon.com for pre-order.

Fashion:

  • LeSportSac will launch a summer collection on 18 April featuring various creatures from the Fantastic Beasts movies and offering a magical assortment of bags and unique items.
  • Hot Topic FB3 has unveiled an exclusive fashion collection inspired by the magic and mischief of Fantastic Beasts, available now in select Hot Topic stores nationwide and at hottopic.com.
  • EB Games/Zing Pop Culture launched a collection in Australia on 5 April offering women’s and men’s apparel, accessories, stationery and home products, including a Niffler T-shirt and matching backpack and Niffler hooded blanket.

Toy:

  • Build-A-Bear introduces its new Fantastic Beasts collection in April, allowing fans to make Nifflers in all colours and sizes, a plush of Newt’s beloved Bowtruckle, and more. The new collection will be available in stores and online.
  • Running Press will release a collectible figure of Niffler, mounted on a base, which plays its mischievous sound at the push of a button. The Niffler collectible is available for pre-order now on Amazon.
  • Funko will be releasing later this year a range of Pop! vinyl figures based on the fan-favourite characters, brought to life in Funko’s iconic signature style.

Art:

  • Award-winning design studio MinaLima recently debuted new graphic art prints celebrating the latest film in the Fantastic Beast series in Soho, London.  The curated collection of Graphic Art of Fantastic Beasts is on display and available for sale now at House of MinaLima in London and will be unveiled in House of MinaLima New York, House of MinaLima Osaka and House of MinaLima Paju on Friday, 8 April.

Themed Entertainment:

  • Harry Potter: The Exhibition. The all-new behind-the-scenes exhibition celebrates the iconic moments, characters, settings, and beasts as seen in the films and stories of Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, and the expanded Wizarding World, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Visitors can get an up-close look at everything from original costumes to authentic props as they embark on a journey through magical environments using  immersive design and technology. The exhibition is currently at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
  • Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature will be coming to the Royal Ontario Museum summer 2022. This new exhibition explores the links between the magical creatures of the Wizarding World and the remarkable animals in our natural world, encouraging a greater connection to our planet.

“The Wizarding World franchise is full of rich detail, beautiful settings and fascinating creatures and we have collaborated with top partners globally to curate a Fantastic Beasts programme that will allow fans of all ages to engage with their favorite on screen characters in their everyday lives,” says Pam Lifford, President, WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences.

To learn more about the upcoming film, visit www.fantasticbeasts.com.

Funko opens its first international franchise store in Dubai

Funko has announced that it has appointed Monkey Distribution as the first franchise operator catering to growing pop culture enthusiasts and Funko Funatics in the Middle East. The store, to be owned and operated by Monkey Distribution, is located in the newly constructed Dubai Hills Mall and is expected to open on April 2, 2022.

“The opening of Funko’s first franchise location in the metropolitan city of Dubai is a significant step in expanding our channel network outside of the United States,” says Andy Oddie, Managing Director, Funko EMEA. “The growth we are experiencing across the world is clearly indicative of the extraordinary demand for our products. By introducing stores outside of the U.S., we are creating a unique shopping destination for Funko fans and pop culture enthusiasts.”

As pop culture permeates across the globe, Funko fans and collectors will now have a must-see destination in the United Arab Emirates. The new store at Dubai Hills Mall will offer visitors the opportunity to experience Funko products, including Pop!, GOLD, Loungefly and Funko Games.

“Pop culture enthusiasts are passionate about their fandom and seek ways to incorporate them into their daily lives,” says Rajeev Babu, General Manager, Emaar Malls. “The new Funko store in Dubai Hills Mall will be a prized destination for fans from the region and around the world.”

Kinder Joy and Funko Europe forge long-term partnership

As of now, consumers in many European markets will find their Kinder Joy snacks come with iconic Funko collectables.

The two brands have worked to create a collection specifically designed for kids aged 8 to 12, with 24 Funko music-themed surprises: 8 figurines and 16 music gadgets to collect.

The playing experience is extended in the digital playground of Applaydu & Friends, a new free app specially designed for tweens to meet their needs to be creative, play and connect with their friends. The app is 100% kid-safe, friendly and secure, and was developed in partnership with mobile gaming experts Gameloft.

On Applaydu & Friends, tweens can embody their Funko toys, create their own customisable avatars, make fun videos, challenge their friends in obstacle races and ultimately connect to each other through real-time leaderboards in a safe play environment.

The collaboration marks the start of the Kinder Joy x Funko Europe partnership, with  more new ranges coming soon.

Asgard Media appoints Robyn Cowling as its Head of Strategic Partnerships

Asgard Media, the licensing consultancy business launched by Kelvyn Gardner, has tapped Robyn Cowling has its new head of strategic partnerships as the company looks towards ‘a bright future’, following Kelvyn’s passing earlier this year.

Formerly the licensing director at Underground Toys (acquired by Funko), Cowling brings with her over ten years of experience in the licensing space, as well as a wealth of knowledge in the pop culture and trends space. With a proven track record, she is a popular member of the licensing industry who is passionate about products.

Cowling was selected for the role at Asgard Media for the ‘values she embodies’ as well as her commitment to growing the business in collaboration with clients and licensors in a ‘profitable and sustainable way’ by encouraging them to connect, build and nurture relationships.

“In particular, I’m looking forward to combining my commercial knowledge and product development expertise to deliver new, exciting licensed ranges and products to the FMCG and gift sectors,” said Cowling. “Asgard represents clients in a broad range of sectors including craft gin and cakes – what’s not to love?!

“I’m keen to prove worthy of the support which Kelvyn’s family have shown me by guiding our existing clients into exploring different genres and adding to our strong portfolio with new strategic partners.”

Kelvyn Gardner created Asgard Media as a new consultancy business in 1998 after his success with Merlin Publishing, which was founded by Kelvyn and three colleagues in 1989. During the ’90s, Merlin Publishing became the fastest-growing private company in the United Kingdom, winning the coveted Price Waterhouse Top 100 in 1995. Merlin’s growth was rooted in Kelvyn’s work getting the essential licenses that brought that success. For the next 20 years, Kelvyn marketed hundreds of licensed products worldwide.

Over that time, Kelvyn also filled the role of managing director of Licensing International UK, helping the industry for more than ten years ending in 2020.

Michelle Gardner, director at Asgard Media, said: “Kelvyn’s sudden passing on the 26th of January this year hit us hard. Of course this meant a decision as to whether we continued in licensing. However a desire to look after our lovely clients led us to carry on, although without Kelvyn at the helm this was a daunting prospect.

“Advice from good friends within the industry led us to David Berry of Interim Licensing Management. David has done a fantastic job guiding us through the licensing maze, getting Asgard Media back on track at what has been a challenging time. We could not have asked for a better helping hand in the interim whilst we looked to engage someone permanently. Now seven months on, we are happy to announce Robyn Cowling’s appointment as Head of Strategic Partnerships for Asgard Media.”

Kelvyn’s children, Eliot and Regan, added: “Our dad created Asgard Media especially to provide a range of independent consultancy services and strategic advice to the licensing business sector. We grew up around licensing, and knowing that Asgard will continue to be a part of the vibrant industry he loved so much means the world to us. Having Robyn on board really makes us ready for an electric future.”

Alongside this exciting appointment, as part of their growth strategy, Asgard will be expanding its portfolio. You can now ‘summon the power of Asgard’ by contacting Robyn at:

Robyn Cowling: 07958 029 326

rc@asgardmedia.com

Funko turns Christmas Pop! in exclusive Hallmark and Walmart gifting and wrapping partnership

Funko is expanding across the seasonal aisle this year thanks to an exclusive partnership with the US retailer Walmart that will see the pop culture specialist release Pop! inspired Hallmark ornaments and wrapping paper in time for the Christmas and holiday season.

Hallmark has been a staple of the holiday product roll-out across the US since 1910. This year, it will join the pop culture explosion by partnering with Funko to deliver a 2021 ornament collection featuring Pop! versions of celebrated characters from TV, comic books, films, and more.

“The Funko team is always working on new and exciting product ideas to delight our fans. We’re excited for holiday shoppers to experience this upcoming season in Funko style with new décor that fits perfectly around your Christmas tree or on your mantel,” said Andrew Perlmutter, president at Funko.

“We’re excited to share this collection with our dedicated fanbase and reach new pop culture enthusiasts through an expanded holiday program for the most wonderful time of the year.”

Nicole Reid, vice president of ornaments and gifts at Hallmark, said: “For decades, Hallmark has designed and sold licensed ornaments and gifts for people like us who love a pop of culture in our homes and on our Christmas trees, whether that’s a favorite character from a comic book or even a nostalgic video game from our childhoods.

“Hallmark and Funko are excited to join forces and bring the Pop! versions of these popular licensed characters to add to fans’ trees this holiday season.”

Funko will also be debuting a range of Christmas and holiday season wrapping paper, all featuring pop culture icons in the Pop! styling. Available at Walmart this autumn, Funko’s debut line of wrapping paper will feature iconic TV shows, comic book characters, video games and more.

Funko’s holiday collection will also include advent calendars, games, mugs and more.

When Geek Culture went Pop! | Kids Industries on how we’ve all adopted the geek market (without even realising)

Aleksandra Szczerba, researcher at Kids Industries, explores the ubiquity of geek culture today, and the very real chance that if you’re reading this, you’ve long since become one.

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No longer constrained by the four walls of a dimly-lit basement or the stacks of a comic book store. No longer only openly revered by social outcasts (and covertly by everyone else in fear of being shunned). So-called “geek culture” is – in many ways – no more. Or at least it has evolved to be something vastly different than it has been in the past. The cornerstones of geek culture of decades gone by, from sci-fi to comic books, from video games to anime, don’t just have their footholds in the mainstream. They have become the mainstream, permeating today’s biggest children’s and adult media trends alike. So how have we all become geeks, how did this happen, and what does it mean for the future?

The most obvious way in which geek culture has become a staple in pop culture is of course through screen adaptations of comic books, both feature film and television. Although one would think that DC had the head start, having the rights to iconic characters such as Superman and Batman, it is Marvel that took the movie industry by storm in the past decade. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, comprising more than 20 films and dozens of characters, became a set of interwoven narratives and franchises, brought together in a grand finale in the form of the highest-grossing movie spectacular of all time (at the time at least). “Avengers: Endgame” earned $2.798B at the global box office, and is now the second highest grossing movie of all time, after being narrowly dethroned by the re-release of James Cameron’s “Avatar”. Notably, it is not the only Marvel film people around the world saw in droves: “Avengers: Infinity War” is fifth in terms of box office earnings, and the first “The Avengers” movie ranks 8th. The dollar signs speak for themselves – it’s not just geeks who are all over superheroes today.

Although “Endgame” brought a sense of finality to the MCU, Marvel is not slowing down – it was only the end of Phase 3, and we are already well into Phase 4 with the release of “Black Widow” and the many streaming titles being released on Disney+. Each series is dedicated to developing fan-favourite side characters, and these have been a hit for the platform, both in drawing in subscribers – and in drawing critical acclaim. The June release of “Loki” coincided with Disney+’s biggest increase in mobile app downloads among major streamers, with a 39% increase in the week ending 27th June, and an 11% increase in streaming sessions, according to Bloomberg’s Apptopia data, and in general Disney+ is currently chipping away at Netflix’s dominance in the streaming space. It definitely takes a bit of a geek to want to watch a multi-episode series about a villain or a supporting character who didn’t get their own feature length movie, and clearly there is no shortage of those out there. They also come in all shapes and sizes – at KI we have interviewed children as young as 6 who report enjoying watching Marvel series with their parents.

To put it simply: superheroes are cool now. And it’s not just the MCU. The “DC Extended Universe” may not have taken off in the same way, but television’s “Arrowverse” definitely has its own very loyal following. Superhero movies and TV shows, like “Logan” or HBO’s “Watchmen”, have received prestigious accolades. Comic book brands are no longer “for kids” or “for geeks” – everyone knows these stories and characters, including their mother, father and brother. Once upon a time everyone knew that Superman was the super strong guy, now everyone has an opinion on where they stand in the Captain America vs Iron Man conflict in “Civil War”. There is something for everyone in comic book stories, from a bit of good old fashioned fisticuffs, in-depth character conflict, to comedy and teenage high school hijinks. Many of today’s superhero stories are also more diverse and more relatable; everyone is bound to find a type of superhero they can enjoy.

To an extent the appeal of comic book movies also translates to other expressions of fandom. Parts of the “geek” industry have seen growth, from collectable merchandise like Funko POP! action figures (Funko reports growth every year and quarter, with the POP! line specifically most recently seeing growth of 33% in US and Europe in the first quarter of 2021), to events (the San Diego Comic Con attracts upwards of 130 thousand attendees every year). Similarly, one would expect this to translate to comic books – and many in the industry do cite MCU’s success as the reason for the U-turn in the decline in comic sales post-1993 (i.e. when the comic book bubble burst – but that’s a story for another day). In the 2010s, comic book sales in the US alone crossed the $1 billion mark in 2015, and grew to a $1.2 billion peak in 2019. However according to retailers the ‘movie-lover-to-comic-reader’ conversion is difficult, and hasn’t been all that successful. Yes, more people come into stores and give comics a try, but they also stick to content that is as close to the adaptation as possible. The industry has seen boosts and has seen increased sales related directly to trending storylines or characters – but the bottom line is this: we might collectively be comic book movie geeks, but we’re not quite comic book geeks (yet).

Similarly to superheroes, once upon a time interest in anime and manga may have been limited to people known as “otakus” or “weebs”, but in the year 2021 things could not be more different once again. The anime industry is worth over $20 billion today, with overseas markets accounting for half of the Japanese animation industry’s profits according to the Association of Japanese Animations. In 2019 the industry reached an all time high of $24 billion, with the overseas market valued at around $11 billion – a 19% increase on 2018, and almost a fivefold increase from 2009. These numbers include everything from animation itself (TV and film), to music, and merchandise, with the latter alone being worth over $5.2 billion globally. The dollar signs don’t lie – they’re all pointing East. Not only are we geeks, we’re also otakus.

Data from various streaming services further backs up the data on anime’s growth. According to the specialist anime streamer Crunchyroll’s data, a whopping 8 in 10 people today watch anime, and the platform has felt this. During last year’s Festival of Licensing the platform boasted of nine consecutive years of record sales (the site doesn’t just offer anime, but also manga and merchandise), and in February 2021 the site had hit 4 million paying subscribers, alongside over 100 million registered users, having grown its paid memberships by 33% in the space of just six months. In December 2020 news emerged regarding a possible monumental merger worth almost $1.2 billion in which Crunchyroll would be acquired by another anime giant: Sony’s Funimation. The deal is still up in the air, but if the deal goes through, it will lead to the creation of a veritable anime giant.

Anime isn’t just something found on niche platforms however; regular mainstream players recognise the power of anime too. In 2020 Netflix reported that more than 100 million households across the globe had watched at least one anime title on the platform between January and September, an increase by 50% from the year before, and that anime titles had appeared in top 10 lists in nearly 100 countries. The company has a Tokyo-based team dedicated to anime production and is regularly producing new content as well as acquiring new titles. Just as an example, earlier this year they released a well-received two-part Sailor Moon movie “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal”, and August will see the release of “The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf”, an anime prequel to the live-action fantasy “The Witcher” series based on the Polish hit-books-turned-hit-video-games (now how’s that for layers of geekiness?)

Of course, the best known titles today are still the likes of Pokémon, Naruto, Studio Ghibli movies, but people are broadening their horizons. This exploration does not end with animation – manga sales were at an all time record high in 2020. Based on NPD’s BookScan data, across the 20 top selling adult graphic novels in the US in October 2020, 17 were manga titles. One of the biggest hits of today took the top three spots: My Hero Academia, a shōnen superhero-themed series popular with teenagers. This year an ever hotter commodity is the supernatural series Jujutsu Kaisen, particularly following the release of its anime adaptation; as of May this year it has 50 million copies in circulation, it has had successful brand collaborations including Uniqlo, and has topped the list of Japan’s most lucrative franchises of 2021 so far.

Anime and manga are popular enough in the English-speaking world that an element of fandom never previously accessible to these audiences is finally being opened up to them as well. This summer, for the first time ever, stage adaptations of popular anime will be streamed online with English subtitles for non-Japanese speaking audiences. These musical stage productions, also known as “2.5 dimensional musicals”, are a big part of manga, anime and video game fandom in Japan, but overseas audiences haven’t been able to engage with them officially until now. In August musical adaptations of Naruto, Sailor Moon and My Hero Academia will be streaming as part of a special online theatre event.

Geek culture has undoubtedly morphed and evolved over time, and the 21st century has seen it become – for all intents and purposes – pop culture, with previously “geek” franchises and fandoms becoming your standard, everyday, blockbuster fare. How “geek” evolves from this point on, we are yet to see – but it is definitely here to stay. It has made its place in the media landscape and it is seeping into trends everywhere. Geek franchises have bastions of fans, and they’re primed and ready to discover new titles and brands that align with their tastes. It is official: we have all become geeks (probably without even realising it).

Funko EMEA appoints regional sales director to spur its ‘phenomenal European takeover’

The pop culture specialist, Funko has bolstered its EMEA sales management team with the appointment of the former MGA Entertainment sales director, Karen Athill.

Joining the European arm of the US headquartered collectables specialist, Athill takes on the role of regional sales director, where she will lead the regional sales team as Funko continues what it has dubbed its ‘phenomenal European takeover.’

During her tenure at MGA Entertainment, Athill helped to spearhead the company’s growth within the UK through a vastly successful sales strategy for brands like LOL Surprise, Rainbow High, Little Tikes, Baby Born, and Baby Annabel.

Prior to this role, she headed up sales for the UK at Rubie’s – the world’s largest manufacturer of licensed costumes and accessories – where she delivered multi-channel strategies across their vast portfolio of products in both hard and softlines.

Athill said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Funko family. Its huge range of license partnerships offer unlimited opportunities and I’m thrilled to be working on such a diverse product range spanning multiple categories.

“Additionally, the ongoing portfolio expansion (Loungefly to name just one) make this an exciting time to be a part of the business. It’s great to be back in a cross-category environment and I cannot wait to be working with the talented Funko team and look forward to supporting our EMEA retailer partners towards further growth.”

Malcolm Ottley, vice president of sales at Funko (EMEA), added: “We are delighted to have been able to secure someone with Karen’s proven experience to help strengthen our retailer relationships throughout the UK, France and Iberia regions.

“Karen will lead our sales teams in those regions, further enhancing our strategic partner relations and continuing to drive our category expansions across our Pop! collectibles, toys, games and softlines through our thriving Loungefly business.”