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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.

New Angry Birds consumer products programme to accompany Netflix series

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Ahead of the global debut of Angry Birds: Summer Madness on Netflix on 28 January 2022, Rovio Entertainment is working with IMG to build a consumer products programme for fans of the popular franchise.

The 32 x 11-minute and 4 x 22-minute special episodes is the latest collaboration in a long-term partnership between Rovio and independent entertainment company CAKE, which includes international distribution rights to Rovio’s expanding library of non-dialogue shorts.

Angry Birds: Summer Madness will see sparks and feathers fly when a teenage Red, Chuck, Bomb and Stella spend a wild summer together with other Angry Birds at Camp Splinterwood. Explosive antics, improbable pranks and crazy summertime adventures will see the birds pushing boundaries and breaking all the rules while fending off the brash, obnoxious Pigs on the other side of the lake.

IMG has signed deals across core categories including apparel, QSR, confectionery and promotions in location-based experiences in the US and Europe and is now targeting other licensees in key categories including F&B, promotions, apparel, plush, hardlines and more.

Sam Barker, Senior Licensing Director at IMG, says: “Following the global success of the movies, Angry Birds: Summer Madness marks an exciting new step in Rovio’s evolution of this iconic franchise and is a fantastic opportunity for brands and licensees to become part of it. The new series promises to deliver a fresh perspective on these globally loved characters, and even more fun for fans, with the same humour of the movie franchise.”

 

Coco de Mer releases Killing Eve lingerie collection

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Luxury lingerie brand and Home of Pleasure Coco de Mer has joined forces with BAFTA, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-winning television series Killing Eve to create a limited-edition collection, in a deal brokered by the show’s licensing agency IMG.

The Killing Eve by Coco de Mer collection features exclusive designs inspired by the synonymous style and locations showcased in the global hit show, produced in the UK by Sid Gentle Films for BBC America and BBC iPlayer. It comprises five luxurious ranges, each influenced by one of the fashionable cities forming the backdrop throughout the series: Berlin, Moscow, Paris, Vienna and London.

Available exclusively at Coco de Mer and Net-a-Porter, the collection will feature two SS22 drops, with Berlin and Moscow launching in December 2021 for the holiday season, followed by Paris, Vienna and London for Valentine’s Day in February 2022.

Designed by women, for women, the 10-piece collection includes a luxurious red silk kimono, a daring emerald bodysuit and an eye-catching black and gold intertwined cut-out bra set.

Lucy Litwack, Coco de Mer CEO, comments: “Not only does this partnership encapsulate the unapologetic female empowerment deeply ingrained in Killing Eve, it highlights the power a woman can feel when wearing Coco de Mer’s lingerie. It has been such a joy to bring to life the iconic award-winning series and we hope the collection inspires all women to feel their best, strongest self.”

Killing Eve by Coco de Mer will launch exclusively with two ranges (Berlin and Moscow) in-store at Coco de Mer’s Monmouth Street boutique in London and online at www.coco-de-mer.com, as well as through Net-a-Porter from 6 December. The remaining ranges will launch on 3 February 2022.

Prices range from £115 for a thong to £595 for a kimono.

Jared and Esquire launch men’s jewellery collection

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Retail jewellery chain Jared has announced the launch of estd. 1933 by Esquire, a collection designed in partnership with Esquire and SHR Jewelry Group. In a deal brokered by IMG, the collaboration will leverage increased visibility around the men’s jewellery category for Jared this holiday season. The new line features styles crafted in sterling silver with 10-14K gold overlay, and unexpected textures and materials.

“The men’s collection launch with Esquire and SHR reinforces our commitment to capturing market share in this ever-growing category,” says Ann Grimmett, Vice President of Merchandising at Jared. “As an expert in men’s fashion, Esquire is an ideal partner for this initiative to help elevate Jared’s current offerings and provide our customers with a well-made, stylish collection at an accessible price point.”

The collection is available to purchase on Jared.com and in stores now. The jewellery line will include a range of bracelets, rings, necklaces, pendants and earrings at a variety of price points starting at $199. Every piece is discreetly engraved with an unmistakable Esquire signature “E” to ensure authenticity.

“As more and more men are expressing themselves through jewellery, it’s critical to offer them the right blend of design, materials and craftsmanship that they can wear with confidence,” adds Scott Rauch, CEO of SHR Jewelry Group.

 

FC Barcelona taps IMG for Southeast Asia licensing programme

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Five-time UEFA Champions League winning football club FC Barcelona has appointed IMG as its master licensee in Southeast Asia to develop a consumer products programme for fans in the region.

Part of the club’s broader merchandising strategy and evolution into a global lifestyle brand, the multi-year deal will see IMG focus on lifestyle and fashion apparel, accessories, luggage and bags, gift and novelty, homeware and textiles, and digital and tech product categories.

Miki Yamamoto, SVP of Licensing, IMG, says: “FC Barcelona is one of the most recognised football clubs in the world and there’s huge untapped potential for brand extension in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, where football has always been extremely popular. This, combined with Barça fans’ unwavering passion for the club and desire to show support for their team, presents extensive licensing opportunities in the region.”

Barça Licensing and Merchandising (BLM) is working with leading companies like IMG to expand FC Barcelona’s lifestyle footprint and provide a 360-degree merchandising experience for Barça fans around the world.

UFC names The Memento Group official global memorabilia partner

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Mixed martial arts organisation the UFC and The Memento Group (TMG), a global leader in sports memorabilia and licensed products, have announced a multi-year partnership in which TMG will become the global distributor of officially licensed UFC memorabilia. The agreement was brokered by UFC’s licensing agency IMG.

Under the terms of the agreement, TMG will offer fans access to exclusive, limited edition and rare pieces of UFC event memorabilia, from fight-worn gloves and fight kits, to fight-night posters and photographs signed by their favorite UFC athletes. Items will be hologrammed, registered digitally, and accompanied with a certificate of authenticity as confirmation of their source. All products will be contained within premium packaging for the ultimate customer experience.

“We are thrilled to welcome The Memento Group as our new global memorabilia partner,” says Tracey Bleczinski, Senior Vice President, UFC Global Consumer Products. “The memorabilia business is a priority because these products are such authentic touchpoints for fans to stay connected to UFC and truly own the moment. With TMG’s expertise in this space, we are confident fans will appreciate the quality, authenticity and value of each piece of UFC memorabilia that TMG offers.”

Philip Danglidis, Commercial Director of The Memento Group, commented: “UFC is a truly global sporting phenomenon and we are delighted to be embarking with them on this new exciting journey – one that will bring fans even closer to the sport they love via the opportunity to own certified and authenticated memorabilia. Our proven track record not only assures customers that they are getting the genuine article, but with our guaranteed methods of authentication, we also help to protect their investment.

“UFC has a worldwide fanbase estimated at more than 625 million people, and it’s now clearly one of the Big Four in terms of popularity in the U.S. The appeal of UFC is growing year on year. As such, the potential for this partnership is colossal. This announcement is only the beginning of what’s to come, and we look forward to revealing more in 2022 and beyond.”

On January 1, 2022, UFC and TMG will launch an online store that will serve as a dedicated marketplace for UFC fans to shop hundreds of ready-to-buy items or trade unique UFC-licensed products, providing a secure, trustworthy platform for buyers. The website will also allow fans to bid for UFC memorabilia by auction. The website, which will be built and managed by TMG, will provide a single point solution for all UFC official memorabilia.

 

 

Casely launches limited-edition collection with Van Gogh Museum

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Casely has launched a collaboration with the world-renowned Van Gogh Museum to present a limited-edition collection of tech accessories, in a deal brokered by IMG. The collaborative products will showcase prominent paintings from Vincent van Gogh.

“Our products are staples in everyday life and we’re thrilled to add beauty to the tech world with this collection,” says Casely CEO Mark Stallings. “We want this collaboration to be a celebration of such a wonderful artist, and a celebration that his legacy continues to live on today.”

Almond Blossom, Sunflowers, Landscape with Houses and Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette are featured in the collection, bringing Van Gogh’s timeless artwork to a modern canvas.
“A phone is nowadays probably the most gripped, held and used product during the day. Vincent’s art being represented on a phone cover is bound to inspire people to learn more about that particular work or about the painter,” says Van Gogh Museum Business to Business Manager Laurine van Rooijen. “Through our wonderful partnership with Casely, we hope to inspire people in their everyday life with Vincent’s art and his view on the world.”

The collaboration marks the first time officially licensed Van Gogh Museum phone cases will be sold in the United States. The products are available now at getcasely.com/collections/van-gogh, with sizes ranging from the iPhone 6 to the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Tech-accessory retailer Casely, founded in 2017 by sister and brother Emily and Mark Stallings, supports charitable organisations with a portion of profits from each sale.

 

YouTube star Like Nastya to launch Jazwares toy line and NFT collection

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The YouTube sensation, Like Nastya, has detailed the autumn launch of her first toy line, a range developed by the international toy maker, Jazwares in a partnership brokered by the global licensing agency, IMG.

The seven-year-old social media star’s toy line represents the latest expansion of Nastya’s universe in which Nastya and her parents play, learn, sing, explore, and share their life experiences on social media. Her YouTube videos cover topics from songs, nature, and animals, to the importance of eating healthily.

Like Nastya currently enjoys more than 220 million subscribers on YouTube, 5 million followers on TikTok, and a thriving Instagram channel.

The toy space is not the only sector into which the Like Nastya brand is expanding this season as IMG has also secured an NFT collection with Gary Vaynerchuk’s VaynerNFT.

Nastya, who at birth was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which inspired her first YouTube video and has since significantly improved, and her family will be donating a portion of proceeds from her NFT collection to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Eyal Baumel, CEO of Yoola and Nastya’s manager, said: “Millions of kids and families around the world embrace Nastya as a friend and role model, and we are excited to expand Nastya’s universe into the physical world with the new toy line, and in the metaverse with our unique NFT program.

“This will allow Nastya’s community to own a collectible memory of Nastya, but to also use some of the unique utility NFTs to engage with her in the most special ways, including birthday greetings, connecting on social media, shoutouts, and even a live video call.”

Laura Zebersky, president of Jazwares, said: “Based on Nastya’s unbelievable success as a young content creator and role-model, imaginative play is the focus in our toy line so we are bringing to life and extending Nastya’s colorful adventures and positive messages.”

The toy line has been created to appeal to girls aged four to six years old and features Nastya’s Fancy Princess Surprise Doll, an eight-inch doll in the likeness of Nastya and it includes 50 unique surprises such as outfits, wear-and-share accessories, and more.

Other toys in the line include themed Nastya eight-inch dolls such as Sleepy Time, Princess and Rock Star, 12 distinctive three-inch Collectible Figures, a Nastya Bedroom Playset, plush toys and headbands. The toys will range in price from $4.99 to $39.99 and will be available in the US and UK at retailers including Target, Amazon, Walmart.com and Claire’s starting this autumn, before being released worldwide in different drops through spring 2022.

Nastya’s NFT collection, meanwhile, presents a new way for Nastya to engage with her community; and capitalise on the hyper-growth NFT market. With multiple tiered price points, and plenty of surprise and delight activities, “Nastya’s Originals’ collection is designed to bring a smile to the face of her fans, and extend the Like Nastya community into the metaverse.

“There are very few people on earth that have ever amassed an audience the size of Nastya and we are thrilled to work with her and her family,” said Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerNFT, who recently launched his own successful VeeFriends project in May, 2021.

“The fact that her circle is thoughtfully thinking about how to bring her audience value through an NFT project instead of trying to make a quick buck is exactly why we wanted to work with them and is exactly the way that VaynerNFT wants to structure projects.”

Van Kokeh, Associate VP, Licensing, IMG, added: “Nastya’s engaging content, reach and musical talent allows us to expand her licensing program across all key areas and categories. Our unique strategy to launch her toy program with Jazwares, alongside her first NFTs, is just the start of the incredible program we have planned for the long-term growth of the Like Nastya brand globally.”

British snack food brand Walkers steps into licensing as IMG renews PepsiCo partnership

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The British snack food brand, Walkers is stepping into the world of licensing through a renewal agreement between IMG and PepsiCo that will also see the global licensing agency extend its representations of the Pepsi, 7UP, Cheetos, Doritos, Lay’s, and Mountain Dew brands.

Since being appointed its licensing agency in 2015, IMG has worked to grow PepsiCo’s consumer products offering significantly, with branded apparel, footwear, swimwear, accessories, beauty, giftware, and stationery now available internationally and through some of the world’s leading fashion and department stores.

Sam Barker, senior licensing director at IMG, said: “We are delighted to extend and expand our relationship with PepsiCo following a successful six-year run of signings. Each of these globally loved beverage and snack brands has its own colourful and distinctive personality, which translates perfectly into vibrant, fun products using PepsiCo’s fantastic style guides.

“We look forward to extending their reach into other brand-relevant categories and exploring exciting new opportunities with the recent addition of Walkers.”