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Diary of a Wimpy Kid joins kids’ audio platform Yoto Player

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Yoto, the team behind the award-winning audio platform for children, Yoto Player, has struck up a partnership with the internationally best-selling children’s book series Diary of A Wimpy Kid to bring three popular stories to the system.

Diary of a Wimpy Kids, Diary of a wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw will now be available on the Yoto Player in the form of Yoto Cards. The stories will each help children learn about important themes such a friendship, fitting in, and standing up for yourself.

The new stories will also encourage kids to enhance their imagination through screen-free audiotime.

The Yoto Player is controlled using physical cards that are inserted into the Player which plays audio content. Additionally, Yoto’s audio cards have the ability to play content through the app by simply tapping the card to the back of a compatible smartphone. The free-to-download Yoto smartphone app also contains a selection of free content available to all, and allows families to play their library of audio through other Bluetooth speakers.

“Providing kids with unique ways to interact with leading children’s stories like Diary of a Wimpy Kid is important to us,” said Ben Drury, CEO and co-founder of Yoto. “Yoto is built to help children take learning and creative play into their own hands, and partnering with The Diary of a Wimpy Kid helps us equip kids with the tools they need to learn and let their imagination wander.”

Vanessa Jedrej, global brand manager, Wimpy Kid Inc, added: “We’re really glad to partner with Yoto to extend our Wimpy Kid audio experience to young readers. Bringing entertainment and fun to kids in an accessible way is at the nerve-center of both our organisations and we hope our partnership will bring hours of laugh-out-loud listening to new audiences of kids.”

The The Diary of a Wimpy Kid cards are available now from £8.99 from www.yotoplay.com and Amazon.co.uk.

EPOCH making toys: “2021 is a year of huge potential for our Super Mario Games”

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EPOCH making toys has earmarked 2021 as a ‘year of huge potential’ for Super Mario Games, as the international toy firm prepares to bolster a range of official Nintendo licensed products launched to UK retail this autumn/winter.

Its current portfolio, comprising the Super Mario Balancing Game that challenges players to balance Mario characters on a swaying stage, the Super Mario Blow Up Shaky Tower, that sees characters attempt to scale a tower, and the Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape, a plant dodging board game, has been launched to a ‘resounding success.’

The toy firm will now expand the reach of the initial launch portfolio as well as grow the range through autumn/winter 2021 in the lead up to next Christmas.

“We see 2021 as a year of huge potential for Super Mario Games,” Kim Nicholls, brand manager at EPOCH making toys, told Licensing.biz. “We’ll have more product in the market and be able to support the range with a multimedia marketing plan.”

Nicholls’ plans follow what she has dubbed a ‘hugely positive response’ to the launch of the initial line of games this year.

“We don’t see the momentum slowing down in 2021, especially with the ramp up to the feature film in 2022,” she added.

2020 has marked a year of high activity for Nintendo’s Super Mario brand that – sharing its 35th anniversary year with Epoch’s own Sylvanian Families – has found itself the focus of a brand re-invigoration within the toy space, that includes a major new partnership with LEGO and licensed ranges from Hasbro.

“The appetite for the Super Mario license is immense in the UK at the moment and as a company we are proud to launch an exciting range of games for such a beloved brand,” continued Nicholls.

“Epoch Head Office has a long-standing relationship with Nintendo that we are thrilled to be bringing to the UK.

“Our Super Mario Games truly offer something for everyone. The variety of gameplay styles within the range vary from solo to group play, balancing challenges to more traditional board game play. The Link System also allows for the games to be played together, which offers players a new experience each time.

“We think Super Mario fans will be wowed by the attention to detail in our game figures, which have huge collectability.”

As the company prepares to extend the portfolio through the coming year, EPOCH making toys has also teased a new addition to the popular Aquabeads line up.

“Not only is the Super Mario Games range an exciting new endeavour for Epoch Making Toys, but fans of Super Mario should also keep their eyes peeled for an exciting launch with Aquabeads later in 2021,” Nicholls concluded.

Games Workshop partners with The Koyo Store for Warhammer 40,000 collectables

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The entertainment merchandise specialist, The Koyo Store, has secured the global rights to create a range of officially licensed Warhammer 40,000 collectables through a new partnership with Games Workshop.

The deal marks a major success for The Koyo Store as the range will not only be sold through Games Workshop’s own High Street stores, but also available for fans to buy direct at www.thekoyostore.com/collections/warhammer-40000.

The initial Warhammer 40,000 product line-up, available in-store and online and encompassing a range of pin badge collections based on popular characters and artifacts in the game world, will include Mystery Faction Pins, Paint Your Own Space Marine pins, and a Space Marine Chapter Icon 12 pin collection.

The New Year will see the addition of a selection of Artifact 3D pins, A Diorama pin set, and a Legendary Character 12 pin set.

Games Workshop is the latest major IP owner to join The Koyo Store’s burgeoning collectables line-up, which also includes partnerships with Ubisoft, (Rainbow Six Siege), PUBG, Toei (Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super), Capcom (Street Fighter) and HBO (Game of Thrones)

“We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Games Workshop and the Warhammer 40,000 brand,” said Lee Townsend, founder and CEO of The Koyo Store. “We’re rapidly expanding our roster of first-class licensing partners, both within the video games industry and the wider entertainment markets. We are excited by what 2021 has in store. We already have three new licenses in the wings that are under NDA.”

The Koyo Store’s high-quality pin badges, coins and other unique merchandise have proved a hit among games, Esports and TV and film fans who are looking for great collectibles and the opportunity to claim bragging rights within their peer groups.

Based in Lancashire, the firm’s team has a strong and varied skillset, with designers, retail experts, gamers and pop culture fans working to produce epic merchandise and collectibles.

Plush toy specialist Posh Paws readies for “biggest year yet” thanks to heavyweight licensing portfolio

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The plush toy specialist, Posh Paws International, is preparing for what looks to be its ‘biggest year yet,’ as it readies for 2021 with a raft of new releases and licensed launches based on some of the biggest children’s entertainment franchises of the past decade.

With a portfolio brimming with blockbuster movie licenses, including Minions 2: Rise of Gru and Jurassic World, as well as the perennial evergreen, Sesame Street, and the fan-favourite Swizzels confectionery branded range, the Essex-based pre-school and soft toy expert states that it’s ‘in a great position going into the New Year.’

While you could be forgiven for thinking that – with 2020 a year of dampened box office sales, widespread cinema closures, and a roster of delayed major film releases – the licensed gift market would be feeling rather sheepish over the prospects of an entertainment industry emerging from the mire of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s with a diverse portfolio of some of the most in-demand licenses of the moment that Posh Paws maintains an unerring confidence.

Licensing.biz catches up with Lauren Shipman, group brand and marketing director at Posh Paws International to talk about navigating the pandemic, the current strength in the gifting and ‘self-care’ markets, and what will be driving the firm to further success over the coming year.

 Hello Lauren, it’s been too long since we last caught up! I hope everyone there has their sanity intact. How has business been for you guys, and how has Posh Paws navigated the events of 2020?

It’s been a challenging year, I think we can all relate to that, but we’ve been able to remain positive and focus on what we do best, which is bring the highest quality products to market and support both retail partners and licensors during a time when it’s been crucial for us all to come together and stay strong.

We’re well overdue a run through of the brands you guys are working with today. Can you talk us through the strength of the portfolio, and how it has positioned the business for a strong Q4 and 2021?

Our portfolio for next year is incredibly strong and we’re delighted to be working with some of the biggest global brands and franchises across our pre-school toys ranges and our plush gifting catalogue.

We’re in a great position going into the new year with some blockbuster movie licenses like Minions 2: Rise of Gru and Jurassic World soft toys, as well as ever-green TV show Sesame Street, to confectionary favourites with our scented and very squidgy Rainbow Drops by Swizzels soft toys.

2021 is lining up to be one of our biggest yet for new releases and we’re fully committed to making sure it’s a big year for our customers too.

We’re in a strong position to finish such a difficult year for us all, and we’re doing all we can to work closely with our customers to ensure we can help them as much as we can. We are constantly encouraging our customers to reach out to us, as we can support them with a variety of marketing initiatives to increase awareness of our products in their stores and to drive sales, so we can enter 2021 in a good place.

We’ve launched some fantastic new products this year that appeal to a wide audience, from our new Sunny Bunnies soft toys with special voice and movements features, new BBC baby animals soft toys made with stuffing from 100 per cent recycled plastic, our adorable feel-good Love Hearts Foodie Friends characters and our beautiful British designed range of Ragtales toys that make for perfect Christmas gifts for babies and pre-schoolers.

With Minions 2, Jurassic World, and Sesame Street you guys seem to be covering all bases across pre-school, film, TV (on demand) etc. What has reception been like to the range so far? 

The reaction and support from retail for our 2021 ranges has been incredible and we’re busy finalising how we can maximise their support so that our launch activities are aligned to build awareness and drive growth.

With Minions: The Rise of Gru being postponed to 2021, we’ve been able to look at how we can make it bigger and better from marketing and product development, working closely with customers who have orders in already. We have some fantastic exclusive products ready to hit the shelves and working with one of the best-in-class licensors, Universal, 2021 will be the year of the Minions with Posh Paws.

Despite Jurassic World III being moved back to 2022, we’re roaring into the new year with a range of soft toys with everyone’s ‘favourite’ T-Rex, Blue the velociraptor and more. With the success of Netflix’s Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, and brand new content scheduled for release next year, we’ve developed a range of toys to meet the demand by fans for Jurassic World product, while we wait for the next movie.

And of course, who doesn’t know and love Sesame Street? The brand and its values are very closely aligned with ours at Posh Paws, so it was the perfect partnership and we’re delighted to be joining such a globally heart-warming brand to bring some incredible toys to market next year. As well as standard soft toys, we’ll be launching an educational development range of characters that allow children to interact with Elmo and Cookie Monster, incorporating fun and learning in our soft feature toys.

It’s not just about licensed product with us and we have been working tirelessly on developing new own-brand ranges for pre-schoolers that incorporate educational play patterns and the comfort that soft toys bring little ones. So, if you’re looking for non-licensed toys and gifts, we’ll be happy to show you what we have planned and how we can work together.

How have the events of 2020 shaped or evolved the Posh Paws perspective? Has it impacted on the kind of brands that consumers are turning to? Looking at something like the BBC Earth partnership, have brand values come to play more of a role in consumer’s shopping habits?

We have seen an increase in shoppers buying more gifts for others within toys and games this year and this has been evident with our Swizzels Love Hearts plush toys. It’s been a year when people need to treat others and are buying products that can give a ‘feel good’ factor and put a smile on their face, which is exactly what our Love Hearts toys do, with fan-favourites like Alan the Avocado and his ‘Let’s Avo Cuddle’ message and our new Patrick the Pizza with his ‘Have a slice day’ giving positivity and personal messages during a socially-distanced year.

Seeing the growth in popularity for ‘gifts for me’, we’re expanding the range for next year with more positive messages and fun characters that will continue putting smiles on faces and contactless cuddles.

Sustainable products continue to be a huge talking point and driving the industry forward with new developments, which is why our BBC Earth collections of Planet Earth II, Blue Planet II and our new Baby Animals, with their stuffing made from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles, have seen a big increase this year and appeal to both kids and adults.

Our long-standing partnership with the BBC has gone from strength-to-strength and their core brand values are reflected across all our animal toys and consumers see this and want to buy the highest quality products from brands that they trust.

Looking ahead to next year and our BBC range, we’ve got some fantastic new animal soft toys joining our existing eco-friendly portfolio, that are focussed on our much-loved British wildlife.

How have you guys reacted to or adapted the changes we’ve seen throughout the year, at a retail or consumer level, or a day to day business level?

We invested in increasing awareness of our products, and where they are available, across digital platforms and focussing on Social Media marketing campaigns to be where consumers are spending more time.

With soft toys specifically, consumers want to pick-up and feel the product, but with that being difficult this year, we’ve focussed on creating eye-catching and engaging digital content to bring our products to life for viewers, so they can almost touch them and get a feel for the quality and how great they are.

Working with retailers, we’re always looking at how we can best support them in-store and especially digitally, to build awareness and increase visibility through stand-out displays and content that captures consumers attentions.

How confident are you guys as we plough into Christmas? 

We’re confident that soft toys and gifts will remain a favourite for consumers this Christmas, with fun and quirky adult gifting seeing an increase during a time where being able to spend time together will be challenged. Soft toys for adult gifting are a great way of showing someone you care and have sentimental value, while also being a gift that keep close to them throughout the year ahead.

Children’s soft toys will always be perfect for Christmas ideas and if they do have added play patterns to them, like our Sunny Bunnies with sound and movement features, then it offers more value for money and something children can interact with on a more stimulating level – something we’ll all need this Christmas.

What’s the next big step for you guys?

It’s now all about how we can make sure 2021 is a great year for our customers and delivering high quality products that can joy and create unforgettable memories in the year ahead.

While we have a lot of great products planned for 2021, we’re constantly working on and looking for new inspirations to develop the best ranges.

Aardman teams with Circa Contemporary Circus to bring Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show to Queensland

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The multi-award winning UK animation studio, Aardman, has joined forces with the performance company Circa Contemporary Circus to produce a new circus-theatre production called Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show.

The world premiere season of the new show will be held in Queensland, Australia’s QPAC’s Lyric Theatre, scheduled in for March 2021. It marks a major win for the arts community that has struggled through a lengthy shutdown at the hands of the coronavirus pandemic.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, said: “Thanks to the way Queenslanders have managed the coronavirus pandemic, we’re now able to return  to the theatre. Today’s announcement is a great win for Queensland, not only for our arts community but also for our economy as we continue to rebuild from the pandemic. 

“Shaun the Sheep is a global phenomenon. It’s great to see Circa – one of the state’s most successful performance companies -premiere this show here in Queensland. The arts industry employs thousands of people throughout the state. World class productions like this will help this sector to recover from the impact of COVID-19.” 

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said Shaun the  Sheep will be able to play to full houses and engage the young and the young at heart. 

“Shaun the Sheep is a family favourite throughout the  world and to have this production here is a fantastic win for Queensland,” Enoch said. 

“The arts, cultural and creative sector plays a crucial role  in our COVID-19 recovery, bringing our communities back together and supporting jobs for artists and arts  workers. That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is implementing  nearly $60 million worth of measures to support the sector through the impacts of COVID-19 including the $22.5 million Arts and Cultural Recovery Package. 

“The Palaszczuk Government will continue to invest  in arts and cultural projects to support Queensland’s social and economic recovery.”  

Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show is being supported by the Queensland Government through a unique three-way partnership, comprising investment from  Screen Queensland, Arts Queensland funding via the Queensland Arts Showcase Program and QPAC as the Presenting Partner. 

Universal Music Publishing Group acquires Bob Dylan’s entire song catalogue in landmark deal

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 Universal Music Publishing Group has acquired the entire catalogue of songs written by the iconic Bob Dylan in an agreement that encompasses more than 600 copyrights spanning 60 years. From 1962’s cultural milestone Blowin In the Wind to this year’s Murder Most Foul, the copyright deal has been recognised as a landmark acquisition for UMPG.

UMPG chairman and CEO, Jody Gerson, said: “To represent the body of work of one of the greatest songwriters of all time – whose cultural importance can’t be overstated – is both a privilege and a responsibility.

“The UMPG global team is honored to be Bob Dylan’s publishing partner and I especially want to acknowledge Marc Cimino whose passion and perseverance were instrumental in bringing this opportunity to us. We look forward to working with Bob and the team in ensuring his artistry continues to reach and inspire generations of fans, recording artists and songwriters around the world.”

Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, added: “As someone who began his career in music publishing, it is with enormous pride that today we welcome Bob Dylan to the UMG family.

“It’s no secret that the art of songwriting is the fundamental key to all great music, nor is it a secret that Bob is one of the very greatest practitioners of that art.  Brilliant and moving, inspiring and beautiful, insightful and provocative, his songs are timeless – whether they were written more than half a century ago or yesterday.

“It is no exaggeration to say that his vast body of work has captured the love and admiration of billions of people all around the world. I have no doubt that decades, even centuries from now, the words and music of Bob Dylan will continue to be sung and played – and cherished – everywhere.”

Bob Dylan’s songs have been recorded more than 6,000 times, by an array of artists representing dozens of countries, cultures and music genres. Some of his best known works include the aforementioned Blowin’ In The Wind, The Times They Are a-Changin’, Like A Rolling Stone, Lay Lady Lay, Forever Young, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, Tangled Up In Blue, Gotta Serve Somebody, Make You Feel My Love, and the Academy Award-winning Things Have Changed.

In the decades since he first burst into the public’s consciousness via New York City’s Greenwich Village folk music scene in the early 1960s, Bob Dylan has sold more than 125 million records around the world and amassed a singular body of work that includes some of the greatest and most popular songs the world has ever known.

He continues to traverse the globe each year, performing nearly 100 concerts annually in front of audiences who embrace his new music with the same fervor as they do his classics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016 – the first songwriter to receive such a distinction – cited by the Swedish Academy “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.”

British kids’ property Master Moley teases ‘extensive licensing plans’ as it moves into Roblox

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Having successfully premiered on Warner Media’s Boomerang channel across more than 100 territories last month, the new children’s property Master Moley has set its sights high with an innovative new Roblox marketing strategy, as well as a 52 part series to follow in 2021.

Created by the British entrepreneur, James Reatchlous, Master Moley is based on an original idea he conceived as a bedtime story for his daughters Hettie and Tattie some 20 years ago. Following a battle with cancer three years ago, Reatchlous made it his mission to bring Master Moley to a global audience.

It was mission accomplished by summer this year as the IP creator signed an international deal with Warner Media that saw Master Moley make his television debut on November 28th in over 100 countries.

With a voice cast including Warwick Davis, Julie Walters, Charles Dance, Gemma Arterton, and Richard E Grant, Master Moley is due to close the next round of funding of £3 million this month. The IP was recently valued at over £40 million by The Sunday Times.

Now, in addition to setting out an extensive licencing plan for the coming years, the property has launched its own Roblox game, which has received over 60,000 plays in the first week of release.

By tapping into a space in which children are active appears to be paying dividends for the brand in terms of recognition and awareness. The team believes the move is now set to boost future plans for further spin-off properties, including movies, products, and more.

“The journey of Master Moley has been incredible,” commented Reatchlous. “It has been a thrill to see the little mole brought to life and watch him entertain a new generation of children in a new way.

“I’m incredibly grateful that I’ve been given the gift of bringing all these stories to life, so hopefully millions of children around the world can also be taken on adventures with this charming little mole. That is very special.”

Pop culture specialist Boss Fight Studio partners with King Features to launch Popeye the Sailor action figures

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The pop culture specialist and action figures aficionado, Boss Fight Studio has struck up a new partnership with King Features Syndicate to create and launch a range of action figures and collectables based on Popeye the Sailor comics and cartoons.

The deal was brokered by FanGirl Consulting and Brand Management and marks the latest in a long line up of cult classic brands to have joined the Boss Fight Studio portfolio. An expert in the pop culture market, Boss Fight Studios already holds the license for Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and The Little Prince.

“Like so many, I grew up watching the classic Popeye animated cartoons,” said Andrew Franks, partner and art director at Boss Fight. “As an adult, I was drawn back to Popeye by E.C. Segar’s brilliant original comic strip. To be able to bring these characters to life as fully poseable toys is a dream.”

Jarred M. Goro, VP North American licensing at King Features, added: “This will be the fourth license we work with Boss Fight Studio on and we know their approach will bring these toys to life and quickly become fan favorites.”

Founded in 2013, Boss Fight Studio is known for its highly articulated, poseable action figures. The first wave of Popeye Classics action figures, anticipated to hit shelves late summer 2021, will include Popeye, Olive Oyl, Bluto and Castor Oyl.

The Popeye Classics figures will bring a new cult favorite to life and be a great complement to the Boss Fight arsenal of licenses.

“We’re digging deep into the comic strips to deliver Popeye toys like you’ve never seen before. Authentic styling, super articulation and great accessories – even packing in smaller characters like Swee’ Pea, Eugene The Jeep and Bernice The Whiffle Hen as bonuses,” added Franks.

“We can’t wait to bring these toys to market. We’re sure they will delight Popeye fans, and celebrate the rich 90 plus year legacy of these iconic characters.”

Pop culture specialist Boss Fight Studio partners with King Features to launch Popeye the Sailor action figures

Posted on by

The pop culture specialist and action figures aficionado, Boss Fight Studio has struck up a new partnership with King Features Syndicate to create and launch a range of action figures and collectables based on Popeye the Sailor comics and cartoons.

The deal was brokered by FanGirl Consulting and Brand Management and marks the latest in a long line up of cult classic brands to have joined the Boss Fight Studio portfolio. An expert in the pop culture market, Boss Fight Studios already holds the license for Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and The Little Prince.

“Like so many, I grew up watching the classic Popeye animated cartoons,” said Andrew Franks, partner and art director at Boss Fight. “As an adult, I was drawn back to Popeye by E.C. Segar’s brilliant original comic strip. To be able to bring these characters to life as fully poseable toys is a dream.”

Jarred M. Goro, VP North American licensing at King Features, added: “This will be the fourth license we work with Boss Fight Studio on and we know their approach will bring these toys to life and quickly become fan favorites.”

Founded in 2013, Boss Fight Studio is known for its highly articulated, poseable action figures. The first wave of Popeye Classics action figures, anticipated to hit shelves late summer 2021, will include Popeye, Olive Oyl, Bluto and Castor Oyl.

The Popeye Classics figures will bring a new cult favorite to life and be a great complement to the Boss Fight arsenal of licenses.

“We’re digging deep into the comic strips to deliver Popeye toys like you’ve never seen before. Authentic styling, super articulation and great accessories – even packing in smaller characters like Swee’ Pea, Eugene The Jeep and Bernice The Whiffle Hen as bonuses,” added Franks.

“We can’t wait to bring these toys to market. We’re sure they will delight Popeye fans, and celebrate the rich 90 plus year legacy of these iconic characters.”

The Oddbods are coming to a fish and chip shop near you, thanks to Keco Ltd partnership

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The cast of the popular animated pre-school series, Oddbods, will be coming to a fish and chip shop near you.

The content creation and licensing studio, One Animation, has secured a new partnership with the packaging manufacturer Keco Ltd to the launch of bespoke, sustainable, and responsibly sourced children’s meal boxes inspired by the animated pre-school series, Oddbods.

Launching this month, the premium takeaway meal boxes will be available at 7,000 fish and chip shops across the UK and will feature an Oddbods pop-out character for children to play with. The boxes will be plastic free and use only FSC sustainably sourced paperboard.

Rob Spindley, SVP commercial development USA and EMEA, One Animation, said: “As we continue to extend the global footprint of Oddbods, bringing sustainable and plastic free products to the market is very important to us. We are very much looking forward to working with the team at Keco Ltd to create an engaging and fun meal time experience in an environmentally responsible way.”

Jamie Kearns, managing director at Keco Ltd, added: “Keco is excited to be working with One Animation to showcase the globally renowned series, Oddbods. Children throughout the UK and Ireland will be able to engage with the characters as they invent their own storylines or recreate scenes from this much-loved, Emmy Award-nominated animated series.

“These takeaway branded meal boxes will perfectly capture Oddbods and children will enjoy assembling and playing with their favourite characters, safe in the knowledge that all materials used are both plastic free and sustainably sourced.”

Oddbods is a three-time Emmy Award-nominated, non-dialogue comedy featuring seven adorable, highly unique pals. Together, despite their differences, they survive the perils of everyday life, unintentionally turning ordinary situations into unexpected, extraordinary and always humorous events.

The quirky but charming Oddbods celebrate individuality in a funny, warm and unexpected way. Oddbods’ innovative app Oddbods Oddlife, designed with facial recognition technology to help kids learn healthy habits, has recently been nominated for a Kidscreen Award in the Best Game App – Original category.