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Jazwares teams with Gaumont to launch toy line based on musical pre-school series Do, Re & Mi

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Jazwares has been named toy partner for the Amazon Studios and Gaumont animated pre-school series, Do, Re & Mi, a musical adventure series that follows three birds, featuring the vocal talents of Kristen Bell and Jackie Tohn.

The firm will develop a range of toys, each featuring the show’s cast of characters, and themed around Do, Re & Mi’s key pillars of friendship, fun, and adventure, as well as the power of the music. The toy line will hit retail in conjunction with the launch of the series in 2021.

Plush toys, musical instruments, figures, and play-sets aimed at the pre-school market will all feature in the range, all of which will aim to channel the personalities of the show’s three main characters, including the inventive brain of Do the owl, the busy and energetic personality of Re the hummingbird, and the outgoing demeanor of Mi the blue jay.

“Do, Re & Mi is sure to enthrall little ones and it’s the kind of high quality, enriching content that lends itself well to pre-school toys,” said Laura Zebersky, chief commercial officer at Jazwares.

“We are looking forward to working with Gaumont and Amazon Studios on developing the line so that it captures the magic of this highly anticipated animated series.”

Nicolas Atlan, president of Gaumont US, added: “We’re excited to work with Jazwares to further expand the musical world of Do, Re & Mi.

“It’s thrilling to see how Amazon Studios has approached Do, Re & Mi, elevating it beyond our expectations. We look forward to offering parents and children the ability to discover and appreciate the power of music, in a fun and meaningful way through the engaging storytelling of the series and beyond the screen by making their own music through play with the exciting toy line Jazwares will bring to the market.”

Do, Re & Mi is a production of Amazon Studios and Gaumont for Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Kids+. The series is executive produced by Bell and Tohn, along with Michael Scharf and Ivan Askwith.

Sutikki brings in The Point. 1888, Kids Industries, and Rock Hill Media for global expansion plans

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The children’s entertainment company, Sutikki, has lined up new partnerships with the family market marketing agency Kids Industries, the brand licensing agency The Point. 1888, and the media strategists Rock Hill Media Ventures. The trio will work with Sutikki, the home of Moon & Me, to develop global brand strategies for international growth.

“We’re thrilled to have this global network of industry visionaries as partners in Sutikki’s new phase of growth and innovation,” said Sutikki CEO, Hannah Mungo. “Each agency has experience in building, innovating and executing new tactics for brand connectivity and engagement.”

The UK-based Kids Industries will work alongside Sutikki to develop a global brand strategy for its IP. It will draw on its experience working with industry leading clients such as BBC Worldwide, ViacomCBS, Universal Studios, McDonald’s, and The Walt Disney Company.

Kids Industries recently executed campaigns for Marvel, Star Wars, SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

“We’re the only full-service agency on the planet specialising in the family space, where we’ve been connecting human emotions with market intelligence to make brands stronger for over 20 years,” said Kids Industries co-founder and CEO, Gary Pope.

“We can’t wait to bring our expertise and insights to the table to facilitate brand strategies, which will be designed to ensure maximum exposure and a 360 approach to the brand build.”

Meanwhile, The Point.1888 will ‘provide insight and guidance on Sutikkis’s consumer products programme,’ utilising its experience working with major entertainment IPs such as The Gruffalo, Star Wars, LOL Surprise, Marvel, Clangers, Mr Men, Noddy, and Sesame Street.

The Point. 1888 currently manages CoComelon, Blippi, My Magic Pet Morphle, and Percy the Park Keeper.

“We’re excited to join Sutikki in this pivotal moment of transformation and provide insight and guidance on its consumer products programmes,” said Will Stewart, founder and managing director at The Point.1888. “Sutikki’s IP connects with children by capturing their attention and developing their imagination and it’s our job to turn that creativity into lucrative licensing opportunities. We’re really looking forward to partnering with Sutikki to ensure commercial success across the UK.”

Finally, Keith Dawkins of Rock Hill Media Ventures, the former Nickelodeon executive, has been appointed as a strategic consultant for the US market. He brings with him expertise in content strategy, distribution, and development within the kids’ space.

Rock Hill currently boasts strategic partnerships with the NBA Players Association, Oscar and Emmy Award-winning media company Believe Entertainment, and the LA-based content accelerator, Sameer Gardezi’s Break the Room.

“I am excited to have Rock Hill Media Ventures partner with Sutikki in expanding its global kids’ footprint,” said Dawkins. “I look forward to bringing my expertise in the kids’ market to best support in road mapping the US expansion for Sutikki.”

To follow the development of these partnerships visit www.sutikki.com.

LEGO reveals new LEGO Super Mario building sets and collectable character packs

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The LEGO Group has expanded its 2020 LEGO Super Mario line with the launch of a new line of sets and characters, including the Master Your Adventure Set, the Chain Chomp Jungle Encounter Expansion Set, The Pirhana Plant Puzzling Challenge Expansion Set, and more.

Leading the newest line up, the Master Your Adventure Maker Set delivers a creative toolbox that enables kids to customise LEGO Super Mario building, play and ways to earn coins. Users can change how LEGO Mario reacts to three Special Bricks, offering a variety in play and a new element of surprise.

The Maker Set also introduces a new special Start Pipe that will shuffle the known rules of the level play, in that players are challenged to reach the Goal Pole in less time, yet with increased rewards up for grabs. The Maker Set comes with 366 pieces, all selected to ensure that children can unleash their creativity and customise their own levels for themselves or other players.

Further sets that have been introduced today are the Chain Chomp Jungle Encounter Expansion Set, the Piranha Plant Puzzling Challenge Expansion Set, the Wiggler’s Poison Swamp Expansion Set, Penguin Mario Power-Up Pack and the Tanooki Mario Power-Up Pack.

As well as this, Series Two of the LEGO Super Mario Character Packs has also landed, all featuring an action tag that LEGO Mario can read for fans to easily integrate into the level play. Series Two features ten new collectable, buildable characters.

Kept a surprise until opened, fans could be getting a Huckit Crab, Spiny Cheep Cheep, Ninji, Foo, Parachute Goomba, Fly Guy, Poison Mushroom, Para-Beetle, Thwimp or a Bone Goomba.

The new sets and characters will give fans the chance to have LEGO Mario slide on his belly as Penguin Mario or spin round as Tanooki Mario. The sets will also introduce much-loved enemies including the Piranha-Plants, Larry, a Goomba, Wiggler, and Koopa Paratroopa, to the play, all of whom can be defeated or played with for coin rewards.

LEGO Super Mario jumped into existence earlier this year through a unique partnership between The LEGO Group and Nintendo. The adventures were kick-started with an entry-point set: LEGO Super Mario Starter Course, which includes an interactive LEGO Mario figure that collects coins in interactive level play created with LEGO bricks.

Each Expansion Set and Collectable Character is designed to be used with the entry point set, featuring seven action bricks for different interactions with the LEGO Mario figure, which has LCD screens in its eyes, mouth and belly to display instant reactions to movement, colour and action bricks.

All sets and characters are compatible, allowing fans to combine sets and characters announced today with the Starter Course and all other LEGO Super Mario products revealed in June this year. Each set also comes with its own series of distinctive challenges and characters, and have been designed to work alongside the free LEGO Super Mario app.

The app hosts 3D Building Instructions for the sets, keeps track of scores and provides inspiration for builds and ways of playing to encourage continuous rebuilding and extended playtime.

Simon Kent, design creator and creative lead for LEGO Super Mario, The LEGO Group, said: “It wouldn’t be Super Mario if we weren’t constantly creating new worlds and adventures for everyone’s favourite Plumber.

“The LEGO Super Mario sets we released earlier this year have been extremely well-received by fans and we’re really excited to build on those with even more characters and experiences today.

“We really want to empower users to be as creative as possible with LEGO Super Mario – and today’s expansion sets and new collectible characters have been launched to broaden the horizons of the LEGO Super Mario universe, letting players be as imaginative as possible in the way they have Mario interact with his friends – as well as defeating his enemies.”

Lisle Licensing lands aspirational lifestyle duo Style Sisters

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Lisle Licensing has secured the UK licensing rights to one of the country’s most sought-after aspirational lifestyle duo’s, Style Sisters.  

In just two years the two long-term friends have shot to stardom and celebrity status with their fashion and interiors ‘know-how’, giving both interior and wardrobe advice that can transform the lives of their follower fan base and celebrities. 

The appointment of Lisle Licensing will enable the Style Sisters to engage with consumers who are not only inspired by their style, but also aspire to their way of life by being able to purchase the duo’s own portfolio of home and lifestyle products.

Collectively, Gemma Lilly and Charlotte Reddington have more than 15 years’ experience in the fashion and interiors space, and since forming Style Sisters have notched up a social audience thanks to lifestyle and fashion images in collaboration with UK celebrities including Amanda Holden, Rochelle Humes, Stacy Solomon, and Billie Faiers.  

With more than 204,000 Instagram followers, and garnering an average 2,000 more week on week, the pair reach 14.4 million page impressions per week.  Affiliate product promotions with the likes of Swyft Home and Attic Self Storage have been integral to growth and procuring their own brand awareness as a result of follower and hyperlink interactions.

Licensing has now been earmarked as the natural next step for the two friends. The team at Lisle Licensing will focus on building a Style Sisters’ lifestyle product range across furniture, home accessories, storage solutions, wallpaper/paints, candles and fragrance plus kitchenware and home textiles. 

Francesca Lisle, MD at Lisle Licensing said: “2020 has meant we’ve spent more time than ever in our homes which has reignited the home styling and DIY sector. The Style Sisters appeal to a broad range of ages with their enthusiastic passion for home styling and have a natural ability to engage with consumer tastes; we can’t wait to build a broad range of products that solidify their position as experts in their field.”

Gemma Lilly and Charlotte Reddington, added: “We couldn’t be more excited about the next chapter of our journey, creating our own brand and products has always been the long-term vision and we couldn’t be happier to be working with Lisle so that they can help bring that vision to life.”

The Met Museum to launch new kids’ books series with global publisher DK

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The global publishing house, DK, has landed a strategic commercial partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, to launch a range of children’s books that each take inspiration from art, history, and culture, to draw readers into the world curated by the museum.

Under the new deal, DK will commission original text and illustration, which will be informed with commentary by The Met’s unparalleled staff, works from the Museum collection, and archival assets to illustrate and explore 5,000 years of art.

The books will be available in bookstores across the world, including The Met Store.  

Mark Searle, DK’s publishing director, licensing, said: “The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a historic cultural institution and we are very proud to be their partner for this new range of books.

“We are excited to be part of The Met’s mission to make art more accessible, and it is an honour to share this content with readers in every continent.”  

Lisa Silverman Meyers, global head of licensing for The Metropolitan Museum of Art, added: “We are  absolutely thrilled to be collaborating with DK on this partnership. DK has a long tradition of  delivering content to children and families in the most engaging and interesting ways, and we are so pleased to be working with them to help us deliver our mission of access and education.

“As The Met  celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, we look forward to creating books where all children can  see themselves in these stories and activities.”  

DK will act as The Met’s strategic partner for children’s commercial publishing, worldwide and in all  languages, beginning with six children’s titles planned to publish next year. The list will include books  on art, history and culture.  

Chuggington: Tales from the Rails lines up European broadcast partners including UK’s CBeebies

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Herschend Entertainment Studios’ new pre-school series Chuggington: Tales from the Rails, will make its debut across the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, and Poland via a raft of new broadcasting partners from early 2021.

The series has been picked up by CBeebies, RTE, TF1, Super RTL, and TVP ABC. The European broadcasters will begin airing the series from early next year, following the US launch on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW in June.

“Disney Junior US, CBeebies, RTÉ, TF1, SUPER RTL, and TVP ABC have each entertained children with the fun adventures of Chuggington from the very beginning,” said Natalie Setton, HES’ vice president commercial, content distribution, and licensing.

“The new episodes of Chuggington are as relevant to today’s preschoolers as ever before and we are thrilled to have our long-running broadcasters give the “gold-seal” of approval on our fresh content packed with new themes, humor, and stories, created for an all new audience.”

Chuggington: Tales from the Rails introduces an all-new audience to the three young trainee trains, Wilson, Koko, and Brewster as they ride the rails on new adventures of teamwork, friendship, and fun. The new series digs deep into unique locations and character personalities to explore the dynamic world of Chuggington that’s home to a diverse and playful community of trains known as Chuggers.

European broadcasters will also be supporting the countrywide premieres of Chuggington: Tales from the Rails with the launch of a series of animated/live-action hybrid shorts,Discover Chuggington: All Aboard, featuring real kids who are transported into the fictional 3D world and interact with the characters through activities, adventure, and music.

Licensing agents across the regions will be announced shortly, covering key category offerings and product mix, including publishing, secondary toys, puzzles and games, food and drink, sleepwear and apparel, and bedding.

The new toy line from Alpha Group, the franchise’s global master toy partner, is set to debut at retail in Autumn 2021.

Nickelodeon and Spin Master team with ParkAcre for PAW Patrol and SpongeBob kids’ vitamins

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The UK nutraceutical manufacturer, ParkAcre has launched its new PAW Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants vitamin ranges for kids across the country, made available exclusively at Holland & Barrett. The new range encompasses Multivitamin Fizzy Drinks and vitamin Chewables, developed to support the all-round health of young children.

Designed for pre-school kids, the PAW Patrol range features the rescue pups from the hit series produced by Spin Master Entertainment and broadcast on Nickelodeon. Meanwhile, for slightly older children, the SpongeBob SquarePants range has been inspired by SpongeBob’s nautical adventures under the sea in Nickeldeon’s hit animated television series.

 The launch marks the start of ParkAcre’s partnership with ViacomCBS to bring its beloved characters out of Adventure Bay and Bikini Bottom and into the homes of kids everywhere. As the UK’s leading health and wellbeing store Holland & Barrett will be stocking the range in-store and online, with full exclusivity until the end of 2020.

 “We are so excited to be launching both these ranges today with ViacomCBS,” said James Caseley, commercial director at ParkAcre.

“At ParkAcre we strive to create the highest quality vitamins, minerals and supplements, and we believe that PAW Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants are the perfect brands to bring these products to life. During these uncertain times we hope that combining our expertise with these beloved characters will keep both parents and their kids happy and healthy.”

 Mark Kingston, senior vice president, international, ViacomCBS Consumer Products, added: “These new vitamin ranges capture the fun and adventure of PAW Patrol and happiness and humour of SpongeBob SquarePants. We’re always looking for new ways to reach our fans and this product is one that will appeal to kids and parents alike.” 

 Sophie Rose, director of VHMS, Holland & Barrett, added: “As the UK’s leading health and wellbeing store we are delighted to be the exclusive UK launch partner for the new PAW Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants vitamin ranges. Recently we’ve seen a significant rise in the demand for kids’ vitamins, and this range is the perfect way to get children excited about vitamins.”

The PAW Patrol range includes a selection of tasty Apple and Blackcurrant flavoured products, including a Multivitamin Fizzy Drink and a range of vitamin Chewables: Multivitamins; Bones and Teeth; Immune Support; and Vitamin D.

Meanwhile, bringing a slice of SpongeBob’s pineapple-under-the-sea to the new range of vitamins, the range includes, a Tropical flavoured Multivitamin Fizzy Drink and a range of Orange and Pineapple flavoured vitamin Chewables: Multivitamins; Brain Formula; Immune Support; and Vitamin D.

 To give parents a helping hand both ranges are vegan and vegetarian approved, as well as gluten-free, GMO-free, lactose-free and contain no added sugar, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. They are also certified Made in Britain and PETA UK certified as cruelty-free.

The RHS launches its own wine with Babylonstoren ahead of RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021

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The Royal Horticultural Society has secured a partnership with the historic South African fruit and wine farm, Babylonstoren to produce its own branded RHS rosé wine.

The wine will launch just before the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 17th, 2021, for which it will be the official rosé wine. Visitors to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be the first to taste the special vintage.

Listed as a fresh fruity rosé, Babylonstoren will harvest and bottle the grapes only a few weeks before the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021, before rushing the first shipment to London. The rosé will feature a designation label on the front of the bottle. The RHS logo and information about Britain’s favourite gardening charity will appear on the label on the back of the bottle.

Babylonstoren RHS Rosé will be available at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 and for a limited time at some RHS gardens. It will also be available throughout 2021 via Babylonstoren’s friends in the UK, The Newt in Somerset at shop.thenewtinsomerset.com, as well as a variety of independent wine stores and hospitality outlets throughout the UK.

The license includes an agreement that Babylonstoren will be the non-exclusive supplier of rosé wine at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021.

As with French rosé, the varietal Mourvèdre is being used for Babylonstoren RHS Rosé.

Charl Coetzee, the Babylonstoren Cellarmaster, said: “We keep it on skins for a mere one to two hours, to ensure a liquid the colour of a delicate sunrise. The result is a fuller and rounder rosé, with a lovely floral character. Its flavour incorporates creamy rhubarb, sweet freshness of watermelon and subtle punch of acidity. The style is elegant and ethereal.”

This is a first for the RHS. The charity has a wine club for members and has also in the past endorsed a limited edition honeybee gin with Warner’s Distillery. However, it has never licensed a specific wine before. 

Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, said: “Rosé is an ideal spring and summer wine, and the first-ever RHS-endorsed rosé calls to mind flowers, gardens and the outdoors, with the promise that warmer days are on the way. What better way could there be to welcome Britain’s best-loved flower show? We’re delighted to be partnering with Babylonstoren on this wonderful wine.”

Coetzee added: “Babylonstoren RHS Rosé is an ideal accompaniment for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, both of which celebrate spring and the coming of summer. We’re thrilled to be working with the RHS and, like our partner in this exciting initiative, we’re looking forward enormously to our first sip of Babylonstoren RHS Rosé.”

Katie Piper launches her own collection at Superdrug to inspire confidence and kindness this Christmas

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The TV presenter and philanthropist, Katie Piper, has launched her own product range exclusively with Superdrug. Arriving in time for Christmas, the collection features a line of fragrances, candles, diffusers, and skin balm sets.

Piper’s debut collection includes; Confidence by Day, Confidence by Night, and Courage – Perfect Little Perfumes. Each product has been specifically designed by Piper, with special attention given to producing scents which inspire feelings of confidence and courage.

For every purchase made, five per cent of profit will be donated to The Katie Piper Foundation, supporting burns survivors in their rehabilitation and recovery.

The ‘Confidence’ range has been created with splashes of bergamot, sweet orange, mandarin and dark cassis, with a large dose of Jasmine for a bold and sophisticated sense. The fragrances, candles and diffusers make for perfect gifts all year round and this is just the start, with many more products launching 2021.

Piper said: “I am thrilled to be launching my debut Katie Piper product line in Superdrug stores and online. It’s been in the making for a long time now and I’m so pleased it’s here in time for Christmas. In stores you’ll find my new fragrance, candle, diffuser and skin balm sets which are the perfect stocking fillers.

“Two of my gift sets are called ‘Confidence by Day’ and ‘Confidence by Night’ so it’s all very ‘me’ given how much emphasis I put on emotions and acts of confidence. I think what we’ve all learnt this year is that it’s important to treat yourself and look after ‘YOU’, so I hope my products act as a much needed pamper after a tough year for all of us. 

“It’s also an extra special project for me because a five per cent donation goes to my charity, The Katie Piper Foundation. I have more merchandise launching in Superdrug for Spring 2021, in time for Easter and Mother’s Day, which is really exciting too.”

Simon Comins, Superdrug commercial director, added: “We are so excited to be launching our first collaboration with Katie Piper, a range of scented fragrance, candle and diffuser gifts, exclusively available at Superdrug. We know our customers love to shop for indulgent homeware at affordable prices, and these sets are the perfect item to pick up in time for the Christmas season.

“We’re also pleased to be supporting a cause close to Katie’s heart, with a five per cent from each product sale to be donated to the Katie Piper Foundation.”

Sleep specialist Mammoth launches Men’s Health and Women’s Health mattresses

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The sleep, health, and wellbeing specialist, Mammoth, has partnered with Hearst UK to launch a new mattress collection with Women’s Health and Men’s Health UK magazines. The range is now available exclusively at Argos.

The new launch, an exciting partnership brokered by Golden Goose, arrives as an extension of Hearst’s successful Women’s Health and Men’s Health licensing programmes. The line of mattresses have been developed for the fitness enthusiast market, tapping into Mammoth’s own reputation as a go-to provider for the sporting elite.

The range features two mattresses – the Fit and the Lift – both with pocket springs, memory foam and soft CoolPlus heat and moisture wicking fabric. At the core of every mattress, Mammoth’s naturally cooling Medical Grade foam, provides postural support and aids circulation so sleepers can wake feeling refreshed and pain free.

Mammoth is backed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and its unique comfort technologies are scientifically tested and shown to improve sleep – making the brand the perfect fit for top-selling Men’s Health and Women’s Health, trusted sources for those passionate about health, fitness and mental wellbeing.

John Tuton, founder and CEO of Mammoth, said: “With health and wellbeing at the forefront of everyone’s minds during the Covid-19 pandemic, there has never been a more important time to focus on our sleep to support both our bodies and minds.

“Mammoth is the healthy choice – and our reputation as innovators in the sector makes us the ideal choice for these industry giants. It truly reinforces our commitment to the retail sector, as we continue to invest in our brand and seize the opportunities to promote Mammoth and our partners. I have great confidence for the future and our continued success through the pandemic and beyond.”  

The announcement marks a new chapter in the relationship between the brands and reinforces the importance of good sleep to support better health and wellness, increase productivity and improve performance.

Angela Kim, international licensing director of Hearst, said: “We are excited to be launching our first dual licensed product that has been strategically developed with Argos and will no doubt deepen our highly successful and already well-established brand partnership.”