Tag Archives: news

Baby Shark marks Earth Day with new series about climate change

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In line with its mission to “make the world a better place with joyful content”, Baby Shark is continuing its efforts to motivate children and their parents to learn what they can do to take care of our planet.

To celebrate Earth Day 2022, The Pinkfong Company has released Earth Day with Pinkfong and Baby Shark, a brand-new playlist consisting of a climate change content series designed to inspire families to take small but significant steps to help protect the environment.

Featuring the beloved Pinkfong and Baby Shark, the 35 minute-long playlist contains 15 fun and engaging videos that educate viewers on the importance of preserving the Earth, and adopting habits to improve the environment. Through content such as The Scary Mr. Greenhouse Gas! and Buzzy Buzzy Bees, audiences will be able to learn how to reduce waste and emissions and conserve endangered species.

The full playlist will be available on Pinkfong’s YouTube channels in six languages, including English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, German, and Portuguese.

In addition to the educational playlist, The Pinkfong Company is teaming up with A Plastic Ocean Foundation (APO), a charitable organisation in Hong Kong, to support Only One Ocean Flag Day 2022, a charity event to conserve the ocean hosted by APO. As part of the collaboration, The Pinkfong Company and APO has launched a series of high-quality flag stickers and collectibles, including the Baby Shark RPET Lunchbags made from post-consumer recycled PET bottles.

Exploding Kittens heading for Netflix

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Netflix is launching a mobile game and TV series from the same franchise, building on the popular Exploding Kittens card game. Exploding Kittens – The Game, an exclusive version of the popular mobile game, will launch on Netflix in May, followed by an adult animated comedy series coming in 2023, starring Tom Ellis (Rush, Lucifer), Abraham Lim (Clickbait,The Boys) and Lucy Liu (Shazam, Elementary).

In the animated series, titled Exploding Kittens, the eternal conflict between Heaven and Hell reaches epic proportions when both God and the Devil are sent to Earth – in the bodies of chunky house cats. The series comes from showrunners Shane Kosakowski and Matthew Inman; executive producers Mike Judge, Greg Daniels and Dustin Davis of Bandera Entertainment; executive producers Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping for the Chernin Entertainment Group; and executive producers and creators of the Exploding Kittens franchise, Elan Lee and The Oatmeal’s Inman.

Exploding Kittens – The Game retains the same classic gameplay where players draw cards aiming to avoid the Exploding Kitten. Plus, fans will enjoy two new exclusive cards: Radar, which reveals to players the position of the Exploding Kitten closest to the top of the card deck, and Flip Flop, which reverses the order of the cards in the deck.

Future cards and game mechanics will be themed around the animated series so friends and families can play with their favourite characters and bring the show to life. With both single and multiplayer options, the game will be available to Netflix members without additional fees or in-app purchases.

“The co-development of a game and animated series breaks new ground for Netflix,” says Mike Moon, Netflix Head of Adult Animation. “And we couldn’t think of a better game to build a universe around than Exploding Kittens, one of the most inventive, iconic and original games of this century. Netflix is the perfect place to explore this growing franchise and we are so fortunate to be working with this incredible team.”

“Our goal is to offer our members great entertainment they’ll love in whatever format they may enjoy – whether it be a game or an animated series,” adds Leanne Loombe, Head of External Games, Netflix. “As we expand our mobile games catalogue, we’re excited to partner with the Exploding Kittens digital team to bring this enjoyable game to all age groups, including a few exciting updates exclusively for our members.”

“Netflix is the only service that could bring Exploding Kittens to life in both a series and a game,” says Matthew Inman, Exploding Kittens Chief Creative Officer and Creator of The Oatmeal. “We actually launched Exploding Kittens on Kickstarter as a weekend project, but our community has been the heart and soul of the company over the past six years. The new series and game will give our fans new ways to connect and interact with the franchise.”

Additional details about the Exploding Kittens adult animated series will be announced at a later date.

Queer Eye and Project Makeover team up for mobile app partnership

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Queer Eye fans will now be able to unleash their creativity in an exclusive partnership with Project Makeover, Magic Tavern’s top-downloaded mobile game.

In Queer Eye’s first-ever mobile app partnership, the cast joins Project Makeover’s characters to help them glamorise, accessorise and revamp their clients’ looks by completing puzzles to win coins, mystery boxes, and gems to transform clients into stylish trend-setting mavens.

The partnership, which was facilitated by IMG, will see the Fab Five take over Project Makeover’s “Time Makeover.” Instead of the game’s usual characters, players get to work with the Fab Five through a series of fun tasks throughout the game. Inspired by Queer Eye’s hip tips, emotionally charged makeovers and heartfelt reveals, Project Makeover is more than clothing and makeup – homes and businesses are also part of the transformation fun.

Queer Eye, the nine-time Emmy award-winning television show from Scout Productions debuted in 2018 on Netflix. The series, which boasts hundreds of millions of fans across the globe, follows a team of professionals as they perform transformative life makeovers.

As an AppLovin partner studio, Magic Tavern launched Project Makeover in 2020 and the title shot up to the #1 grossing game in 24 countries and the #1 most downloaded game in 142 countries after leveraging AppLovin’s market-leading software solutions and creative expertise with 67+ million installs.

“For the past five years, fans have seen the Fab Five perform makeovers around the world, and for the first time, they’ll have the opportunity to create their own iconic transformations on Project Makeover,” says David Colins, CEO of Scout Productions Inc. and the creator behind Queer Eye. “We’re thrilled about this partnership with Magic Tavern and can’t wait to see what fans come up with alongside Bobby, Tan, Karamo, Jonathan, and Antoni.”

“We are thrilled to be able to team up with Queer Eye. We wanted the best for the Fab Five – we worked directly with them for their guidance, so that we could ensure that players felt they were interacting with the characters from the show, and we are excited about what we were able to achieve,” adds Mike Chera, Creative Director at Magic Tavern. “We are extremely excited to bring the real-life characters into our game – their appearance and likeness and expressions takes a lot of time and effort to get it absolutely right.”

The Queer Eye partnership and Fab Five appearances will be available to all Project Makeover players starting today for a limited time.

“We know Queer Eye fans are craving for more ways to interact with their favourite makeover team and the Fab Five is always looking for unique opportunities to flex their transformational skills,” says Van Kokeh, VP of Licensing at IMG. “It is a great fit and we are excited to bring Queer Eye into this hit game.”

Project Makeover is free for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

 

Light & Wonder partners with MGM for Stargate Megaways game

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Scientific Games Corporation, doing business as Light & Wonder, is inviting players on an unforgettable intergalactic adventure in its latest title Stargate Megaways.

The first game to be released on OpenGaming under the new Light & Wonder name, the ambitious 6-reel slot is based on MGM’s legendary sci-fi fantasy film Stargate, boasting imagery and characters from the famous franchise, as well as innovative features and mechanics.

Stargate has become a cultural phenomenon, capturing the imaginations of sci-fi lovers and inspiring legions of fans around the world. The Stargate franchise includes three TV series, three films, an animated series and a web series.

More than 56 million Stargate DVDs have been sold as well. Living well beyond the screen Stargate has found its way into games, comic books, trading cards and more. The hit TV series, Stargate SG-1, celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022.

In Stargate Megaways, players are tasked with working their way up a Stargate trail every time they register a consecutive win, unlocking modifiers and one of three free spins rounds. When the fifth segment of the trail is reached a random modifier will be activated, which boosts their chances of triggering up to seven free spins.

Rob Procter, Vice President of Game Development at Light & Wonder, says: “Not only is Stargate Megaways Light & Wonder’s flagship release as a new brand, but it’s also set to be our most revolutionary. We’ve flipped the concept of a Megaways slot on its head; this game is nothing like you’ll have played before from a Megaways title and we think it’ll prove to be a big hit.

“Stargate has been going for almost 30 years now and there are still people of all ages that love the franchise, so we’re incredibly excited to bring it to a new medium. Light & Wonder has great ambitions to solidify itself as the leading cross-platform global game company, and releasing a slot that’s truly out of this world is the right way to go about that.”

Robert Marick, EVP Global Consumer Products at MGM, comments: “Stargate continues to resonate around the globe and through this partnership with Light & Wonder, we are able to bring this incredibly popular series to fans in a fresh and exciting way. We’re looking forward to seeing the debut of the Stargate Megaways 6 reel slot game.”

VeryNeko unveils Disney Women’s Empowerment collection

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For the first time (in forever), online retailer VeryNeko has collaborated with four of its ambassadors; @disneymadmum, @kateballamy, @abritofcharlie, and @krystaleverdeen to launch a bespoke Disney Princess collection centred around women’s empowerment.

Now live on VeryNeko.co.uk, the new range features four mini collections, each focusing on a chosen Disney Princess: Cinderella, Rapunzel, Belle and Ariel.   

The mini collections are made up of three items; a printed t-shirt, a printed hoodie or sweatshirt, and a reversible bucket hat, all uniquely designed in the iconic colours of each princess. 

To see the full collection, visit Disney Princess Collection | VeryNeko

Sproutl forms strategic partnership with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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Sproutl, the new curated online gardening marketplace with a mission to make gardening easy, is to form a strategic partnership with the world-famous plant science institution, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 

Alongside Sproutl becoming an official stockist of Kew’s merchandise and brand partners’ products, the partnership will include the launch of co-curated ‘Kew X Sproutl collections’ later this summer. By combining Sproutl’s technology platform with Kew’s vast scientific and horticultural expertise, the partnership will bring Kew plants directly into people’s homes for the first time. 

During the pandemic, the number of gardeners in the UK rose by three million. Nearly half of these new gardeners are under forty-five and are therefore digital natives. The partnership between a tech startup and the world’s most famous science and horticulture institution will bring Kew directly to both lovers and visitors of the gardens as well as a new and rapidly expanding demographic of younger gardeners. 

Anni Noel-Johnson, CEO & co-founder, Sproutl, says: “Sproutl is so proud to be partnering with RBG, Kew. This partnership is the perfect marriage of a tech startup with the world’s most famous science and horticulture institution. This will allow Sproutl customers to access Kew’s branded products and help introduce a new audience to Kew. We are also excited to be launching new co-curated Kew x Sproutl collections later in the year.”

Sproutl was created in 2021 to take the pain out of online selling for horticultural suppliers and integrates with their systems. Sproutl manages logistics, packaging sourcing, delivery, online marketing, and customer services, allowing independent local garden centres, shops and nurseries to effortlessly develop their online presence and reach new national audiences.

Kew is famed for its 260 years of plant science expertise and outstanding plant collections, making it one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Kew Gardens is also a Unesco World Heritage Site and major international visitor attraction with over 2.5 million visits every year .

Customers can sign up to be the first to receive updates on the new Kew X Sproutl Collection. 

Cry Babies Magic Tears launches on Netflix

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Fans of leading doll brand Cry Babies Magic Tears now have even more options to follow their favourite characters’ adventures as IMC Toys has secured a global deal with the world’s leading entertainment streaming service, Netflix.

Full episodes of the popular animated series will be available to stream in homes in 24 languages and over 190 countries where Netflix operates.

The Cry Babies Magic Tears animated series originally launched in the UK on IMC Toys’ YouTube platform, Kitoons, in 2018, alongside the successful launch of the Cry Babies Magic Tears collectible line at retail; an extension of the popular Cry Babies brand. The new Netflix deal builds on the momentum the brand has garnered since entering the market and offers viewers 400 minutes of content that will be released between two seasons this year, the first on 18 April and the second in autumn.

“IMC Toys couldn’t be prouder to be part of Netflix’s content offering,” says Raquel Roca, Communication Manager, IMC Toys. “Our aim is to always provide the best possible experience for our consumers and this premiere on Netflix gives our fans even more accessibility to the content they love.
“Cry Babies Magic Tears is a global brand, and Netflix is the perfect platform to allow kids around the world to enjoy our amazing series and share the positive messaging it brings to our viewers.”
Cry Babies Magic Tears are cute little babies with big personalities. They live in an imaginative world where tears are magical and carry special powers that are used to overcome challenging situations. The series, which is designed for children aged three to six, uses each episode to instil positive values in an interesting and engaging way through content. Viewers will be able to enjoy the best of the best from Cry Babies Magic Tears seasons two and three.
This premiere on Netflix is the latest in a lineup of deals that IMC Toys has concluded with television and streaming entities across the globe, including Nick Junior (UK), Gulli (France), Disney (Spain), Frisbee (Italy), Togo (Germany), Telekids (Holland), RTL (Croatia) and Televisa (Mexico). All of which serve the goal of bringing fans into the world of Cry Babies Magic Tears and making the brand an international powerhouse for both children’s entertainment and toys.

For more information on Cry Babies and other ranges by IMC Toys, contact info.uk@imctoys.com

Mighty Jaxx debuts new phygital F1 collectibles

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Culture company Mighty Jaxx (the Worldwide Exclusive Collectible Partner for F1) is back with a new edition of AllStars collectibles, inspired by the popular sport. Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas and more have all received the star treatment with a number of fresh looks.

Launching to the public on April 21, the AllStars F1 collectibles feature this season’s 20 drivers in their official race suits, with each athlete holding a removable team emblem.

Sculpted and designed by acclaimed studio YARMS, every 8in premium vinyl figure features geometric planes and clean contours that capture each likeness in a timeless, minimal style, while the phygital collectibles go beyond the track via unique digital experiences.

Single driver collectibles are $159 USD, team bundles (two drivers) are $318 USD.

Any purchase made between launch and April 23 (9am ET) will receive an exclusive, metal commemorative print. Team bundle orders also receive commemorative prints.

Via the AllStars’ Xtended Xperience®, fans can digitally authenticate their collectibles, tap into gamified offerings, showcase their pieces and customise digital displays through various skins.

Jesper Poulsen named general manager of Bravado

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Universal Music Group’s (UMG’s) leading merchandise and brand management company, Bravado, announced today that veteran industry executive and Epic Rights co-founder Jesper Poulsen has been named general manager.

Poulsen joins Bravado’s executive management team and will play an integral role in continuing to develop the company’s global merchandise strategy in the everchanging landscape of the music and fashion industries. He will oversee day-to-day operations of both Bravado and Epic Rights. Poulsen is based in Los Angeles and reports to Bravado’s president, Matt Young.

Matt Young says: “As we continue to execute our global brand strategy, aligning the power of Epic Rights more closely with Bravado exponentially enhances the reach, capabilities, and depth of how we service our artists and their fans around the world. Jesper has a wealth of experience and his leadership across the Bravado ecosystem will only supercharge our capabilities.”

Poulsen adds: “I want to thank Richelle Parham and UMG’s leadership team, Matt Young, and, of course, the team at Epic Rights, for this opportunity. Having been mentored by Dell Furano, I’m proud to continue to evolve what we started almost 10 years ago with Kym Furano and Phil Cussen. It’s an honour to work with so many incredible artists and their teams to reach their fans all over the world. It’s an exciting time to be in the artist services business and look forward to what’s ahead.”

Poulsen’s career in artist brand development, consumer products and fan experiences started at Signatures Network, where he supported the company’s growing wholesale business and digital strategy. In 2008, through acquisition, he joined Live Nation Merchandise where he held the position of Brand Manager, helping oversee relationships such as KISS, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Led Zeppelin, and ZZ Top. In 2014, Poulsen, together with Dell Furano, Kym Furano and Phil Cussen, launched merchandise and branding company, Epic Rights.

Bravado acquired Epic Rights in 2019 with a roster that includes KISS, AC/DC, Def Leppard, David Bowie, John Lennon, Aerosmith, Bob Dylan and the Woodstock Festival among others. Poulsen in his new role will maintain the individual brand identities of both Epic Rights and Bravado, supervising the expert teams of both divisions.

Kokomo teams with Barbie for Primark beauty collection

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Award-winning licensed toiletry specialist Kokomo has debuted a collaboration with the iconic Barbie brand across a new Health & Beauty range.

The brands have collaborated on a dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring collection for consumers, that celebrate diverse dolls, iconic Barbie logos and graphics, and encompass the Kokomo brand missions; ‘Be Kind to Your Mind’ and ‘Just as You Are’.

The collection of 17 products launches exclusively at Primark across accessories, skincare and cosmetics and is available in-store now. The range has been designed to provide a one-stop-shop for adult Barbie fans with items ranging from £1.50 – £7.00.

Laura Jealous, Kokomo’s Sales & Marketing Director, says: “We are delighted to be working with Mattel on such an iconic brand with an important message to inspire and empower. Working together we have designed a beautiful collection of Health & Beauty products which we can’t wait to see in stores.”

Visit the Kokomo website for more details: https://www.kokomostudio.com/home/