Tag Archives: news

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.

 

Popular snack Lunchables joins Roblox

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Kraft-Heinz Lunchables, the buildable snack, is joining the virtual universe of Roblox, the global platform where fans can imagine, create and have fun with friends as they explore virtual worlds.

For the first time ever, Lunchables lovers can enter the world of Lunchables Racing, where players can build the ultimate Lunchables racing kart (with over 100 unique items to choose from ) and try to beat their friends to the finish line. There are three Lunchables tracks to choose from – the Moon Landing, Snack Valley and the Totally Tropical – and four new Lunchables minigames that players can take part in with their Roblox avatar: the Dance Fest, Cracker Stacker, UFO Movie Set and the classic Diner Dash. Players can use ‘cash’ earned in the games to decorate their karts, search for hidden coins, or visit the Lunchables town and talk to its food-crazy citizens.

Find out more about Lunchables Racing here.


					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Zavvi launches exclusive Stranger Things collection ahead of the new season

			
						

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Ahead of the new season of Netflix hit Stranger Things, online retailer Zavvi has released a new instalment of exclusive merchandise inspired by the show, with everything from t-shirts to denim jackets and tote bags up for grabs.


To reflect the conflicting worlds of the town of Hawkins and The Upside Down, the team at Zavvi have created ‘fan clubs’ for both El and the Demogorgon. Designed using iconic characters and scenes from throughout the series, the clubs are reflected through the aesthetics of the range, including design and colour palette.


With a clear influence from the 1980s era, the collection features distressed denim jackets, vintage graphic tees, and accessories such as blankets and stickers.  Emblazoned with illustrations of the Demogorgon, stills of Billy Hargrove and calls to find Will Byers, the new exclusive range will be available on Zavvi.com from 6 November 2021, with prices starting from £14.99.


Zavvi Stranger Things: Battle of the Fans Collection


 


 

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Levenhuk launches new line of Optics with Discovery, Inc

			
						

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Levenhuk, one of the largest distributors of optical devices in Europe, has announced a new collaboration with Discovery, Inc on a line of telescopes, microscopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and weather stations. The line will be available Europea-wide, with a focus on markets including Russia, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland and the Czech Republic.


“We constantly release new products for science followers aiming to fulfill their demands,” says Anton Epifanov, CEO at Levenhuk. “Partnering with an outstanding company as Discovery reflects our commitment to a green future and nature protection.”


“At Discovery, we partner with brands that share our mission of sparking curiosity and educating our global fan base,” says Helen Panayiotou, Licensing Manager, International Consumer Products at Discovery, Inc. “This line of optics with Levenhuk provides a range of high-quality, accessible products to amateur scientists and avid explorers across Europe.”


The Levenhuk Discovery optics range will include a total of 140 SKUs launching from October 2021. Select products will also include a range of knowledge books about space and the micro-world. The line is aimed at adult recreational users and will encourage consumers to explore and learn about the world around them. Retailers of the line include Technopolis (Bulgaria), AFD Genova (Italy), Skypoint (Italy), Telescopios Barcelona (Spain), Alza (Czech Republic), Mall (Czech Republic), Szolnoktavcso (Hungary), Edigital (Hungary), Euromega (Poland), Me (Poland) and Skynet (Poland).


Levenhuk operates an international chain of specialised retail shops called Zoom’n’Joy. The chain includes 81 stores located in 62 cities across Europe and Russia.


For more information about the Discovery, Inc line visit http://www.levenhuk.eu/discovery. 



					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Moonbug Entertainment to be acquired by Next Generation Media Company

			
						

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Moonbug Entertainment, the digital-first, global children’s entertainment company, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by the recently formed media company run by leading entertainment executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs and backed by investment capital from Blackstone. Moonbug’s founders CEO René Rechtman and COO John Robson, and existing management team and shareholders, will retain equity stakes in the Mayer-Staggs-Blackstone-backed media company.


Founded in 2018, Moonbug has rapidly built a global family audience through its highly popular shows such as CoComelon, Blippi, Little Baby Bum, and others. Its content appears in 27 languages on more than 100 platforms around the world such as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon and Sky. Moonbug’s CoComelon is currently the second-most subscribed YouTube channel with approximately 120 million subscribers globally and the most-watched kids show on Netflix.


This marks the second acquisition for Mayer and Staggs’ new media company backed by Blackstone, following the acquisition of Hello Sunshine, the mission-driven media company that puts women at the centre of every story it creates, founded by Reese Witherspoon.


“John and I have built a category-leading, digital-first kids entertainment business based on strong values and content that is focused on digital platforms,” says Moonbug’s René Rechtman. “Our vision is to build global family franchises, which is wholly aligned with Kevin and Tom’s vision and experience. I have had the pleasure of working with them both earlier in my career and am thrilled to be reunited to build the next global powerhouse of entertainment. You could not find stronger partners in our industry.”


Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs added: “We have known René and his innovative team for years, including during our time together at Disney, and they have built a perfect example of the type of category-defining business we are looking to bring into our company. They know how to identify and support brands that are beloved by millions of families across the globe. We and our partners at Blackstone look forward to helping expand Moonbug’s portfolio of titles and further extend its franchises across digital platforms and key licensing and merchandising channels.”


 

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Barbour enlists Paddington for new Christmas campaign

			
						

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Leading heritage and lifestyle brand Barbour is collaborating for the first time with the much-loved children’s character Paddington Bear for this year’s seasonal campaign, with a seasonal film that includes the original Peggy Fortnum illustration style which has never been animated before.


Barbour’s festive film follows the mishaps and adventures of Paddington Bear as he comes up with an idea for a thoughtful gift. Full of nostalgia, it celebrates the joy of giving a very special present that means so much.


Paul Wilkinson, Group Marketing Director, Barbour, says: “Paddington Bear is a much-loved children’s character who is kind-hearted and full of good intentions, even if he does get into scrapes along the way!  To celebrate our Re-Waxing Centenary, we have centred the story around a thoughtful gift from Paddington as he re-waxes Mr Brown’s beloved Barbour jacket for Christmas. It’s nostalgic, humorous and sentimental and shows just how much our Barbour jackets are loved and become an important part of the family; if re-waxed at least once a year, they can last a long long time.”


Triple Academy-Award-winning production company Passion Pictures produced the animation in hand-painted 2D. Directed by trio againstallodds, the film was created in TV Paint and aftereffects, with painstaking efforts made to faithfully bring Peggy Fortnum’s signature style to life. Every frame of the animation is hand drawn and painted with close to 3000 hours of work since May going into the design, animation and composition of the final film.


Working closely with the production team at Passion Pictures, Barbour’s integrated creative agency, Thinking Juice, were inspired by the Paddington quote “Please look after this bear” from the original story to come up with the narrative and the creative elements of the campaign.


The agreement was brokered by The Copyrights Group, a Vivendi Company which owns the Paddington brand. Rachel Clarke, SVP UK – Licensing & Retail at The Copyrights Group said: “Copyrights are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Barbour for this wonderful heartwarming campaign full of kindness, humour and fun, just like Paddington himself”.


To support the campaign, Barbour is launching a children’s Paddington Bear collection. Soft jersey sweats and hoodies in navy, red, grey and ecru feature alongside nightwear, all with humorous Paddington Bear illustrations by Peggy Fortnum  – some with a Barbour twist. Accessories include hat and scarf sets, beanie hats and cosy wellington socks.


To watch the Barbour Christmas film via the Barbour website, click here.


 


 


 


 


 


 

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Percy The Park Keeper partners with the National Trust for nationwide winter trails

			
						

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This winter, 121 National Trust gardens and parklands across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be inviting families to step into the wonderful world of Percy the Park Keeper, thanks to a new agreement signed by the brand’s licensing agent The Point.1888.


In partnership with the best-selling author and illustrator Nick Butterworth, the Percy the Park Keeper Winter Wander at National Trust sites will introduce children and their families to the busy park keeper and his animal friends.


Running from Saturday 4 December until Sunday 30 January* the self-led trail will invite families to join Percy’s team as he races to get the park and its animals ready for winter. After reading Percy’s handwritten note, families will help find Percy’s equipment and enjoy activities and games as they complete the trail. They’ll also be a prize to collect and a photo opportunity with Percy and his friends at the end.


This is a significant agreement for Nick Butterworth’s brand licensing programme with The Point.1888 to bring his portfolio of literary brands to life as consumer products and programmes. As well as Percy the Park Keeper series, the portfolio includes the hugely popular children’s books My Dad is Brilliant, My Mum is Fantastic, My Grandma is Wonderful, My Grandpa is Amazing, and the Altogether Now series. Nick has sold over 20 million books in more than 35 languages, with Percy the Park Keeper selling more than nine million copies in partnership with HarperCollins.


Olivia Wiggett, Associate Commercial Manager at The Point.1888, says: “Nick’s books, with their ethos of caring for each other and the world around us, were of great support to so many people during lockdown and now that restrictions have eased and children and families can go out once more to explore, we’re delighted that Percy the Park Keeper will be right alongside them. This deal is incredibly important to the programme and there are many more exciting plans to come.”


Commenting on the appointment, Nick Butterworth said, “I am absolutely delighted that Percy and his animal friends are partnering with the National Trust this winter. The houses and gardens of the National Trust are inspirational places and good for the soul. As parents and grandparents we have found ourselves lost in a world of imagination in the wonderful grounds. So much so that sometimes we have actually been lost, but there aren’t many better places to be! The past 18 months have been very difficult for so many people and also the National Trust. To be part of something that supports the National Trust, that gets people outdoors and spreads some happiness this winter is terrific.”


Lucy Footer, Creative Programming Manager, National Trust, added: “We are thrilled to be bringing the magic of Percy’s world to National Trust places this winter. The Percy the Park Keeper winter wander will take place across 121 of our properties including parklands like Percy’s, gardens, landscapes, and coastal sites in our care, bringing delight to families across regions and countries.


“Since we announced the trail, it has become clear how well-loved Percy is particularly amongst our garden and ranger teams and of course our visitors. The Percy stories have even inspired one or two of our staff to become National Trust rangers themselves!


“The world of Percy is gentle and kind and through the stories we’re invited to help Percy solve problems, care for nature, notice what’s around and of course have fun, helped by his animal friends. It’s in this spirit that we will engage families and visitors of all ages through the winter wander experience, and we cannot wait to welcome them”.


*Dates may vary across National Trust properties


 

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Spotlight on Brands I Pink Key gets Vim!

			
						

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Spotlight on brands


 


Vimto is a brand with real pedigree. Nationally renowned and proudly from the North, it also has a proven licensing pedigree.


It all began in Manchester in 1908 when John Noel Nichols created the drink we know and love as a herbal health tonic using a secret recipe combining fruits, herbs and spices from around the world. It  was a pick-me-up, giving the consumer ‘vim’ (energy and enthusiasm) and ‘vigour’ (strength and power).


But the brand we know now as Vimto has never stood still. From its rich heritage it has kept itself contemporary by adapting to changes in consumer conditions and tastes and has developed a versatile product range. There are numerous ways now in which you can enjoy the great taste of Vimto – from the ‘schlurp’ out of a can to hot (yes, hot!) Vimto to fend off those chilly winter nights.


Yet, through all these developments, the brand character has always remained constant: a fun, high-quality, refreshingly different soft drink.


 


Perfect partnerships


Vimto is no stranger to the licensing world, and has already acquired many food licensees managed by its dedicated Commercial Development Controller, Helen Hartley, who has brought on board a number of partners including:


    

  • Confectionery with Vimto Bon Bons, Jelly Babies and Juicy Mixups
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  • Frozen foods with Vimto Ice Lollies, Cheesecake, Pyramids and No Added Sugar Remix Ice Pops
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  • Dedicated Vimto ‘Factories’ in Selfridges, the Trafford Centre Manchester and the Bullring Birmingham, offering Vimto Slush, drinks and confectionery
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  • Vimto protein powders and vitamins in partnership with the world’s number one sports nutrition brand MYPROTEIN.
    • 



Vimto is extending its licensing programme to take both and its rich history and heritage into the non-food arena.


Pink Key’s pedigree


Pink Key Licensing is Vimto’s exclusive UK agent to develop the non-food programme, and will be offering new licensees a style guide that will focus on the brand’s history and is packed with visuals of posters, packs and amazing artwork from the extensive Vimto archive, including Vimto logos and slogans.


Richard Pink of Pink Key says: “The Vimto archive is extraordinary in its range of colour and usable assets. It’s a brand that I’ve always felt would be an ideal fit with what we do so well, and I’m delighted that Vimto think so too!”


There is no doubt that Vimto seems to naturally fit within Pink Key’s portfolio, which incudes food brands Kellogg’s, Pringles, SLUSH PUPPiE and The Laughing Cow, alongside the heritage programme that Richard and his team have been running for Pan American Airways.


“Having lived in Manchester myself, I have an appreciation of just how proud the people are of home-grown and developed brands; they are fiercely loyal,” says Richard. “And it’s not just anecdotal: Vimto is a nationally recognised brand, but in its home town its popularity rivals the best in the world!”


 




If you are interested in talking to

Pink Key about licensing Vimto you can

contact Richard at

richard@pinkkey.co.uk


 


 


 



					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
FunCraft and Sanrio partner for new mobile game Hello Kitty – Merge Town

			
						

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Interactive entertainment company and mobile games publisher FunCraft, together with Sanrio, has announced the global launch of Hello Kitty – Merge Town, a puzzle and merge decoration game that brings a renowned cast of characters and town to life for the ultimate Hello Kitty and Friends gaming experience.


Based on the globally recognised Hello Kitty and Friends universe, Hello Kitty – Merge Town is the first Hello Kitty and Friends experience to combine casual puzzle gameplay with a deep narrative on mobile devices. Players have the opportunity to interact with their favorite characters including Hello Kitty, Tuxedosam, My Melody, and more as well as explore Hello Kitty’s freshly imagined town.


“We are thrilled to bring Hello Kitty and Friends to life. We can’t wait for players and fans to interact with the characters they love like never before,” says Michael Martinez, CEO and Co-Founder at FunCraft. “Hello Kitty – Merge Town expands the diverse set of experiences our talented teams are building for gamers worldwide with a globally beloved universe. We will deploy our core strengths of creative gameplay and personalized user experiences.


“Hello Kitty has cultivated one of the most passionate and devoted fan bases in entertainment and we sought to stay true to the brand when creating Hello Kitty – Merge Town, offering players one of the most aesthetically and narratively immersive Hello Kitty and Friends experiences to date. Our teams have been working with tremendous passion to deliver the ultimate gaming experience for fans around the globe.”


“Hello Kitty – Merge Town is a fantastic Hello Kitty experience,” adds Silvia Figini, Chief Operating Officer Sanrio – EMEA, India and Oceania, Mr Men – Worldwide. “We are truly thrilled with the care and attention FunCraft brought to this world and can’t wait to see how players interact with Merge Town in the years to come.” 


With a deep and engaging narrative from award-winning writers, players will learn the secrets and stories of Hello Kitty’s town. FunCraft has created an elaborate town for players to explore, with distinct elements for fans to recognise and enjoy. Players unlock new neighborhoods for Kerokerokeroppi, Kuromi, Chococat, and more. With an abundant combination of items to discover and hundreds of engaging puzzles to solve, Hello Kitty – Merge Town gives players the ability to play a quick session on the go or enjoy a marathon play experience.


Hello Kitty – Merge Town is available globally and localised in Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and 8 other languages. It’s available now as a free download on Android devices via Google Play and iOS devices via the App Store. The launch trailer can be viewed here. 


 

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Studio 100 Media journeys back in time with new dino animation series Vegesaurs

			
						

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International production and distribution company Studio 100 Media has been receiving positive feedback for its latest venture: Vegesaurs. 


Vegesaurs are vegetable and fruit-shaped dinosaurs ready to address and teach relatable themes for upper pre-schoolers such as getting to sleep, sharing, friendship, nurturing mealtimes, and play. Starring the lead character Ginger, a young Tricarrotops (carrot) with others including P(ea)-Rex, Cornasaurus (corn), Bananaraptor, Coconutdon, Broccolisaurus, Bokchoydactyl, Tomatodon, Appleflyrus and Potatodon, Vegesaurs’ aim is to enrich and enhance children’s imagination.


The action-comedy CGI-animated TV series (20 x 5’) is produced by independent Australian producer Cheeky Little for the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) and France TV. Principal production funding is provided by Screen Australia, with Studio 100 as co-investor. Based on a concept created by Gary Eck and Nick O’Sullivan, the series is targeted at preschoolers and planned for delivery in 2022. ABC will broadcast it in Australia under the title “Ginger & the Vegesaurs”. Studio 100 Media is responsible for the worldwide distribution of content and licensing & merchandising rights of the series.


Strong interest has already been received from various broadcasters. Studio 100 Media believes the appealing short-form content is a great fit for digital platforms offering new marketing opportunities, and that Vegesaurs addresses multiple execution layers such as collectability, publishing, plush, and gaming.


Martin Krieger, CEO of Studio 100 Media, says: “Everybody we’ve presented to has loved the creative way that vegetables have been transformed into dinosaur creatures and kids around the globe will do so as well. The series offers a variety of excellent opportunities with regards to content distribution and in licensing & merchandising.”


Studio 100 Media is an international production and distribution company within the children’s and family entertainment sector. The company produces and acquires new content, engages in co-production and co-financing activities and is also responsible for the international distribution of its own- and third-party rights. Based in Munich, Germany, the company is a 100 percent subsidiary of Belgian firm Studio 100. www.studio100group.com