Jazwares makes Licensing Expo debut with Squishmallows

Leading toy and licensing powerhouse Jazwares is at Licensing Expo Las Vegas until 26 May, showcasing its wildly successful Squishmallows plush brand. 

The monumental growth of Squishmallows, the #2 Toy Property and #1 Plush according to The NPD Group’s April 2022 report, has fuelled a raft of cross-category collaborations across beauty, games, apparel, home decor, and more, adding to the brand’s robust portfolio of best-in-class licensing partners.

Building on a phenomenal 2021, this year Squishmallows took the play industry’s top honour, the Toy Association’s coveted overall Toy of the Year award, while also hitting a 125 million plush sold milestone.

On social media, Squishmallows content has officially squished through the roof, generating nearly 6.5 billion video views on TikTok, and @squishmallows (and related hashtags) has been tagged in more than one million Instagram posts. Additionally, the Squishmallows social media channels have ballooned to more than 827,000 followers, and nearly 100 global and local Facebook groups have been created by fans.

In the Metaverse, the recently launched Squishmallows on Roblox game has ascended to the #1 Toy Game, as measured by concurrent players, with a massive 1.5M monthly active user base.

“As Squishmallows continues its evolution as a preeminent global lifestyle brand, we’re opening the door for big-sky opportunities setting the stage for meaningful fan-first product extensions,” says Judd Karofsky, Executive Vice President, Jazwares. “Demand for Squishmallows is skyrocketing so we’re more than ready for millions of people around the world to enjoy their favourite Squishmallows characters via a wide array of growing product categories and experiences.”

Recognising the brand’s vast global audience and multi-generational appeal, Jazwares created its premiere Squishmallows global licensing programme last autumn, supported by some of the biggest names in consumer and lifestyle products including Bioworld, BigMouth, BBC International, Franco Mfg., Fashion Angels Enterprises, Primary Colors, HarperCollins Publishers, and more.

Attendees of Licensing Expo are encouraged to experience the Squishmallows lifestyle at booth #0214 in the Bayside Exhibit Hall at Mandalay Bay. New licensee highlights include:

  • In the United States, Taste Beauty, a leading beauty brand for teens, tweens, and beyond, will make a unique line of lip, nail, cosmetic, and bath and body products inspired by the colorful world of Squishmallows.
  • Additionally, The Op I USAopoly, a leading developer and manufacturer of board games and puzzles, has been tapped to create a custom Squishmallows Monopoly game with an exclusive 4incharacter.
  • Kurt Adler will develop a line of Squishmallows ornaments and stockings, perfect for the holiday season.
  • In Europe, an expansive consumer products licensing programme will also be supporting Squishmallows with a wide array of cross-category support. Soon to be announced licensees are expected to include bath and beauty, swimwear and apparel, and bedding, as well as multiple products from world-class lifestyle brands.

Since Squishmallows debuted in 2017, each plush has featured its own lovable personality, and they have become known for their ultra-soft feel and whimsical design that have captivated fans of all ages, both online and in person. More than 1,000 Squishmallows ranging in size from 2in to 24in have gained the attention of bona fide Squishmallows fans in more than 40 countries. Such strong brand retention has resulted in multiple line extensions, including HugMees, Squish-Doos, Stackables, and Squishville.

 

Squishmallows pushes for global lifestyle brand status with cross-category product launches

Jazwares, along with its Kellytoy subsidiary, today unveiled an expansive consumer products licensing programme supporting its Squishmallows plush brand sensation.

On the heels of the milestone of 100 million Squishmallows sold, Jazwares is teaming with a raft of licensees to make Squishmallows a global lifestyle brands for fans, families, and collectors around the world.

“As the Squishmallows brand evolves, we’re focusing on impactful category collaborations that entertain and delight our millions of fans in authentic, meaningful ways,” says Judd Karofsky, Executive Vice President, Jazwares. “Our licensing partners are embracing the Squishmallows brand DNA and we can’t wait to launch unique new merchandise to a wide range of retailers and consumers this year and beyond.”

Each Squishmallows plush has a unique name and backstory that brings its personality to life. Squishmallows are sold at thousands of retail outlets, including independent and speciality stores, amusement parks and U.S. national chains such as Target, Five Below, Walgreens, Walmart, Learning Express, Cracker Barrel, CVS, Costco, Justice and Hallmark, and in the UK at Smyths, The Entertainer, Argos, Toymaster and more.

Squishmallows licensee highlights:

  • Bioworld, the pop culture specialists, is known for delivering lifestyle collections to fans globally across apparel, loungewear, headwear, bags, socks, collectable accessories and more. In 2022 Bioworld will offer a full suite of Squishmallows branded merchandise.
  • BigMouth, a designer and manufacturer of fun lifestyle products, will make Squishmallows branded pool floats, cooler bags, beach chairs and pop-up tents.
  • BBC International is a global design, development and sourcing footwear company currently offering a full line of Squishmallows branded footwear.
  • Franco Mfg. will develop Squishmallows bedding and accessories including throws, as well as beach and bath blankets.
  • Fashion Angels Enterprises will offer students and teachers exciting new Squishmallows fashion stationery and back-to-school accessories.
  • In partnership with Parkside Collectibles (OEM), Jazwares will launch a new line of Squishmallows-inspired trading cards with Series 1 scheduled to arrive in the U.S. market this year. The cards feature Squishmallows favourites, with more than 650 cards to collect.
  • Primary Colors, a premier producer of cookies, candy and snacks, will partner with Jazwares to bring fun and innovative Squishmallows gummy and candy products to retail stores nationwide.

Established in 2017, Squishmallows has become a social media sensation that continues to cultivate a strong following online.

Organic Squishmallows content has generated nearly 5 billion video views on TikTok and @squishmallows (and related hashtags) have been tagged in more than one million Instagram posts. The Squishmallows social media channels have ballooned to more than 700,000 followers and nearly 100 global and local Facebook groups have been created by fans.

More than 1,000 Squishmallows ranging from two to 24-inches in size have gained the attention of bona fide Squishmallows fans in more than 40 countries. Such strong brand retention has resulted in multiple line extensions, including HugMees, Squish-Doos, Heroes, Flip-A-Mallows, and Squishville.

Moonbug and Jazwares launch Squishmallows-inspired animated YouTube series Squishville

Jazwares and its Kellytoy subsidiary are expanding the world of Squishmallows with the launch of a new animated YouTube series Squishville, developed in partnership with Moonbug Entertainment.

The original content, produced by the award-winning global entertainment company behind CoComelon, will kick off with the launch of its first episode on June 26th, with new episodes released every Saturday through to October this year.

This new development for the franchise follows hot on the heels of the retail debut of Squishville, a line of Squishmallows-inspired collectable plush and soft fabric play-sets and accessories. The range arrived in stores earlier this year.

Since launching in 2017, more than 86 million Squishmallows have been sold with the brand expecting to reach its 100 million milestone in the next couple of months. The debut of Squishville comes at a time when the popularity of Squishmallows is at an all-time high, having exploded into a TikTok toy sensation with more than 2.8 billion organic video views.

Squishville will follow the adventures of characters Fifi, Lola, Cam, and Winston as they take on Squishville with a few of their friends like Jeanna, Sharie, Leonard, and Hans.

“The launch of Squishville speaks volumes to the growth in popularity Squishmallows has had  over the last year,” said Laura Zebersky, president of Jazwares. “With original animated content, fans can now engage with the Squishmallows Squad and experience their adorable, colorful personalities like never before.”