APC Kids lands Kid-E-Cats toy distribution for Spain and Portugal with Bizak

Posted on 21st April 2021 by Sam Giltrow

APC Kids has appointed Bizak as its toy distribution partner across Spain and Portugal for the new toy range based on CTC Media’s popular animated series, Kid-E-Cats. Handling local distribution, Bizak’s roll-out is scheduled to start in Q2 2021.

In addition, APC Kids has finalised a deal with Spain’s RTVE for Kid-E-Cats season three, following its success with seasons one and two on its Clan channel as one of its top preschool shows. Last year, El Ocho was appointed as the property’s licensing agent in Spain and Portugal.

Owned and managed by CTC Media and produced by Studio Metrafilms, Kid-E-Cats is one of the leading pre-school series across Russia. It has recently been commissioned for a fourth season and currently airs on Nick Jr in over 170 territories. It is currently available worldwide on Netflix.

The first three seasons have seen great success internationally, alongside the consumer products roll-out, with more than 70 licensees and 1,400 product lines worldwide, and the 24 Kid-E-Cats educational mobile games, which have now garnered 39 million downloads to date.

Lionel Marty, managing director of APC Kids, said: “As Kid-E-Cats’ global appeal continues to grow, it’s great to be able to bring additional ways for children to enjoy and interact with the loveable characters. We are thrilled Bizak is on board to roll out the toys in Spain and Portugal where we have seen great engagement – and excited to see the show going from strength to strength with our partners RTVE. We can’t wait to see the product at retail this year.”

Aitor Eguía, Bizak’s product manager, added: “At Bizak, we are convinced of the success of Kid-E-Cats in Iberia and we are going to put all our efforts so that Cookie, Candy and Pudding become children’s most beloved characters.”

The series tells the story of three kittens: Cookie, Pudding and their kid sister Candy who are forever ready to jump into action with endless enthusiasm and energy. Their imagination also knows no bounds, and these kitties are capable of the most absurdly funny problem-solving suggestions.

JAKKS Pacific extends global toy deal with SEGA for Sonic the Hedgehog

Posted on 21st April 2021 by Sam Giltrow

JAKKS Pacific has renewed and expanded its global toy partnership with SEGA of America for the classic and modern versions of the hit entertainment franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Under the extended partnership, JAKKS will design, manufacture, market, and sell Sonic the Hedgehog branded toy product lines worldwide, commencing in 2022. The agreement includes the rights to produce action figures, play-sets, vehicles, plush, and collectables.

JAKKS has seen wide success with the Sonic the Hedgehog IP since its introduction to the market in 2019, with product launches spanning big box retailers in-store and online. Its four-inch figures replicating modern and classic versions of Sonic were a hit with fans of all ages.

The introduction of the 2.5-inch figures and Green Hills Zone play-set last fall brought all new ways to play and recreate the action of this iconic zone from the video games.

“Our line of Sonic the Hedgehog products consistently hit the mark with retailers and fans, and we are excited to continue to develop innovative toys with SEGA that resonate on a global scale,” said Craig Drobis, senior vice president of marketing at JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

“Our Sonic figures, play-sets and plush have seen consistent sales growth since our partnership with SEGA began. There is more great product to be introduced for this Fall and for several years to come.”

Alex Gomez, licensing director at SEGA of America, added: “JAKKS Pacific has been an integral partner in bringing our vision for unique, high-quality Sonic collectibles to market over the past two years, and we’re ecstatic to expand our partnership them as we enter the next decade of the franchise.

“The new collection is sure to bring Sonic fun to new heights with merchandise tied to upcoming projects and will feature the Blue Blur in his Classic and Modern form, with something special for Sonic fans of every generation.”

LEGO expands its Nintendo partnership to bring Luigi into the LEGO Super Mario universe

Posted on 20th April 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Super Mario’s often-forgotten brother, Luigi, is stepping out of the shadows and into the LEGO Super Mario universe as the toymaker extends its partnership with Nintendo to unveil the LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Luigi Starter Course.

Featuring an interactive LEGO Luigi figure, this is the latest extension of the popular LEGO Super Mario product line that tipped best-seller lists last year. Based on a traditional LEGO brick product, the LEGO Super Mario play experience allows kids to freely build Super Mario courses and bring their Mario and Luigi figures to life.

LEGO Luigi will boast the character’s recognisable personality, unique voice, and in one LEGO plate taller than LEGO Mario, staying true to Luigi’s look and traits.

Similar to the Adventures with Mario Starter Course, this new set is an additional entry point to the world of LEGO Super Mario and is compatible with the Mario Starter Course, all Expansion Sets, collectible Character Packs and Power-Up Packs. Built with the same technology as his brother, LEGO Luigi comes with a colour sensor, LCD screen to display many different reactions to movement, and a speaker that plays iconic sounds and music from the Super Mario video game series.

When moving LEGO Luigi from the Start Pipe to the Goal Pole, players can earn digital coins in real-life level-play by helping LEGO Luigi complete a spinning seesaw challenge, interacting with the new Pink Yoshi and defeating Boom Boom and a Bone Goomba.

The 71387 Adventures with Luigi Starter Course includes brown-colored bricks signifying the Tower biome that will trigger a new sound from LEGO Luigi and a ? Block designed to offer exciting extra rewards. The LEGO Super Mario product line offers a unique play experience in which players will get instant feedback for creative ways to build and play.

“We are very pleased to add Mario’s twin brother, Luigi, to the LEGO Super Mario family with the new LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Luigi Starter Course,” said Takashi Tezuka, executive officer and game producer of Nintendo Co., Ltd.

“Please welcome him as a companion on your adventures in the world of LEGO Super Mario. The addition of Luigi and Mario together creates new kinds of fun play. I look forward to see what exciting journeys kids will take with these two characters.”

Julia Goldin, chief product and marketing officer, the LEGO Group, added: “LEGO play lets children unleash their imaginations, and we’re so excited Luigi has arrived to help them create even more LEGO Super Mario adventures.

“Everybody loves Luigi! With his unique personality, green cap and distinctive moustache, he has been highly requested by fans all over the world, and we are thrilled to welcome him to this interactive playset that is really changing the way people engage with Super Mario and LEGO play.”

The 280-piece Adventures with Luigi Starter Course can be built, rebuilt and combined with all other LEGO Super Mario sets in many fun ways to create new LEGO Super Mario worlds. The free LEGO Super Mario app, developed by the LEGO Group, is compatible with all LEGO Super Mario products and keeps track of scores to encourage continuous rebuilding.

LEGO expands its Nintendo partnership to bring Luigi into the LEGO Super Mario universe

Posted on 20th April 2021 by Sam Giltrow

LEGO Luigi will boast the character’s recognisable personality, unique voice, and in one LEGO plate taller than LEGO Mario, staying true to Luigi’s look and traits.

Universal Monsters rise up in new NECA action figure partnership

Posted on 20th April 2021 by Sam Giltrow

National Entertainment Collectibles Association – NECA – has detailed plans for a full line of Universal Monsters action figures developed in close partnership with Universal Brand Development to capture the look of the horror world’s most iconic figures.

Frankenstein’s Monster will rise up this July, depicting the classic monster from the 1931 film Frankenstein as it celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. The sculpt will capture Boris Karloff’s poignant portrayal of the misunderstood monster in black and white. A colour version of the figure will follow.

Subsequent figures set for 2021 will include Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man from The Wolf Man (1941), Boris Karloff as the titular figure in The Mummy (1932), and Bela Lugosi as the legendary Count in Dracula (1931).

“We are proud to be working with NECA to include Bela Lugosi as Dracula as an Ultimate figure,” said Lynne Lugosi Sparks, CEO of Lugosi LLC.

“NECA’s attention to detail is amazing and we are happy to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Bela Lugosi’s iconic screen performance as Dracula with this figure.”

NECA’s Ultimate format is a favorite among collectors for its complete portrayal of a character with a wide array of alternate heads, hands, and accessories so that many iconic moments from the movie can be recreated. The fifth-panel packaging also allows collectors to remove and replace without damaging the packaging.

“As a lifelong fan of Universal Monsters, this is a dream come true,” said Randy Falk, NECA VP and senior director of product development.

“I’ve been collecting Universal Monsters toys since I was a kid. This line aims to create something hyper-realistic and ultra-detailed for people like me who grew up watching these amazing movies and have always longed for definitive versions.”

Mattel’s classic Rock ‘Em Sock’ Em Robots game heads to big screen with Universal and Vin Diesel

Posted on 20th April 2021 by Sam Giltrow

The classic battling robot tabletop game, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots is heading to the screen as plans to develop a live-action motion picture starring Vin Diesel get underway.

The project is the combined efforts of Mattel Films and Universal Pictures, who are working with Vin Diesel’s own production company, One Race Films. Mattel Films will prodcue the project alongside Diesel and Samantha Vincent from One Race Films.

The action adventure film will follow a father and son who form an unlikely bond with an advanced war machine. The project will be led by Kevin McKeon of Mattel Films.

“To take the classic Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em game, with Mattel as my partner, and align it with the kind of world building, franchise making success we have had with Universal, is truly exciting,” said Vin Diesel.

“We are proud to bring this iconic piece of Mattel IP to life on the big screen with our tremendously talented partners Vin Diesel, One Race Films and Universal,” added Robbie Brenner, executive producer of Mattel Films.

“Our rich library of franchises continues to yield compelling stories and we look forward to creating what is sure to be a thrilling action adventure for the whole family to enjoy with Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.”

Launched in 1966, the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots game was inspired by an arcade boxing game which pitted Red Rocker against Blue Bomber in a fight to knock his rival’s block off. A staple in pop culture since its debut, the brand’s bright and bold gameplay has appeared in films, television shows and commercials over the past five decades.

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots is the second project between Mattel Films and Universal Pictures, which are also developing a movie based on the Wishbone television series.

Other Mattel Films projects in development including movies based on American Girl, Barbie, Barney, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the Universe, Thomas & Friends, UNO, and View-Master.

Diesel is represented by CAA and Linden Entertainment. Engle is represented by CAA.

LEGO marks 20 years of LEGO Harry Potter with new sets exploring the magic of the Wizarding World

Posted on 19th April 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Marking 20 years of the LEGO Harry Potter franchise, the Danish toy maker has rebooted its partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to reveal a new range of building sets that delve deeper into the magic of Hogwarts and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The enchanted walls of Hogwarts will set the scene for many of the new sets, however, LEGO is giving fans the chance to spread their wings and explore the wizarding world with the likes of Dumbledore’s Phoenix, Fawkes, or the snow-capped streets of Hogsmeade Village.

Many of the sets will also interconnect, allowing fans to extend the play into different areas of Hogwarts.

A number of the new sets will also come with an exclusive golden minifigure to mark the 20th Anniversary of LEGO Harry Potter. These collectibles mark just some of the characters that have helped fans play out some of the franchise’s most memorable moments across two decades of LEGO Harry Potter.

The new sets will be available from LEGO.com, LEGO Stores and selected retailers from June 1st this year and more widely from August 1st. A selection of the sets will also be available to pre-order from April 16th at LEGO.com and other retailers globally.

The new line-up will include:

LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts: Polyjuice Potion Mistake. Builders can join Harry, Ron and Hermione as they brew the powerful Polyjuice potion in Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom and transform as they gulp the potion. Don’t forget to explore the hidden tunnel beneath the sink.
LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts: Fluffy Encounter. Young witches and wizards can try their luck at sneaking past the giant, three-headed dog, and reaching the trapdoor before Fluffy wakes.
LEGO Harry Potter Hogsmeade Village Visits. Take a trip to the snowy village of Hogsmeade to buy tongue-tingling acid pops from Honeydukes, or order a refreshing Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks.
LEGO Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets. Budding builders can join the action in the Chamber of Secrets as Harry battles against Tom Riddle and the Giant Basilisk.
LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Wizard’s Chess. LEGO fans can try their hand at the magical game to save the Philosopher’s Stone before using the pieces again and again to master the art of Muggle chess. Available exclusively from Target in the US, and LEGO.com and LEGO Stores globally.
LEGO Harry Potter Harry Potter & Hermione Granger. Children can maximize the magical fun with these 10 in. (26 cm) tall brick-built Harry Potter and Hermione Granger models as they recreate some of their favourite storylines from the films. Available exclusively from Target in the US, and LEGO.com and LEGO Stores globally.
LEGO Harry Potter Fawkes, Dumbledore’s Phoenix. LEGO fans can capture the magical personality and graceful flight of Fawkes, the intelligent Phoenix from the Harry Potter films. Available exclusively from Target in the US, and LEGO.com and LEGO Stores globally.
LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts: First Flying Lesson. Builders can grab a broomstick and take part in a flying class with Madam Hooch, mounting a broom and shooting off on a wild ride around the Hogwarts rooftops. Available exclusively from Kohl’s in the US, and LEGO.com and LEGO Stores globally.

Marcos Bessa, LEGO Harry Potter design lead, commented: “Two decades ago, we launched the first LEGO Harry Potter set – which I played with as a 12 year old – and fans have remained just as enchanted by the magical adventures that they can relive and replay with the LEGO sets today as they were in 2001.

“These new products are packed full of captivating features and exciting design twists that we hope will excite and enthrall builders of all ages as they explore some of their favourite moments from the films.”

Team GB partners with Micro Scooter in latest deal from The Point. 1888

Posted on 16th April 2021 by Sam Giltrow

The hit outdoor and wheeled toys brand, Micro Scooters has partnered with Team GB to launch an officially licensed range of Team GB Micro Scooters, now live on the Micro Scooters website.

Developed under a partnership brokered by the UK licensing agency for Team GB, The Point. 1888, the new range of Micro Scooters includes three variations: The Classic Team GB Micro Scooter, The Sprite Classic Team GB Micro Scooter, and the children’s Mini Micro Team GB Deluxe Scooter.

Prices on the new line range from £79.95 to £159.95. The partnership with Team GB marks the first licensed deal secured by Micro Scooters

In an announcing made via The Point. 1888 online platform, head of product and brand, Janine Richmond, said: “For me, this was a dream partnership with such paralleled values. I’m genuinely a massive fan of Micro Scooters – they are perfectionists with the quality of product and branding, which I’ve experienced first-hand having now bought most of their range for my children.”

The new range lands just months away from the much-anticipated Tokyo Olympics 2020 that, having been postponed owning to the pandemic, will take place this July under the same branding. It is expected that a massive 94 per cent of the UK population will be following the games this July and August.

“We know fans want to feel more connected to the brands they love,” continued Richmond. “The Olympics inspires us to become more active and get outside, so this is a great way of getting closer to the action through product.

“It’s so exciting to see the concepts coming through – the product range has surpassed all expectations. The Micro Scooters team are fuelled with amazing ideas of how to get interaction with their product whether on the track; through school programmes or fanZones; they are hugely committed to making this a success and are a joy to work with ….watch this space.”

90 year old confectionery brand Fruit-tella eyes Gen Z move into fashion, digital gaming and more

Posted on 15th April 2021 by Sam Giltrow

The Italian-Dutch confectionery company Perfetti Van Melle and Licensing Matters Global (LMG), a London-based global licensing agency, have announced a long-term partnership to extend the 90-year-old candy brand, Fruit-tella.

Under the partnership, LMG will look to extend the sweet brand into selected lifestyle product categories via strategic licensing and retail efforts in the UK and Benelux.

Drawing from Fruit-tella’s DNA, the firm will be leveraging the brand’s strong associations with authentic fruit taste, playful colours and positivity to seek partner licensees in lifestyle categories such as fashion, health and beauty, scented candles, toys, stationery, travel accessories, and digital content. The partnership began in February 2021.

“At Perfetti Van Melle we are very excited that Licensing Matters, a brand expert with a genuine understanding of today’s market dynamics, will expand the Fruit-tella brand to innovative and authentic consumer products that are inspired by fruit and nature to offer the Fruit-tella fans more ways of enjoying the fruit experience they have been cherishing for 90 years,” said Christine Cool, licensing area manager of Perfetti Van Melle.

Felipe Noriega, VP and regional director EMEA, LMG, added: “We are thrilled to have been selected by the highly respected licensing team at PVM to help them execute this ambitious project.

“Fruittella’s strong commitment to sustainability and their relentless innovation to continue improving the health credentials of their popular treats are at the heart of our partnership selection process. We seek licensees that embrace and embody these core brand principles.”

Leila Loumi, global senior licensing director, LMG, added: “For young kids and tweens, we’re planning a fresh and colourful personal care range. We’ll be pursuing fun and vibrant make-up solutions for Generation Z-ers. And we also plan to tap into Millennial and Generation X-ers’ sense of nostalgia for the Fruit-tella brand through fashion and digital gaming.”

Mattel partners with fashion company Zara to launch Barbie clothing collection

Posted on 15th April 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Mattel’s iconic fashion doll brand, Barbie has launched a new clothing collection with the international fashion company, Zara in a deal that marks the first time the two brands gave come together on a bespoke collaboration.

The consumer products partnership will roll out globally online and in-store and includes an eight piece female activewear collection, including hoodies, jogging trousers, long sleeve tops, t-shirts, shorts, and swimwear.

The clothing selected by the Zara fashion team for Barbie to wear showcases new creative images that are printed on two different tees that make up a part of the bigger collection all available to purchase online and in-store globally.

Additionally, a limited-edition of Barbie dolls will be sold on Zara online. The collection features two dolls, each wearing statement activewear stamped with “Zara Barbie 1959.” The Zara Barbie doll wears a cozy oversized-hoodie paired with joggers.

The doll is fully articulated and includes a doll stand and will retail at €34.95 (£29.99) with all proceeds going to Spanish charity Entreculturas.

Lisa Weger, head of consumer products Europe, said: “Barbie’s newest collaboration with Zara, reflects the latest spring trends in great style, perfectly tied with the power of the Barbie brand. We’re excited to see it come together in a strong and accessible collection that will attract Barbie and Zara fans around the world.

“The new collection will anniversary a Barbie line launched in summer 2020 that included a range of colourful printed t-shirts and bodysuits that leaned on the heritage of Barbie and its logo aesthetic. These products were exceptionally well received with its customers and fans of Barbie, and this new partnership aims to build on this success.”