Tag Archives: toys

LEGO and Levi’s build new collection that turns fashion line into “a blank canvas for LEGO play”

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The worlds of fashion and toys have discovered an innovative way to combine through a new partnership between The LEGO Group and Levi’s and the introduction of the customisable baseplate, that will turn your pair of jeans “into a new blank canvas for LEGO play.”

Exclusive to the collection, the collaboration features the first flexible LEGO baseplate, a pliable LEGO silicone panel onto which fans can create their own customised designs using the LEGO Dots system, a new concept that was introduced by the LEGO Group earlier this year.

Sewn directly onto the garment, LEGO and Levi’s fans alike can create their own design using the mosaic-like tiles that snap onto the baseplates. The baseplate features as a customisable patch on the vintage stonewash Levi’s Trucker Jacket, a Dad Crop Trucker Jacket, 501 ’93 Straight Jeans, and a line up of hoodies, crewneck sweatshirts, and accessories.

Customisation pieces from the collection will come with a Levi’s and LEGO Group branded bag of 110 LEGO Dots. Graphic t-shirts are also included in the collection, featuring co-branded graphics. LEGO elements also appear in product details across the collection, including shank buttons in yellow, red, green, blue, white, and black. The Levi’s standard leather patch has also been converted to a flexible red LEGO patch.

“This is such a fun collaboration celebrating self-expression, creativity and nostalgia,” said Karyn Hillman, chief product officer for Levi Strauss & Co. “It’s Levi’s and the LEGO Group coming together to co-create something really special and new, but undeniably familiar. With the customizable baseplates, Levi’s is now literally a new blank canvas for LEGO play.”

Lena Dixen, senior vice president and head of product and marketing development at LEGO Group, added: “There’s so much passion and energy in this partnership, working with the creative and iconic Levi’s brand is inspiring, and is pushing the way we innovate the LEGO brand experience.”

National Hot Rod Association speeds into collectables space with Castline and M2 Machines partnership

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The National Hot Rod Association is speeding into the collectables aisle thanks to a new partnership with Castline that has witnessed the launch of a series of NHRA diecast collectable toy cars under the M2 Machines brand name. The new range made its retail debut at the US retail giant, Walmart earlier this month.

The NHRA is the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body. Since its inception in 1951, the National Hot Rod Association has been the preeminent force in the world of drag racing and hot rodding. The NHRA fields race cars with over 11,000 horsepower that reach speeds of over 330 mph in just under four seconds.

Next year, the NHRA will mark its 70th anniversary.

“Castline Inc. and the M2 Machines brand is excited to be partnering with the NHRA,” VP of design, Sean Taylor said. “Having seen my first race at Pomona Raceway a 14-years old, I have been a lifelong NHRA fan. It is a dream come true to bring my passion for racing and its history into my M2 Machines designs.”

The nine-piece collection of vehicles will each be uniquely wrapped and skinned in NHRA branding. The series will feature a 1956 Ford F-100 Tow Truck, a 1957 Chevy Bel Air Gasser, a 1957 Chevy Sedan Delivery, a 1965 Ford Mustang Gasser, a 1966 Dodge Charger Gasser and 1969 Chevy COPO Camaro. The release will also feature three hard to find chase pieces that will keep collectors on their toes to hunt down.

Each individual piece will include nearly 30 individual parts as M2 prides itself on offering enthusiasts the most detailed and accurately replicated diecast models on the market in 1/64th scale.

“We are so excited to be working with Castline on a NHRA diecast collectibles program,” said Andrew Lieb, president of JRL Group. “NHRA continues to build on the relationship with fans that start when they are kids and we want fans of all ages to experience the high octane NHRA brand through a wide variety of Official Licensed Products.”

The NHRA licensing program continues to expand with a focus on lifestyle products such as apparel and accessories, home decor as well as items for the garage for the auto enthusiast such as automotive accessories, automotive tools, appearance and other automotive related products.

WildBrain Spark teams with Park Star Media to develop Super Binks digital series based on the popular Korean toy line

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WildBrain Spark has secured a deal with the US-Korean production company Park Star Media to co-produce and launch a new digital superhero series, Super Binks. Originally created as a toy figurine range in Asia, Super Binks will now feature as a short-form 2D animated series.

WildBrain Spark will also handle the YouTube management across the new Super Binks global channel, where a new episode will be posted weekly. The firm will also release the series on Amazon Video Direct this month.

The Super Binks characters began life on lollipops when Park Star Media’s toy company in Seoul partnered with Perfetti Van Melle’s Chupa Chups brands across Asia to launch blind box figurines featuring the superheroes between 2017-2019. The toy products were sold online, at toy exhibitions across Asia, and at boutique stores in Korea.

Jon Gisby, EVP and managing director at WildBrain Spark, said: “The outstanding success Park Star Media had with its Super Binks figurines made the property ripe for being transformed into a digital-first series. This is also a perfect example of how we can use our production capabilities to support brands as they make the jump from the toy shelf to the small screen, through the creation of engaging digital-first content. With its wacky humour and dynamic stories, we know the Super Binks series will be a huge hit with kids all around the world.”

Young Park, co-founder and executive producer at Park Star Media, said: “We’re excited to partner with WildBrain Spark to transform our existing toy figurines into a digital animated series. To meet the surge in demand for animated content aimed at kids and families, our collaboration with a premier partner like WildBrain Spark feels natural because of their expertise in building premium digital brands and connecting them to viewers worldwide.

“We look forward to our partnership as we leverage the strength and resources of both companies to build Super Binks into a quality IP for a global audience.”

The Super Binks are seven cute superhero babies, whose enchanted pacifiers (or binkies) hold the key to their superpowers. Each baby comes from a different part of the world and possesses unique qualities and superpowers. Together they form a strong, diverse and dynamic super-team.

  In each episode, the Super Binks battle against mischief and mayhem in order to protect their beloved Park – a vast and magical world that spans limitless terrains. On their wacky adventures, the Super Binks confront giant monsters, save creatures in need or simply have fun playing pranks on one another. When they’re not out on missions, the Super Binks hang out at the ‘Super Binks HQ’. Cleverly disguised as a (pretty epic) jungle gym, the Super Binks HQ is the perfect location for top-secret world-saving meetings and even more top-secret playdates.

Nintendo partners with Velan Studios to bring mixed reality gaming experience to Mario Kart

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Nintendo has partnered with the tech specialist Velan Studios to launch a new Mario Kart mixed reality experience that will turn a player’s home into a Mario Kart racecourse to be traversed in both the physical and virtual worlds.

Called Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, the new mixed reality game is launching to the Nintendo Switch next month and combines a camera-enabled physical ,’remote controlled’ Mario Kart and course gate markers that together will turn any living space into a Mario Kart circuit. Players can design and construct courses in the real world, before racing the circuit in a mixed reality experience.

“We are thrilled to partner with Velan Studios for Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit,” said Tom Prata, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of strategic initiatives. “Through this collaboration, we are providing fans with a one of a kind, interactive experience that is only available on the Nintendo Switch family of systems.”

The system will allow Nintendo Switch users to set out a course in the real world, using the game’s physical Gate markers. They can then ‘remotely control’ their physical Mario Kart around the course. Each Kart features its own camera that will translate the course setting and physical surroundings onto the player’s screen – either their Switch screen or connected TV – where the Mario Kart experience will be made complete with the addition of the high-octane action and in-game brawling.

Velan Studios is building on the legacy of its founders Karthik and Guha Bala and their core team, renowned for their innovations in fusing toys with interactive game experiences.

“Our mission at Velan is to create breakthrough games that are magic,” said Karthik Bala, CEO, Velan Studios. “We invented the initial mixed reality hardware and game prototype to really nail the exhilaration of racing in the real world with the play and feel of a video game.

“We showed the experience to Nintendo and were thrilled they saw its potential. That started a wonderful multi-year creative collaboration, which became Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. We can’t wait to see the creative ways fans play when they race around their own creations as Mario and Luigi.”

To learn more about Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, visit https://www.nintendo.com/. The game will be released by Nintendo worldwide on October 16, 2020.

Pocket.watch taps Vivid to bring YouTube sensation Love, Diana toys and more to the UK

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Vivid has partnered with the licensing and merchandising specialist, pocket.watch for the launch of a new toy line inspired by the latest YouTube sensation, Kids Diana Show. According to Tubefilter, the channel totals 5bn views a month across the globe.

To support the global launch of the Kids Diana Show merchandise, pocket.watch has produced 40 episodes of Love, Diana – a live-action and animated hybrid series with stories focusing on positive lessons about friendship, family, creativity, and the power of play.

“We are delighted to be partnering with pocket.watch again and start such an exciting journey to entertain and inspire girls with Love, Diana,” said Nick Thomas, general manager of Vivid. “Ryan’s world proved that you can disrupt the traditional toy sector because children relate to and admire their YouTube superstars and want to play with their toys.

“Ryan remains in the UK NPD charts in the top ten fastest growing new properties. We are all looking forward to replicating this success with exciting and innovative Diana products.”

Working with lead partners Far Out Toys (collectables), Jerry Leigh (dress-up), Taste Beauty (bath and beauty), Headstart (dolls, doll accessories and styling heads), and HiJinx (plush), Vivid will be distributing a wide range across different product categories, price points and play experiences to allow young girls to interact, role play.

Stone Newman, CRO, pocket.watch, added: “Pocket.watch is thrilled to continue our relationship with partners like Vivid to bring Love, Diana to expand the reach of the Love, Diana franchise and to deliver fun and inspiration to young girls on a global scale.”

WildBrain Spark teams with Funrise Toys to develop online content for its collectable doll brand BFF Bright Fairy Friends

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WildBrain Spark has inked a deal with Funrise Toys to support the launch of its collectable doll brand BFF Bright Fairy Friends with a digital-first content strategy. UNder the partnership, WildBrain Spark will produce over 100 minutes of short-form animated and live action digital content for the brand on YouTube.

The digital specialist is also executing a paid media campaign and handling channel management across the global English-language channel, which has already received over 1.4M views and 1.6M minutes of watch time. On top of this, it will utilise its AI tools to inform the Bright Fairy Friends content, distribution, and paid media targeting.

Online unboxing videos of Funrise Toys’ BFF Bright Fairy Friends collectables have already gained early traction on YouTube since launching in early August 2020. BFF Bright Fairy Friends existing videos have been viewed over 1M times.

Jon Gisby, EVP and managing director at WildBrain Spark, said: “We are proud to partner with innovative toy companies as they develop bold digital-first strategies to launch and create demand for their IP, so we’re very excited to be teaming up with Funrise Toys to support their magical new BFF Bright Fairy Friends brand.

“The content we are creating showcases the brand’s strengths as a fun, dynamic and aspirational property, and we’re sure it will capture the imaginations of kids and families internationally.”

Stephanie Simpson Bughi, vice president global brand marketing at Funrise, added: “We are thrilled to bring the magical world of BFF Bright Fairy Friends to life with engaging and inspiring animated content. We know kids and parents are looking for quality content, and the magical BFF fairies will spark imaginations as they teach kids to shine together as friends.”

The new digital-first content includes 2D animated episodes, character introductions and toy play videos which also feature a bespoke theme tune created by WildBrain Spark. The animated series has begun rolling out on the BFF Bright Fairy Friends YouTube channel this month and will be followed by toy play content in Autumn 2020.

The new line of products features 12 stylish characters, each with their own four surprise accessories perfect for trading and collecting. Each come housed in their own fairy home with motion activated twinkle lights as well as light up fairy wings. The BFF dolls are available now in the US online and in stores at Walmart, Target and Amazon.

The range will launch in the United Kingdom and globally with various retail partners beginning this month.

Jazwares met with ‘incredible demand’ for CoComelon debut toy line

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Jazwares has been met with ‘incredible demand’ for its CoComelon toy line, range of plush, vehicles, figurines, and role play toys that made its debut at retail this year and marks the first toy launch for the popular pre-school 3D animated series. The toy firm has stated that it is already working with retailers to replenish stock.

Developed in partnership with Moonbug, the debut toy line features characters and items from the CoComelon series. Now available on Netflix and YouTube, CoComelon is the number one most watched channel on YouTube with over 3.5 billion monthly views.

The debut toy range from Jazwares includes the Musical Yellow School Bus, the Musical Bedtime JJ Doll, the Musical doctor Checkup Set, the Family & Friends Six Packs, and an array of Mini Vehicles.

“CoComelon has captivated millions of families around the world with its relatable, entertaining and educational programming. We’re excited to bring families new ways to play and learn together with their favorite characters this holiday season,” said Andy Yeatman, head of the Americas, Moonbug.

In addition to helping pre-schoolers learn letters, numbers, animal sounds, colors, and more, the upbeat videos gently impart positive, prosocial life lessons, providing parents with an opportunity to teach and play with their children as they watch together.

“CoComelon has quickly become one of the most parent / child co-viewed brands in the world, and joyful preschoolers will be thrilled to celebrate this beloved content in toy form,” said Jeremy Padawer, EVP at Jazwares. “As a result of this significant viewership, combined with quality, musical content focused on little JJ, his family and friends, we are already seeing incredible demand for CoComelon.”

Sony Pictures details globe-spanning licensees for The Boys ahead of second season premiere

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Sony Pictures Consumer Products has detailed a globe-spanning consumer products roster inspired by the popular Amazon Prime Video series, The Boys, ahead of the show’s second season premiere this week. Included in the roster is a selection of apparel, accessories, collectable toys, costumes, novelty and home goods.

The initial wave of products is being sold on its home platform on the Vought International themed storefront on Amazon. Select products are now available on Amazon with additional products being released throughout the year and in 2021.

On top of this, Amazon X-Ray is offering a one-of-a-kind, interactive shopping experience for fans by giving them the opportunity to purchase products they see during the second season and on the new weekly after-show “Prime Rewind: Inside the Boys.”  Using web, mobile or Fire TV, fans will be able to spot exclusive t-shirts and plush that they can take home for themselves.

“The Boys has an unconventional yet captivating story line around superheroes that you can’t find anywhere else, and we are extremely proud of the success the show has received so far. With season two coming up and season three greenlit already, we’ve been working fast and furiously to bring fans around the world products they can use to express their true fandom,” said Jamie Stevens, EVP, worldwide consumer products, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“We are thrilled by the support and seamless collaboration of all our licensees to help deliver products across various categories and allow fans to support the show in many ways. With the unique in-viewing shopping experience that Amazon is offering, we are sure that the opportunity presents even more meaningful purchases for fans.”

Funko kicks off the licensee line-up, alongside Jazwares who is developing a line of plush based directly on product seen in the series. Mad Engine has launched a collection of apparel and accessories on to Hot Topic, Spencer’s and FYE, while Ripple Junction apparel is themed on Vought International, The Seven, and The Boys. The line includes men’s and women’s t-shirts, baseball t-shirts, sweatshirts, pullover hoodies and tank tops.

Meanwhile, Spirit Halloween will feature adult costumes themed to Starlight, Homelander, and The Deep, while Universal Publishing has launched a 2021 wall calendar on Amazon.

Additional licensees for 2020 include: Culturefly accessories and Just Funky drinkware, home and novelty goods and Trends International posters. NECA is also releasing highly-detailed, fully poseable, 7” Homelander and Starlight action figures that come in premium packaging; the leading collectibles maker is working on a special product for consumers as well around the fan-favorite character Laser Baby from the first season of The Boys.

The excitement continues in 2021 with licensee Good Smile’s vinyl action figures.

Sony Pictures Consumer Products is also going beyond the US with a slew of international licensee collaborations, including: Cotton Division apparel, accessories and home goods across France, EMP Merchandising with apparel, accessories, bags and footwear across Europe, Good Speed, Inc with apparel, accessories, and novelty in Japan.

These are joined by Grupo Erik Editores with a range of posters, prints, calendars, and novelty in Andora, France, Portugal, and Spain, Pyramid Posters in Europe and the Middle East, and Ripple Junction with apparel in Germany and the UK. Finally, Sprd.Net AG has launched a range of apparel and bags in Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.

ZAG details slate of licensing partnerships and renewals for Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir

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ZAG has detailed a slate of new key licensing partnerships and renewals across key categories including publishing, apparel, food, and home decor as the company continues to ‘set new milestones’ for its flagship brand, Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir.

The latest update follows the recent appointment of leading veteran consumer products executives at ZAG, brought on board to help propel the success of the Miraculous brand as it continues to build on its global network of major licensing partners.

New to the Miraculous licensing programme is Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, a division of the Hachette Book Group, and InSpirit Designs, a division of the lifestyle retailer Spencer Spirit Holdiongs that owns and operates Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween. The multi-year deal with LBYR includes picture books, leveled readers, storybooks, chapter books, middle grade novels, guide books, and sticker books.

Meanwhile, InSpirit Designs will create costumes and accessories for wholesale retailers. Other new licensees for the North American region include Jay Franco for bedding and home decor, Handcraft Manufacturing for underwear, and Customized Personal Solutions for print on demand merchandise for kids.

In Europe, multi-territory licensees Panini and Ferrero – Miraculous partners since the brand’s launch – are continuing their relationship with ZAG. Panini has renewed its multi-product deal that includes its signature sticker album, monthly magazine, and traditional books in Germany. Ferrero has now launched Miraculous Kinder Surprise Eggs and other seasonal products in more than 50 countries.

In France, ZAG is extending is partnership with McDonald’s that saw a May/June 2020 promotion launch featuring Miraculous themed arts and crafts kits with collectable cards, while a new license has been signed with La Plume Doree for a range of back to school Miraculous products.

Turbulences launched a new Miraculous Lifestyle magazine in June, and Prodhex will launch first aid kits for new adventurers. Elsewhere in Europe, new publishing agreements have been signed for a variety of products, including Eksik Parca Yayincilik Ticaret (Missing Piece Publishing) in Turkey, Ranok Publishing Limited in Ukraine, and Kennedy Publishing (UK).

In Latin America, the newly appointed The Novelty Book Company becomes ZAG’s pan-regional publishing partner, with book programs going into Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru.

Also recently renewed is an agreement with Australia’s Five Mile Press who will continue to publish chapter books, novelizations, guide-books, and book gift sets, together with additional new categories.

“Miraculous continues to be one of the most beloved brands around the globe and bringing aboard so many new best-in-class partners, as well as continuing our long-standing relationships,  is a testament to the tremendous popularity of the brand,” said Julian Zag, EVP global operations.

“We are currently in production on seasons four and five of the series with two new TV movie specials set to debut on Disney Channel and Disney+ at the end of this year and early next ahead of our US$70m theatrical move release. We’ve sold over 150 million products at retail over the past three years, and Miraculous is the number one direct-to-retail license for Spirit Halloween for kids and adults.

“Winning 15 prestigious awards, and with over 100 million downloads of the official app, the future continues to look absolutely Miraculous.”

The new consumer products deals for Miraculous coincide with the retail roll-out of the new toy line from ZAG Lab, ZAG’s toy division, and Playmates Toys.

The first product line from the two companies – since announcing their long-term global alliance earlier this year – is set to debut this fall across key European territories, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Benelux, as well as Mexico, and throughout the rest of the world in 2021.

Additionally, season three of the series launches this summer and fall around the world. Seasons one and two currently air in key territories, consistently ranking number one in the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Brazil and Mexico and top-ranked in the U.S. on Disney Channel.

According to Parrot Analytics, Miraculous was the most in-demand children’s show on Netflix when it launched in the U.S. and Russia (2018 and 2019).

Miraculous follows the adventures of two seemingly typical teens with secret identities, Marinette and Adrien, who magically transform into superheroes, Ladybug and Cat Noir. As secret superheroes, Ladybug and Cat Noir are partners in the action. But in the daytime, Marinette is just a normal girl, living a normal life. Cat Noir will do anything to support and impress Ladybug but does not know this is Marinette from his class. Marinette, the regular girl, in turn dreams of Adrien and simply gets little response. When evil threatens, can they beat the unexpected villains?

Moose Toys named toy partner for Warner Bros.’ Space Jam: A New Legacy and Tom & Jerry live action movie

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The global toy maker, Moose Toys, has partnered with the entertainment powerhouse Warner Bros. Consumer Products to develop a range of toys to based on both its upcoming Space Jam: A New Legacy and Tom & Jerry feature films.

Space Jam: A New Legacy is the hotly anticipated re-imagining of the original beloved 1996 film Space Jam and stars NBA Superstar LeBron James alongside Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other Looney Tunes characters. Tom & Jerry, meanwhile, is a live-action animated comedy inspired by the classic cartoon duo.

“We couldn’t be prouder to collaborate with Warner Bros., a recognized leader in entertainment around the globe,” said Paul Solomon, co-owner, Moose Toys. “With this partnership we are pushing innovation and design boundaries to create toys that are truly remarkable and worthy of the films and characters themselves.”

The partnership cements Moose Toys’ position as a key player in licensing. The toy maker continues to thoughtfully expand its collaborations, with the Warner Bros. deal joining an impressive list of recent licensing wins including, the master toy of Australian mega-hit animated series, Bluey and the activity line with leading YouTube creators Collins Key.

As part of its agreement, Moose will create a range of toys including figures, collectibles, plush characters and more. Additional details about the various lines will be shared closer to launch and will hit shelves slightly ahead of the movie release dates.

Both films are slated for release in 2021, with Tom & Jerry slated for March 5 and Space Jam: A New Legacy out July 16.