Licensing International France Awards winners and first French Rising Star revealed

LEGO Super Mario, The Pokemon Company, and Crunchyroll have been named among the winners of this year’s Licensing International France Awards in a live virtual event that brought together nearly 250 industry executives from France and around the world.

Hosted by Christophe Drevet from CDR Strategy and Licensing International France’s own Florence Ayem and Laurent Taieb, the event also named its first French Rising Star as WildBrain CPLG’s Jeanne Baledent.

Meanwhile, 12 Awards winners were named during the event, selected from among the 104 submissions received, an increase of 30 per cent on the number of nomiations last year. 

The 2021 Licensing International France Awards winners are:

BEST LICENSED PRODUCT – LEGO for the Super Mario Construction range

BEST RETAIL or DIGITAL ACTIVATION – PicWicToys for We need to find Santa Claus

BEST PROMOTION or EVENT – Warner Bros. Consumer Products for the LU x DC Comics x Funko activation

BEST LICENSED COLLABORATION– Crunchyroll for the Captain Tsubasa x French Football Federation

BEST DIGITAL BRAND – Super Mario / Nintendo

BEST ENTERTAINMENT BRAND – Harry Potter / Warner Bros. Entertainment

BEST SPORT BRAND – National Basketball Association

BEST LICENSEE – Funko

BEST CELEBRITY, CORPORATE or LIFESTYLE BRAND – Koh-Lanta / TF1 Licences

BEST LICENSOR or LICENSING AGENCY: The Pokémon Company International

FRENCH RISING STAR: Jeanne Balédent / Wildbrain CPLG

In addition to the Award Winners above, Licensing International France has extended a special mention to the following entries that, while not winning an award, still captured our attention.  

LICENSING INTERNATIONAL FRANCE CRUSHES:

  • Barbapapa x Merci collaboration / TF1 Licences
  • The Bureau – The Deep Game / Dama Dreams
  • Label Chaussette x RATP la ligne – socks line
  • Find Me in Paris – launch of the score with Wagram Music

 

LEGO Super Mario and Warner Bros. among NPD’s Global and European Toy Industry Performance Awards winners

The LEGO Group, Spin Master, Mattel, and Warner Bros have been named among the winners of the NPD Group’s 2020 Global and European Toy Industry Performance Awards.

The Danish toy maker took home the NPD’s Global Top Toy Manufacturer of the Year award, while its officially licensed LEGO Super Mario Bros. range scooped up the Top Gaining Toy Property in Building and Construction accolade.

Meanwhile, global toy maker, Mattel took home a number of wins, including Global Top Toy Property of the Year for its Barbie brand, and the award for Global Top Selling Toy of the Year for its Hot Wheels SIngles 1/64 Assortment.

An awards programme developed by the NPD Group, the Global and European Toy Industry Performance Awards celebrate the manufacturers and license owners of the top gaining toy properties by category, as well as the top gaining toy property of year, top global toy manufacturer, and global top selling toy across the markets, according to its Retail Tracking Service.

Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter Franchise received The NPD Group’s Toy Industry Award for Top Gaining Toy Property of 2020 in the Games & Puzzles category, while Nintendo took home the award for Europe’s Top Gaining Toy Property of the Year for its Super Mario Brothers and Mario Kart properties.

“This year’s award winners should be recognised not only for their great accomplishments and dedication to excellence, but also for excelling during a particularly tumultuous time for manufacturers and retailers brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said François Klipfel, president, Toys, The NPD Group.

“Congratulations to all award winners. We wish you continued success in 2021.”

“We are thrilled to receive this award from The NPD Group and have them recognize the strength of the Harry Potter franchise,” said Julian Moon, SVP, EMEA Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

“During these challenging times, it has been uplifting to see children and families come together to play games and puzzles while experiencing the magic of Harry Potter.”

The winners of Europe’s Top Gaining Toy Property according to NPD’s Retail Tracking Service are as follows:

Action Figures and Accessories – Bakugan – Spin Master
Arts & Crafts – LEGO Dots – The LEGO Group
Building Sets – LEGO Super Mario Bros – The LEGO Group
Dolls – Barbie – Mattel
Games & Puzzles – Harry Potter – Warner Brothers
Infant/Toddler/Preschool Toys – PAW Patrol – Spin Master
Youth Electronics – Hatchimals – Spin Master
Outdoor & Sports Toys – Nerf Fortnite – Hasbro
Plush – Star Wars – Disney
Vehicles – Hot Wheels – Mattel
Explorative & Other Toys – Playmobil Scooby Doo – Playmobil

The NPD Group has also presented the Ninth Annual Toy Industry Performance Awards for The Americas – Mexico, the US, Canada and Brazil.

Among the winners in this market, it was MGA Entertainment’s LOL Surprise that was handed the award for US Top Toy Property of the Year, while the US Top Selling Toy of the Year award was given to Mattel’s Barbie Dreamhouse.

The winners of the US Top Selling Toy by Supercategory awards, are:

Action Figures & Accessories – Beyblade Hypersphere Starter Pack Assortment – Hasbro
Arts & Crafts – Kinetic Sand Sandisfying Set – Spin Master
Building Sets – Super Mario Brothers Adventures Starter Course – The LEGO Group
Dolls – Barbie Dreamhouse – Mattel
Explorative & Other Toys – 5 Surprise Mini Brands Mystery Pack – Zuru
Games/Puzzles – UNO Card Game Assortment – Mattel
Infant/Toddler/Pre-school Toys – Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Puppy & Sis Assortment – Mattel
Outdoor & Sports Toys – Bunch O Balloons 3-Pack – Zuru
Plush – Star Wars The Mandalorian The Child Vinyl Head Plush 11″ – Mattel
Vehicles – Hot Wheels Singles 1:64 Assortment – Mattel
Youth Electronics – Kidizoom Smartwatch – VTech

Green Board Games enters the Wizarding World with BrainBox Harry Potter launch

The popular educational games series, BrainBox is expanding its licensing activity into the Wizarding World with the release of its upcoming BrainBox Harry Potter in May next year. It marks a major development for the Green Board Games team, who has earmarked 2021 as a ‘huge year for the brand.’

Green Board Games was acquired by the Asmodee Group in 2019. The BrainBox games will form a key part of Asmodee’s newly launching Brain Games collection for creative and enquiring minds in 2021

The BrainBox series is a popular range of addictive memory challenges in which players have ten seconds to study a card before answering questions on what they saw. The series has previously covered topics across maths and English, to dinosaurs and football.

The family-friendly gaming brand now invites players to test their knowledge and relive the beloved Harry Potter film series.

Cards will be packed with fun facts about the franchise as well as stills from all of the Harry Potter films, offering youngsters the chance to prove that they’ve got what it takes to be top of the class at Hogwarts.

It’s part of a series of plans for the coming year from Green Board Games.

“2021 is going to be a huge year for BrainBox,” says James Wallis, studio manager at Green Board Games.

“BrainBox Harry Potter is a fantastic way to relaunch the line, followed by a fresh new look for the whole range – including a completely revamped BrainBox Board Game – and the new line of mini-BrainBoxes, in a pocket- and pocket-money-friendly format. We couldn’t be more excited.”

The BrainBox games series has sold over eight million copies worldwide, in 65 countries and 30 different languages.

The Harry Potter edition, as well as others in the series, will be previewed at AsmoFair, the third edition of Asmodee’s pioneering virtual trade show, from 17-23 January.

Now including a 360-degree virtual tour of a fully built show stand, the event is an opportunity for retailers to get a closer look at must-have products for the year ahead from Asmodee’s vast range of games and collectibles.

Weekend and evening meetings are also available – buyers can head to asmofair.co.uk to book a slot.

Spread Group expands its partnership with Warner Bros for new licenses and markets

Spread Group – the firm formerly known as Spreadshirt – has expanded its partnership with Warner Bros to bring 14 of its brands including Harry Potter, Batman, and Friends, to new target markets in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.

The latest development is an extension of a European partnership that has existed between Spread Group and Warner Bros since 2012. Over the past eight years, Spread Group has developed more than 1,700 designs with popular Warner Bros. heroes and symbols across Germany, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.

The Warner Bros. brands are among some of the best-sellers on these European Spreadshirt marketplaces.

“We are excited about the opportunity to use our know-how to launch into new markets and to strategically develop our partnership with Warner Bros. In doing so, we will cover design, marketing and production, to the web presence on our Spreadshirt marketplace, as well as on Amazon and eBay – according to our 360-degree approach,” said Ann-Katrin Hager, head of licensing Europe of Spread Group.

The licensing deal will make Warner Bros. will one of Spread Group’s largest partners. It will offer over 1,000 Warner designs on the Spreadshirt marketplaces in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia as well as 1,500 item positions on Amazon.com.

Spin Master magics up new Wizarding World partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Spin Master has entered into a global licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to become its new toy licensee for the Wizarding World franchise. Under the partnership, the Toronto-based toy maker will develop Wizarding World products based on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises.

The range will span dolls, figurines and accessories, play-sets, select vehicles, games, feature plush and role play and dress up categories. The first products are expected to launch next autumn.

“Spin Master is all about creating magical experiences for kids through innovative toys, entertainment and digital platforms,” said John Blaney, Spin Master’s senior vice president, licensing.

“We are thrilled to expand on our existing relationship with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and can’t wait to unveil our innovative toys, inspired by the stories and characters from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies, for kids and fans of all ages around the world.”

Robert Oberschelp, SVP, global brand product, WBCP, added: “The Wizarding World is a fan favorite and we are excited to be growing our relationship with Spin Master who will bring innovation to the merchandise within the franchise for the constantly growing, worldwide fan community.”

Spin Master continues to build a strong and diversified portfolio of evergreen licensee brands, receiving recognition for its leadership by Kidscreen, who named Spin Master number one in licensing on the 2019 Hot 50 Companies ranking, repeating the company’s first place finish for licensing in 2018. Spin Master is also nominated in the same category for 2020.

Warner Bros. drops first Tom and Jerry feature film trailer

Tom and Jerry are all set to make their big screen return with the release of the first full trailer courtesy of Warner Bros. for the upcoming, self-titled Tom and Jerry feature film.

Marking the pair’s first return to feature film since the 1992 Tom and Jerry: The Movie, Warner’s animation-live action hybrid looks to set a new standard for revamping of modern classics. Both Tom and Jerry – and indeed all other animals featuring within the film – appear in their animated form, while their surroundings are live-action.

Frank Welker, the longtime character voice actor takes on both Tom and Jerry, alongside a supporting cast that includes Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Colin Jost, Ken Jeong, Rob Delaney and Pallavi Sharda.

The first full trailer shows the mischief that both Tom and Jerry get themselves into at a fancy New York City hotel on the eve of “the wedding of the century” to be held there. The Warner Bros. film is due out in theaters next year.

Innovators of licensed plush The London Toy Company is launching ‘huge toy range for 2021’

The London Toy Company – the plush artists formerly known as High Resolution Design – famed for pushing the envelope of plush design with licenses such as TfL and Harry Potter, has revealed its plans for the non-plush toy space next year.

Founder and director, Joel Berkowitz, has told ToyNews that fans and customers of the brand can expect to witness the launch ‘of a huge range of new toys’ across its existing portfolio of licenses. Products will span the likes of train sets and diecasts, as well as bakewear and squishy toys.

The project has been a top secret one and the work of the London toy Company as it continues to grow in the space, expanding its portfolio of products, designs, and licensing partners along the way. The firm currently holds partnerships with Warner Bros. for its Harry Potter collection of plush toys – brokered via a partnership with Wow! Stuff – Transport for London, and more.

“I can’t share it all right now,” said Berkowitz, “but it is all majorly exciting for us as we continue to grow.”

It was during the UK’s nationwide lockdown period that Berkowitz took the opportunity to evolve the company beyond its High Resolution Design moniker and rebrand as The London Toy Company. In what has been a year of trepidation, Berkowitz’s outfit has managed to achieve both growth and recognition when it took home the SME News Awards for Enterprise’ Best Soft Toy Manufacturer 2020 accolade.

Here, ToyNews catches up with company founder and director, Joel Berkowitz to talk about the successes of the past 10 months.

Hi Joel, it’s good to catch up with you! To kick us off – another award to the company name – Congratulations! Can you talk us through the award win and what this means to you guys? 

Thank you, Rob! Given all we have been through this year, it was an incredible surprise to have won the SME News Awards for Enterprise – Best Soft Toy Manufacturer 2020! We have been recognised for commercialisation, brand partnerships and innovation of our portfolio licenses.

How is the award win reflective of the London Toy Company today, the ‘journey’ that the business has made to date and the strength of the company in 2020?

This award is humbling to know that we are recognised for the work we have been able to accomplish over the last 4/5 years. The diversity, capability and integrity of the team has put us in a really good position in the market and things seem to be snowballing for us!

Over the last few years we’ve seen you guys push the boundaries and innovating in the plush toy aisle further and further. How important is it to you that The London Toy Company keeps pushing that envelope and reinventing the plush category?

When entering any industry, it is important to have a vision of difference. We have created our own niche in the vehicles soft toy category. We’re different to other manufacturers as we avoid character-plush and settle for complex, sometimes near impossible shapes and forms that vehicles typically elude.

We are constantly innovating and developing new toys and finding out what works and doesn’t work so we can streamline our offerings for the marketplace.

You’ve got some big licenses like Harry Potter, Transport for London and JCB on the books – how did these partnerships come about? What do you guys look for in a licensing partnership? What inspires each next step of the business?

Based on our vision for super-realistic vehicle soft toys, we decide to work with brands where there is a gap in the market. We always try to ensure that when entering into an agreement, that it is a fair partnership where expectations can be managed by both parties in a sensible fashion.

We’ve found that our licensors have been very sensitive to us given that we are relative newcomer to the industry and we appreciate their support greatly.

Funnily enough, we were introduced to the guys at Wow! Stuff after a friend of our co-director suggested we think about Harry Potter. I had thought about the idea previously, but were concerned about commitments to Warner Brothers at the time. We ended up producing some samples of the Knight Bus, Hogwarts Express and Ford Anglia and met with Wow! who really went WOW! Our partnership was made official and the toys were born.

How has business been for you guys through 2020? How have you guys adapted to the changes that have been thrown at the industry?

Given the rapid move to even more online shopping, we took the chance to rebrand our company during lockdown. We were previously known as High Resolution Design, but needed something much simpler, fresher and easier to understand for the online consumer.

The London Toy Company couldn’t have been a better fit for us and we are almost finished rolling this out across the business. Our sales with online retailers have skyrocketed and our Harry Potter range has turned things around for us much quicker than we hoped.

One thing that has struck amid the pandemic is the evolution of the consumer and the value they place on play. Where do you think the plush sector fits in today, what are consumers looking for from their plush toys today and how is The London Toy Company delivering that?

With all toys, they have a lifecycle that we are all familiar with. The difference for plush is that often, they are seen as an emotional play item that is comforting and versatile. Sadly, as less consumers visit shops, they don’t get the same interaction online as they would in person.

For the Christmas season, we will have videos with footage produced remotely that pick up on this emotional connection to the toys to help customers understand the product as best as they can.

How are you guys looking as we head into the key Christmas period? How optimistic are you for 2021?

We have been working with a number of influencers to help consumers get a better feel for our toys, right from their living rooms. We have some exciting content that I cannot wait to see.

I think we will see a slower year of growth in ’21 as we play catch-up with franchises and content to work with, but there is plenty for us to be getting on with in the meantime.

What’s the next big move for you guys?

In 2021 we are going to be entering into the non-plush space with the launch of a huge range of new toys within our existing licenses. I can’t share it all right now as they are top secret projects, but they are along the lines of squishy stress toys, train sets and diecast as well as the bakeware and footwear categories. All majorly exciting for us as we continue to grow .

Anything you’d like to add?

Wishing everyone a very safe and prosperous end to this crazy year. Most retailers beat me to it with their Christmas range already on display since August, but here’s to a Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukkah to all in our fantastic industry!

The Natural History Museum teams with the Wizarding World for Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature

The Natural History Museum has teamed up with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to launch a new exhibition that brings together the magical creatures of the Fantastic Beasts franchise and wonders of life on Earth.

Called Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature, the exhibition was originally scheduled to open at the Natural History Museum in London in May this year, but was forced to reschedule due to the restrictions in place surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Under the partnership, the exhibition will explore how legends and stories have often been inspired by creatures found in the natural world, as well as the threats that they face. Visitors will be able to see the legendary beasts of JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts franchise, alongside specimens and historic objects from the museum’s own scientific collection.

The exhibition is now due to open on December 9th this year.

Clare Matterson, executive director of engagement at the museum, said visitors “will journey through magical realms and walk alongside some of the most fascinating creatures in the world”.

She added: “At the heart of this exhibition is a celebration of all the fantastic beasts we have the privilege of sharing our planet with, and the very real threats they face. Visitors will leave with a renewed love of the wonders of nature, and a revived urgency to help protect it.”

Freeman Jewellery releases handcrafted Harry Potter jewellery line

Freeman Jewellery has released a line of handcrafted jewellery inspired by the characters and moment from the globally popular Harry Potter films. The range follows on from the success of Freeman Jewellery’s Golden Snitch Ring Box.

Highlight pieces include the Pearl Snitch Earrings, where Freshwater Pearls have been carefully selected, a process which is so particular that only eight per cent of pearls are chosen. The earrings come with petite golden wings.

Meanwhile, the magical Mirror of Erised Necklace features the Sky-Blue Topaz. For this piece, innovative gem-cutter, Anna Gilbert, was commissioned to produce an exclusive cut to reflect the unique shape and look of the mirror’s glass.

The Golden Snitch Ring Box, which is handcrafted from over 40 silver and gold parts and adorned with intricate hand-engraving, takes a Master Jeweller two weeks to make a single box.

The collection also features a Harry Potter Glasses Necklace, made from custom Goshenite gems, a Hogwarts Acceptance Letter Necklace with a rose gold Hogwarts seal, a Time Turner Necklace featuring hand-carved Moonstones and antique Diamonds for a charming old-world aesthetic, and Hogwarts and Patronus Signet Rings available in Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold or Platinum.

Known for trademark rare gems, the jeweller has created both ready to wear and made to order custom pieces for Wizarding World fans to treasure.

Asher Freeman said: “The pieces have been designed to draw you into a magical world and, like so many others across the globe, the Harry Potter stories and films holds a special place in my imagination. As a fan and designer, I’m proud to have crafted these heirloom pieces which fans can cherish for a lifetime.

“We’re widely known for the quality of our gems, hidden elements and attention to detail, and this collection is no different. From the Sword of Gryffindor Necklace studded with fine Rubies, to the solid-gold Golden Snitch that opens to display a secret gem.

“The wizarding world holds an abundance of beauty and intrigue, from the characters, architecture and trinkets, so there was no shortage of inspiration for us. We have truly loved bringing these unique pieces to life.”

Warner Animation expands feature film partnership with Dr Seuss to detail new projects

Some of the most iconic stories and characters of Dr Seuss’ popular books will be finding new life on the screen thanks to an extended partnership with Warner Animation Group, the animated film production arm of Warner Bros Pictures.

Under the new partnership, Bad Robot Productions has been tapped to adapt Oh, The Places You’ll Go for the big screen, marking the award-winning production company’s first foray into feature animation. The feature will see J.J Abrams serve as producer, alongside Bad Robot’s head of motion pictures, Hanna Minghella.

On top of this, Thing One and Thing Two – the popular characters from The Cat in The Hat – will have their own shot at the silver screen with an original feature length animated adventure under the working title Thing One and Thing Two. The film is currently scheduled for 2026, while Oh, The Places You’ll Go is set for 2027.

These two new films mark the latest additions to the growing slate of animated projects that Warner Animation Group and Dr. Seuss Enterprises are developing together that builds out an extensive Dr. Seuss animated universe. The collaboration merges the worlds of Dr. Seuss with some of the most creative and visionary Hollywood storytellers and artists.

Other current projects in development include the The Cat in the Hat feature film that will kick off the new Dr. Seuss movie slate in 2024, with Erica Rivinoja (South Park, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2) and Art Hernandez (Planes, Planes: Fire and Rescue) on board as directors. 

Additionally, Warner Bros. Animation’s hit Netflix series Green Eggs and Hamanother joint project, was renewed for a second season.

Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, said: “Warner Animation Group truly understands the timelessness of Dr. Seuss, the incredible impact of the characters and stories, and how to translate the magical appeal to truly come to life on screen. With the amazing talent they are bringing to these projects, we are looking forward to bringing Oh, The Places You’ll Go! and Thing One and Thing Two to fans in a way that will delight them, capture their imaginations, and inspire them to read and re-read the stories.

“We are also looking forward to collaborating with the incredibly talented Erica Rivinoja and Art Hernandez who we know will make magic with Cat in the Hat.”

Allison Abbate, EVP, Warner Animation Group, added: “We are so thrilled to expand our creative partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and are even more excited about the expansion of this slate of films.

“Our The Cat in the Hat is off to a terrific start with the incredible Erica Rivinoja and Art Hernandez at the helm. Oh, The Places You’ll Go! is one of Seuss’ most enduring masterpieces and its profound and poignant message resonates with fans of all ages.

“We are thrilled to be working with Hannah and J.J. at Bad Robot to bring this cultural touchstone to life on the big screen.  And what could be more fun than to create an original story for Thing One and Thing Two? These two delightfully enigmatic characters will help us explore the magical world that Ted Geisel created with “The Cat in the Hat” and we can’t wait to jump in.

“This partnership with Susan Brandt and DSE is a perfect fit for WAG and our ongoing vision to produce iconic animated features based on beloved IP.”