Hello Kitty finds her voice as Sanrio launches first short form animated series to YouTube

Sanrio has launched a new short form YouTube animated series called Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures, a move that brings its globally popular Hello Kitty brand to animated content in a partnership with Split Studio.

Each episode in the YouTube series will catapult audiences into the world of Hello Kitty and her friends My Melody, Keroppi, Badtz-Maru, Pompompurin, and Kuromi as they embark on adventures in the world of Sanrio. Hello Kitty and Friends will share and showcase their unique personalities, going outside of their comfort zones to experience and learn new things.

Hello Kitty will lead her friends in helping each other overcome everyday obstacles and learn that through the power of great friendship, humor and fun, they can accomplish anything.

“Sanrio has always taken immense pride in its commitment to friendship, kindness and inclusivity, making the debut of the Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures animation series remarkably special during our 60th anniversary year,” said Jill Koch, senior vice president of sales and business development at Sanrio.

“Now, our fans and viewers will be able to engage and relate with our characters more closely than ever. We can’t wait to share their sweet stories and see them come to life as never seen before.”

Shaene Siders, story editor and head writer of Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures, added: “As a longtime fan of the brand, it’s an honor to give Hello Kitty a voice. Each episode will take viewers through fun and magical adventures that are relevant to today’s audience while highlighting Sanrio’s lovable characters and their unique personalities. It’s a series my daughter and I will enjoy watching together.”

Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures is the first YouTube animated series developed for the US audience that chronicles the adventures of Hello Kitty and her friends living and interacting in a shared universe. The first episode of the series is set to go live on the Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube channel on Monday, October 26 at 1PM PST.

Jazwares to launch toy line for YouTube’s Like Nastya with lifestyle licensing roll-out to follow

The next six months will witness the global launch of a new line of toys based on and inspired by the current YouTube sensation, Anastasia (Nastya) Radzinskaya, lead by the leading toy company, Jazwares. The new range will encompass the first Like Nastya doll land in January 2021, followed by toys, games, dress-up, role-play and more.

Anastasia Radzinskaya is a six year old YouTube sensation who has risen to fame having hit more than 170 million subscribers and over 85 billion total views on YouTube – more than any other creator in the world currently. The YouTube channel and its fun, educational videos will now be brought to life through the Jazwares toyline and a subsequent lifestyle collection.

In a suite of new partnerships brokered by IMG Licensing, the brand’s global exclusive licensing agent, and launching just in time for the holiday season, a colorful collection of apparel, accessories, bags and stationery featuring Nastya will be available globally on Amazon by early November, with additional Like Nastya sleepwear, headwear, accessories, bags, girls underwear and apparel collections set to launch in stores and online in spring 2021.

January 2021 will see the first Like Nastya doll, created by leading toy company Jazwares, released exclusively on Amazon, with a full Jazwares collection of toys, games, dress-up, role-play and more set to launch widely online and in stores from spring 2021.

“Over the past couple of years, Nastya has become a global phenomenon and the most popular YouTuber in the world with localized content in 12 languages,” said Eyal Baumel, CEO at Yoola and Anastasia’s manager.

“Her fun, playful, educational, and unique content has created such a deep connection with her fans, that they see her not just as an entertainer and role model, but more importantly, a good friend.

“We are excited to expand the franchise into consumer products that represent Nastya’s spirit and values, and will allow kids and families all over the world to enjoy the Like Nastya experience in a variety of ways.”

Laura Zebersky, chief commercial officer, Jazwares, added: “With her vibrant personality and relatable adventures, it comes as no surprise that Like Nastya has quickly become one of the most popular YouTube channels for kids and parents to co-view.

“We are looking forward to bringing families a robust toy line that embraces the playful, imaginative nature of Nastya’s storytelling and gives kids a new way to engage with their favorite YouTube superstar.”

Gary Krakower, vice president of licensing, IMG, said: “The fact we’ve built such an extensive licensing programme in just a few short months shows Like Nastya’s global influence and ability to inspire and entertain through imaginative, playful and educational content.

“We’re excited to explore additional categories including outdoor toys, footwear, homeware, food and beverage, and arts and crafts.”

Nastya was recently named to Variety’s 2020 Power of Young Hollywood list and is ranked third on Forbes’ 2019 Highest-Paid YouTube Stars list.

YouTube skateboarding channel Braille turns to footwear after successful toy range debut

The leading skateboarding YouTube Channel, Braille Skateboarding, is building on the international success of its officially licensed range of toy fingerboards and skate ramps with a leap into the world of footwear. In a partnership brokered by Semaphore Licensing, the skate brand has teamed with R&R Footwear to develop a new range of functional skate shoes.

Braille Skateboarding launched onto the consumer products scene in July this year when it brought its first collection of toy fingerboard and skate ramps to the international market. The range – which also comprised mystery surprise sets – became a hit with retail giants Amazon and Target, as fans ‘went wild for the toys’ inspired by the channel’s popular Skate Everything series.

Skate Everything features a collection of videos that showcase Braille Skateboarding’s founder, Aaron Kyro, creating skateboards from anything other than what you would think to use, such as computer keyboards, ironing boards, electric guitars, and even gummy bears.

The toy range was quickly met with ‘huge demand from skate fans from across the globe’ and soon after retailers and stockists were reportedly placing reorders to meet the elevated consumer demand. According to Semaphore Licensing, this demand was fuelled by the brand’s YouTube Channel and its more than 5.6 million subscribers.

Braille Skateboarding has also secured its first international retailer in Smyths Toys, who has brought the brand to the UK market. Projections currently show that by the end of 2020, close to one million finger boards will have been shipped to retailers.

Following the initial success, Braille is now positioned to expand its licensing efforts into new categories. The company has since partnered with R&R Footwear in a move to develop and roll out a ‘stylish and functional skate shoe’ that would appeal to skaters and non-skaters alike.

Braille Skateboarding now plans to chronicle the development journey of the new shoe in partnership with R&R Footwear as it aims to launch the product to retailers in summer 2021.

“We are ramping up to bring unique products to shelves globally on behalf of Braille Skateboarding,” said Michael Bienstock, founder and CEO, Semaphore Licensing. “We join Aaron in his mission to ensure the entire world knows what a Braille board is.”

Brand Central named global consumer products agency for US YouTube-created lifestyle brand Full Send

Brand Central LLC has been appointed the global consumer products agency for the US lifestyle brand Full Send, a label created by collaborative portfolio of YouTube content creators, including the popular Nelk Boys.

Under the partnership, Brand Central will look to develop strategic collaborations as it extends the Full Send brand into retail, tapping into the popularity of the brand’s collaborative popularity across content creators such as @kyleforgeard, @mtvjesse, and @stevewilldoit.

 The licensing agency is looking to attract licensees and retailers on a mission to tap into the world of digital influencers. Both the FULL SEND brand and the Nelk Boys were founded in 2010 and have to date amassed more than 27 million followers across all social platforms. 

“Our team is thrilled to go all in with Brand Central as they are the go-to licensing experts in digital, lifestyle, and pop culture representing brands such as Jake Paul and Ninja,” said Full Send’s business manager, Drew Hill. 

“We are honored to work with the Nelk Boys and the Full Send brand which is the obsession of millions of young adults fans.  We are confident of the success of Full Send at retail and looking forward put together very compelling collaborations that will be become ‘must have’ products of 2021,” added Ross Misher, Brand Central CEO.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Novel Entertainment to host virtual Horrid Henry ‘Summer of Slime’ Festival this bank holiday

Novel Entertainment is hosting its first Horrid Henry ‘Summer of Slime’ festival, running virtually across the UK bank holiday weekend this August 29th to 31st and via a curated playlist on Horrid Henry’s YouTube channel and social media platforms.

The festival will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes content, specially commissioned videos, competitions, readings, live performances and more.

Throughout the event, Horrid Henry fans will be able to enjoy acts including behind the scenes chats with Horrid Henry creatives Gary Andrews (director), Lester Barnes (composer), and Sue Elliot-Nichols (voice of Moody Margaret, Anxious Andrew, and the Demon Dinner Lady). They will also be preview to premieres including Sunshine Special, a compilation of new videos and favourite episodes, Tales from Toon Island – the true story behind Henry’s recent visit to Toon Island, and the Imaginary Friends video, helping to raise awareness of the NSPCC’s Childline service.

Also featured will be new make and do videos, cooking themed videos and recipes, a specially commissioned Air Guitar performance from the UK’s 2018 Air Guitar Champion Sparkly Sven Spandex, and the exclusive first look at new Horrid Henry content.

Fans will also have the chance to win a variety of prizes linked to the ‘Summer of Slime’ festival including the obligatory festival wellies from Grass & Air, school shoes to rock out in from Start Rite, a selection of Jaques of London wooden toys, and glow-in-the-dark Playfoam from Learning Resources.

To encourage fans to have fun preparing for the event, Novel Entertainment has created a ‘Get Festival Ready’ booklet which is available to download for free on www.horridhenry.me. The booklet features interactive activities including brand new puzzles, challenges and crafts.

Lucinda Whiteley, creative director and co-founder of Novel Entertainment, said: “After a challenging few months, we wanted to provide children with a moment of celebration before they return to school and a virtual festival felt like a natural extension to the activities we’ve been working on during this time.

“Horrid Henry’s ‘Summer of Slime’ festival will provide families with the perfect opportunity to enjoy some holiday fun together, wherever they are. Never mind Glastonbury, this is Ashtonbury.”

The ‘Summer of Slime’ festival is part of Novel Entertainment’s recently created content output, produced under the banner of Horrid Henry Unlocked and designed to offer a familiar environment for fans to discover more about the world of Horrid Henry.

As well as the recently launched Horrid Henry podcast and audio books, new content includes Horrid Homework activities, creative projects, puzzles and challenges and bespoke videos including newly created songs, pop promos and behind the scenes content.

Moose Toys teams with family YouTube channel Collins Key for new activity range

Moose Toys is teaming with the family YouTube channel, Collins Key starring the online stars Collins and Devan Key, to launch an activity line that will allow fans to recreate the DIY challenges and projects the pair undertake, at home.

CollinsKey is recognised as the number one YouTube channel for compounds, activities, and creativity. Collins and Devan Key boast more than 21.5 million subscribers and over 5 billion total views. The CollinsKey  collection taps into the pair’s authenticity, energy and passion, and their over the top challenges to bring innovative play to the activity aisle.

The new range will launch this autumn and will feature boxed play-sets in two categories: Fake Food Challenges and pranks and Collectables. The hero item in the first collection will be the Fake Food Challenge Wheel, inspired by the show’s own Mystery Wheel Challenge. Players will take turns spinning the wheel to receive their challenge, and then use their tools to shape and mould their compounds into food items.

“We worked closely with Collins and Devan to translate their vibrant and engaging personalities and approach to family-friendly fun into tangible games for everyone to enjoy,” said Joe Smith, director of global marketing, licensed brands, Moose Toys.

“This is Collins and Devan’s first national partnership in consumer products, and we’re honored to work with like-minded innovators to bring their wildly popular challenges to their biggest fans — and introduce new fans to their world.”

Another theme seen within Collins and Devan Key’s programming is lighthearted and fun pranks. The Ultimate Unboxing Game pits two players against each other, racing to find the key within one of three mystery boxes, with the losing person presented with a gross surprise.

For the Mystery Box Collectible, players are tasked with blindly feeling around inside a box and guessing what’s hidden inside.

“Devan and I had a blast rolling up our sleeves and collaborating with a category leader like Moose Toys,” Collins Key said. “We’ve loved seeing what we’re so passionate about authentically come to life in this new line of products, and we can’t wait for the #KeyperSquad to try all the wild challenges within this collection.”

Earlier this year, Moose Toys announced it was named the global master toy partner for the Collins Key brand. The Collins Key collection is available exclusively at Walmart.com, Walmart stores starting Sept. 1, and online and at retail locations across the US.

WildBrain Spark tapped to grow global audiences for The Polos and MarcoPolo Learning

WildBrain Spark has been appointed by MarcoPolo Learning to manage the educational media company’s channel and content on YouTube on a worldwide basis. WildBrain Spark will support and bolster the distribution of the content, including its flagship CG animated series, The Polos.

The content will run across the official MarcoPolo channel and on WildBrain Spark’s own hub channels on YouTube.

Jon Gisby, EVP and managing director at WildBrain Spark, said: “MarcoPolo Learning helps kids learn and explore through content every day. We love what they do, and are delighted to welcome this premium learning brand to the WildBrain Spark network.

“Our ‘always-on’ YouTube strategy for The Polos and MarcoPolo Learning’s other educational content will leverage our proprietary insight tools to identify relevant new audiences globally, creating millions more touchpoints for kids and families everywhere.”

Justin Hsu, CEO and co-founder of MarcoPolo Learning, added: “MarcoPolo Learning’s ambition is for all our content, including The Polos, to reach the widest possible global audience who are looking for genuinely educational content, that is also entertaining and fun.

“YouTube is one of the most important parental touchpoints, and so we are very excited to partner with WildBrain Spark and leverage their expertise to grow our channel and introduce families to our content all around the world.”

MarcoPolo Learning’s ecosystem of research-driven, immersive learning products is targeted at early learners aged three to seven. The STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) curriculum series The Polos features a mix of 3D animation and live-action footage and follows Marco, Willow, Gorby, Chester, Lily and Nash who travel in their transforming vehicle, the PoloMobile, from their digital world to explore the natural world.

Each adventure teaches children about natural science, inquiry and curiosity through stunning HD footage, highlighting such topics as the dung beetle, comets, dinosaurs, ocean pollution, music and sharks – all while modeling and fostering 21st-century skills.

The Polos is co-produced and distributed globally by leading media company Boat Rocker Studios, a strategic investor in MarcoPolo Learning and its subsidiaries, Jam Filled Entertainment and Radical Sheep Productions. The Polos is currently distributed across Latin America through Discovery Kids and Nat Geo Kids, as well as in China and Korea through Youku and CJ E&M, respectively.