January 2023 - aNb Media, Inc.

Create A Castle “Road Show” Big Hit at Target Stores

Following the success of Create A Castle on Shark Tank, including a winning a deal with billionaire retail whiz Kendra Scott, the firm’s founder/inventor, Kevin Lane, hit the road to do his two favorite things: building sand and snow castles, and visiting retailers carrying his award-winning line. And since Create A Castle had recently hit 900 Target stores, those were in his sights as he drove back from a sand castle building event in Florida to his Connecticut home base. On the way, he passed a Target store in Opelika, AL and stopped in to see how his new Create A Castle BuildMaster was being displayed.

Kids First Secures New Raft of Sales for Hello Kitty: Super Style!

Paris-based international distributor Kids First has secured a host of new global broadcast partners for Hello Kitty: Super Style!, an original 3D animated children’s program based on Sanrio’s pop culture icon Hello Kitty. The 52 x 11-minute 3D animated show is co-developed with Amazon Kids+, the award-winning kids content subscription, which debuted the first episodes in December 2022. The series has been picked up by Viaplay for Scandinavia, Baltics, Poland and Benelux; Super RTL in Germany; CBC Canada, Canal + Ethiopia and Poland, and Canal Panda in Portugal. These linear broadcasters join Canal+ and M6 in France, RAI YOYO in Italy, Tiny Pop in the UK, Discovery Kids for Latin America, RTS for Switzerland and Hop for Israel, which have already acquired the show.

Full Moon Features Launches Premium Toy Division, ‘Full Moon Horror Line’

Full Moon Features (FMF) has announced the launch of the Full Moon Horror Line, its new, premium toy division, creating, developing, and producing a breadth of new, high-end replicas and figures, along with innovative toys and merchandise based off of FMF’s vast catalog of legacy franchises and licenses. FMF has tapped award-winning toy and collectibles mogul, Rick Phares to develop and oversee all products coming out of its new division.

ZAG Partners with Playmobil for 2024 Global Miraculous Toy Range

Award-winning global animation studio ZAG and Horst Brandstätter Group have signed a global agreement to develop and distribute a diverse PLAYMOBIL toy range for the beloved and multi-award winning Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir franchise. The announcement was made by Jeremy Zag, Founder and CEO, ZAG, and Sibylle Gondolf, Managing Director (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) at leading licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG, who represent the Miraculous brand in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and brokered the deal for ZAG.

News You're Hired

Brain Power Studio Recruits Netflix Exec, Jasmine Gard To Oversee Finance & Operations

Brain Power Studio, a global entertainment content creator and distributor, has appointed former Netflix and 9 Story Media Group exec, Jasmine Gard, as its new VP of Finance and Operations. In the role, Jasmine Gard will oversee all aspects of finance and accounting operations at Brain Power as well as provide strategic guidance around capital financing options. Gard will manage production and corporate finance as well as risk management activities. She will lead consolidation efforts and manage relationships with third party lenders and auditors.

Mattel and Minecraft Partner on New Minecraft Creator Series Camp Enderwood DLC Map and Toy Line

Mattel, Inc and Minecraft have announced a partnership to launch the new Minecraft Creator Series Camp Enderwood DLC (downloadable content) Map. Introducing a host of new characters and a brand-new, immersive gameplay experience, Camp Enderwood is a digital destination developed in partnership between Mattel, Minecraft, and Cyclone Designs, featuring an all-new downloadable map full of unique mini games, available for free download on the Minecraft Marketplace.

Funko Games Expands Presence in Australia and New Zealand with Big Wheel Toys and Let’s Play Games

Funko Games has announced its expansion in Australia and New Zealand with distribution partners Big Wheel Toys and Let’s Play Games. These partnerships are the latest moves for Funko Games as it continues to grow its worldwide presence and connect more families and fans through immersive board game experiences.

Build-a-Bear Lunches Ted Lasso Plush

Go for the goal and showcase your love for Ted Lasso with new Build-a-Bear gifts and collectibles inspired by the show that has captured the hearts of millions. Add a football kit, garbage water teacup or Biscuits with the Boss wristie, priced between $44 – $63.50, for even more fun! The perfect addition to your daily biscuit delivery. This iconic collection will be available exclusively online at buildabear.com tomorrow January 31st.

Kroeger Expands Halloween Costume Sales & Distribution with Jazwares to US Mid-Tier & Specialty Market

Kroeger Inc, a leading wholesale distributor, announced an expanded distribution agreement with Jazwares Costume Play division to provide sales and domestic inventory support within Canada and the United States specialty and mid-tier accounts for the 2023 season. “‘We are honored and excited to expand our sales and distribution relationship with Jazwares, one of the leading and the fastest growing toy manufacturers in North America,” said Grant Chapman, President of Kroeger Inc. “Jazwares Costume Play’s product line has proven in its inaugural year to be a game-changing force in the Halloween and costume play realm. Jazwares’ offerings are unmatched in terms of design and quality, and Kroeger is thrilled to be extending our relationship. This year, we look forward to bringing these great products to costume and party retailers in Canada and the United States.”