Corus Entertainment Revamps Kids Channel Portfolio with Rebranded Networks
Following the recent launch of TELETOON+ as Canada’s leading, multi-platform streaming service for kids, Corus Entertainment has announced the rebranding of two of its linear kids’ television channels as it continues to evolve its offering of best-in-class kids content. Beginning March 27, TELETOON is set to become Cartoon Network, an iconic kids brand known worldwide for delivering the biggest and best in animation. Corus also introduces a new kids television channel in Canada by relaunching the current Cartoon Network channel as Boomerang. Debuting in the Canadian market for the first time, but bringing with it scores of fans worldwide, the Boomerang brand stands for the best in retro content, classic animation series and foundational kids programming.
Spotlight Shines Light on Magical World of Anboran
For Ronnie Anderson Jr, sharing his Anboran fairy tales with the world has been a magical, heroic journey. It is a journey that began when Anderson, a laboratory scientist, realized he could not find new, original, fairy tales featuring people of color to read to his three young daughters… so he decided to invent his own. Anderson’s books – starting with his self-published Five Amazing Fairytales anthology featuring positive portrayals of characters of color in original fairy tales designed to appeal to children like his own – proved to be a hit not only with his own daughters but also with other African American families as well as schools, libraries, and manufacturers such as trend-savvy apparel giant Mad Engine Global.
In KidZ Announces First-Ever Collaboration with Sesame Street on New Activity Boxes
In KidZ, a South-Asian female-owned kids educational tech, consumer product, and multi-media company, is collaborating with the iconic children’s brand Sesame Street to introduce new activity boxes debuting this fall. The themed educational boxes, which could center around holidays or cooking, for example, will contain coloring and activity books, puzzles, games, recipe cards, and figurines. Children will be fully engaged with hands-on learning while exploring various cultures and traditions and practicing mindfulness activities.
Disguise Further Expands UK and Ireland Sales Team in Continued Support of EMEA Growth
Disguise, Incorporated, a leading global costume and dress up company, and a division of toy and consumer products manufacturer, JAKKS Pacific, announced new key hires for the international sales team in the UK and Ireland, showing continued commitment to these markets, Aneesa Beasley as Head of Sales and Meghan Bird as Senior Account Manager. In addition, Disguise brings on Mike McGillion as full time VP of Sales for Disguise EMEA. For the past year, Mike’s consultancy has been instrumental in leading the charge throughout the EU, expanding the costume business through new distribution and retail partnerships and delivering aggressive sales growth for the company.
Sky Castle Toys Collaborates with Marvel for DoodleJamz Line
Sky Castle Toys, in partnership with UK-based toy manufacturer and distributor Character Options, is collaborating with Marvel to introduce Spider-Man, Hulk and Captain America to its award-winning line of DoodleJamz squishy sensory drawing pads. DoodleJamz is a new line of squish n’ shape drawing pads from Sky Castle Toys that delivers a totally new take on doodling. Kids can move and shape the squishy beads over pictures that are inserted into the boards on backer cards, using either their finger or an easy-to-use stylist. The cards are removable – and customizable — delivering variety and hours of play. Known for their squishy texture and sensory fidget sensation, DoodleJamz drawing pads have become a popular “oddly satisfying sensation” on social media with close to 150M views on TikTok alone.
American Girl Declares the ‘90s History with its Newest Historical Characters, Isabel and Nicki!
American Girl is officially declaring the ‘90s history [insert gasp here!], and is excited to party like it’s 1999 with the introduction of the brand’s first-ever twin characters, Isabel and Nicki! As the wave of ‘90s trends and pop culture nostalgia surges on, there’s no better time for American Girl to honor this dial-up decade with a story set in the flannel and music capital of the 1990s, Seattle, WA!
The Insights Family Already Into Double Digit Hires in 2023
The Insights Family, the global leader in kids, teens, parents, and family market intelligence, continues to expand as part of its new growth strategy with a further eight new hires, following on from the recent appointments of new Chief Growth Officer – Tom Williams, and SVP Marketing & Partnerships – Rachel Bardill. The further Insights Family eight hires are from across the business including the company’s technology, research, customer success and support functions. The roles are intended to support the Manchester based organizations transition from a fast-growth scale-up to a high-performance, fast-growth organization.
All Time Dr Seuss Classic Sequel this September – ‘How the Grinch Lost Christmas!’
On September 5, 2023, Dr Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books will publish Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Lost Christmas!, an official sequel to the beloved holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, which was originally published in 1957 and has sold nearly 10 million copies in North America alone. With this new story set in Who-ville, readers will finally get to know how the Grinch spent Christmas one year after the events of his big heist and will see if he has truly embraced the spirit of Christmas. The publication was announced by Judith Haut, EVP, Deputy Publisher, Random House Children’s Books, with Susan Brandt, President and CEO, Dr. Seuss Enterprises. The publication will be supported by a major marketing and publicity campaign, including opportunities for fans to interact with the Grinch character around the country.