June 2023 - Page 10 of 15 - aNb Media, Inc.

Mediawan Kids & Family Partners with Licensing Works! to Launch Merchandising Program for The Little Prince and Friends Preschool Series

Mediawan Kids & Family , in collaboration with La Succession Saint Exupery-d’Agay, has selected Licensing Works! to manage the merchandise licensing for its new animated television series, The Little Prince and Friends. This groundbreaking preschool series featuring all-new adventures based on the beloved characters from the timeless masterpiece and best-selling novel ever published is produced by Method Animation in coproduction with Bidibul Productions and LPPTV, with the participation of France Televisions, WDR, TVGlobo and RAI Kids.

Extended Global Partnership Unveiled by PlayMonster and Hasbro for Iconic Spirograph Brand

PlayMonster Group LLC, a leading international toy and game company, and Hasbro Inc., a toy and game company, have announced that PlayMonster will continue to support the Spirograph brand as part of their global growth strategy aimed at bringing the beloved spiral designing toy to even more aspiring artists worldwide. For decades, Spirograph has been an iconic toy captivating the attention of generations of children and adults alike, helping users to draw, design, and play in creative, engaging ways using its wheels, precision rings, and colored markers. This continuation of the brand’s licensing partnership with PlayMonster comes as a direct result of the company’s work to date, which has furthered the Spirograph name by expanding upon the brand’s long-standing reputation. The partnership will help ensure its continued legacy for years to come.

ZAG and Wells Enterprises Partner for First ‘Miraculous’ Frozen Confection Facebar

Global independent animation studio ZAG has signed with Wells Enterprises, the world’s largest family-owned and managed ice cream company for the first Miraculous water ice facebar in the U.S. The announcement was made by Lisa K. Foster, Senior Vice President, Licensing, North America, ZAG. For more than 100 years, Wells Enterprises has been producing high-quality, premium packaged frozen dairy desserts that bring joy to consumers around the U.S. Wells produces over 200 million gallons of ice cream and other frozen desserts each year for their popular brands–Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop and Blue Ribbon Classics.

TFE June 2023 Cover No Label 1024 x 780 (5)

TFE/TFE Licensing, June 2023

Toy Association: Toy Fair 2023 Highlights the Power of Licensing in the Toy Industry by Maddie Michalik

Design Edge: Support ‘The Innovation Restoration Act of 2023’ by Matthew Nuccio

Toy Family Series: Q&A with the Gygax Family by Mary Couzin

ASTRA: Toy Boat 2023 – A Resounding Success! by Sue Warfield

The Serious Side of Fun by Ava Diamond

ToyFest: Reflecting on a Successful ToyFest 2023 by Carrie Scanlan

Ultra PRO Brand Profile

Licensing International: the fight Against Counterfeiting by Elizabeth Foster

The Business of Bluey by Andrew Carley

The Importance of MESH by Rachele Harmuth, Dr. Deborah Gilboa, Rick Derr – Interviewed by Nick Truss

New Product Previews compiled by Nick Truss

Licensing News

Jazwares Expands Squishmallows Consumer Products Program and Grows as a Preeminent Global Lifestyle Brand

Jazwares, one of the world’s fastest-growing toy companies, is squishing in all the fun at this year’s Licensing Expo Las Vegas with its sensational lifestyle property, Squishmallows. As the #1 plush property in the U.S. and second best-selling toy brand overall, the phenomenal popularity of Squishmallows has propelled world-class licensee collaborations across fashion, gaming, and lifestyle categories, adding to its illustrious portfolio of more than 65+ best-in-class licensing partners.

Licensing Expo Reveals Ignite Brand Pitches Selected Brands

Licensing Expo, the premier event dedicated to licensing and brand extension, is hosting an all-new program, Ignite Brand Pitches at the Licensing Expo event, June 13-15, 2023, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Open to all signed Licensing Expo exhibitors with existing licensing portfolios, Ignite Brand Pitches provides five brand owners the opportunity to pitch new and upcoming brands in front of a live audience at Licensing Expo to provide them with a platform and generate buzz for their newest IP. The event will take place on Tuesday, June 13 from 3:30 – 4:15 pm at the License Global Theater, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas. The full lineup of participating brands can be found below.

Moonbug Entertainment and SiriusXM to launch Moonbug Radio

SiriusXM has announced the launch of Moonbug Radio, an exclusive new year-round channel in collaboration with Moonbug Entertainment, a subsidiary of Candle Media and the award-winning global entertainment company behind some of the most popular kids’ content in the world. Moonbug Radio is available starting now, and features hit music from your kids’ favorite shows such as CoComelon, Blippi and many more. The channel is available to subscribers in their cars (channel 307) and on the SXM App.

Scentco Inc Announces Partnership with United Talent Agency (UTA) to Grow ‘Bedtime Defenderz’

Scentco Inc, a renowned U.S. toy designer and distributor, has entered into a strategic partnership with United Talent Agency (UTA) to exclusively represent its hit new franchise, Bedtime Defenderz, for all programming and publication deals. Following the successful launch of the Bedtime Defenderz toy brand last year, Scentco is quickly expanding the property’s halo to include a 12-episode animation series on YouTube that will premiere in Fall 2023, as well as a children’s bedtime book series with audiobook versions. The company has also announced plans for adding licensing partners in bedding, bedtime apparel, home goods, stationery, and accessories to complement the brand’s core assets and make Bedtime Defenderz the must have brand for bedtime routines.

Universal Products & Experiences Drives Global Expansion Celebrating Key Milestones for DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby’s Dollhouse

Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) is the driving force behind one of the fastest growing brands in the preschool space, celebrating global expansion and major milestones for DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby’s Dollhouse. Following its retail launch in 2021, UP&E is celebrating an impressive one million dollhouses sold of the award-winning Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse, brought to market by leading global children’s entertainment company Spin Master, master toy licensee for the franchise. Additionally, the playset was named the #1 overall item in the ITPS Supercategory in the U.S. for 2022 (Circana/ Retail Tracking YTD 2022). Gabby’s Dollhouse is resonating with fans worldwide, reporting year-over-year growth and ranking as the #5 Preschool Toys property globally and the #2 Preschool Toys license in the U.S. and Australia (Circana/ Retail Tracking Service YTD Apr’23).