June 2023 - Page 9 of 15 - aNb Media, Inc.

Licensing International Excellence Awards 2023 winners

2023 Licensing International Excellence Awards Winners Unveiled

The winners of the 2023 Licensing International Excellence Awards were unveiled last night in a ceremony that brought together industry executives from around the world to celebrate the best of the global brand licensing industry. The 30 award winners were selected from 201 finalists from across the globe. More than 850 submissions were received, narrowed down by an expert global judging panel and voted on by members of the licensing industry at large. This year’s Excellence Awards were hosted by Cakewalk Entertainment founder and CEO George Leon and La Panadería President and CEO Maca Rotter. The awards were presented by Alifish, Jazwares, Spaceport, and Spirit.

Purpose Toys LATIN unveils Latinistas, World’s First All-Latina Fashion Dolls at Major Retailers

Purpose Toys, the nation’s largest and fastest growing culture-driven toy company has announced the historic launch of Purpose Toys LATIN, a cultural-focused division founded with the goal of uplifting and celebrating the Latino community. The division has launched “Latinistas,” the world’s first and only all-Latina fashion doll line sold market-wide at major retail. “Latinistas” is “Una Celebración de la Cultura Latina!” Designed to reflect the beauty and diversity of the Latino community, Latinistas boast a variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors, varying hair textures, diverse facial features, diversity in heritage, backgrounds, and aspirational interests. Latinistas awaken toy aisles with a dose of cultural authenticity, in a historically culturally ambiguous toy market.

Licensing News You're Hired

Jazwares Expands Licensing Team with Two New Hires, Karen Eggleston and Kim Bell

As the industry readies for Licensing Expo, Jazwares has announced two strategic new hires joining its Licensing team. Karen Eggleston, a licensing, brand management, and marketing veteran with nearly 20 years of industry experience has joined Jazwares as Vice President of Licensing & Consumer Products, North America, while industry veteran Kim Bell joins as Senior Director, Licensing. Both are taking on newly created roles at the company.

Simon & Schuster Mattel American Girl Imprint

Mattel Announces Simon & Schuster as Sales and Distribution Partner for Mattel Press Imprint, American Girl Publishing

Mattel, Inc has entered into a sales and distribution agreement with Simon & Schuster, Inc. Under the agreement, Simon & Schuster will handle sales and distribution of the Mattel Press Imprint and the American Girl Publishing Imprint to the United States and Canada beginning July 1, 2023. The Mattel Press imprint will complement content, support brand initiatives, and create new stories based on iconic Mattel franchises including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, Thomas & Friends, Monster High, Polly Pocket, Barney, and more. Releases sold and distributed by Simon & Schuster will include print books, audio books and eBooks. Select titles from Mattel Press and American Girl Publishing will also be available on Caribu, Mattel’s direct-to-consumer entertainment platform.

Lawak Kampus School Daze Lil Critter Workshop

Lil Critter Workshop Launches Digital First Animation Production Studio

Acclaimed animation house Lil Critter Workshop (LCW) has made two strategic moves to further expand its global business, launching Lil Critter Digital – a Digital First Animation Production Studio out of Malaysia, which provides total solutions for art, design and production for social media and web series content – while continuing to develop long-form animated series from its Bristol base with the appointment of Jan Stradling as Consultant Development Executive. Lil Critter Digital’s first project is Lawak Campus: School Daze, a 104 x 15 second surreal comedy series for tweens which has launched on TikTok and will also debut as a 52 x 2’ web series in English on YouTube and in a Bahasa Malaysia exclusive to Astro later this year. The shorts have already garnered an impressive 96.3k followers since they launched in TikTok last month.

WildBrain’s Teletubbies Make a Splash with a Luxury Resortwear Collaboration with The Blonds

WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, is continuing to build on the accelerating fandom for its enduringly popular Teletubbies franchise through the launch of a new resortwear collection from luxury New York-based designer, The Blonds. The collection—which includes swimwear, a tote bag, beach towel and beach wrap—is available in four vibrant colours inspired by the iconic Teletubbies palette, capturing the silhouetted figures in purple for Tinky Winky, yellow for Laa-Laa, green for Dipsy and red for Po. The line was unveiled on June 11 during a glamorous catwalk show at PARAISO Miami Swim Week. The partnership was secured by global agency, WildBrain CPLG, which will also be presenting licensing opportunities for the Teletubbies at this week’s International Licensing Expo (June 13-15) from stand F214.

Sony Pictures Consumer Products Celebrates Vast Slate of Content at Licensing Expo 2023

Sony Pictures Consumer Products returns to Licensing Expo 2023 to celebrate an unparalleled roster of new content from classic and cherished IPs such as Ghostbusters and Gran Turismo, and new IPs with continually growing followings such as Cobra Kai, The Boys and Gen V. In celebration, the consumer product division will unveil fresh collaborations and product launches for its flagship portfolio of film, television, entertainment, and video gaming franchises; it will also gear up for a milestone 40th anniversary year for not one – but two – of its most iconic properties, Ghostbusters and The Karate Kid.

Gen Z Icon Molang Launches Capsule Collection Across the Globe

Millimages, one of the oldest independent animation studios and IP developers in Europe, is pleased to announce the launch of a new Molang Capsule Collection aimed at Gen Z and family targets. Inspired by the Franco-Korean Molang universe – with 7M followers and six TV series – the apparel line is aimed at the 16-35 age group, with a secondary family target. The 73-piece capsule will feature unisex cuts, streetwear, dresses, pyjamas, and pop accessories, making Molang apparel available to children, men, women, and plus-size women. As of June 2023, the collection will be sold worldwide (excluding China) by ready-to-wear giant Shein.

Brand Vending Products LLC Announces the Hobby Station

Brand Vending Products LLC, a leader and pioneer in toy and vending space for nearly 30 years is proud to announce an exciting new offering called The Hobby Station. The very first of its kind, an innovative new self-contained automated vending machine from Brand Vending Products that dispenses factory sealed unopened packs of trading cards! The single loose trading card machines of old are out and the Hobby Station by Brand Vending Products is here to update the space and fill the demand! This state-of-the-art station comes equipped with a contact-less credit card payment system, which accepts all your major payment forms. It’s as simple as a swipe, tap, or insert, and it also accepts Google & Apple Pay!