Month: October 2023

Ravensburger, the acclaimed publisher of award-winning board games and high-quality toys and puzzles, announced that the Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game (TCG) will be available in 10 new countries in 2024. Illumineers in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Mexico will be able to answer the call starting with the release of the third set in early 2024. These territories effectively double the global availability of Disney Lorcana TCG, which originally launched in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg earlier this year.

Global independent animation ZAG has signed with Kuwait based family-owned clothing and accessory company RIVA Fashion for an exciting line of girls’ fashions for the globally successful brand Miraculous. The announcement was conveyed by Carlotta Caracciolo, ZAG’s Vice President of Licensing & Retail for the Middle East, Turkey, Greece, Africa & India. Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir is now in its fifth season, scoring top ratings in more than 120 countries around the globe and Miraculous: Ladybug and Cat Noir, The Movie, launched theatrically in Europe this summer topping the box office in France and Germany; and launched on Netflix on July 28. Retail sales for the brand are over $US1 billion with 300 million products sold.

Spin Master Corporation, a leading children’s entertainment company, today announced it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire U.S.-based Melissa & Doug, a well-recognized and trusted brand in early childhood play, for $950 million in cash. The acquisition will bolster Spin Master’s position as a leader in the children’s entertainment industry and will bring complementary capabilities in early childhood toys by adding Melissa & Doug’s high-quality offerings of open-ended, creative, and developmental wooden toys. With a mission to ignite imagination and a sense of wonder in children, Melissa & Doug has developed into a beloved brand of high-quality, sustainable, and learning-enriched play that is sought after and trusted by parents and children alike. The addition of Melissa & Doug will strengthen Spin Master’s offering by adding complementary early childhood products and further diversify its portfolio across new channels and formats.

Sony Pictures Television – Kids (SPT – Kids), announces that the BBC has acquired the UK rights to the latest season of Octonauts spin-off series, Octonauts: Above & Beyond. The deal will see the new 52 x 11’ episodes available on CBeebies and BBC iplayer from 16th October 2023 bringing new adventures for the beloved Octonauts as they continue to explore dynamic landscapes, experience new climates, rescue animals and protect the land they live on.