Elmer's Squishies Glow
News
Elmer’s Expands Squishies Collection to Include Glow in the Dark Offering for the Holiday Season

Elmer’s, a leading glue brand for crafts in school and at home and part of Newell Brands’ global portfolio of brands, is launching an extension of its current Squishies collection to include a new Glow in the Dark offering, so kids can squish them, squeeze them, and watch them glow. Just in time for holiday gifting season, kids ages 6 and up can channel their creativity with this hands-on activity that goes beyond the traditional playtime experience. When mixing Elmer’s Secret Solution with various colors and glow in the dark glue pens, there is even more customization options and room for imagination for kids to create their characters in 60 minutes. Using the included UV light, kids will be able to super charge their Glow in the Dark Squishies, bringing new ways for them to play with the 80 mystery characters, including 12 rare ones that they can create and collect. Kids can play and swap their creations with friends as they aim to gather all the characters for the ultimate adventure.

Big Blue Guru Studios
Entertainment News
Guru Studio Brings ‘Big Blue’ to the Roku Channel Kids & Family

Animation powerhouse Guru Studio is pleased to announce that it has signed a new distribution agreement with Roku which will bring its comedy adventure series Big Blue to The Roku Channel Kids & Family in the U.S. in 2024. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with The Roku Channel to bring Big Blue to homes across the U.S.,” said Frank Falcone, President and Executive Creative Director at Guru Studio.  “This hilarious and heartwarming series is resonating with kids around the world, and we believe Roku is a fantastic home for the series launch in the US given its significant reach and influence in the market,” said Jennifer Oppenheimer, Guru Studio’s Manager of International Sales and Licensing. 

Webtoon
News
Surge Licensing Signs First Wave of Licensing Partners for WEBTOON Roster

Surge Licensing, in partnership with Genuine Entertainment–collectively the exclusive licensing agent for WEBTOON Entertainment–has secured a slate of new licensing partners for the platform’s top performing WEBTOON Originals. Bioworld, Walter Foster, and FiGPiN, will launch new products based on some of the platform’s most popular titles for the U.S. market, while Event Merchandising has been signed to build-out WEBTOON’s new official webstore. Millions of fans around the globe read, share, and celebrate comics on WEBTOON, the world’s largest digital comics platform and home to some of the biggest artists, IP, and fandoms in comics. Redefining comics for Gen Z and the digital era, WEBTOON hosts a diverse range of comic genres and styles, with over 170 million monthly active readers across its various platforms globally.

Scoobtober
Entertainment News
Scoobtober Extravaganza Unleashed in EMEA

Hold onto your magnifying glasses and get ready to join the grooviest celebration of the year! Scoobtober is the annual month-long extravaganza and thrill ride through the world of Scooby-Doo, bringing fans a tidal wave of programming, products and events across all of Warner Bros. Discovery. Originally launched in the US, it is now a firm fixture in the seasonal calendar with an ever growing list of activations that include spooky social clips and crossovers, 48-hour Watch Party live stream of content with links to exclusive Scooby product from best-in-class partners such as Playmobil, Plastoys and Funko. In line with the growth of Halloween in Europe, Scoobtober is gaining momentum in the EMEA region, led in 2023 by the strongest ever slate of Scooby-Doo content programming for the initiative in this market.

Del Monte Miraculous
Licensing News
ZAG and Del Monte Extend Miraculous Collaboration with European Kiwi Fruit

Global giant Fresh Del Monte, one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, distributors and marketers of fresh and pre-cut fruits and vegetables, is extending its collaboration with worldwide hit brand Miraculous for a limited-edition promotion for its new “Kiwi Origin South Europe” campaign. The announcement was made by Hyde Schram, Vice President, Global Partnerships, ZAG, and Thierry Montange, Marketing Director, Fresh Del Monte Europe & Africa.

MGA Logo Meabrands Zapf EU
News
MGA Entertainment Initiates Merger with Zapf Creation AG

MGA Entertainment, Inc (MGA), one of the world’s largest and fastest growing privately held toy and entertainment companies, announced that it intends to merge with Zapf Creation AG, Europe’s leading manufacturer of nurturing dolls. Specifically, MGA’s wholly-owned German subsidiary, which is the current direct major shareholder of Zapf Creation AG, has approached Zapf with an invitation to enter into negotiations of a merger agreement. MGA and Zapf Creation AG have had a collaborative business relationship for the sales and distribution of both companies’ brands for nearly 20 years. The merger is expected to close in Spring 2024.

Kedoo Charlotte Thorp
News You're Hired
Kedoo Entertainment Taps Charlotte Thorp as EVP & Head of Distribution, Sales and Acquisitions

Kedoo Entertainment, a leading global digital content studio and media network company, has appointed the highly experienced former New Regency, Lionsgate and Entertainment One executive Charlotte Thorp to the newly created position of EVP and Head of Distribution, Sales and Acquisitions. Additionally, as part of Kedoo’s Kids Originals program – under which the company invests in and produces its own animated titles – two new animated projects are being launched at MIPCOM: “Sonya from Toastville” (26 x 11’) and “Space Dragons” (26 x 11’) alongside season five of its hit Netflix family series, “Booba” (26 x 7′).

Provda Family Alex Asher
All in the Family Features
All in the Family: The Provda Family

“The origins of The Pencil Grip, Inc., is attributed to the age-old premise that necessity is the mother of all invention. The roots of what we strive to do as a company (to make products that help people solve a common problem) can be traced to our origin. Dr. Lois Provda, the mother of Asher & Alex Provda, who are the current owners of the family company, was the creator of The Pencil Grip, and worked as an Educational Therapist who helped children with reading and writing difficulties. In her years of practice helping hundreds of children, she identified a need for a new and modern version of The Pencil Grip. Millions of units sold, and over 30 years later, it looks like she hit the nail right on the head.”

Features
The Significance of Toy Packaging Design

Toy packaging is the bridge between the product and the consumer. It’s the first interaction a potential buyer has with a toy, and as the saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” An effective toy package has the power to:

1. Create Anticipation: Engaging packaging triggers a sense of curiosity and excitement, making children eager to unwrap and explore the toy.
2. Convey Brand Identity: Packaging is an extension of a brand’s personality. Consistent design elements help establish brand recognition and trust.