March 2024 - aNb Media, Inc.

Fred Rogers Productions Names Katie Huber Senior Director of Licensing

Katie Huber joins Fred Rogers Productions as Senior Director of Licensing, positioning the iconic children’s media organization for further growth ahead. Huber brings deep market knowledge that will provide additional capacity for new opportunities across the company’s portfolio. In her role, Huber is charged with developing and executing comprehensive brand licensing strategies. She will work alongside Matt Shiels, vice president of business and legal affairs, and Micah Southwood, director of product development.

Ravensburger to Distribute Othello in the United States and Canada

What’s black and white and green all over? Ravensburger, the acclaimed publisher behind award-winning board games and high-quality toys and puzzles, has announced that it is now the distributor for the classic strategy game Othello, which has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, in the United States and Canada. Beginning August 1, Ravensburger will take on distribution of this fast-paced strategy title to hobby and specialty stores nationwide. Retailers will also notice a new update to Othello’s components – the rulebook will be printed in color for the first time in the game’s history.

Lush x Shrek Limited Edition Merchandise Coming This April

Inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek franchise, the brand new Lush x Shrek collection celebrates everyone’s inner swampy self, in contrast to the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic of recent years. The products will be available on Tuesday, April 9 exclusively via the Lush app, and Thursday, April 11 at Lush.com. Just like onions, this collection has layers. Inspired by Shrek’s journey from a self-loathing to a self-accepting ogre, the range aims to bring joy and Shrek’s irreverent humor to the worlds of beauty and well-being – showing that there is no one way to be beautiful and feel good – wellness can be a swampy ogre bath too!

Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards (B&LLAS) 2024 Finalists Announced

The finalists in the Product, Property, Retail and Rising Star categories for the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards (B&LLAS) 2024 have officially been revealed. The B&LLAs attracted the largest ever number of entries this year, from companies large and small. And, not only was the volume of entries staggering, but the quality was also of the highest level.

Watchitude’s Glow Watch Brings a Dazzling Multicolor LED Light Show to Your Wrist

Be ready for kids and grownups to take a second look at your wrist as Glow Watch are the newest accessory that’s youthful and useful. Watchitude, known for creative, vibrant, and exciting watches for kids ages 4 to 12 years old, offers something truly extraordinary – a wristwatch that projects a dazzling multicolor LED light show. With so many playful patterns, it might be hard to choose just one! Watchitude, as its name implies, has been setting fashion trends for kids since it first introduced colorful slap watches almost a decade ago. Today the company boasts eight unique watch brands with Glow being the brightest of all! The transparent watch casing has built-in LED lights and features a Japanese movement, so kids won’t miss the school bus or be late for practice.

Displate Introduces Textra, A Metal Poster Bringing Art to Life in 3D

Displate, makers of one-of-a-kind metal posters, announces Textra, challenging the status quo of traditional, two-dimensional posters with a first-of-its-kind 3D metal poster. Textra brings fans and collectors into another dimension of their passions, immersing them in designs with incredible textures and 3D effects that energize the characters and scenes, making them more life-like on the wall. Fans can choose from more than 250 designs here, with Textra designs starting at $69.

Hasbro Women Innovators of Play Returns in 2024 with New Event and Challenge

Hasbro, Inc, a leading toy and game company, has announced its Hasbro Women Innovators of Play 2024 lineup of events, networking moments, and other opportunities to celebrate and connect women toy and game innovators across the globe. Hasbro’s Women Innovators of Play launched in Fall 2023 to promote a more inclusive and equitable toys and games community, encourage more women’s participation in the space, inspire the next generation of young women and girls to unleash their creativity, and increase awareness and exposure to creative career paths.

WildBrain CPLG and MetaPals Ink Global Partnership for Teletubbies AI Digital Companions

WildBrain CPLG, a trusted licensing partner for leading brands worldwide, and MetaPals, an AI digital companion platform, have signed a global partnership to bring together one of the world’s most recognizable brands and the innovative digital era with the launch on April 20th of Teletubbies AI digital companions. With WildBrain’s iconic Teletubbies brand celebrating its 27th anniversary on 31 March, the collaboration marks the beginning of an exciting array of renowned IPs joining the ‘MetaPals Multiverse’ in 2024. Using AI and blockchain technology, pop culture darlings Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po will become personalized, evolving digital companions within the MetaPals browser extension game engine.

The Harlem Globetrotters Sign with IMG for Consumer Products Expansion in Preparation for its Centennial Celebration in 2026

The World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters – the originators of basketball style, captured by dynamic athletes with unmatched skills, have signed with licensing giant IMG to further develop the brand in anticipation of their 100th anniversary milestone in 2026, it was announced by Bruno Maglione, President of IMG’s licensing business and Keith Dawkins, President, Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios.