Nelvana and Spin Master Develop New Preschool Series Little Charmers
Nelvana Enterprises and Spin Master Ltd. announced they will co-develop the animated series Little Charmers, which will debut on Treehouse in Canada and Nickelodeon in territories worldwide beginning in early 2015.
The series stars Hazel, a fearless and spirited go-getter, who is on her way to becoming a full-fledged Charmer in the whimsical land of Charmville. Along with her friends Lavender and Posie, Hazel embarks on spellbinding adventures that always stir up funny debacles and get the friends using their imaginations and teamwork to fix magical mishaps.
The 80 x 11-minute CGI-animated series is targeted to girls ages 2–7. Nelvana Studio will produce the animated series, and Spin Master will develop and manufacture a multi-faceted toy line, including dolls, playsets, apparel, and accessories, to roll out at mass retail in fall 2015.
Cartoon Network Partners with Brandberry for Robot Chicken
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the licensing and merchandising division of Adult Swim and Cartoon Network, announced a new partnership with Brandberry for Robot Chicken, which will expand the licensing program for the Emmy Award-winning stop-motion Adult Swim series. Brandberry will use its creative strength and branding vision while working alongside CNE and series creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich to develop a new licensing approach for the franchise that will cross a range of relevant product categories including toys, apparel, home goods, publishing, costumes/roleplay, and more.
NFLPI Announces Playmaker Challenge
NFL Players Inc., (NFLPI) announced its Playmaker Challenge, a new competition for toy developers from the marketing and licensing arm of the NFL Players Association. NFLPI will undertake its biggest search ever for the most creative toy product ideas featuring active NFL players that will appeal to children ages 8 and younger.
The competition runs now through Dec. 19, 2014. NFLPI is accepting applications for toy concepts through the www.nflpa.com/playmaker microsite. New York Jets linebacker Quinton Coples filmed an exclusive video to promote the challenge. To be considered, new toy ideas must feature the unique intellectual property assets licensed only by NFLPI, including names, uniform numbers, signatures, nicknames, images, and likenesses for more than 1,800 active NFL players. A committee will review submissions and invite three finalists to present their concepts to the NFLPI committee Jan. 4–Feb. 13, 2015. The winner will be announced at the American International Toy Fair in New York City, Feb. 14–17.
The grand prize winner will receive an NFLPI-issued license, an NFL player promotional appearance at the Toy Fair booth, and $10,000 toward player marketing, which can be used on retail partnerships, social media activation, and/or player appearances. Additionally, NFLPI will work with the winner and retail launch partner to donate a quantity of the newly licensed toy(s) to a pre-determined children’s charity.
K’NEX Donates Proceeds to Autism Speaks
K’NEX Brands announced a fundraising initiative benefiting Autism Speaks. During the months of October, November, and December, K’NEX will donate 10 percent of all net proceeds from knex.com directly to the organization, whose goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. This partnership allows K’NEX to support Autism Speaks’ research and advocacy initiatives. Ten percent of the net proceeds from every completed sale made on knex.com during the period of Oct. 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2014, will be donated directly to Autism Speaks. Donations can also be made directly to Autism Speaks without the purchase of a product at http://bit.ly/as-knex.
Hasbro Studios Names Global Agency as Worldwide Distribution Agent
Hasbro Studios, the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Hasbro, Inc., named Global Agency as its exclusive international sales agent for format rights to Family Game Night and its other well-known game shows Game of Life, Boggle Showdown, and Pictureka!
WIT and LIMA Seminar to Explore Digital Marketing Strategies
The Canadian chapter of Women In Toys (WIT) and Licensing Industry Merchandiser’s Association (LIMA), the global trade association for the licensing industry, will host an educational event in Toronto “How to Define & Reach Your Audience in a Digital Age” on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. at the Nelvana offices in the Corus Quay building located on Toronto’s waterfront. Lana Castleman, editor of Kidscreen, will moderate, and other speakers include Andrew Kerr, co-head, Nelvana Enterprises; Leah McNab, director of marketing and retail partnerships, NBA Canada; and Donna MacNeil, social media expert. Following the panel discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to network with licensing colleagues from around Canada over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 6:00–8:00 p.m. The cost is $50 per person for LIMA and WIT members and $65 for non-members. To register and for more information, visit www.licensing.org.