WowWee Names Striker as Fingerlings’ Worldwide Agent
WowWee retained Striker Entertainment to serve as the worldwide licensing agency on behalf of Fingerlings, WowWee’s hit collectible toy line. Hailed a top toy of the holidays this season by Toys ‘R Us, Walmart and Amazon, Fingerlings are interactive toys that cling to a child’s finger and go wherever they go. The characters react to sound, motion, and touch with more than 40 animations. Striker will work with WowWee to develop and implement a worldwide licensing strategy to expand on the growing consumer interest and retail demand for additional consumer products categories.
Jakks Inks Master Toy Deal for Disney/Pixar’s ‘Incredibles 2’
Jakks Pacific entered into a multi-year, global master toy licensing deal with Disney Consumer Products for Disney/Pixar’s Incredibles 2. The deal also includes master toy rights for the 2004 film The Incredibles.
Under the terms of the worldwide agreement, Jakks will manufacture, market, and distribute action figures and accessories, including mini-figures and collectible figures; playsets; interactive toys; preschool toys; roleplay and dress-up accessories; novelty toys; R/C toy vehicles; and toy vehicles, including diecast and plastic.
Incredibles 2 is the follow-up to the 2004 animated feature film The Incredibles, about the adventures of a family with superpowers. The original film grossed more than $600 million worldwide during its original theatrical run and won two Academy Awards.
Tucker Toys, Family Games America Enter Distribution Agreement
Tucker Toys reached a distribution deal with Family Games America (FGA). Under the terms of the agreement, FGA will help Tucker Toy to meet an increasing demand of select Tucker Toy-branded lines at retail in the U.S. and Canada, expanding product offerings to various channels as well as direct-to-consumer fulfillment.
Starting immediately, FGA becomes the distributor for some of Tucker Toys’ top-selling brands, including E-Z Grip Soccer, Football, Playball, Junior Balls, Slam ‘n Bounce Paddle Set, Cling-It!, and Flexi Disc as well as its Trick Shot Sports action toys, the new Crush-It! Bat with Curve Ball, and Z-B Freestyle Board.
The announcement follows Tucker Toy’s recent 2017 Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Award, which recognizes New Jersey’s most successful middle market corporate growth and innovative companies.
Zing’s Stikbot Adds Licensees
The Joester Loria Group, the exclusive licensing agent for Zing’s Stikbot, announced its first set of licensees for the brand, which will cover the categories of toys, bedding, and apparel. Basic Fun will release Stikbot plush and figural stretch toys which may include sound, construction, and roleplay items. Hybrid Apparel will roll out T-shirts and tops for girls, boys, and young men. Product will be available in the U.S. and Canada.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Enters Book Deal
Cottage Door Press is developing a range of electronic sound books for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. The indie publisher specializing in high-quality children’s books will introduce a range of interactive board books featuring audio from the preschool series. The book is expected to hit retail for fall 2018. The deal was brokered by Out of the Blue Enterprises on behalf of The Fred Roger Company.
King Features to Rep CUPHEAD
Cuphead, the video game, has entered into a licensing representation agreement with King Features. Under the terms of the agreement, The New York-based Hearst unit reveals the initial lineup of licensees to support the launch of the StudioMDHR game, which launched exclusively on console for Xbox One as well as Windows 10 PC, Steam, and GOG.
The classic Fleischer Studios animation-inspired look of the Cuphead game and its characters will soon appear on collectibles, digital products, and apparel as well as limited-edition art prints.
Funko will offer a full range of collectibles, including vinyl toys, plush, apparel, and digital products. The vinyl collectibles will be revealed in a New York Comic Con Exclusive two-pack. Fifth Sun is on board for apparel, loungewear, and activewear, while Bottleneck Gallery will produce limited-edition art prints based on the game. Additional licensee announcements are expected.
Macmillan To Launch Mysticons Publishing Program
Nelvana, a Corus Entertainment company announced its exclusive partnership agreement with Macmillan Publishers and Imprint, a division of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, to publish a series of novels based on Nelvana’s original animated series, Mysticons.
Imprint’s publishing program will launch June 2018 and will feature both novelizations of existing episodes and original middle-grade novels. The first two titles in the series are Quest for the Codex and The Fifth Mysticon.