Sony Unveils Expansive 360 Program for Men in Black, is Tapped to Spearhead Goosebumps Licensing
Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP) is developing another comprehensive 360-degree program for the Men in Black franchise. The new program will include the classic franchise and the studio’s new Men in Black spin-off. The new film is tentatively set to release June 14, 2019 in the U.S. and F. Gary Gray (The Fate of the Furious and Straight Outta Compton) is on board to direct.
SPCP’s first wave of new deals with top licensees include FUNKO, Titan Publishing, Bioworld, and Changes.
FUNKO will create a product line that includes brand-new vinyl POP figures based on the classic Men in Black film characters ahead of the new film. This is the first time that FUNKO has produced product for Men in Black. Later, they will roll-out a program based on the new film to coincide with the new release.
As SPCP’s master publishing licensee for Men in Black, Titan Publishing will craft a coffee table book that covers all three classic films plus the all-new film. The coffee table book will showcase behind-the-scenes material, never-before-seen photos, illustrations, interviews, and more. Titan Publishing will also release a novelization of the new film slated to run prior to the film’s release.
Bioworld and Changes will offer classic MIB product that will debut this fall. A full apparel program based on the new film will also be available for licensing.
Scholastic has also appointed Sony Pictures Consumer Products as the official agent for Goosebumps. Together, the companies revealed the initial list of seven confirmed licensees for the Goosebumps franchise as the consumer products program is set to roll-out with the second film, Goosebumps: Haunted Halloween.
SPCP is also representing the licensing efforts for the films. The new film is currently scheduled to release on October 12, 2018. Additional deals are in discussion and will be announced at a later date.
Scholastic will publish two official movie tie-in books for retail and school book clubs and fairs.
Changes will offer men’s and women’s apparel, while Bioworld, Mad Engine, KJMC Sportswear California, Philcos Enterpriser Ltd. (Canada) are also onboard for men’s , women’s, and kids’ apparel, accessories, as well as desktop items (Bioworld).
Zinc International Limited will create in-cinema concession stands.
Activision Blizzard Taps Hasbro as Overwatch Master Toy, Digs into Merchandise Programs
Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group (ABCPG) arrives at Licensing Expo 2018 (booth U202)with a loaded roster of licensing and retail partners. A year into the group’s formation, ABCPG is successfully delivering against the company’s franchises, including Blizzard’s Overwatch and Activision’s Call of Duty, among others.
The merchandising program for Overwatch is significantly expanding. Hasbro was named the master toy for the franchise with plans for a wide range of play experiences including a Nerf product line, games, and more. Additionally, LEGO Group plans for multiple Overwatch building sets across various price points. Overwatch is also among the Blizzard Entertainment properties featured in an exclusive apparel line from UNIQLO as part of its Spring/Summer 2018 collection that launched globally on May 18.
The Call of Duty franchise continues to realize success, and Activision is poised to have the largest merchandising program to date based on product category and global expansion. This year Black Ops is back. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is scheduled for release on October 12, lending itself to new categories including collectibles and allowing for a richer assortment of assets to support the game experience. Design agency PowerStation Studios is bringing new creative to life that’s expanding the depth and breadth of the program and supporting partners across various international markets.
Activision Blizzard is at the forefront of esports competitive gaming with the Call of Duty World League, MLG Network and the Overwatch League, the first major global professional esports league with city-based teams. An apparel line is at the center of the merchandising program. ABCPG is currently seeking best-in-class partners across all product categories to explore licensing and merchandising prospects targeting a new era of fans.
“Since debuting at last year’s Licensing Expo, we’ve begun to successfully realize our vision of offering more value and more opportunities for our global licensing and retail partners by leveraging the blockbuster franchises that Activision and Blizzard have created and expanded over many years of dedicated development,” says Tim Kilpin, CEO and president, ABCPG. “For our hundreds of millions of players around the world, we’re working hard to build lasting global franchises that they can connect with across game platforms and through esports and vibrant transmedia story content. We are well positioned to continue playing a leading role in shaping the future of entertainment.”
Nickelodeon’s New ‘Double Dare’ to Premiere This June
Double Dare, the Nickelodeon game show will return to primetime this summer on Monday, June 25, 8 p.m. ET/PT. Digital creator and actress Liza Koshy will host the all-new version of Double Dare, in which a new generation of fans will compete in competitions. Original series host Marc Summers will also return to provide commentary each episode.
Double Dare features two teams competing to win prizes by answering brain-bending trivia questions, completing messy physical stunts and ultimately facing the legendary obstacle course–the human hamster wheel, the classic gigantic mouth, the wringer, the iconic Double Dare nose and more.
Nickelodeon’s new Double Dare will also spill off of the screen and into the real world this summer with forthcoming location-based live experiences. There will be opportunities for fans to play Double Dare in on-the-ground versions at VidCon 2018 in Anaheim, Calif., and all summer long at Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America in Minneapolis.
Double Dare premiered on October 6, 1986, on Nickelodeon, and ran from 1986–1993, making it the network’s longest running game show. Marc Summers served as the show’s original host from 1986-1993. The series went into syndication in 1988, and was later revived as Super Sloppy Double Dare in 1989. The show also ran on broadcast television as Family Double Dare in 1988, followed by new versions on Nick, including Double Dare 2000.
Double Dare is produced for Nickelodeon by FremantleMedia North America. Marc Summers is Executive Producer. Liza Koshy is Executive Producer. Peter Herschko and Josh Silberman will serve as Executive Producers.
Peeko Named Global Agent for ZooMoo Network
Blue Ant Media, an international content producer, distributor and channel operator, has named Peeko LLC as its global licensing agent for its international children’s nature television network, ZooMoo and its marquee kids programming.
As part of this partnership, Peeko will develop licensing programs for the network’s leading entertainment and interactive properties, including Teddies and ZooMoo Wild Friends. The deal will also include Blue Ant Media’s nature-themed mobile game Flutter, created by the company’s New Zealand based gaming arm, Runaway Play. Peeko will seek licensees in product categories such as apparel, publishing, toys and games, as well as strategic sub-agents in select regions.
ZooMoo Networks is an interactive, children’s nature broadcaster with television channels in multiple territories including: Mexico, Latin America, Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Maldives, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. ZooMoo Networks is a joint venture with DirectTV Latin America, an AT&T company, which holds a 30 percent stake in the company. The business’ television programming is comprised of more than 500 hours of original content, combining spectacular wildlife footage with puppetry, animations and narration to create a unique viewing and learning experience for preschool viewers, ages 2-7.
Founded in 2010, Runaway Play is an independent mobile game developer and publisher, based in Dunedin, New Zealand, that builds games inspired by wildlife and nature. The business now owns and operates three mobile games: Flutter, Splash and Starlight as well as Flutter VR, a mobile VR created for Daydream by Google.
Beanstalk, Tinderbox Onboard New Clients
Beanstalk added new client roster ahead of Licensing Expo, including American Cancer Society and Taco Bell. Beanstalk’s digital division, Tinderbox, also added the world’s largest esports company, Electronic Sports League (ESL), and expanded its relationship with current client, Activision, by adding Crash Bandicoot and Spyro to its portfolio of digital properties.
The American Cancer Society selected Beanstalk to represent the brand and to develop and launch a seal-of-approval licensing program that will further the organization’s efforts to spread the word about preventing cancer. Through licensing partnerships with manufacturers of consumer products that promote health and wellness and support cancer patients, survivors and caregivers, the seal aims to inform consumers of products that help prevent cancer and increase awareness of the organization’s breadth of services, specifically research, prevention/detection, cancer care access/support and public policy advocacy. Beanstalk will identify partners in categories including sunscreen, cosmetics with SPF, UPF suncare apparel and accessories, UV protectant sunglasses, UV protectant window film and glass, and smoking cessation/nicotine replacement therapy products.
Beanstalk will represent the Taco Bell brand to develop a lifestyle licensing program across a range of categories.
Tinderbox, the digital division of leading global brand extension agency Beanstalk, has been appointed to represent ESL, the world’s largest esports company, for licensing opportunities in North America and Europe. Tinderbox will support ESL by developing a consumer products program that leverages the massive popularity of esports and further connects fans to one of the fastest growing spectator sports in the world. Tinderbox will actively pursue opportunities in the lifestyle and consumer electronics sectors, including apparel, fashion accessories, gift and novelty, consumer peripherals, audio and gaming accessories.
Activision has extended its partnership with Tinderbox, the digital division of Beanstalk, beyond Call of Duty by appointing the agency to represent its video game franchises Crash Bandicoot and Spyro for licensing in Europe. Tinderbox will actively pursue licensing opportunities for the brand across multiple categories including collectibles, apparel, fashion accessories, gift and novelty, consumer electronics, and home décor and more. Following the success of the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, the agency will leverage the franchise’s retro appeal with existing fans while also creating new touchpoints for its new audience. The return of Spyro this year brings added opportunities to engage fans.
King Features Announces Expanded Retail Program for Cuphead
Studio MDHR’s Cuphead game heads into retail with a robust slate of new product lines. King Features Syndicate, official licensor of the property, announced an expanded merchandising program for the award-winning game featuring new apparel, accessories, costumes, home décor, and more.
Building upon an initial lineup of Cuphead merchandise —from Funko, Accutime, Fifth Sun, Dark Horse Comics, Underboss, and Just Funky— new product lines will begin to roll out at retail now and continue throughout the year.
Cuphead players worldwide will soon find both novelty and traditional sunglasses for kids and adults from Sunstaches. Artovision is also launching a collection of Cuphead-inspired shadowbox art, desktop art, and postcards, available worldwide. In Canada, Cuphead fans can get activewear, sleepwear, and swimwear from NTD Apparel for adults and kids featuring two fan-favorite gaming heroes. In the U.S., fans can deck out their electronics with Cuphead skins for consoles, controllers, charging stands, and more from Marketing Instincts, Inc. Hypnotic Hats will launch a collection of socks and hosiery in the U.S. and Canada. For Halloween 2018, elope, Inc. will also debute costumes, cold weather accessories, socks, and jewelry for kids and adults inspired by Cuphead’s hand-drawn artwork.