Uplift Games and WowWee are announcing a new global licensing partnership to bring digital pets to life in the real world with the all new Adopt Me! x Fingerlings. Debuting at the 2024 Licensing Expo in the Uplift Games booth, the line features two must-have pets from the worldwide phenomenon Adopt Me! game.
Licensing International, the leading trade association for the $356+ billion global brand licensing industry, has released an executive summary of its 2024 Global Licensing Industry Study. The study shows the continued worldwide sales growth of licensed products and services across categories including fashion, entertainment, music, location-based entertainment, sports, and more. This year’s Global Licensing Industry Study will be published later this summer and was conducted by third-party research firm Brandar Consulting, LLC.
Moonbug Entertainment, part of Candle Media, has unveiled new collaborations for its blockbuster CoComelon brand, deepening and expanding the show’s special connection to fans around the world. Moonbug announced its first Cocomelon co-branded magazine partnership in North America with the iconic children’s publication Highlights Magazine, a brand well-recognized among generations of parents across its 78-year history. Highlights and CoComelon will team up to launch Highlights CoComelon, a new monthly magazine available by subscription for kids ages 1-4. The first issue will be its September issue, out August 2024.
Kidazzle, a new toy company founded by industry veterans Steve Rosenthal, Don Robbins, and Jeff Jones, proudly launches with the acquisition as master toy licensee for Iyanu, Lion Forge Entertainment’s highly anticipated superhero animated series set to premiere on Cartoon Network and Max. Iyanu is an adaptation of Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios’ popular graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder by award-winning Nigerian creator and producer Roye Okupe and is steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology.
Konami Cross Media NY, Inc’s Vice President of Licensing and Marketing Jennifer Coleman, who oversees the franchise’s licensing program, has confirmed two new publishing agreements for the Yu-GI-Oh! IP. In a move to bring publishing into the mass market for Yu-Gi-Oh!, Konami Cross Media NY has partnered with Landoll Publishing, a market leader to produce Yu-Gi-Oh! Inspired, high-quality coloring books and storybooks as well as sticker, puzzle and educational activity books. The Yu-Gi-Oh! publishing line is now available across U.S. and Canadian outlets.
ADK Emotions NY Inc and T-Licensing Inc is showcasing the highly-anticipated new Beyblade X series at Licensing Expo 2024. After a successful premiere in Asian territories in 2023, Beyblade X will launch globally this year, featuring new animation and a new line of toys for Beyblade fans to enjoy during the brand’s 25th Anniversary. Potential licensees are invited to visit the Beyblade Booth at Licensing Expo, Booth #U245, to discover the world of Beyblade, preview the newest Beyblade X toys from Hasbro and watch sneak peeks of the new animated series.
Jazwares, a leading global toy company, has entered into a multiyear global toy licensing agreement with cutting-edge entertainment company Scottgames, LLC to produce a toy line inspired by the survival horror video game & film franchise, Five Nights at Freddy’s. Building off of the immersive settings and characters from the gaming & film franchise, Jazwares’ Five Nights at Freddy’s portfolio will expand on the fictional world like never before through must-have toy products across numerous categories including pet.
Independent kids content creation company Epic Storyworlds – founded by seasoned children’s entertainment executives Steve Couture and Ken Faier and a sister company to Faier’s Epic Story Media – has acquired the full original IP catalogue from Frima, the prominent video game studio based in Québec. Under the deal, Epic Storyworlds now holds the rights to Frima’s full line-up of over original 20 brands, including Chariot, Nun Attack, Fated, Galaxseeds, Zombie Tycoon and Cosmo Camp. Couture was the Co-Founder of Frima, and served as the company’s CEO for almost 15 years.
Mattel, Inc (NASDAQ: MAT), a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Outright Games, the leading publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment. The partnership begins with three new games for all consoles and PC slated for release before the end of this year: Matchbox Driving Adventures, Monster High: Skulltimate Secrets, and Barbie Project Friendship.