TFE catches up with Brett Klisch, director of the Creative Factor and president of Peru MeridianStudios, about what attendees can expect from this year’s Creative Factor series at Toy Fair 2019.
What started as an interactive retail store experience in 2007 with the first Ridemakerz build-a-car workshop in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has successfully crossed over into the mass-market with the introduction of the Xtreme Customz product line this past holiday season. Now Ridemakerz is set to expand its line of Xtreme Customz further in 2013 with distribution at Target beginning this spring as well as the addition of new bodystyles plus stand-alone accessory kits.
Earlier this month, Miniclip.com, an online and mobile games company, entered into an exclusive agreement with Albie Hecht, CEO of Worldwide Biggies, to bring Miniclip’s top gaming properties to TV and the web. The partnership with Worldwide Biggies is part of a long-term global brand extension campaign that will leverage Miniclip’s online brand with consumers in a variety of ways. Hecht was responsible for the development and launch of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants, Kids’ Choice Awards, and Dora the Explorer. aNb Media spoke with Bergstresser about the company’s growth and future strategy.
For many years, Moose Toys’ product lines were distributed in the U.S. by other toy companies. Now Moose Toys is ready to make its own statement in the U.S. with the continued expansion of The Trash Pack product line and the introduction of Gelarti and The Fortune Cookie Maker as well as other brands.
Round 5 was recently named the master toy licensee for ZeptoLab’s best-selling app Cut the Rope. In partnership with Studio Licensing, Inc., and Established Brands, Inc., Round 5 earned the multi-year exclusive licensing agreement to manufacture and produce product across toy categories, including figures, plush, and playsets, that will reflect the brand and its candy-eating monster Om Nom. Round 5 will work with a major national retailer partner for a December launch in the U.S. with a full rollout set for spring 2013, across territories including Asia, South America, the U.S., as well as the UK and Australia.
The Major League Soccer season got underway this spring with the addition of the Montreal Impact. This comes on the heels of last year’s league additions of the Portland Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps. With each new team that’s added, soccer grows in popularity across the U.S. This low-cost, family-friendly sport is attracting crowds to new stadiums. These fans are looking for consumer products to purchase. Stuart Crystal, vice-president of consumer products for Major League Soccer, explains the growing fan base and the growing licensing program.
Licensing efforts for the UK animated preschool series Peppa Pig are ramping up as it prepares for its debut at retail in the U.S. this August. Peppa Pig currently airs daily at 12 p.m. EST on Nick Jr. and is created and produced by Astley Baker Davies (ABD) and distributed by E1 Kids, a division of Entertainment One (eOne).
Beginning July 27 and running through August 12, sports fans around the globe will turn their attention to London for the 2012 Summer Olympics. And whether you are rooting for your favorite swimmer, gymnast, volleyball player, or cyclists, all U.S. fans can don Team USA gear in support.
Kellogg Company recently appointed The Joester Loria Group (TJLG) as the exclusive licensing agency for the U.S. and Canada. The Joester Loria Group will develop and execute a strategic licensing program around key themes and trends relevant to each brand’s attributes.
Kellogg, a $13 billion company, boasts a wide portfolio of leading brands in cereal, snack and frozen foods. The Joester Loria Group will be representing brands including Apple Jacks, Cheez-It, Eggo, Froot Loops, Honey Smacks, Keebler, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Special K, Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Frosted Mini–Wheats, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, and Rice Krispies in addition to its archive of classic advertising art and characters such as Tony the Tiger, Snap, Crackle and Pop, Toucan Sam, The Keebler Elves, and original Kellogg artwork by American artists such as Norman Rockwell.