News Archives - Page 46 of 778

News

Character Arts Welcomes New Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Licensees in Advance of 60th Anniversary Celebration

Character Arts, LLC, the exclusive licensor for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all of the iconic characters from the beloved television special of the same name, announced that it has entered into licensing agreements with thirteen new companies to create and distribute a variety of must-have products featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in time for the 2024 holiday season. These licensees will join over 100 existing Rudolph licensees poised to celebrate 60 years on television with the most famous reindeer of all.

Tulipop Studios Announces Commission of Brand-New Seasonal Specials

Tulipop Studios, creator and owner of the award-winning Icelandic character-based IP, has been commissioned to produce Tulipop Seasons, three brand new 2D animated seasonal specials, by RÚV in Iceland, NRK in Norway, SVT in Sweden, DR in Denmark and Svenska YLE in Finland. The three x 30-minute episodes are aimed at children aged 4-6 and build on the success of the Tulipop franchise and its Tulipop Tales television series which has earned positive acclaim in both its domestic and international markets.

The Wiggles Appoint Luke O’Neill as New CEO to Lead Digital Transformation and Global Expansion

The Wiggles, the world’s premier children’s entertainment organization, is excited to announce the appointment of Luke O’Neill to the newly created position of Chief Executive Officer. This significant move marks the beginning of a new chapter in the illustrious 30-plus year history of The Wiggles, the beloved global icons renowned for their innovative and engaging children’s edutainment content. O’Neill boasts a proven track record in accelerating growth and leading digital transformations for top-tier companies in the Real Estate, Hospitality, and Events industries. He joins The Wiggles at a time when the media industry is undergoing further disruption with fragmentation of audiences through the expanding number of digital streaming services and FAST channels. Having worked as a consultant with The Wiggles since mid-2023, O’Neill has already played a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction for the brand’s future, leading the development of a new digital strategy, while refocusing efforts in consumer product licensing and sponsorship opportunities.

Playmobil Trailblazes by Integrating Plant-based Plastic Into its Entire Playmobil Junior Toddler Portfolio

At the beginning of 2024, Playmobil converted the production of all items in its toddler portfolio from traditional, fossil-based to plant-based materials. The toddler line is also receiving a new name and a new look. Playmobil 1.2.3 is now Playmobil Junior. The playsets under the new brand are made with plastics originating from raw materials that are at least 90% plant-based. The new plant-based plastics can be traced back to materials left over from food or paper production according to the mass balance approach used in the circular economy and based on the ISCC 208 standard. For the packaging, at least 90% recycled cardboard and 100% recycled paper are used. The change to sustainable materials is also accompanied by a relaunch of the packaging design. The first play sets will be available in February 2024. The entire product range is planned to be converted by the middle of the year.

The Pokémon Company and The Wand Company Launch New Line of Mini Poké Ball Replicas

Following the release of the fan-favorite range of Die-Cast Poké Ball Replicas, The Pokémon Company International and The Wand Company will be expanding the offering to include Mini Poké Ball Replicas. The first of five versions, the Mini Poké Ball Replica, will launch beginning in February 2024. Fans will have the opportunity to further expand their collections with the Mini Great Ball, Mini Ultra Ball, Mini Cherish Ball, and Mini Premier Ball as they are released throughout 2024.

Playview Brands Celebrates National Puzzle Day with a Tapestry of Enthralling Puzzles

Playview Brands, a toy company with an umbrella of jigsaw collections, is celebrating this National Puzzle Day by showcasing their continuously expanding portfolio of beloved and enthusiast-approved brands: KI Puzzles and Enigma Art Puzzles. Playview Brands welcomes puzzle lovers to enhance their leisure time and empower their minds with distinctive puzzle collections, where each piece narrates a unique story. By prioritizing quality and innovation, Playview Brands has elevated its two signature puzzle lines to prominence in the puzzle community, even on social media, successfully passing quality check trends such as the pickup challenge on platforms like TikTok.

DeAPlaneta Entertainment and Epic Story Media Partner to Distribute Preschool Coding Series ‘Mia & Codie’

DeAPlaneta Entertainment has signed a deal with Moody Studios and Epic Story Media to take European (except UK) and LATAM Media, Licensing & Digital rights for Mia & Codie – a ground-breaking, animated comedy, teaching kids pre-coding skills, created by two-time Emmy Award winner, Don Moody. Two seasons of the animated series are currently in production with 40 episodes x 4.5 minutes and commissioned in Canada with TVO, TFO and Knowledge Network. The series will also arrive in Israel, on HOP! Channel.

StoryToys & Sesame Workshop Introduce Sesame Street Mecha Builders App

StoryToys, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Team17 Group PLC and a leading creator of edutainment apps for kids, and Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, are thrilled to announce the global launch of the Sesame Street Mecha Builders app. Made for children aged 2 to 6, the app aims to nurture curiosity, inspire creativity, and foster a love of learning through play with fun adventures using Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Paldean Fates Expansion Launches, Marking Return of Shiny Pokémon

The Pokémon Company International released the latest expansion in the bestselling Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), Scarlet & Violet – Paldean Fates, available now at participating retailers worldwide, including Pokémon Center, the premier online destination for official Pokémon merchandise. Taking inspiration from the popular Hidden Fates and Shining Fates expansions, the Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates expansion marks the return of Shiny Pokémon to the Pokémon TCG and features Pokémon from the Paldea region. Trainers can collect and battle with more than 130 Shiny Pokémon, including Shiny Pikachu, Shiny Ceruledge, Shiny Tinkaton, Shiny Dondozo, Shiny Tatsugiri and more. In addition, the expansion introduces Shiny Tera Pokémon ex — featuring Charizard ex, Forretress ex and Espathra ex — as well as more Ancient and Future Pokémon ex.