Nitro Circus Rolls Into New Territories
Nitro Circus, the global action sports entertainment company, has tapped two new licensing agencies to launch a range of new consumer products in several European markets: License Connection in the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) and The Licensing Locomotive in Spain, Portugal, and Central Eastern Europe.
This news adds to Nitro Circus’ licensing push over the past 18 months across a variety of sectors. The company has already partnered with agencies in the UK and Ireland (Lisle International), Australia and New Zealand (Velocity Brand Management), Canada (Branding Streams), and Mexico (Versa Licensing). Nitro Circus has also signed direct-to-retail agreements with Blue Inc. in the UK and The Warehouse in New Zealand. Nitro Circus will continue to roll out an expansive collection of soft lines and hard goods worldwide, including apparel; sporting goods; toys; bikes, scooters, and other ride-on products; video games; and more. Looking further ahead, Nitro Circus is pursuing emerging opportunities with skill-based casino gaming and virtual reality amusement park rides and experiences.
PJ Masks Signs New U.S., Canadian Partners
Entertainment One(eOne) has appointed a variety of new partners to produce PJ Masks products across a range of toy and seasonal categories.
Joining the PJ Masks roster of licensees in the U.S. are Little Kids (bubble toys), Playhut (play tents), Swimways (water toys), and What Kids Want (novelty seasonal toys).
New PJ Masks licensees for the U.S. and Canadian markets include First Act (musical instruments), Jazwares (consumer electronics), LeapFrog (ELAs) and Tech 4 Kids (novelty lighting products).
The latest introductions are set to start arriving at retail before the Easter holiday in April. Just Play continues its role as master toy licensee for the brand in both countries with new and expanding lines releasing in 2017.
Nelvana Announces New Shopkins Sub-Agents, Partners
Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Enterprises, the sales, brand management and consumer products division of Nelvana, has extended the reach of the Shopkins licensing program to fans in Russia, the Middle East, and Scandinavia through a range of new partnerships.
Megalicense International (the brand’s sub-agent for Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Ukraine, and the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) has signed new licensees for Russia, including AST Origami (board games, arts and crafts), AST Publishing (magazines), Perfetti (chocolate balls), Tarna Rosman (plush, party goods, art and crafts, stationery), and Unitoys (card games).
In the Middle East, Nelvana, in partnership with Moose Toys, has appointed 20too Licensing as its agent for Shopkins. Toys are distributed in the region by Rochas, and new licensees introducing product for spring 2017 include Developing Dreamz (stationery), MEI (events, meet & greets), Sapphire (confectionery, travel accessories), and Vibrant Global (personal care, home textiles, fashion accessories).
Nelvana is also expanding the Shopkins brand to Scandinavia through its newly appointed agent, Alicom. Ravensburger, which already produces Shopkins product for France, Italy and Spain, is extending its coverage area to include Scandinavia. Proxy continues as Nelvana’s toy distributor in Scandinavia.
Nelvana agent Planeta Junior, which represents Shopkins in Turkey, has secured licensing deals for the property with Gizzy (puzzles) and Mad Event (meet and greets).