Zing Signs JLG as Stikbot’s AOR
The Joester Loria Group (JLG) was appointed by Zing, maker of the Stikbot brand stop-motion animation toys, as its exclusive licensing agent of record in the U.S. and Canada. Stikbot is a $100 million brand. Its YouTube channel boasts nearly 600,000 subscribers. Launched in 2015, Stikbot drove 1 billion impressions in 2016.
“With over 100,000 fan-made Stikbot animations uploaded to social media, Stikbot boasts one of the most engaged community of ‘makers’ and online fans,” says Josh Loerzel, vice-president sales and marketing at Zing. “This brand resonates with what kids are doing now and how they’re communicating with each other on social media. With JLG’s experience, we’re looking forward to introducing cool new product extensions to Stikbot fans and customers next year.”
The Joester Loria Group will implement a strategic merchandising and licensing program aligned with the Stikbot brand. The program will include merchandise that extends Stikbot and storylines from Stikbot animations into new categories that include R/C vehicles and take-along Stikbot characters, graphic novels that build on the most popular Stikbot series, audio and electronic accessories for Stikbot fans, as well as apparel, home décor, Halloween costumes, and food.
PlayMonster Acquires Marbleocity
PlayMonster announced the acquisition of Marbleocity, a line of laser-cut wooden STEM kits created by Tinkineer and made in America. The intricate designs of each module stand alone or fit together to form an expansive marble empire. There are four sets currently available and more on the way. Founder of Tinkineer, Adam Hocherman, has also taken on the new role of PlayMonster’s vice-president of new business.
“There are so many STEM concepts being introduced this year, but what really impressed us about Marbleocity was its unique combination of teaching STEM skills and providing great entertainment value for kids, so that they learn while having fun,” says Bob Wann, CEO of PlayMonster.
“We designed the Marbleocity line to be a satisfying and fun building experience,” says Hocherman. “Each set includes a graphic novel designed to communicate meaningful STEM concepts in an engaging format. Our cast of Tinkineers—Kevin, Joule, Newt and friends—come together in each story to teach a physics or mechanics lesson that children can understand and that relates to the model they are building.”
Nelvana Named PJ Masks’ Exclusive Licensing, Branding Agent
Entertainment One (eOne) has tapped Nelvana Enterprises, the sales, brand management and consumer products division of Corus Entertainment, as exclusive licensing and branding agent in Canada for PJ Masks. The multi-year deal encompasses a cross-category licensing initiative that will feature a wide-ranging, mass-market consumer products program based on the animated preschool TV series, which airs daily on Disney Junior and La Chaine Disney in Canada. Nelvana also serves as exclusive licensing agent in Canada for eOne’s preschool series Peppa Pig.
The new partnership between eOne and Nelvana has already produced licensing deals, including Just Play as global master toy partner. Other partners to deliver PJ Masks product to retailers across Canada, include: Amscan (party goods), Disguise (Halloween), Franco Manufacturing (bedding and bath), Heys (backpacks, lunch bags, luggage), JCorp (apparel and swimwear), Jellifish (sleepwear), and Simon & Schuster (publishing).
Produced by eOne and Frog Box, in collaboration with the French animation studio TeamTO, along with Disney Junior and France 5, PJ Masks is based on French author Romuald Racioppo’s popular picture book series Les Pyjamasques. By day, 6-year-olds Connor, Amaya, and Greg go to school like kids everywhere. But when they put on their pajamas and activate their animal amulets, the crime-fighters magically transform into their dynamic superhero alter egos and become the PJ Masks: Catboy, super-fast and agile; Gekko, super strong and able to scale walls; and Owlette, with the power to fly and see great distances. In each episode, the three heroes embark on exciting adventures and work together to solve mysteries and learn valuable lessons along the way.
Nick Picks Up ‘Massive Monster Mayhem’
Nickelodeon has licensed 20 half-hour episodes of DHX Media’s Massive Monster Mayhem, an original show for kids 6–11 that combines live action and CGI-animation with real competition and comedy. The series is scheduled to premiere later this year.
Co-created by Artur Spigel and Michael Chaves and produced by DHX Media, Massive Monster Mayhem is a sci-fi competition series, featuring live gameplay by kids in futuristic challenges against gigantic Monster Superstars for the chance to win prizes and save the planet from destruction.
Each episode features three real-life kid heroes competing in a gauntlet of Intergalactic Battle Alliance challenges to become Earth’s champion and face off against Master Mayhem’s league of monsters in the ultimate “Monster Mashdown.” The series combines cutting-edge, real-time CGI and pre-visualization technology.
Massive Monster Mayhem has been picked up by Nickelodeon in the U.S. and by DHX Television’s Family Channel for broadcast in Canada. Global distribution will be handled by DHX Media. DHX Brands will manage the consumer products licensing for Massive Monster Mayhem.
Rubie’s to Launch Hatchimals Costume Collection
Rubie’s Costume Company has partnered with Spin Master to produce the official licensed Hatchimal Costume Collection.
Available in child sizes extra small, small and medium, the Hatchimals Collection will feature hatched and ready-to-hatch Pengualas or Draggles characters. Each costume is designed with plush fabrics and specific coloring replicating the traits of the Pengualas and Draggles. In addition, Imagine by Rubie’s offers dress-up costumes and accessories for children in separates and boxed sets.
“We are always inspired by toys with unique attributes as they translate well into costumes,” says Howard Beige, Rubie’s executive vice-president. “Hatchimals are cute, colorful and encourage a child’s imagination. Creating a line of costumes to compliment the brand was an obvious choice. With their incredible, global popularity, Hatchimals will be a fun and egg-citing addition to our Halloween costume offerings.”
Spotlight Licensing to Rep The Ollie & Moon Show
Spotlight Licensing and Brand Management, Inc. has been appointed by Paris-based Cottonwood Media to represent the animated preschool television series The Ollie & Moon Show for licensing in the U.S. and Canada.
The Ollie & Moon Show is an animated, upper-preschool television series celebrating unusual friendships, curiosity, and appreciating the differences in all of us. The series stars two cats—the carefree, adventurous, and happy-go-lucky moon along with the practical, straight-laced, by-the-book Ollie— who have a knack for spinning everyday preschool life into zany globetrotting adventures.
The television series is based on the best-selling Ollie & Moon books created by author and illustrator Diane Kredensor. Kredensor, who serves as creative producer for The Ollie & Moon Show, is an Emmy Award-winning artist, director and producer whose credits include Pinky and the Brain and Clifford the Big Red Dog among others. The show was developed in collaboration with Kredensor by Robert Vargas (Wonderpets, Henry Hugglemonster), and David Michel (Totally Spies!, Get Blake).
The Ollie & Moon Show has already been picked up in more than 160 territories worldwide and airs in the U.S. on Sprout beginning May 27. The Ollie & Moon Show will also be available for streaming via Netflix beginning in February 2018. In Canada, The Ollie & Moon Show airs on TVO and Knowledge.
Spotlight Licensing and Brand Management will be exhibiting the property at booth A196 during Licensing Expo later this month.
Destiny 2 Expands Licensing Program
Bungie, in collaboration with Activision, will expand the Destiny 2 video game franchise through new and existing licensee partners for Destiny 2’s merchandising program.
Bungie has partnered with Funko to bring Destiny’s story characters to life in Pop! Vinyl form. This August, consumers can collect iconic characters from the Destiny 2 universe including Cayde-6, Ikora Rey, and Commander Zavala with other supporting characters at select retailers.
Destiny 2’s availability on PC for the first time also presents a strategic partnership opportunity with Razer featuring a product suite of gaming peripherals: the Razer Ornata Chroma keyboard, the Razer ManO’ War Tournament Edition headset, the Razer DeathAdder Elite mouse, and the Razer Goliathus Speed mouse mat.
Other Bungie licensee partnerships include, BioWorld (Apparel), KontrolFreek (Performance Thumbsticks for Gaming Controllers), Insight Editions (Art Books, Journals and Poster Books), Mattel – MEGA Construx (Construction Sets), McFarlane Toys (Action Figures and Collectibles), Think Geek (Accessories and Collectibles), ThreeA (Collectible Figures), and RockLove (Jewelry).
Partner brands will make an appearance at the Destiny 2 Gameplay Premiere taking place on May 18 in Los Angeles.
Destiny 2’s merchandising program continues to grow and evolve the franchise’s legacy while offering consumers new, exciting extensions to the universe beyond console and PC in key categories, including Apparel, Electronics and Accessories.
Dragon Ball Franchise Signs New Licensing Deals
Toei Animation Inc. and Funimation Entertainment announced new and renewed license agreements for the Dragon Ball franchise. These agreements with multiple partners in a variety of merchandise categories encompass both the Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Z anime series. Dragon Ball Super, the first new storyline from original creator Akira Toriyama in more than 18 years, began airing in January on North American cable television and garnered more than one million viewers for its premiere episode.
This latest round of Dragon Ball licensing agreements follows an earlier series of apparel agreements with Bioworld, Great Eastern Entertainment, and JCorp. Licensed merchandise included in today’s announcement will be available in a variety of retailers across the U.S. and Canada. Toei Animation and Funimation are actively seeking additional licensing partners including mass-market distributors for Dragon Ball Super-themed merchandise in several categories including bags, headwear, bedding, and underwear.
Bandai, master toy licensee for the Dragon Ball franchise, will release a new line of Dragon Ball Super toys starting in fall. Calendar Holdings will produce a new series of themed calendars based on Dragon Ball Super. DigitalSoaps will create a series of highly detailed soaps based on Dragon Ball Z. Everything Legwear will produce a new themed collection of socks based on Dragon Ball Super. FUN.com will continue producing its collection costumes, wigs, masks, and accessories based on characters from Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. Funko will create a new collection of characters from the Dragon Ball franchise. Great Eastern Entertainment will create a new collection of accessories based on Dragon Ball Super. IDW Publishing will create a new collection of themed non-collectible board, tile-laying games as well as dice games based on Dragon Ball Z. Just Toys International will create new collections of themed plush clips, plush figures, and mini posters based on Dragon Ball Super as well as themed plush clips and plush figures based on Dragon Ball Z. Rabbit Tanaka will continue producing themed wall décor, lighting, clocks, dartboards, pool cue sticks, and rotational molded banks based on Dragon Ball Z. Surreal Entertainment will continue producing themed home goods, auto accessories, coin banks, game dice, and desktop accessories based on Dragon Ball Z. Trends International will produce a new collection of themed posters in a variety of sizes based on Dragon Ball Super.
Beanstalk Appointed Brand Extension Agency for Yildiz Holding Brands
Global food company Yildiz Holding has appointed Beanstalk as its exclusive brand extension agency for the Godiva, McVitie’s, FLIPZ, and TURTLES brands in key strategic territories. Beanstalk will represent Godiva in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, and China markets; McVitie’s in Europe; and FLIPZ and TURTLES in North America. Beanstalk will seek new opportunities for the brands across close-to-core food categories including beverages, desserts, ice cream, baked goods, snacks and baking products, as well as gifting, bakeware, housewares and publishing, among other categories. Beanstalk will also seek in-restaurant partnerships that would feature the brands on menu items.