Tencent, Age of Learning Team for ABCmouse English Launch in China
Tencent and Age of Learning launched a new ABCmouse English learning program in China.
Age of Learning’s team of child development and language learning experts created the ABCmouse English learning curriculum, currently comprised of learning activities organized into hundreds of lessons and a structured learning path, based on extensive research on second-language acquisition. Tencent has integrated this curriculum into a new ABCmouse mobile application and website, and is responsible for product development, marketing, sales, and customer support.
Closely collaborating with Age of Learning, Tencent localized the ABCmouse program for China, including integration of ABCmouse with QQ, China’s leading instant messaging platform serving 783 million monthly active users, and with WeChat / Weixin, China’s leading social network and content platform serving more than a billion monthly active users. As part of the extensive localization effort, ABC Mouse, the animated mouse who guides children through the English learning program, was redesigned specifically for the China market.
The ABCmouse English learning curriculum is designed for children ages 3–8, teaching English as a second language in the same sequence as their native language: listening and understanding, speaking, phonics and reading, and then writing. Lessons include instructional animations featuring an English teacher and six children in an international school setting, along with more than 5,000 interactive English learning activities including games, songs, puzzles, art activities, and books. Speech recognition technology has also been incorporated into the newly designed product, prompting children to record their voices as they become confident and proficient in speaking English words, phrases, and sentences. The immediate feedback provided by the system helps children develop excellent English pronunciation and supports comprehensive vocabulary acquisition.
The new ABCmouse English learning program is available on all major platforms, including iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, and computers. It can be accessed at abcmouse.qq.com and from all major app stores in China.
CPLG to Rep UglyDolls in EMEA
UglyDolls has tapped CPLG to rep the brand in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), excluding CEE (central and Eastern Europe) and the Nordics.
Under the terms of the agreement, CPLG will develop a licensing program across an array of categories, with an initial focus on apparel, accessories and gifts for young adults and kids.
The deal was brokered by master agent White Space Entertainment, on behalf of UglyDoll’s global media company STX Entertainment. The news follows the news of an UglyDolls feature length film, expected to release next year. Hasbro was named the master global toy licensee.
American Girl Live Takes the Stage for Fall 2018
American Girl, a subsidiary of Mattel, has teamed with Mills Entertainment to launch American Girl Live, a new musical production inspired by the most popular American Girl characters and storylines. The show, featuring all-original music, will kick off a nationwide tour this fall.
Tickets will be available for purchase on May 18. For tour dates and additional details, visit americangirllive.com. American Girl Live is a creative collaboration between American Girl and Mills Entertainment, produced and operated by Mills Entertainment.
WildBrain to Create Smooshy Mushy YouTube Series
RedwoodVentures, in partnership with OLO Industries, appointed WildBrain to produce a short-form YouTube series featuring Smooshy Mushy toys.
The episodes will be produced by WildBrain, who will also distribute the series on YouTube, handling channel management and audience development.
Andy Wiseman, CEO of RedwoodVentures, says, “The Smooshy Mushy social platforms have a tremendously engaged, loyal and eager fan base. With WildBrain, we can deliver a new layer of content on YouTube that will tell the Smooshy Mushy story to millions, which will continue to fuel the brand’s momentum. This, coupled with our rapidly expanding global licensing program, will ensure kids will have a regular variety of Smooshy Mushy content, as well as merchandise to fulfill their appetite for engaging with the brand.”
Rubie’s Pet Shop Boutique to Launch Disney Pet Costume Collection
Rubie’s Pet Shop Boutique, under license with Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media, announced the launch of officially licensed pet costumes inspired by classic Disney characters.
Rubie’s Pet Shop Boutique will develop the following new products for 2018, with plans for more styles in 2019 and beyond: Mickey and Friends pet costumes and accessories (including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy), Disney Princess pet costumes with wigs (including Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, and Snow White), Winnie the Pooh pet costumes and accessories (including Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore), Pixar’s Toy Story pet costume and accessories (including Woody and Buzz Lightyear), and pet costumes from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas (including Jack Skellington, Zero, and Scary Teddy).
The Disney and Pixar pet costume collection will have costumes and accessories available in sizes extra-small through triple XL. The costume collection will be available nationwide this summer.
ZAG Heroes Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Store Launches On Amazon
In a partnership between Planeta Junior and Amazon Spain, Miraculous-Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir will receive its first cross category store on the Amazon website.
The dedicated digital store will give Ladybug and Cat Noir fans a one-stop shop for Miraculous products on Amazon, from toys, stationery, backpacks and books to
fashion, home décor, electronics, and more.
Users who access the Miraculous™ – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir store will encounter a totally immersive shopping experience thanks to special theming with characters from the popular series.
The Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir series is broadcast in 120 markets and has topped the ratings in numerous territories, attracting fans of all ages across the globe.
Miraculous- Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir is created by ZAG and Method Animation, part of On Kids and Family. Seasons two and three of the series are co-produced by Zagtoon, France’s Method Animation, South Korea’s SamG Animation, SK Broadband, Japan’s Toei Animation and Italy’s DeAgostini Editore S.P.A., in collaboration with Disney Channel EMEA, French broadcaster TF1, Brazil’s Globosat and AB. The series is distributed internationally by PGS Entertainment, Groupe AB, Zagtoon, Method, and SamG Animation.