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Lawak Kampus School Daze Lil Critter Workshop
Entertainment News
Lil Critter Workshop Launches Digital First Animation Production Studio

Acclaimed animation house Lil Critter Workshop (LCW) has made two strategic moves to further expand its global business, launching Lil Critter Digital – a Digital First Animation Production Studio out of Malaysia, which provides total solutions for art, design and production for social media and web series content – while continuing to develop long-form animated series from its Bristol base with the appointment of Jan Stradling as Consultant Development Executive. Lil Critter Digital’s first project is Lawak Campus: School Daze, a 104 x 15 second surreal comedy series for tweens which has launched on TikTok and will also debut as a 52 x 2’ web series in English on YouTube and in a Bahasa Malaysia exclusive to Astro later this year. The shorts have already garnered an impressive 96.3k followers since they launched in TikTok last month.

Teletubbies The Blonds WildBrain
News
WildBrain’s Teletubbies Make a Splash with a Luxury Resortwear Collaboration with The Blonds

WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, is continuing to build on the accelerating fandom for its enduringly popular Teletubbies franchise through the launch of a new resortwear collection from luxury New York-based designer, The Blonds. The collection—which includes swimwear, a tote bag, beach towel and beach wrap—is available in four vibrant colours inspired by the iconic Teletubbies palette, capturing the silhouetted figures in purple for Tinky Winky, yellow for Laa-Laa, green for Dipsy and red for Po. The line was unveiled on June 11 during a glamorous catwalk show at PARAISO Miami Swim Week. The partnership was secured by global agency, WildBrain CPLG, which will also be presenting licensing opportunities for the Teletubbies at this week’s International Licensing Expo (June 13-15) from stand F214.

Sony Licensing expo 2023
Licensing News
Sony Pictures Consumer Products Celebrates Vast Slate of Content at Licensing Expo 2023

Sony Pictures Consumer Products returns to Licensing Expo 2023 to celebrate an unparalleled roster of new content from classic and cherished IPs such as Ghostbusters and Gran Turismo, and new IPs with continually growing followings such as Cobra Kai, The Boys and Gen V. In celebration, the consumer product division will unveil fresh collaborations and product launches for its flagship portfolio of film, television, entertainment, and video gaming franchises; it will also gear up for a milestone 40th anniversary year for not one – but two – of its most iconic properties, Ghostbusters and The Karate Kid.

Molang Capsule Collection
News
Gen Z Icon Molang Launches Capsule Collection Across the Globe

Millimages, one of the oldest independent animation studios and IP developers in Europe, is pleased to announce the launch of a new Molang Capsule Collection aimed at Gen Z and family targets. Inspired by the Franco-Korean Molang universe – with 7M followers and six TV series – the apparel line is aimed at the 16-35 age group, with a secondary family target. The 73-piece capsule will feature unisex cuts, streetwear, dresses, pyjamas, and pop accessories, making Molang apparel available to children, men, women, and plus-size women. As of June 2023, the collection will be sold worldwide (excluding China) by ready-to-wear giant Shein.

Hobby Station
News
Brand Vending Products LLC Announces the Hobby Station

Brand Vending Products LLC, a leader and pioneer in toy and vending space for nearly 30 years is proud to announce an exciting new offering called The Hobby Station. The very first of its kind, an innovative new self-contained automated vending machine from Brand Vending Products that dispenses factory sealed unopened packs of trading cards! The single loose trading card machines of old are out and the Hobby Station by Brand Vending Products is here to update the space and fill the demand! This state-of-the-art station comes equipped with a contact-less credit card payment system, which accepts all your major payment forms. It’s as simple as a swipe, tap, or insert, and it also accepts Google & Apple Pay!

The Little Prince Mediawan
Entertainment Licensing News
Mediawan Kids & Family Partners with Licensing Works! to Launch Merchandising Program for The Little Prince and Friends Preschool Series

Mediawan Kids & Family , in collaboration with La Succession Saint Exupery-d’Agay, has selected Licensing Works! to manage the merchandise licensing for its new animated television series, The Little Prince and Friends. This groundbreaking preschool series featuring all-new adventures based on the beloved characters from the timeless masterpiece and best-selling novel ever published is produced by Method Animation in coproduction with Bidibul Productions and LPPTV, with the participation of France Televisions, WDR, TVGlobo and RAI Kids.

Spirograph Hasbro PlayMonster
Licensing News
Extended Global Partnership Unveiled by PlayMonster and Hasbro for Iconic Spirograph Brand

PlayMonster Group LLC, a leading international toy and game company, and Hasbro Inc., a toy and game company, have announced that PlayMonster will continue to support the Spirograph brand as part of their global growth strategy aimed at bringing the beloved spiral designing toy to even more aspiring artists worldwide. For decades, Spirograph has been an iconic toy captivating the attention of generations of children and adults alike, helping users to draw, design, and play in creative, engaging ways using its wheels, precision rings, and colored markers. This continuation of the brand’s licensing partnership with PlayMonster comes as a direct result of the company’s work to date, which has furthered the Spirograph name by expanding upon the brand’s long-standing reputation. The partnership will help ensure its continued legacy for years to come.

Miraculous ZAG Wells
Licensing News
ZAG and Wells Enterprises Partner for First ‘Miraculous’ Frozen Confection Facebar

Global independent animation studio ZAG has signed with Wells Enterprises, the world’s largest family-owned and managed ice cream company for the first Miraculous water ice facebar in the U.S. The announcement was made by Lisa K. Foster, Senior Vice President, Licensing, North America, ZAG. For more than 100 years, Wells Enterprises has been producing high-quality, premium packaged frozen dairy desserts that bring joy to consumers around the U.S. Wells produces over 200 million gallons of ice cream and other frozen desserts each year for their popular brands–Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop and Blue Ribbon Classics.

TFE June 2023 Cover No Label 1024 x 780 (5)
Magazine Toys & Family Entertainment
TFE/TFE Licensing, June 2023
  • Toy Association: Toy Fair 2023 Highlights the Power of Licensing in the Toy Industry by Maddie Michalik
  • Design Edge: Support ‘The Innovation Restoration Act of 2023’ by Matthew Nuccio
  • Toy Family Series: Q&A with the Gygax Family by Mary Couzin
  • ASTRA: Toy Boat 2023 – A Resounding Success! by Sue Warfield
  • The Serious Side of Fun by Ava Diamond
  • ToyFest: Reflecting on a Successful ToyFest 2023 by Carrie Scanlan
  • Ultra PRO Brand Profile
  • Licensing International: the fight Against Counterfeiting by Elizabeth Foster
  • The Business of Bluey by Andrew Carley
  • The Importance of MESH by Rachele Harmuth, Dr. Deborah Gilboa, Rick Derr – Interviewed by Nick Truss
  • New Product Previews compiled by Nick Truss