Sony Pictures Television – Kids (SPT – Kids), (formerly Silvergate Media), is proud to announce that leading toy manufacturer, PMI Ltd, is on board as global master toy partner for its animated animal detective series, The Creature Cases. Chapter 3 of The Creature Cases launched on Netflix on 22nd May shooting into the top 3 kids shows in the US, UK, France and other key global markets.
Coming straight from the sewers, the stable of mutants and villains featured in this summer’s highly anticipated movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem arrives on shelves June 25, 2023. Playmates Toys, the headquarters for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures, vehicles, playsets and more, today revealed the authentically decorated and detailed classic mutants and villains, just like in the movie.
On June 3, 2023, Hasbro and Amazon collaborated on a special Transformers: Battle in Brooklyn free fan event in Brooklyn, NY that celebrated the highly anticipated film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – releasing globally by Paramount Pictures exclusively in theaters on June 9. Thousands of fans lined up to take part in the event’s fun-filled Transformers-themed activities, interactive, shoppable Amazon product displays, and more. Fans took memorable photos and videos in front of the Graffiti-Style Mural from Japanese street artist Dragon76 – showcasing the Transformers brand in a vital, passionate ‘90s art style.
Moose Toys, a leading product and marketing innovator in the toy industry, has entered into a global partnership with Universal Products & Experiences as master toy licensee for the world’s most successful animated franchise of all-time, Illumination’s Despicable Me and Minions. Under the new multi-year licensing agreement, the toymaker’s first wave of products will feature an extensive line of action figures, playsets, roleplay and collectibles as well as co-branded toys, including Moose’s Heroes of Goo Jit Zu, for the release of Despicable Me 4. Toys are scheduled to be on shelves late spring 2024 ahead of the film’s theatrical release on July 3, 2024.
BBC Studios Kids & Family, distributor and licensor for the hit animated series Bluey, is again adding to its already stellar roster of licensing partners creating product based on the Emmy -winning series that has become a global household favorite. Further building on its notable list of licensing partners are 15 new licensees in the U.S. and Canada and 15 across Latin America. The innovative, imagination-inspiring products, set to debut later this year and 2024, further help kids fully immerse themselves in Bluey’s fun-filled world in new and exciting ways.
Jazwares, one of the world’s fastest-growing toy companies, has announced a new collaboration with McDonald’s to bring its popular Squishmallows plush figures to Happy Meals around the world. Currently the #1 plush property in the U.S. and second best-selling toy brand overall, the McDonald’s Happy Meal offer will feature a total of 24 iconic Squishmallows plush toys with each participating market running 10-12 designs; The range includes exclusive and seasonally themed characters. The promotion kicks off in various markets this spring.
Universal Music Group’s (UMG’s) leading merchandise and brand management company, Bravado, has announced the new leadership appointments of Alyssa Tobias, Vice President, Head of Creative Services; Bill Ashton, Head of A&R; Keith Taperell, Vice President, Global Brand Partnerships and Energy Marketing; and Kim Youngberg, Head of Legal, effective immediately.
Toikido, the London-based entertainment company on the cutting edge of digital design and toys, is set to introduce its first offerings for Piñata Smashlings. First to market in the U.S. will be toys, plush and playsets from PMI Ltd., arriving across the mass market, including Walmart, Toys “R” Us, Amazon, and other retailers, in October 2023. These items will be followed by fashion, home and crafts collections from Centric Brands, Inkology, Isaac Morris, and Jay Franco next spring. Toikido will showcase the new brand at Licensing Expo 2023 – Retail Monster, Booth R224.
Five-time Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Emmy-nominated animation studio, Cartoon Saloon announces a development deal with leading game publisher Asmodee to create a new game for kids based on its Irish Folklore Trilogy, including Academy Award-nominated features WolfWalkers, Song of the Sea and The Secret of Kells.