Latest News

Toca Boca apparel
Licensing News
Leading Game Studio Toca Boca Unveils Its First Direct-to-Consumer Physical Apparel Collection

The award-winning game developer Toca Boca, the creative force behind popular games such as Toca Life World, is set to launch its first-ever official direct-to-consumer (DTC) fan merchandise, consisting of apparel, accessories, and collectibles. Collaborating with manufacturer Juniper Creates, the new fan merchandise will be available globally from May 23, allowing Toca Boca enthusiasts to wear their favorite aesthetic and express their fandom in real life. 

Miniland You Belong
News
Miniland Launches You Belong with Miniland 3rd Annual Initiative to Inspire Inclusive Play Across the Country

Focusing on the power of play to spark inclusion among young children, Miniland has launched its 3rd Annual You Belong campaign, its most powerful initiative to support acceptance and representation in early childhood. Encompassing the values of the Miniland brand and all who support it: children, teachers, parents and retailers, You Belong is centered on the brand’s core values of inclusion, tolerance, empathy, collaboration and respect.

Blue's Clues and You!
Entertainment News
Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues Hosts Reunite This Weekend in Brand-New ‘Blue’s Clues’ & YOU! Episode and ‘Blue’s Big City Adventure’

Kids and families can spend the holiday weekend with the Blue’s Clues crew, as Nickelodeon debuts a brand-new episode of Blue’s Clues & You! and the Paramount+ original feature-length movie Blue’s Big City Adventure–both featuring all three beloved hosts, Josh Dela Cruz, Steve Burns, and Donovan Patton.  “The Case of the Missing Thinking Chair,” premiering Friday, May 26, at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon, follows Josh and Blue as they embark on a puzzling quest to find the missing Thinking Chair. With a mystery this huge, they need to call in the Blueprints Detective Agency for Steve’s help in solving the case. This episode is written and directed by Burns.   

PBS KIDS Summer
Entertainment News
PBS KIDS Invites Kids and Families to Come Along on a Summer of Adventure

Summer is almost here and whether it’s making sidewalk art, playing in the backyard, building a pillow fort, taking a road trip, or learning something new, the warmer months are a time of exploration for kids, families, and educators alike – and, as always, PBS KIDS is along for the ride. From new movies from Alma’s Way, Molly of Denali, and Ready Jet Go!, debuting episodes from newest series Work it Out Wombats! and Rosie’s Rules, to the launch of a new podcast, Keyshawn Solves It, and more, there’s so much on tap to help young audiences spark their curiosity, have fun, and learn and grow this summer.

Disguise Universal
Licensing News
Disguise Announces Multi-Year Partnership Extension with Universal Products & Experience to Create Products for US AND LATAM Across Multiple Franchises

Disguise, Inc, the leading costume division of toy and consumer products manufacturer, JAKKS Pacific, Inc (NASDAQ:JAKK), has announced a partnership extension in the U.S. and expansion into Latin America (LATAM) to design, market, manufacture and distribute costumes, costume accessories, inflatables, adaptive costumes and trunk-or-treat kits for Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) characters and franchises commencing in 2023. 

Strawberry Shortcake Licensing WildBrain
Entertainment Licensing News
WildBrain Bakes Up More Fan Excitement for Strawberry Shortcake with New Partnerships Across Licensing, Content and Promotions

WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, is further expanding the offering for fans of its beloved Strawberry Shortcake franchise with a heaping new serving of licensing partnerships, creative activations and distribution deals to reach new audiences as the brand continues to grow in popularity. Fresh off a second GLAAD nomination for WildBrain’s original new animated series, Berry in the Big City, the Strawberry Shortcake brand is surging in popularity with fans. In Q1 2023, Strawberry Shortcake jumped onto the charts as the sixth most popular character among kids 6 to 9 in the US, according to independent consumer research firm The Insights Family, beating out Harry Potter, SpongeBob SquarePants and Barbie.

Care Bears UK CloudCo Partnerships
Entertainment News
The Care Bears Announce New Animated TV Content & L&M Licensees for the UK

Cloudco Entertainment, owner of the Care Bears franchise, is proud to announce six all-new animated Care Bears: Unlock the Magic specials set to air on Narrative Entertainment’s commercial children’s channel, Tiny Pop, as well as four new UK-based consumer product licensees. These additions provide further momentum to a brand already experiencing huge growth across all channels and audiences, on TV, in retail, on social media and YouTube, and across audiences of all demographics and genres.

Toy Association Logo Toy of the Year 2022 Board Summer STEAM Toy List
News
30 Toys Top Toy Association’s ‘Summer Learning STEAM Toy List’

The Toy Association has unveiled its “Summer Learning STEAM Toy List,” which includes 30 officially accredited STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) toys that will support learning and keep young minds sharp over the summer. Families can now shop the list of toys below, which includes an ant tunneling kit, a light-up dinosaur terrarium, an electrical circuit-building set, and many more innovative STEAM products that inspire creativity and teach children about life sciences, mathematics, engineering, and more.

MHS Licensing and Consulting
Licensing News
MHS to Unveil Three New Art Brands at the Licensing Expo

MHS Licensing + Consulting will be introducing promising new art brands By The Lakeside, Hayden Lambson and Megan Mehu at the upcoming Licensing Expo (G88) to be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, June 13-15, 2023. “The Licensing Expo is a highly successful trade show for us and has always been an excellent platform to launch new art brands.” Marty Segelbaum, President of MHS Licensing + Consulting continues, “While there’s always interest in seeing new artwork, it’s critical to have a well-rounded repertoire of popular artists that span a broad spectrum of styles and themes to show our licensee partners. We are proud to be introducing such diverse and talented artists who not only possess a strong social media following, but also speak to the current cultural landscape.”