CPLG has secured a number of licencees for MGM’s The Addams Family (Q4 2019). Smiffy’s are on board for dress-up for the U.K., Benelux, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Nordics, Greece and Central Eastern Europe and will be developing a range of dress-up and accessories for the whole family to enjoy. In the U.K., Rose confectionery are creating a range of themed sweets, perfect for trick or treaters over Halloween. Aykroyds & TDP will be launching a range of children’s nightwear, and Global Brands Group are also on board to develop a range of apparel and accessory items. In addition, Park Agencies will be developing an adult daywear range featuring imagery from the original 1964 Addams Family Classic TV series. In Germany, online retailer EMP have taken a direct-to-retail deal to develop apparel and accessories for the animated movie and My Other Me Fun Company are developing dress-up in addition to party paperwear for Iberia and France. In Italy, Ciao are on board for dress-up, party goods and decorations, and Echo will create an on-pack consumer promotion with Negroni Golsino – a leader in the market of premium delicatessen meats — for branded cooked wurstels.
Universal Brand Development UK and Eire (UBD UK and Eire) unveiled the A-list licensing lineup for DreamWorks Animation’s all-star sequel Trolls World Tour (in U.K. theatres March 20). Hasbro returns as global master toy partner, having achieved NPD’s No. 1 toy property of 2017 with the first film. TWT’s toy line will be expanded by new partners LEGO Group, Ravensburger, Funko and WOW Stuff, plus plush partner Posh Paws.
Fashion partners Difuzed and AFB take to the stage for the first time and will explore the design credentials of the franchise by producing, respectively, high-end fashion accessories and stylish eyewear. Established soft-lines licensees Aykroyds, TDP Textiles, Cooneen, Fashion UK and Misirli will have the high street and grocers covered.
Plum Products enters licensing for the first time, joining MV Sports for outdoor, and consumables is another growth area: partners include Kelloggs, Kinnerton, Finsbury Foods and Thomas Tucker.
Pūkeko Pictures has appointed 9 Story Brands as its global merchandising partner for the new preschool series Book Hungry Bears (excluding Greater China). In addition, 9 Story Distribution International has been granted worldwide distribution rights to the series (excluding Canada, Greater China, Australia and New Zealand), with 9 Story Media Group handling distribution of the series in Canada. The first episodes of the 52 x 11’ series from world-renowned children’s writer-illustrator Martin Baynton will debut at MIP.
Book Hungry Bears is co-produced by Pūkeko Pictures, Breakthrough Entertainment and Hengxin Shambala Kids, which will handle content distribution and licensing rights in Greater China. The series has been commissioned by Canada’s TVOkids and TFO, in association with Knowledge Kids and been picked up for broadcast on TVNZ in New Zealand and by ABC Australia. Produced with the Financial Participation of Shaw Rocket Fund and Canada Media Fund.
In celebration of the iconic anime series’ 40th anniversary, Crunchyroll announced an expansive partnership with Sunrise Inc. and Sotsu Co. to manage merchandise rights for five Gundam titles across North and South America, U.K., Europe, Australia and New Zealand. These are Mobile Suit Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, Mobile Suit Gundam 00 and Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. Crunchyroll will pursue merchandise opportunities across categories including apparel, bags, accessories, furnishings and home decor, lifestyle, food and more. Created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and produced by Sunrise, Mobile Suit Gundam is a top 15 media franchise, grossing more than $20 billion in total retail sales. Plastic models (Gunplas) make up 90% of the Japanese character plastic-model market, with more than 500 million models sold to date.
Planeta Junior has tapped Spanish designer María Escoté — who has created looks worn by Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus –to develop a capsule collection inspired by Pucca. Aiming to transmit the character’s values of love and womens’ empowerment to millennials and young adults, the social and digital-supported European campaign is based on three key concepts: “Escoté Namasté,” “I love me” and “Yes I do.” Pucca, a beloved character in 170 countries, is returning thanks to an agreement between Planeta Junior, Vooz and CJ ENM, leveraging traditional and new formats to reach the next generation of fans.
The new Coach x Michael B. Jordan capsule collection features designs inspired by anime hit Naruto, in collaboration with VIZ Media. The unisex ready-to-wear, footwear and bag collection is Black Panther star Jordan’s first foray into fashion design, guided by the expertise of Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers. Product ranges from parkas, jean jackets and pullovers to backpacks, utility packs and hybrid sneaker boots. Infused with technical details like removable sleeves, tactical straps and elastic closures, it also features imagery of characters from Naruto, as well as the series’ trademark “eye” motifs reimagined with Coach’s Retro C graphic. To launch the collection, Coach released a hero film, conceived by Jordan and directed by Rachel Morrison, which you can watch at coach.com.
Fans attending NY Comic Con this weekend can also stop by the VIZ booth (#1336) to see some of the collection. The Coach area will also host a collectible pin activity (new pin available each day). And, the VIZ retail area within the booth will offer an exclusive Coach x MBJ t-shirt variant for sale, as well as other exclusive Year of Naruto anniversary items.
Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch continues to diversify and expand its portfolio through brand-new consumer products offerings for Fall 2019. This week’s brand-new product releases include new LEGO Overwatch sets (featureing Wrecking Ball, and Junkrat & Roadhog in Junkertown), Overwatch: The Official Cookbook from Insight Editions, and Overwatch League Grand Finals championship apparel & memorabilia through Fanatics. Plus, a new Upper Deck trading card set, and Overwatch Soldier: 76 Nerf Rival Blaster — a fully motorized, 30-round hand cannon to assert your dominance in the office canteen.
Entertainment One’s dynamic portfolio of preschool IP continues to gain momentum, with strong performances for Peppa Pig, PJ Masks and Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom across the U.K. These properties will be in the spotlight at BLE, alongside eOne’s newest pre-k show, Ricky Zoom (U.K. premiere Oct. 5 on Nick Jr.) A number of new deals for Peppa and PJ will see new product launches from TOMY, Tefal, Star Editions, Signature PG and Merch By Amazon this fall.
eOne will once again team with long-time charity partner Save the Children for Christmas Jumper Day 2019, supported with a Peppa Pig Christmas charity single, “Bing Bong Christmas,” and an exclusive 4-pack of family figures in Christmas jumpers sold exclusively at The Entertainer with a percentage of sales donated to the charity. “Bing Bong Christmas” will also feature on the CD release of Peppa Pig’s First Album, available Oct. 25. Penguin has also created a bespoke title, Peppa’s Christmas Jumper Day, also with a percentage going to Save the Children. Following the brand’s award for Best Preschool Licensed Property at the Licensing Awards, this packed schedule will cap off a record-breaking anniversary year for Peppa Pig.
A new deal with Rossi will mark PJ Masks’ entrance into the frozen food aisle. A new PJ Masks Halloween single will be hitting the digital space just in time for Halloween, and a brand-new coding app, Hero Academy, will be launching. The three heroes will also be flying into key family and retail locations between now and December, making over 60 costume character appearances in an extensive tour across the U.K.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, multi award-winning Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom is still top of the charts holding this year’s record for most views on a single episode on Nick Jr. aged 4-6. Enchanting kids and licensees alike, BBF joins the U.K. licensing program with a new celebration cake launching in 2020.
This autumn, Fierylight’s all-new stage show production Peppa Pig Best Day Ever embarks on a U.K. tour reaching 60 theatres from Oct. 18, including a limited run at London’s West End for Christmas. Fierylight will also add further dates for its popular classical concert format Peppa Pig My First Concert in 2020. A brand-new PJ Masks touring production, Save the Day, will be heading to theaters in the U.K. from October 2020.
This autumn, luxury department store Selfridges will introduce a permanent space for Peppa Pig following the incredibly successful shop in shop launched in January; and a PJ Masks store takeover is set for 170 The Entertainer stores across the U.K.
