Entertainment One continues to grow popular animated preschool properties Peppa Pig and PJ Masks both on-air and at retail with new international partnerships. Recent highlights include major expansion in the Nordics for both properties, and lajsdlfakjslfd
Across the Nordic region, Plus Licens represents consumer products programs for both brands, and will be introducing new categories in 2017.
Peppa Pig airs on four state broadcasters in the region: NRK (Norway), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland) and SVT (Sweden). Otava and Gyldendal spearhead a publishing program with story and novelty books available in Finland (45K+ copies sold in three years) and Norway; publishing titles will roll out in Denmark through Forlaget Alvilda later this year. Additional categories will launch starting in September, including puzzles and games from Clementoni, Amo and Barbo Toys; plastic bead sets from HAMA; and nightlights by Bjørna.
PJ Masks launched in the Nordics on SVT in April, and now airs multiple times a day and performs exceptionally well, achieving an 80% audience among kids 3-6 in its 6:45 a.m. timeslot. Fox will start airing season one in Finland next month. Regional consumer products and retail partners on board include Skybrands (apparel, home textiles), Clementoni (puzzles), Euromic (back to school), Procos (partyware), Stor (tableware), Amscan (costumes) and Bjørna (nightlights) — a publishing deal is in negotiations. The first product line will launch this fall/winter.
“We are deeply committed to strengthening the licensing success of Peppa Pig and PJ Masks across Northern Europe and we look forward to working with our partners there to make these beloved preschool properties a big success across the region,” said Ami Dieckman, Head of International Licensing at eOne.
Further east, eOne has secured new toy and broadcast partners for PJ Masks in Taiwan. The series will debut on Eastern Broadcasting’s cable channel Yoyo TV beginning this month, joining eOne’s Peppa Pig and Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom (coming October). Kicking off the fall consumer products launch, Pro & Pacific will distribute the award-winning toy range from global master toy partner Just Play, debuting exclusively at Toys ‘R’ Us in late September. More products in key categories will begin rolling out in early 2018.
“With its core values of adventure, teamwork and friendship, PJ Masks is striking a chord with young fans all around the world,” commented Andrew Carley, Head of Global Licensing for eOne. “We’re delighted to be expanding the brand’s presence in Asia with the added exposure of Yoyo TV and introduction of toys into the Taiwanese market this year.”
