Toys n Playthings December 2021

Page 16

MEDIA

NEWS

Funrise joins Psyonix for Rocket League cars launch Funrise has announced a partnership with video game developer Psyonix to create a range of customisable and remote-controlled Rocket League replica cars. The Rocket League branded collection will feature several customisable cars, including mini-RCs and full-size RCs, which allow players to bring the video game Rocket League to life. The replicas are based on some of the most popular cars from the Rocket League franchise including Octane, Dominus, Fennec, and Takumi. The range will launch globally in Autumn 2022 and will offer a variety of price points. A high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem, easy-to-understand controls and fluid, physics-driven competition, Rocket League is one of the most popular video game brands worldwide. Rocket League is free to play and available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on Epic Games Store.

Plane Characters announces Binge Networks deal

Cantilever launches campaign for The Amazing Maurice Cantilever Media is launching the consumer products campaign for its upcoming Sky original animated feature film The Amazing Maurice, based on Terry Pratchett’s best-selling novel. The movie is set to debut in 2022 on Sky Cinema in the UK and will also be available on streaming service NOW via the Sky Cinema Membership. Two leading licensors have already been secured. Titan Books has come on board as publishing partner and specialist retailer Forbidden Planet is launching an eclectic range including adults and kids’ clothes, gift and home product. Cantilever has also partnered with Fryday Brands to build a consumer products range including digital and board games, plush, stationery and gifts.

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Children’s animation Let’s Go See from Plane Characters Productions has inked a deal with video-ondemand solution, Binge Networks. Binge will distribute Let’s Go See episodes and a new pipeline of content to on-demand audiences reaching 100 million-plus viewers across its syndicated platforms, which have more than 2.5 million weekly visitors. Plane Characters co-founer Rob Johnson (pictured) said: “To be able to announce a global deal with Binge Networks, just as ink is drying on our commitment from Little Dot Studios, is exciting.” Plane Characters Productions has also launched an award-winning, free to download, edutainment app.

Love Monster collaborates

with Comic Relief

Love Monster, the star of CBeebies’ quirky animated adventure series for preschoolers, is teaming up with Comic Relief to help raise money for Red Nose Day, which takes place on 22 March. The collaboration will see the heartwarming hero feature on Red Nose Day early years fundraising packs. Tying in with Love Monster’s love of DJing and partying, the pack has a festival theme and contains ideas and tips for nursery fundraising activities, along with sponsorship forms and information on how to submit donations. Comic Relief is also producing a range of bespoke mental health learning resources for nurseries. These will support early years practitioners increase awareness with young children around mental health and how to explore emotions. This reflects the values and messages of Love Monster, which helps preschoolers understand and manage different emotions and showcases the importance of kindness, empathy, connection and instinct.

Minions set to return to the big screen in Summer 2022 Minions: The Rise of Gru - the long-awaited next instalment of the most successful animated franchise in history - is set to hit cinemas across the globe in July. Universal Brand Development (UBD) has pulled out all the stops to support the feature film with global toy partners Mattel and The LEGO Group. The toy collection will feature action figures, construction sets, electronics, plush, collectables and playsets. Other partners include Topps, Asmodee, Ravensburger, Clementoni, Posh Paws, Danilo and Boxine. UBD is taking a tailored approach to retail activations and licensing and merchandising opportunities. Last summer, it developed a series of online-only promotions including a Free the Fun digital pop-up event in the UK that included giveaways and prizes that enlisted grocers Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, and toy chains Smyths Toys Superstores, The Entertainer and Hamleys.

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Articles inside

Retail Interview - with Martin Blyth, director of Heart of England Wildlife Park

7min
pages 44-45

Don’t Miss - a sneak peek at unmissable products for buyers

2min
pages 50-52

Retail Interview - with Carla Ringer, children’s toy and book buyer of Blue Diamond

4min
page 42

Trade Talk - suppliers reflect on their key achievements and challenges of 2021

12min
pages 34-37

Retail Interview - with Gwen Ottenberg, owner of Imagine That Toys, in the US state of Kansas

8min
pages 32-33

The Toy Fair 2022 - a sneak peek at what’s on show in January

2min
pages 30-31

Indie Opinion - Diary of a Toy Shop by Hazel McCarthy, owner of Toy Corner in Galway

4min
pages 24-25

The Big Interview - with Rebecca Lazarus, senior brand manager of VTech

6min
pages 26-27

Consumer Insight - The Insights Family explores the merging of online and offline worlds

3min
page 19

Elves Behavin’ Badly – the mischievous dolls are back with a new prankster in tow!

3min
pages 20-21

Retail Opinion - John Ryan writes about the implication of the cut in business rates for retailers

5min
page 18

Retail News - what’s happening across the retail landscape

8min
pages 12-13

Media Analysis - Generation Media discusses the role of ad slots in family films on free-to-view TV

3min
page 17

Media News - the multimedia rundown

3min
page 16

News - the latest toy industry headlines

7min
pages 9-10

Leader - with Clare Turner

4min
pages 7-8

Licensing News – what’s hot in licensed products

3min
page 15

Trends Column - the U.S. Toy Association highlights four trends to watch for the festive season

5min
page 11

People News - all the movers and shakers

3min
page 14
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