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Funrise joins Psyonix for Rocket League cars launch Love Monster collaborates with Comic Relief

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.

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.

Plane Characters announces Binge Networks deal

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, 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.