40-41 LSB SOTN Nursery.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 11/01/2022 09:41 Page 40
STATE OF THE NATION: NURSERY & PRESCHOOL
With a wave of toy and gift fairs planned for the next few months, the nursery and preschool category is set to enjoy a raft of new product launches and deals. LSB takes a look at some of the latest news.
All the small things Right: Baby Shark’s Big Show Mix & Match Bath Swimmer is among the new ToyTopic spring launches.
ToyTopic ready for Toy Fair
Ambitious ToyTopic is planning a number of new launches in the preschool space at Toy Fair (25-27 January). The company’s strategic partnership with WowWee is continuing to flourish, expanding product ranges and introducing new brands for 2022. Meeting the increasing demand for the popular Pinkfong Baby Shark brand, ToyTopic’s portfolio of plush, preschool, learning and bath toys includes the new Baby Shark’s Big Show Mix & Match Bath Swimmer, launching in the spring. In addition, ToyTopic will be launching a new PAW Patrol toy range, while it will also be expanding its relationship with Hasbro, with new licensed toys based on a selection of the company’s preschool licences including Peppa Pig. Further high profile announcements are also due to be revealed at Toy Fair, where ToyTopic can be found on stand G94.
Learn with Peppa extension unveiled Hasbro has taken the wraps off Learn with Peppa, a major new brand extension to help promote early years learning. Towards the end of 2022, the programme will kick off with Hasbro’s in-house developed learning app. The offering will expand in January 2023 with an extensive publishing programme with Ladybird in English speaking markets outside of North America, with the publisher managing rights for most other languages as well.
40
LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2022
Brave Bunnies hops in with new deals
Glowberry and its UK and Eire licensing agent and master agent for EMEA & APAC, Big Picture Licensing, have Above: The licensing confirmed a number of new deals programme for Brave for preschool brand, Brave Bunnies. Bunnies is steadily building. These include Spin Master as global master toy licensee with products due to launch this year including play-sets, figures, plush, games and puzzles. Penguin Random House is on board as a multi-territory licensee, joining DeA Planeta Libri in the publishing category. The first products to hit the shelves will be picture books, board books and little libraries which will launch Easter 2022 around the world. In addition, PMI will create homeware, BTS/stationery and collectables for a worldwide launch, while Roy Lowe & Sons has signed in the UK for socks. In Australia and New Zealand – which is handled by Centa IP – Caprice is on board for apparel, footwear, bags and home décor, while Five Mile Press will create a range of books.
Learn with Peppa will also offer a new range of play experiences which will aim to deliver educational benefits. The roll out will be supported with content and marketing plans. “Themes of early years learning feature regularly in the show’s storylines, so the Learn with Peppa programme feels a natural expansion for the brand,” said Esra Cafer, svp global brand management at Hasbro. “We are excited to bring this initiative to life to help kids have fun and learn alongside their favourite animated characters.”
