Global News

NHRA has partnered with Keyscaper for a collection of NHRA-branded electronic accessories. The licensing partnership was secured by JRL Group, NHRA’s licensing agency. Diehard race fans will now be able to show off their passion for NHRA Drag Racing with a wide selection of cellphone cases, chargers, keyboards, and more. With something for fans of all ages, the initial launch of the collection will include four designs: the iconic NHRA logo, known and beloved by all fans; NHRA Originals, a style that taps into the vintage, nostalgic feel of the brand; Hot Rod, which takes a more contemporary spin; and Game Face, a raw and gritty take on the sport’s trademark elements of speed and power. Racing aficionados can rest easy knowing all products are fullyfunctional and useful in their everyday lives. Cell phone cases are available for both iPhone and Galaxy models, and wireless USB chargers that can be slipped into bags or set up in cars make it easy to charge devices on the go, and in style. The NHRA licensing program continues to expand focusing on lifestyle products such as apparel and accessories, home décor, as well as items for the garage for the auto enthusiast such as automotive accessories, automotive tools, appearance and other automotive related products.

NEW GODZILLA GAMES DEBUT

Toho Games, the game division of Toho Co recently announced the 2021 worldwide release of three free-to-play Godzilla mobile games: Run Godzilla, Godzilla Destruction, and Godzilla Battle Line. Run Godzilla will be released worldwide (excluding Japan) shortly. The preregistration campaigns for Godzilla Destruction and Godzilla Battle Line will begin on the same day. “Toho has been deeply involved with the production process for all three games since the early planning stages,” said Keiji Ota, Director and Chief Godzilla Officer at Toho. “All the staff involved in the project have worked together to keep alive the spirit of the Godzilla series, while also creating a new Godzilla specially for the mobile game world. Whether you play on your way to work or school, or during your time off, we hope these games will help you feel closer to Godzilla in your everyday life.” “The Godzilla universe is beloved by people all over the world, regardless of age or nationality,” said Ota. “For all of Godzilla’s fans, we at Toho will continue to venture into new territory to build and expand the Godzilla universe. Stand by for even more destruction!” Godzilla’s global reach is set to expand even further this year alongside the release of the new Hollywood movie Godzilla vs. Kong (in US theaters and on HBO MAX this Spring, and in Japanese theaters on May 14 and upcoming anime TV series Godzilla Singular Point. Ota added, “The year 2021 will see the broadcast of the anime TV series Godzilla Singular Point and the release of the Hollywood blockbuster movie Godzilla vs. Kong. Among all the excitement, the Godzilla brand is taking another major, monster-sized step forward by releasing three new mobile games worldwide.”

40 YEARS OF DEL BOY!

BBC Studios licensing programme continues to mark the 40th anniversary year of the popular TV comedy series Only Fools and Horses with a dedicated online store. Hosted by licensee Push Entertainment, fans can now browse a dedicated on demand store for bespoke merchandise inspired by the critically acclaimed BBC series. The first wave of apparel, available now at onlyfoolsandhorses.shop is a selection of t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts and caps, followed by gifting, homewares and stationary featuring many of the show’s popular catchphrases. Written and created by John Sullivan, the Only Fools and Horses series ran for 64 episodes from 1981 to 2003, and at its peak was watched by 24.3 million people. It now has a regular slot on Gold and is a firm favourite with viewers - consistently one of the most-watched shows on the UKTV-owned channel. Rikesh Desai, Director for Merchandise & Gaming at BBC Studios, said: “We are hugely excited to be working with Push Entertainment to deliver the first ever official Only Fools and Horses store. I’m sure fans of the iconic show will love the depth and breadth of product we have on offer”. Ian Shurmer, Co-Founder of Push Entertainment said: “The team at Push grew up watching Only Fools and Horses so this is a great opportunity for us to deliver fans of the show something fresh and new. We’re looking forward to working with BBC Studios and the Sullivan Estate to build on the great work they have achieved with one of the most iconic TV comedies of all time.”

Currently celebrating its 19th year in business as the leading animation studio in Latin America and recognized as a global player in the animation industry specialising in children’s programming, Fernando De Fuentes Sainz, CEO, and José C. Garcia de Letona, COO, both founding partners of Ánima, announced recently that the company’s animated feature film Cranston Academy: Monster Zone will be released in Australia and New Zealand on April 7th . This family adventure film has previously been sold to Mexico, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Italy, CIS & Baltics, Vietnam, Middle East, the UK, and South Africa for theatrical release by Double Dutch International. Cranston Academy: Monster Zone stars the voices of Jamie Bell and Ruby Rose. “The timing of this announcement could not be better as Cranston Academy: Monster Zone was just recently nominated for a Quirino Awards as one of the Best Ibero-American Animation Feature Films. I am confident this animated adventure will be loved in Australia and New Zealand, as it has around the world,” commented Garcia de Letona. Cranston Academy: Monster Zone, is the story of Danny, a 15-year-old genius bullied for his intelligence and struggling to fit in at school and Liz, the daughter of a famous scientist whose legacy she strives to overcome and be considered a genius in her own right. When Danny is unexpectedly offered a scholarship to Cranston Academy a secret, prestigious boarding school where Liz is the number one student, a rivalry sparks. In his quest to prove his intelligence. Danny inadvertently opens a portal to another dimension and unleashes a slew of monsters on the school. Liz must put their rivalry aside and help Danny together with a half-moth, halfman professor aptly nicknamed Mothman, to overcome the creatures of the 5th dimension and save the school.

Fanattik, the pop culture specialist, has signed a pan-European gift and homeware license for the Rocky franchise with MGM, through the studio’s local UK agent Rocket Licensing Ltd. The new collection will debut later this year in time to mark the 45th anniversary of the original Rocky film starring Sylvester Stallone. MGM’s Rocky and Creed films have generated more than $1.3 billion in worldwide box-office sales, three Academy Awards, and 10 nominations. As the franchise marks its 45th anniversary it continues to be hotter than ever and inspire new generations of fans.

The Fanattik range will cover home décor, glassware, barware, gifts and collectibles. Image rights are part of the license so Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T), Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), and of course Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, will be heavily featured on product and packaging. Anthony Marks, Managing Director of Fanattik, is very excited about the partnership, “Fanattik is licensed by many of the major film and video game studios and Rocky is a big hitter I have had my eye on for some time. Our initial discussions with European gift retailers have leaned towards Rocky product for Father’s Day and Christmas promotions but of course it’s suitable for fans all year round. Fanattik has seen phenomenal growth over the past three years with even more retailers coming on-board since the beginning of the Covid pandemic. With no new film releases, our focus on iconic, evergreen titles has been proven to be the right strategy. Retailers are looking for licensed product with multi-generational appeal and an existing fan base who are looking for gifts that remind them of happier pre-Covid times.”

CHUPA CHUPS SIGNS HOPESHOW IN CHINA

Chupa Chups, the iconic lollipop brand, keeps spreading its natural sweetness among young and stylish women in China with the fashion retailer Hopeshow. Hopeshow has created an amazing collection in a sweet and light retro style, for ladies’ daily life. A full range of outwear is available including t-shirts, skirts, jackets, dresses, shirts, vests and more, all the necessary garments for women who wish to express their individual style with color and a touch of glamour. The collection is now on shelves all over the country in Hopeshow’s stores and online at http://www.hopeshow.com.

FIRST UK DEAL FOR ROLLING STONE

Bulldog Licensing has inked a deal with Iconospheric and legendary brand Rolling Stone. The deal is the first one signed by Bulldog since the property joined the agency’s carefully selected roster. The new collection from Iconospheric will feature a range of products including: apparel, accessories, home and gift merchandise to celebrate Rolling Stone’s heritage and authority across music, culture and politics. Rolling Stone’s multi-platform content touts unrivalled access and authority, reaching a global audience of over 60 million people per month. Through the partnership, Bulldog Licensing continues to widen its consumer product offerings in the UK, spanning gift, accessories, stationery, wall art and home. Rob Corney, Managing Director of Bulldog Licensing, comments: “Iconospheric is the perfect first partner for the UK Rolling Stone

programme. We love their approach to design and it means that we will have high quality Rolling Stone merchandise available all year round. This collaboration showcases our ability to deliver a wide range of quality products that represent the influence of a truly iconic brand. The interest in the programme has been very strong thus far, and we look forward to announcing additional key partners soon.” The Iconospheric x Rolling Stone collection is available for purchase online at iconospheric.com/pages/ rolling-stone-collection.

Editorial Deadline for the Summer (Licensing Expo) issue 24th June.

SUDDORA PARTNERS WITH EMOJI

Suddora has recently partnered with emoji® - The Iconic Brand, and are delighted to announce their new launch of emoji-brand headbands. The partnership was brokered by Retail Monster, LLC., the emoji company’s North American licensing agent. Las Vegas-based Suddora is known as an innovative leader in the sweatband industry. But sweatbands are not where the buck stops for Suddora. Not only do they provide a wide variety of high-end athletic gear and accessories such as wristbands and sweatbands, but the business has also expanded to include headbands, arm sleeves, towels, hand warmers, and custom designs. Incorporating the emoji brand icons into the Suddora headband collections will only take the company to new heights. Paul Serra of Suddora commented, “We are so excited to launch emoji brand themed headbands. The designs are such fun - our customers will love wearing them both for fitness and fashion!” “We couldn’t be more thrilled to team up with Suddora to launch a collection of headbands full of expression,” says Marco Huesges, CEO and Founder of the emoji company. “Their headbands are high-quality and specifically designed for an active lifestyle - We’re proud to partner with such a respected company.” Since the emergence of athleisure wear, people have started taking their health and fitness more seriously simply because physical activity no longer feels so forced. At Suddora, the goal was to not only incorporate athletic gear and accessories that look and feel great but that also added functionality to the design. All Suddora’s gear and accessories are designed with a purpose. Everything from moisture management and SPF protection to keeping hair and sweat out of your face and eyes, their products can go from the gym to the grocery store, just as all athleisure wear apparel does. By teaming up with the emoji company, Suddora customers will be able to enjoy a fun spin on the headband design.

Summer is coming, and so is Blue Print Live !

Cinnamon Joe reports that the next online event will be from 18 - 20 May 2021, and the page goes live to make meeting appointments from the 11 May 2021. Out of all the virtual shows, Surface Print Design is the one area that can truly benefit the studios and artists that participate. Virtual shows for product areas like Home, Tableware, Fabrics and Craft among others, do miss the tactile element of an actual show, where buyers like to handle the products on offer, as part of their buying process. As artists and designers, the artwork that is shared on screen with buyers in a Zoom meeting, is the digital product they will actually receive. Even when actual shows in a venue come back again, there will be a need for virtual shows as a valuable resource for both exhibitors and buyers. Commenting, Paul Turk of Blue Print organisers said,, “2021 is looking like it will be a more positive year than 2020, and it’s been fun to keep Blue Print going virtually over the past few months. Let’s hope with the exciting vaccine news things start to pick up and get back to normal next year !”

To register for Blue Print live visit

http://www.blueprintshows.com/buyer-registration Any studios or artists wishing to exhibit at the next online event, register at http://www.blueprintshows.com/apply-to-exhibit

NEW LICENSES FOR H&A

H&A, the UK’s leading supplier of kids licensed health & beauty products, have announced new partnerships with a selection of global kids’ brands: Crayola, Batman, Super Mario, and Animal Crossing. The brands join H&A’s impressive current kids’ portfolio which includes Disney, Marvel and L.O.L Surprise. Livy Coare, Licensing and Marketing Manager said, “We are delighted to be working with such iconic brands in a time where consumers are relying on their favourite brands more than ever before. H&A’s expertise in the category has enabled us to develop innovative products that we can’t wait for consumers to see!” With over 30 years’ experience in producing market-leading kid’s gifts & bathing ranges, H&A are the category experts. H&A’s commitment to sustainability means that their packaging is 100% recyclable, whilst also eradicating the use of PVC materials and successfully removing all plastic tags.

Visit www.totallicensing.com for full information on all Total Licensing’s publications and services

ANDERSON ENTERTAINMENT TEAMS UP WITH SURFACE PATTERN DESIGNER

Anderson Entertainment, the company founded by Gerry Anderson – the man behind shows as Thunderbirds and Space:1999 as well as modern hits like Space Precinct and the 2005 reimagining of Captain Scarlet – has announced a collaboration with celebrated surface pattern designer and illustrator (and Anderson fan) Gail Myerscough. Gail has designed an exclusive limited-edition set of mugs and coasters with four designs inspired by the universe created by Gerry Anderson for his shows. The designs were commissioned by Jamie Anderson, who heard about Gail’s work from her writer husband, Matt. Jamie, a writer, director producer and Anderson Entertainment MD, who is also Gerry’s son, was especially impressed by a design inspired by control panels seen in shows like Thunderbirds. The bone china 350 ml mugs are hand finished at James Dean Pottery in Kent. The Gail Myerscough logo sits alongside the Anderson Entertainment logo on the back stamp of the mugs. The mugs and coasters will be sold exclusively through Anderson Entertainment’s highly successful e-commerce site, the Gerry Anderson Store, which boasts an expanding list both of licensee-supplied product and new items developed and created by Anderson Entertainment. They will be available from the beginning of April. The core market for the mugs is expected to be Gerry Anderson fans and gift buyers of all ages, along with lovers of stylish, unusual homeware. Gail Myerscough says: “I take my inspiration from mid-century design and modernist architecture and I grew up watching Gerry Anderson shows, so bringing all these interests together in these designs has been a real pleasure for me. Anderson Entertainment has been a delight to work with and I’m looking forward to more collaborations in the near future.” Jamie Anderson, MD of Anderson Entertainment, says: “Gail is a creative and versatile designer with a new and fresh way of looking at the Anderson classics which at the same time captures the essence of their appeal. These, stylish, original and fun mugs and coasters are an integral part of our ongoing plans for an expanded offering from the Gerry Anderson Store to meet growing demand. It’s going to be a very busy 2021!”

CROCS LICENSE FOR MASHA

Animaccord in Russia has teamed up with Crocs, a global leader in innovative casual footwear, to produce and launch an exclusive range of Masha and the Bear branded footwear on various markets across the world. Crocs will bring the collection of licensed Clogs and Jibbitz to both e-commerce and Crocs original stores. The collection will be rolling out across key markets this summer.

BROADCAST DEALS FOR ONE ANIMATION

One Animation has secured a wave of linear broadcast sales across the long-form, short-form and seasonal specials of its preschool series Oddbods and the kids’ animated adventure comedy, Insectibles. Mexican broadcaster Televisa has picked up seasons one and two of Oddbods’ seven-minute long-form version and the first season of the one-minute short-form content, while for Latin America, WarnerMedia takes the Oddbeard’s Curse Halloween 22-minute special for its Boomerang and Cartoon Network kids’ channels. In France, teleTOON+ (a Canal+ Group channel) has also added the title, as well as renewing rights to further 22-minute seasonal specials Party Monsters, The Festive Menace and Zee Force Five. Additionally, One Animation has secured new deals in partnership with distribution agent Zoland Distribution, including: Studio N in Poland who have picked up Free TV and SVOD rights to seasons one to three of Oddbods long-form, in addition to the The Festive Menace, Zee Force Five, Party Monsters and Oddbeard’s Curse specials; and season one of Insectibles (52 X 11 min) has been acquired by TRO (Russia) in the Tatar language, and RedHead SARL (South Africa) for Free TV distribution. Oddbods is a globally loved, threetime Emmy Award-nominated, nondialogue comedy featuring seven, highly unique pals. Together, despite their differences, they survive the perils of everyday life, unintentionally turning ordinary situations into unexpected, extraordinary, and always humorous events. Insectibles follows the adventures of Zak, Gramps, and three bio-mechanically enhanced insects as they search for the missing pieces of the Shrinkinator - the invention that shrunk Zak & Gramps before it exploded. They need to find the missing pieces and fix the Shrinkinator all while evading their enemies.