All Eyes on Rainbow

2021 - It’s all eyes on Rainbow!

Rainbow Group steps into 2021 with a strong schedule of launches supporting new and flagship brands, along with a young adult target strategy for their timeless fairies.

WINX CLUB: A CLASSIC BRAND, STRONGER THAN EVER

Boasting 17 years in the market, Winx Club has a track record of success and ranks among children’s most broadcast content globally, proving itself as an aspirational girl’s brand delivering empowering storylines and endless potential. Constantly evolving through eight original animated series, two animated series coproduced with Netflix, four TV movies, three theatrical movies and endless consumer products, initiatives and events revolving around the unique style of the brand, Winx Club has stood the test of time and the hardships of 2020 leading lots of long-time and new partners to on board with the brand in 2021 for a year fresh news, both in Italy and across the world. Among the names endorsing the brand since its first debut and continuing their partnership is global food group Ferrero, snack leader San Carlo and chocolate master Zaini, alongside Ravensburger and Clementoni plus toothcare expert Rolly Brush. The core kids target has never ceased to deliver excellent results, and the supporting marketing and digital activities ensure strong brand loyalty continues, which in turn helpd to deliver new retail partnerships and promotional campaigns, starting with the official Amazon Store and the Toys Center franchise collaborations. To celebrate the engagement of evergreen fans and new audiences stemming from the 2021 live-action chapter of Winx Club, Rainbow has also announced a global marketing and licensing strategy to cover the young adult segment with a vast array of style guides and a look-book to support CP’s, focusing on teenage girls and young women, with an initial specific focus on fashion, accessories, beauty, and make-up.

FATE: UNLOCKING NEW HORIZONS

Rainbow is the exclusive CP global licensor of FATE: The Winx Saga, the new Netflix original live action hit for the young adult audiences, available on the platform in 190 countries. The six-episode show re-imagining of the animated saga debuted in January (2021) and quickly established itself as a global ratings success, with a second season of a further 8 episodes already announced. Strong licensing agreements have already been signed with more to follow, which will establish the brand’s position in preparation for further episodes when they hit Netflix screens globally. Key publishing partners are Mondadori for Italy, Scholastic Books for the USA and English-speaking countries, Hachette for France, RBA for Spain and Latin America, Loewe Verlag for Germany, Epsilon for Turkey, AST for Russia and many others. Also, Clementoni (worldwide) and Franco Panini Scuola (Italy) are on board to spread the style of this fresh brand. Among the first deals inked for fashion & apparel is the French licensee Don’t call me Jennyfer. FATE: The Winx Saga follows the coming-of-age journey of five fairies attending Alfea, a magical boarding school in the Otherworld where the girls learn to master their powers while navigating love, adventures, and challenges.

A CAT-TASTIC LICENSING TEAM

The pre-school IP 44 Cats has continued to grow with strong ratings and establishing the show as one of the most loved amongst children aged 3 to 7+ years. Since 2018, partners such as Rai Yoyo and Nick Junior have been airing the pawesome adventures of the cutest cats on screen, while deals have been multiplying to reach audiences in 130 countries worldwide through free-to-air, VOD, AVOD and SVOD, and more than 70 licensees have adopted the brand alone in Italy, with sector market leaders in almost every CP category. Marketing and digital actions, promo and retail initiatives are constantly renewed in preparation for a fresh and dynamic 2021 with the official Amazon Brand Store and Toy Center collaborations in Italy. Theme parks Gardaland and Etnaland confirmed their presence for live events and attractions, ready for the season to begin and are looking forward to strong openings.

NEW IPS READY TO SHINE

Among the many creative ventures in the pipeline, Rainbow has announced the debut of two new IPs for the Ital-

ian territory due in Q4 2021. The first is Pinocchio & Friends, a fresh adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s masterpiece The Adventures of Pinocchio, turned into a contemporary 26 x 12’ bridge target show in high-quality CGI. The second is the pre-school animated series Summer & Todd Happy Farmers, a CGI that introduces children to the adventures of an industrious farm full of uniquely styled animal friends. These original brands are full of potential and the stunning style guides currently in development are set to deliver an exceptional array of CP lines.

LICENSING PARTNER OF GLOBAL BRANDS

Rainbow has also been appointed as a global brand strategy partner in managing the Italian licensing rights of brands including Captain Tsubasa, The Smurfs, Diabolik. Rainbow teamed up with Crunchyroll to promote the comeback of legendary “Captain Tsubasa”, the globally popular brand which began as a football video game. In Italy last December the new on-screen series on Italia 1 delivered an equalling record-high audience on Boing, Cartoon Network and Italia 2 and totals 52 episodes of 25’ airing on more than 40 TV channels across Europe with leading broadcasters. Crunchyroll is supporting the new show with a robust broadcast, retail, and licensing program in Italy, while Rainbow is building a strong program with partners on board like Clementoni, Admiranda, Mondadori Group and Wobinda. Rainbow is also partner of iconic Diabolik, the top selling noir comic in Italy that will soon ride a fresh wave of success thanks to the upcoming movie produced by Manetti Bros. and distributed by 01Distribution. The movie will star Italian actors Luca Marinelli, Miriam Leone and Valerio Mastandrea. As licensing partner of the brand for Italy, Rainbow has already inked solid deals beginning with renowned fashion partners Intimissimi and LIU JO for exclusive men collections.

THE SMURFS CHOOSE RAINBOW

Timeless brand The Smurfs IMPS / Lafig has appointed Rainbow Group to manage the licensing plan that will flank the new series of The Smurfs in the Italian market. Rainbow has already started gathering CP partners based on the countless possibilities offered by the brand, and a brand success which is supported by more than 4 generations of fans. The new season of the beloved IP will debut on Nickelodeon in fall ‘21 and on Italian free to air Rai Yoyo in spring 2022, with 52 episodes of 11 minutes and a target audience 5-10 years. Following its premiere, the series will then also land on TVOD, AVOD and finally SVOD platforms. From a heritage of more than 60 years that’s synonymous with friendship, tolerance and environmental awareness, The Smurfs will once again conquer the Italian market thanks to Rainbow’s CP strength in the territory.