Licensing World September 2024

world licensing

Licensing World

from theeditor

Welcome, dear reader, to Toy World’s special Licensing World flip-cover issue. Licensing undeniably continues to play a huge role in the Toys & Games industry. While the overall toy market is slightly down this year, sales of licensed toys and games are up +3%, according to Circana, increasing their share to a whopping 33% of overall sales (YTD July 2024). Licensed characters and brands now form a major part of consumer consciousness. Whether they’re arguing on social media about whether or not Hello Kitty

is, in fact, a cat – do send me your ‘felines’ on the matter - camping on the street to get their hands on the latest Disney Lorcana launch before anyone else, trying to secure one of YuMe Toys’ awesome Netflix advent calendars, or coming a very respectable fifth at a competitive Harry Potter quiz night (OK, OK, I’m talking about myself here), fans want to immerse themselves in the brands they know and love in a litany of ways. And this, of course, is very good news for toy and game licensees, as well as the retailers that will ultimately stock their products.

So, onto this issue. We may have caught a few of you by surprise with the early timing of this one and for that we can only apologise – you see, we were keen to be out well in advance of a little thing called Brand Licensing Europe, which returns this year from 24th-26th September instead of its customary October slot. It’s shaping up to be another absolutely unmissable event, and lots of you have chosen to highlight what you’ll be showcasing at London Excel in this packed issue’s BLE 2024 bumper preview. To all those who’ve taken part, thanks for getting your copy over to us four weeks earlier than you usually would – we know that in the world of licensing, that’s no mean feat…

Also in this issue, we’ve celebrated the magic of Minecraft with a special feature on the brand’s 15th anniversary. From its humble beginnings as a pre-Alpha development build called the ‘Cave Game’ to a global powerhouse with a strong presence at retail, in homes and, soon, at cinemas, with the release of the first-ever feature length live adaptation Minecraft film, we’ve taken a deep dive into how Minecraft has built such a cult following and what comes next for this creative, inclusive brand. Federico San Martin, senior director of Minecraft Consumer Products, has provided some fascinating insight for readers, so make sure you block out plenty of time for a read through.

On top of all this, we’re bringing you a look behind the curtain at Mark Thompson Productions, an expert in developing edutainment shows and the company behind Science Museum Group’s groundbreaking stage show, as well as more on the upcoming launch of Funko Fusion, Funko’s first foray into the world of computer gaming and an expansive new world that invites players to engage with the extended Funko universeand some of NBCUniversal’s most beloved properties - like never before.

All that’s left to say is read on and enjoy. And hopefully, see you all at BLE.

- Rachael Simpson-Jones

Licensing World

Steamforged Games unveils boardgame adaptation of popular Sea of Thieves video game

Steamforged Games has created tabletop adaptations of some of the biggest video games, from Monster Hunter: World to Elden Ring. Loved by fans around the world, these adaptations seek to capture the essence of what makes the video game version great and turn it into a tabletop experience that’s enjoyable. Recently joining the company’s portfolio is the Sea of Thieves board game.

Sea of Thieves: Voyage of Legends is a competitive seafaring 4X lite piracy game for 2-4 players. From fulfilling bounties and following treasure maps to raiding forts and boarding ships to steal their loot, players live the life of a nefarious pirate as they compete to earn the title of Pirate Legend before their rivals.

Gameplay is intuitive and easy to learn, with a fresh and streamlined approach to 4X games, thus making it ideal for both newcomers and experienced gamers. Player turns follow a straightforward action economy and are designed to be quick to keep the action flowing and reduce downtime around the table. At the end of each round, a fortune card system provides rubber-banding for players who are lagging, helping to keep the game competitive until the very last moment.

The playing area, special crew, locations of treasure and enemies, and events that occur are randomised in each game, meaning that every game will be different even before factoring in the actions and decisions made by the players at the table.

Sea of Thieves: Voyage of Legends is perfect for playing with families and younger gamers. Steamforged Games has captured the pirate essence through the gameplay, and this is enhanced by the visually striking and colourful box, artwork and high-quality components.

Little Brother Books expands range of publications

Little Brother Books has announced that it will double the number of ranges it publishes, increasing from three to six ranges per year. Little Brother Books is best known as the leading annuals publisher in the market, with the widest retailer distribution and support for its annuals range.

The company also publishes gaming guides and activity ranges perfect for weekend and holiday entertainment for kids throughout the year. The collection includes Games Warrior’s imprint, as well as activity titles behind many of the leading kids brands in the market including L.O.L. Surprise!, Crayola and World of Dinosaurs.

Little Brother Books also publishes a Fun Learning education book range (Series 1) in partnership with educational website Purple Mash. This combines learning content from Purple Mash with well-known and trusted children’s characters to make learning fun, with the reassurance that it’s 100% the school’s curriculum content. The Series 2 Range is being published in Q4 2024 with four new popular kids’ brands.

Also new for Q4 2024 is the new Advent Calendar Mini Book Collection, designed to fit retail shelves whilst still offering customers 24 mini books from other advent calendar formats currently available. The collection includes the Games Warrior Ultimate Guide to Minecraft as well as the Official Shoot Advent Calendar.

The new range of Funny Things Happen… board books is aimed at making both kids and parents giggle during special moments reading together. Each book is set in a location that kids can relate to and contains surprising moments that they might not expect to happen in each location. Another USP for this range is the use of multiple techs in each book, so kids can push, pull and slide the different mechanics on each page. The range will become an ongoing series at retail.

The new Mega Sticker Scene range with Little Sindy & Paul is aimed at a younger demographic. Little Sindy and Paul are the narrators who help create sticker scenes. Each book has over 250 reusable stickers and 10 mega sticker scenes and represent hugely popular themes such as Mermaids, Dinosaurs, Halloween and Christmas, with foil-embossed covers.

For order enquiries, contact books@littlebrotherbooks.co.uk.

Playmobil partners with Vespa to release brand-new range

Playmobil has joined forces with Vespa to release three new sets in a true-to-original realisation of the classic Vespa 150 Sprint Veloce. Produced between 1969 and 1979, this model is synonymous with the classic scooter, featuring the iconic handlebar head with large round headlight, and this new range has been designed for Vespa lovers to collect and for fun in children's playrooms.

In the Vespa Garage from the swinging sixties, the mechanic repairs and services Vespa scooters. The workshop is perfectly equipped with a movable lifting platform, integrated workbench and a variety of accessories and spare parts, such as a petrol pump, compressor and air pressure gauge. The wheels of the Playmobil Vespa can be dismantled to simulate a wheel change. One side of the bodywork can be removed for servicing or repairing the engine.

The Playmobil set 1969 Vespa 150 Sprint Veloce in light green features a shopping basket on the luggage carrier that can be removed, where a wallet, packet of biscuits and juice carton can be stored. The 1969 Vespa 150 Sprint Veloce in blue features a spare wheel mounted on the rear of the scooter so that the rider can replace the tyre directly in the event of a puncture. If it is necessary to take a look at the engine, one side of the body panelling can be easily removed.

The three new Playmobil sets with Vespa 150 Sprint Veloce bring the lifestyle associated with these iconic scooters directly into children's rooms and to collectors' shelves and extend the range of classic vehicles now available from Playmobil.

For order enquiries, contact 01268 548 111 or sales_uk@playmobil.de.

Licensing World

Rubies unveils brand-new The Boys costume collection

Rubies has elevated its superhero range with the Emmy-winning Amazon Prime television series, The Boys.

This new adult range of deluxe costumes is inspired by two superheroes who are as popular as celebrities, as influential as politicians and as revered as gods. Perfect for seasoned fans or newbies, consumers can soar into action as the most powerful Supe on Earth, Homelander, or the fresh-faced deuteragonist member of the Boys, Starlight.

The Boys is a dark satirical take on living in a world with superheroes. Boosted with jaw-dropping twists and turns, this captivating comic series has consistently ranked top 5 on Amazon Prime since 2019. Demand for anything Supe-related has grown exponentially thanks to the phenomenal success of the recently released season 4.

Sales of Rainbow Designs classic characters continue to soar

Rainbow Designs offers a wide variety of licensed soft toys from classic brands including Peter Rabbit, Paddington and Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, alongside the new Disney Baby Lion King and Harry Potter Wizarding World collections.

With the new movie Paddington in Peru arriving in cinemas on 8th November, the popularity of this character is set to soar. Rainbow’s best-selling Classic Paddington collection of high-quality plush toys, inspired by Peggy Fortnum illustrations, alongside the best-selling The Adventures of Paddington pre-school range and the Paddington for Baby collection, are continuously in high demand.

Rainbow Design’s Peter Rabbit range is exceptionally popular with Rainbow’s customers. The company boasts an extensive collection that features both infant plush toys and quality developmental wooden toys, that includes the best-selling My First Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunny soft toys, developmental plush toys for the youngest of Potter fans, and the universal Playtime Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunny soft toys that are perfect for all ages. The range also includes the beautifully illustrated Picture Dominoes and Wooden Shape Sorter, featuring Peter and his friends, as well as Wooden Picture Blocks and the Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunny Pull-Along.

Rainbow’s new Disney Baby Lion King range, launched in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Disney’s The Lion King, is proving very popular with new arrivals. This collection features the super cuddly My First Simba Activity Soft Toy, Comfort Blanket and Ring Rattle, as well as the stimulating Simba Sensory Play Mat, with peek-a-boo flap and baby-safe mirror.

Arriving this autumn is the Wizarding World collection of nursery toys featuring the characters Harry Potter, Hedwig and Dobby, in plush formats that include My First Soft Toys, Rattles, Comforters and Activity Toys, and there are further range additions planned for 2025.

In addition to all these cuddly plush toys, there are many more much-loved classic characters and high-profile brand ranges to be found at Rainbow Designs, including Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, Guess How Much I Love You, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Elmer and The Snowman and The Snowdog.

Natural History Museum and Tonies announce new collaboration

The Natural History Museum: Discovery Crew Clever Pocket Tonie series features four immersive adventures to inspire every child’s inner natural explorer.

Within each uniquely crafted story, little learners will encounter three intrepid young explorers – Ruari, Jo and Hamid – as they embark on fascinating journeys through time, each starting at the Museum. Tonies worked closely with some of the Museum’s 370 world-leading scientists to curate four unique stories to sit on the famous Toniebox that are both factually accurate and communicative for young listeners.

As part of the series, children and families alike will be fully immersed in adventures across all corners of our natural world, past and present – from thrilling encounters with prehistoric creatures and diving with deep sea creatures, to getting a closer look at gigantic garden critters. They can even meet some of the museum’s most influential characters from history along the way, including Charles Darwin and Mary Anning.

Maxine Lister, head of Licensing at the Natural History Museum, said: “Creating advocates for the planet is fundamental to our museum mission. Tonies does such wonderful work in crafting stories that are educational and engaging for young learners and, with the wealth of historical knowledge within our museum walls, this collaboration felt only natural.”

Joining iconic and beloved brands including Disney, Roald Dahl, Marvel and Peppa Pig, the Natural History Museum is the latest institution to come onboard amongst Tonies’ roster of releases. This latest collaboration continues the institution’s venture into the world of licensing for children’s products, following recent award-winning collaborations with the likes of Dunelm and Galt Toys.

The National History Museum: Discovery Crew four-piece set will retail for £19.99 and launches as part of Tonies new Clever Pocket Tonie range, which has been created to inspire a love of learning through the magic of audio, with prices starting at £8.99 for single Tonies. Featuring a unique stackable design, kids simply pop the Clever Pocket Tonie on top of their Toniebox audio speaker for the educational adventure to begin.

Tonies can be contacted on sales@tonies.com.

Licensing World

Hunter Price named partner on L.O.L. Surprise! Loves Crayola

Hunter Price has been named the consumer product partner in the UK and Europe for the high-profile collaboration between L.O.L. Surprise! and Crayola, for the L.O.L. Surprise! Loves Crayola collaboration announced late last year. The collaboration encourages self-expression and creativity through an engaging and impactful product strategy of dolls, playsets and consumer products globally.

The creative team at Hunter Price developed the vibrant and imaginative debut collection across accessories, bags, games and puzzles, health and beauty, home and lifestyle, stationery and creative play, all of which will be available in retail later this year.

L.O.L. Surprise! and Crayola coming together has created a huge opportunity for an extensive range, particularly around stationery and creative play activities. The collection features everything from back-to-school sets, notebooks, journals, arts & crafts, slime, stickers, stencils, make your own and colour your own doll houses, bracelet kits and so much more.

Hair accessories also have a natural fit within the agreement, from Crayola crayon clips and combs to signature L.O.L Surprise! scrunchies and bows. This first edit features a wide variety of colourful design-led creations. Bags, including backpacks, cosmetic, lunch and shopper bags will also be available from Hunter Price alongside home and lifestyle accessories, including snack boxes, water bottles, blankets and cushions.

The innovative collection from Hunter Price has already had a hugely positive market response after being featured at the opening trade shows of the year in London and Nuremberg.

“The L.O.L. Surprise! Loves Crayola collaboration with Hunter Price broadens the avenues for children in the UK to unleash their creativity and colourfully express themselves,” said Rob Spindley, licensing director EMEA at Crayola. “These resourceful offerings will seamlessly integrate with Crayola’s existing line-up fostering more avenues to ignite and captivate young imaginations. We eagerly anticipate delivering an abundance of these delightful experiences to consumers.”

The debut collection for L.O.L. Surprise! Loves Crayola will arrive in retail later this summer. To get in touch with the Hunter Price team, contact 0161 653 1306.

Craft Buddy introduces host of new Crystal Art characters

Craft Buddy has experienced strong growth in the last four years and now boasts a licensing roster that includes Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Warner Bros, L.O.L. Surprise!, Paddington Bear, Peter Rabbit and Me To You. The company delivers a wide range of licensed products year-round that inspire creativity in crafting enthusiasts of all ages.

The September launch of Crystal Art Buddies Series Four offers a further 21 characters, with a host of fan-favourites to collect. Series Four includes characters from this summer’s movie blockbusters, Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, as well as the upcoming winter releases, Mufasa and Moana 2. This season’s new Crystal Art Bag Charms feature Wolverine and Deadpool, along with other evergreen favourites such as Jack Skellington, Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4 and Grogu.

The Crystal Art Mega Activity Set is new for autumn/winter, with three popular licensed characters including Stitch & Angel, SpiderMan and Harry Potter. These activity sets are perfect for enthusiastic crafters or as a Christmas gift, and offer a fun interactive bundle of multiple projects, such as stickers, bookmarks, phone stands, magnets, pictures with easel and mini friends sets.

Paint by Numb3rs Buddies continues to inspire, with the exciting opportunity to create cut-out 23cm character standees using the evergreen painting by numbers technique. The collection features six fan favourite movie characters: Harry Potter, Groot, Spiderman, Winnie the Pooh, Genie from Aladdin and Stitch.

The Crystal Art Card Collection offers a wide range of licences. This year’s Christmas Card collection has sparkling designs that feature Harry Potter, Friends and Me To You, as individual cards and box sets. The Crystal Art Me To You range is a first-time finalist at this year’s Licensing Awards 2024.

Also new in this category is a 200-page A5 Planner, and an all-in-one planner-diary-notebook-journal-doodle pad. Each planner showcases a Crystal Art front cover which features the Harry Potter Hogwarts Crest or Batman Forever, along with fantasy artist Anne Stokes.

Jason Rice launches Peak Licensing Solutions

Jason Rice has announced the launch of Peak Licensing Solutions, a brandnew global licensing consultancy. Based in the UK, it specialises in supporting organisations and individuals from all corners of the industry, helping new and established brands in developing exciting licensing campaigns and strategies and supporting manufacturers and prospective new licensees break into the industry through advising and supporting them in achieving their brand licensing goals.

Jason said: “At Peak Licensing Solutions, we are passionate about connecting amazing brands with exciting forwardthinking consumer product companies, with a view to developing top tier licensing partnerships which deliver success for everyone. So, whether you are a brand owner looking to expand your reach, increase awareness and drive new revenue, or a manufacturer looking to leverage the benefits of partnering with emerging or well-known beloved IPs, we are here to help, support and guide you through the process.”

Prior to the launch of Peak Licensing Solutions, Jason was director of Brand Licensing at Sega Europe where he was responsible for leading the organisation’s EMEA licensing business across the full suite of Sega owned brands. Previous to this, he held senior licensing positions at top tier corporate media companies including Cartoon Network and BBC Studios.

Jason can be contacted 07985 616 516 or by emailing jason@peak-licensing.com.

Brand Profile Fuggler

A beautiful partnership for

Ushering in a new era for the Fuggler brand, Zuru will take over the plush licensing rights from autumn/winter 2024 and preview the range for spring/ summer 2025. Here, Mark Kingston, CEO & co-founder of Fuggler brand owner Libertas Brands, Stuart Grant, co-founder of Libertas Brands, and Nick Mowbray, co-founder of Zuru Toy Company, tell Toy World how the partnership is evolving and what it means for the funny, ugly plush.

Mark Kingston: It’s great having Zuru on board. Everything, from sourcing and product development to sales & marketing, has been incredible and it’s mindblowing to see how Zuru operates behind the scenes. It’s really highlighted why the company has become such a successful global toy player in a relatively short period of time.

Nick Mowbray: Likewise! It’s been great working with Libertas brands on this project and I’m constantly learning from Mark and Stuart. Attending Comic Con with them earlier this year, and understanding the collector sector more deeply, was definitely a highlight for me.

Stuart Grant: We’re able to ideate with Zuru’s design team in real-time, working through countless different character designs, concepts, themes and product material applications to build out the Fuggler range and drive constant newness and excitement for the fans, while keeping true to the core DNA of the franchise. The scale and reach of the Zuru business means it can rapidly expand Fuggler distribution around the globe. We’ve seen retail listings for second half of 2024 and spring 2025 increase substantially as a result.

Nick - What drew you and Zuru to the Fuggler brand?

NB: The brand is really unexpected and stops you in-store. There’s nothing else like it on the market, and the opportunities for further product development are endless. We saw the great success the brand has enjoyed in the UK, and the fact there is lots of pent-up demand for it globally, so taking on the plush licensing rights was a no brainer.

What synergies do Libertas and Zuru have?

MK: Both are agile, able to make quick decisions, and have the desire to build upon the great foundations laid down by Addo Play. We also share the same vision for where the brand can go. In 2023 and 2024, we introduced third party IP collaborations into the world of Fuggler for the first time, with the launch of the Fuggler X Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles range, followed by Fuggler X SpongeBob & Patrick. And with the August launch of the Fuggler X DC range at The Entertainer, which encompasses the iconic characters of The Joker, Harley Quinn, Batman and Superman, we’re making a real statement: that we’re only just getting started combining unique, iconic characters with the unique and cheeky Fugglers.

How is the wider Fuggler licensing programme developing?

MK: Poetic Brands is our key partner in the Apparel and Accessories space, PMI Kids’ World has developed an exciting range of collectible minifigures and interactive figures, and we have some fun pet products coming through from Sinco Pets too. Hunter Price is developing a range of stationery and shopping bags, while Lake Press is working on a range of publishing titles for 2025 and Rainbow Productions is our costume character partner. You’ll see our new Fuggler costume character for the first time at BLE this year.

SG: We’re working with (and looking for) partners who understand the unique DNA of the Fuggler brand and can bring it to life with innovative, fun and quirky products that will appeal to Fuggler fans of all ages - and introduce the crazy antics of our Fugglers to new fans.

Nick, you've previously spoken of ushering in a new era for the brand. What will that look like in practice?

NB: Zuru is now one of the world’s largest plush manufacturers. One of the greatest assets that we’ve developed over the last 15 years is our product team. It’s the best in the world at what it does. We aim to utilise all its talents to bring a tonne of stunning new lines to the brand over the coming years. We have over 150 unique new Fugglers planned for 2025 alone, and we are also planning on doubling down our efforts on platforms such as TikTok to really drive brand engagement.

Mark Kingston

Stuart Grant

Nick Mowbray

Special Feature

Fusing fandom with gaming

Three years after entering development, Funko Fusion launches this month across PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S. Funko Fusion promises to immerse players into an expansive world where they will be able to engage with the extended Funko universe like never before, making Funko’s entry into the world of computer gaming a celebration of the entire community it has built over the years. Here, Andy Oddie, chief commercial officer at Funko, tells Toy World what the game offers existing Funko fans and what it brings to the computer games market.

The debut title from 10:10 Games, a studio co-founded by Jon Burton with a team of experienced developers known for their work on brick-based games, Funko Fusion is an action-adventure, single player and online co-op experience that pays tribute to NBCUniversal’s deep roster of beloved worlds and the irreverent Funko Pop! interpretations of the figures who inhabit them. According to Funko’s Andy Oddie, the game offers new and existing Funko collectors alike an experience that ‘really captures what makes Funko special’.

“Funko Fusion is definitely going to give our existing fans a kick - they'll love seeing their favourite characters in action,” he explains. “But it’s not just for the die-hards. This game is designed to be fun for everyone, whether you've got a shelf full of Funko product or haven’t

yet picked one up. The beauty of Funko Fusion is that it’s incredibly accessible and packed with an engaging, original storyline and stunning visuals. It’s a great way for newcomers to get a taste of the Funko world and maybe even start their own physical collections.”

In all, the game showcases over 60 iconic characters from more than 20 NBCUniversal franchises, in Funko’s signature, hugely successful Pop! style, and blends action, adventure, puzzle solving and humour while staying true to the playful nature that lies at the heart of the company. Andy says working with NBCUniversal on the project has been a ‘fantastic’ experience. The partnership has allowed 10:10 Games and Funko to access an impressive roster of franchises including The Thing, Back to the Future, Jaws and Shaun of the Dead, giving the companies the scope to create something truly unique: especially, as Andy says, when you start taking beloved characters out of the confines of their own story and placing them into other worlds. Speaking personally, he says he’s particularly looking forward to delving into Five Nights at Freddy’s, Invincible, Walking Dead, Scott Pilgrim, M3gan and Jurassic World once the game is released.

“Funko Fusion provides a rich experience for both solo players and online co-op enthusiasts,” Andy says, when asked what sets Funko Fusion apart from other 3rdperson action games within the world of console gaming.

“After all, teaming up with friends is what Funko’s all about. Coupled with Funko’s rich, signature Pop! Style, and an all-new, intriguing storyline staring Funko original characters - including our new titular villain, Eddy Funko - we’re taking action platformer games to their next, natural evolution.”

one-in-six exclusive chase version featuring a ‘corrupted’ Eddy Funko deco scheme. These collectibles will feature characters from the game together with redeemable codes for additional in-game unlockables, including exclusive characters and deco variants. Following what Andy calls an exceptional reception to the line, Funko also plans to expand the Funko Fusion toy offering further by adding new characters and exclusives as more properties are announced, meaning gamers and collectors alike have a lot to look forward to.

“We’re really excited about the launch of Funko Fusion and our fans’ and players’ reactions,” Andy enthuses. “As for what’s next, while we cannot share specific details at this time, we can say that the door is wide open for future projects with 10:10 Games.”

He adds: “Keep in mind that one of Funko’s unique

To support the launch of the game, and to give fans a little something extra to get their teeth into, Funko is launching a special line of Funko Fusion Pop! collectibles. The initial wave will include characters from franchises such as Masters of the Universe, The

Welcome to the Clubhouse

Nigel Cook, vice president Brand Commercialisation and Retail, Disney Consumer Products EMEA, tells Toy World how fresh new content and innovative licensed toys are keeping Disney icon Mickey Mouse and everyone’s favourite mermaid, Ariel, front of mind with today’s pre-schoolers, years after they first appeared on-screen.

Ariel and Mickey Mouse are both classic characters benefitting from fresh new content on Disney Jr. How do the new shows keep Ariel and Mickey relevant for today’s young audiences?

After 13 years, Mickey’s is still the most watched content on Disney Jr. YouTube. A lot of this popularity is down to the original pre-school Mickey Mouse Clubhouse series.

The format and interactivity were already a winning combination and continue to appeal to our youngest viewers. Similarly, the new Disney Jr.’s Ariel series that premiered in June has been developed with the core audience demographic in mind, including reflecting the popularity of Princess and Mermaid play patterns. Together, they’re exciting additions to our already popular pre-school shows, such as Super Kitties and Spidey and His Amazing Friends. The recent premiere of Spidey season four saw the team gain dinosaur powers, new suits and new looks, another example of how our pre-school roster is constantly evolving to offer newness and engage young fans.

The early pre-school target demographic informs everything, from episode length to the combination of favourite characters and play patterns. Both programmes will add to the volume of Disney Jr. content across platforms, which we’re confident will maximise engagement. Alongside all of this, in 2025 we’re very excited to introduce a new generation of fans to the iconic Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, for even more adventures and songs with Mickey and friends. What new opportunities do Disney Jr.’s Ariel and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse offer your licensees, when it comes to product development and end consumers?

Our starting point is always based on what we know resonates with the target audience. For example, The Little Mermaid live action theatrical release saw great success last year and Ariel is an incredibly popular Princess with the pre-school age group.

The opportunity within product development is to lean further into the core play patterns and signature themes of each series. The recently announced ranges from Lego and Just Play are great examples of this. Just Play’s Disney Jr. Splash & Glow Ariel Doll incorporates musical elements and the character’s glowing tail, while both Lego and Just Play’s play sets reflect the series’ focus on world-building and storytelling, with multiple characters and components.

How will your Toy & Game licensees be supporting the new content and the show’s core themes, in terms of consumer products?

You can expect to see major innovation and play value throughout. For Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, we are working very closely with our toy master licensee, Just Play, to develop innovative products that connect with the show’s storytelling while feeding consumer demands. Disney Jr.’s Ariel product will continue to support the key early development themes and reflect the show’s musical repertoire.

Are licensees still being sought for Disney Jr.’s Ariel and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse?

We have some exciting key partners locked in for both properties and have worked closely with them on careful development of products, to ensure they fully reflect and bring to life the amazing content. Having said that, we’re very excited about the future of both shows and still see plenty of opportunity out there for even more new products and partnerships.

This is Minecraft! Special Feature

Throughout 2024, Minecraft has been celebrating its 15th anniversary, featuring global initiatives, product releases and much more as fans eagerly await the release of A Minecraft Movie, slated to arrive at cinemas worldwide on 4th April 2025. As brand awareness and engagement continues to build, Federico San Martin, senior director of Minecraft Consumer Products, tells Toy World what’s behind the enduring success of the game and why there are plenty of opportunities still to mine within the content and consumer product spaces.

This year, Minecraft has been celebrating 15 years of gripping adventures, mindblowing creations and a community of fans that has left its mark on every block. The scale of the game’s landmark anniversary celebrations is all the more impressive given its humble beginnings. Created by programmer Markus Persson, a Swede living in Stockholm, Minecraft started life as a pre-Alpha

development build called the ‘Cave Game’ on software development forums, and gained popularity from thereon in.

According to Federico San Martin, Minecraft's huge success can be attributed to its unique combination of features and the massive community engagement it enjoys. At its core, the platform offers an open-world sandbox experience that grants players the creative freedom to build, explore and create almost anything they can imagine, while regular updates introduce new features, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting year-round. The game supports both solo and multiplayer modes, fostering collaboration and competition among players worldwide, and its simple graphics and intuitive gameplay mechanics make it accessible to players of all ages and skill levels, reaching a broad audience. Cross-platform functionality allows fans to connect and play together on various devices, enhancing its appeal even more.

“Many players who grew up with Minecraft continue to play it as adults, driven by nostalgia and the game's lasting appeal,” notes Federico. “Furthermore, Minecraft has significantly impacted popular culture, appearing in various media, merchandise and collaborations, which helps maintain its relevance and popularity.”

To mark the occasion, and to celebrate the players and fans that have turned Minecraft into the gaming and pop-culture behemoth it is today, Mojang Studios created a year-long 15th anniversary celebration called Shape Your World, which has resulted in over 300m views by both new-to-franchise audiences and existing fans. As part of the 2024 campaign, artists from across the globe shared how Minecraft inspires them to #ShapeYourWorld, Which was popular with players.

To further the celebrations, the Minecraft team

has dug deep into the moment to expand into new categories such as Consumer Electronics, Food & Beverage, Collectibles, Health & Beauty and Tween Girls. A limited-edition Minecraft x Lush collection, for example, launched globally in Lush stores in August with multiple fresh, handmade beauty products and a collectible gift box inspired by Minecraft adventures. Kellogg's launched a Creeper Crunch Cinnamon-flavoured cereal with Marshmallows earlier this year (consumers can collect up to three free character creator items with each purchase) and Minecraft also recently collaborated with Beats by Dre on a special-edition Solo 4 headphone celebrating the game’s 15th anniversary. The on-ear headphones feature a Minecraft-inspired pixelated design with metallic green hinges and include the iconic Creeper character.

“We are also very proud to work with strong global brands such as Mattel and Lego,” explains Federico. “Both partners have worked with us for many years and have always brought the next level of creativity and collaboration, as well as a unique perspective, to our brand. During our 15 Days of Minecraft campaign, Lego revealed two new products which targeted an adult consumer and celebrated our birthday. Lego also will be delivering content throughout the year to highlight our new assortment of products and engage with fans. Alongside this, Mattel has offered an array of products with 15th anniversary branded packaging and included a creator item in three of its product launches.”

On top of all this, Mattel created a Diamond Level Tuxedo Steve action figure. Specially designed with collectors in mind, the 5.5” scale Diamond Level Tuxedo Steve action figure is sporting a tuxedo with a removable cape and comes with a die-cast pickaxe accessory dipped in real 18k gold. Federico adds:

Special Feature

“Steve’s dapper look from the early days of the game also creates more opportunities for storytelling - and the packaging even resembles a gold ingot.”

He continues: “This is a moment for us to leverage the strength of our brand. We have partners around the world who activated against the 15th anniversary through product and packaging. To reach core fans, Minecraft, for the first time ever, also had a presence at San Diego Comic con earlier this year. Product sold out within minutes each day and fans were immersed in the world of Minecraft thanks to a unique photo opportunity.”

Always looking to build on its success, Minecraft continues its expansion across the globe with new partners signing all the time. Recently, PMI Kids’ World onboarded as a global novelty toy partner, with products launching later this year, and the Consumer Electronics category will expand in Europe through a partnership with OTL, which includes headphones, speakers and other electronics. Other notable new partners in Europe include ToyTopic (Plush), Millmead (Minecraft’s first optical partner in Europe), and Pyramid (Wall Art). In Mexico, Grupo Ruz released a new line of Plush, followed by releases from Cartoonia (Apparel and Accessories), and Mays Zona Libre (Bags and Stationery) in time for back to school in Central America and rest of Latin America. In Peru, Arval will debut Apparel and Accessories in the back half of this year. In Japan, Takarajima has products coming to retail in the Publishing and Novelty categories, and Bandai and Granup will be releasing Bath products..

“The Minecraft Consumer Products programme

has been very important to the game's success, significantly contributing to its widespread popularity and cultural impact,” says Federico. “By expanding the brand beyond the digital realm, this programme has introduced a vast array of merchandise, including Toys, Apparel, Publishing and more, allowing fans to engage with Minecraft in their everyday lives. These products serve to reinforce brand loyalty and keep the game relevant. The availability of merchandise also helps attract new players by increasing visibility and generating interest in the game. Collaborations with other brands and franchises further amplify Minecraft's reach and cultural footprint, ensuring that it remains a significant presence in the entertainment industry.”

Retail has also played a huge part in the 15th anniversary celebrations for Minecraft. In the US, the brand is enjoying what Federico calls a ‘huge win’ at Walmart. The Minecraft team, in collaboration with retail partner Retail Monster, secured a 3-Star programme that included feature space across multiple departments such as Toys, Apparel, Home, Collectibles, Seasonal and Personal Care, while internationally, the team was able to secure over 30 retail activations to support the 15th anniversary with retailers including Hamleys, Coppel, Parco, EB Games and The

Warehouse. (Readers can turn to p. XX for more on Minecraft’s 2024 retail presence.)

While 2024 is an undeniably pivotal year for Minecraft, 2025 could, in fact, be its biggest yet, thanks to the release of A Minecraft Movie, the first-ever feature length live adaptation Minecraft film. Landing in cinemas on 4th April, Federico says the film serves as a significant expansion of the Minecraft franchise. By taking the property into the realm of film and entertainment media, the Minecraft universe will be introduced to new audiences who may not be familiar with the game, further increasing the franchise's reach and cultural impact.

“We’re excited to see Jared Hess’ vision of Minecraft come to life with exciting and dynamic performances from the stellar ensemble cast,” Federico says. “And while our intention was always to maximise the Minecraft brand’s category exposure, the movie has accelerated this expansion into new and exciting categories such as Food & Beverage, Health & Beauty, Promotions and other categories.”

In addition, Minecraft has joined forces with Netflix to produce an all-new CGI-animated series set in Minecraft’s blocky universe. The series is currently in development.

“As we continue to celebrate our 15th anniversary, there is so much more coming: be on the lookout for category expansion, territory exploration and new and exciting ways to experience Minecraft in 2024 and beyond,” finishes Federico. “For example, we will be launching our first location-based entertainment experience in Dallas, Texas, in October, which allows fans to embark on an epic quest that will have them mining, scavenging and battling through multiple biomes and dimensions. All that’s left to say is thank you to our partners for all their support over these past 15 years!”

Special Feature

Another in the wall

From its humble beginnings in a Stockholm studio, Minecraft has built a global community of fans and an iconic, evergreen franchise that’s about to welcome its first-ever feature length film. Here, Toy World takes Minecraft back to its foundations, piecing together the franchise’s growth according to its keystone moments.

2009

Minecraft is created by programmer Markus Persson, a Swede living in Stockholm. Called the ‘Cave Game’, it starts life as a pre-Alpha development build on software development forums and gains popularity from there. Mojang Studios is formed to handle the continued development of Minecraft as well as to explore the creation of other games.

2011

officer Jens Bergensten. (Today, Jens is the creative visionary and lead developer for Minecraft). The pocket edition is released on Android and iOS, marking an important milestone in Minecraft’s development.

The Minecraft development role is handed to chief creative

2013

Minecraft Consumer Products is born.

The first licensing partners signed include Lego (Construction), Threadless (Apparel), Egmont (Publishing), Scholastic (Publishing), and ThinkGeek (Retail), among others.

2014

Microsoft acquires Mojang Studios and the Minecraft franchise. The first Minecraft consumer products launch with the debut of books from Egmont. Designed to look elevated and aged up, these can be proudly displayed on a coffee table.

2015

Minecraft: China Edition launches.

A localised edition of Minecraft for Mainland China, developed by Mojang Studios and NetEase, Minecraft: China Edition expands the audience in the region. Today, there are over 600m registered Minecraft players in China, making it the game’s second largest audience after the USA.

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Minecraft partners with international agents CAA (Europe, LATAM and Japan) and Merchantwise (Australia and New Zealand), significantly extending the brand into new territories and categories around the world.

2019 2022 2024 2025

In April, Minecraft is named ‘Best-Selling Video Game of All Time’ by Guinness World Records. Minecraft Consumer Products then realigns the US and international businesses with separate teams to better serve international agents and their focused efforts. By the end of 2021, the international business had more than 20 CP partners fully executed and actively selling into their respective regional markets.

Minecraft launches into fashion collaborations with Burberry, Lacoste and Puma, further extending the brand into unexpected places. The Minecraft x Burberry collaboration kicks off with the DLC (downloadable content) ‘Burberry: Freedom to Go Beyond,’ which sees players encouraged to complete various outdoor challenges and interact with the animal kingdom. The game reflects Burberry and Minecraft’s appreciation of the wonder of nature.

2023 2021

Minecraft doubles its consumer products business. By the end of 2023, the international business has grown its overall portfolio of active licensees to more than 60 partners across all regions. Minecraft Consumer Products wins two Licensing International Excellence Awards - Best Brand: Digitally Native, Gaming, NFT, and Best Collaboration: Fashion, Footwear & Accessories for Burberry x Minecraft - as well as a Bronze REGGIE Award in the Gaming Marketing category for the Kellogg's ‘Build for Better’ programme.

Minecraft celebrates its 15th anniversary with a yearlong marketing campaign, retail programmes and products to surprise and delight its community.

(and beyond)…

The first Minecraft live-action theatrical movie will premiere globally on 4th April 2025, directed by Jarred Hess and starring Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers and Sebastian Eugene Hansen. Minecraft has also joined forces with Netflix to produce an all-new CGI-animated series set in Minecraft’s blocky universe. The series, currently in development at WildBrain (the creator of Sonic Prime, Ninjago: Dragons Rising, and Carmen Sandiego), will tell an original story, featuring new characters and showing the world of Minecraft in a new light. Produced by Mojang Studios and Netflix, the series will premiere exclusively on Netflix.

Step into the world of Minecraft

The first immersive location-based experience from MinecraftMinecraft Experience: Villager Rescue - launches in Dallas, Texas with plans to expand across the US and globally, including Europe. Thanks to the new LBE, fans can embark on an epic quest that will have them mining, scavenging and battling through multiple biomes and dimensions.

Minecraft Experience is an immersive, interactive adventure that uses large-scale projections, physical sets, music, sound and lighting effects to bring the game world to life. The experience starts in the Welcome Lobby, where guests receive the Orb of Interaction, a personal device that enables each guest to interact with content on walls and surfaces throughout their journey. A regular ticket provides access to 11 unique spaces in the experience. Guests travel through multiple Minecraft biomes using their orb to chop down trees, collect and move resources, fight mobs, and more – all through physical gestures.

The experience centres around a village rescue, a Minecraftinspired mission that requires teamwork and quick thinking to complete. Groups of 25 navigate a blend of interactive displays, physical challenges, arcade elements and escape room-like puzzles to complete the quest. People of all ages can walk, punch, leap and laugh their way through this unique experience together.

“We have been planning for quite some time to expand the Minecraft franchise into location-based entertainment that offers multi-generational fun and collaboration,” explains Federico. “Our vision is to expand this unique and immersive experience to cities around the US and, in due time, internationally.”

Special Feature

Building a presence at retail

In its landmark 15th anniversary year, Minecraft has gone above and beyond to support its retail partners with activations that have elevated Minecraft’s in-store presence during the franchise’s key 15th anniversary year. Toy World looks at how the retail campaign has been executed across the globe.

EMEA

At Hamleys, Minecraft took over the first-floor windows of the iconic Regent Street store with a display that caught the attention of passers-by with its bold colour scheme and strong branding. Inside the store, the vinyl-wrapped elevator immersed consumers in the world of Minecraft as they travelled between floors, before shoppers then browsed toys and gifts from licensees including Lego, Mattel, Hasbro, The Noble Collection, Paladone and Xbox.

At Smyths Toys Superstores, Minecraft fans were treated to eight weeks of deals on Minecraft Xbox games, which were promoted across the retailer’s social media channels. From September, an additional campaign highlighting Lego and Mattel will also roll out across the Smyths store portfolio.

Asda has made use of branded FSDUs to showcase licensed homewares including cushions, lunch bags and blankets, while Tesco opted for impactful on-shelf branding to draw attention to its range of licensed clothing (including t-shirts and jumpers) from Fashion UK.

LATAM

Timed to coincide with Children’s Day at the end of April, Coppel installed eye-catching displays that showcased Minecraft’s full range of cross-category products, including Apparel and Footwear, with child-size mannequins and textured blocks perfectly reflecting the game’s aesthetic. Licensees included Union Kids and Reedition. In-store activations at key locations were supported by a strong digital presence for the duration of the two-week programme.

Japan

Parco Shibuya welcomed a Minecraft pop-up store on its sixth floor for four weeks from April 27th, covering Japan’s ‘Golden Week’ - a collection of four national holidays that all fall within a seven-day period. The popular pop-up shop was supported by licensees including Lego, Granup, Infolens and K-Company. In addition, the GG Shibuya Mobile esports café & bar immersed visitors in the world of Minecraft while providing delicious hot and cold drinks and food.

USA

Walmart, a key retail partner for Minecraft, is taking part in 10 activations that kicked off in April and will run through until December. Each activation tempts Minecraft fans to a different department instore, including Toys & Games, Clothing, Collectibles and Home, while a gift-with-purchase DLC (downloadable content) item specifically created for each activation offers them even more value for money and encourages repeat footfall month after month. Licensees on board include Dynacraft, Justice, Mattel, Lego, Just Toys, Jay Franco, Zak, Mad

Engine, Handcraft, SG Footwear, Kellanova, Kelloggs, Random House Worlds, Monogram, Unique, Dr. Squatch, Disguise and Liquipel.

Online retailer Amazon, meanwhile, has run an on-package advertising campaign which saw its polybags and boxes redesigned to celebrate Minecraft’s 15th anniversary, with landscape and character artwork featuring prominently across both options. An on-pack QR code directs consumers to the Minecraft Amazon store, where they can shop for the latest Minecraft products from top licensees.

Special Feature

A Minecraft block-buster

As the 15-year celebration of Minecraft comes to an end, next year will see the big screen release of its first-ever live-action adaptation - A Minecraft Movie - on 4th April.

From Mojang Studios, in collaboration with Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros. and Vertigo Entertainment, A Minecraft Movie is directed by Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre) and features an all-star cast, including Jason Momoa (Aquaman, Dune), Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda, The Mandalorian, Super Mario Bros. Movie), Emma Myers (Wednesday), Danielle Brooks (Peacemaker, Orange Is the New Black), Sebastian Eugene Hansen (Lisey’s Story), with Jennifer Coolidge (White Lotus) and Kate McKinnon (Barbie).

A Minecraft Movie promises to offer fans a new perspective on the world they know and love. Through compelling storytelling and world-building, the film will deepen the lore of Minecraft and explore aspects of the universe that may not be fully realised in the game alone. The Minecraft community can expect stunning visuals that capture the iconic blocky aesthetic of Minecraft while also expanding upon it to create a visually rich and immersive world.

Mojang is working in conjunction with Warner Bros to deliver an exciting and comprehensive global licensing and promotional programme to launch with the release of the film. The consumer products will complement and enhance the upcoming theatrical release of A Minecraft Movie. With an extensive range of products available, Minecraft is poised to offer something to all fans, ensuring that kids and adults alike can engage with and celebrate this highly anticipated release.

The global product line-up will be available at major retailers across the world, with Minecraft enjoying robust representation across a wide variety of product categories, including some exciting collaborations. From Collectibles and Apparel to Toys and Home Décor, the product range is designed to captivate both adult and kid demographics. Whether a lifelong fan or a new enthusiast, the diverse offerings are tailored to enhance the viewing experience and create new storytelling moments for all fans. Retailers worldwide will be able to showcase the extensive product assortment in early 2025, ensuring that fans across the globe have access to the exclusive items that celebrate this major release. Minecraft is committed to delivering a product experience that matches the excitement and anticipation surrounding the film.

From net-bricks to Netflix

Minecraft has joined forces with Netflix to produce an all-new CGI-animated series set in Minecraft’s blocky universe. The series, currently in development at WildBrain (the creator of Sonic Prime, Ninjago: Dragons Rising, and Carmen Sandiego), will tell an original story with new characters and reflect the world of Minecraft in a new light. Produced by Mojang Studios and Netflix, the series will premiere exclusively on Netflix.

Federico San Martin says: “We are thrilled to partner with Netflix to bring the characters and storylines of Minecraft to life in this new animated series. We continue to seek opportunities for our fans to be entertained by Minecraft outside of the game. With the talents of WildBrain studio on board to produce the animation, we have no doubt that we will deliver another amazing Minecraft experience.”

The Noble Collection

020 7580 4442 | wholesale.noblecollection.co.uk.

wholesale.uk@noblecollection.com gdavies@noblecollection.com

The Noble Collection has developed a range of licensed products based on the best-selling video game of all time, Minecraft. In addition to the company’s existing Minecraft illuminating replicas and chess set, a brand-new set of Inventory Chests is part of Series One: Biome Discoveries and explores four different biomes. Users can delve into the darkness of Caves, where both Ores and Hostile Mobs are abundant; explore the Forest, where dense trees hide valuable resources and Creepers; traverse the tall grasses of the Plains; and even reach The End, home of the infamous Ender Dragon.

Each chest holds four removable inventory slots housing a unique resource from the chest’s biome, including tools, blocks, food, drops and Ores, some of which have not previously been seen in the commercial market, like the compass and flower. Users can slot the inventory blocks together to build their own wall of inventory or remove individual items from the slots for a standalone display. For trade customers, the Inventory Chests are available as part of an 8-piece CDU inclusive of chests for each biome, or chests are also available individually with their own SKUs. These Inventory Chests expand The Noble Collection’s range of Minecraft products launched globally at New York Comic Con in 2023. Much like the Inventory Chests but on a real-world scale, the original Minecraft range was created for consumers to imagine what their favourite in-game objects might look like brought to life. Featuring unique textures and blocky aesthetics merged with touch-activated LED features, it includes four illuminating replicas: a flickering, wall-mountable Minecraft Torch is covered in rough, whirling textures inspired by wood; a blocky colour-changing Potion Bottle cycles through five different colours representing potions from within the game, topped by a real cork lid; and two glowing Ores, Diamond Ore and Redstone Ore can be set to either a gentle, flickering pulse or steady illumination with a simple touch. Each of the battery-operated illuminating replicas can be switched off at the base and has a time-out feature to save battery consumption – some savvy parents are already using this feature as a fun way to block out their kids’ homework, chores or gaming time.

The Noble Collection also added to its range of finely sculpted licensed chess sets with an award-winning Minecraft Chess Set, where users can choose to play as Overworld Heroes or Hostile Mobs on an interlocking board made up of grass-green squares surrounded by wood textures. Minecraft fans can also wield their very own replica Diamond Sword with no crafting required. The sword’s antique finish coupled with the cast-iron texture and the faux leather look make this collector replica feel like it’s straight from the Overworld and is inclusive of a 2-in1 attachment that allows for freestanding or wall display.

Panini

01604 877 888 | www.paninigroup.com

Panini is announcing the launch of the brand-new Minecraft Celebration Sticker Collection. This new album from Panini has a full range of activities that make Minecraft unique. The characters and mobs of the game reunite to celebrate Minecraft’s 15th anniversary with a massive party. Whether it’s musical, horror or western, original stories of all genres can be completed through stickers.

The sticker collection features 240 stickers to collect as well as 10 limited edition block cards. There are also video stickers where interactive content can be viewed via the Panini Collector’s app. Collectors can kickstart their collection with a starter pack which includes a sticker album, five sticker packets and a limited-edition

The collection will be backed by a digital-first marketing campaign targeting fans of the game as well as collectors. There will be a focused product sampling campaign to add another layer to the marketing mix, as well as activation across owned social media platforms.

Minecraft is arguably the best-selling game of all time, netting millions of monthly active players across multiple platforms, in addition to being the number one viewed game of all time on YouTube. Minecraft has unparalleled, broad-ranging appeal and significant brand engagement outside of the game.

Panini has had unprecedented success with numerous sticker and trading card collection launches spanning several years. The evergreen nature of the Minecraft brand and broad appeal have laid the foundation for a new and diverse sticker collection which is sure to be a hit with fans and collectors alike. Minecraft’s 15th year is the perfect opportunity to showcase this milestone collection, a fantastic addition to the collectible category.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the best-selling online game of all time, Minecraft. The iconic sandbox game has dominated the online gaming space, with over 600m copies sold since its release date in 2011. With the hotly anticipated Minecraft movie released next April and the announcement of a Netflix animated series, the Minecraft universe is set to continue growing.

Paladone has seen Minecraft skyrocket to become its top-selling licence around the world in recent years across lighting and home product categories. With Paladone’s recent acquisition of WeCool Toys, the two companies are now bringing licensed brands into the toy and craft spaces.

At the centre of the company’s new toy and craft developments is the upcoming Minecraft 3D Sticker Maker, launching in Spring 2025. Kids and teens can create their own 3D sticker shakers with this do-it-yourself tool. It promises hours of fun and creativity, letting young Minecraft fans bring their favourite game characters and elements to life in an interactive way. The original 3D Sticker Maker went viral on social media, picking up thousands of views when it launched in retail stores across the world – adding Minecraft into the mix will bring another level of imagination to the popular DIY sticker kit.

In the Minecraft Excavation Kit, kids can use their mining skills to dig out three collectible character figurines. The Minecraft Pig Build Your Own Money Box Kit gives fans a chance to create their own piggy bank, which, once assembled, nods its head when coins are dropped inside. Both products are a playful way for kids to interact with the world of Minecraft at home.

Within lighting, Paladone is introducing a new format with the introduction of the Creeper Squishy-Glo, a rechargeable night light with an auto-off timer made from child-friendly soft, tactile silicone. Its brightness level can be adjusted by tapping anywhere on the Creeper’s body, making it the perfect light-up bedtime companion for kids. Other lighting products in the range include the colour-changing Axolotl Light, already a popular choice with retailers, and a flexible clip-on book light featuring the Allay, Minecraft’s gentle flying companion character.

This expansion into new categories marks a step up in licensed Minecraft products coming to market. Paladone continues to lead the way in innovative and creative products, supported by licensed brands adored around the world. Paladone and WeCool Toys will be showcasing its latest Minecraft lines alongside a huge catalogue of innovative licensed products and toy lines at major trade shows including Spring Fair, Spielwarenmesse and New York Toy Fair.

Red Robin Design

(32) 0487 559 498 | anouk.pauwels@redrobindesign.be

Red Robin Design is the home of officially licensed collectible accessories that bring fans’ favourite brands to life in their everyday experiences. From kids to adults, and from evergreen characters to anime gaming or lifestyle latest trends, there is something for every fan, whether it’s customising their wardrobe, playing, going to school, finding the perfect gift or travelling.

Minecraft, one of the most iconic gaming brands, continues to grow in popularity, and Red Robin Design predicts this demand will only surge further with the upcoming Minecraft movie in 2025. The film is expected to captivate both existing fans and new audiences, further solidifying the brand’s cultural impact and driving increased engagement across its gaming and media platforms.

As a long-term Minecraft licensee, the company knows exactly which products to develop and which designs to use, specialising in all kinds of stationery items, including notebooks and rubber charms.

One of the items in the portfolio of Minecraft-licensed products includes a creative take on the classic notebook. The A5 lenticular notebook looks like a normal notebook at first sight, but when looked at from a different perspective, users can see the cover image changing. By using a 3D depth technique, this creates an illusion of movement for a distinctive look.

Another top seller is the set of two pencils, which includes an eraser that can be mounted on the pencil. A regular Minecraftthemed HB pencil with a square eraser that attaches to the blocky Minecraft pencil is packed in a clear reusable zip lock case.

The bumper stationery set includes something for every creative challenge. Also packed in a reusable zip lock case, users can find a wide range of Minecraft-themed stationery items. Equipped with an A5 notebook, ballpen, HB pencil, sharpener, eraser and 15cm ruler, this bumper set is the ideal gift for creative kids.

The Surprise Stationery Set features multiple Minecraft-themed stationery items hidden behind small, numbered doors. Users can open one door each day to reveal a new surprise, making it a fun and engaging way to count down to favourite moments. Perfect for Minecraft enthusiasts, this set combines the joy of unwrapping with the practicality of stationery.

While successfully establishing its name in the European market, Red Robin Design has also had its eye on the UK. To penetrate this market, the company has closed a distribution agreement with Pyramid International.

www.toytopic.com

sales@toytopicgroup.com

ToyTopic is announcing a new partnership with Minecraft for a range of plush that will be launching exclusively at Primark this autumn/winter. This highly detailed and exceptional quality plush range encompasses key characters from the franchise and is available in a variety of sizes and price points. This key addition further cements the strong portfolio of brands that ToyTopic now has, fuelling the

PMI Kids’ World

www.pmi.co.il | omer@pmi.co.il

Minecraft has signed a worldwide licensing agreement with PMI Kids’ World, known for its mega-popular gaming and licensed collectibles. This strategic partnership aims to revolutionise the collectibles industry, offering fans an immersive experience with a range of Minecraft-themed collectibles that will be launched soon.

Minecraft has evolved into an unparalleled evergreen media franchise and the innovative ways the company engages with its fans provide endless opportunities for creating amazing products. The diverse and enthusiastic Minecraft community has cultivated a passion that extends beyond the digital realm, turning a pixelated adventure into a multi-dimensional phenomenon.

This autumn, PMI Kids' World is bringing an exceptional Minecraft collection with over 40 unique SKUs, featuring a diverse range of collectibles and merchandise. In this collection, there is something for every Minecraft fan.

The Toppeez, standing 5cm tall, capture the game's pixelated charm with 24 designs, including skins, neutral mobs and hostile mobs, as well as rare glow-in-the-dark and electroplated characters. In addition, the Erasers, also 5cm, offer practical fun with 12 designs representing various Minecraft characters. For enthusiasts, the Stampers, standing 5cm, provide 15 different characters and are designed to create detailed imprints of popular Minecraft characters.

Fans can also enjoy Figural Keychains, which are miniature versions of Minecraft characters available in 18 detailed and durable 5cm designs, perfect for personalising keys or backpacks. The Metal Key Chains come in six sleek unique 5cm designs, made from high-quality metal and showcasing intricate Minecraft character details.

The 13cm Plush Clip-On Keyrings are ideal for attaching to bags or clothing, featuring six characters with detailed embroidery and a cuddly texture. Finally, the 30cm Backpacks offer practical, larger-sized options featuring four different Minecraft characters, providing ample space for essentials while showcasing detailed designs.

These products are available in foil bags, blind boxes, blister packs, deluxe boxes and more. This diverse assortment ensures that every Minecraft fan can find something to love, whether they seek small, affordable collectibles or larger, premium items.

Bladez says the Toyz Maker Kitz range ‘puts the craft into Minecraft’ with easy-to-build sustainable cardboard kits and activity packs to enable and inspire kids’ creativity. The Maker Kitz Make Your Own Character Sets bring iconic characters from the game and forthcoming movie to life in 3D. Made from sustainable materials, the kits are quick to assemble without the need for glue or scissors. Once complete, users can pose the 20+ cm figures with rotating arms and add accessories including pickaxes and swords.

There are six characters available as single packs including heroes Steve and Alex, hostile mobs including the iconic Creepers and super scary Zombies, as well as animal favourites like the loyal Wolf and Pig. More to collect are on the way. Kids can boost their collection with multipacks including the Zombie Attack Set and Mob Attack Set with exclusive Drowned figure kit.

The finished figures are great display pieces, and consumers can construct an impressive giant Minecraft environment for them with the Skeleton Mountain Kit. This jumbo set contains an easy-to-build sustainable cardboard kit featuring the iconic blocks that make the world of Minecraft. Once built, it stands 65cm high and includes Wolf and Skeleton figures to build. This range is fun to make and display, and all at affordable price points. Sustainable materials are used to offer consumers an eco-conscious choice.

Alongside the Make Your Own Characters range, Bladez Toyz offers open-ended creative activity sets that inspire kids to get creative. The Bumper Activity Crafting Set is a mega collection of creative materials including washi tape, ink pad and stampers, a poster, colour-in sheets, coloured felt pens and pencils – along with sticker strips, sticker sheets and a sticker book. The novelty packaging, based on the iconic chest from the game, can be used to store all of the materials, and the card insert can be used as a diorama complete with card figures of popular characters to colour, sticker and display. There are even blue stick-on gems, so users can transform stone blocks into rare diamond blocks.

At a lower price point, the Maker Kitz Sticker Activity Set is a pocket money version, with felt pens, colour-in sheets and loads of stickers to keep kids busy. With the Minecraft Movie coming next summer and yet more new lines coming soon, including chibi-style mini figure kits made from tough recyclable PP material, the Bladez Toyz Minecraft range is set for a bumper 2025.

Huffy, in a partnership with Microsoft, is announcing the launch of the brand-new Huffy Minecraft 16" Kids Bike. This officially licensed product is designed for young adventurers aged 5-7 and incorporates Creeper front features, light-up stabilisers and impressive Minecraft graphics.

Crafted from durable materials, the Huffy Minecraft 16" Kids Bike is built to withstand everyday use. The steel frame makes it easy for children to handle, while the vibrant colours and decorative Minecraft graphics add a touch of personality.

Key specs include reliable calliper brakes for effective stopping power; air-filled rubber tyres that provide a smooth and comfortable ride on various surfaces and robust steel construction designed for durability and longlasting use. Wide stabiliser wheels help beginner riders gain confidence and balance.

The Huffy Minecraft 16" Kids Bike offers unique features that set it apart from other children's bikes, including innovative LED stabilisers designed to support users while also adding a glowing element to the bike, making it more appealing and exciting for kids.

The Creeper front feature mask has also been incorporated into the bike’s design to add a unique touch for young Minecraft fans.

With the new Minecraft film coming out next year, the Huffy Minecraft Bike is backed by a thorough retail and marketing strategy to ensure its success, including strategic placements and eye-catching displays at Halfords stores to attract and inform customers. Huffy is also introducing engaging digital campaigns across social media and popular websites to generate buzz and drive sales, and a special launch price of £160 to encourage early purchases and enhance customer engagement.

The Huffy Minecraft 16" Kids Bike has been designed to offer the perfect blend of safety, durability and fun and is suitable for both boys and girls.

Mark Thompson Productions

From brand to stage Company Profile

Mark Thompson Productions is expert in developing edutainment shows, as well as holding a strong reputation as the UK’s leading company for STEM engagement productions.

WWith over 900 individual performances planned for 2025, Mark Thompson Productions is leading the way in taking well-known pre-school, family and education brands to the theatre market. Current rights include Milkshake! Live with Paramount, Fireman Sam Live! with Mattel, Science Museum The Live Stage Show with Science Museum Group, Natural History Museum presents Dinosaurs Live with Natural History Museum Trading Company, Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter’s The Dinosaur That Pooped, while the company also produces the Ministry of Science Live shows which tour the UK annually.

Established in 2013, Mark Thompson Productions has built a reputation for taking pre-school and family brands from page and screen to stage. Building on Mark’s 24-year career in children’s entertainment, the company has produced the Milkshake! Live shows independently since 2014 across the UK. A multi-brand show, the current storyline of Milkshake! on Holiday includes a selection of character brands from Channel 5’s Milkshake! including Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol, Pip and Posy, Milo, Blue from Blues Clues and You!, Dora and Milkshake! Monkey. In 2024, the Milkshake! Live tour will play in over 80 different towns or cities across the UK alone. The twoyear cycle sees the Milkshake! Live show refreshed every 24 months with a new story, new production values and new brands, to ensure that the concept remains in line with current programming on the popular morning broadcast platform.

The company also produces the Fireman Sam Live shows under a licence agreement from Mattel, which was entered into in 2019. Fireman Sam Live Saves the Circus toured to over 120 venues in the UK and the Middle East, and with the second tour - entitled Fireman Sam Live The Great Camping Adventure - the brand has cemented its position as a family favourite in the UK theatre market. The

stage rights position has been extended up to the end of 2027 with further stories and tours already planned.

Developing edutainment shows is at the core of the company’s portfolio and it has firmly built a reputation as the UK’s leading company for STEM engagement productions. Self-created brand Ministry of Science Live! has been touring the UK and internationally since 2014 to capacity audiences. In 2023, the show took over sole occupancy of London’s Savoy Theatre in the West End, playing to thousands of people and building on a hugely successful journey so far. The company is often invited to develop STEM based interactive shows and experiences for other international partners with shows developed or performed for the Mishkat Centre for Renewable Energy in Saudi Arabia, the British Council in Hong Kong, BT Young Scientist, Art for All UAE, Engineering UK, Formula 1 and the Abu Dhabi Science Festival, which represent just some of the clients the team has worked with.

Building on this success, the company has partnered with London’s Science Museum and taken a long-term licence agreement, creating the museum’s new live show: Science Museum The Live Stage Show. Launched to the UK theatre market in 2024, the show aims to ignite the curiosity of children through the wonders of science. A long-term plan is in place to develop the show both in the UK and internationally, not only as an extension of the Museum’s outreach but also introducing new audiences to the Science Museum brand through the live entertainment market. The show has already been seen by tens of thousands of people and is extending the reach of the Museum across the UK.

In February 2025, the company will launch a brand-new production: Natural History Museum presents Dinosaurs Live! under a licence agreement with London’s worldrenowned Natural History Museum. The live show will see audiences come up close and personal with life-like animatronic dinosaurs whilst going on an educational yet

entertaining journey through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The live show will give an insight into the museum’s long-standing and undisputed position as the home of dinosaurs and explore the connection with Sir Richard Owen, the man behind the Natural History Museum who also coined the word Dinosaur. The long-term rights agreement between Mark Thompson Productions and the Natural History Museum Trading Company will see the new show tour the UK and explore international options for years to come.

The company will also produce a stage adaptation of McFly stars Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter’s hit book

The Dinosaur That Pooped, for younger theatregoers. The live show, which is under licence for several years, will be adapted from the series of books which reached the No1 spot in July 2024 with the release of the ninth book of the series. Launching in 2025, the live show will offer children the opportunity to see their favourite characters from the hit book collection come alive on stage.

With a wide and diverse portfolio of productions across family entertainment, the company is in prime position to offer brands maximum exposure in the live events arena. Over 450 separate theatre dates are already scheduled in for 2025, and the company has developed its reputation with UK theatres as a leading, reputable provider of family entertainment, offering theatre venues, festivals and live entertainment programmers a one stop shop for trusted, good quality family shows spanning different target ages and topics. The diversity in the portfolio allows cross marketing opportunities, ensuring that theatres and events organisers benefit from the wider family of shows across the UK, and further afield, with audiences who trust the overall quality of productions from the Mark Thompson Productions portfolio.

For further information about Mark Thompson Productions, visit the website at www.mt-productions.co.uk

Properties Hot

Stumble Guys Scopely

licensing@scopely.com

Toy World Takes a look at the very latest properties that are currently taking the licensed sector by storm.

With over 50m players every month and nearly 700m downloads, Stumble Guys is a multi-award-winning party battle royale game that features extremely fast-paced multiplayer gameplay; social mechanics that make playing with friends easy; a wide array of challenging and imaginative events, tournaments and levels; multiple game-play modes; personalised and expressive customisation options and more. Stumble Guys also features in in-game partnerships including Nerf, Pac-Man, Tetris, Hot Wheels, Barbie and Monopoly.

Stumble Guy offers an inclusive, diverse and global community of avid players ensuring that anyone can Stumble with their friends and with millions of others across the globe. Stumble Guys is also a global sensation on social media, with over 2m followers and over 40b views on TikTok alone. Discord is another great example of the game’s active and dedicated player community, with over 1m users across Stumble Guys Discord servers in multiple languages.

Already a staple of the top free games on Xbox and PlayStation, Stumble Guys released on Nintendo Switch in August, making the game playable across all major gaming platforms, including consoles, mobile and PC. Recently, the game added split-screen multiplayer on PlayStation and Xbox, with the feature coming to Nintendo Switch soon, bringing players together in the same space. Stumble Guys has also added crossplay, allowing players to connect across different devices, allowing them to play together no matter what console they own.

With PMI Kids World on board, Stumble Guys has launched its toy line globally across major retailers worldwide, debuting in Walmart in spring 2024. The next wave of toys is scheduled for autumn 2024 to launch in the US, LATAM and Europe. An additional special Figurines and Plush collection will hit store shelves around Thanksgiving, to delight the fans of the franchise and collectors worldwide in time for the holiday season. Another global partner, Panini, has successfully launched the Trading Cards collection across all key markets and is preparing for the launch of the Stickers Collection and the next generation of Trading Cards.

Currently with over 30 licensees onboard globally and growth in major categories - including toys, collectibles, back-to-school, apparel and accessories - the Stumble Guys brand is ready to expand to outdoor toys, role-play and party goods, and FMCG categories.

Zoonicorn Toonz Entertainment

info@roonz.co

Zoonicorn heads into Brand Licensing Europe with a new licensing partner, new products and the launch of its official branded Amazon portal.

Zoonicorn’s seven-minute episodes are produced by Toonz Entertainment and Zoonicorn and distributed by Toonz Entertainment. Global licensing for the brand is shared by the two companies and headed by J’net Smith of All Art Licensing. Zoonicorn will be represented at BLE at the Toonz Entertainment (stand E171).

Zoonicorn has entered into a Global Merchandising Agreement with Teddy Mountain, the world’s largest wholesale supplier of DIY Plush products. Teddy Mountain will showcase the entire Zoonicorn DIY Plush Characters family through its expansive distribution network in North America, UK, EU and The Emirates. Teddy Mountain’s interactive kit concepts will enable customers to craft and accessorise their own Zoonicorn stuffie. The products come to market in spring, 2025.

Zoonicorn licensee Storypod will be releasing a new Zoonicorn bundle for its interactive audio player featuring a Promi Craftie yarn-audio character, a new audio storybook entitled Home Sweet Home, a Zoonicorn branded activity and colouring book, and a magnetic Token that plays 10 sing-along songs. The new products will be available this holiday season.

Zoonicorn has developed and will launch its new branded Amazon.com portal where consumers can find a wide range of Zoonicorn licensed products. Coming to the portal this autumn are products from Zoonicorn licensees SRM Entertainment, Storypod, United Smile and Jay@Play.

The Zoonicorns inhabit the dreams of young animals, taking them on adventures to learn important social-emotional skills with a focus on determination, optimism and resilience. The Zoonicorns cleverly guide each dreamer through a whirlwind of fun-loving escapades. When the dream is over, the young animal wakes up feeling self-confident, with the decision-making skills necessary to overcome whatever challenges they are facing.

Multi-Emmy Award-winner Mark Zaslove serves as showrunner and lead writer/editor for the series. The music for the show has been composed by Emmy Award-winning composer Rich Dickerson.

Hot Science Museum Science Museum Group

licensing@sciencemuseum.ac.uk

The Science Museum is a leader in helping children learn about science through play, and as a globally respected voice in the informal science education sector, attracts over 3m visitors a year (2023/24) of which 63% are families. In its mission to inspire the scientists of tomorrow, it is now aiming to extend its reach wider than ever before through a live touring show and the launch of a new STEM (science education technology and mathematics) badge for licensed toys and games products.

In February, the Science Museum Group launched its first-ever licensed show: Science Museum The Live Stage Show, which is currently touring to every corner of the UK to spread the love of science beyond its walls and promote STEM learning through play.

The Science Museum has a long history of engaging children with science through play, from the opening of the first Children’s Gallery in 1931 to the ever-popular interactive Wonderlab galleries in London, and at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, and the National Railway Museum in York. The live show takes the fun, hands-on experiments from the Museums and makes them spectacular on stage, delighting family audiences. From a licensing perspective, the show has a high impact in terms of brand recognition and brand extension.

The licensing team worked closely with the Museum’s learning team to draw on its educational expertise in the creation of the new STEM badge. As part of the roll-out, the team is working with licensees to assess how a toy, whether one that already exists in the marketplace or a brand-new concept, can be enhanced and elevated with clearer on-pack messaging and consistent Science Museum branding that appeals to a wide consumer age range.

Drawing on the Museum’s role as a STEM ambassador, the badge – part of the Science Museum’s packaging refresh – is a mark of quality assurance for purchasers that the interactive products that carry it will be both fun and educational. A real USP for the Science Museum is that it is trusted by education institutions as the place to come for real added value in a fun way, as part of the delivery of the national curriculum. The Science Museum is at the forefront of informal science learning seven days a week.

Ultimately, the badge and new packaging aim to help guide consumers towards the most educational toys with the biggest learning outcomes. Consumers know they want an educational slant to the toy they are buying, but when faced with too many choices and little guidance, it can be overwhelming. The Science Museum is always trying to find new ways to increase scientific knowledge and is keen to partner with toy companies to identify and tease out the STEM principles in their products - by working with the Science Museum, licensees can provide much-needed clarity for consumers.

The new Science Museum packaging style guide helps to showcase the fun contained within each box, making it easier for licensees to market their products. The Science Museum wants to collaborate with toy and games creators on a licensing agreement that benefits both parties; the Museum can inspire and educate even more children, while licensees can enjoy working with one of the UK’s most trusted educational institutions.

The badge will only be given to a product, toy or game which truly reflects STEM principles, and the licensing team has developed a very clear process to help support licensees, using unrivalled expertise in age-appropriate science communication to help partners promote their product in ways that are proven to be impactful. In turn, purchasers who buy a STEM badge product know that they will be buying not just, for example, a lava lamp or a plasma ball, but will be finding out the science behind how it works. The Science Museum’s design team has used the brand’s eye-catching colours and aesthetic to create packaging which appeals to gift buyers and to the child the toy is destined for.

There are additional advantages of working with the Science Museum’s licensing team including being able to advocate on behalf of licensees with the retail outlets in all five of the Science Museum sites (London, York, Manchester, Bradford and Shildon). Information from the retail and visitor teams can be shared to better inform licensing partnerships, with everyone working towards the

Special Feature BLE Preview

Brand Licensing Europe It Starts Here

Taking place from 24th-26th September at Excel London, Brand Licensing Europe returns for its celebratory 25th anniversary year. With so much to see and do, visitors are advised to start planning for the show now (if they haven’t already) to ensure they’ve got enough time to make the most of this superb pan-European licensing show. Toy World picks out some of the biggest highlights across the three days.

Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) has come a long way since 1999, when it set out with the ambition to attract 50 exhibitors and 2,000 visitors. These days, BLE is the only panEuropean event dedicated to licensing and brand extension, bringing together nearly 10,000 retailers, licensees and manufacturers for three days of dealmaking, networking and trend spotting, with over 200 exhibiting licensors gathered under one roof.

As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, the organisers are laying on yet another unmissable three days for anyone from the world of licensing. John Friend, head of Xbox Gaming Consumer Products at Microsoft, has been announced as Day 1 keynote speaker, delivering a session called ‘When Everyone Plays, We All Win: Next Level Consumer Products & Licensing with Xbox’ at 12:30pm on Tuesday 24th September. Sara Davies MBE, meanwhile,

the dynamic entrepreneur and youngest female investor on BBC One’s long-running Dragons’ Den, will deliver the Day 2 keynote, ‘Crafty Licensing: Transforming a business through brand licensing’. Both talks reflect the purpose that lies at the heart of BLE – to help licensees and licensors leverage the power of brand licensing in a way that places the world’s biggest brands in front of consumers in ever more immersive and inventive ways, while also giving brand owners the chance to expand, enhance and future-proof their business.

Visitors to BLE can expect to engage in meaningful conversations about consumer product trends and buying habits, access thousands of brands and products representing all categories and target markets (including Toys & Games) and learn about examples of successful licensing collaborations - and why they worked - from a community built on creativity, collaboration and

curiosity. Over the years, BLE has more than earned its reputation as a friendly, welcoming and educational event, no matter which direction you approach licensing from.

Free registration is open now. Exclusive access to BLE’s online event planner is included as soon as registration is complete, offering visitors access to an invaluable resource centre where they can explore brands, brand owners, and the entire session agenda ahead of time. following, we’ve a special interview with event director Ella Haynes detailing plenty more need-to-know information about BLE as it prepares to celebrate its landmark 25th anniversary. And as usual, the Toy World/ Licensing.biz team will be at the show walking the floor: if you’d like to book an appointment, please do reach out as our diaries are filling up fast. See you there!

Special Feature BLE Preview

Ella Haynes, BLE event director, tells Toy World how the world of licensing has changed during the years, how BLE has evolved along with it, and what’s in store for visitors to this year’s show.

There's not long to go until Brand Licensing Europe 2024 opens its doors. How has the show come together this year? Is it looking like the best one yet in terms of exhibitor numbers and visitor registrations?

Preparations have been very different this year, as we’ve been focused on building on the foundations of the amazing 2023 show, when we enjoyed huge increases in visitor numbers - particularly among retailers and from mainland Europe. That’s made it really exciting.

We are anticipating more exhibitors on the show floor (including our first ever exhibitor from Africa - Signet) bringing visitors lots of new brands available for licence. Visitor registrations are also very strong, especially retailers and licensees from mainland Europe.

We’ve noticed that our exhibitors are becoming much more creative and innovative when it comes to how they bring their brands to life at the show and increase their discoverability. There’ll be plenty of brand experiences for visitors to enjoy.

BLE celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. How do you think both the licensing industry and the show have evolved during that time?

Our 25th birthday lets us celebrate how the industry has

2024 dates and times:

evolved, and we’re honoured to have played a part in that evolution. The industry has changed so much since 1999. We’ve seen the emergence of brand-new categories like LBE (location-based entertainment), and huge growth in areas like food & beverage, museums, heritage and charity. Product development has completely changed; there are new ways of manufacturing including the use of more modern, sustainable materials. Sustainability and inclusivity have become huge priorities for many.

We know and understand our customers better than ever thanks to data access, which has resulted in even more innovative products delivering meaningful messages that feed fandom and loyalty. The role of licensing in delivering brand perception and values is recognised - logo slapping is no more.

People are consuming content in so many different ways. This is reflected in how fans are engaging with brands and has impacted how we create product. And despite all the barriers impacting the industry – the cost-of-living crisis and supply chain problems, to name just two - the desire for licensed product continues to increase. BLE has evolved to reflect these changes. The breadth and depth of brands and categories at the show is incomparable to the first event in 1999, when the target was 50 exhibitors and 2,000 visitors – we’re five times the size now.

We’ve watched the Brands & Lifestyle category grow alongside the introduction and growth of the Sports zone. The change at retail has also been fascinating, from almost solely bricks & mortar to the stratospheric growth of online retail. There’s also more recognition of (and appreciation for) the benefits licensing offers retailers, including licensing out as well as in.

And, of course, we’ve seen BLE evolve from a domestic to a fully European event, helping exhibitors from all over Europe have conversations that support global growth. As our campaign says - It Starts Here.

How important has the support of BLE’s long-term exhibitors and visitors been to the success of the show?

Critical. Licensing is a relatively small community, but we are also passionate about welcoming new people to BLE. The people who have been with BLE from the beginning are driving this industry forward and are so committed to riding the wave of different trends, pushing through incredibly meaningful developments like the introduction of accessible, inclusive and sustainable products. This has created some real ‘wow’ milestones throughout the years.

These people want to better the industry. They invest in innovation, demand more from partners, share inspiration and education, and do a brilliant job of telling the stories behind the brands to create authentic products.

What has been your favourite BLE moment from across the years you’ve been involved with the event?

For me, it was coming out of Covid, being back at the show in person and finally having the chance to bring our

• Tuesday 24th September: 09:00 - 17:00

• Wednesday 25th September: 09:00 - 17:00

• Thursday 26th September: 09:00 - 16:00

fashion theme to life. I watched how it was embraced by our exhibitors and woven through the entire show, from the content with ex-Mattel VP Richard Dickson to fun and interactive features on exhibitors’ stands. Some brands didn’t have apparel ranges but were so excited by the theme they created sample products to take part. It was a real moment in time: really inspirational. We had incredible, emotional content from Black Lives Matter Licensing and beautiful, sustainable content from the UN and Junk Kouture. And we had product across the entire price spectrum too, from high-end couture to streetwear and kids’ brands.

What can guests at the BLE 25th party on the opening day expect to enjoy?

A huge celebration of the community and how amazing it is! We’ll have our own special guest, the BLE bear, loads of selfie opportunities so we can all pause and be part of the moment, a huge cake, great entertainment, party props and more. It will be a brilliant opportunity to get to know one another and the perfect way to unwind at the end of Day 1. The party takes place from 5-7pm in the BLE Birthday Bar in the Brands & Lifestyle Zone on Tuesday 24th September.

Elsewhere across the show, what events and activations should the Toys & Games community really not miss out on?

Rovio is creating a really lovely Angry Birds activation that will include video and board games in a themed seating area. And we are welcoming ZSL and London Zoo to the show for the first time this year with giant games in their themed seating area. CPLG, which represents Fuggler, will have a coconut shy on the stand too.

At this stage, what final preparations ought people be making ahead of their appearance at the show (both visitors and exhibitors)?

Number one: register now. It’s free and quick to do. This gives you access to the Event Planner, where you can search for brands and exhibitors, send meeting requests, view the content agenda and start populating your calendar to make the most of your time at the show. Don’t forget to leave some free time to walk the floor and find new brands.

If you’re new to the show, I recommend downloading the first module of our Licensing Unlocked online educational content. It’s free and a great introduction to licensing. Also, don’t miss the Licensing 101 sessions and show tours that will take place at the start of Days 1 and 2. When you’re at the show, if you have any questions, please know you can come to the Matchmaker Lounge, speak to the Global Licensing Group team, or visit the Licensing Unlocked area and ask us anything. If you’re a retailer, you are of course also welcome to talk to Laura or Keith in the Retail Lounge.

Finally, it’s a good idea to get your travel and accommodation booked in now as places to stay are filling up quickly.

PMS International

01268 505 050 | jcostimouyia@pmsplc.com | sales@pmsplc.com

Stand A231

PMS International is showcasing its hugely successful Elves Behavin’ Badly brand at this year’s BLE event. Elves Behavin' Badly (EBB) has taken the festive season by storm since its debut in 2017, decorating over 13m homes. EBB was born from the vision of infusing playful mischief and laughter into Christmas for young families. Recognising the need for festive toys that merge evolving Christmas traditions with inspiring play, EBB set out to offer a unique mischievous take on the festive season, emerging as a refreshing addition to the Christmas toy market.

At the core of Elves Behavin' Badly's success lies its innovative marketing strategies. Leveraging the power of social media, the brand has invited customers to join in the mischievous adventures of Santa's elves through its interactive #Pranksmas campaign, generating over 50m video views on social media and 6.5m impressions on YouTube last year. By fostering a sense of community and amplifying visibility through collaborations with influencers, bloggers and creators, EBB has expanded its reach and continued to engage a growing local and international audience.

Elves Behavin' Badly's licensing programme continues to grow globally, with exclusive distribution deals and collaborations with partners. Recognising the value of licensing partnerships in expanding its brand's reach, EBB aims to leverage BLE as an opportunity to network with potential partners for collaborations and exclusive distribution deals. By forging new licensing agreements, the brand seeks to create meaningful product extensions that resonate with its fans, further enhancing its offerings and solidifying its position in the market.

The upcoming festive season will witness Elves Behavin' Badly's biggest consumer marketing campaign to date. With a focus on multi-channel engagement, this campaign aims to ignite laughter and joy across households, enchanting children and raising brand awareness among adults. As the mischievous elves come to life across various media platforms, EBB's high-impact campaign is set to reach millions of consumers, solidifying the brand's position as a pinnacle of festive mischief.

The brand also recognises the evolving consumer landscape and the need to offer high-quality products at affordable prices. Elves Behavin Badly’s commitment to affordability has been a driving factor of its success, ensuring that the brand is accessible to all families eager to partake in festive fun and mischief.

Elves Behavin' Badly's global presence spans over 40 countries. With a legacy built on innovative marketing strategies, strategic partnerships and the enduring appeal of Elfie and Elvie, Elves Behavin' Badly is poised to write another chapter in its tale. As the brand prepares to arrive at BLE with fresh products, brand enhancements and new strategic partnerships, attendees can look forward to experiencing firsthand the festive fun that has endeared Elves Behavin' Badly to millions around the globe.

Penguin Ventures

penguin.ventures@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk

Stand C164

Penguin Ventures will be showcasing its portfolio of iconic literary brands at BLE 2024. An incredible spring 2024 for the brand has placed Peter Rabbit at the heart of family celebrations and cemented his position as the ultimate Easter Bunny. As a result, The World of Peter Rabbit is seeing exponential growth across all markets.

Penguin Ventures welcomed The World of Eric Carle into its UK portfolio last year. Beloved by generations of families, there are endless opportunities for licensees to take Carle’s iconic artwork off the page and on new adventures.

The World of The Snowman offers magical experiences every year, from afternoon teas to live shows, ensuring that this timeless property remains central to annual festive family traditions.

A brand-new exhibition for Flower Fairies launches at Watts Gallery this autumn, bringing the charming illustrations to new and diverse audiences. Meanwhile, loveable puppy Spot is starring in a touring theatrical show for pre-schoolers this year, reaching family audiences across the UK, and Tom Fletcher’s Who’s in Your Book? series continues to build foundations for an engaging programme rollout in 2025 and beyond.

Penguin Ventures looks forward to meeting new and existing partners to discuss opportunities across product, experiences and the digital landscape.

Warner Bros

wbcpinquiries@wbd.com

Stand B121

DC and its iconic Superheroes and Super Villains continue to draw in millions. Fans are looking ahead to the highly anticipated film Superman, from DC Studios co-head, writer/director James Gunn, debuting in theatres worldwide in July 2025. Batman continues to take a starring role, with licensees and retailers underway on programmes celebrating the Caped Crusader’s 85th anniversary year and momentum building for the pre-school spinoff, Batwheels, which is accelerating across EMEA.

Almost 30 years after the first book was released, and 25 years after the first film hit the big screen, the unique alchemy of Harry Potter continues to enchant fans of all ages, with WBD continuing to drive fan engagement through content innovation. From the new television baking competition Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking airing later this year, through to a huge variety of wildly popular themed experiences and seasonal events taking place all over the world and the much-anticipated forthcoming HBO original TV show, revealed to be a faithful adaptation of the books and expected to hit screens in 2026. The magic continues to resonate with audiences at home, with 11 blockbuster movies and 1,588 minutes of magical content regularly taking top position on Netflix in the UK and on Max across EMEA.

Ahead of its 25th anniversary, The Lord of the Rings franchise is entering a new chapter with the release of the first-ever anime feature based on the Tolkien universe, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, in theatres only in December 2024, together with the news that a brand-new theatrical release, The Hunt for Gollum, is coming to the big screen. Appetites for this franchise continue to be strong and these new releases aim to drive momentum and invigorate fan passion.

Looney Tunes continues to cement itself into pop culture raising the pulses of partners keen to explore the franchise’s unique affinity with sport and the vast potential of WBD’s Eurosport platform. WBDGCP has collaborated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for consumer products programmes featuring the beloved Looney Tunes characters, with product rolling out until 2028. Additionally, WBDGCP has partnered with National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from eight countries including Italy, Poland, Spain, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico to create country-specific Olympic Team X Looney Tunes merchandise, plus Paralympic Team X Looney Tunes merchandise for the United States and Brazil.

WBD will also be embracing its archive with a strategic focus on the iconic Beetlejuice and the creation of a perennial consumer products moment for the beloved brand, in anticipation of the long-awaited sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, only in theatres this September. New items for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will continue to drop through the film’s release bringing the Afterlife’s favourite Bio-exorcist to fans everywhere for autumn and holiday shopping. The development of horror as a genre is also a priority with franchises including IT and The Conjuring Universe, each releasing new content for 2025 with Welcome to Derry and The Conjuring: Last Rites, proving to be hugely popular with millennials year long and no longer an opportunity confined to Halloween.

Brand-new TV event moments including the highly anticipated third season of The White Lotus, due to air in early 2025, create opportunities for luxury licensing, allowing consumers to commemorate their latest visit to the resort and spa with high-end brand-inspired products. Nostalgia remains a big hit with audiences, with films like eighties cult classic Gremlins delivering classic movie magic, memorable characters and iconic lines – offering significant opportunities spanning multiple categories, from high-end, to cute and collectible.

Universal Products and Experiences

www.universalproductsexperiences.com

Stand A171

Universal Products and Experiences returns to Brand Licensing Europe 2024 after a record-breaking year that saw Universal Pictures crowned the No.1 highest-grossing studio at the global box office along with winning the Academy Award for Best Picture (Oppenheimer).

UP&E is harnessing this momentum to fuel its future ambition, and the licensor goes into the show with its strongest film and TV studio slate ever. Robust plans are in place to continually evolve the licensor’s core franchises as well as introduce new IP from NBCUniversal and its world-class production partners including Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and Peacock.

Leading the line-up is the highly anticipated Wicked. After two decades, one of the most beloved and enduring stage musicals makes its journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event. A double licensing opportunity, the movie will be released in two parts with the first premiering on 22nd November 2024, and the second planned for autumn 2025. Retailers and licensees across multiple categories around the world are planning a pink and green autumn/holiday season that is expected to be popular with fans of all ages.

DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby's Dollhouse continues to build upon its success as one of the fastest-growing pre-school brands of the streaming era. Multiple consumer touch points will underpin the strong foundations of the franchise and ensure its position as prime licensing real estate. Highlights include a new feature film, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, coming to theatres in September 2025, television content confirmed until 2027, a global touring stage show, theme park activations and consumer products continually refreshed to reflect brand marketing themes.

Also from the DreamWorks Animation portfolio, fans of one of the studio’s most cherished films, Shrek, can look forward to Shrek 5, the first new movie in the series since 2010, continuing the ogre's adventures in the land of Far Far Away.

From Universal Pictures, the beloved How to Train Your Dragon franchise is set to soar once again with the first live-action adaptation of the property set for release in June 2025. This reimagining of the acclaimed animated movies and television series brings the magical world of Berk and the adventures of Hiccup and Toothless the Dragon to life like never before, promising breathtaking visuals and a fresh take on the iconic story.

Jurassic World continues its dinosaur domination with an all-new event film set to release in July 2025. Additionally, fans continue to experience the thrills and wonder of the franchise through the new DreamWorks Animation series – Jurassic World: Chaos Theory – currently streaming on Netflix with a second season planned for this autumn. With the announcement of the Jurassic Park: Survival video game, fan engagement with the franchise is stronger than ever.

After becoming the first animated franchise to cross $5b at the worldwide box office, fans can look forward to more Minions mischief on shelves as UP&E looks to expand further into the food and beauty care categories as they further explore the character’s potential as a family shopping staple.

The incredible Universal Vault archive of classic favourites spans over 100 years of film and television, including anniversaries of iconic IP, like the 50th anniversary of Jaws in 2025. This milestone has already been commemorated by a nostalgic Lego collaboration – available at retail now, and plenty of summer 2025 celebrations for fans to relive the terror of the world’s most infamous shark.

Universal is also the home to Horror – creating scares on-screen with the visionary teams at Monkey Paw and Blumhouse, making Chucky a year-round nightmare, and the classic Universal Monsters taking it back to where it all began. The annual Halloween Horror Nights celebration takes place inside Universal theme parks around the world and has become a tentpole cultural event. From innovative mazes and themed merchandise in the Parks to licensing opportunities for partners and retailers around the world, this is a perennial moment with year-long potential.

Paramount Consumer Products and Experiences

www.paramount.com

Stand A121

Paramount Consumer Products and Experiences is returning to Brand Licensing Europe 2024 with a host of new updates and opportunities across its best-in-class IP.

In a milestone 40th year for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the franchise recently launched a new animated series, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon. In an impressive content slate for the turtles, a second season of Tales of TMNT can be expected to arrive in 2025, a sequel to the film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem will arrive in October 2026 and another theatrical based on the Last Ronin is in development. Paramount will continue to draw in seasoned enthusiasts and a new generation of fans with a large slate of gaming titles. Next month, Mutants Unleashed, a 3D action title in partnership with Outright Games, will launch. Engaging in innovative partnerships remains a priority for Paramount, with back-to-school set to be a key moment in 2025.

In Adventure Bay, the momentum for Paw Patrol refuses to slow down for the pre-school property. Later this year, Paramount will launch another shortform YouTube series, Skye’s Music Party, and Rubble & Crew will return for a second season on Paramount+ and Nick Jr. Moving into 2025, Paramount will launch another Paw Patrol season with all-new locations and thematics including an expansion of Adventure Bay with Air Rescue, an hour-long holiday special and a new parent-focused brand campaign. In July 2026, the franchise will return to the big screen with a third theatrical. SpongeBob SquarePants is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, with a whirlwind of new content, brand partnerships, product launches, gaming integrations, retail activations, stunts and more. The franchise will see new content launch in 2025 and beyond with a 15th season, a new theatrical The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants releasing in December 2025, and a new film Plankton: The Movie which will see the microscopic villain take centre stage.

In April, Dora made her comeback on Nick Jr and Paramount+ and is now airing on Milkshake! in the UK. In Paramount’s biggest kids & family campaign of the year, which included partnerships with Time Out and BBC Good Food, the series reached over half a million viewers in its first month and is now a top 5 show on Nick Jr. With a second season having recently launched, and two further seasons confirmed from 2025, Dora is one of the biggest multi-season commitments in Nickelodeon history. In 2025, the franchise will also see the launch of its consumer products programme including all-new toys from Spin Master, as well as a live-action kids and family film dropping on Paramount+.

The Western lifestyle phenomenon, Yellowstone, will return for season 5 part 2 this November. This is followed by a new spin-off, with a second season of 1923 and new prequel series 1944 in the works. With five existing blockbuster seasons and two prequels, fans have fallen in love with the Dutton family, making it the No.1 show on Paramount+ for unique users in the UK and the No.1 bestselling digital TV show. As Paramount continues to build out this newly iconic franchise, new products will continue to launch at retail, with Father’s Day set to be an anchor moment in 2025.

The Smurfs will hit the big screen on Valentine’s Day next year in a brandnew animated movie, with Rihanna voicing the one-and-only Smurfette.

Accompanying Rihanna is a cast that includes James Corden, Sandra Oh, John Goodman and Dan Levy.

The Avatar franchise continues to serve the fandom with the new live-action TV series remake Avatar: The Last Airbender, which launched in February. The series opened as the No.1 Netflix show in over 75 countries. With two new seasons confirmed, numerous gaming releases to come, new consumer product launches and a brand-new theatrical Aang: The Last Airbender releasing in 2026, the franchise is set to welcome a whole new generation of fans and keep existing fans engaged.

Next year, fans will celebrate 30 years of Clueless, the teen rom-com which has made a lasting impact on fashion. This milestone moment will see a plethora of consumer products programmes, brand partnerships and fashion collaborations come to life.

The action-packed Mission Impossible saga returns to the big screen with the highly anticipated final instalment, for what is being heralded as a cornerstone of cinematic excellence. The movie will be supported with a consumer products programme just in time for Father’s Day.

Emily in Paris returned for a fourth season in August. Over the past 12 months, Paramount has delivered successful consumer products programmes for the series with the likes of Lillet, Pantene, Revolution Beauty and Kipling –with a host more in the pipeline.

Readers are invited to get in touch if they think they can fill a category gap on an existing franchise or if they’d like to join Paramount on its newer adventures.

Hasbro

631 707

6839  | www.hasbro.co.uk

kimberly.kugler@hasbro.com

Stand A211

Hasbro returns to Brand Licensing Europe with an impressive lineup of announcements for its powerhouse portfolio.

Dungeons & Dragons is celebrating five decades of fantasy role-playing with new games, entertainment and products to inspire generations to come. Building upon the success of the Lego Ideas Red Dragon’s Tale set, fans can play out their adventures with brand-new Lego Minifigures modelled after the game’s iconic characters. Users can fuel the fantasy with stamps from the Royal Mail, footwear and apparel from Converse and BlackMilk, and gaming accessories and collectibles from WizKids, Sirius Dice, FanRoll and Beadle & Grimm’s. Consumers can also celebrate with new books from DK, Studio Press, Random House Worlds and Ten Speed Press, audio storytelling from Yoto and Lunii and the first D&D sticker album from Panini.

Meanwhile, audiences in the UK and US can embark on an adventure with D&D In A Castle, an immersive retreat led by world-class Dungeon Masters. In North America, the live theatrical production, Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern, has extended its run in NYC until April 2025 and announced a US national tour beginning May 2025. Plus, a brandnew interactive touring experience, The Immersive Quest: A D&D Experience, is kicking off in Toronto this autumn.

40 years on, the Transformers franchise continues to release products, experiences and entertainment honouring its origins. Coming this autumn is the franchise’s first-ever fully CGanimated film, Transformers One, supported by a global promotion with Burger King, costumes from Disguise, a tie-in book programme and more. Onscreen action and adventure continue with the kids' animated series, Transformers: Earthspark Season 2, available now on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon.

Hasbro and Mattel have joined forces once again to release Little People Transformers. The fan-targeted collab features four figures based on original 80s Transformers cartoon characters - Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron and Soundwave. New comics from Skybound Entertainment, footwear and apparel from Converse and SuperX and collaborations with Robosen and others keep the battle between good and evil alive for generations to come. Plus, fans can enjoy the newly remastered Transformers: Music from the Original Animated Series available now digitally or on vinyl.

Peppa Pig is marking its 20th anniversary with a very special September of releases, including stories from 30+ publishers. Pre-schoolers can celebrate in style with brand-new Crocs clogs, plus adorable fashions from Mori, Jojo Maman Bebe and Trotters in the UK and the Gap in China. Children can play out their own adventures with Lego Duplo Peppa Pig sets, and party with the interactive Muddy Puddles Party Peppa.

New Season 10 episodes will be broadcast from Autumn. Available to stream now is Peppa’s Party: The Deluxe Album, full of celebratory tracks, remixes and infectious dance numbers –like the hit single Piggle Wiggle. Peppa Pig's Play-A-Long Podcast from Audible features a mix of fun interactive games and catchy sing-alongs. Families can also jump into the world of Peppa by visiting Peppa Pig Parks in Germany and the US.

For over four decades, My Little Pony has enchanted families with timeless tales of friendship and harmony. The magic lives on with ventures rooted in nostalgia, including footwear with Irregular Choice, an immersive open-world video game My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery and colourful makeup with Beauty Creations Cosmetics. Heydude released a limitededition footwear collection, while Loungefly offers a variety of accessories for every Pony fan. In China, Costa released its My Little Pony collection this summer, as Miniso launched cute lifestyle goods. In 2025, fans can look forward to retro figures from Basic Fun, along with an array of licensed items across categories.

2025 marks Monopoly’s 90th anniversary. As one of the most iconic games in the world, Monopoly provides a platform for storytelling opportunities, and Hasbro has announced a film in the works with LuckyChap and Lionsgate. This follows momentum from Scopely’s Monopoly Go! mobile game, which was recognised as the biggest mobile game launch of 2023 and attracts 10m players every day.

Monopoly Lifesized: Travel Edition, a US touring experience, will kick off in Denver, CO in October, and families can enjoy the permanent locations in London and Riyadh. Additionally, Monopoly continues to release brand-new editions based on pop icons like The Beatles, Harry Potter, One Piece, Dune and dozens more. With new ways to play and a growing list of culturally relevant editions, there is a Monopoly for everyone.

Littlest Pet Shop has returned; in January, Basic Fun! unleashed the newest toys in 20+ countries, featuring new characters, packs and play sets. Continuing to roll out across countries, there will be 120+ bobblin’ pets to collect by the end of 2024, with two new series launches planned for 2025. Alongside the global relaunch, Littlest Pet Shop rolled out a digital experience on Roblox, providing kids with the opportunity to interact with pets in the digital world.

Furby is back and better than ever. Reimagined for a new generation of kids, the cute and curious toy has captured the hearts of consumers and cemented its place as a pop culture icon. Hasbro has expanded several of its licensing agreements to include the lovable toy and launched new collabs like assorted plush from Dan Dee, apparel and accessories with Cakeworthy and fashion with Dolls Kill.

Natural History Museum

m.lister@nhm.ac.uk

Stand B255

Dinosaurs are nothing new, but that hasn’t stopped generations of people from discovering and being subsequently captivated by these beasts of bygone days.

The Natural History Museum’s beloved Diplodocus specimen, known as Dippy, has taken up long-term residence at Herbert Gallery in Coventry, but visitors can still get a glimpse of this sauropod in the Museum’s recently unveiled gardens. Based on the original 1905 Diplodocus replica, the newly erected bronze dinosaur – aptly named Fern – towers over guests as they meander through the tree ferns and horsetails like their real-life counterparts lived alongside.

What was once an underused garden, has been transformed into an urban oasis, telling the story of how life on Earth has changed over time, from the days of the dinosaurs through to today. Stretching across five acres, visitors are encouraged to take the time to tune into the birds singing in the trees, observe bees and contemplate their role in protecting the biodiversity that spaces like this encourage.

From contemplation to curriculum, the Nature Discovery Garden will also be a thriving outdoor classroom – with over 2,000 school groups visiting the Museum each year, this newly created space offers students the opportunity to engage with nature through a series of workshops, including pond dipping and mini beast hunts.

As a world-renowned authority on the natural world, the Museum wants to empower children to make their own discoveries, connect with nature and imagine their role in the caretaking of our planet. The Museum’s commitment to educating and inspiring the next generation of scientists and advocates for the planet underpins the licensing team’s plans for growth into categories and products that appeal to the young, and the young at heart.

Over the last year, it’s been a concerted effort to establish the Natural History Museum brand in categories traditionally dominated by character brands – from toys to homewares, and apparel. The Museum has positively disrupted this market by delivering carefully curated – and sometimes unexpected – products via its best-in-class partners.

The year started strong with the Let’s Learn range by Galt Toys released at the London Toy Fair in January. The first kit from the range – Let’s Learn Dinosaurs – got the nod from the British Toy & Hobby Association as one of its Hero Toys for 2024. This accolade not only validated the Museum’s plans for brand licensing growth, but recognised the efforts of the Museum’s 370 world-leading scientists, many of whom contributed to the range.

Earlier this year, the Museum and Tonies collaborated on a new Tonie featuring all-new, and uniquely crafted stories that enabled young children to encounter three intrepid young explorers as they embarked on fascinating journeys through time, each starting at the Museum. Tonies worked alongside the licensing team and the Museum’s scientists to curate these four unique stories, resulting in an enthralling and factually accurate audio journey for the Toniebox.

The Museum continues the storytelling with Mark Thompson Productions to take budding scientists on a dinosaur adventure like no other. Coming to locations across the UK, this live show will see children go on a prehistoric journey across the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and watch life-like dinosaurs come alive right on stage. Spectators will also find out more about fossils, time scales and how our planet has changed over hundreds of millions of years.

As we embark on another year at BLE, the Museum is looking forward to meeting with its network of licensees, retailers and international agents. The organisation has much to share, including ongoing successes from its Dunelm collaboration, innovation from its longstanding licensees and fresh products from its new licensees including Playpress and Seed Pantry.

The Museum is not only an authority on the natural world, but it also holds a special place in the hearts of millions. When visitors leave for the day, their memories remain, hopefully evoking a love of science that spans a lifetime. Whether it be subtle, or conspicuous in its approach, the end goal is to provoke consumers to feel both a connection and advocate for our plane.

Pokémon

j.kellman@pokemon.com

Stand C171

Pokémon returns to BLE with another exceptional year under its belt and more activities planned for autumn and winter. The brand offers creative opportunities for current and prospective partners – from niche to mass market – across a wide range of categories, reflecting its huge global fanbase which spans all demographics.

Currently the No.3 Property YTD in the UK according to Circana, Pokémon continues to display strong growth across its wide-ranging pillars of video games, mobile apps, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, animation and movies, Play! Pokémon events and licensed products for all tastes and budgets.

Pokémon’s range of toys offers something for everyone across diverse lines and price points. Jazwares’ award-winning toy line continues to flourish, with its plush range particularly strong – currently up YTD from 2023. The Squishmallows collection continues to grow in popularity and size, with new characters Teddiursa and Clefairy recently added in Q1 followed by Marill and Dragonite in Q2/Q3. Jazwares’ latest release is the innovative Battle Spinner Arena Set, where trainers can spin, launch and battle with their chosen Pokémon character spinner.

There have been new launches at Funko too, with more than 20 new collectibles released across the year to date; the most recent include Chimchar, Snubbull, Ponyta, Jumbo, Charizard, Greninja and Jumbo Greninja.

Mattel’s brand-new Scrabble Pokémon 2-in-1 Game is a spin on the iconic word game that combines the classic board gameplay with the adventurous spirit of Pokémon battles.

The popular Pokémon Trading Card Game continues to be a bestseller, helped by dynamic new expansions. August’s Scarlet & Violet—Shrouded Fable features parallel foil cards with a new, unique foil pattern surrounding the card artwork. Launching in September, Scarlet & Violet—Stellar Crown enables players to immerse themselves in the Terastal phenomenon with the introduction of Stellar Tera Pokémon ex to the Pokémon TCG and also features unique illustrations highlighting the crystalline qualities of the Stellar Tera Pokémon ex.

There will soon be a new way to enjoy the Pokémon TCG with the launch of the free-to-start Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket app for iOS and Android devices. Fans can collect digital cards and compete in quick battles with streamlined rules, while new immersive cards will allow players to leap into the world of card illustrations like never before.

There are also plenty of new in-game events and activities across Pokémon’s wide range of video games. A host of activities to celebrate three years of Pokémon Unite included a Ho-Oh commemorative Eevent, a Panic Parade revival, a Charizard Unite licence distribution and a new Battle Pass.

In-game gifts and events were also offered in Pokémon Sleep to commemorate its first anniversary, celebrating that the sleep tracker app has been downloaded more than 20m times worldwide across iOS and Android devices since its launch in July 2023.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A, a new entry to the Pokémon video game series, will be released simultaneously worldwide on Nintendo Switch in 2025. A new adventure awaits players within Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a coexistence between people and Pokémon. With 15 apps available around the world that cater to Trainers of all types, ages and interests, Pokémon offers a wide breadth of gaming and entertainment experiences on mobile devices.

Pokémon continues to engage with its huge fanbase in myriad ways to thrill ever more fans – both old and new – across the globe; wherever, whenever and however they want to interact with the brand, there are multiple opportunities for them to do so. Renowned for innovation and evolution, Pokémon continues to harness new technologies to keep this iconic evergreen brand fresh, relevant and at the cutting edge of popular culture.

More vibrant activity is due across the remainder of 2024, including innovative new product releases, imaginative collaborations and dynamic events – and plans for 2025.

BLE

BBC Studios

andrew.carley@bbc.com

Stand C180

Recently named one of America’s Hottest Brands 2024 by Ad Age, global phenomenon Bluey continues its ever-growing licensing portfolio that brings fans new and innovative ways to interact with the Blue Heeler dog.

The Emmy and Peabody Award-winning animated sensation airs in over 140 countries and was the most streamed kids' show in the US in 2023 with a viewership of 43.9b minutes. Bluey is the No.1 kids’ show on CBeebies and Disney+ in the UK and has been streamed over 518m times on BBC iPlayer since 2021. In its native Australia, Bluey is the No.1 kids show on Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the most-watched series ever on ABC iview.

The first batch of new Bluey Minisodes, written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and produced by Ludo Studio, premiered on Australia’s ABC in June, and on Disney Jr. and Disney+ in July. The global premiere of the extended Bluey episode, The Sign broke viewing records in April, gathering more than 10m views worldwide on Disney+ in the week after its release. It was also the top ABC programme of 2024YTD.

The official Bluey YouTube channel portfolio, run by BBC Studios Social, has 8.3b lifetime views. Its digital-exclusive series Bluey Book Reads, which features a star-studded line-up of readers including Kylie Minogue and Eva Mendes, has garnered over 65m views across Bluey digital channels.

The huge popularity of Bluey content has driven soaring demand for products inspired by the series, allowing BBC Studios to collaborate with best-in-class partners to create exceptional merchandise that lets fans further enjoy Bluey. Bluey products have launched in over 49 countries to date and new partners continue to come on board.

Bluey’s successful master toy partnership with Moose Toys continues. A landmark multi-year renewal that builds on the global success of Moose’s Bluey toy range was locked down in May, enabling the dynamic toy partnership between BBC Studios and Moose Toys to continue for years to come. Moose Toys continues to deliver products that captivate young imaginations and inspire unparalleled play experiences that celebrate the spirit of Bluey perfectly, such as the Bluey 3-in-1 Transforming Plane Playset and the newly launched Bluey Tile Town. Other leading toy licensees for Bluey include Tomy, VTech, Hasbro and many more.

According to Circana, Bluey is the No.2 Pre-school Toys character property in the US5 and the No.1 licence in pre-school in the UK for 2023. Additionally, 2023 insights revealed that in the UK alone, children aged 3-6 spent 110m hours playing with Bluey toys, and families have spent over 1m hours enjoying playing Bluey video games.

Worldwide, 20m copies of Bluey books published by Penguin Random House have been sold. Over 2m Bluey books have been sold in the UK since 2021, and more than 8.5m copies have been sold in the US since 2020. Two titles - Love From Bluey and Bluey: Sleepytime – featured in The New York Times Best Seller list simultaneously this year. In EMEA, there are 22 foreign language deals for Bluey books and Bluey is a top book publishing licence for Spain, France, Germany and Italy.

The scale and appeal of Bluey softlines continue to expand. Leading high-street fashion retailers on board for multi-territory roll-out of Bluey kids’ apparel, include Zara, H&M and Mango Kids among others. From screen to street, Havaianas is launching a Bluey collection in Australia.

Bluey continues to captivate the music space too. The third Bluey album Rug Island releases globally on 25th October. Together, its predecessors Bluey: The Album and Bluey: Dance Mode! have racked up more than half a billion combined streams and both debuted at No.1 on Billboard’s Kid Albums chart in the US.

From Bluey’s Big Play through to CBeebies Land at Alton Towers, and Bluey x Camp in the US, families across the world have spent over 700,000 hours attending Bluey-themed live events. Incidentally, the immersive adventure Bluey x Camp is the fastest-selling Camp experience in the US. Forthcoming hot tickets include the premiere of Bluey’s World in Brisbane this November and the debut of Bluey’s Big Play across Spain in September and in Paris in December this year.

Magic Light Pictures

www.magiclightpictures.com | licensing@magiclightpictures.com

Stand B205

BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated production company Magic Light Pictures is embracing both the established and the new as it heads to BLE with fast-growing preschool brand Pip and Posy and globally popular evergreen property The Gruffalo, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Interest in the family favourite shows no sign of waning as Magic Light marks The Gruffalo’s 25th year with anniversary-themed product ranges across multiple retailers and licensees. There are specially themed anniversary events at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, The Gruffalo and Friends Clubhouse in Blackpool and The Gruffalo 25th Anniversary Maize Maze, a giant attraction believed to host the largest image of The Gruffalo ever made.

The Olympics were also celebrated as The Gruffalo pulled on a Team GB vest for a special partnership throughout the summer with a Team GB-licensed, aisle-end range at Asda, where the brand enjoys continued success. This was complemented by an Olympic add-on activity throughout the summer at the ever-popular Forestry England trails at locations across the UK.

World Book Day continues to be a big driver of sales, with a highly successful promotion at Sainsbury’s, and The Gruffalo’s success in the FMCG category continues with the launch of a scented forest fruits handwash with Carex.

On screen, The Gruffalo family of brands continues to attract multiple viewers on BBC iPlayer and subscriptions on the Gruffalo World YouTube channel have hit the magic 1m mark. Simba Toys has been appointed as the new toy partner for plush in Europe while the brand has appointed licensing agents in Germany, Italy and Benelux and is currently looking to expand its European presence across Central and Eastern Europe.

Live stage shows are currently touring several European countries. Further afield, Australia – where The Gruffalo is represented by Merchantwise – shows growth in the live events category, including several trail partners all over the country. Also in Australia, new apparel product is set to go into Peter Alexander stores.

With Halloween, Christmas and Q4 looming, highlights include: A special Room on the Broom - themed trail at London’s world-famous Kew Gardens for Halloween; the launch of a bedding range at major grocers; a new range of hardline and toys at boutique mother and baby store Jojo Maman Bebe; seasonal gifting promotions for the perennially-popular Room on the Broom, Stick Man and The Gruffalo; and a new adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s book will launch in the world of story-telling fish Tiddler for the BBC this Christmas.

Magic Light Pictures is looking forward to consolidating on the huge appetite for its brands as it fires into 2025 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of accident-prone dragon Zog.

One of the most-watched pre-school shows on Milkshake! and Sky Kids, Pip and Posy’s fun adventures have proved to be a huge hit with its pre-school audience. After two highly successful series, an educational spin-off series, Pip and Posy Lets Learn, invited more pre-schoolers to come and join the fun.

Encouraging the target audience to come and play with the characters offscreen, Pip and Posy has launched a range of plush and toy figurines with master toy partner for the UK and Eire, Bandai. This was supported by a Pip and Posy pop-up event at the Bandai Namco Cross Store Camden, London, in the spring, where fans experienced their charming world with the opportunity to meet and greet Pip and Posy and enjoy readings with a Milkshake! presenter, alongside colouring and crafting. Visitors could shop from a range of products including plush toys, jigsaw puzzles, books, gifting items and fancy dress.

Other phase one licensees for Pip and Posy include Blues Group, Aykroyds, TDP, Ravensburger, Amscan and Tonies. Magic Light Pictures’ in-house licensing team is now looking to expand the brand into other categories including soft lines, home textiles, accessories, footwear, greetings cards and -role-play.

Pip and Posy’s partnership with Milkshake! and Parkdean resorts continues to engage young families on holiday and, last spring, the brand’s second cinema experience – Pip and Posy and Friends –appeared in selected cinemas at Vue, Odeon, Picturehouse, Showcase and The Light venues across the UK. And for 2024’s annual Playday celebration in August, the characters returned at Hinckley Council’s hugely popular Snap Dragon Festival.

Nosy Crow, Pip and Posy’s publishing partner continues to launch new TV tie-in titles throughout the year. Pip and Posy will be visiting high-footfall shopping centres across the country in October, with more live experiences to be announced very soon. Additionally, Tonies will be launching two separate characters with a range of favourite Pip and Posy stories narrated by TV star, author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher.

With a long-term commitment from broadcasters and increasing reach for its short-form content across YouTube, Pip and Posy is going from strength to strength as the Magic Light team seeks out potential new collaborators at BLE to continue growing the brand in new categories.

Miraculous Corp

www.miraculousladybug.com | licensing@miraculouscorp.com

Stand B200

The newly announced Miraculous Corp is a joint venture between Mediawan and Zag that reunites all facets of the globally acclaimed Miraculous franchise. Most recently, former CoComelon and Netflix executive, Andy Yeatman, was appointed as the CEO of Miraculous Corp USA and global operations for the company. Under his direction, the mission is to elevate the brand’s global footprint to magnify its influence on a worldwide scale. Ladybug’s adventures will soon unfold with new content including TV movies and spin-off series and, of course, the highly anticipated Miraculous, The Movie 2 directed by Jeremy Zag.

Captivating audiences across 150 territories since its 2015 debut, Miraculous - Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir follows the adventures of two seemingly typical teens, Marinette and Adrien, who magically transform into secret superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir to save their city of Paris from unexpected villains. Miraculous is one of the world’s most successful brands, with a robust presence on platforms including Disney Channel and Disney+, Globo, TF1, and Netflix, where it is the No.1 non-pre-school animated kids’ series. A fourth special is in production for delivery in Q3, 2024, and season six of the series will be delivered in Q4 this year. The new season finds the superheroes facing a new and skillful enemy in a revitalized, eco-friendly Paris.

The consumer products activities of the company are led by Julian Jacob, COO of Miraculous Corp, whose team will come together at BLE to meet with licensing partners to share the latest news about superheroes Miraculous Ladybug and Cat Noir and announce plans for the brand's 10th anniversary coming up in 2025. There are 400+ licensing partners around the globe for Miraculous, collectively offering a diverse range of avenues for fans to interact with the brand. Over 740m products have been sold and retail sales have surpassed US$1.5b worldwide to date.

Global toy partners for Miraculous include master toy partner, Playmates Toys, which is expanding its range this year with the Miraculous Ladybug Paris Heroez Playset, a four-feet tall focal point for children's adventures centered around Ladybug's hometown, Paris. Playmobil’s recently launched line features several play sets including Marinette's Loft and Gabriel's Fashion Show. Miraculous was the first brand to feature on the all-new Miraball from Wyncor, a collectible toy with two surprises that boasts new patented technology to reveal hidden secrets.

Multi-media and publishing partners include Kodansha with a new manga release for grades 1-8 globally, and Insight Editions will publish the first ever hard-cover Miraculous cookbook in June 2025 globally. Miraculous will launch on Yoto Player, the environmentally friendly screen-free audio platform in the US, Canada and the UK in time for holiday in 2024; while ongoing partners include Panini for publishing and comics (Germany) and comics (Italy); Blue Ocean for the official Miraculous magazine (Europe); Ravensburger with a new line of novels and early reading learning books that launched this summer (German language region); Ciela Norma, activity and colouring books in Bulgaria; and in Italy, Pon Pon Edizioni for arts and crafts activities; Play Press for colouring books and albums; and Albatross Media with a full range of Miraculous books from novels, story books, comic books to activity and novelty books.

In the apparel, footwear and accessories space in Europe, partners include Swatch Flik-Flak watches (global); Poetic Brands (UK); Rubies, Halloween Costumes (Europe); and Riva Kids in the Middle East. Across South Africa, leading retailer Ackermans is launching a line of girls’ tees, leggings and skirts in over 1,000 stores from leading apparel manufacturer Power House Clothing Company.

Long-standing partners in the food and candy space include Ferrero (pan Europe, Brazil); and Dolfin, who launched a new range this summer to include confectionary and chocolate eggs (Europe). Additional new partners across Europe and the Middle East include SAI Group Kandiz for candies, as well as quick and nutritious frozen ready meals to launch in November 2024 (various territories); San Carlo, the leader in Italy in the potato chips and savoury snacks market featuring Miraculous imagery on select products (Italy); a Miraculous Chibi happy meal promotion with fast-food chain Herfy in more than 380 restaurants featuring an augmented reality dining experience (Middle East); and Miraculous milkshakes with leading dairy producer Içim in Turkey with a successful soft July launch, backed by a national advertising campaign in September.

In the home goods sector, Procos is the brand’s partner for the US, Europe and the Middle East for reusable and/or sustainable disposal party products. The Q3 launch includes cups and plates, napkins, cake toppers, balloons, masks and party invitations. Pan-European partners include Stor for home goods and tableware, Geda Labels for lunch boxes, water bottles and mugs/plates and Klaus Herding for bedding and fleeces.

Coming this autumn in the gaming sector is a second console game from GameMill Entertainment and a mobile runner game for Nex Playground, a new game platform that aims to get kids moving.

The company’s anti-piracy division continues to support licensing partners, removing over 3m counterfeit products in 2023 with a $US50m stock value.

The first global Miraculous Day event will launch on 28th September 2024 to include special programming events with media partners, retail and digital activations, in-store displays and experiences and more. An entire digital ecosystem has been built around the Miraculous brand with over 39b views of authorised and user-generated content on YouTube, over 250m downloads of the official app and over 720m plays on Roblox.

BLE

Fabacus

info@fabacus.com

Stand D161

Fabacus’ mission is to transform data management across licensing and retail, none more so than with its toy and family partners. From character entertainment giants NBCUniversal and Paramount, through to toy behemoth Hasbro, sports heroes UFC, Fanatics and the clubs they represent, as well as gaming innovators Epic Games and Activision Blizzard, the company’s impact spans numerous intellectual properties and sectors.

The symbiotic relationship between the toy and licensing industries continues to thrive, with over 31% of all toy sales driven by licensed products, as well as licensed toys making up 12% of the total worldwide licensing revenue last year. Whilst this synergy remains constant, what has evolved in recent years is how consumers are purchasing licensed products and interacting with family and toy brands, from eCommerce shopping to the interaction of the product itself. Data and technology advancements, like those that have been developed at Fabacus, are going to be key innovations to the industry. It all evolves around product data.

At BLE this September, Fabacus will be hosting sessions delving deeper into compliance requirements, optimisation of social and eCommerce channels and other key industry and data insights, delivered by the company and joined by a range of partner speakers.

Over 80% of consumer purchases now start with an online search, and this exponential growth of eCommerce and social commerce has forced an acceleration that many retailers, and brand owners, are still trying to address. For context, 14% of global toy sales occur online; in the UK this can be as much as 27%.

The role that accurate and verified product data plays for eCommerce cannot be underestimated, not only to enhance and improve discoverability on product listings online but also to provide a return on investment to family and toy brands by improving data integrity for greater brand equity and consumer trust. For licensed products in particular, this can be further complicated where vendors need to demonstrate that they are listing and selling officially licensed products.

Through building comprehensive product registers, the Fabacus platform called Xelacore, ensures that all licensed products are accurately identified and linked to the licensor from concept through to sale. This solution enhances transparency, strengthens brand protection, improves online discoverability and builds consumer trust. Fabacus also partners with companies that optimise and enhance online product listings leading to superior conversion and double-digit sales increases. As one example this data can be matched with, and streamline directly to, branded shop fronts on Amazon.

The same product data can be used in innovative ways to offer shoppers and consumers gifts and rewards post-purchase. Over the past few years, Fabacus has demonstrated that by connecting this data to QR codes and concealing these codes in or on products, a new form of direct consumer promotion can be activated by licensors and licensees alike. Offers and rewards range from discount codes to product, to in-game items and have been run by UFC, Ubisoft’s Assassin Creed, Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and the latest Euro 2024 mascot Albärt5, to name a few. Whilst building consumer loyalty, this also has the added business benefit of bolstering the eCRM for licensors, licensees and retailers alike.

Improving data integrity at product level will act as a foundation for environmental compliance for emerging EU product-related sustainability regulations, as licensing enters a new era of data legislation.

Recently written into the EU law, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulation (ESPR) will soon require Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for all products sold in the Eurozone, excluding food and medicines, by 2030, with some categories such as textiles being implemented by 2027. This will require all brands and retailers to consolidate specific, complex product-level data that is typically scattered across multiple systems including detailed information about a product’s environmental impact, materials, disposal and recycling methods as well as lifecycle impact. Equally, they must be able to integrate and display this information digitally on products, via a Digital Product Passport (DPP), ensuring accessibility for all consumers, enabling more informed purchases and promoting circularity.

Supported by the product registration service (digital product catalogue), Fabacus has already pioneered several successful DPP-enabled executions, presenting over 10m data points to consumers. Earlier in the year, Fabacus launched a DPP in the licensing space with luxury cashmere Chinti & Parker and classic family brand Peanuts and are now collaborating directly with key retailers who are leading change in the intricate sustainability landscape.

Beyond sustainability, parents and guardians across the world rely on brand reputations to provide safe and reliable products, with robust compliance directives and quality assurance measures in place for this sector. Through collecting product data at the concept and manufacturing stage, and subsequently implementing utilities such as DPPs, licensors, brands and consumers alike are not only able to verify the authenticity of their purchases, but also track their products throughout the supply chain. In a market often flooded with illegitimate items, being able to prevent counterfeits from being listed can ensure consumer trust, prevent commercial losses and ensure high-quality consumer experiences worldwide.

At BLE, Fabacus will be hosting sessions by our own experts and a range of partner speakers. Visit Stand D161 to find out more or get in touch via the details above.

Jazwares

020 3598 5119 | www.jazwares.com | owiggett@jazwares.com

Stand C211

Squishmallows’ global lifestyle franchise licensing programme propels into 2024 with licensed collaborations from the hottest properties launching cross-category consumer products. These have been growing exponentially in the last 12 months with over 100 consumer product partners now onboard globally. Jazwares is meeting exceptional demand for the global Squishmallows franchise by appointing new licensing agents in international territories. With chart-topping sales, Squishmallows’ phenomenal success continues.

Winning Moves’ Squishmallows Top Trumps collection quickly rose to be one of the fastest-selling games. Blueprints stationery collection has been a huge success with top-selling SKUs across Amazon and an FSDU programme in more than 570 Tesco stores this February. Panini’s Squishmallows collection consistently makes the top 10 volume lists in UK Circana (Q4 2023), shipping over 1.4m units to date. Q4 also saw the much-anticipated McDonald’s Halloween and autumn Happy Meal, which caused a social media frenzy. The launch was so popular that the Squishmallows Halloween toys sold out a week early.

This summer, Squishmallows’ premier space within Selfridges showcased Squish Squad festival decor, including the ultimate infinity selfie mirror allowing fans to become truly immersed in the brand.

Squishmallows’ partnership with H&M has dropped a third collection this summer and has been in hot demand after the original collection became H&M Kids' most interacted with social post ever, garnering over 24.5k likes with selected items selling out globally in the first 48 hours. Beyond H&M, Squishmallows is still a consistent top seller at Next and C&A and has recently seen new product launches at Name It, George and New Look. Stand-out success has also been secured with sportswear brand Puma for its Squish-branded spring 2024 apparel and footwear collaboration featuring fan favourites such as Cam the Cat.

Expanding into new product categories for autumn/winter 2024, the Squishmallows licence programme will include hair accessories and jewellery with Hunter Price, oral care with new brand Ordo and lighting and bedroom accessories with Fizz creations. This autumn, Horizon USA will bring its No.1 selling toy on Amazon US Squishmallows compounds to Europe.

Introducing the micro trend into the Squishmallows portfolio, Jazwares is launching new 1-inch Squish-a-longs with over 150 Mini-Squishmallows that can be taken on the go. Created with uniquely soft, squishable plastic, the super cool 1-inch Squish-a-longs collection will feature rare and ultra-rare characters, driving the hunt for fans to find their favourites. Over 500 new Squishmallows plush styles will also be launching in 2024 in the UK alone.

The Squishmallows brand spans generations but is primarily led by the Gen Z audience which shares endless images of their collections on TikTok and fuel the younger audiences' aspirations when it comes to styles and Squads. Powered by the loyal Gen Z fan base, TikTok and Instagram remain the key platforms for brand and influencer campaigns. In the second half of 2023 alone, TikTok campaigns saw over 56m views in Europe and a dad buying Squishmallows gifts for mum was the most organically viewed UK TikTok influencer content for five months. With 1.9m followers and generating more than 120m social impressions, Squishmallows-owned social channels have exploded with a YOY growth of 52%. The socially driven, fan-first event celebrating the 2nd annual Squishmallows Day, on 7th March 2024, gained over 7.6m social impressions for #SquishmallowsSquad. The Squish Tour on May 2024 travelled to seven Smyths Toys stores with fans queuing for over two hours to be part of the experience, gaining over 4m social impressions, 116 pieces of press coverage and resulting in a +90% sales uplift.

Since Squishmallows’ debut in 2017, the brand has become known for its ultra-soft feel and adorable designs, delighting fans of all ages with the Squishmallows' unique and lovable personalities. Now sold in over 60 countries, Squishmallows’ vast audience and multi-generational appeal have fuelled a milestone of over 400m plush sold YTD. Winning the Overall Best Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award in the US three years in a row and DreamToys UK two years in a row, Squishmallows is the No.1 plush brand globally, the No.1 toy in the UK, US and Canada YTD, fastest growing property in the UK and the best-selling plush manufacturer in Germany and Australia. In April 2024 Circana reported Squishmallows as the number one girls property in the UK, with 7.5-inch Squishmallows also continuing as the number one toy item, a position it has held for the last 18 months in the UK to date, with a further five Squishmallows in Circana's top 50 toy item list. Last year saw the launch of the first Squishmallows brand spot: showcasing the multigenerational appeal of the brand, it was placed to strategically reach Gen Z audiences across social media, VOD platforms and at Taylor Swift Eras Tour screenings.

020 8995 3399 | gemma.daniels@sega.co.uk

Stand A181

At this year's Brand Licensing Europe, the EMEA licensing team at Sega is showcasing a variety of products launched this year and discussing what is on the horizon for 2025. Throughout the first half of 2024, the team has continued to drive consistent year-over-year growth across the EMEA territories in all categories. In addition to publishing, the team also launched several new directto-retail products and continued to grow the home and apparel business significantly. Upcoming in 2025, several new partnerships will be launched across multiple verticals, including apparel, publishing, direct-to-retail and more.

The summer kicked off strongly with multiple inperson activations for the Sonic team, including MotoGP Silverstone in England and Gamescom, Germany's world's largest gaming event. At the MotoGP Silverstone event, fans could check out the custom Shadow-themed motorcycle, take pictures and even see Sonic himself. In Germany, attendees were able to demo the hotly anticipated Sonic x Shadow Generations on the show floor, as well as check out the various collaborations between Sega and Lego, TikTok, Samsung and Paramount Germany for the upcoming movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 3. In apparel and home, with continued double-digit growth across the EMEA territories, Sega renewed its partnership with the popular global brand merchandising platform Bioworld International. The company has also extended its partnership with Pyramid International so fans can look forward to more collector prints featuring Sonic and friends. Rounding out softlines, the company continues to expand its product offering with new licensing partnerships for EMEA.

In the toy category, building on the ongoing success of the current Sonic the Hedgehog Lego collection, several new sets will be launching this autumn, allowing fans to continue building their high-speed Sonic adventures. Additionally, Sega is pleased to announce a brand-new plush partnership with ToyTopic across Europe. This will feature Sonic the Hedgehog-themed plush, including Sonic himself and a few of his friends. Due to the continued success of the Sonic brand, Sega is launching brand new toy ranges with long-standing partners such as Character Options and Carrera.

Sega is launching a brand-new, regular Sonic the Hedgehog magazine this autumn winter. After Sonic's One Shot magazine was well-received by consumers and readers alike, the company wanted to fill the notable gap in the market for a character-led magazine that appeals to both boys and girls. The magazine aims to deepen fan engagement with the Sonic brand while immersing young fans in the fast-paced world of Sonic and his friends. In addition, Sega partnered with Harper Collins to launch a brand-new range of publishing formats. The company is also set to launch the first Sonic the Hedgehog annual this autumn. The annual will give fans a more detailed look into the Sonic the Hedgehog brand, featuring fun facts, games, puzzles and more.

Also coming this year are a multitude of unique partnerships from stationery to direct to retail. This autumn, Sega is launching a global partnership with Panini for Sonic the Hedgehogthemed trading cards and sticker albums. New strategic direct-to-retail partnerships will also bring a host of new products to market this autumn; Italian fashion chain Calzedonia Group is set to debut children's apparel ranges in both Calzedonia and Tezenis stores, and Marks & Spencer will bolster its Sonic range and introduce new categories to its lineup.

Through Sonic the Hedgehog's continued success as a brand, Sega has been able to explore partnerships across a wide range of categories, allowing fans to experience Sonic like never before.

Perfetti Van Melle

vanessa.grande@perfettivanmelle.com

Stand D240

Perfetti Van Melle will be showcasing its playful candy brands at this year’s BLE exhibition and celebrating their colourful essence, with Chupa Chups in the spotlight. A vibrant booth has been created to highlight Chupa Chups’ iconic pop spirit, enhancing its essence and offering an immersive, eye-catching experience that perfectly captures Chupa Chups’ dynamic personality. The iconic brand, originally designed by Dalí, is making its mark with fashion designers and fast fashion retailers across the globe and further captivating luxury brands, such as Fendi with its Chupa Chups lollipop holder.

The Food and Beverage categories are experiencing significant expansion with the introduction of new brands, product ranges and geographic markets. This includes innovations in soft drinks, ice creams and nutritional supplements, amongst others. The strategy is centered around co-branding with best-in-class companies that bring innovation plus fun and engaging elements to the market. By partnering with leading companies, Perfetti Van Melle continuously captivates its customers, setting new trends and expectations in the industry, while maintaining the highest standards of quality.

At the show, Perfetti Van Melle will provide a glimpse of its new launches and artwork developments.

Rocket (ESA)

07720 037 258 | charlie@rocketlicensing.com

Stand A205

Most brands haven’t inspired a Mars exploration kit, a model space telescope and a Barbie doll, but the European Space Agency (ESA), the organisation dedicated, since 1975, to the peaceful exploration and use of space, has.

Licensed ESA output already includes a Playmobil Mars exploration kit, Lego Hubble Space Telescope and Lego Artemis Space Launch System sets, and a newly announced partnership with the world’s leading non-fiction children’s publisher DK. There’s also a Barbie version of Samantha Cristoforetti, an ESA astronaut who is the first European female commander of the International Space Station.

Alongside Rocket Licensing, ESA is working on further building its licensing programme as ESA approaches its 50th birthday in 2025. The licensing campaign is backed up by a comprehensive style guide and trend guide as well as unique design assets. The style guide can offer official mission patches, graphics of the International Space Station, the Mars Rover and Ariane launchers and astonishing images of Earth, Mars and far-off nebulas.

These guides are leading a wide range of products – many focused on exploration and inspiration supported by ESA’s educational and outreach programmes for kids that encourage an interest in STEM subjects.

That mission has informed one of the biggest deals the brand has so far achieved in kids’ products: a major licensing agreement with DK, the world’s leading children’s non-fiction publisher, to create a range of ESA books for children and young people. The initial launches will include two books.

The first is The Astronaut Diaries: Journals of Andi Futura Aged 11 ½. Arriving in the autumn of this year, the book invites users to join Andi Futura, her mum, dad, brother and dog as they prepare to become the first family in space. In the book, Andi and the reader will learn about everything anyone needs to know on a space station – from robotics and solar panel repair to workout routines and managing personal hygiene in zero gravity.

The second book, Mission to Mars (at retail in spring 2025), is a choose-your-own-adventure-style book which will be illustrated by the artist duo Adamastor. The pair have created a sense of adventure and otherworldliness to complement a narrative by Dr Sheila Kanani, a planetary physicist, science presenter, secondary school physics teacher, space comedian and published author, that describes a journey to the Red Planet for young readers.

ESA will be pursuing many other licensing opportunities in areas like science kits and experiential offerings. For both kids and adults, the campaign is looking much further ahead into areas like toys, games, puzzles, paper products, stationery and gifting.

Awareness will be boosted by new launches and missions now in the pipeline, like Artemis II, a four-person flight beyond the Moon which is scheduled to take place late next year, and the launch, also in late 2025, of the Space Reusable Integrated Demonstrator for Europe Return – AKA the Space Rider, an uncrewed orbital lifting body spaceplane aiming to provide the European Space Agency (ESA) with affordable and routine access to space.

ESA will be turning 50 years old next year and is celebrating its unique role as the only organisation in the world that deals with every aspect of space activity and that is on a quest to find the hidden keys to the origin of the universe, the birth of life in the solar system and the protection of planet earth. With awareness higher than ever, the brand will continue to build momentum in the kids’ market – as can be found at the Rocket Licensing stand at BLE, where visitors can also hear about the many other kids’ brands Rocket will be supporting, including Horrible Science, Horrible Histories, Elf on The Shelf, Miffy and much more.

Colours of Nature Jigsaw Collection!

Acamar Films

020 3675 7450 | licensing@acamarfilms.com

Stand A201

Acamar Films will be at BLE with Bing, which first premiered on CBeebies in 2014. A top choice in households across Europe for 10 years and remaining one of the most requested children’s series on BBC iPlayer, Bing is a franchise which continues to forge strong connections with families. Bing has 21 years of publishing heritage and classic entertainment brand status, offering a commanding and unique position in the toddler and pre-school space. The property has a focus on mental, emotional and social development and resonates across multiple audiences, engaging infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers alike. The franchise also helps parents, as well as childcare professionals and extended family members, to understand how the young children in their lives may be experiencing and understanding their world.

On YouTube alone, there are over 7b lifetime views across 34 global Bing Bunny YouTube channels, and over 1m hours of Bing watched every day. In the UK, Bing has consistently been in the top three most downloaded shows on BBC iPlayer for 10 consecutive years, with over 1b iPlayer requests.

The opportunity for new licensees is significant and global. Acamar Films is focused on extending the toy category into construction, ELA, sensory and MESH toys for 2025 and beyond. Acamar Films is keen to talk to innovative partners interested in creating Bing products for infants, toddlers and pre-school children. Bing is a genderneutral property with a sweet spot among children aged 18 months to three and a half years. Acamar Films is exploring how Bing products can nourish developing minds, looking at products that encourage curiosity, creativity and self-expression.

The global licensing roll-out is building considerable momentum with consumer products launched in France in March, and an additional ten new market content and licensing launches planned throughout 2025 and 2026 including USA, Germany, Spain, Japan and Brazil/Mexico.

Giochi Preziosi is rolling out new Bing products in Italy, where Bing is the number one most popular property for children 0-6, and in France this autumn, from Golden Bear, to meet growing demand. Italian retailers will offer Bing's Sort and Stack Train, a pull-along toy crafted to enhance motor skills and cognitive development, and the Storytime Bing plush, which brings Bing’s stories to life with interactive storytelling. Meanwhile, in France, children can anticipate the Bing’s House Playset, offering hours of imaginative play as they explore Bing’s vibrant world. Bing toys will also be launched into the Greek market through Giochi Preziosi in 2025, a strategic move to continue to bolster the brand’s presence in Europe.

Also in Europe, Bing will soon premiere on Portugal's Panda+ SVOD platform, which is closely affiliated with Canal Panda, Dreamia's local pay TV channel. This SVOD deal joins the recently signed free TV agreement for Bing's return to RTP, the public broadcaster in Portugal.

Bing fans in the UK have much to look forward to with a new music album featuring four adapted nursery rhymes and six original songs, including the upcoming singles The Toothbrushing Song, Carrots and Bananas and Happy Birthday. There is also a special cinema package, Bing & His Friends: Birthday Celebration which will be available to watch in over 300 Vue, Odeon, Cineworld and Showcase cinemas across the UK from September, featuring interactive games and six episodes from the hit CBeebies series.

Launching in 2025, following live-show success in the Netherlands and Poland, London-based production company Fierylight will bring the successful Bing’s Birthday to theatres across the UK. The show will open at The Lowry in Salford on 20th February and then tour venues in the UK throughout spring and summer 2025.

Bing is also featuring in prestigious partnerships across Europe this year. In the UK, Bing continued to forge partnerships with the NSPCC, contributing to Childhood Day initiatives for the second consecutive year, by providing bespoke resources for nurseries. In Italy, in a collaboration between Bing and the Italian Society of Paediatrics (SIP) and Assonidi, a multi-year campaign was launched in the summer of 2023, aiming to promote healthy habits among young children throughout Italy. Bingbranded materials including height charts, stickers, activity sheets and expert tips have been supplied to paediatricians and teachers, with more materials and events to come in 2024.

With plans in place to extend into brand new content areas, and a commitment from Acamar Films to invest in new content, marketing and PR, creative assets, digital, social and key market development, Bing is well-placed to remain an indispensable companion to young children.

07442 932 269 | www.imglicensing.com | adam.steel@img.com

Stand B250

In June, it was announced that The Angry Birds Movie 3 is in production with DNEG Animation. The third instalment in the franchise will follow the continuing adventures of Red and Chuck, voiced once again by Jason Sudeikis and Josh Gad. The film follows the success of the first two Angry Birds movies, which together have grossed more than $500m at the worldwide box office and have demonstrated fantastic results on streaming platforms, signalling strong demand for the third theatrical instalment.

The brand also recently launched a new long-form series Angry Birds Mystery Island on Amazon Prime and Kids+. The series captivates audiences of all ages with comedy and action at the core. Angry Birds Mystery Island introduced viewers to a never-before-seen part of the Angry Birds universe with a new cast of characters who try to make it on their own on a strange island. The series is voiced by a star-studded cast featuring Harvey Guillén, Kate Micucci, Dominic Monaghan and Nasim Pedrad.

With a new series being released and a movie in the pipeline, the brand is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2024. Angry Birds originally hatched as a casual mobile game and exploded into one of the most beloved entertainment brands in the world, inspiring dozens of games, billions of consumer products, parks and experiences, several animated series and a movie franchise. The world-famous Angry Birds mobile games continue to draw millions of active players with constant new collaborations and partnerships in the works, the latest being a mobile crossover event with Sonic the Hedgehog that brought the two iconic gaming worlds together. Angry Birds for Automotive also became available for cars with Google built-in, bringing the game to touchscreens of in-car infotainment systems.

The brand also continuously invests in efforts to protect the environment from raising awareness to educating fans. At the beginning of the year, the brand contributed and donated to Wild Green Future’s annual charity battle which supported the conservation of Brazil Nut Corridor in Peru. During Earth Day this year, Rovio’s key games united under the banner of “birds helping birds” to raise awareness for the damage that plastic waste does to the environment. Angry Birds Dream Blast, Angry Birds 2 and Angry Birds Friends all participated in special, limited-time events that informed players on environmental issues and directed them to where they could learn more. The brand also has a collaboration with Merlin Entertainment that brings an Angry Birds-themed promotion to selected Sea Life locations which focuses on educating how to help to save the ocean. During the event, visitors will embark on an activity trail complete with different challenges that will teach kids how to save the ocean and help the underwater creatures, in a fun and engaging way.

With the brand’s anniversary approaching in December, the company is focusing on announcing new partnerships and products. Earlier in 2024, new plush products were released with Posh Paws International and toys with Character Group. One of the latest partnership announcements came from Boyhood, which launched the world-famous Angry Birds characters as highly detailed wooden design collectibles. The products are produced from solid oak with smoke-stained oak and maple features, making the product a unique and perfect collectible for fans. With more announcements coming from fashion, publishing, gifts, costumes and LBE, the brand is looking forward to revealing new engaging experiences and memorable moments for fans.

Looking at the future, Angry Birds continues to invest in new and fresh content, expand its licensing initiatives and forge strategic partnerships to bring its beloved characters and universe to life in new ways. Whether through themed merchandise, interactive experiences, or digital content collaborations, Angry Birds ensures to embrace innovation and creativity to engage fans on multiple fronts. With the new movie in the pipeline, the brand is exploring new licensing opportunities and expanding ways to share the story and world of Angry Birds.

WildBrain

020 8563 6400 | hello@cplg.com

Stand B171

WildBrain CPLG, a trusted partner for leading brands worldwide, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. With 23 offices covering over 100 territories globally, WildBrain builds innovative licensing programmes in entertainment, corporate, lifestyle and sport.

Teletubbies inspires in contemporary ways for cross-generational fans. The House of Teletubbies world tour — partnering with artists, retailers and fashion houses around the world — sees events launching throughout autumn and into 2025. Meanwhile, Strawberry Shortcake celebrates her 45th anniversary with new products highlighting her multi-generational legacy. A resurgence of popularity for classic Strawberry has an array of partners reimagining the brand.

With a new series, Camp Snoopy, launched on Apple TV+ and a feature film greenlit, Peanuts continues to reach a new generation of fans as it heads towards its 75th anniversary in 2025. WildBrain is bringing partners on board for an extensive cross-category programme in the UK, EMEA, APAC and China.

WildBrain continues to build on its global partnership with Playmobil as master licensee, expanding into new categories including LBE, and also recently expanded its partnership with Supercell across its smash-hit gaming franchises to represent global rights (excluding China) for Brawl Stars, building on its existing representation of The World of Clash.

Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog continues to drive momentum globally with the launch of Knuckles, as well as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega slated for release in December. With an expanded Spin Master partnership to represent Unicorn Academy in Nordics, Iberia, Italy and Benelux, including LBE rights, WildBrain is driving cross-category opportunities for the property.

Dr. Seuss properties continue to gain traction as WildBrain adds partners for The Grinch and The Cat in the Hat ahead of the animated feature film coming in March 2026. With a second Netflix season approaching, the licensing programme for MGM’s Wednesday builds, alongside products for Pink Panther and Rocky. Sony’s extensive slate of hit properties, including Ghostbusters, Cobra Kai and The Boys, continues to see diverse licensed ranges. WildBrain is also driving opportunities for Hasbro’s Peppa Pig and My Little Pony, as well as Paramount’s Paw Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It is the exclusive master agent for the Fuggler brand including LATAM, Europe (excluding UK & Ireland) and APAC (excluding ANZ, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan) building the programme across multiple categories. WildBrain’s Corporate & Lifestyle division, Aspire, represents Yale, Harvard, Columbia and Cambridge universities; plus spirits brands Absolut and Malibu; as well as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.

Xbox Gaming Consumer Products

www.xbox.com | xboxcpl@microsoft.com

Stand B244 Merchantwise Group

Booth / Stand C241 Beanstalk

Xbox Gaming Consumer Products will be at this year’s BLE with new updates. Microsoft Gaming, Xbox Game Studios, Activision Blizzard King and Bethesda are responsible for developing and publishing some of the biggest and most beloved franchises in history, with a focus on delivering great games for everyone, whether they play on console, PC, or mobile devices. Franchises include Age of Empires, Call of Duty, Candy Crush, Diablo, Doom, Fallout, Forza, Gears of War, Halo, Microsoft Solitaire, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Overwatch, The Elder Scrolls, World of Warcraft and many more. Since its launch in 2001, the Xbox console and platform have continued to evolve. Today, Xbox is committed to bringing the joy and community of gaming to everyone, through cutting-edge consoles, PC gaming and cloud. Xbox supports a robust community of players through its online services and social features, making it easier to connect, share and play together. In keeping with its fan-first approach, the Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service with 34m subscribers that gives members access to a library of hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC and cloud, with new games added all the time. John Friend, head of Xbox Gaming Consumer Products for Xbox, ABK, Bethesda and Xbox Game Studios will be at BLE with his team to discuss the latest information on some of the most popular games.

Originally released in 2004, World of Warcraft, developed by Blizzard Entertainment, is one of the most successful and influential MMORPGs in history. It’s an online adventure where players become heroes, embark on quests and battle fierce monsters in a vast fantasy world. They can choose from diverse races and classes, team up with friends, and engage in battles. Constant updates ensure excitement and new challenges. Winning multiple awards, WoW holds two Guinness World Records: the most popular MMORPG by subscribers and recognised for the fastest-selling PC game with several expansions holding this title.

The tenth expansion of WoW, World of Warcraft: The War Within is the opening chapter of the most ambitious story arc in the game's near 20-year history. Across Europe, fans can look forward to a wide range of products, including McFarlane Toys' recent launch of a 16-figure collectible line of powerful warriors and towering monsters. Coming in September from Funko Pop are new vinyl figures, the Lich King and Lady Sylvanas. Also, this year, new metal art posters will be available from Displate; keychains, drinkware and mousemats from Abysse; and massmarket apparel featuring high-density prints and 3D minimalist details from Difuzed. Additionally, the Small World of Warcraft stand-alone board game for ages 8+ from Days of Wonder continues to excite fans everywhere.

The military science fiction media franchise Halo will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2026. Since the first game launch in 2001, the franchise has grossed more than $6b. The latest game, Halo Infinite was released in late 2021 and became the biggest launch in franchise history. Halo has expanded into novels, graphic novels, comic books, short films, animated films, feature films and most recently, the critically acclaimed live-action TV series released globally on Paramount+ and in SkyShowtime markets, boasting a 94% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes. Merchandise sales have exceeded $1.8b. The game combines sci-fi storytelling with first-person shooter gameplay and features the iconic superweapon Halo rings. Originally developed and created by Bungie, Halo is managed and developed by 343 Industries.

This autumn, Halo fans can look forward to multiple new product releases. Among them is Halo: Flashpoint, a tactical miniatures tabletop game for two players from Mantic Games (ages 14+) which promises easy-to-learn yet challenging gameplay. Also upcoming is the Halo Plasma Blaster from Gel Blaster for ages 14+, featuring integrated WiFi and infrared technology that connects through the Nexus mobile app for an immersive experience. Dark Horse Comics will release The Making of Halo The Series: Hope, Heroism, Humanity in October. Fans can enjoy reading while cuddling up to Tomy’s 15-inch Halo Master Chief plush from Club Mocchi-Mocchi. New items from Youtooz were also launched in August, and the Mega Halo UNSC Arctic Burn Wasp (ages 13+) launched in June 2024 makes for a perfect holiday gift.

Fallout was birthed in 1997 by Interplay Productions as a top-down, turn-based RPG set in a mid-22nd century post-apocalyptic and retro-futuristic world. Bethesda Game Studios took over the franchise and released Fallout 3 in 2008, bringing the classic title into the first and third-person RPG space. The April 2024 debut of the Fallout Amazon Original Series received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, reigniting interest in the franchise.

This October, fans can look forward to the launch of new toys tied to the TV series including the best-selling wearable collectible – the Pip-Boy replica from The Wand Co; highly detailed 6” scale posed figures from McFarlane Toys; and Fallout Miniatures: Hollywood Heroes from Modiphius Entertainment. Also, from Modiphius is the Fallout Factions: Battle for Nuka World Starter Set, a table-top miniatures skirmish game, which launched in July.

Xbox fans everywhere have embraced Mattel’s Mega Xbox 360 Collectible Building Set that launched in October 2023. Inspired by the gaming console, this collector-building set celebrates the legacy of the Xbox 360. With a fully buildable, light-up console and controller, the console opens to reveal a disc drive (and other Easter eggs) that activates the motherboard.

Moonbug

www.moonbug.com

| licensing@moonbug.com

Stand A131

CoComelon has just expanded its colourful world of learning and nursery rhymes to mobile devices with CoComelon - Learn and Play with JJ, which has recently launched for Apple and Android users. Filled with interactive, fun and creative activities, the app supports children’s social and emotional development, all set to their favourite nursery rhymes.

CoComelon has also teamed up with US kids’ magazine Highlights to launch the first-of-its-kind Highlights CoComelon mini magazine. Each 16-page, full-colour issue is filled with songbased adventures for children aged 1-4 that reflect toddlers’ and pre-schoolers’ routines, experiences and interests. The go-anywhere print format is full of beloved CoComelon friends like JJ, Cody, Nina, CeCe and more and is designed to enhance a family’s CoComelon video experience. Each issue includes games, puzzles, recipes, science, poems and stories to entertain young children, while caregivers can enjoy the parent tips, tricks and ways to extend exploration beyond the pages.

This holiday, CoComelon Playdate, a family entertainment experience, will open at the Mall of America, North America's largest shopping and entertainment destination in Bloomington, Minnesota. Designed to captivate young minds, CoComelon Playdate will blend the charm of a children's museum with the excitement of a kids' play zone. Bringing to life the iconic locations, beloved characters and music of CoComelon, children and parents alike will experience an adventure through JJ's Treehouse, the Melon Patch Academy, the Fire Station, Kwame's Bakery, Old MacDonald’s Farm, the iconic yellow school bus and much more, all within a safe and engaging indoor environment.

Blippi garners over 1b monthly views across platforms including Netflix, HBO Max, Cartoonito, Sky, Amazon and YouTube, and is designed to ignite curiosity in children all over the world by turning real-world learning into playful adventures. The property is celebrating its 10th anniversary with new consumer product partnerships, new content and guest appearances, as well as new live shows and meet and greets. Fans of the brand can celebrate special Blippi moments this year including a new footwear collaboration with Reebok, recently launched around the world. NASA, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Spin Master Entertainment, Tonies, Simple Modern, Bums & Roses, Sesame Street and others top a list of partnerships and collaborations celebrating Blippi’s 10-year milestone.

Millions of fans enjoyed Blippi’s recent special 10th-anniversary show on YouTube, featuring largerthan-life stunt episodes including Blippi's Biggest Ballpit Ever and Blippi's Candy Escape Challenge. Later this year, Blippi will get into the spooky season spirit with a 60-minute Halloween special, and a new Blippi vehicle-themed series called Go Go Blippi Show will impress young automotive fans. This series features several world-class brands, including Monster Jam, which hosted Blippi and Meekah at its World Finals event at Sofi Stadium.

Moonbug and Disney Branded Television recently launched Morphle and the Magic Pets, a new animated series on Disney Junior and Disney+ based on the YouTube hit My Magic Pet Morphle. The show follows Mila, her stepbrother Jordie and her shapeshifting magic pet, Morphle. The trio use their skills, smarts and imagination, to solve the town’s problems, keep magic pets out of mischief and find magic matches for each of these unique characters. Magic and comedy fuel their adventures, but in the end, it’s the power of friendship that turns Mila, Jordie and Morphle into an unbeatable team. Moonbug has recently debuted a brand-new colourful toy line inspired by the series at 1,800 US Walmart stores. This new range features four products that children can discover and interact with to bring their favourite Morphle characters to life.

A brand-new batch of Morphle and the Magic Pets episodes has launched on Disney+ around the world. In these adventures, Mila, Jordi and Morphle experience a ride-along monster truck contest, help Skunkafunk when she gets separated from her magic match, partake in a cake bake-off, put on a magical talent show, search a spooky cave to find a legendary magic pet and more.

Libertas Brands

fugglers@libertasbrands.com

Stand E177

2024 has been a year of significant progress for the Fuggler brand. Through its partnership with Blue Zoo Studios, the brand launched over 20 episodes of the first ever live-action Fuggler shorts series on YouTube, with episodes such as Fuggler Business, Never Date a Fuggler and Fluff up your Fuggler! having gone live in early March, along with multiple parody 2D animated shorts appearing across TikTok, Instagram, Meta, X and YouTube.

Fuggler has successfully launched across dozens of markets including the US, with a first-to-market launch at Walmart across the Fuggler Misfits range and the Fuggler Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collection. Strong sales saw the Fuggler brand become a Top 5 new property in February in the US, according to Circana data. In May 2024, Libertas Brands announced a partnership with Zuru to take on the manufacturing, sales and distribution globally of the Fuggler plush range from Addo Play.

A partnership with Blue Zoo Studios sees the animation production company currently in the process of working through concepts and ideas with a variety of broadcasters and studios on a potential long-form Fuggler series. Fuggler skins have been launched on Roblox, with more digital gaming activations to come from the brand.

Libertas has already introduced Fuggler plush toys into Tesco stores across the UK as part of The Entertainer and Tesco partnership, and this will continue throughout 2024, with further distribution across other key UK & Ireland retailers happening through 2025. Along with master toy partner Zuru, new licensees have jumped on board throughout 2024, including Poetic Brands (apparel, footwear and accessories), PMI Kids World (collectible toys), Sinco Pets (pet toys), Hunter Price (stationery), Rainbow Productions (walk around costume characters), Spirit (costumes) and Lake Press (publishing), with various other categories currently under negotiation across the UK & Ireland, US & Canada, China, Japan and multiple markets.

As the company continues to license Fuggler into other product categories, it aims to stay faithful to its branding by delivering the distinctive features that make Fuggler unique, such as the realistic teeth and eyes, and the Butt-on-holes.

The Fuggler brand is represented around the world by various strong agent partners with Retail Monster for the US and Canada, Haven Global for Australia and New Zealand, Creative Minds for Japan, Future of Play for China, Hong Kong and Taiwan and, for the rest of the world, WildBrain-CPLG. Libertas Brands oversees licensing for the UK and Ireland.

At BLE 2024, visitors to the Fuggler booth can have a go at knocking down the Fuggler teeth to win a mini Fuggler. Each entry costs £5, with Informa matching all donations. 100% of the proceeds will go to licensing industry charity The Light Fund.

Lisle Licensing

07805 230 205

Stand D211

Lisle Licensing returns to BLE to highlight its successes and growth over the past year. In the past two years, the agency has broadened its client portfolio and now has a roster representing brands which want to create breakthroughs in consumer products and commercial partnerships.

The Mood Bears licensing programme continues to evolve following the recent announcement of master publisher, Igloo Books. Lisle will take the brand, comprising of eight colourful plush bears which reflect human emotions, to BLE, aiming to build the Mood Bears’ licensing programme further. The company has also recently signed Hunter Price for Stationery, Arts & Craft and Jewellery.

For lifestyle duo, Style Sisters, Lisle has delivered a licensing programme that has seen the brand expand into new sectors which include storage solutions, fragrance and home décor. It was announced last month that the celebrity duo, Charlotte Reddington and Gemma Lilly, are to launch their first homeware collection at Tesco for autumn winter 2024, in more than 200 stores across the UK. The girls will be on Lisle’s stand at BLE to meet licensees and retailers to expand in further categories for 2025.

Earlier this year Lisle welcomed The Dogfather, Graeme Hall, to its portfolio, covering the UK and Aus/NZ. Widely known as the personable presenter of the global hit Channel 5 show Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, the team is focused on a strategy spanning Pets in the Home and Pets on the Go consumer products which appeal to global consumers at category entry levels. Luxury interiors brand Poodle and Blonde was onboarded by Lisle at the beginning of this year and has already generated enthusiasm amongst retailers and licensees. Its bold, maximalist, stylish nostalgia and timeless designs have the potential to seamlessly transfer into a targeted high-end consumer products programme.

In the art-design category, Lisle represents the vibrant and eclectic design brand, Studio Blom. The first licensee on board is Widdop and Co. which is developing products spanning gifting, dinnerware and drinkware, crafting, home accessories, candles and home fragrance with more news to follow. Lisle continues to represent both the Kate Smith Company and Lucia Heffernan, and will meet with potential licensees to build upon the successes of these two long-standing clients.

To arrange a meeting, contact Francesca Lisle at the phone number above.

Blue Zoo

020 7434 4111 | www.blue-zoo.co.uk

karen.mcnally@blue-zoo.co.uk

Stand C131

Blue Zoo Animation Studios continues its global mission to create content that entertains, educates and inspires young minds. Under the leadership of Oli Hyatt, Adam Shaw and Tom Box, the British Animation Studio, now in its 24th year is consistently listed as a top ten studio worldwide and the first of its kind to receive B-Corp status.

Following a busy and eventful first two years, Blue Zoo Licensing is announcing brand new pre-school show Mojo Swoptops at BLE. A co-production between Tararaboom and Blue Zoo Productions, this action-adventure show (52x11) combines vehicles with magical transformations. It follows Mojo and her best friend Bo as they solve problems in the town of Swoppiton using limitless Swoptops.

Based on the original Ladybird book series by Cindy Black and Rich Ward, publishing and toy discussions are underway with further categories being explored to launch from 2025. The show is scheduled to launch globally with the UK first to air on CBeebies in early October 2024 and confirmed broadcasters including TVO, SVT, NRK, DR, YLE, Ketnet and S4C. Blue Zoo, working in partnership with Aardman Distribution, will be announcing more broadcast platforms soon.

Blue Zoo Digital, a team which have built the Blocks IP from zero to 14b YouTube views, 83b YouTube impressions, over 12m app downloads and 14m subscribers to the Blocks channels in the space of three years, will be responsible for the digital offering for Mojo Swoptops.

The series will launch simultaneously across YouTube and iPlayer with ancillary content in development. Exclusive content, paid apps, music and digital-first exclusives as well as a rigorous social media presence will ensure optimum reach worldwide, building a solid foundation to sustain the planned consumer products programme.

The success of the award-winning hit global show Numberblocks continues unabated. Numberblocks is an integral part of the Blocks universe, which also includes Alphablocks and Colourblocks. Blue Zoo has recently signed a five-year output deal with the BBC and multiple new series of Blocks content are in progress. Numberblocks series seven lands in the UK this autumn and a new series of Alphablocks and Colourblocks is in development as well as a brand-new show focused on thinking and coding.

Following the award-winning toy range from Learning Resources/Hand2mind and a host of other licensed product from partners such as Sweet Cherry, Immediate Media, TDP, Aykroyds, Rubies and Trends, interest from licensees continues to grow. With a worldwide product launch with Tonies in the autumn and many other products soon to be announced, the brands continue to go from strength to strength. Recent data shows that Numberblocks is the No.3 growth property in pre-school toys overall in the US.

With agents in South Korea, Japan, China and the Middle East and more to be announced, Blue Zoo continues to expand its presence as international markets become ever more important.

BLE

Studio 100

www.studio100media.com

Stand D145

Studio 100 will be making an appearance at BLE with plenty of newness from several of its properties, including Vegesaurs and Heidi. The company has recently launched a new platform featuring timeless classic cartoon programmes that are sure to spark feelings of nostalgia in adult viewers.

Vegesaurs is a fresh and unique take on the dinosaur genre. Every episode, starring Ginger and her three Pea-Rex friends, is a stand-alone mini-adventure with a focus on visual comedy. Already on air in more than 20 territories, including ABC (Australia), BBC (UK), TVO Kids, Knowledge Network and Radio Canada (Canada), the show will soon arrive on Ceska Televize (Czech Republic), ORF (Austria), TG4 (Ireland), JY Animation (China) and RTP (Portugal). Season 3 launched on ABC Kids in Australia in June 2024, with a launch planned in September 2024 in the UK on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.

Vegesaurs has been seeing TV success, currently standing as the top 10 show on CBeebies and Top 20 on YLE, as well as being the No.2 commissioned series on ABC (Australia). Additionally, the show has over 33m views on BBC iPlayer since launching and over 30m plays on ABC iView. The programme is receiving strong marketing support from BBC through all its social media platforms, as well as interactive content online, YouTube compilations, shorts and live streams, and games and apps including Get Creative, Playtime Island and Story Time, which is launching this month. Vegesaurs has been featured in nursery rhymes and sing-along shorts created by Cheeky Little and launched on its international YouTube channel with a multilanguage tool for French and Spanish speakers. The nursery rhymes have received over 3m views and a total of 40.000 hours of watch time.

The property also features multiple licensing partners across several industries including L-Founders (retail loyalty), Macmillan (master publisher), Globetrade (toys and plush), Immediate Media (magazine), iLove Snacks (Food and beverages) and Sony Music (audio stories) and has been seeing continuous licensing success. Its loyalty campaign with Lidl in autumn 2023 and spring 2024 included a TV campaign, in-store activation, out-of-home activities and a social media boost. Vegesaurs is set to continue with launches of Season 3, plus more Specials and Seasonals on the official YouTube channel. Consumers can also expect Meet & Greets with Ginger, and a Vegesaurs Immersive Experience set to launch in Australia this December and arriving across the globe in the UK, France, USA and MENA, as well as other European countries in Studio 100 Theme Parks.

Heidi, Maya the Bee, Vicky the Viking, Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland are all classic stories that have shaped the childhoods of many. On 1st April, Studio 100 launched the Heroes of Childhood YouTube channel dedicated to teens and young adults who enjoy retro animated programmes. In addition to numerous clips from several original cartoon series of the 70s and 80s, there will be new and entertaining content uploaded each week, including character specials, shorts and compilations across both YouTube and TikTok.

Initially launching in Germany, Studio 100 plans to gradually introduce more languages, extending to a global audience. In conjunction with the launch of these social media channels, Studio 100 is introducing a Heroes of Childhood fashion collection, available on leading online platforms such as Zalando, About You, Otto, Limango and Amazon Fashion, as well as in its own Heroes of Childhood online shop. By combining modern street style with iconic elements from the series, Heroes of Childhood aims to create a bridge between generations.

Set to arrive in theatres in July 2025, Studio 100 is currently producing the CGI adventure film Heidi – Rescue of the Lynx, alongside 3Doubles Producciones, Hotel Hungaria Animation and in association with Studio Isar Animation Script. In 2018, the Heidiseum was founded, placing Heidi, an important part of Swiss cultural heritage, on a new cultural footing with various cultural projects and exhibitions. The Heidi Archive of the Heidiseum maintains numerous documents from the estate of the author Johanna Spyri as well as original illustrations, publishing documents and rare editions. UNESCO has recognised the value of these testimonies by including them in the international Memory of the World register in 2023. In addition to temporary exhibitions, the Heidiseum is planning a multimedia Heidi Centre in Zurich. The documentary heritage will be made accessible to a broad and international public in a modern and innovative way.

The Heidi property boasts multiple licensees across industries including Toys and Games: Playmobil, Zapf Creation and Ravensburger; Home and Living: Herding, PureSigns, Lamprecht, Knorr Toys and Stoff & Liebe: Home Entertainment: Sony Music and Tonies; Apparel: Bloomery, Bavarian Caps, Spreadshirt, Mask World and Bergmensch; Publishing: Hachette, Blue Ocean Entertainment and Pro Book; and Promotion: MyPostcard, TCC and Heidi Hotel Falkensee.

New Trend Books for licensing highlight the manga characters of Heidi more prominently. Studio 100 International has developed four versions that can be chosen according to the target audience. Heidi Cherry Blossom Girl LR emphasises cherry blossoms and romance, Heidi Kanazawa Craft focuses on craftsmanship and minimalism, Heidi Tokyo Lights is reminiscent of the neon lights of the 90s and evokes nostalgia and Homesick Heidi showcases the nuanced emotional world of Heidi.