Licensing World

Sony announces PMI as master global toy partner for The Creature Cases

Sony Pictures Television – Kids (SPT – Kids), formerly Silvergate Media, has announced that PMI will spearhead the brand’s consumer products rollout with a range of playsets, figures and plush based on The Creature Cases for global retail launch from 2024.

Chapter 3 of The Creature Cases launched on Netflix on 22nd May, shooting into the top 3 kids shows in the US, UK, France and other key global markets.

Rapidly growing and dynamic toy firm PMI has built a reputation as one of the leading toy manufacturers of gaming IP including Sonic Prime, Among Us and Tokido’s Piñata Smashlings, with a distribution network that spans 132 countries. The Creature Cases will mark PMI’s first master toy deal in the pre-school market following success as a toy licensee for Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig and other leading pre-school shows. The firm is readying a comprehensive line of The Creature Cases playsets, figures and plush toys, which will debut at retail as part of a multi-territory launch from 2024.

The partnership follows the outstanding success of The Creature Cases’ broadcast debut in Spring 2022 when it ranked in Netflix’s global top 10. This popularity was quickly replicated in China where the show debuted on Tencent, quickly becoming its top children’s show, generating over 800m views in six months.

The Creature Cases follows the adventures of detective duo, Sam Snow and Kit Casey as they work together to crack cases. Armed with top-secret intel from their miniature contacts, the Mice Squad, these animal sleuths travel a world populated exclusively by animals, solving mysteries that mix real zoological facts with wild detective action. The show’s award-winning animation studio, TeamTo, is in production on new episodes that will see brand-new content delivered from 2024.

Moose named master toy partner for Despicable Me and Minions

Moose Toys has entered into a global partnership with Universal Products & Experiences as master toy licensee for Illumination’s Despicable Me and Minions.

Under the new multi-year licensing agreement, the company’s first wave of products will feature an extensive line of action figures, play sets, role-play and collectibles as well as co-branded toys, including Moose’s Heroes of Goo Jit Zu, for the release of Despicable Me 4. Toys are scheduled to be on shelves late spring 2024, ahead of the film’s theatrical release on 3rd July 2024.

“This global partnership represents both a major expansion of Moose Toys’ licensed portfolio and an extension of our relationship with Universal Products & Experiences, accomplishments of which we are extremely proud,” said Joe Smith, vice president of global and US marketing, licensed brands, Moose Toys. “Illumination’s Despicable Me and Minions franchise is full of humour, friendship and fun, attributes that align perfectly with the Moose brand and personality. It is an ideal fit, and we cannot wait to infuse this beloved franchise with Moose Toys innovation.”

“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Moose Toys and collaborate on an all-new line inspired by Illumination’s Despicable Me 4,” added Joe Lawandus, senior vice president and general manager, Global Toys and Hardlines, Universal Products & Experiences. “Moose shares our creative vision and passion for designing a fresh, new, innovative line capturing the joy and mischievousness of Illumination’s iconic Minions. Fans of all ages and across the globe embrace the Minions as their own, and we can’t wait for them to start collecting this dynamic new line of toys and collectibles.”

Disguise signs multi-year licensing agreement for Poppy Playtime

The agreement gives Disguise the rights to design, develop and manufacture costumes and costume accessories for the horror survival game, Poppy Playtime, commencing this autumn.

Poppy Playtime, developed by Mob Entertainment, is an episodic horror survival game that immerses players in a sinister tale. Players assume the role of a former Playtime Co. employee, compelled to return to the forsaken toy factory ten years after the mysterious disappearance of its entire staff. While delving into the shadows of the abandoned facility, the only goal is to survive the relentless pursuit of the vengeful toys lurking within.

“Year after year, Disguise keeps expanding its collection of costumes in this ever-growing genre of episodic horror games,” said Tara Cortner, president and GM of Disguise. “As the popularity of this genre continues to surge, we are thrilled to be a part of it. Our passion lies in developing costumes that bring kids, adults and fans into the world of their favourite characters. Poppy Playtime is sure to be a hit this year.”

Mob Entertainment director of Business Development and Licensing, Arsenio Navarro, added: “Poppy Playtime is a pop culture phenomenon with a massive worldwide following and, like other influential brands, has captured the imagination of the masses – inspiring fan fiction, cosplay, music videos, dance challenges and hundreds of hours of game play commentary. Poppy-related content has more than 5b views on TikTok and more than a billion views on YouTube – a true testament to the appeal of the game’s characters and universe and its loyal, ever-growing fan base that spans all ages. We are thrilled to add Disguise as an official licensee to bring the Poppy Playtime universe to life for our fans.”

Disguise boasts an impressive 36-year legacy in the costume and dress-up industry. Over the years, the company has experienced remarkable growth in both domestic and international markets, establishing itself as the global front-runner in design and manufacturing with longstanding relationships with licensors.

Funrise’s CAT range continues to build on its success

Funrise is enjoying another strong performance from its CAT range of construction toys, which, true to form, is building on its portfolio to ensure continued growth.

CAT has been ranked within the top 20 list of global licensors, generating an impressive $6.5b in brand value. The brand is also ranked in the top 50 list of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies.

Funrise’s CAT range of vehicles is extensive, covering multiple vehicle categories including mini vehicles, die-cast and RC. The range provides plenty of play value within construction vehicles with its quality vehicle offering. Little Machines is an assortment of plastic mini 7cm push free-wheeling vehicles. A standout retail solution is the sub-£6 5-pack of Little Machines, which provides a great value and volume solution.

Funrise has feature construction vehicles covered too, with the Power Haulers assortment. These feature motion drive technology: the engine revs and lights activate when the vehicle is pushed forward, while pushing the vehicle backward triggers back-up sounds. There are four vehicles in the assortment including an Excavator and Cement Mixer.

Funrise has a wide range of CAT vehicles available for retailers to stock now.

Tonies introduces Warner Bros. and DC ranges

An innovative and award-winning audio system for children aged three and up and consisting of the Toniebox and the matching Tonies audio figurines, Tonies makes audio content touchable and enables a completely new kind of listening experience: “audio play”.

“We could not be more excited that DC is now joining the Tonies family. Beloved characters such as Batman and Wonder Woman will be available as Tonies figurines soon,” commented Markus Langer, chief content officer at Tonies. “This is a fantastic enrichment to our portfolio, and I can’t wait for all the little ones around the world to listen to these great stories.”

The deal covers all rights for Tonies’ main markets ans started with a Batman figurine, which was released for Tonieboxes last month in the US and UK. In the DACH region, the first figurines will not appear until 2024. The age recommendation for the majority of the DC-Tonies will be four years and up.

Philippe Roucoule, vice president EMEA Category & Retail Business Development at Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, adds: “We are delighted to bring DC Superheroes to kids around the world via Tonies. It’s a new way for children to discover our characters and their fantastic stories. For some children, it might be their first contact ever with our DC universe, and we are thrilled to make new fans among little ones.”

Miraculous x LankyBox collaboration unveiled by Zag

Award-winning independent animation studio Zag has signed a global licensing agreement with LankyBox, a high-energy YouTube channel with 1.5b views a month, for a limited-edition crossover product collaboration with global hit Miraculous –Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir.

Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir is now in its fifth season, scoring top ratings in more than 120 countries around the globe across multiple traditional media outlets and streaming platforms. The animated blockbuster Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie, will launch on Netflix on July 28th, 2023, and theatrically in select countries.

LankyBox has exponentially grown into one of the largest channels in the youth gaming and entertainment space. Hosts Justin and Adam, along with their cast of animated characters including Boxy, Foxy and Rocky, create fast-paced content for kids ages 4–12 as they play games such as Roblox, Minecraft, Friday Night Funkin and many others. Roblox is also the home of the Miraculous RP: Ladybug & Cat Noir game which has captured the No.1 spot in the branded games category and No.1 in engagement, with over 550m gameplays.

Kids will step into an alternate universe with the Miraculous x LankyBox crossover product collaboration, which will include plush, stylish apparel and home décor. All products will feature characters from the LankyBox universe dressed as fan favourite characters from the Miraculous TV series, for example Ladybug and Foxy, and Cat Noir and Boxy. Alongside the plush options, the assortment will include t-shirts and a 2-in-1 blanket pillow for kids to snuggle up with Miraculous Ladybug and LankyBox friends. Miraculous x LankyBox toys will launch in the second half of 2023.

“With the immersive world of LankyBox, Justin Kroma and Adam McArthur have created a pop culture phenomenon featuring original characters that has propelled viewership with over 25b lifetime views,” commented Hyde Schram, vice president, Global Partnerships, Zag. “Miraculous and LankyBox fans alike are going to clamour to collect these cool limited-edition products created by this unique partnership.”