By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Teddy Mountain has signed a licensing deal with Haylett Entertainment to create plush toys inspired by the animated holiday special Piney: The Lonesome Pine.
Teddy Mountain, a global supplier of do-it-yourself plush products, will produce and distribute both fully stuffed and DIY versions of Piney characters, which will be available to consumers through mass-market and specialty retailers. Teddy Mountain will also showcase the products to wholesalers through its distribution network in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
Piney: The Lonesome Pine, based on the book The Lonesome Pine by Jane West Bakerink, tells the story of Piney, a talking pine tree who dreams of becoming a young girl’s Christmas tree. The special, which debuted in 2020 on Disney Junior and Disney Channel, features the voices of Jonathan Pryce and Simon Pegg.
The program has since aired in more than 70 countries, been translated into eight languages, and ranked among Disney Junior’s top cable programs, including its highest-rated show on Christmas Eve 2022.
In the United States, Piney is available on Apple TV, YouTube and iTunes. The property has also expanded into a picture book from Running Press Kids and a Tonie figurine for the Toniebox audio platform.
Focus on Expo: Teddy Mountain Expanding Rapidly in Branded Plush
“Piney has always been about spreading joy, kindness, and holiday magic, and teaming up with Teddy Mountain feels like the perfect match,” said Jane West Bakerink, creator and author of Piney. “They are truly wonderful people with such creativity and heart, and I couldn’t be more excited to share this journey with them.”
Following Teddy Mountain’s recently announced licensing agreements with Zoonicorn and Canticos, this new partnership represents a further expansion of Teddy Mountain’s portfolio of licensed plush products and extends the company’s recent initiative to license and distribute IP from valued third party partners.
“The market response to our initial licensed products has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing our belief that this new strategic initiative is the right direction for our company, and underscores our commitment to become the industry’s number one source for plush toys,” said Pat Shirkey, President of Teddy Mountain. “Partnering with beloved brands like Piney: The Lonesome Pine also further illustrates our commitment to aligning with partners that share our culture, values and commitment to making a meaningful difference for children and families.”
Founded by Shirkey and Dominique Gingras more than two decades ago, Teddy Mountain has established itself as a leading supplier of DIY plush toys. Its lineup includes brands such as ECO Origins and Stuffa Squishies, along with custom-designed products for global partners.