Wham-O has been on a licensing tear this year after signing with agency Anjar Co. & Becker Associates, and has now announced another deal to translate classic action toys like Frisbee and Hula Hoop into board games. Winning Moves Games USA is a Massachusetts-based maker of both new and classic board games, card games and puzzles including Pass the Pigs, No Stress Chess, and many more family favorites. “Winning Moves Games USA is proud to announce it has signed a licensing agreement with Anjar and Wham-O to bring back the classic versions of Frisbee, Super Ball, Hacky Sack, Trac Ball and many other classic Wham-O toys,” said Philip Orbanes Jr., President of Winning Moves. “For more than 25 years Winning Moves Games USA has built a positive reputation as a… . . . read more
NPD Says Toy Sales Soared 27% In Year-To-Date
U.S. toy industry dollar sales increased +27% or +$1.5B between January and April 2021, according to The NPD Group, one of the leading research groups for consumer products and behavior. NPD analysts say both unit sales and average selling price (ASP) increased during the period, up +17% and +9% respectively. Ten of the eleven supercategories tracked by NPD posted double-digit dollar growth versus 2020. Furthermore, all supercategories posted a positive 2-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) with seven supercategories showing double digit growth rates vs. 2019. After experiencing a dollar gain of $324 million, Outdoor & Sports Toys continues to be the largest supercategory with $1.6 billion in sales while Plush had the fastest dollar growth vs. 2020 at +44%. “As we lap the lockdowns of 2020, the supercategories that had… . . . read more
‘Ocean Loving’ Barbies Made From Ocean-Bound Plastic
In its ongoing drive to become more sustainable, toy giant Mattel is launching a new line of Barbie dolls made from plastic that otherwise could become ocean waste. Appropriately named the Barbie Loves the Ocean collection with a summer fun theme, the collection will initially include three dolls, a beach shack play set and a starter assortment play set. To make the program happen, Mattel is partnering with plastics recycling company Envision Plastics, a major recycler of HDPE products, and the material will be sourced from areas in Mexico’s Baja peninsula that are trying to mitigate plastic waste pollution. “Our sustainability efforts represent the next step in Barbie’s social mission and evolution,” Lisa McKnight, senior vice president at Mattel (MAT) and global head of the company’s Barbie and Dolls portfolio, told… . . . read more
SEGA Adds Two Sonic Toy Partners In Europe
SEGA Europe has announced new licensing partnerships with Wow! Stuff and HoloToyz to mark the 30th anniversary of its flagship property Sonic the Hedgehog. Wow! Stuff will be bringing the speedy video game character to its award-winning Wow! Pods range, which will feature light-up characters from the Sonic universe, housed within interconnecting display cases. In the agreement with HoloToyz, the parties will be launching a range of stickers, decals and temporary tattoos embedded with augmented reality technology which can be brought to life via the company’s free HoloToyz app. The toymakers join a line up of industry-leading licensees who are jointly helping SEGA celebrate three decades of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise this year, just as the franchise is preparing the launch of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Production on the… . . . read more
BBC Assigns License for Bluey to Tech Toy Firm VTech
BBC Studios has signed a multi-territory licensing deal with VTech to produce electronic role play toys, further expanding its rapidly growing global licensing portfolio for the popular, award-winning children’s TV show Bluey. Bluey is an Australian children’s show about a lovable Australian shepherd that has since taken most of the world by storm since it was first aired less than three years ago, in October 2018, achieving high ratings and signing up an already impressive array of licensing partners. VTech successfully pitched the BBC on a new line of products that will include electronic books, role play watches and a phone. Product is expected to launch at retail in both Australia and USA for Q3 2022, followed by future roll outs in the UK, France, Canada and New Zealand. “We are delighted to… . . . read more
Never Wrong Toys Appointed Master Toy Partner For Rainbow Rangers
Never Wrong Toys, a subsidiary of China’s leading toy manufacturer Markan Industrial Group Ltd., is developing a broad range of new preschool products for the popular Cartoon Channel hit Rainbow Rangers, in a deal with Genius Brands. Rainbow Rangers is a rescue-based series that follows the adventures of seven girls who are Earth’s first responders—protecting people, animals, resources, and the natural beauty of our world. Hilary Chernissand and Sara Jane Sluke, who were key writers in the first two seasons, will become head writers of season three. multiple Emmy Award-winning director Michael Maliani directs the series, and Genius Brands’ chairman & CEO and multiple Emmy Award-winning producer, Andy Heyward, serves as executive producer. Genius and Never Wrong jointly announced this week the appointment of Never Wrong Toys as global master… . . . read more
Licensing Deals: Simon’s Cat Expands Global Pawprint
Licensing agent appointed in Japan and new product ranges across Europe, Australia, North America and Asia Banijay Brands announced this week a litter of new licensing deals for its digital content sensation, Simon’s Cat, and says Japanese agency ZenWorks has been appointed to represent the brand’s interests in that cat-crazy country, home of the cat cafe. The licensing program for Simon’s Cat is continuing to expand with new licensees appointed for fashion, crafting, phone accessories, puzzles and accessories, said Banijay, in announcing deals with Fashion UK, Wulydermy, Ecell, Pinfinity, and Dr. Woof. “Simon’s Cat is such a lovable brand that resonates with fans all around the world,” said Jane Smith, Group Director, Brand Licensing at Banijay. “The extensive licensing programme, that continues to expand, is testament to its enduring popularity.”… . . . read more
Warner Launches Space Jam Licensing Onslaught
More than 200 licensing partners launching ‘Looney’ collections around the world Warner Bros. Consumer Products is rolling out the largest collection of Looney Tunes merchandise in decades ahead of debut of Space Jam: A New Legacy. The mixed animation and live action flick stars basketball star LeBron James playing alongside proven hoop ball talents Bugs Bunny, Lola Bunny, Daffy Duck, and the rest of the Looney Tunes squad. Starring basketball champion and global icon LeBron James alongside Bugs Bunny, Lola Bunny and the Looney Tunes Squad, the live action/animated adventure is a manic mash-up of two worlds that reveals just how far some parents will go to connect with their kids. The movie it due to launch in cinemas in North America and the UK on July 16, and will… . . . read more
Boat Rocker Lassos New Licensees For Dino Ranch
Boat Rocker Studios announced this week the signing of six new licensees in the US and Canada for its top-rated preschool show Dino Ranch. The galloping success of the series, set in what Boat Rocker jokingly refers to as a “pre-Westoric” family dinosaur ranch, has sparked intense interest across multiple consumer categories, allowing Boat Rocker to corral multiple deals in key areas, including apparel, home décor, timepieces and costume characters. The company says it is also working on more licensing deals it expects to announce in the near future. “There has been a phenomenal response to Dino Ranch on Disney Junior where it has been the number one preschool US cable show since its launch,” said Kate Schlomann, EVP Brand Management and Content Marketing at Boat Rocker Studios. “It’s not… . . . read more
Ricky Zoom In Season 2 As Licensing Accelerates
Hasbro’s Entertainment One (eOne) studio, is gearing up for the much-anticipated debut of Ricky Zoom’s season two through ViacomCBS Networks UK, Nick Jr. and Channel 5’s multiplatform pre-school brand, Milkshake!. The CGI animated series follows Ricky, a speed-loving, adventure-seeking, little red rescue bike who loves to zoom around the fictional British town of Wheelford, where the inhabitants get around on two wheels, rather than two feet. “We are thrilled to bring Ricky Zoom back to the number one channel for pre-schoolers in the UK with Milkshake! and Nick Jr.,” said eOne’s Monica Candiani, EVP of Content Sales, Family & Brands. “The show has had such strong success in the UK among young viewers, allowing us to secure a number of licensing partners across a variety of categories. We can’t wait… . . . read more