Disney has promoted Kristen Finney as part of a global strategy to improve content creation for Disney+ in international markets. Finney is to take on the newly created role of Executive VP of Content Creation. Prior to the reassignment, Finney was the executive VP for content distribution strategy and development within Disney’s direct-to-consumer division on the platform … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Kristen Finney to Manage International Content for Disney+
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Genius Brands Signs Long-Term Deal with Marvel Studios to License the Likeness of Stan Lee
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Stan Lee Universe has signed a 20-year deal to license the name and likeness of Stan Lee to Marvel Studios and Disney for global use in media and experiences. Stan Lee Universe is a joint venture between Pow! Entertainment and Genius Brands International that is focused on maintaining and expanding Stan Lee's legacy through licensing deals … [Read more...] about Genius Brands Signs Long-Term Deal with Marvel Studios to License the Likeness of Stan Lee
Disney+ Partners With Red Hot African Animators
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The African animation scene is red hot right now, and people in that continent are now seeing more animated films and series that represent their lives and culture. Disney is among the many companies that has discovered the rapidly growing well of talent bubbling up throughout the region, and has now partnered with animators from across Africa … [Read more...] about Disney+ Partners With Red Hot African Animators
Writers Form #DisneyMustPay Task Force In Royalty Dispute
Disney has been getting back into the publishing business in a big way in recent years, but the acquisition of several publishing houses has also brought some headaches in the form of writers who say they are owed unpaid royalties. Half a dozen writers' organizations have joined the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) in forming the task force, which is … [Read more...] about Writers Form #DisneyMustPay Task Force In Royalty Dispute
Who’s News: New Faces and Places at Disney, Wildbrain, Brainbase
Leading our Who's News section, Disney has promoted Jane Gould to EVP of content research, insights and scheduling at Disney General Entertainment (DGE) Content. Gould's position is now expanding at the House of Mouse to provide consumer insights to more of Disney’s brands. Reporting to the DGE EVP of strategy and business operations Trisha Husson, Gould will now work across … [Read more...] about Who’s News: New Faces and Places at Disney, Wildbrain, Brainbase
ZAG’s Miraculous Signs With Disney and New Product Partners
The hit series Miraculous - Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir has been signed on for seasons four and five, and high ratings are now driving several new licensing deals. Julian Zag, Executive Vice President, Global Operations, says the company has signed several "top tier" partners over the past month for a wide range of consumer products and services. Newly signed consumer … [Read more...] about ZAG’s Miraculous Signs With Disney and New Product Partners
Box Office Sluggish for Raya and the Last Dragon
In yet another sign of the challenges ahead for cinema in 2021, the Disney blockbuster release Raya and the Last Dragon showed sluggish box office results in its first weekend in theaters. The film, produced by the same Walt Disney Animation team that put out Moana, would normally have been expected to be a tentpole event for the company, but Raya opened over the weekend with a … [Read more...] about Box Office Sluggish for Raya and the Last Dragon
LEGO Takes Kids to the Hundred Acre Wood
LEGO this week launched a superb new product for fans of the Winnie the Pooh books to embrace their nostalgia with a Hundred Acre Wood play set. The set came to life from the mind of super fan Ben Alder who collaborated on the design through the LEGO Ideas program, and was made possible through a licensing partnership with brand owner Disney. Beneath a large oak tree, complete … [Read more...] about LEGO Takes Kids to the Hundred Acre Wood
Boat Rocker’s Dino Ranch Lassoed by Disney
The highly rated kids show Dino Ranch from Boat Rocker Studios has been snapped up in a deal with Disney+ that will see the program air in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand starting in April. The show takes dinosaurs from Jurassic Park to a Jurassic farm, with a cute assemblage of dinosaur steeds that has already premiered for audiences on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW … [Read more...] about Boat Rocker’s Dino Ranch Lassoed by Disney
Disney’s Toy Onslaught For Raya and The Last Dragon
It's been a while since a Hollywood tentpole movie has inspired a major launch of new toy lines, but Disney is taking a crack at it as Raya and the Last Dragon debuts on March 5. The COVID-19 pandemic has badly stalled releases of major films in theaters, and different studios have reacted with different strategies. Warner famously (or infamously) announced all of its films in … [Read more...] about Disney’s Toy Onslaught For Raya and The Last Dragon