Including Shopkins reaching YTD sales of over five million units.
Bulldog Licensing has revealed that October saw the Shopkins brand record its best ever week of sales. The retail success was boosted by the release of series six – Chef Club – which has pushed YTD sales over five million units. Retail sales for the brand are now expected to reach £120 million in 2016 – double the 2015 figure.
FremantleMedia Kids & Family has secured a partnership with Butlins for Danger Mouse. Beginning from Easter 2017, Butlin’s Danger Mouse show will run twice per family break for two years, a total of 724 shows. The 50-minute production will follow a newly created storyline and will feature the characters from the show, dancers from Butlins and a stage prop version of the Mark IV Danger Car.
Mattel has named CPLG as its licensing agent for the Balkans, CIS, Baltics, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. Starting from January 1, 2017, CPLG will cover the key territories, handling Mattel Core Brands and HIT brands including Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam and Bob the Builder.
Paladone is to work with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on a new range of Harry Potter gift items. Products include the Harry Potter Hogwarts LED Crest Light and the Harry Potter Colour Change Glass.
Golden Bear is teaming up with Warner Bros. Consumer Products – on behalf of DC Entertainment – to launch a range of DC Super Friends products in 2017, appealing to younger DC fans. Batman will be the first to be featured in the new sleep aid innovation – Sleep Tight All Night – launching in autumn/winter. Other ranges will include feature plush, an interactive playmate and ‘slingable’ plush collectables.
Character World has expanded its range of gaming licences, securing a deal for Minecraft. The line will initially launch in the UK and will include a duvet set and cushion for spring/summer 2017, followed by a towel and throw set in April.
MD Licensing is teaming with animation studio Toonbox to represent Kit^n^Kate in Italy.
Music brand Kidz Bop has been named as the official music partner of LEGOLAND Florida Resort.
Icon Company has been appointed as the Russian licensing agent for Deer Little Forest, the art and lifestyle brand created by Jo Rose. The latest partnership brings Koko Rose Media’s global licensing network to a total of 27 countries across three continents.
Genius Brands International has licensed the content distribution, licensing and merchandising rights to SpacePOP in Southern Europe (including Spain, Portugal and Italy), for a brand launch in 2017. Luk Internacional has been tasked with launching the programme across the territories.
Animated comedy Mutant Busters – co-produced by Planeta Junior, Famosa and Kotoc, in collaboration with Neox Kidz – has got off to a strong start internationally, thanks to a deal with Netflix. The first 26 episodes of the series are now available on the streaming service. Famosa has launched the toy line in France, while it will also arrive in Italy in Q1 2017.
The Fred Rogers Company has named Paul Siefken as its new president and ceo, effective from January 1, 2017. He succeeds Bill Isler, who is retiring from the company.
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