Including SEGA welcoming Jakks Pacific and Disguise on board for new movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Source rounds up more news from the licensing industry across the globe from the week.
SEGA of America has teamed with Jakks Pacific and Disguise as official global toy and costume partner for the movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The agreement with Jakks includes rights to produce action figures, play-sets, vehicles, plush and other collectables. Its costume division Disguise, meanwhile, will be designing and manufacturing costumes and accessories inspired by characters from the film (which is due for release in 2022). The new line of merchandise is an extension of the multi-year, global toy licensing deal SEGA forged with Jakks in 2019.
Lisle Licensing has secured a deal with Planeta Junior to promote and represent the preschool property Milo in the UK and Ireland. The series focuses on an adventurous five year old cat who, together with his best friends Lofty and Lark, uses role-play to explore the world of vocations. Lisle will be targeting initial categories including toys, publishing, apparel and dress-up.
Channel 4 has commissioned 50 Years of Mr Men to celebrate half a century of the iconic children’s books. Presented by super fan, Matt Lucas, the show will chart the history of the characters, showing their evolution and exploring moments via the Hargreaves’ family story, artists and collaborators, child psychologists, marketing gurus and fans from the worlds of fashion, music and the arts. Matt will also reveal the secret world of the artistic process – what it takes to brainstorm, draw, write and animate new Mr Men and Little Misses for today’s world. He will also help launch the global competition to find the two newest characters.
Bulldog Licensing has secured two new licensing partners for ROUTE 66. Iconospheric has signed up to create a collection of print on demand wall art, apparel and accessories, home décor, gifting and stationery. It has already launched a range of wall art and will be following with new products later this year. Meanwhile, Assured Products is on board for car care products including cleaners, polishers, screen wash and de-icers, engine oils, bike and motorbike care products and gifting lines such as body and hand washes and shampoo.
The Copyrights Group is expanding the presence of Paddington in Italy, partnering with Rai Com as licensing agent for the brand. The appointment of Rai correlates with the successful launch of The Adventures of Paddington on Rai YoYo in January, where the series is airing three times a day. Rai Com will now develop a full CP range with initial categories including distribution for the Phat Mojo master toy range, kiosk items, stationery, back to school and FMCG.
Animaccord has confirmed a new broadcast deal with Rai for Masha and the Bear season five. The first episodes of the new season will air daily on Rai YoYo and Rai Play from 3 May.
greenre Brand has secured a new Canadian partnership with emoji – greenre is the consumer products arm of INProduction Licensing. Products range from stationery, novelty and back to school through to select home items. Products are made of recyclable materials.
Sesame Workshop and WarnerMedia have greenlit a new animated preschool comedy series, Bea’s Block. The show is due to debut in 2022 on HBO Max. The show will draw on the ubiquity of toy blocks to bring the vibrant, multicultural neighbourhood of Blocktown to life. It centres on the bold and curious Bea and her two best block friends, Ty and Lexi, following the trio as they go on ‘kindness adventures’ and help others in their community.
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