Including Magic Light Pictures and Star Editions opening a new Gruffalo web shop.
The Source rounds up more news from the licensing industry across the globe from the week.
Magic Light Pictures has teamed with Star Editions for the launch of a new Gruffalo web shop featuring a range of customisable products. The bespoke online shopping destination features a Star Editions-designed range of customisable giftware, as well as hosting a number of Gruffalo-branded products including books, CDs and DVDs. Personalised products are also available for Stick Man, Room on the Broom and The Highway Rat.
The Smiley Company has welcomed eight new global agents to help it expand into key territories. The new signings include Infiniss (South Korea), Doce (China), Signet (South Africa), Brights (Greece), AMV Licensing (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia), Plus Licens (Russia), Haven (Australia) and One RDM (Indonesia).
Mondo TV has secured a two-year deal for Robot Trains balloons with Grabo. The lines will be launching this summer in Italy and Russia.
DHX Media is gearing up for the premiere of the new animated series, Mega Man: Fully Charged. The show will debut on August 5 on Cartoon Network in the US.
The Downton Abbey movie has been given the green light, with the original cast from the TV show all set to return to begin production later this summer. The film will be produced by creator Julian Fellowes – who wrote the screenplay – alongside Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge.
One Animation has secured a partnership with CMC to create 15 Oddbods-themed family entertainment centres in China over the next eight years. The first centre is due to open by Q3 2019 in the city of Xian, followed by other key cities including Chengdu and Shanghai.
Rainbow has named Rick Mischel as the new ceo for animation company, Bardel Entertainment. Rick arrives from Sony Pictures Animation, where he served as producer, leading SPA’s initiative to develop existing IP across all media, as well as securing new projects for film development. Rainbow acquired Bardel in 2015.
Artisan Julie Dodsworth has been signed for a new kitchen collection by My Gifts Trade. The collaboration includes cake tins, trays, coasters and kitchen textiles for launch in autumn/winter and spring/summer.
Nitro Circus has revealed that a resident stage show will be coming to Las Vegas from spring 2019. The new production will open at Bally’s, taking over the Jubilee Theater, to be reimagined, redesigned and renamed the Nitro Circus Theater.
Tactile Games has launched a new Simon’s Cat mobile game, Simon’s Cat Pop Time. The new bubble puzzle game follows on from the success of Simon’s Cat Crunch Time, which has hit eight million downloads in 12 months.
Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow @LicensingSource on Twitter.