Including Scholastic’s plans for a new book series based on World of Warcraft.
Scholastic is to collaborate with Blizzard Entertainment on a children’s book series based on the World of Warcraft game franchise. World of Warcraft: Traveler will launch simultaneously in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The first book is due in November 2016, with a second title following in November 2017.
Copyrights has unveiled a raft of new partners and products for The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. The Personalised Memento Company launched its new range of gifts at Spring Fair, including stationery, ceramics, candles and Christmas decorations among others. In addition, Samuel Lamont has a new home textiles line featuring aprons, oven gloves and tea towels, with the range being expanded later in the year to include an everyday home textiles collection. Long-term card partner, The Great British Card Company, has a new range of cards and formats for 2016. In the US, new partners have been signed by agent RJM Licensing, including Rizzoli for English language books launching spring 2017, and calendars from Tide Mark.
Warner Bros. Consumer Products has secured a number of global partnerships in the publishing space for Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. HarperCollins, Scholastic and Insight Editions are all on board.
Online registration for art and design show Surtex is now open. The event takes place between May 15-17 at the Jacob K Javits Convention Center, New York. Some 300 exhibiting artists from around the world will participate in one of three categories – Art and Brand Licensing, Atelier and Resource Hub. Click here to head to the official website.
Character World has expanded its portfolio with the addition of a full Batman v Superman range. The collection – available now at Argos, Tesco and other major retailers – includes duvet covers, a cushion, curtains, bean bag, fleece blanket, poncho and towel.
Disney’s Zootropolis has enjoyed a strong opening in the UK and is on course to record an opening weekend of more than £5 million. The film has already topped the global box office, notching up over $600 million to date. In the US, the film has taken over $240 million alone and in Russia it is the second biggest film of all time (behind Avatar).
DHX Media has signed a further 10 broadcast deals for the new series of Teletubbies with networks across the globe. The preschool series has been licensed to the following: TVE (Spain), CBeebies (Africa, Asia, Poland), Hop! Media Group (Israel), Nickelodeon (Greece), NPO Zeppelin (Netherlands), MTVA (Hungary), JimJam (Benelux), SIC (Portugal), e-Junior (Middle East) and Ultra (Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia).
Cartoon Network has launched a new Powerpuff Girls mobile game called Flipped Out. Developed by Grumpyface Studios, Flipped Out is two games in one – a match-three puzzler and an action packed brawler. The new series of The Powerpuff Girls launches on Cartoon Network on Monday April 25.
Nitro Circus has appointed Cassie Dombrowski as its new director of global licensing. Cassie will now spearhead activities in the US for the action sports entertainment ‘collective’, as well as managing its network of agencies. This includes Lisle International in the UK, Velocity Brand Management in Australia and New Zealand, and Versa Licensing in Mexico.
MGA Entertainment is celebrating a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for its Project Mc2 Steam aligned fashion doll brand and Netflix original show. The series has been nominated in the Best Children’s Programming category.
SmileyWorld is continuing its expansion into the FMCG market, showcasing its new ‘Taste Happiness’ concept at MDD. The company will also be presenting a full range of products with opportunities for licensees and DTRs. On top of this, a new retail food concept – Smiley Kitchen – will launch, with products including juices and salads featuring the emoticons.
Zodiak Kids’ LoliRock property is due to roll out across France and Italy this spring. France Televisions will be launching 13 new episodes of season one in April on France 4, while Disney France will launch new episodes in May. De Agostini Editore’s Super DTT channel in Italy will also air from April.
Disney Couture jewellery has been launched on the Boutique.Goldsmiths website. The move follows a successful 12 months during which the company has doubled the number of stockists to over 50 in the UK and Europe. Disney Couture is due to launch a new Alice in Wonderland collection in May.
Masha and the Bear now has free to air coverage across Europe, Asia and North America. In addition, one particular episode – Masha and the Porridge – has recently hit one billion views on YouTube, making it one of just 20 videos to achieve this milestone.
Maurizio Distefano Licensing is gearing up for next week’s Bologna Licensing Trade Fair. The company will be showcasing Angry Birds, Masha and the Bear, Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks and Tip the Mouse on its stand.
ZAG has partnered with comic book creator Action Lab Entertainment to develop a series of comic books and graphic novels for the US based on 3D animation Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir.
