Including Bulldog to rep the Enid Blyton estate and a raft of Mattel Creations reveals.
It’s been a busy week for Mattel and Hit Entertainment. First up, Mattel Creations announced a raft of international deals at MIPTV for the new Bob the Builder, as well as confirming Bob the Builder: Mega Machines – The Movie. This is set for TV and DVD release next year and will introduce a number of new characters. In addition, Mattel Creations revealed Fireman Sam: Alien Alert, a new feature length special starring the character due in 2017.
Meanwhile, Mattel Creations also confirmed Thomas & Friends: The Great Race, due for cinema, TV and DVD release this summer. It will include 13 new engines from around the world, such as Ashima of India, Axel of Belgium, Raul of Brazil and Shane of Australia, as well as Britain’s The Flying Scotsman (who is the brother of regular character Gordon).
Bulldog Licensing is now representing the estate of children’s author Enid Blyton. The licensing programme will launch in 2017 and will initially focus on The Famous Five (which will be celebrating its 75th anniversary), using a style guide featuring the original illustrations by Eileen Soper. Bulldog will then look to expand across The Secret Seven and other titles in the estate.
Acamar Films has scooped a coveted International Emmy award for Bing, with the show winning the Preschool Kids category.
BBC Worldwide has added several soft line partnerships for Hey Duggee. Aykroyd and TDP will launch nightwear, underwear and swimwear, while Blues Clothing will create outerwear and clothing including t-shirts, knitwear, jeans and dresses.
Art and design licensing show Surtex has confirmed the dates for the 2017 event. The event will run from May 21-24 2017 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York.
The Rubik’s brand has teamed up with The Smiley Company as it looks to expand into new sectors. Smiley will now look to develop a wide range of lifestyle categories, as well as introducing new segments across heritage, urban and geeks.
Sesame Workshop is expanding its agency partnership with CPLG in select European markets. CPLG will look to secure Sesame Street partners for apparel and gifting aimed at teens and adults, focusing on territories including France, Spain and Italy. The news follows a raft of successful recent clothing and accessory launches – including partnerships with Crocs, Quiksilver/Roxy and Puma among others.
The Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground at Willows Activity Farm has officially opened. The first of its kind in the world, the playground is a collaboration between Penguin Ventures, Silvergate Media and Lappset.
Plans for a second series of the new Teletubbies have been confirmed. UK production company, Darrall Macqueen, will make 60 more episodes of the show for DHX and CBeebies.
Black White Orange Brands has been appointed as the Indian licensing agent for The emoji Company, plus a raft of music artists in a partnership with Global Merchandising Services.
Carte Blanche has added Kimm & Miller to the licensing programme for Me to You as food gifting partner. The first product range will launch in the autumn.
Rainbow has signed a book deal for its new live action series Maggie & Bianca Fashion Friends, with Italian publisher Mondadori Libri set to work on a range of titles.
Meanwhile, Rainbow’s Winx Club brand will be broadcast across India thanks to a deal with the kids entertainment channels of Sun TV network.
Netflix is to premiere a new Dreamworks original series, Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh. The series will pick up where the 2015 animated film left off, and will also feature new original music from teen pop star Rachel Crow. The first series will be available to Netflix members in the US, Canada, Latin America, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, the Nordics, Benelux and France from July 29.
