Ambitious company becomes the master toy licensee for Monsters University and How To Train Your Dragon 2 by Dominic Sacco
SUPPLIER SPIN Master has signed two massive kids’ toy licences. The company has just struck ‘one of the biggest’ deals in its 18-year history with Disney to become the master toy licensee for July 2013 movie Monsters University. It has also reached a similar agreement with Dreamworks for 2014 film How To Train Your Dragon 2. Spin Master’s UK MD Kevin Jones
told ToyNews: “We’re all very excited about 2013 and the relationship with Disney. It’s a massive breakthrough for the company, to be positioned at the same level as some of those major competitors who would have had that licence in the past. It’s a testimony to where the business is. “We’re also working with Dreamworks next year on Dragons. It makes us feel like we’re entering into a different arena, because a few of
those [deals] come your way and they transform your company. “Monsters University is probably the biggest deal in Spin Master’s history.” Dragons is a new TV series that airs on Cartoon Network in the middle of 2013. Spin Master will also be producing boys toys next year in time for the 2014 movie. Meanwhile, Monsters, Inc will return to the big screen in early 2013 in Disney Digital 3D, and prequel
Monsters University will air in cinemas later in the year. Marianthi O’Dwyer, VP of licensing and publishing for The Walt Disney Company in the UK and Ireland, added: “Next year will be a monster one for Disney, with the release of Monsters University and the return of Monsters Inc. “We think the new film will have truly broad appeal. The film carries a lot of nostalgia, resonating well with
Hooper (left) and Jones are confident the new licences will perform well at retail for Spin Master in 2013
adults as they remember their university days.” Spin Master’s UK marketing director Phil Hooper said Monsters University is the biggest launch priority for the firm next year. “We’ll have a fully integrated
marketing plan with Disney and key retailers, we’ll invest in heavyweight TV advertising, and we are sure we’ll drive some fantastic sales,” he said. Spin Master: 01628 535000
‘Wheeled toys key to getting kids off computers’
by Dominic Sacco The Good Toy Guide echoes other experts’ calls for children to play outdoors more
THE GOOD Toy Guide is calling on the toy industry to encourage more children to play outside on bikes and ride-ons.
Amanda Gummer from The Good
Toy Guide – which evaluates suppliers’ toys for the benefit of both retailers and parents – believes certain wheeled toys are hugely important in getting kids out in the great outdoors.
“Kids need to play outdoors more,” she told ToyNews. “Of course parents should be wary of stranger danger and traffic, but giving children active toys such as bikes and scooters can help them make the most of even small spaces, and encourage them to be outdoors and active more.” Her calls come following similar comments from the director general of the National Trust, who emphasised the importance of letting kids play in wild spaces.
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In October Play England launched ‘Love Outdoor Play’. Earlier this year, the BTHA unveiled the latest phase of its ‘Make Time To Play’ campaign, after research with the Institute of Youth Sport at Loughborough University showed that playing is the best physical activity for primary schoolers. For The Good Toy Guide’s special look at wheeled toys, turn to page 30. The Good Toy Guide: 01438 831204