68 LICENSINGNEWS IN BRIEF Wow Stuff signs top licences GOLDEN BEAR ENTERS
THE NIGHT GARDEN BBC Worldwide has appointed Golden Bear as the UK master toy licensee for pre-school hit In The Night Garden. The firm will develop a line of products for launch in autumn/winter 2013. The master toy and nursery licence will include all plush and plastic toys, play- sets, figures, developmental toys, vehicles and role-play. Golden Bear will also roll out a range of toys based on the popular Beano character, Dennis the Menace.
Golden Bear: 01952 608 308
BLUE OCEAN SIGNS FOR PEPPA PIG Peppa Pig toys are set to launch in Benelux following a deal by third party agent License Connection with Blue Ocean Toys. The three-year deal will see the firm distribute toys selected from Character Options’ product range from spring 2013. Blue Ocean Toys: +31 6515 62898
CHARACTER PLAYS A
NEW TUNE Warner Bros. has named Character Group as the UK master toy partner for Looney Tunes. As part of the three- year deal, the firm will develop construction play-sets and micro- figurines. In addition, Character will also create a new collection of motion sensor plush toys, as well as further traditional plush lines. Character Options: 0161 633 9800
NEW DEALS FOR THE VERY
HUNGRY CATERPILLAR Rocket Licensing has announced five new UK licensees for the popular kids’ book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. These include gifts wholesaler Wild and Wolf, children and babyware manufacturer Dennicci and kids’ coin- operated rides service Kiddie Rides, which will be offering a Very Hungry Caterpillar-themed ride. William Lamb Footwear and Universal Cycles have also signed up. Rocket Licensing: 0207 207 6241
Wants to grow its toy lines with more brands following Angry Birds Air Swimmers by Dominic Sacco
INNOVATIVE TOY supplier Wow Stuff has signed more licences for 2013 than it has in the past five years. The company’s Angry Birds Air Swimmers launch on November 10th and the firm wants to follow this up with more top licences for its popular floating toy range. Wow Stuff’s president and CEO Richard North told ToyNews: “[Angry Birds Air Swimmers] will pave the way for more licences. The response has been enormous. “We know Air Swimmers is so successful, though if we add a licensed brand to it, how can it increase sales further? But it is going to. We’ve signed up licences for May/June 2013. “We’ve done more licences as a business for 2013 than we have in the past five years.”
North (above) said the strategy for
Wow Stuff is to sign up the number one, two or three licences in certain categories. He was speaking to ToyNews moments after signing ‘a very big licence’.
North also hinted at returning to
next year’s Brand Licensing Europe show as an exhibitor. “If Combat Creatures and
Attacknids battling robots keep
growing, it will become a licensed brand for sure,” he added. However, North made the point that some licensors should be more flexible. “The digital age has changed the
scenery, and those at the top now may well suffer if they don’t embrace the changes that are going on in front of them,” he commented. Wow Stuff: 0870 0546 000
Giant wave of Skylanders products hit retail by Dominic Sacco
A HUGE range of officially licensed Skylanders merchandise is landing in toy retailers in time for Christmas. Dress-up expert Rubie’s has produced Spyro and Trigger Happy costumes, while MV Sports has developed a line of bikes, scooters and skateboards.
There’s also puzzles and blind bag products from Mega Brands on the way, posters from GB Eye and other licensees on board with products, including bags, wallets, stickers, calendars and trading cards.
MV Sports’ Phil Ratcliffe told ToyNews: “The
revolutionary concept of combining toy and video game is a hugely
compelling one, and
consequently, boys all over the UK are hungry for Skylanders merchandise.”
SKYLANDERS GIANTS LICENSEES
Fashion UK – outerwear GB Eye – posters and postcards Rubies – dress-up Aykroyds and TDP – nightwear and underwear Trademark Collections – bags, wallets and umbrellas Footballmania – stationery, mugs, money banks, badges, magnets and keyrings Kokomo – toiletries Zeon – clocks, watches and torches Zak – melamine Roy Lowe – socks