NEWS
Homemade Woolly and Tig toys selling strong on eBay
Skilled mums take advantage of demand for toys from the TV show Golden Bear says sales “a good sign” by Dominic Sacco
TOYS BASED on Woolly and Tigare so sought after that parents have resorted to making their own. Custom soft plush toys
are currently selling for as much as £30 on eBay, with many being billed as Christmas gifts. Several sellers on the online auction website are mums who initially made the toys for their own children. Golden Bear is the
master toy licensee for CBeebies’ hit pre-school TV show Woolly and Tig. The toy firm’s three-year deal, struck with Brands With Influence, includes
animated plush, plastic and electronic toys. “People have been making their own Woolly toys, which is always a good sign that demand for Woolly is growing and he is becoming a firm favourite,” Golden Bear’s marketing and product development
Woolly and Tig is the one thing I saw at Brand Licensing Europe that made me think: ‘We’ve got to get that’ Christine Nicholls, Golden Bear
director Christine Nicholls told ToyNews.
The first official toys
won’t arrive in stores until July 2013, with a full launch due in autumn/winter. eBay user Nannieneelie said: “My grandson loves Woolly so I made one for him. My daughter posted it on Facebook and I was inundated with people wanting one. I can’t make them fast enough.” Nicholls added: “Woolly and Tigis one thing I saw at Brand Licensing Europe that made me think, ‘We’ve got to get that’. “It’s perfect for kids, it
looks so real and it’s a very clever animation.”
Golden Bear: 01952 608308
DC brands push further into toy space by Samantha Loveday
BUSY DC Thomson has secured several key deals for The Beanoand Dennis and Gnasher, with Mask- arade and The Magnetic Board Company signing up in the toy and gift sectors. Mask-arade will make a collection of Dennis and Gnashermasks. Each is made from high quality durable card and comes with eyeholes and an elastic strap.
CARL LUMBARD JOINS FREMANTLEMEDIA FME has appointed former 20th Century Fox man, Carl Lumbard. He takes on the role of head of licensing strategy and business development, Kids & Family Entertainment, EMEA. Lumbard spent almost 14 years at Fox, most recently as SVP and MD, licensing and merchandising. FME: 020 7691 6000
www.toynews-online.biz
SIMON & SCHUSTER SNAPS UP FIGHT MY MONSTER Three new books inspired by digital trading card game, Fight My Monster, will launch from Simon & Schuster. Fight My Monster has a community of almost two million players worldwide, with over eight million unique monsters created to date. It is handled by Lisle in the UK. Lisle: 01937 586237
50 SHADES GAME READY FOR PARTY SEASON Imagination Games is launching a 50 Shades of GreyParty Game. Players have to listen to risqué questions before voting on which of their friends they believe is best matched to the question. A ‘Red Room’ expansion pack containins additional raunchy action. Imagination Games: 01270 619100
“We are very excited to add Beano icons Dennis and Gnasher to our range,” said Mask-arade MD, Ray Duffy. “They are well-loved, cross-generational characters and will complement our other fantastic licensed character masks.” Meanwhile, The Magnetic
Board Company has character boards of the whole Beano gang,
Bananaman and Dennis and Gnasher. Also, the Vintage
FAST & FURIOUS SCALEXTRIC REVS UP Hornby is teaming up with Universal Pictures for a new slot car range, due for launch in May 2013. The deal – secured by licensing agent CPLG – will see the firm produce a Fast & Furious Scalextric range in time for the debut of the next movie, Fast & Furious 6, due in spring 2013. Hornby: 01843 233500
Cover selection includes titles such as Victor, The Hotspur, Red Daggerand The Rover Book for Boys, plus Mandyand Bunty. Amanda McIvor, director, said: “We are very excited to be launching a range featuring these well- known, loveable characters and comic titles. Many of our products are also bought as gifts for children because the iconic comic style fits so perfectly.” DC Thomson: 01382 575731
GAME OF THRONES BOARD GAME HITS UK HBO fantasy serial Game of Throneshas been worked into an epic card-based board game. Available in the UK from Esdevium, the game is for two players and is based on the story of Thrones. The firm is confident it is the perfect Christmas gift for fans of the TV show. Esdevium: 01420 593593
December/January 63
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