JULY TO SEPTEMBER Zodiak Rights is looking to build on the initial success of its pre-school property, Tickety Toc, during the third quarter. Vivid is on board as the master toy licensee, holding the distribution rights for the UK, France, Germany, Iberia, Benelux and the Nordics. It also holds the global manufacturing rights outside North America, Japan and Korea. In the US and Canada,
Zodiak has recently appointed Just Play as master toy partner. Toy product will begin to roll out in key territories – including the UK – in autumn/winter. The hero item will be the Clockhouse Play-set, while there will also be talking plush skus, vehicles, figures, puzzles and games. “We’ve had a very
positive initial reaction to Tickety Tocfrom the audience, licensees and retailers alike,” says Jennifer Lawlor, SVP consumer products at Zodiak Rights. “It seems the show’s fresh, unique look, combined with its appealing characters, comedic values, energy and pace really make Tickety Tocone to watch.” BBC Worldwide is also set
for a busy quarter. New toy lines will launch for Something Special, including a collection of puzzles and games from Jumbo, plus a raft of items
JULY
New toy lines launch for Spongebob Squarepants (Q3) Paul Lamond launches the Doctor Who DVD board game Monsters Universityrolls out at the cinema Underground Toys’ The Annoying Orange toy line is extended (Q3) Universal Cycles reveals bicycles for The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Q3)
from Golden Bear. Comedy classic Only Fools and Horseswill also get a boost in the toy sector, thanks to Jumbo again, while Vivid will continue to support pre- school hit Baby Jake. Further toy items will be added to the existing collection heading into autumn/winter. And then, of course, there’s Doctor Who. “We are very excited about our highlights in the toy market for 2013,” Fiona Eastwood, product development director at BBC Worldwide Consumer Products, explains to ToyNews. “The 50th anniversary of Doctor Who will be marked by new collectable toy ranges for children and adult fans. Golden Bear’s Something Specialtoy range has had a fantastic start and we’ll expand this in 2013. “In the same year we also
have the big family movie release Walking With Dinosaurs, accompanied by Vivid’s toys. And some superb pre-school ranges from Rainbow for Charlie & Lolaand Wibbly Pig, plus from Vivid for Baby Jake. It should be a wonderful year.” Also, look out for a raft of activity from Disney throughout this quarter. Monsters Universitywill hit cinemas in July, closely followed by the hotly tipped Planesand The Lone Rangerin August. The Cars franchise will also continue, with a special edition range
LICENSING HOT LIST 2013
KEY MOVIE RELEASES
MONSTERS UNIVERSITY Disney-Pixar – July
THE WOLVERINE Marvel – July
THE SMURFS 2 Sony Pictures Animation – July
PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS 20th Century Fox – August
PLANES Disney-Pixar – August
Golden Bear’s Something Special toy range has had a fantastic start and we’ll expand this in 2013. Fiona Eastwood, BBC Worldwide
of cross-category Silver Series products.
Other highlights: Ty will launch My Little Pony Beanie Babies, while Transformers will be bolstered with the Beast Hunters toy line. Optimus Prime also continues his Truck Tour until the middle of November; Fisher-Price will roll out its Mike the Knight products worldwide; Thomas & Friends will release its next DVD movie, King of the Railway, which
AUGUST
Disney-Pixar’s Planesmakes its cinema debut New eOne 3D animated film – Justin and the Knights of Valour– is released Thomas & Friends direct to DVD movie, King of the Railway, gets global blue carpet premieres in the UK and other key
territories (Q3) Fisher-Price launches its Mike the Knight toy line on a worldwide basis (Q2/Q3)
will be backed by over 65 tie-in products. Blue carpet premieres will take place across the world; autumn launches for Bin Weevils will include novelty toy kits from InspirationWorks and MV Sports, plus more from Character Options; Vivid will launch its autumn/ winter Cloudbabies toys; ITV will continue to build the Matt Hatter Chronicles licensing programme and Gormiti will launch on Cartoon Network across EMEA in September.
SEPTEMBER
The Licensing Awards return to the Grosvenor Hotel Vivid launches its autumn/winter toy range for Cloudbabies (Q3) Autumn Fair takes place at Birmingham NEC Gormiti launches on Cartoon Network across EMEA
THE LITTLE MERMAID (3D RE-RELEASE) Walt Disney Pictures – September
KEY INDUSTRY SHOW
THE LICENSING AWARDS The Great Room, Grosvenor House Hotel, London