NEWS
Adventure Time for Character
by Dominic Sacco
TOYS BASED on the hit Cartoon Network animated show Adventure Timewill be distributed in the UK by Character Options. The products will include two-inch blind bag collectable figures (pictured), as well as role- play items and plush toys. The products will be
available at retail from late July including Toys R Us, Smyths and Toymaster. Prices start from £2.99.
In the US, the Mystery
Figures were exclusive to retailer Hot Topic.
Facebook page has 6.4 million ‘likes’ alone.
Adventure Timealso has
a strong online following. Notably, the property’s
“It is great that there is
already such online demand for the Adventure Timefigures,” Character Options’ marketing director Jerry Healy exclusively told ToyNews. “We are not surprised that older kids are keen to collect, as the show appeals to different ages in very different ways. “For little kids it’s just quirky and funny, but for older kids there’s a cheeky side that identifies with the angst of being a
teenager,” Healy added. Character Options: 0161 633 9800
Vegas countdown heats up By Samantha Loveday
EXCITEMENT FOR Licensing Expo is building, with Advanstar having performed a huge coup in getting Hollywood A-lister Gwyneth Paltrow to speak. The star of Iron Man 3will
form part of the first morning at the show, which will also include a special executive keynote panel featuring representatives from Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Walmart and Disney. Paltrow’s keynote
address – Brands on the brink of global expansion –
IN BRIEF
NICKELODEON SIGNS NEW TICKETY TOC DEAL Zodiak Kids has secured a new deal with Nickelodeon for more episodes of pre- school show, Tickety Toc. The network will air the second season – 26 11- minute episodes – globally, including the UK and US. It has also ordered three half hour specials. Zodiak Kids: 020 7013 4000
36 May
FURTHER GROWTH FOR CPLG IN THE UK Agency CPLG has boosted its team with a new sales director. Hannah Laird will be responsible for the management of the UK team and developing CPLG’s publishing strategy, including digital, for the UK and Europe. She joins the firm from FremantleMedia Australia. CPLG: 020 8563 6400
DREAMWORKS TO BRING BACK TROLLS DreamWorks Animation is bringing the Good Luck Trolls back to the big screen. The firm has struck a deal with Dam Things from Denmark, with a number of initiatives being considered to bring the brand back into homes across the globe. A new screenplay is being penned. www.dreamworks
animation.com
PENGUIN ON BOARD WITH NEXT MIND CANDY BRANDS Penguin has become the exclusive global publisher for each new property developed by Mind Candy for the next three years. Eric Huang, Penguin Children’s new business and IP acquisitions director, will also be joining Mind Candy as director of development. Mind Candy: 020 7501 1900
NORTHERN LIGHT FUND QUIZ NIGHT RAISES £10K Just over £10,000 was raised by industry execs at the Northern Light Fund Quiz Night. Held at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester, the theme was 1970’s fancy dress. The Hallmark team lifted the trophy with 81 points out of 110. The wooden spoon, meanwhile, was awarded to The Strays.
www.lightfund.org
www.toynews-online.biz
will discuss her strategy for global expansion. The actress is the founder of lifestyle resource
Goop.com and also the co-owner of the Tracy Anderson fitness brand, which is a first time exhibitor at the show. Meanwhile, Brad Globe, president of WBCP; Andy
Prince, senior category director, toys at Walmart; Josh Silverman, EVP global licensing at Disney Consumer Products; and Henry Stupp, director and CEO, The Cherokee Group will take part in the executive panel. “The opening keynote session has consistently been one of the best attended and most informative events,” said LIMA’s Charles Riotto. Licensing Expo runs from June 18th to 20th at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas.
www.licensingexpo.com
For the latest news visit
Pokémon ready to catch new licensees
2013 ‘a key year to usher in a new era’ for Pokémon’ No word on UK launch of Skylanders rival, however
by Dominic Sacco
THE POKÉMON Company is on the hunt for licensing partners that will create “new and fun” products. It already has Tomy on board as master toy licensee, and with a new video game due this October, it is confident 2013 will be a massive year for the brand. “Undoubtedly 2013 is a key year for us to grow and usher in a new era for Pokémon, with [3DS video games] Pokémon Xand Pokémon Yand the introduction of new characters as the launch platform,” The Pokémon Company International’s marketing director Anthony Cornish told ToyNewssister publication MCV. “For 2013 we’ve cleared the decks and are refocused on bringing on board partners who’ll create new and fun Pokémon products that fans will love. “And leading our licensing push is Tomy International who we
brought on board last year as our global master toy licensee. This is the first time that our fans all over the world will be getting the
same great products that Japanese fans have been enjoying for years.”
Nintendo
revealed details of a
Skylanders- style Pokémon Wii U video game and figures earlier this year, but
Cornish says there’s “no news” on plans to launch outside Japan. Since the arrival
of the first games in Japan in February 1996, Pokémon has sold over 236 million video games, shipped over 20 billion Pokémon trading cards and aired 16 seasons of the Pokémon TV show. Other Pokémon
products on the way include more Trading Card Game expansions, a new film and TV season. t.kochowicz@
pokemon.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92