Fresh off a high-impact showing at the Hong Kong fair (January 12-15), Cool Things is keeping the momentum at full throttle. Shifting focus to the European and American markets, the company is heading to Spielwarenmesse Nuremberg (January 27–31), to showcase a strategic lineup of licensing innovations for both retail and the vending sector.
At the show, Cool Things will present an ever-expanding and highly cross-category licensing portfolio – not only tailored for the European market, but designed with a truly global outlook. Following months of intense scouting and strategic acquisitions, Cool Things is reinforcing its position as a dominant international player. The company’s ever-expanding portfolio is designed to bridge global trends, high-potential niches, and bespoke projects.
From evergreen icons to major movie franchises
Evergreen properties remain at the core of the Cool Things strategy. Highlights include Universal licenses such as Minions and the latest movie-driven properties, alongside Warner Bros. licenses ranging from the cult-classic Horror collection to fan-favorites like Ben 10, The Amazing World of Gumball, and Adventure Time.
High-potential licenses and Asian trends: a future-focused vision
Alongside global blockbusters, Cool Things continues to invest strongly in high-potential licenses and emerging trends, many originating from Asia and the digital world. These include Invincible, Gloomy The Bear, Murder Drones, The Amazing Digital Circus, as well as gaming-related properties such as Cookie Run and Neopets.
Anime and the Kidult segment also play a key role – two of the most influential trends in today’s licensing landscape. Licenses such as Naruto and Hatsune Miku speak to highly engaged communities across age groups and geographies.
The portfolio is further enriched by digital-native properties like Pudgy Penguins, alongside established and much-loved brands such as Bichi Mao – confirming a strategy that blends heritage, contemporary pop culture and global appeal.
Renewed partnerships and new collaborations in the pipeline
Creative synergies continue to grow. Cool Things has recently renewed major collaboration agreements allowing the combined use of two iconic properties: Sanrio’s Hello Kitty and Cloudco’s Care Bears. At the same time, new collaboration negotiations are underway, highlighting a licensing pipeline that is constantly evolving in line with the latest market trends.
The Nuremberg Debut: redefining the vending machine experience
Nuremberg will also be the stage for an exclusive launch. Cool Things will unveil a major innovation for the vending sector, inspired by the smart pop-up store concept. This is far more than a standard vending machine; it is a high-tech showcase designed to display and narrate premium Cool Things products. This strategic evolution marks a bold departure from traditional vending, moving toward a more sophisticated retail experience.
Save the date: the top-secret event
For industry professionals, Tuesday, January 27th is the date to watch. Cool Things will host an invitation-only exclusive event at its booth (Hall 12.0 – Stand A02) to officially unveil the surprise.
Details are still under wraps, but expectations are high: this will be the moment the future of high-end pocket-money toys takes shape.
Want a “sneak peek” into the Cool Things universe at Nuremberg?… Stay tuned for further updates on our products and new licenses.
The Cool Things journey has only just begun!
