Rich Consumer Products Line to Launch in Europe with STX Entertainment’s UglyDolls Movie!
Animation & Characters
Global agent White Space Entertainment (WSE) and sub-agent CPLG have brokered an assortment of licensed merchandise deals in Europe for the highly anticipated animated film franchise UglyDolls, from Robert Simonds’ global next-generation media company, STX Entertainment.
New licensees signed to the franchise in the UK include Centum Publishing for book formats including movie novelization and chapter books; Signature Publishing creating a one-shot magazine; Spearmark International for lunch ware and lighting; Danilo developing a range of greeting cards and calendars; and Kokomo for a range of health and beauty products. Whitehouse Leisure will develop a range of amusement plush and novelty products, C&M Licensing will develop a range of nightwear and underwear, and Roy Lowe are on board for socks, with further apparel deals in the final stages of negotiation. Rainbow Productions will also be producing the costume characters and managing UK live appearances.
Character World and BIP have signed multi-territory deals for bedding & home textiles, and confectionery respectively. Sambro International is also on board for stationery, arts and crafts, and bags for UK and Benelux.
In Benelux, Van der Erve will produce a range of apparel and accessories. Texco will develop curtains and roller blinds. Jacob Company is on board for back-to-school products and Ben Veldkamp will manage costume character appearances in the region.
In Iberia, Airval will develop a health and beauty range, Stor are signed for lunch ware, and Tasty & Unique are on board for cookies, confectionery, milk and healthy snacks. Karactermania and KStationery will develop a back-to-school stationery and bags range for Spain and Portugal respectively. Penguin Random House will create a movie book and story books for Spain.
In other markets, NICI will develop a range of stationery and gift products for Germany and France, Stamatis are on board for apparel, accessories and tableware for Greece, and Giovas will create a back-to-school and stationery range for Greece & Malta.
“We have received an amazing response to UglyDolls from both licensees and retailers across Europe,” said Steve Manners, EVP of CPLG. “We are working with best-in-class licensees who are developing some exciting product ranges that will bring the UglyDolls characters and the brand message to life.”
Created as a plush toy line by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, the UglyDoll brand quickly gained a cult following around the world and was named Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association in 2006. Beloved by children, teenagers and adults alike, UglyDoll characters are distinct for their endearing “ugliness” in a wonderful “uglyverse” where differences are celebrated and embraced.
“CPLG’s partnership and expertise in crafting the UglyDolls merchandise program in Europe is unmatched,” said Amy Taylor, EVP of White Space Entertainment. “We could not be prouder of the wonderful licensees that have signed on to the brand, and can’t wait to share their wonderful products with the world.”
STX Entertainment’s motion picture division STXfilms will release UglyDolls in theatres on May 3, 2019. An animated series is also underway with a 26-episode series order from premium streaming service Hulu, and Hasbro joined early on as global master toy licensee.
