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Tag: Licensing

Hasbro Unveils New Licensed Consumer Products at Brand Licensing Europe 2023

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

Celebrating its 100th anniversary, Hasbro returns to Brand Licensing Europe (October 4-6, 2023) this year with a full slate of announcements alongside new and existing licensing partners

From entertainment with A-list guest stars to dazzling fashion and footwear, innovative toys and so much more, Hasbro is delivering something for every fan.

Hasbro’s Purpose is to create joy and community for all people around the world, one game, one toy, one story at a time. With Licensed Consumer Products offices around the world and a strong base of over 1,800 licensees, Hasbro continues to serve its Purpose by delivering product innovations and captivating entertainment for fans of all ages through endless consumer touchpoints, including the following all-new partnerships and collaborations launching across the globe.

Let’s dive in and see what’s new for BLE across Hasbro’s extraordinary portfolio of brands – PEPPA PIG, TRANSFORMERS, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, MY LITTLE PONY and more.

Entertainment 

  • PEPPA PIG x Katy Perry (Global): Katy Perry, will join the beloved PEPPA PIG franchise as a guest voice star in an episode from the all-new, 3-part PEPPA PIG Wedding Party Special that is set to premiere in Spring 2024.
  • PEPPA PIG x Orlando Bloom (Global): Orlando Bloom will also join the PEPPA PIG franchise as a guest voice star in an episode from the 3-part PEPPA PIG Wedding Party Specialthat is set to premiere in Spring 2024. 
PEPPA PIG Wedding Party Special – Katy Perry (Photo Credit: Hasbro)
PEPPA PIG Wedding Party Special – Katy Perry (Photo Credit: Hasbro)

Fashion & Beauty

  • PEPPA PIG x H&A (EMEA): The Queen of Preschool is helping little ones practice good hygiene through a range of Health & Beauty products from H&A, the UK’s leading supplier of bath accessories. Launching in AW2023 with products releasing throughout 2024, the PEPPA PIG range includes a bubble bath set, lip balm, dental sent and bath confetti.
  • PEPPA PIG x JoJo Maman Bébé (EMEA): In 2024, The popular boutique mother & baby brand, JoJo Maman Bébé is launching a PEPPA PIG children’s apparel collection of day, outerwear and swimwear, with a special focus on detail and embroidery.
  • PEPPA PIG x Peers Hardy Group (EMEA): Peers Hardy, a leading specialist watch, clock, jewelry and gift group, is creating PEPPA PIG-inspired jewelry which will launch at retailers like H.Samuels/ F.Hinds.
  • TRANSFORMERS x Irregular Choice (EMEA): Ahead of TRANSFORMERS’ 40th anniversary in 2024, UK-based footwear brand Irregular Choice is launching an epic 27-piece selection of unisex shoes, bags & accessories that feature fan-favorite Autobots and Decepticons – OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE, STARSCREAM & SOUNDWAVE. Think light up bags & boots with removable jet wings! The limited-edition collection will be available for purchase December 1, 2023 at www.irregularchoice.com.
  • DUNGEONS & DRAGONS x Hatstore (EMEA): The premium home of headwear shop, Hatstore, is bringing a collection of hats based on the much-loved entertainment and gaming franchise, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. With D&D caps already available online in Europe and the UK, further designs are slated to launch soon, ahead of D&D’s momentous 50th anniversary next year. The deal was brokered by leading global licensing agency, Wildbrain CPLG.
  • DUNGEONS & DRAGONS x KOI (EMEA): KOI, a British-designed vegan footwear brand known for boundary-pushing styles that blend genres, has been tapped to create a stylish range of D&D footwear so fans can rock their fandom everywhere they go.
  • DUNGEONS & DRAGONS x Mavi (EMEA): World class fashion and lifestyle brand, Mavi, collaborates with DUNGEONS & DRAGONS to deliver a brand-new range of t-shirts for men, available for purchase now at Mavi stores and online in Turkey. The four graphic designs reflect the heritage of the iconic gaming brand. The deal was brokered by leading global licensing agency, Wildbrain CPLG.
  • Hasbro x Shirtstore (EMEA): Shirtstore, the online retailer boasting massive selections of cool and funny apparel, teamed up with Hasbro to launch on-demand goods based on beloved brands, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY and G.I. JOE. Products including t-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts are available now online in Europe and the UK, with brand-new designs slated to launch soon. The deal was brokered by leading global licensing agency, Wildbrain CPLG.  
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS x Mavi (Photo Credit: Mavi)
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS x Mavi (Photo Credit: Mavi)

Home / Travel

  • PEPPA PIG x Bibado (EMEA): The fan-favourite preschool character is expanding its GROW WITH PEPPA segment by working with Bibado, the award-winning weaning company, to launch PEPPA PIG bibs and cutlery to help make mealtimes fun for little ones.
  • PEPPA PIG x Lentil Snacks/Seabrooks (EMEA): PEPPA PIG is making snack time more fun for kids alongside their first best friend through Seabrook eatables. Following the Food & Beverage company’s popular PEPPA PIG Cheesy Lentil Puffs launch at major retailers like LIDL, ALDI, ASDA and Ocado, Seabrooks is launching tasty PEPPA-themed Sour Cream Hoops with ALDI this Fall 2023.
  • PEPPA PIG x Luxury Nursery Company (EMEA): Furthering the GROW WITH PEPPA line, The Luxury Nursery Company, will develop a collection of PEPPA PIG soft play products. As a brand that offers stylish products for every modern parent looking for alternative options to regular nursery and playroom décor, the Luxury Nursery is elevating PEPPA PIG’s playtime catalog with beautifully crafted designs that double as décor, making parents feel like their homes are a little more in order.
  • PEPPA PIG x Modern Cloth Nappies (EMEA): Modern Cloth Nappies, creators of award-winning reusable cloth nappies are bringing PEPPA PIG into their product offerings through an all-new line of branded nappies and accessories.
PEPPA PIG x Modern Cloth Nappies (Photo Credit: Modern Cloth Nappies)
PEPPA PIG x Modern Cloth Nappies (Photo Credit: Modern Cloth Nappies)

Toy

  • PEPPA PIG x Ravensburger (EMEA): The German toy and game company, Ravensburger, just launched a fun and colourful action game starring PEPPA PIG and friends. Players use the sturdy toy camera to ‘take photos’ of their favourite characters from the beloved series. The player collecting four photos of their friend first is the winner​. Available at retail now.
  • PEPPA PIG x TOMY (EMEA): TOMY, the leading global designer, producer and marketer of a broad range of innovative, high-quality toys that kids and parents love, is enhancing the GROW WITH PEPPA collection with all-new products, including Toomies’ PEPPA’s Activity House, Pull Along PEPPA and PEPPA’s Nesting Family – available for purchase now.
  • PEPPA PIG x Trends (EMEA): Hasbro’s PEPPA learning range continues to expand with long-time partner, Trends who create a diverse range of top-quality toys, gadgets and gifts. Launching at retailers like Argos and Amazon this Fall 2023 are the new PEPPA & Friends Piano and Shop with PEPPA interactive toys.
  • MY LITTLE PONY x Fuzzikins (EMEA): Introducing MY LITTLE PONY and the world of Fuzzikins! PlayMonster, which believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives, just launched a new range where kids and families can colour and accessorise with Sunny, Izzy and Pipp. Each set includes a MY LITTLE PONY figurine, stamper pens with cutie marks, accessories and stickers. Create, rinse and recolour for endless creativity. ​Available now at retail.
  • TRANSFORMERS x BOTI (Global): Newly available now at retail are the TRANSFORMERS Battle Cubes by BOTI, makers of ultimate collectible toys. Battle Cubes have been a huge hit with audiences, with a range of collectable, themed cubes which offer an engaging gameplay and new ways for fans to explore their favourite entertainment characters. The deal was brokered by leading global licensing agency, Wildbrain CPLG.
  • TRANSFORMERS x Character Options (EMEA): UK-based toy company, Character Options, is helping fans have fun with TRANSFORMERS through the newly launched Flying Heroes OPTIMUS PRIME. Make the Autobot fly fast, far and high! Grip the cord, rip the cord then watch him fly high up into the sky. The harder you pull the cord, the faster he will spin and the higher he will fly.
  • TRANSFORMERS x Sambro (EMEA): ​Sambro International Ltd., the global licensed goods supplier, is set to debut a brand-new range of TRANSFORMERS plush, outdoor and novelty stationery toys for 2024 and beyond. The line includes the TRANSFORMERS: EARTHSPARK series-inspired 28cm Lil Bodz™, the instantly recognisable soft toys with large, stylised heads and little bodies, a medium plush range, plus Puzzle Palz™ 3D character erasers and more. ​Launching in SS24 is the TRANSFORMERS Water Blaster Backpack – the perfect toy for hours of endless outdoor fun.
  • TRANSFORMERS & POWER RANGERS x Rubie’s (EMEA): Rubie’s has teamed up with Hasbro to create brand-new TRANSFORMERS and POWER RANGERS costumes and dress up accessories for families in the EMEA region. 

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Toy Fair® Announces Upcoming Dates and Locations for Iconic Show

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

Changing Dynamics Call for Evolution of Industry’s Premier Event

In response to a comprehensive evaluation of marketplace shifts and thoughtful consideration of the many constituents served, The Toy Association® Board of Directors announced today that the next Toy Fair® (aka the North American International Toy Fair) will take place in the first quarter of 2025, with March 1 to March 4 secured with the Javits Center in New York City. Following the 2025 event, Toy Fair will move to January at the award-winning New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The confirmed dates are: January 17-20, 2026; January 9-12, 2027; and January 15-18, 2028. The Toy Association and its board conducted an extensive national search to determine these dates and locations as the best available fit for the toy community in the upcoming years.  

“Prior to the pandemic, we heard repeated calls that changing manufacturing lead times and retailer buying patterns demanded a shift of the iconic tradeshow’s timing from February into an earlier fall timeline. These factors and similar research findings were accelerated by the pandemic and as a board we were responsive,” said Aaron Muderick, chairman of The Toy Association and founder of Crazy Aaron’s. “Now, behaviors and inputs have returned to more traditional views that Toy Fair’s key audiences find the most value in a North American trade event taking place in the first quarter of the year, ideally mid-January. We have again listened and responded by crafting an optimal pattern based on the needs of those we serve.”

After a three-year hiatus, the world-renowned Toy Fair marked its 118th return to the global stage at the Javits Center yesterday, and more than 1,000 toymakers of all sizes are showcasing the hottest new toys, games, and youth entertainment products. The four-day show welcomes thousands of inventors, designers, licensors, importers, distributors, buyers, and media from around the world to explore the equivalent of nearly eight football fields filled with toys and games.  The scale of buying-selling activity at all levels of the industry combined with the wide scope of audiences utilizing the show demonstrate the need for a central, large facility as integral to bringing together the vast diverse toy, play, games, allied products, inventor, licensing, entertainment, and other communities that make Toy Fair a world-class event. 

“After gathering opinions from key retailers, members/exhibitors of The Toy Association and based on a number of evaluation factors including timing, high-quality space availability, access to transportation, and affordability for exhibitors and attendees, it became clear that New Orleans would be the best fit for the Toy Fair – and best meet the needs of all our diverse guests,” said Steve Pasierb, President & CEO of The Toy Association. “New Orleans has state of the art facilities including a brand-new airport, renowned restaurants, museums, music, an array of event spaces, and a strong collaborative partnership between the Convention Center, New Orleans & Company, and the business community, making it a perfect, welcoming fit for Toy Fair. We are confident in delivering a high quality, energetic, and seamless Toy Fair experience over the next four shows, in the same way we have been delivering on this promise for more than 100 years.”

SOURCE The Toy Association

DeAPlaneta Entertainment at Brand Licensing Europe 2023

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

DeAPlaneta Entertainment team will be present, another year, at Brand Licensing Europe Visit us at our stand (D141) to keep you updated with all the news of our IPs.

MILO

Series (1st season: 52×11′ + 2nd season: 52×11′). A bright, colourful series for a preschool audiences. Winner of the 2022 Best Children’s Series at the British Animation Awards.
Production companies: DeAPlaneta Entertainment and Fourth Wall
Status: Season 1 completed + Season 2 in production. Broadcasted in 4 continents and dubbed into dozens of languages. DeAPlaneta Entertainment manages both the Media and the L&M rights of the brand.
What’s about?: Meet Milo, an adventurous 5-year-old cat who loves to use role-play to explore the amazing world of jobs and vocations with his best friends, Lofty and Lark. Milo loves meeting all the different people who come into his parents’ dry cleaning shop to get their outfits cleaned. As soon as Milo starts to wonder what it would be like to be a fireman, or detective, or an astronaut when he grows up, off he goes on a role-playing adventure!

BLE MILO

MIRACULOUS LADYBUG

A global pop phenomenon based on the animated adventure series of the same name created by ZAG and co-produced with ON Kids & Family. A 360º franchise that includes: the television series , theatrical movies and TV movies, global licensing, digital content, video games and a live musical show, among others. The series is broadcasted in more than 120 markets and has achieved #1 ratings in several territories, attracting fans of all ages worldwide.
Status: DeAPlaneta Entertainment is the L&M agent of the brand in Spain, Portugal, Italy, CEE (including Poland), and Greece.
What’s about?: Miraculous: The Adventures of Ladybug and Cat Noir narrates the adventures of Marinette, a teenager who seems ordinary but leads a busy double life: when she’s not in the clouds daydreaming about her adored Adrien, she transforms into the superheroine “Ladybug”. What Marinette doesn’t realize is that Adrien also has a secret identity calling himself “Cat Noir”.

BLE MIRACULOUS

MONSTER SHAKER

Series (First season: 52×11′). A new animated series which offers kids an energetic and funny cocktail of adventure, comedy, and fantasy. The perfect recipe for children 6 to 10 years old!
Production companies: DeAPlaneta Entertainment, GO-N Productions & UMEDIA Production
Status: First season completed. DeAPlaneta Entertainment manages Media and L&M rights.
What’s about?: Based on successful books by Mr. Tan and Mathilde Domecq, this epic adventure comedy is a childhood dream come true: nine-year old Justin winds up with a magic shaker that he can use to make tons of crazy monsters with awesome powers. Each monster has its own “recipe”, and Justin and his older sister Gwen (12) must work as a team to patch up the damage created by them. For every adventure, Justin and Gwen have no choice but to come to an agreement, working together to save the day and get the monsters back in the shaker.

MONSTER SHAKER

HERO INSIDE

Series (First season: 11×13′). One day, the superhero from my comic book comes to life! Only those with a vivid imagination can summon their superhero! A new era of animation and the rise of a blockbuster superhero animation.
Production companies: CJ Entertainment + Million Volt + YGG Global Ltd. + Tencent Video
Status: First season completed. Already broadcasting in South Korea. Q4 2023 and Q1 2024: Distributed worldwide through Warner Bros. Discovery (Cartoon Network & HBO Max). DeAPlaneta Entertainment manages L&M rights and second-window Media rights (Europe & LATAM).
What’s about?: Scott, a cartoonist and free spirit, mysteriously vanished after drawing 100 superheroes across 100 comic books, without ever publishing. His proofread books dispersed across San Francisco, triggering odd occurrences. Mike, 13-year-old boy, stumbles upon one of Scott’s books, Crying Man, when he casually says the hero’s name ‘Crying Man?’, Crying Man jumps out from the book, and his life changes completely.

hero inside

MAGIC LILLY

Series (26×22′). Magic Lilly is an animated comedy-fantasy-adventure series based on the successful book series Hexe Lilli, by Knister (1st book published in 1992; 28 millions books sold in Germany, Spain, China, South Korea, France, Mexico, Italy, Netherlands, Brazil, Sweden, Turkey, Israel and many more…), and the animated series Lilly, the Witch.
Production companies: BWater Animation Studio (Spain) + The Magic Lilly Company (Germany), with the participation of TVE (Televisión Española) and TVC (Televisió de Catalunya). A German broadcaster is going to be announced soon. DeAPlaneta Entertainment is the Global Distributor of the series.
Status: In development
What’s about?: For the past 5 years, Lilly has had a whirlwind education in magic and adventure ever since meeting her best friend, a small, very smart dragon named Hector, who entrusted her with the coveted “Book of Spells”. Lilly has learned magic and practiced control of her powers for the good of others. Now, Lilly is about to face her biggest challenge yet as she embarks on a journey to recover a missing chapter from the Book before an evil magical foe who wants to steal them all.​

MAGIC_LILLY

 

The Big BLE LIST of things to do at the show next week

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

21 unmissable things to see and do at Brand Licensing Europe

This year’s event runs from Wednesday 4 – Friday 6 September at ExCeL, London. Attendees can still register for a free ticket at www.brandlicensing.eu and immediately start requesting meetings with over 260 exhibiting companies, including 60 first timers bringing a whole host of brands never seen at the show.

“BLE is a three-day whirlwind of meetings, content, spontaneous hellos, networking and showfloor shopping. It’s exhilarating and rewarding and the place to be if you’re in the business of brands, or hoping to learn more about it,” said BLE event director Ella Haynes.

“This show is where future releases are teased, licensing deals are made, and retailers and manufacturers come to collaborate with leading brands to transform their product range. This year won’t disappoint; we’ve picked out 21 highlights to help you get excited for next week, and make sure you don’t miss anything from your visit! “

  1. Passing GO: Bringing the World’s Biggest Board Game to Life – Wednesday, 4 October, 12:30 (C101)– Hasbro and The Path Entertainment Group spill the beans on how they turned the world’s favourite family board game into an LBE smash hit. 

 

  1. The Green Pavilion (D120)– the BLE sustainability-focused pavilion is back in partnership with Products of Change, and packed with exhibitors and product showcases to help drive your sustainability strategy forward. 
  2. 260+ exhibitors and thousands of brands – including over 70 companies appearing for the first time, which can only mean one thing – loads more brands for visitors to do business with! View the final exhibitor list and brand directory to see the full range of IP available for license across entertainment, sports, gaming, art, food & beverage, heritage, publishing, TV, celebrity, music and so much more.

 

  • There will be thousands upon thousands of brands that are actively looking for licensing partners – brands like Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Nadiya Hussain, Sarah & Duck, Gigantosaurus, Ed Hardy, Beryl Cook, International Space Archives, Moomin, The Little Prince, Farah, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Febreze, The Smurfs, Frida Kahlo, Bentley Motors, and English Heritage to name a few.
  •  Get your meetings booked in now and don’t forget you are welcome to use the Matchmaking Lounge (D121).

 

  1. The Elizabeth line – warmly welcomed by everyone visiting ExCeL, the ‘Lizzie’ line will bring you to BLE quicker and in 21stcentury comfort and style. Please note that some stations in central London may not be open on 4thand 6th October should the planned London Underground strikes go ahead. Plan your journey here.

 

  1. The BLE Location Based Experiences trail – there is so much to experience across the show floor this year on the BLE LBE trail – don’t miss Peppa Pig’s Afternoon Bus Tour, a retro gaming activation ‘The Arcade’, Mattel’s Tiger Shark Hot Wheels Monster Truck’ and more

 

  1. Day 2 keynote: Thea Green MBE, founder of Nails.INC, Thursday 5 October, 12:30 (C101) – the beauty industry and health and beauty licensing are growing markets, with the latter valued at $12.34 bn in 2022, up 7% year on year and accounting for 4% of the entire global licensing industry. Thea Green has been innovative across both sectors for years – her keynote will be an inspirational watch for brands, retailers and manufacturers.

 

  1. The Retail Lounge (A101)– an exclusive lounge for retailers to meet, relax and recharge as well as talk to the BLE’s head of retail Laura Freedman-Dagg about taking part in next year’s popular Retail Mentoring Programme. Applications are already open. https://www.brandlicensing.eu/en/learn-brand-licensing/retail-mentoring-programme.html

 

  1. Kelvyn Gardner License This! Competition (C101) – meet this year’s finalists AND winner ahead of the Day One Keynote at 12:30pm on Wednesday 4 October.

 

  1. NEW! Ignite Brand pitches –(License Global Theatre) Five up-and-coming unlicensed brands ready to make their mark in the licensing industry will take to the stage in a thrilling, fast-paced session of live speed-pitches at 16:15 on Wednesday 4 October. Watch out for Bibi’s World, CwaZyLeigh CreaTions with CwaZyBean Aliens, Nine Mile Babies, Travel Sentry with Travel Sentry Red Diamond and Wendy Morrison Design.

 

  1. What’s new – well 70 of our exhibitors for starters, including Rebellion Studios, Afro Unicorn, Sarah & Duck (don’t miss the daily puppeteer displays), Boofle, Guinness World Records, Ceremony of Roses and many more.  

 

  1. NEW! Licensee Pavilion (C171)– packed with brilliant licensees including Play Management Company, Smash Industries Global Limited, Best of Both Worlds, KONIX Interactive, E Plus M, Park Agencies Ltd. 

 

  1. NEW! Advice Centre (C230)full of supportive suppliers offering free guidance., including Redpoints and Axencis who specialise in counterfeit solutions, IP tokenisation with NFT verification to remotely sign license agreements from iLicensing Works and PWC.

 

  1. Sports Zone(head for E235, the Sports Bar) – don’t miss this year’s array of sport brands, including AC Milan, Sport Lisboa e Benfica, FC Barcelona, UEFA Club Competitions, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, FC Porto, Tour de France, RFEF, G2 Esports, Federation Francaise Football, Federacao Portuguesa de Futebol, FC Internazionale Milano, TOPPS Europe, Manchester City FC and Fanatics.

 

  1. Brands & Lifestyle zone– Van Gogh Museum, Castrol, Kodak, Lewis Capaldi, Motorhead, Arm & Hammer, Yale, blur, Playmobil, Volvo, The Met and RSPB are just some of the amazing brands to discover in our Brands & Lifestyle zone. Make sure to look at the Brand Directory or take a look at which brands are represented by agents – some have over 100 available for license!

 

  1. Cafes and Bars – there are four bars on the showfloor this year and they will be hosting – among other things – Show Welcome Drinksfrom 5-7pm on Wednesday 4 AND Thursday 5 October, in the Terminator Skynet Bar. Everybody’s welcome! 

 

  1. Content, content, content – License Global Theatre (C101)– this year’s educational programme goes way beyond our daily keynotes to touch on sector-specific trends and insights into fashion, gaming, animé, animation, food & beverage, sports and more. Arrive early to claim a seat – access is first-come-first served and free to attend. Check out the agenda here.

 

  1. License Global, BLE & Products of Change present Day of Purpose. This year, BLE is partnering with Diversity Org, whicheducates low-income students on how to obtain corporate and high-income careers and helps them obtain internships. BLE will bring 60 school students to the show this year, where they will enjoy a show tour, career exposure panel and networking workshop. 20 students will be attending from UAL – University of the Arts London – where they are studying fashion management / buying / merchandising and are likely to be future retail buyers.  

 

  1. The Brands Untapped 100 second edition (E174)will be released at the show with foreword from BLE event director Ella Haynes! Plus, co-founder Billy Langsworthy will be hosting a special licensed footwear collab display, featuring The Met x Dr Martens, Minecraft x Crocs, Transformers x Sketchers, Sesame Street x Vans, Playboy x KOI and many more.

 

  1. Ain’t no party, like an LI party … Licensing International’s industry party is back – Soho Nights takes place from 7.30 till late on Wednesday 5thOctober at 100 Wardour Street in Central London. Tickets can be purchased online from LI’s website.  

 

  1. The BLE Character Parade – everybody’s favourite, the parade will start at D101 then snake its way through the show toward the Pyramid entrance at the West of ExCeL. Make sure to get a selfie with your favourite characters and tag #BLE2023.

 

  1. Free orientation sessions and show tours (C101)– New to BLE and/or licensing? Join the BLE team for free orientation sessions and show tours to help get the most from your visit. 09:15 Wednesday and Thursday from the License Global Theatre.

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Pandora launches Game of Thrones collection

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

Launched in response to overwhelming demand from Pandora’s fans, the Game of Thrones x Pandora collection will introduce 12 pieces, available in Pandora stores and online from September 28th

The first pieces to be unveiled include the Dragon Egg Charm, the Targaryen Crown Ring, and the Dragon Earrings.

An official collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, the Game of Thrones x Pandora collection captures the value of self-expression and individuality, through a collection that brings to life the famed world in wearable designs. Each piece from the collection shares a story, inviting wearers to express themselves through the themes explored across the series in their own, unique way.

Discover the first pieces to be unveiled

The Game of Thrones x Pandora collection enables fans to celebrate their fandom and alliances to the characters as they style their chosen pieces.

Crafted from sterling silver with a textured scale effectandacr ack studded with sparkling cubic zirconia, the Dragon Egg Charm represents the beginning of the dragon story that runs through the narrative of the series.

The ultimate symbol of power and strength, the Targaryen Crown of the House of Targaryen has been reimagined as a 14k gold-plated ring, embellished with the iconic house insignia at its centre, and geometric detail throughout.

Intricately crafted, the Dragon Earrings curl around the earlobe in striking sterling silver and can be worn as one or stacked with both on one ear.

The highly anticipated collection will be available for sale in Pandora stores and online from September 28th 2023, with early access for Pandora Club members X hours before general release, via Pandora.net.

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Cicciobello and Canta Tu! A new licensing program is now available in the market

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

The two high awareness brands are available for licensing projects and are now part of Maurizio Distefano Licensing’s portfolio

Giochi Preziosi has decided to entrust Maurizio Distefano Licensing Cicciobello and Canta Tu to initiate new licensing projects with these iconic brands who are very loved by consumers.

Cicciobello is the famous doll born in 1962 with the big blue eyes, the blond bob hairstyle and the historic identification tag. An evergreen brand that has won the hearts of little girls and boys for entire generations, becoming a true “love-brand”. The doll has been conveying positive values in true role-play for more than 60 years. By playing with Cicciobello, children, in fact, release their natural creativity and can play “pretend to be…”

Cicciobello managed to stand out in the doll market by becoming the quintessential brand. Its unique features, similar to those of a real baby, and the technological innovation of crying, unique at the time, made it iconic. Its target audience ranges from parents who seek the values and quality of Cicciobello for their children, to newborns who can experience sensory and experiential play, to children ages 2 to 5 who dive into role-play by imagining themselves as parents.

“Cicciobello is an established brand with a positive message and irresistible appeal to children and families,” says Maurizio Distefano, president of the agency. “Ideal for growing in a variety of product categories where the brand’s values make it truly unique and of great interest. A unique brand not only in Italy, but also abroad.”

Speaking of brands that have made history in Italy, we also find Canta Tu, an audio-video system with microphone to experience the passion of karaoke anywhere and with anyone. It’s an iconic brand that has managed over the years to conquer both the adult and children’s target audience, united by the passion for singing. The key-words of the Canta Tu brand are fun, conviviality, celebration!

Canta Tu stands out as a license brand because, with the strength of its awareness, in addition to classic licensing projects, it lends itself to treading new merchandise scenarios, more social, where being together is always a source of fun and joy.

Maurizio Distefano says, “Canta Tu is now part of Italian culture and certainly has a lot to offer, giving us the opportunity to explore unprecedented possibilities in the territory of licensing collaborations. We are excited to explore together with our licensees the opportunities behind this brand.“

Pokémon and Rinascente present a new exclusive takeover in the eternal city

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

The Pokémon Company International is partnering with Rinascente for a new and exciting store takeover at their flagship location in Rome, until October 2nd 2023

 Pokémon’s latest immersive collaboration features a window takeover in the balconies of the store atrium, including a branded pop-up space in the exhibition area on floor -1 of Rinascente in Via del Tritone—just a few steps away from the Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna in the heart of Rome.

The exciting back-to-school takeover that brings Pokémon to the Italian capital will surprise fans of all ages with a special tribute to the Eternal City.

Pokémon will be the focus of a full-store takeover—with installations in the seven store windows showcasing the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), video games for the Nintendo Switch system, and toys, all visible along the Via del Tritone. Inside the store, the exhibition area—a 350-square-meter space located on floor -1 that’s dedicated to events, exhibitions, and designs—is hosting this unique installation. It’s Pokémon’s tribute to the Eternal City, with unique photo opportunities and a wide variety of Pokémon products available to browse and purchase. The latest Pokémon video games for the Nintendo Switch system and Pokémon TCG products are available, as well as the latest Pokémon toys, including the squeezable Pikachu and Gengar Squishmallows plush from Jazwares, distributed by ReiToys.

Italian streetwear designers Dolly Noire will feature their exclusive apparel adorned with Kanto-region Pokémon, including T-shirts, hoodies, and accessories. Back to School (Seven), Mattel Mega Construx, mugs (Abysse), 3D backpacks (CyP), and kids’ apparel and accessories (Difuzed) will also be available.

There’s lots more for Pokémon Trainers to enjoy at the flagship store, with tables where you can challenge your friends to Pokémon Trading Card Game matches and Nintendo Switch systems available to play the latest Pokémon video games—Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, launched in November 2022.

The space will also include a special celebration of the magnificent 60-meter stretch of the ancient aqueduct featured in the exhibition area, with a 3D sculpture of the arches and a surprising underwater Pokémon life scenery.

Pokémon fans will also be treated to a special visit from Pikachu, who will be making an appearance at the store takeover on  September 9-10, 2023. Pikachu will be available for a meet and greet with guests, and will pay special homage to the city—when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Mathieu Galante, Director of Licensing at The Pokémon Company International, commented: “Pokémon is delighted to continue our partnership with Rinascente, with this latest immersive experience at its prestigious flagship store in Rome. There are a great many fans of Pokémon in Italy, and to be able to engage with them through such fun and exciting experiences is something we will always strive for.”

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Devolver Digital launches Champion x Fall Guys sportswear collection

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

Fall Guys, one of THE most successful gaming launches of 2022, and legendary sportswear brand Champion have collaborated to launch a capsule collection of branded sportswear.  

 The Champion x Fall Guys partnership physical capsule collection launches 31 August and contains iconic Champion hoodies, t-shirts & joggers featuring Fall Guys imagery in black, white, pink and yellow hues. This collection will be available to purchase online and in Champion stores across Europe and the Middle East. From 7 September, Champion Outfits will then be available in game for players to purchase.  

 The marketing campaign includes influencer engagement through seeding boxes with the potential to 91.4 million consumers across Europe.  

The collaboration with Champion is part of the global Fall Guys licensing programme led by Devolver Digital’s Fée Heyer. The programme was recently nominated for Best Gaming Property at the Licensing Awards to be held in London on 12th September and Devolver Digital continues to expand the programme into major markets including North America, UK, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Germany, France and Iberia.  

 “Devolver’s licensing team is very proud of the collection we have created between Champion and Fall Guys,” said Fée Heyer, Head of Global Licensing & Partnerships, Devolver Digital.  

 “Their talented design and marketing teams have captured the essence of Fall Guys in the clothes and marketing initiatives. It’s an outstanding collaboration that shows what can be achieved when you marry a brilliant partner with the Fall Guys’ style guides, which have been designed to allow for the creation of impactful products that are immediately recognisable and loved by consumers.” 

 Chris Haggarty, Marketing Director, Champion Europe: “Champion is very proud of the collection we’ve created with the Fall Guys team. With the game’s enthusiastic fanbase, we are super excited about how this project will enable us to connect with a new audience and continue to build relationships within the wider gaming community across Europe. Champion has a unique heritage that spans more than 100 years, and we are delighted to showcase some of our most iconic products within this exclusive Fall Guys range for some of the more style conscious Champions of the future!” 

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The Toy Foundation™ Reveals the 2023 Toy of the Year® Awards Finalists

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

Voting Now Open; Category Winners to be Announced September 29

An animated game to create movie magic, an activity table to drop musical beets, and an 8 foot inflatable obstacle course to spark endless outdoor fun are among the inventive finalists for the prestigious Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards. Today, The Toy FoundationTM (TTF) announced the top 122 toys, games, and properties across 17 product categories (listed below) that are advancing the world of play.

Consumers are invited to visit ToyAwards.org to see the complete list of product category finalists and vote for their favorites to help determine the category winners through September 8.

The product finalists were selected by an independent panel of play experts, journalists, academics, retailers, and other toy experts, who narrowed down the pool from the hundreds of nominations submitted by top companies of all sizes. The category winners, determined by votes from consumers, Toy Association members, retailers, and media, will be announced at the TOTY Awards on September 29 in New York City. As the kickoff to Toy Fair®, the TOTY Awards are the biggest night of the year for toys, where the industry gathers to recognize innovation across every category of play. The night is also the ultimate fundraiser to support TTF’s work delivering the extraordinary benefits of play to children in need around the world.

The Toy of the Year and People’s Choice winners will be announced on November 20, in time to create peak holiday shopping buzz. Voting for the People’s Choice Award, uniquely decided by online consumer votes will remain open through November 10. The Toy of the Year will be determined by a panel of expert judges.

New for the TOTY Awards, the achievements of industry trailblazers and outstanding initiatives will be celebrated across four people-focused and two campaign-focused categories. Twenty-seven professionals are recognized as finalists for uniquely advancing the toy industry across sustainability; diversity, equity, and inclusion; packaging design; and PR/marketing. The people-focused category winners will be determined by Toy Association member votes. An independent panel of marketing and corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals, assembled in partnership with Advertising Week, have evaluated the campaign-focused nominations and will determine the winners.

“This year’s TOTY Awards finalists are an unmatched lineup of toys, games, and professionals that represent the best of the best in the toy industry,” said Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. “We look forward to celebrating all of the finalists at the industry’s biggest night of the year, plus advance the industry’s collective philanthropy for the benefit of children in need.”

TTF aims to be the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry for the benefit of all children in need. In 2022, the industry’s support helped TTF reach more than 925,000 children and all proceeds generated from the TOTY Awards will help TTF impact even more children through the distribution of toys through The Toy BankSM, support of play therapy programs in children’s hospitals, and development of the next generation of diverse talent for the industry.

2023 Toy of the Year Award Finalists

PRODUCT CATEGORY FINALISTS:

ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR
Toys that represent a person or fictional character intended for active, imaginative, and narrative-based play.

  • Gunslinger Spawn with Horse by McFarlane Toys
  • Heroes of Goo Jit Zu Deep Goo Sea Triple Goo King Hydra by Moose Toys
  • Jurassic Park Real FX Baby T-Rex by Wow! Stuff
  • Jurassic World: Dominion Roar Strikers by Mattel, Inc.
  • Pokémon Train & Play Deluxe Pikachu by Jazwares
  • Star Wars: Chatter Back Chopper Animatronic by Hasbro
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem by Playmates Toys

COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that compose a set and can be collected in multiples, including novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.

  • Bitzee by Spin Master
  • Furby Interactive by Hasbro
  • LEGO® Minifigures Disney 100 by LEGO Systems, Inc.
  • Monster High Skullector Line by Mattel, Inc.
  • My Arcade® Micro Player Pro by My Arcade®
  • Shashibo Grateful Dead Series by Fun In Motion Toys
  • Squishmallows Pokémon Collection by Jazwares

CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that include building as the primary play pattern.

  • Create A Castle BuildMaster Indoor Activity Starter Kit by Create A Castle
  • Hot Wheels® Smash n Crash Bone ShakerTM Crush Course by Mattel, Inc.
  • LEGO® Disney ‘Up’ House by LEGO Systems, Inc.
  • LEGO® Friends Heartlake International School by LEGO Systems, Inc.
  • MEGA Forest Pokémon Center by Mattel, Inc.
  • National Geographic Epic Forts by Blue Marble
  • STEM ExplorersTM Bridge Builders by Learning Resources

CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR

Toys that allow kids to build and/or make items that are unique to them.

  • American Girl® Create Your OwnTM by Mattel, Inc.
  • Beast Lab by Moose Toys
  • Cool Maker PopStyle Bracelet Maker by Spin Master
  • Creative-Tonies by Tonies USA
  • Mars Rovers Clixo Pack by Toyish Labs
  • National Geographic Hobby Pottery Wheel by Blue Marble
  • Skillmatics Foil Fun by Skillmatics
  • Tasty Labs: Wizard Potion Science Kit by Thames & Kosmos

DOLL OF THE YEAR
Toys that include baby, toddler, and fashion dolls.

  • Barbie The Movie Dolls by Mattel, Inc.
  • CreativeSoul Dolls by Disney Consumer Products
  • Disney The Little Mermaid Ariel Doll by Mattel, Inc.
  • Latinistas Fashion Dolls by Purpose Toys
  • Magic Mixies Pixlings by Moose Toys
  • The Fresh Beats Collection by World of EPI
  • Under the Sea Exploring Ariel Doll by JAKKS Pacific

GAME OF THE YEAR
Games for families and children (ages 0-14), including board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats and puzzles. Exclusive of video or app games.

  • 5 Second Rule Relay by PlayMonster
  • Beat the 8 Ball by Blue Orange Games
  • Disney Animated Game by Funko Games
  • Game Night in a Can by Goliath Games
  • KidKraft Beat BoardTM by KidKraft
  • Magic 8 Ball Magical Encounters Board Game by Mattel, Inc.
  • Search Party: Chaos at The Park by Relatable (formerly What Do You Meme?)
  • Shashibo Battle Shapes by Fun In Motion Toys

GROWN-UP TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys and games developed primarily for grown-ups/kidults, including party games, board games, collectibles, arts and crafts, and more. These toys are often fueled by fandoms, social media, and adult humor and are not “adult toys” nor sexual in nature.

  • Chicken vs Hotdog by Big Potato Games
  • Dumb Ways to Die Card Game by Spin Master
  • FlyerTM Folding Cargo eBike by Radio Flyer
  • Kanoodle® Pyramid by Educational Insights
  • LEGO® Art Hokusai: The Great Wave by LEGO Systems, Inc.
  • LEGO® The Lord of the Rings: RivendellTM by LEGO Systems, Inc.
  • The Riddler Puzzle Box by Edward Nygma – Detective Mode by McFarlane Toys

INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys developed for ages 0-3. (Infant is defined as 0-18 months. Toddler is defined as 18 months-3 years)

  • Crawligator by Kiddy Crawler
  • Deluxe Push & Play Cube Walker by Radio Flyer
  • Laugh & Learn® Mix & Learn DJ TableTM by Mattel, Inc.
  • LEGO® DUPLO® 3 in 1 Tree House by LEGO Systems, Inc.
  • Let the Beet Drop DJ Set by Skip Hop
  • Miniland Sensorial Reef by Miniland
  • Pop It & Learn by Buffalo Games
  • Sleepy Friends: Sleepy Sheep Night Light Tonie by Tonies USA

LICENSE OF THE YEAR
Character or property that has had success spreading its brand through the development and merchandising of products developed from the intellectual property.

  • Barbie Franchise by Mattel, Inc.
  • Bluey by BBC Studios
  • Disney 100 by The Walt Disney Company
  • Magic: The Gathering The Lord of The Rings: Tales of Middle-earthTM by Hasbro
  • Spider-Man by The Walt Disney Company
  • Squishmallows by Jazwares
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem by Paramount Consumer Products

OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys designed for outdoor play, excluding ride-ons.

  • Bunch O Balloons Tropical Party Self-Sealing Water Balloons by ZURU
  • Cosmic Kick the Can by Starlux Games
  • Faction Skyfire Tactical Target Drone by Skyrocket
  • Monopoly SPLASH by WowWee
  • National Geographic Volcano Bean Bag Toss by Blue Marble
  • Sky Viper Vector Performance Stunt Jet by Skyrocket
  • Step2 Space Capsule Swing by The Step2 Company

PLAYSET OF THE YEAR
Toys designed to work together to enact some action or event, including characters and role play.

  • Deluxe Grill & Pizza Oven Play Set by Melissa & Doug
  • Green Planet Explorers: Pandas’ Bamboo House by Hape
  • KidKraft Ultimate Helicopter by KidKraft
  • Little Tikes Adventure Rocket by MGA Entertainment
  • PAW Patrol Mighty Aircraft Carrier HQ by Spin Master
  • PLAYMOBIL My Figures: Pirates’ Island by PLAYMOBIL
  • Scribble Scrubbie Glow Lagoon Playset by Crayola

PLUSH TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys made of fabric and stuffed with cotton or a similar filling, including toys with interactive or electronic features.

  • 16” Squishmallows by Jazwares
  • Build-A-Bear Plush Axolotl by Build-A-Bear Workshop
  • Cookeez Makery by Moose Toys
  • Fluffie Stuffiez Plush by MGA Entertainment
  • GUND Recycled Plush by Spin Master
  • Slumberkins How to Bee Helpful Set by Slumberkins
  • tonies® x Steiff Jimmy Bear by Tonies USA

PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR

Toys developed for ages 3-5.

  • Color Wonder Fingerpaint Activity Book by Crayola
  • Hurry Up Chicken Butt by Exploding Kittens
  • LEGO® Disney Celebration Train by LEGO Systems, Inc.
  • MAGNA-TILES® Downhill Duo 40-Piece Set by MAGNA-TILES
  • Reel Big Catch Game by Educational Insights
  • SmartGames Safari Park Jr. by Smart Toys and Games
  • TinkerTar by Buffalo Games

RIDE-ON TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys designed to be ridden outdoors, such as motorized vehicles, bicycles, scooters, wagons, etc.

  • Crazy Cart Shuffle by Razor USA
  • Droyd Romper by Droyd
  • Extreme Drift Go-Kart by Radio Flyer
  • Ground Force Elite by Razor USA
  • Highwaykick 1 by Scoot & Ride
  • Little Tikes Street Burner by MGA Entertainment
  • YBIKE Leap by National Sporting Goods

SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys from manufacturers that primarily do business through independent retailers (neighborhood toy stores, museum shops, vacation destinations and similar venues) or in limited quantities online.

  • Anywhere Sports – Trampoline Pong by Thin Air Brands
  • Deep Ocean Creatures Clixo Pack by Toyish Labs
  • KAI: The Artificial Intelligence Robot by Thames & Kosmos
  • Plus-Plus Puzzle by Number Map by Plus-Plus
  • Razor Deck by Storyastic
  • Shashibo Jumbie Artist Series by Fun In Motion Toys
  • Stapelstein by Stapelstein®

STEAM TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that encourage kids to develop, strengthen, and integrate skills across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

  • Air Toobz by Fat Brain Toy Co.
  • Cranium Big Brain: Detective Game by Funko Games
  • DK Virtual Reality Dinosaurs! by Abacus Brands
  • LEGO® Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance by LEGO Systems, Inc.
  • Little Tikes Big AdventuresTM Metal Detector Mining Truck by MGA Entertainment
  • Magic AdventuresTM Telescope by LeapFrog®
  • National Geographic Mega Science Advent Calendar by Blue Marble

VEHICLE OF THE YEAR
Toy cars, trucks, trains, and other vehicles in all scales, including R/C vehicles.

  • Bubble Blitz by Odyssey Toys
  • Hot Wheels® Ultimate T-Rex Transporter by Mattel, Inc.
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Train by Disney Consumer Products
  • Monster Jam Mystery Mudders by Spin Master
  • RC Akula (Avatar: The Way of Water) by McFarlane Toys
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Pizza Fire Van by Playmates Toys
  • TrainBots: 2-in-1 STEAM Maker Kit by Thames & Kosmos

PEOPLE-FOCUSED CATEGORY FINALISTS:

CHAMPION OF DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Recognizes an individual who has shown a strong commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable industry by promoting and celebrating diversity.

  • Brent Bell, Art Director at Moose Toys
  • Dr. Zabina Bhasin, Founder & CEO at In Kidz
  • Esra Cafer, Senior Vice President of Global Brand Marketing at Hasbro
  • Kim Culmone, Senior Vice President & Head of Design at Mattel, Inc.
  • Karen Kelly, Manager of Executive Communications & DEI and Community Engagement at

    Crayola

  • Vanessa Raponi, P.Eng, PMP Manager of Manufacturing Engineering Product at Spin Master
  • Genna Rosenberg, Changemaker & CEO at GennComm
  • Dr. Lisa Williams, Founder & CEO at World of EPI
  • DeeDee Wright-Ward, CEO at Purpose Toys

CHAMPION OF SUSTAINABILITY
Recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions or acted as a change catalyst to develop purposeful, environmentally friendly, and mission-driven programs that lead the way in creating a better future for the toy industry.

  • Peter Handstein, CEO at Hape International
  • Jason Kroskrity, Director of Sustainable Development, Chemistry, & Materials at Mattel, Inc.
  • Robert Pasin, Chief Wagon Officer at Radio Flyer
  • G.B. Pillai, Founder at Wild Republic

PACKAGING DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional creativity in designing packaging for toys, including originality, innovation, and iconic value.

  • Ingrid Chow, Art Director at Abacus Brands
  • Tim Conlin, SNAP CIRCUITS® Logo & Packaging Re-Design Initiative at Elenco Electronics LLC
  • Shane Hartley, Creative Director of Global Games & Disney Lorcana at Ravensburger
  • Suzanna Lakatos, Director of Packaging Design at Mattel, Inc.
  • David Pearce, Principal Graphic Designer of Packaging & Branding, Boys Brands at Moose Toys

PR/MARKETER OF THE YEAR

Recognizes an individual who has achieved outstanding and proven results in promoting toys to consumers.

  • Caleigh Anthony, Director of Global Communications at Spin Master
  • Jessica Kalichman, Director of Marketing at WowWee
  • Lisa Krueger, Senior Communications Director at Ravensburger North America
  • Sarah Madey, Director of Marketing & Franchise, Hasbro Gaming at Hasbro
  • Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President & Chief Brand Officer, Mattel, Inc.
  • Erika Merklinger, PR & Communications Manager at Crayola
  • Dana Moncrief, Senior Director of Public Relations at Moose Toys
  • Lisa Orman, President at KidStuff Public Relations
  • Lee Parkhurst, Senior Marketing Manager at Educational Insights

For more information about the TOTY Awards voting and selection process, visit ToyAwards.org.

Disney, Pokémon, Mattel and More Named License Global’s Top Global Licensors

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

The annual report includes data from 84 intellectual property owners across entertainment, toys, fashion, food & beverage and others, totaling $278 billion in retail sales of licensed goods – up nearly $15 billion from 2021.

License Global, the licensing industry’s thought leader, today reveals its highly anticipated annual study, The Top Global Licensors report. This year’s report totaled $278 billion in retail sales of licensed consumer products in 2022, with over 40 brands in the report seeing collective growth of more than $29 billion.

The annual Top Global Licensors report collects global retail sales of licensed consumer products and experiences from the biggest global brands spanning sectors such as entertainment, sports, gaming, toys, corporate brands, fashion and apparel, among several other categories.

Entertainment continues to drive the highest revenue for the licensing industry with $111.1 billion generated from the top 5 global licensors alone. The Walt Disney Company showed the most substantial growth in 2022, with retail sales of licensed consumer products totaling an increase of $5.5 billion.

“The modern brand licensing model has evolved, innovated and thrived, despite global economic issues impacting consumer confidence and disrupting industries across all verticals,” says Ben Roberts, EMEA Content Director, License Global. “The results of the Top Global Licensors report show resounding market growth for 2022, as businesses seek to meet fans and consumers in new and interesting ways.”

Mattel reports the most significant growth over time, reporting an increase in sales of licensed consumer products growing from $2 billion in retail sales of licensed goods in 2019 to $8 billion in 2022. Case studies like Mattel’s brand extensions in support of its blockbuster film, “Barbie,” showcase how successful IP extension can translate to retail momentum.

The Leading 10 Top Global Licensors for 2023 are:

  1. The Walt Disney Company – $61.7B
  2. Dotdash Meredith – $31.5B
  3. Authentic Brands Group – $24.1B
  4. Warner Bros. Discovery – $15.8B
  5. The Pokémon Company International – $11.6B
  6. Hasbro – $11.5B
  7. NBC Universal/Universal Products & Experiences – $10.5B
  8. Mattel – $8B
  9. Bluestar Alliance – $7.5B
  10. WHP Global – $6.75B

New companies to the 2023 Top Global Licensor’s report include Jazwares, Zag, Scholl’s Wellness Company, Just Born Quality Confections, Toikido, Fleischer Studios, AC Milan, B. Duck, Cardio Bunny and Duke Kahanamoku, among others.

In addition to company disclosed financials, License Global predicts the future of the industry in its Brandscape report, which uses survey data to forecast trends for 2024 and beyond. Fashion was significantly highlighted by 60% of respondents as the most important area in which to grow engagement, create impact and build awareness through brand-on-brand collaborations. 62% also indicated Fashion as a core category of focus when working with licensees in 2024.

“The top 10 Global Licensors alone equate to a combined average growth of 19% year-over-year, showcasing the expanding opportunities and continuing trajectory of the licensed consumer product market and shopper appetite for brand extensions at retail,” states Amanda Cioletti, Vice President of Content and Strategy for Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group, which includes the License Global media brand, as well as Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe and the Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit. “The industry is thriving, and the data shown in the report validates the excellence and strength that the business strategy of licensing offers brand owners, product manufacturers and retailers. No matter what the economy looks like, people will gravitate to trusted brands and franchises they love. Licensing offers a proven road to consumer sell-through.”

To download the complete Top Global Licensors Report 2023, please visit: www.licenseglobal.com.

Submissions open today for Kelvyn Gardner’s License This! competition

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

The submissions window has opened for this year’s Kelvyn Gardner’s License This! competition.

The popular competition, which has been the springboard for many successful brands and careers over the years, is free to enter, closing at 17:00 BST on 28 August.  

Organised by Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) (4-6 October, ExCeL, London) and License Global, the competition propels illustrators, publishers, designers or animators with unlicensed brands into the spotlight, helping them break into the lucrative $340+ billion global brand licensing industry, secure new deals and/or agent representation. 

License This! is free to enter; applicants are required to submit a written overview, video pitch and detailed vision explaining why their brand is suitable for licensing. The video is replacing the live pitch, which previously took place in front of the judges at BLE.  

This year’s judging panel will review the entries based on their: 

  • Level of ingenuity
  • Licensing potential 
  • Alignment with today’s marketplace 
  • Why it’s unique

This year, the judging will take place ahead of BLE with the winner and three runners-up announced on stage ahead of the Day One opening keynote on Wednesday 4 October.    

The winner will receive over £7,000 of free exposure and promotional support to help develop their brand:  

  • An editorial feature in the BLE 2023 Show Daily
  • Promotional support from BLE and License Global for 12 months
  • Free of charge turnkey booth at BLE 2024
  • One year Licensing International membership
  • One-year Products of Change membership
  • Pop-up banner display at Brand Licensing Europe 2024
  • Exclusive interview of the winning brand, featured on LicenseGlobal.com
  • One hour of one-on-one mentorship post-event with Robyn Cowling
  • One hour one on one mentorship opportunity with License Global editorial staff
  • Access to LinkedIn community group of current and past winners

And the three finalists will receive:  

  • An editorial feature in the BLE Show Daily
  • Pop-up banner display at Brand Licensing Europe 2024
  • One hour mentorship opportunity for finalist group with industry experts
  • Access to LinkedIn community group of current and past winners. 

Sophie Jonas-Hill is a License This! winner from 2021. Since winning, a series of posters featuring her artwork have been sold through HMV.   

“Winning License This! has been literally life changing for me and my business – it’s amazing! I’ve had the best advice and guidance you really couldn’t buy from all the panel, who have introduced me to so many new contacts and opportunities I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. I’ve learned so much so fast! I nearly didn’t enter as I thought I wasn’t established enough to get through, but everyone has been so excited by my art and brands, it’s been really positive and supportive,” she said.  

This year’s judging panel: 

  • Chair: Robyn Cowling, Licensing Consultant/Brand Director, Rocky Horror Show, Golden Goose
  • Sarah Lawrence – Licensing Director, This is Iris
  • Dale Boreham – Senior Design Manager, Moonpig
  • Teri Niadna – Managing Director, Brandgenuity
  • Dan Grant – Licensing Director, Danilo
  • Billy Langsworthy – Co-founder, Mojo Nation & Brands Untapped
  • Maxine Lister – Head of Licensing, Natural History Museum
  • Sabrina Segalov – Senior Licensing Manager, Sanrio Global Limited
  • Emily Fawcett – Head of Global Licensing, Abysse Corp
  • Clare Piggott – Managing Director, Larkshead Licensing Ltd
  • Charlie Langhorne – Co-Founder & Managing Director, Wild in Art
  • Phil King - Managing Director, Trademark Products Ltd
  • Ben Roberts, License Global, Content Director, EMEA 
  • Ian Hart, License Global, Senior Digital Editor, UK & EMEA

Chair Robyn Cowling: “I’m honoured to be working with such a fantastic cohort of licensing specialists to scout, support and nurture new brand creators.  The licensing industry is a truly collaborative world, uniquely combining creativity and commercial endeavours and I’m excited to see what untapped talent lies out there and how we can guide them towards making their ideas into real consumer products programmes.” 

Entries are welcome now at License This! 2023 competition. If you have any questions on the entry process, please contact event organizers lily.drennan@informa.com or anna.lommatzsch@informa.com. To register to attend or exhibit at BLE 2023 visit. 

 

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Hasbro and The Path Entertainment Group to deliver MONOPOLY LIFESIZED keynote at BLE 2023

Posted on by Eleonora Cerioli

Brand Licensing Europe 2023: Wednesday 4th – Friday 6th October, ExCeL, London

Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) has unveiled its first LBE (location-based experiences) themed keynote session for 2023, plus a first look at ‘what’s on’ throughout the rest of the show, which takes place Wednesday 4th – Friday 6th October at ExCeL, London. Free visitor registration is now open.

Hasbro’s Vice President of LBE, Matt Proulx, and David Hutchinson, CEO, The Path Entertainment Group, will take to the stage from 12:30 – 13:15 on Wednesday 4th October to co-present ‘Passing GO: Bringing the world’s #1 board game to life’.

They will be talking about the hugely popular MONOPOLY LIFESIZED experience: an immersive, 4-D physical version of the world’s favourite family game brand played on a 15m x 15m MONOPOLY board. MONOPOLY LIFESIZED opened in the heart of London in August 2021 and has since welcomed over 150,000 visitors.

Matt and David will jointly explore the creative pursuit and problem-solving that was required to turn MONOPOLY LIFESIZED into one of the most talked-about activations on the experience market today.

“The LBE industry is booming in London, and I’m thrilled BLE has focused on this growing industry for this year’s content programme,” said David Hutchinson, CEO, The Path Entertainment Group. “I’m really excited to be able to share our journey with one of the world’s most iconic board games, alongside our partner Matt Proulx at Hasbro and explore the journey of creating a new LBE concept.”

“At Hasbro, our mission is to entertain and connect generations of fans through the wonder of storytelling and exhilaration of play, and there may be no better business that exemplifies this than LBE. In working with valued partners who are experts in the experiential space, like The Path Entertainment Group, we can invite our fans to truly step into the worlds of their favourite brands and characters,” said Matt Proulx, Vice President of LBE at Hasbro.

“We were able to translate the world’s favourite family game brand into an award-winning, multi-location LBE experience – MONOPOLY LIFESIZED – by staying true to the iconic gameplay that attracts more than one billion players worldwide while optimizing the elements that would work best in a live format. Close collaboration and strategic planning were paramount to our success, so we hope to share learnings and insight into our creative process to help inspire our peers and partners as we move the industry forward together.”

BLE event director Ella Haynes adds: “It’s an absolute honour to welcome Matt and David to the BLE keynote stage and present the first of our two LBE-themed keynotes. We visited MONOPOLY LIFESIZED as a team when it first opened, so we know first-hand just how brilliant it is – we loved every second – so I can’t wait to hear what happened behind-the-scenes to make this experience a reality. I have no doubt this session will be incredibly busy, so I’d advise everyone looking for LBE tips and trends to register now and arrive at the theatre early!”

What’s on at BLE 2023 – events to lock in your calendar now.

The BLE team has also released a first look at what’s on throughout the show’s three days, including its educational programme and first social dates for visitors’ calendars:

License Global Theatre

The trends defining brand licensing, extensions and collaborations (all sessions free to attend)

Wednesday 4 October 2023

09.15-09.45:  Orientation Session & Licensing 101. A must-attend for new attendees flying solo or previous attendees eager to see what is new this year. You will also hear from experienced industry veterans on how to make the most of the event and be prepared for anything!

09.45-10.00:   Brand Licensing Europe Tour. Visitors can join members of the BLE team to tour the show floor, discover the must-attend activations and know where to go or who to ask for help or advice.

10.00-10.30:   State of the Nation: The Licensing Landscape of 2024. License Global takes a deep dive into the latest trends, spotlights the strategies brands, agents and licensees are adopting for 2024 and the collaborations defining the future of licensing.

11.45-12.15:   Couture Culture: How to Curate Impactful Fashion Collaborations
 
12.30-13.15:    KEYNOTE: Passing GO: Bringing the World’s #1 Board Game to Life

14.00-14.30:    Location Based Entertainment Trends

15.30-16.00:    What’s the State of Play in Sports Licensing? A look at the sports licensing landscape and what led to sports becoming the fourth largest licensing category.

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Thursday 5 October 2023

09.15-09.45:   Orientation Session & Licensing 101

10.00-10.30:    Why Gaming is Taking Over the World.

11.00-11.45:     Story Board: Why Europe is an Exciting Market of Animation, IP and Storytelling. From Lithuania to the Ukraine and beyond, the European region is emerging as a new hub for smash hit intellectual animation properties.

12.00-12.45:    KEYNOTE To be announced soon.

13.00-13.00:     Drawing on the Power and Potential of the Anime Market. Anime is no longer a genre but a powerhouse of storytelling and engagement. Hear why from a panel of Anime experts, collectible manufacturers and platform giants.

14.00-14.45:    LBE: How to Master the Experience Economy. Location-based Entertainment has created a new layer of engagement for fans and families worldwide, but how can brands navigate the market, find the right format to maintain authenticity and work with best-in-class partners?

15.00-15.30:    Navigating the Food Aisle. Three of Europe’s biggest licensing agents will dive into some of the most successful food and beverage deals, partnerships and collaborations in the past 12 months.

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Friday 6 October 2023
 
BLE & License Global’s Day of Purpose

From social responsibility to sustainability and brand ethics, day three of Brand Licensing Europe – in partnership with Products of Change – is a platform for change and a catalyst for good. Dedicated to purpose, this is a day of sessions that invites brands to open-source their expertise, stumbles and breakthroughs as they navigate an ever-changing landscape. Sessions will be announced shortly.

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Other events to note:
 
Wednesday 4 October 2023

11.30-12.00:     Character Parade

17.00-19.00:    BLE Opening Night Drinks – all attendees and exhibitors are invited to attend opening night drinks served from all four of the cafes and bars on the show floor.

19.30 till late:  ‘Soho Nights’ Licensing International BLE Opening Night Party – join Licensing International for an evening of networking and fun at 100 Wardour Street in central London, just five stops from ExCeL on the Elizabeth line.

Thursday 5 October 2023

11.30-12.00:     Character Parade

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