{"id":18491,"date":"2019-10-02T09:57:38","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T07:57:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.licensingitalia.it\/?p=18491"},"modified":"2019-10-02T09:57:38","modified_gmt":"2019-10-02T07:57:38","slug":"activision-blizzard-consumer-products-group-highlights-rapid-international-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.licensingitalia.it\/en\/activision-blizzard-consumer-products-group-highlights-rapid-international-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group highlights\u00a0rapid international growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain amongst others top list of fast budding European markets, in addition to China, for consumer products<\/h3>\n

Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group (ABCPG) returns to Brand Licensing Europe 2019 (BLE) showcasing its strong international growth within key consumer video game markets, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France and Italy, as well as China, amongst others. With each of these key markets capturing a large community of video game fans, Activision Blizzard continues to expand its consumer products offerings tied to the company\u2019s iconic franchise portfolio through tailored and localized brand collaborations and partnerships. ABCPG consumer products will be featured at Booth #D300 of the ExCeL London.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith Activision Blizzard continuing to expand its global reach through content in areas of mobile and esports, additional opportunities are opening up for us to deliver product programs that bring our games to life in the real world,\u201d stated Steve Young, President of Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group. \u201cWith Europe being an already mature market for our games, consumer products\u2019 expansion in key territories like the UK, France or Germany is a natural extension for all of our franchises. China also presents a massive opportunity for growth, with fans who are incredibly passionate and engaged with our titles. Our communities are global and, with that in mind, we are dedicated to delighting our players around the world with customized, culturally relevant merchandise programs to extend the core game experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through the continued expansion of the company\u2019s international reach, ABCPG is working with best-in-class, global and regional retailers and licensees through diverse distribution channels across consumer product categories, such as specialty, mass, grocery, homeware, beauty and fashion. Sample partners and collaborators include Rubber Road\u2019s apparel, fashion accessories and home goods; Paladone\u2019s homewares; Gaya\u2019s apparel and home products; AOC\u2019s branded monitors; HLA\u2019s apparel; and language-based specialists Panini\u2019s novels, amongst many others.<\/p>\n

Adapting an \u201cAlways-on\u201d Approach for Call of Duty<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The definitive first-person, action game franchise Call of Duty<\/em><\/strong> also continues to build on an expansive previous year with new relationships and offerings in 2019 centered on a 360-degree strategy \u2013 evolving from a cyclical to an \u201calways-on\u201d approach creating new consumer touchpoints that extend the franchise beyond the core game experience.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s launch of Call of Duty: Mobile<\/em><\/strong> offers expanded opportunities globally to fans and new ways to connect with the brand. The accessibility of the game on mobile allows ABCPG to fully embrace the possibilities with consumer products around the globe as Activision Publishing continues with new releases for fans throughout 2019 and into 2020.<\/p>\n

With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare<\/em> releasing on Oct. 25<\/strong>, ABCPG will continue to expand the brand into new categories in the lifestyle space. In collaboration with Activision Publishing, international streetwear brand DRKN will launch a high-end Call of Duty<\/em><\/strong> capsule collection, which will be available in Fall 2019. Newly appointed Pan-European apparel and fashion accessory partner Fashion UK will also launch with a range of products across a wide selection of retailers for Call of Duty<\/em><\/strong> fans worldwide. McFarlane will also kickoff the McFarlane Call of Duty<\/em><\/strong> line with the release of the Captain Price McFarlane Collectible. Additional Call of Duty<\/em><\/strong> products will also return from existing partners Astro, KontrolFreek, New Era and Pyramid International.<\/p>\n

 <\/strong>The upcoming professionalized 2020 Call of Duty esports league season <\/strong>with 12 franchise teams will feature a major professional esports league with city-based teams. The next iteration of Call of Duty esports begins in 2020 and will feature games played in each team\u2019s home market. ABCPG is exploring consumer product opportunities for the new format and season.<\/p>\n

 <\/strong>Diversifying the Overwatch\u00ae<\/sup><\/em> Consumer Products Portfolio and Disrupting the Esports Space through the Overwatch League™<\/sup><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Product offerings for Blizzard Entertainment\u2019s team-based first-person shooter Overwatch<\/em><\/strong> continues to diversify and expand throughout 2019. The Overwatch League continues to break new ground following the launch of its new ecommerce platform with partner Fanatics and the epic conclusion to the 2019 season. The 2020 Overwatch League season will be filled with homecomings for fans as matches are leaving the Blizzard Arena Los Angeles for local venues across the globe. With matches in 19 cities around the world, such as New York, Vancouver, Paris, Shanghai and Seoul, there will be many chances for global fans to purchase the gear of their favorite teams and players at homestand events and local retail stores throughout the season.<\/p>\n

Hasbro and the LEGO Group continue to lead the charge with the successful launches of Hasbro\u2019s Overwatch Ultimates<\/em> action figures and new Nerf Rivals blasters, and the latest LEGO Overwatch<\/em> additions. The franchise also continues to build its publishing portfolio. Working with Insight Editions, global Overwatch<\/em> fans and foodies can also get their hands on the newly released Overwatch: The Official Cookbook<\/em> filled with more than 100 recipes inspired by the heroes of Blizzard Entertainment\u2019s hit game. New Overwatch<\/em><\/strong> product licensees include home and bedding licensee Character World, UK fashion and apparel licensee Level Up Wear, and Paladone who will be releasing Overwatch<\/em> <\/strong>gifts and accessories.<\/p>\n

Activision Blizzard Anniversaries at the Forefront<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/strong>With three milestone anniversaries \u2013 the 40th<\/sup> anniversary of Activision Publishing, the 25th<\/sup> anniversary of Blizzard\u2019s Warcraft\u00ae<\/sup><\/em>franchise,<\/strong> and the 15th<\/sup> anniversary of World of Warcraft<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 celebrating the rich history of its iconic brands, ABCPG is leaning further into consumer interests and demand through expanded world-class partnerships to deliver engaging, relevant and innovative consumer products.<\/p>\n

This year is the 40th<\/sup> anniversary of Activision Publishing and its rich history helping to support and define the standard for innovation within the video game industry. Looking into Activision\u2019s past, present and future, ABCPG wants to celebrate gamers \u2013 across generations \u2013 by leaning into the strong consumer demand for retro properties with the reemergence of iconic characters from Crash Bandicoot<\/em><\/strong> and Spyro<\/em><\/strong>. ABCPG is dedicated to fully embracing the possibilities with consumer products as the company continues with new releases for fans throughout 2019, with products such as the Crash Bandicoot POP! Figures and Crash Team Racing<\/em><\/strong> vinyl figures from Funko, Spyro Big Box Exclusive Merchandise Crates and Cable Guys from Exquisite Gaming, and Crash Bandicoot homeware from Pyramid International, among a number of others.<\/p>\n

This year, Blizzard Entertainment is also celebrating the 25th<\/sup> anniversary of its Warcraft <\/em><\/strong>franchise and the 15th<\/sup> anniversary for World of Warcraft<\/em><\/strong>. At BLE, fans will be able to have the first look at the World of Warcraft<\/em> fine art print collection from Cook & Becker, a new board game from Asmodee, and the upcoming World of Warcraft<\/em> novel World of Warcraft: Traveler<\/em> from Scholastic, in addition to expanded offerings from new licensees.<\/p>\n

BLE Gaming & Esports Activation Zone<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/strong>In conjunction with the Activision and Blizzard anniversary celebrations, Activision Blizzard\u2019s iconic franchises will be featured in PowerStation Studios\u2019 new Gaming & Esports Activation (Booth #D280) for the first time ever, which will be located in the Character & Entertainment Zone at BLE. The Gaming & Esports Activation will offer a colorful, innovative and interactive gaming experience for visitors, including a 14-meter long Character Mural and Gaming Timeline bringing to life beloved gaming brands and icons from the last 40 years. Activision Blizzard properties will be featured in two areas within the gaming activation zone, including the following:<\/p>\n