The Peanuts, NASA Team for New STEM Curriculum in Schools
NASA and Peanuts Worldwide announced the signing of a multi-year Space Act Agreement designed to inspire a passion for space exploration and STEM among the next generation of students.
The agreement builds on a historic partnership that began during the Apollo missions of the 1960s when Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz gave NASA permission to use Snoopy on the Agency’s spaceflight safety materials. In 1968, NASA expanded the collaboration with the Silver Snoopy award, a special honor given to NASA employees and contractors for outstanding achievements related to safety or mission success in human spaceflight.
The partnership reached new heights in 1969, when NASA sent Peanuts into space, naming the Apollo 10 command and lunar modules “Charlie Brown” and “Snoopy.”
Fifty years later, the brand-new Space Act Agreement extends the NASA and Peanuts partnership to students and fans nationwide.
From all-new and original content starring Astronaut Snoopy to an in-school STEM-based curriculum about America’s latest explorations into deep space, the agreement will offer a variety of creative, interactive ways to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 10 next year, and NASA’s historic Moon missions.
The countdown for the 50th Anniversary of the landmark Apollo 10 lunar mission aboard the “Charlie Brown” and “Snoopy” modules begins in July at San Diego Comic-Con.
Brand Central to Rep TKO: Total Knock Out TV Series, Hosted by Kevin Hart
Brand Central was named the licensing agency of record for MGM Consumer Products’ TKO: Total Knock Out, the new obstacle course series, hosted by Kevin Hart, executive produced by Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Voice, Shark Tank) and produced by MGM Television and HartBeat Productions.
The 10-episode hour-long series TKO: Total Knock Out, premieres on CBS and CBS All Access July 11, featuring one player racing through obstacles while the other contestants are determined to knock him/her off course with huge projectiles.
Licensed products is expected to range from toys to board games to arcade games.
TKO: Total Knock Out is internationally distributed by MGM. Alongside Burnett and Poznick, as executive producers are Kevin Hart, Holly Wofford, and Jane Y. Mun. TKO: Total Knock Out is an original format created by Steve Hughes and Sean Kelly of Shaggy Entertainment, Inc.
Cartoon Network, Cryptozoic Entertainment Reveal Limited-Edition Rick and Morty Game
Cryptozoic Entertainment and Cartoon Network Enterprises announced the limited release of Rick and Morty: The Pickle Rick Game at San Diego Comic-Con, July 19-22, and Gen Con, August 2-5, followed by a full retail release this September. Cryptozoic also plans to make a limited quantity of the game available for purchase on its eStore during the summer.
The game includes Pickle Rick and Jaguar miniatures and a custom, collectible Pickle Rick game case that holds all of the game’s components. In the game, one player plays as Pickle Rick as he tries to escape a heavily armed compound, while the other player takes on the roles of both the Russians and Jaguar as they try to stop him. The Pickle Rick player uses weapons cards to dole out damage and Air Vents to get out of jams as he or she tries to get to the Rooftop. The Pickle Rick and Jaguar miniatures are moved across a dynamic board made up of tiles that are constantly being added, rotated, and flipped. Once play is over, everything can be placed right back into the Pickle Rick game case.
Boolean Girl Tech Taps Child’s Play Communications
Boolean Girl Tech has charged Child’s Play Communications to manage media relations to launch and support Boolean Box, a build-it-yourself computer kit that encourages kids ages 8 and up to code, build, invent and animate.
Boolean Girl is on a mission to address the declining number of women in STEM fields. Since 2014, the organization has engaged young girls with hands-on instruction in computer science, coding and engineering through after-school classes and all-girl summer camps.
Boolean Box addresses both coding and engineering, so children can develop software and build electronics projects. Boolean Girl will also exhibit at Child’s Play Communications’ 2018 Kids & Family Expo, a media event exclusively for tech products designed for children and parents.
The agency launched a family-tech practice several years ago, and has represented an array of companies in that space including littleBits, Primo Toys, Sphero, Bowhead Technology, Pai Technology, Urban Hello, and more. In addition to the Kids & Family Tech Expo, Child’s Play recently launched Seriously STEM, a first-of-its-kind awards program.
Boolean Girl Tech is located in Arlington, VA. Child’s Play Communications is based in New York City.
Guru Studio’s Preschool Comedy Pikwik to Air on Disney Junior
Disney Junior U.S., Australia/New Zealand, Korea and India will air the new animated preschool comedy Pikwik, from Toronto-based children’s entertainment studio Guru (PAW Patrol, Justin Time, and True and the Rainbow Kingdom).
In the town of Pikwik, Suki the Hedgehog leads her team — Trevor the Racoon, Hazel the cat, and Tibor the hippo — to help deliver surprise-filled parcels to town residents. The 11-minute stories are packed with hijinx, adventure, and charm to entertain preschoolers while underscoring the value of team work, responsibility, and critical thinking.
The series was created by Executive Creative Director Frank Falcone, Development Executive Rachel Reade Marcus and former Executive Vice-President Mary Bredin. Pikwik is a series for kids ages 2-5 and season one consists of fifty-two episodes. Guru’s long-term plans are to expand the brand into toys, apps, and other consumer products to coincide with its premiere on Disney Junior.
Hang Ten Rolls Up New Deal with KAS Rugs
KAS Rugs has partnered with coastal lifestyle brand, Hang Ten.
This summer, KAS is launching three Hang Ten rug collections:
- Malibu offers hand-woven chunky rugs constructed of easy-to-clean polyester that can evoke a California lifestyle or a bohemian vibe. The collection features a trendy color palette and corner tassels. It includes an assortment of six styles offered across four sizes.
- Palm Beach presents hand-woven jute rugs in two looks: a chunky solid weave and a smoother version with stripes. These natural, rustic rugs bring a refined neutral element into any space for adults or kids while keeping with the organic, beachy vibe of the Hang Ten brand. Available in four sizes, the initial assortment consists of six trend-colored rugs.
- Sunset Beach gives consumers the natural jute and saari silk flatweaves of a boho look and feel. Sunset Beach rugs are also lightweight enough to roll up and take to the beach. Offered in three color palettes, these rugs come in a variety of five sizes, including a 27-by-45 inch scatter size up to a 8.6-by-11.6 foot.