aNb Media, Author at aNb Media, Inc.

Nelvana Partners with Polygon Pictures to Find the Next Big Hit in Animation

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, a world-leading international producer, distributor, and licensor of children’s animated and live action content, has announced a development deal with Japanese creative powerhouse, Polygon Pictures, to deliver stand out Japanese originated animated content for kids. The new development collaboration leverages Polygon’s premier position and reputation in the Japanese market, with Nelvana’s successful track record of partnering to bring Japanese animated properties, such as Bakugan™, Beyblade, and Cardcaptor Sakura, to global audiences.

JAKKS Pacific & Disguise Ink Worldwide Deal with Rooster Teeth for Bendy

JAKKS Pacific, Inc, a top manufacturer of toys and consumer products and its costume division, Disguise, has announced a multi-year partnership with Rooster Teeth and Joey Drew Studios to bring Bendy to the world. JAKKS and Disguise will design, develop and manufacture action figures, plush, playsets, costumes and costume accessories commencing in fall 2023. Disguise first launched Bendy and the Ink Machine costumes in North America in 2018 and saw great success with the horror-gaming-themed Halloween costumes for several years. JAKKS is now joining in the mix with master toy rights and the company-wide rights are being expanded to include worldwide distribution.

Boba Fett Jetpacks Into Star Wars Villainous

Power up those shields, princess: Boba Fett is coming to Star Wars Villainous. Ravensburger, acclaimed publisher behind award-winning board games and high-quality toys and puzzles, has announced that the galaxy’s most infamous bounty hunter is the cover star of Star Wars Villainous: Scum and Villainy, the second installment in the Star Wars Villainous line. Ravensburger has also launched Star Wars Villainous puzzles with original art inspired by the award-winning board game Star Wars (Power of the Dark Side) Villainous. Characters include Darth Vader, Moff Gideon, Asajj Ventress, General Grievous and Kylo Ren, and are available for purchase on Amazon now.

News

Toys for Tots Announces Expansion of Year-Round Efforts to Support Children in Foster Care

May is National Foster Care Month, and the Marine Toys for Tots Program is expanding its support beyond the holiday season to deliver emotional comfort and gifts to children living in Foster Care. The Program’s initiative, Champions for Those in Foster Care, will provide toys, books, and other gifts to be distributed to foster care children through local organizations across the country. “These children leave their homes with only a small plastic bag of their belongings. Marine Toys for Tots wants to give foster care children not only something tangible to take with them as they move, but also some tools and hope for a brighter tomorrow,” said LtGen Jim Laster, CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Universal Products & Experiences x The LEGO Group Launch First-Ever Line Inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby’s Dollhouse

LEGO Group and Universal Products & Experiences are teaming up to bring DreamWorks Animation’s hit preschool series, Gabby’s Dollhouse to life in LEGO brick form with the launch of its first-ever line based on the popular global series, with four new sets available for pre-order now and launching August 1st.

News

JAKKS Pacific Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

“We are pleased with our year-to-date performance as we close the first quarter,” said Stephen Berman, JAKKS Pacific Inc.’s Chairman and CEO, “and are excited about the possibilities for the remainder of the year. We shipped over $100 million worth of product in Q1 for the second consecutive year and it is the first time we’ve done that in back-to-back years since 2009. We have challenging revenue comparisons all year, but our significant gross margin improvement lessened the impact in the first quarter. Our Q1 gross profit dollars haven’t been this high since 2015. We managed inventory down further and eliminated most of our temporary warehouse capacity. And, as we previously disclosed, earlier in the quarter we paid down our long-term debt to less than $30 million.

Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards (B&LLAs) 2023 Winners Announced

The winners of the B&LLAs 2023 industry awards were announced Thursday 27 April at a glittering awards event, held at the Royal Lancaster London. Hosted by Matt Forde, the brand licensing community’s annual get-together, was attended by some 450 retailers, licensees and brand owners who shared in the joy as the worthy winners made their way to the stage to collect their trophies.

GBH Appoints Moxie as Exclusive Worldwide Licensing Agent for all Branded Merchandise Tie-Ins and Promotions

Moxie and Co is pleased to announce a new partnership with public media powerhouse GBH related to its general audience and children’s TV series for extensions into consumer goods, electronics, home fashion, apparel, toys and branded merchandise, and promotional tie-ins. GBH is the largest producer of public media content, supplying PBS with almost one-third of its primetime and kids programming.

The Genius of Play Launches ‘Emotional Wellness Playbook’ During Mental Health Awareness Month

From exploring emotions through games to practicing empathy, the new “Emotional Wellness Playbook” from The Genius of Play, The Toy Association’s nonprofit initiative dedicated to helping parents raise healthy and happy kids through play, offers a curated collection of play-based activities that teach kids how to express their feelings in healthy ways while having fun. Developed in partnership with recognized mental health expert, Starr Therapy Founder, and Certified Holistic Health Coach Talia Filippelli, The Genius of Play’s new resource for parents and educators is launching just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month this May, when mental health advocates will be sparking conversations about reducing the stigma around mental health. The digital playbook features 12 play ideas for kids ages 3+ that effectively tackle the five key components of emotional intelligence: emotional self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills.