aNb Media, Author at aNb Media, Inc.

WildBrain Takes Summer Memories on a Global Adventure

WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, has secured the first wave of international sales for Summer Memories, the 2D-animated series created by Adam Yaniv (Night at the Museum, Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks) and produced by A&N Productions, Aircraft Pictures and Yeti Farm Creative. The new broadcasters on board for season one (40×12’) include Prime Video for Germany, Austria and Switzerland; ABC Australia; and Showmax for Africa. WildBrain handles distribution on the series internationally and will present Summer Memories to buyers at the upcoming Kidscreen Summit (February 12-15, Miami).

YuMe, Maxx Group Appoints Host of New Hires

YuMe Toys’ growth and success continues with the appointment of Carson Murray as VP for North America. Carson will be based out of the YuMe office in Toronto, covering the North American region. –Carson joins YuMe from Funko, where he spent the last five years of his career, most recently as the Country Head for Canada. Among his many successes, Carson points to securing a nationwide placement, in almost every retailer and retail channel, in the Canadian market, as one of the key achievements of his success.

Licensing News

Licensing International Announces New Webinar Series for Sustainability Committee

Licensing International, the leading trade association for the $315+ billion global brand licensing industry, announced that the recently formed Licensing International Sustainability Committee will launch a webinar series slated to run through 2023. The series will share sustainability best practices and drive forward goals to reduce the corporate carbon footprint and implement Environmental, Social, and Governance guidelines. The first webinar of the series will take place February, 22 2023 at 12:00pm EST. Marco Reyes, Senior Director of Sustainability at Walmart, and Michelle McLaughlin, Chair of the Licensing International Sustainability Committee and CEO of Brand Activation Consulting, will discuss the ways Walmart is accelerating social and environmental sustainability in its supply chains. Additionally, Reyes will provide insight into the retail giant’s strategy to develop and implement integrated category roadmaps and address the most critical hot spots across prioritized categories.

News You're Hired

Toy Industry Veteran Evelyn Mazzocco Joins Just Play to Launch Company’s New Division for Owned IP

Leading global toy company Just Play has appointed branding and strategy expert Evelyn Mazzocco, former General Manager of Barbie at Mattel and General Manager of Girls Products at Moose Toys, to lead its new division devoted to building the company’s portfolio of proprietary brands. Evelyn will be influential in driving the company’s long-term strategic goal of creating new wholly-owned intellectual properties. She will be heading up a new, fully integrated team including Product Development, Branding, Packaging, and Engineering based in Los Angeles.

APC Kids and TeamTO Partner on Action-Comedy Series ‘Jade Armor’

Two French powerhouses, APC Kids, part of leading co-production and distribution group APC Studios, and leading content creator TeamTO, have joined forces on the new action-adventure comedy series Jade Armor. The partnership will see APC Kids distribute the series worldwide, excluding the Americas and China.

WildBrain CPLG Powers Up Representation Deal for Petronix Defenders from Mediawan Kids and Family

WildBrain CPLG, one of the world’s leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agencies, has secured representation rights to Mediawan Kids & Family’s new superhero adventure series, Petronix Defenders (52 x 13’), in the U.S. and Canada. Under its dedicated North America office, WildBrain CPLG will build a cross-category consumer products program aimed at kids aged 4-8 years, with target categories including publishing, apparel and role-play accessories, alongside digital gaming and commercial tie-ins.

Castle Panic Earns Mom’s Choice Award

The Mom’s Choice Awards has named Castle Panic as among the best in family-friendly media, products and services. The MCA evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal, and cost.

Licensing News

Happy “Renew” Year! Renewals Announced for Six Precious Moments Licensing Partners

Why should auld acquaintance be forgot when one can happily renew them instead? As a company which has been dedicated to helping people commemorate life’s special moments for almost a half century, Precious Moments, Inc is pleased to ring in the new year by announcing renewed licensing agreements with six key licensees.

Powerlocus and Rovio Partner to Release Angry Birds Headphones

PowerLocus, a fast-growing consumer technology brand, announced a partnership with Rovio to launch Angry Birds children’s headphones, in a deal facilitated by Angry Birds’ global licensing agency IMG. The high-quality, eye-catching headphones collection aims to make listening to music, watching videos, and remote learning more enjoyable for kids. The first collection of the Angry Birds PowerLocus P2 Kids headphones are made from premium materials and come in four color variations featuring the characters in fun prints.