aNb Media, Author at aNb Media, Inc.

iQIYI and WildBrain Greenlight Jonny Jetboy from Keith Chapman

iQIYI, an innovative market-leading online entertainment service in China, and WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, have signed a partnership to create Jonny Jetboy. This new action-packed kids’ series from Keith Chapman, creator of such smash hits as PAW Patrol and Bob the Builder, is set to be produced by iQIYI, in collaboration with WildBrain as its supervisor, and the animation production will be done by China’s WingSing Animation Studio. The creative brains behind the show include Chapman and Michael Vogel, who serve as Executive Producers, and Jinming Lu from WingSing Animation Studio. Vogel is one of the creative forces behind My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and WildBrain’s new Strawberry Shortcake series, Berry in the Big City. Jinming Lu is chief director for China’s renowned animation project GG Bond. The 40 x 11’ series is targeted at kids aged 4-7 and is currently in production with delivery slated to begin in 2023.

Playmates Reveals Initial 2022 Lineup of Star Trek Figures

Some of the most iconic characters in the Star Trek universe are among the toys featured in the summer 2022 launch of Playmates Toys’ all-new collection of Star Trek action figures and accessories. Playmates marks its much-anticipated return, after a 12-year absence, as the global licensee across action figures, vehicles, ships and role play for all ViacomCBS Star Trek Properties.

Bulldog Signs Licensing Agreement with Wow! Stuff for Odo

Leading licensing agency, Bulldog, has agreed terms on a deal with Wow! Stuff to become the first licensee for the ‘boundary breaking’ 2.5D animated series, Odo. Odo was created by Sixteen South Originals and co-produced with Letko. In the new Master Toy global deal, Wow! Stuff will create a comprehensive range of toys including plush, dolls, figures and accessories, role-play toys, play sets, track sets, construction toys and bath toys.

A James Bond Teddy Bear Joins the Steiff Family

2022 sees the launch of the first James Bond bear by German toymakers Steiff, the company that invented the Teddy Bear. Just 1,962 handcrafted collector’s bears will be made in a numbered series to mark the date of Dr. No’s cinematic release in 1962. Dressed in a tailored black cotton dinner jacket, white buttoned shirt, and black bow tie, the bear channels Bond’s effortless style, complete with black mohair legs and a 60th Anniversary embroidery on one foot. He features a gold-plated Steiff button in ear, bearing his individual number, and will come with a numbered certificate of authenticity within a special James Bond presentation box.

News You're Hired

9 Story Media Group Appoints Katrina Hitz-Tough as SVP, Franchise Strategy & Marketing

9 Story Media Group has announced the appointment of Katrina Hitz-Tough to the newly created position of SVP, Franchise Strategy & Marketing. Hitz-Tough will lead 9 Story’s recently established Franchise Management division to drive growth for select IP in 9 Story’s expanding portfolio of exciting kids’ properties, including the groundbreaking animated series Karma’s World (Netflix), the up-and-coming Ladybird Lu (HBO Max) and the evergreen toy-based property Colorforms. Reporting to Natalie Osborne, 9 Story’s Chief Strategy Officer, Hitz-Tough is tasked with leading the new Franchise division with the goal of extending key 9 Story IP beyond the screen. She will be working closely with 9 Story’s in-house Consumer Products division, led by Co-VPs Kristin Lecour and Kyra Halperin, as well as the company’s Marketing, Digital, Interactive, Production, Distribution and Research teams.

Genius Brands Superhero Kindergarten China

Genius Brands Launches ‘Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten’ Across China

Genius Brands International “Genius Brands” (NASDAQ: GNUS) has announced the launch of season one of its flagship animated children’s series, Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, Executive Produced by and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Alibaba Group’s (NYSE:BABA) video streaming platform, Youku, starting March 2022, which is one of the top three streaming platforms in the Mainland China territory. Additionally, the acclaimed series will be available via the Tudou and Kumiao apps.

Disney Channel Hit ‘Big City Greens’ to get Fourth Season and Movie Musical

The Houghton brothers — Chris and Shane — creators and executive producers of the animated comedy Big City Greens, Disney’s #1 show, will join the echelon of format-leaping creative talent as their popular series spins off a movie musical for Disney Channel and Disney+. Big City Greens also received a fourth season order from Disney Channel, tallying more than 100 episodes for the Daytime Emmy-winning and Annie Award-nominated comedy. The announcement was made by Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, a content engine for Disney+ and Disney Channels.

Events News

ToyFest West 2022 Moves Forward! WITHRA Board Approves In-Person Show

The Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) Board of Directors met Thursday, January 20 and voted to move forward with ToyFest West. President Lawrence Nissen said, “There are many things to look forward to this coming March 9-11, 2022. One being, WTHRA will celebrate its Diamond Anniversary, 60 years of producing the finest toy show in the West! Another is that exhibitors are purchasing more booth space to prepare for the retailers, new and old who are registered for the show.”

Wondery Kids Launches New BIPOC Podcast, ‘Adventures of Cairo’

For parents looking for kid-friendly podcasts to fill the void of screen-free entertainment with multicultural role models and life lessons, meet Cairo! Wondery, the largest independent podcast publisher in the world, announced the release of their newest kid-friendly podcast Adventures of Cairo. Developed in partnership with ABF Creative (known for their award-winning, multicultural audio content), the 12-episode series follows the story of a curious 7-year-old living in a diverse, big city with his family.