aNb Media, Author at aNb Media, Inc.

Symbiote Studios Reveals Plush Toy Lineup Through 1st Half of 2024

Symbiote Studios, the global leader in original and licensed plush toys, has revealed its product lineup through the first half of 2024. Featuring a combination of original designs such as company mascot Catnip Bravo in addition to product lines based on leading entertainment and video game properties such as My Little Pony, Transformers, Shovel Knight and Power Rangers, every Symbiote Studios plush features an exciting design that is fun to display or hug. A new trailer is now available showcasing the full Symbiote Studios plush toy lineup, all of which are available for purchase now. In addition to the currently available lineup, new plush toys featuring AiAi from the Super Monkey Ball video game series by Sega and Starlight Glitter from My Little Pony will be launching soon.

Licensing News

Cameo Kids Welcomes Iconic Sesame Street to its Platform

Cameo Kids is introducing two beloved Sesame Street characters to its platform, Elmo and Cookie Monster, creating personalized messages for children and fans of all ages. Cameo Kids is a unique platform enabling parents and loved ones to book personalized Cameo videos featuring favorite family entertainment stars, whether for birthdays, congratulations, bedtime, holidays, or just an everyday “we love you!” On November 15th, Elmo and Cookie Monster will become the first Sesame Street characters to join Cameo Kids.

Paw Patrol to the Rescue! Chase is on the Case as Newest Storypod Craftie

The paw-sibilities of finding a magical gift for the tots on your list just got better with the announcement of Storypod’s newest collaboration with PAW Patrol. Just in time for holiday giving, PAW Patrol is just one of three upcoming product developments with Paramount Consumer Products. Look for a rollout of three PAW Patrol Crafties with Book, Token and a branded Storypod Sleeve now through 2024. Blue’s Clues & You! and Bubble Guppies licenses will also expand Storypod’s Crafties Collection for months to come for kids ages 3- to 5-years old. Now, kids can hear engaging stories and songs from breakfast to bedtime without ever turning on a screen.

Warner Bros Discovery Announces All New Wonka Merchandise for Fans

Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP) is unveiling a sweet collection of global merchandise to celebrate the highly-anticipated release of Warner Bros Pictures’ big screen holiday spectacle, Wonka, arriving in theaters and in IMAX internationally beginning 6 December 2023 and in North America on December 15, 2023. Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book and one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, “Wonka” tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today. WBDGCP is rolling out the candy-colored carpet to celebrate the film with a full spectrum of premium products from sought-after licensees such as Converse, Fossil, Funko and more, while exclusive retail partner Bloomingdale’s will host iconic Wonka window displays and has unveiled The Carousel @ Bloomingdale’s: Wonka, an online and in-store shop filled with fun fashions, accessories and home goods inspired by the famous chocolatier.

Little Tikes Story Dream Machine Expands Portfolio of Story Collections Through Collaboration with Sesame Workshop

The Little Tikes Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MGA Entertainment (MGA), one of the largest and fastest growing privately held toy and entertainment companies in the world, introduced the Little Tikes Story Dream Machine to the classic bedtime routine for parents of young kids earlier this year. The innovative toy launched with a robust catalog of story collections for extended story time. The brand has announced an expansion to this catalog via a collaboration with Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, welcoming the new Sesame Street Elmo & Friends Collection to shelves this month. The Story Dream Machine is a portable projector for read-along children’s stories that doubles as a white noise machine and nightlight. Little Tikes and Sesame Street have each been a part of children’s lives from early childhood to adulthood for more than 50 years. Today’s announcement marks a timeless, cross-generational moment of connection through story time for kids, parents, and grandparents to enjoy just in time for the holiday season.

Funko Launches Updated Collection Valuation Feature in App, Based on eBay Marketplace Data

Funko, Inc (Nasdaq: FNKO) has announced a significant update to the Funko app: the integration of new collection valuation capabilities, based on eBay transaction data. The update enables the Funko community to price their Funko Collections with increased accuracy, by seamlessly connecting the Funko catalog with recent, verified sales data from the eBay marketplace. Since announcing a commercial agreement in 2022, under which eBay became the preferred secondary marketplace for Funko, the companies have created unique and meaningful experiences for the collecting community, including a “List it on eBay button” in the Funko app, and access to exclusive product drops via Funko’s storefront on eBay. This latest app update represents the continued collaboration by the two companies to deliver best-in-class experiences for the Funko community and collectors at large.

Mattel Names Michelle Mendelovitz Head of Mattel Television Studios

Mattel, Inc (NASDAQ: MAT) announced today that Michelle Mendelovitz has been named Head of Mattel Television Studios. Mendelovitz will oversee the development, production, and distribution of Mattel’s robust slate of episodic content on broadcast and streaming globally. Mendelovitz reports to Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer, Mattel. Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel, said: “Michelle is a powerful creative leader with a wealth of experience working with top studios and creators to make innovative, quality content across genres and platforms. We are excited for her to join at a time of such momentum for the company, and for the important role she will play in developing stories that resonate in culture and growing Mattel’s global fan base.”

WildBrain London Munich Angela Reuber-Gundolf Clare Vosper Mortimer

WildBrain CPLG Bolsters In-House Services and Commercial Teams with New Executive Hires in London and Munich

WildBrain CPLG, one of the world’s leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agencies, has added two highly experienced executives to bolster its in-house services and commercial teams in London and Munich, respectively. In London, Clare Vosper Mortimer has joined WildBrain CPLG’s in-house services team in the new role of VP, Finance and Operations, overseeing the company’s finance function and enhancing its global in-house service offering for partners as it continues to see significant growth. With new offices opened recently in Indonesia and the Philippines as part of the company’s expansion into APAC—bringing the global total to 23 offices driving business in over 100 territories—WildBrain CPLG’s in-house services team is scaling to better support its partners around the world. Clare’s focus will be on enabling even stronger partner-centric financial and operational services, augmenting WildBrain CPLG’s best-in-class suite of other in-house services which include creative, legal and partnerships. She reports to Maarten Weck, EVP, Global Partnerships and Licensing.

2023 National Toy Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

It’s official! The National Toy Hall of Fame has inducted baseball cards, Cabbage Patch Kids, Fisher Price Corn-Popper, and NERF for 2023. The Fisher-Price Corn Popper is the special, fourth inductee in honor of the hall’s 25th anniversary and was chosen by popular vote from a group of “Forgotten Five” finalists. All four toys have been enshrined and are on view at The Strong National Museum of Play, home to the National Toy Hall of Fame. “These four deserving inductees represent a great blend of types of play for people of all ages,” says Christopher Bensch, vice president for collections and chief curator. “Baseball cards encourage lifelong playing and collection. Cabbage Patch Kids continue to encourage imagination and storytelling for kids. Fisher-Price Corn Popper, which is a forgotten finalist no longer, is a great activity for toddlers. NERF toys are designed for indoor and outdoor activity, and they often find kids and grownups playing together. This is an excellent class to honor the 25th anniversary of the National Toy Hall of Fame.”