Octonauts Above and Beyond
News
New Seasons of Octonauts: Above & Beyond Lift Off on CBeebies

Sony Pictures Television – Kids (SPT – Kids), announces that the BBC has acquired the UK rights to the latest season of Octonauts spin-off series, Octonauts: Above & Beyond. The deal will see the new 52 x 11’ episodes available on CBeebies and BBC iplayer from 16th October 2023 bringing new adventures for the beloved Octonauts as they continue to explore dynamic landscapes, experience new climates, rescue animals and protect the land they live on.

Millie Magnificent
Entertainment News
Nelvana Secures Distribution Deals for Highly Anticipated Preschool Series Millie Magnificent

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, a world-leading international producer, distributor and licensor of children’s animated and live action content, announces two new distribution partners for its new 3D animated original series Millie Magnificent (52×11) to Canal+ in France and Treehouse in Canada. With deliveries starting early 2024, the endearing preschool series will be prominently featured by Nelvana at MIPCOM this fall.  Kids Can Press, Corus Entertainment’s award-winning, internationally acclaimed children’s book publisher, has further expanded the Most Magnificent franchise with the new book The Most Magnificent Maker’s A to Z and the Make That Most Magnificent Thing board game, produced in collaboration with Fat Brain Toys, both launching this fall.

Slumberkins
News
Moosh-Moosh Kicks off the Holidays with Spooktacular Offerings

Before you buy the Halloween candy, get the slippers! Moosh-Moosh, makers of soft plushy toys and accessories, has an entire collection of not-too-spooky themed Slipperz, nine Halloween Pillows, six cuddly Starlight Buddies, and nine Plushies. The spooktacular assortment, available now at moosh-moosh.com, lets kids (and grownups) know the unofficial start of autumn has arrived. As its online warehouse is being stocked with friendly vampire slippers, witch-y sleep pillows and a Starlight Buddy devil with candy-corn horns, parents and grandparents may be asking, what’s a moosh-moosh? Sean Price, Executive VP, Chief Marketing Officer of parent brand MMG Brands has the answer. “Moosh-Moosh is your ultimate cuddly companion designed to bring joy and comfort wherever they go, serving as a cozy pillow pal, a bedtime buddy, or simply a delightful plush friend to share your day with. From plush slippers to cuddle buddies, we have something soft and friendly for everyone.”

Universal Horror Freddy Fazbear
Licensing News
Universal Products & Experiences Brings on the Nightmares to Capitalize Upon Horror Portfolio

Universal Products and Experiences (UP&E) is proud to share details of an ambitious 365 licensing strategy for its deep and dark portfolio of Horror properties. Spanning more than 90 years of cinema history, Universal’s vault features classic Universal Monsters including Dracula, Frankenstein and The Mummy, along with nostalgic horror icons like Chucky and Michael Myers. These genre defining characters sit alongside new IP from the next generation of Universal’s horror storytellers, like Jason Blum’s Blumhouse with recent popular films The Black Phone, M3GAN, and the upcoming The Exorcist: Believer and Five Nights at Freddy’s, along with Joran Peele’s Monkeypaw and his unique take on horror with Get Out, Us and NOPE.

Slumberkins Comfort Corner
News
New Slumberkins Comfort Corner at Portland East Ronald McDonald House Provides Emotional Support and Learning Tools for Families

Slumberkins, the leading brand for early emotional learning, announces the creation of a new Slumberkins Comfort Corner in partnership with the Portland East Ronald McDonald House and sponsored by The Standard, an insurance and financial services company headquartered in Portland, Oregon. All families experiencing medical crises and living at the Portland East Ronald McDonald House will have the opportunity to experience the Comfort Corner, a newly refurbished cozy room with comfortable seating and bookshelves containing Slumberkins creatures, books and affirmations, which provide emotional support and learning tools.

J Pierce
Licensing News
Contemporary Artist J. Pierce to Launch New Consumer Products for 2024

Fans of J Pierce have always admired his unique art style and the positive feelings his art evokes. J Pierce’s vibrant universe will be introduced into several new consumer product categories, strategic partnerships and retail collaborations beginning in 2024. The new program will also include a charitable alliance with LRG Giving Tree, with a percentage of royalties to be donated annually. “We are very grateful for the opportunity to align with Justin and his partners to utilize a charitable portion of their royalties towards building wellness rooms for underserved youth in foster care and school settings,” says Eunnie Hur, executive director, LRG Giving Tree.

PUMA Trolls
News
Universal Products & Experiences Adds PUMA to Best-in-Class Partners for Trolls BandTogether

Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) proves that all that glitters is Trolls as partners from across the globe band together for the launch of new consumer products in celebration of the newest chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster musical franchise, Trolls Band Together. PUMA, one of the world’s leading sports brands, is the latest partner to join the technicolor line-up with the exclusive PUMA x Trolls collection of footwear, apparel and accessories set to launch in early 2024. DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls Band Together premieres in cinemas worldwide from 20th October 2023 supported by a multi-category licensing programme that is set to sparkle at retail this holiday season and beyond.

Elmer's Squishies Glow
News
Elmer’s Expands Squishies Collection to Include Glow in the Dark Offering for the Holiday Season

Elmer’s, a leading glue brand for crafts in school and at home and part of Newell Brands’ global portfolio of brands, is launching an extension of its current Squishies collection to include a new Glow in the Dark offering, so kids can squish them, squeeze them, and watch them glow. Just in time for holiday gifting season, kids ages 6 and up can channel their creativity with this hands-on activity that goes beyond the traditional playtime experience. When mixing Elmer’s Secret Solution with various colors and glow in the dark glue pens, there is even more customization options and room for imagination for kids to create their characters in 60 minutes. Using the included UV light, kids will be able to super charge their Glow in the Dark Squishies, bringing new ways for them to play with the 80 mystery characters, including 12 rare ones that they can create and collect. Kids can play and swap their creations with friends as they aim to gather all the characters for the ultimate adventure.

Big Blue Guru Studios
Entertainment News
Guru Studio Brings ‘Big Blue’ to the Roku Channel Kids & Family

Animation powerhouse Guru Studio is pleased to announce that it has signed a new distribution agreement with Roku which will bring its comedy adventure series Big Blue to The Roku Channel Kids & Family in the U.S. in 2024. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with The Roku Channel to bring Big Blue to homes across the U.S.,” said Frank Falcone, President and Executive Creative Director at Guru Studio.  “This hilarious and heartwarming series is resonating with kids around the world, and we believe Roku is a fantastic home for the series launch in the US given its significant reach and influence in the market,” said Jennifer Oppenheimer, Guru Studio’s Manager of International Sales and Licensing.