Category: Licensing

Award-winning global independent animation studio ZAG has launched Miraculous Secrets, its first trading card game for the billion-dollar Miraculous franchise at retail in Germany and Austria and will roll-out to other European countries in the coming months. The announcement was made today by Jeremy Zag, Founder and CEO, ZAG. Miraculous Secrets, from the ZAG Play Toy Division, was developed in partnership with Epopia, the creator of the groundbreaking, multiple award-winning interactive platform that encourages children to read and write who first partnered with ZAG in April 2021, acquiring global licensing rights to ZAG’s brands to create personalized and interactive storytelling. Miraculous Secrets is distributed by Amigo, the well-established European game maker.

The Woobles, the first learn-to-crochet company to leverage emerging ed-tech tools to successfully teach the art of crocheting to complete beginners, just released its first licensed kits- starring Miffy!  Thanks to The Woobles, fans can now crochet their very own Miffy, along with ear-resistable themed accessories. Known for its adorable amigurumi plushies, a collaboration with the marvelous Miffy was a natural fit for The Woobles.

Toy producer schleich has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP) to add a seventh product range to its catalogue: Wizarding World from Harry Potter. Capturing the enchantment and wonders of the Wizarding World, the collection will launch in September 2023 with six of the series’ main characters and their animal companions: Harry and Hedwig, Ron and Scabbers, Hermione and Crookshanks, Hagrid and Fang, Luna Lovegood and a Baby Thestral, and Albus Dumbledore and Fawkes. In addition, Schleich will debut six fantastical creatures from the Harry Potter series: Dobby, Firenze the centaur, Aragog, Buckbeak, Fluffy the three-headed dog, and a Hungarian Horntail dragon.

JAKKS Pacific, Incorporated this week announced they will be bringing to market a toy line for the highly anticipated new film from Illumination and Nintendo, The Super Mario Bros Movie, arriving in theaters April 7, 2023. Look forward to posable figures, accessories, playsets, plush and a super cool RC from the movie coming to shelves and online in North America, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa on Feb. 26, 2023. “In partnership with Illumination and Nintendo, we have enjoyed collaborating with JAKKS Pacific to launch an all-new line of toys for The Super Mario Bros Movie,” said Joe Lawandus, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global Toys, Hardlines & Publishing, Universal Products & Experiences. “We’re as excited as the fans for the film’s release and can’t wait for their reaction to our line of film-inspired toys.”

Leading global toy company Just Play has announced a worldwide master toy licensing agreement with Hasbro, a global branded entertainment leader, for its FurReal brand. Just Play’s FurReal pets product line will launch globally in 2024 with a whole new collection of interactive pets. With authentic animatronic features that mimic the mannerisms and behaviors of both real animals and mythical creatures, the FurReal brand has led the interactive pets’ category for over eighteen years, selling over 100 million pets in more than 75 countries. Millions of children worldwide have learned about animals and pet care while nurturing their beloved FurReal friends.

Hasbro, a global branded entertainment leader, and Funko Games announced a new multi-year licensing partnership that brings together the biggest names in games to reimagine the mother of all party games: Cranium 25th Anniversary Edition. In addition, the duo is unveiling a refreshed line of Cranium classics and a new original children’s game – designed by Funko Games. Cranium was first introduced to the market in 1998. Its clever design combines several popular party game activities across art, trivia, language, and performance into one game, creating an experience where “everyone shines.” It was one-of-a-kind and a near-instant success, becoming profitable in just six months before taking the title of the fastest-selling independent board game ever in 2001, according to Inc. The game and its iconic Creative Cat, Data Head, Word Worm, and Star Performer characters spawned half-a-dozen other brands in just 10 years before being sold to Hasbro in 2008.

Genius Brands International, Inc (“Genius Brands” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: GNUS) announced the formation of a new division, Genius Music, focused on developing and monetizing its broad music publishing rights with emerging opportunities throughout the worldwide network of streaming platforms and existing broadcast outlets. Genius Brands has appointed veteran music executive and creative artist, Juan Carlos “JC” Quintero, as Head of Genius Music, to drive the new business venture.

Popeye the Sailor Man and Lefties, international leader of affordable and inclusive clothing, have teamed up for an apparel collection featuring the iconic character. The exclusive collection began rolling out designs worldwide this past Fall including T-shirts, shorts, tops, sweatshirts, socks, pajamas, and jogger pants for both men and women. The colorful graphics utilized throughout the collection are inspired by Popeye’s qualities of strength and heroism, and feature the Popeye cast of characters including the Sailor Man himself and his longtime rival, Brutus.