Best-in-class licensing partners across all categories take headline slots for the spring 2020 feel-good movie.
Universal Brand Development UK and Eire (UBD UK and Eire) has unveiled the A-list licensing line up for DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls World Tour. The all-star sequel to DreamWorks Animation’s 2016 musical blockbuster is set to arrive in UK theatres on 20th March 2020, ahead of the film’s US release on 17th April, boosted by an impressive supporting cast of licensees.
Excitement is already building for the new film, which expands the Trolls universe into six new lands and Trolls tribes, each defined by its own genre of music. The movie stars Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake and features a cast of new characters voiced by perhaps the most impressive musical talents ever assembled for an animated film, including Kelly Clarkson, Ozzy Osbourne and Mary J Blige.
“We are excited by the response for DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls World Tour,” said Hannah Mungo, country director UK and Ireland, Universal Brand Development. “The feel-good versatility of the brand means that it appeals to a wide range of licensees. We’re tapping potential in new categories, and continuing to build and refresh the categories that we successfully established for the first movie. There is already so much going on and so much more in the pipeline; it’s fair to say that the licensing programme is ready to rock!”
Hasbro will be returning as global master toy partner. Two years ago, Hasbro had success with the DreamWorks Trolls brand, and NPD crowned it the No. 1 toy property of 2017. The toy category will expand further with the addition of the Lego Group, Ravensburger, Funko and Wow! Stuff. Posh Paws has taken the rights for official licensed plush and will work directly with UBD on the centralised development of product that focuses on quality, meticulous characterisation and outstanding storytelling. Plum Products enters licensing for the first time joining MV Sports for outdoor.
Halo fashion partners Difuzed and AFB will explore the design credentials of the franchise by producing, respectively, fashion accessories and eyewear, while Aykroyds, TDP Textiles, Cooneen, Fashion UK and Misirli will cover the high street and grocers. Consumables is another growth area: partners such as Kelloggs, Kinnerton, Finsbury Foods, and Thomas Tucker have signed up.
