Pip and Posy come to life at Bandai Namco Cross Store

A Pip and Posy pop-up event at the Bandai Namco Cross Store in Camden will allow families to meet and greet the beloved pre-school characters.

Pip and Posy

Bandai Namco Amusement Europe and Magic Light Pictures have announced a Pip and Posy’s pop-up event at Bandai Namco Cross Store Camden in London, taking place from now until 14th April.

Pip and Posy, two best friends who love to play, create and have fun, are now present at the store in Camden, where fans can experience their charming world.

The special pop-up event and store allows young fans and parents to meet and greet Pip and Posy, and enjoy readings with a Milkshake! presenter, along with colouring and crafting. They can also shop from a range of products including plush toys, jigsaw puzzles, books, gifting items and fancy dress.

The Bandai Namco Amusement Europe team said: “We’re excited about Pip and Posy, the popular children’s picture books and TV series coming alive at our Bandai Namco Cross Store in Camden. With products and lots of activities at the pop-up event, there is lots to see, touch and experience.”

London’s Camden Bandai Namco Cross Store opened last year, followed by a Victoria Place brand store in November 2023. Further stores have now rolled out in Brighton, Ealing and Sheffield, and UK store expansion will continue into 2024, with plans for larger outlets, tours and other brand appearances reaching out to fans nationally.

Rubies welcomes Tom and Jerry to toddler dress-up range

Kids will be able to dress up as either Tom the cat or Jerry the mouse from the iconic comedy animation first created way back in 1940.

Marking the next step in the evolution of its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, Rubies is launching new costumes inspired by the iconic comedy animation, Tom and Jerry.

Rubies’ Tom and Jerry toddler costumes both feature a comfortable plush jumpsuit with a detachable tail and headpiece, allowing little ones to jump into the action-packed adventures of a clever mouse or scheming tom-cat all year round.

Fran Hales, head of Portfolio and Marketing at Rubies, commented: “We know Tom and Jerry has been loved for generations and is one of the most well-known animations in the world, staying this way for over 80 years. We are delighted to introduce this iconic cat-and-mouse duo to our portfolio.”

Rubies’ officially licensed Tom and Jerry toddler costumes are available now from uk.rubiesmasquerade.com for trade customers. Readers are advised to contact a member of the Rubie’s Customer Service team to find out more.

The announcement follows on from the unveiling of a new collaboration with Care Bears for the role-play and dress up specialist. In February, Rubies announced the launch of the new Care Bears costume collection for EMEA. The vibrant collection features iconic characters including Cheer Bear, Good Luck Bear and Grumpy Bear, which are now available as Comfywear onesies.

“Our new Care Bears costume collection adds another fan favourite to our portfolio. Many of us grew up loving these beloved bears, and the new range adds modern style to the nostalgia of the characters,” said Fran Hales, head of Portfolio and Marketing at Rubies, at the time of the announcement. “We are looking forward to adding more Comfywear Onesies to the range, offering the perfect mix of costume and apparel for consumers.”

Heathside to launch Gerry Anderson licensed action figures

Heathside is set to launch a series of licensed action figures this spring from Thunderbirds, Space: 1999 and other iconic titles.

action figuresHeathside has signed a licensing agreement with ITV Studios to launch a collection of 2.75” action figures for Space 1999, UFO, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Joe 90. Production will begin in spring 2024, and the range will be available through selected retail partners, as well as direct to consumers through www.masterreplicas.com globally by summer.

Darren Epstein, from Heathside, said: ‘’Once again we are adding some core fan favourite IP to our increasing portfolio of properties. The huge global fanbase for these licences will mean we will be able to bring some really impressive content to fans worldwide. Product should be available from June 2024.’’

Jurian van der Meer, EVP of Brand Licensing at ITV Studios, added: “ITV Studios is proud to have such iconic British brands in its portfolio. Shows like Thunderbirds helped shape the history of British television and have a very loyal fanbase worldwide. These new action figures will come just in time to celebrate Thunderbirds’ 60th anniversary in 2025.”

Earlier this year, Heathside reinforced its commitment to the company’s Master Replicas and Khadou brands through two key appointments that will help support the company’s growth. Ben Robinson has joined as the new head of Brand for Master Replicas, and the team has also welcomed Markus Bhatia as the new commercial manager for Khadou.

To find out more about the company’s ranges, visit www.heathside.biz or get in touch at 01282 775 778 or sales@heathside.biz.

Lego reveals new Lego Ideas Dungeons & Dragons set

The fan-designed 3,745-piece set featuring a tavern with a removable roof, a dungeon, a tower and six Lego minifigures will be available this April.

The Lego Group has unveiled the Lego Ideas Dungeons: Red Dragon’s Tale set, a fan-designed brick representation of the iconic tabletop game. Released in the year Dungeons & Dragons turns 50, this is the first time the Lego Group has developed a Dungeons & Dragons set.

Based on a brief co-developed by the Wizards of the Coast team, over 600 Lego fans submitted Dungeons & Dragons-inspired designs, and the winner was 32-year-old Lucas Bolt from Amsterdam who created his version of the game in Lego bricks. Lucas then worked closely with the Lego Design team to develop the unique setting represented in the final set. In addition, the Wizards of the Coast team developed a bespoke adventure for the set.

The 3,745-piece set is incredibly detailed featuring a tavern with a removable roof, a dungeon and a tower. Also included are six Lego minifigures – Orc Rogue, Gnome Fighter, Elf Wizard and Dwarf Cleric, plus brick-built monsters, such as a beholder, an owlbear and a displacer beast. Also featured is the giant Cinderhowl red dragon that builders can wrap around the tower.

In celebration of the new set, the Lego Group invited well-known Dungeons & Dragons players to Lego House for an epic game night. Anjali Bhimani took the chair as the Dungeon Master and was joined by Luis Carazo and Ginny Di, as well as fan designer Lucas and Lego Designer Jordan Scott.

Fans can also get a specially created Dungeons & Dragons adventure book, created in partnership by Wizards of the Coast and the Lego Group, to offer a completely new and unique play experience. Available for Lego Insiders as a free digital download, or as a paperback book for 2,700 Insider points. The book is also available at D&D Beyond along with character sheets, a digital dice and more.

Commenting on his inspiration for the design, Lucas said: “The Dungeons & Dragons theme combined with my love of history, fantasy and making games, inspired me to create a playable layout with different challenges and routes to explore. I had so much fun designing this piece, and it is a real privilege seeing my design developed into a detailed Lego set to celebrate 50 years of the iconic game.”

Lego’s design manager, Jordan Scott, said: “Lucas’ design perfectly captured the storytelling excitement of any Dungeons & Dragons game. Working with the Wizards of the Coast team, we were able to build on his design to co create a truly authentic Dungeons & Dragons experience full of details that will excite fans through the building process and beyond.”

The Lego Ideas Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale set is available for Lego Insiders from 1st April 2024 via Lego Stores and the Lego official website, and for all from 4th April 2024. In addition, between 1st-7th April all purchases of the Lego Ideas Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale set will receive a Lego Dungeons & Dragons Mimic Dice Box as a free gift.

The Dungeons & Dragons adventure book will also be available from 1st April on the Lego website and D&D Beyond. The Lego Dungeons & Dragons Minifigure series will launch in September 2024.

Sambro signs multi-year contract with Moose Toys

Under the three-year contract, Sambro will support the expansion of the Magic Mixies universe with a new range of  products.

contractSambro has announced a new contract which will see it deliver a range of new products to support the growing licensee portfolio of Magic Mixies, from Moose Toys.

Under the three-year contract, Sambro will support the expansion of the Magic Mixies universe with the creation of a compact range of new novelty products, to build on the real magic experience associated with the franchise.

The range will cut across arts & crafts, back-to-school and stationery categories, as well as Sambro’s own IP range Puzzle Palz, creating collectible and swappable character toppers, with UV light-activated features and water-dissolving magic reveal elements incorporated into the designs.

The range includes tactile character secret diaries with invisible ink, wand pens, dissolve and reveal jewellery creation kits containing UV light-reveal beads, and a doodle plush with colour change pens. Each feature-packed product, uniquely inspired by the Magic Mixies characters, taps into the unique play patterns of the brand, with more developments in the pipeline.

Available from autumn/winter 2024, the Magic Mixies product range will roll out in numerous territories across Europe and the UK at a variety of retailers.

Clare Rix, brand and licensing director, Sambro said: “Magic Mixies has been one of the most exciting new launches in the last several years, tapping into an untouched space, surprising and delighting children through its magical appeal. We cannot wait to launch our own ranges this year. Over the last few months, we’ve worked to develop the range, leaning on our expertise in the licensing and arts & craft space to do so. This is an exciting new partnership and we’re looking forward to expanding the range even further over the next 12 months.”

Lucy Wynn-Jones, licensing director, Moose Toys, added: “The support of a partner like Sambro expands Magic Mixies in imaginative new ways and further endears the brand to fans globally. We are looking forward to the new ranges that will be introduced and seeing Magic Mixies everywhere.”

The Magic Mixies range will launch in 2024 with RRPs from £2.99 – £12.99, and is suitable for ages five to eight years old.

Survey conducted at Licensing for Retail Day provides fresh insight

Feedback showed that over half of UK retailers are set to boost branded product lines as they urge the licensing industry to streamline processes.

surveyA survey of 60 UK retailers, working across toys and entertainment, apparel, gifts and accessories, home goods and sports, conducted at the Licensing for Retail Day, has provided fresh insight into the role licensing plays in the retailers’ business strategies.

The survey revealed that retailers are increasingly aware of the benefits of operating a brand licensing programme, specifically the opportunities it presents to:

  • Diversify categories (33%)
  • Acquire new customers (26%)
  • Increase customer loyalty (19%)

For the retailers questioned, branded/licensed product represents the following percentage of their sales currently:

  • Over 50% of revenue – 28% of retailers surveyed.
  • 24-50% or of revenue – 21% of retailers surveyed.
  • Up to 25% of revenue – 42% of retailers surveyed.

Furthermore, 80% of those retailers confirmed the number of branded/licensed products they sell will increase (52%) or stay the same (28%) this year. Only 3% were forecasting a decline.

Barriers preventing even higher levels of brand/licensing product penetration were highlighted, with retailers frustrated by complexities, slow approvals and ‘to shelf’ timelines.

When asked, ‘What are the biggest barriers to working with brands?’, the responses were:

  • Approvals are too time consuming (26%)
  • The contractual side is too confusing (20%)
  • We want to work with different brands to our competitors (14%)
  • Takes too long to get products to shelf (10%)

The survey found that the brands retailers are most excited about working with in 2024 skew heavily towards toys, pre-school and kidult, with Hello Kitty, Bluey, Furby, Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, Paddington, Squishmallows, Transformers, Lego and Poppy’s Playtime all being mentioned.

“It’s so pleasing to see more and more UK retailers understanding and enjoying the benefits of brand licensing as they increase the number of brands and categories they work with to design and deliver products that consumers, new and old, love,” said Brand Licensing Europe’s head of retail, Laura Freedman-Dagg.

“We have worked hard to make it as easy as possible for retailers to take the first steps on their brand licensing journey, by providing them with insight, education and contacts through Licensing for Retail Day and our Retail Mentoring Programme, both free to attend for qualifying retailers, and the opportunity to meet face to face at our events, including Brand Licensing Europe in London this September.”

New Lego Duplo Peppa Pig sets revealed

For the upcoming 20th anniversary of Peppa Pig, Lego has announced new Lego Duplo Peppa Pig sets, in collaboration with Hasbro.

The Lego GroupDuplo has revealed the brand-new Lego Duplo Peppa Pig sets in collaboration with Hasbro, coming this summer.

With the 20th anniversary of Peppa Pig later this year, the new Lego Duplo Peppa Pig sets spark imagination and provide fun play opportunities where toddlers can develop their fine motor skills. The new sets combine the building of Lego Duplo play with colourful settings, iconic characters and storytelling from the popular pre-school animated series.

The four new sets offer play experiences that inspire role-play and creativity, and like any Lego Duplo set, they have been designed with Learning through Play to provide kids with the opportunity to develop both EQ (emotional quotient) and IQ (intelligence quotient) skills. When role-playing daily routines, toddlers learn to understand feelings, strengthen imagination and creativity and build relations, all while having fun.

Children aged two and up can now bring their favourite Peppa Pig moments to life with the new sets:

  • Peppa Pig Garden and Tree House
  • Peppa Pig Boat Trip
  • Peppa Pig Supermarket
  • Peppa Pig Birthday House

“We are excited to finally reveal the Lego Duplo Peppa Pig sets. They have been brought to life through an incredible team effort across both brands, where our goal was to capture the essence of the playful Peppa Pig world and offer toddlers the opportunity to re-create and role-play their favourite scenes and moments from the TV series – and in parallel, support their learning and development journey through play”, said Roberta Cardazzo, design manager at the Lego Group.

“For two decades, Peppa Pig has taught values of confidence, friendship and individuality to pre-schoolers around the world. These themes are carried through every touchpoint from the brand, from entertainment to live experiences, toys and more,” said Casey Collins, president of Licensed Consumer Products at Hasbro. “Crafted specifically for little hands, Lego Duplo is the perfect expansion to the world of Peppa Pig. With these colourful sets, pre-schoolers build foundational skills and explore the world around them with their best friend Peppa by their side.”

The Lego Group and Hasbro have also teamed up with Merlin Entertainments to create unique play experiences, with Lego Duplo Peppa Pig play areas coming to select Merlin Entertainments attractions and theme parks. The first Lego Duplo Peppa Pig play park area will open in Billund, Denmark on 23rd March at Legoland Billund. This will be followed soon after by Europe’s first standalone Peppa Pig Theme Park, soon to open in Günzburg situated next to Legoland Deutschland.

The Lego Duplo Peppa Pig app provides pre-schoolers with a fun and safe digital play experience where they can build, play and learn with Peppa.

The Lego Duplo Peppa Pig sets will be available from 1st June, and in the Americas from 1st August.

Miraculous franchise signs multiple new deals across the globe

The Miraculous franchise has signed new deals with companies including Netflix and Ravensburger to bring new products to fans worldwide.

Global independent animation studio Zag has signed a roster of new multi-media deals for its multiple-award-winning global franchise, Miraculous.

On 12th March, Netflix added season four of the Zag Heroez Miraculous TV Series, and in July 2023, the blockbuster animated feature Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie debuted in second place on Netflix’s global top 10 for English-language films for the week of July 24-30.

The new Netflix deal coincides with the premiere of Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, volume 3, from global publishing partner Kodansha on 19th March. Written by Koma Warita and illustrated by Riku Tsuchida, Kodansha’s earlier volumes are listed by the School Library Journal as ‘Winning Manga for Grades 1-8’.

With an ever-increasing 360-presence on platforms around the world, Zag has signed multiple additional new multi-media partners for this globally popular superhero brand that continues to charm fans who are always on the hunt for new ways to engage with their favourite characters.

Publisher Insight Editions has signed a global deal for the first ever hard-cover Miraculous cookbook to launch in June 2025. Targeted to fans of Miraculous, the cookbook will celebrate recipes inspired by the show and Marinette’s family bakery.

Miraculous will be available for the first time this year on the Yoto Player screen-free audio platform, available in the US, Canada and the UK.

New multi-media deals in Europe include Ravensburger, which, following the successful launch of the Miraculous movie novels last year, will be offering novels and early reading learning books in the German language in summer of 2024.

Ciela Norma, a new publishing partner for the Bulgarian market, is developing a range of activity and colouring books. Italian children’s publisher Pon Pon Edizioni is extending its licences with Zag and will feature arts and crafts activities available in kiosks, newsstands and bookstores. Play Press will continue to produce colouring books and albums for kiosks and newsstands, and Albatross Media continues to publish a full range of Miraculous books from novels, story books and comic books, to activity and novelty books.

Jeremy Zag, founder and CEO of Zag, said: “I would have never imagined that one of our creations would resonate across the world and through different generations. Ladybug embodies beautiful values, and most importantly, the powerful message that girls can also be superheroes.

“I am happy to see that the passion of children and adults, wherever they may be in the world, continues to endure. It encourages us to give even more love and create more stories. We are incredibly grateful to our partners across all categories of the franchise – from our content partners who have brought these stories to children and families around the world to our consumer products partners who bring Miraculous to life through products and experiences.”

Lego spotlights Batman’s 85th with Gotham City Skyline set

The perfect set for DC fans, the Lego Gotham City Skyline set is a stunning display piece which can be wall-mounted or placed on a shelf.

The Lego Group, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products and DC, unveils the Lego DC Batman Gotham City Skyline set, an amazing recreation of Gotham City as it appears in Batman: The Animated Series. This atmospheric set, a 3D recreation of the Gotham City skyline in Lego bricks, releases as Warner Bros. Discovery celebrates 85 years of Batman throughout 2024.

The 4,210 piece set is a Batman fan’s dream as every tower and building meticulously recreates iconic locations from Warner Bros. Animation’s Batman: The Animated Series including the Gotham City Court, Arkham Asylum, the classic Batwing and Bat Signal. The set is also full of Easter eggs and beloved characters including Catwoman, The Joker, Harley Quinn and Batman himself. In addition, parts of the set open up to reveal further intricate details.

The Lego DC Batman Gotham City Skyline set is available for Lego Insiders from 1st April 2024 at www.lego.com/Batman and Lego Stores for all from 4th April 2024 priced at £259.99.

Mattel and Universal renew Jurassic World licensing partnership

Mattel will carry on as UP&E’s global toy licensee for Jurassic World toys based on more than 30 years of franchise characters and stories, as well as future content plans.

Mattel and Universal Products & Experiences have announced they have renewed their licensing partnership to produce toys inspired by the iconic Jurassic World franchise.

Through the agreement, Mattel will continue as UP&E’s global toy licensee for Jurassic World action figures, play sets, role-play, pre-school, vehicles, games and plush based on more than 30 years of franchise characters and stories as well as future content plans. This includes the all-new Jurassic World event film just announced for 2025, and the upcoming animated series – Jurassic World: Chaos Theory from Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation and Amblin Entertainment – which will be available on Netflix later this year.

The renewal builds upon a longstanding licensing partnership between Mattel and UP&E for toys celebrating globally beloved IP which also includes DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls and Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious.

“We’re thrilled to announce the continuation of our best-in-class partnership on this blockbuster franchise,” said Nick Karamanos, SVP Entertainment Partnerships at Mattel. “Together, we’ve not only established Jurassic World as a top-tier toy property, but also built a legacy of evergreen success. Jurassic World fans are incredibly devoted and we are committed to delivering consistently stunning products, innovative marketing strategies and impactful retail programs.”

“Mattel offers incredible innovation and craftsmanship along with a storied history of creating enduring toy lines,” said Rafa Macias, EVP and global commercial officer for Universal Products & Experiences. “The 30-year legacy of the Jurassic World franchise is stronger than ever and we’re excited to bring fans of all ages even more inspiring and thrilling toys through this extended partnership.”