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On Show At BLE
Inset: Hit preschool property Bob the Builder returns with a new CG-animated look.
Perennial favourites
The new brand campaign for Barbie has been encouraging girls to find their own superpowers within from superheroes to superstars. Barbie continues to bring partnerships to life with key licensees in numerous categories including fashion and role-play. Meanwhile, Monster High continues its ‘freaktacular’ brand campaign – We Are Monster High. Mattel is working with ‘best in class’ partners to bring the brand to life in fashion, as well as role-play items. Halloween is playing a key part in licensing partnerships. The firm is continuing to celebrate the 70th anniversary year of Thomas & Friends, with new content and an extensive licensing programme fuelling the brand’s success. Fireman Sam is having a strong year as the fourth fastest growing licence in preschool toys, while Bob the Builder is back with a new CG-animated series on Milkshake, PBS Kids and Super RTL. The new show aims to keep the core values that were loved by fans – construction, teamwork, positivity, empowerment and learning, as well as many of the core characters.
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Bear necessities
Sooty will be looking to cast his particular spell of magic over the BLE aisles. Redan will be showcasing the new range of Sooty-branded products, including the Super Sweep toy from Golden Bear, books from Award Publications, apps from Playrific, a calendar from Carousel and a range from Fun Stickers, all of which were licensees signed at last year’s show. The company will also be taking the opportunity to catch up with its Australian agent, BBC Worldwide, which has some broadcast news to share, as well as looking to make further contacts abroad and bring people up to speed on preparations for The Sooty Movie. Sooty himself – along with owner Below: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Much better than Richard Cadell – will be at the that, it’s Super Sweep! stand at various times throughout the show. In addition, Redan will also be unveiling new artwork for its in-house character The Goblin Princess, with the first book due to be published by Faber in the spring. Stand G062
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Super Furry Animals
Below: Over 100 million plush Care Bears have
AGP is looking to further been sold globally. develop the Care Bears consumer products programme globally. Care Bears toys can be found in more than 45 countries and in the last ten years, over 100 million plush bears have been sold. Just Play is the master toy partner in the US, while distributors Vivid and Giochi Preziosi cover key European territories including the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. From 2016, the Care Bears will launch in Build-a-Bear, with 50 stores in the UK alone carrying the plush and accessories. There will also be fashion forward apparel and accessories from Benetton, Iron Fist and Cubus in Scandinavia, and at ASOS.com with Ichiban. Stand B048
Charm school
New girls’ preschool series Little Charmers is co-produced by Nelvana and Spin Master. Airing on Nickelodeon in the Above: Little Charmers is US and Treehouse in a co-production with toy Canada, the show has also been company Spin Master. sold to a number of other territories, including France and Italy. Spin Master’s toy range will arrive in the autumn, while Scholastic, Rubie’s, Baby Boom Consumer Products and Bakery Crafts are also launching lines in the US in 2016. Meanwhile, Trucktown is based on the book series published by Simon & Schuster. There are 80 11-minute episodes, focusing on Jack and his best friends Dan and Max, and how they learn through rough and tumble play.
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