78-79-81 SOTN Schoolers_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 05/01/2017 09:34 Page 78
State Of The Nation: SCHOOLERS
Back To School LSB takes a look at what’s cool for kids, teens and tweens. Left & right: Cartoon Network relaunches Powerpuff Girls and Ben 10.
Girl And Boy Power
Keeping girls and boys alike entertained, Cartoon Network is celebrating a revival of some popular faces. The original ambassadors of girl power – Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup – recently made their highly-anticipated return in a major revival of The Powerpuff Girls. The all-new series launched across EMEA in April 2016, with a second season already greenlit. The EMEA merchandise roll-out will be kicked off by global master toy partner, Spin Master which will launch its extensive range spanning plush, figures and playsets, dolls, role-play and novelty items in Q1 2017. Meanwhile, a brand-new Ben 10 animated series is introducing the energetic, fun-loving, 10-year-old Ben Tennyson to a new generation of fans hit TV screens across EMEA and APAC. Toys will anchor the new Ben 10 licensing programme, with Playmates on board as the global master toy partner and Giochi Preziosi/Flair appointed as panEuropean and UK distribution partner.
Angelic Offering Tinderbox, the digital division of Beanstalk, has added Blues Clothing to its licensing programme for the Above: Blues signs for Halo. blockbuster science fiction franchise, Halo. The expansion of the Halo toy programme through master toy partner, Mattel, and the continued success of the Halo Mega Bloks range, has served to further expand the franchise’s already wide appeal. Blues Clothing will produce Halo branded boys’ apparel across the UK and Ireland, providing a new generation of Halo fans with the means to showcase their fandom.
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LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2017
Best Friends Hallmark International has agreed a deal with games developer Neon Play to develop Forever Friends stickers for Apple’s iMessage. The initial launch consists of an everyday pack of 52 stickers for £1.49, covering everything from congratulations to flowers, get well, thank you and even hello. The Forever Friends sticker app has already reached number two in the iMessage charts in both Top Paid and Top Grossing.
Cat And Hedgehog Collide
Sonic the Hedgehog and Hello Kitty have formed a partnership, with the first-phase launch of the Sonic the Hedgehog Sanrio collection of consumer products. Marking 25 years of the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, the initial range includes 10" plush featuring mash-ups of SEGA’s Sonic, tails, Knuckles and Amy with Sanrio’s popular Hello Kitty, Badtz-Maru, Chococat and My Melody. The second phase of the collaboration will feature expanded categories including plush and collectable vinyl figures from Toynami, as well as co-branded SEGA and Sanrio character designs.
Superheroes In Stockings Groovy UK added to its Star Wars and DC Comics collection with a line of licensed Christmas stockings. Characters featured in the line included Darth Vader, R2-D2, BB-8, Chewbacca, Batman, Superman and Harry Potter (both the Gryffindor and Slytherin houses).