08-13_SOTN_v2_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 26/05/2016 13:11 Page 11
State Of The Nation
Toy shop news UK toy sales results for the first quarter of 2016 revealed good news for the sector, with an 8% growth in value since January, according to The NPD Group. The action figures and plush categories led the growth, up 16% and 21% respectively. With almost 54 million toys sold since the beginning of the year, the UK is keeping a firm hold on its leading position as the largest toy market in Europe. More than four months after its theatrical launch and hot on the heels of the release of the Bluray DVD, Star Wars is still driving sales. The licenced property has enjoyed a 249% increase in the first three months of 2016 compared to the same time a year ago, with over 2.1 million toys sold. Star Wars and Lego Star Wars were the top properties during the first quarter of 2016, followed by Shopkins, Disney Frozen and Lego City. Paw Patrol, Lego Nexo Knights, Teletubbies and Tsum Tsum (the mini stackable toys), were some of the top growth properties in Q1 2016. The Batman versus Superman release has generated excitement on the super-hero front, while collectables continue to boost the market. With four products featuring in the top 10 sellers since January, Shopkins has seen sales more than double in the first quarter compared to the same period a year ago. With football related toys sales currently up by 44% compared to the same period in 2014, the UEFA Euro 2016 has been highly anticipated in the toys sector.
Colourful magic
DHX Media has licensed the children’s publishing property, Rainbow Magic, from Mattel. Under the terms of the deal, DHX is granted the exclusive worldwide right to develop and produce new content for Rainbow Magic, while Mattel will oversee global brand management and global toy rights. DHX and Mattel will work together to mutually approve consumer product licensing activities for the Rainbow Magic brand for territories in which DHX has a consumer products presence. Below: DHX signs Rainbow Magic.
Happy chicks
Licensing Link has been appointed by Millimages to represent the fast growing Molang property in the UK and Ireland. The brand has already been a hit in its home territory of Korea, with over 1,000 products available to date. In the UK, Turner has acquired Above: Licensing Link will the TV rights and will air the represent Molang. 104 short-form episodes on Cartoonito. Licensing Link has also been appointed by Surge Licensing to represent the world's largest educational YouTube channel, Little Baby Bum, in the UK and Ireland.
Puzzle time
Jet setters BBC Worldwide has penned a number of deals to create an array of products for the hit CBeebies shows Hey Duggee! and Go Jetters. A new deal with Aykroyd and TDP sees the launch of products including nightwear, underwear and swimwear and Blues Clothing will be creating outerwear and a range of clothing including t-shirts, knitwear, jeans and dresses.
The Smiley Company has been appointed as the master licensee outside puzzles for Rubik’s Brand. The partnership will see the two companies work to shape a licensing programme that will expand the world famous Rubik’s Cube concept into new product categories and to develop the business globally. The partnership will focus on building on Rubik’s DNA and heritage, tapping into its roots in art and intelligence to develop a wide range of lifestyle categories to support the brand extension, while introducing a new segmentation across three consumer profiles: heritage, urban and geeks. LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2016
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