No. 3 - Spring 2019

®

ISSUE NO. 3

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

18 | LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD

12 | FROM THE EDITORS

REP Worldwide helps female athletes bet on themselves.

22 | POP TRENDS: EXECUTIVE Q&A

Top execs discuss the biggest trends in licensing, entertainment, and pop culture.

42 | DISNEY DOMINATION

Walt Disney Studios rules the box office with a big movie year, including five live-action films.

46 | FROM FANGIRL TO GIRL BOSS

The One Where We Turn One

14 | MUST-HAVE MERCH

Check out the latest collectibles and games to see some familiar faces staring back at you.

16 | STAT SHOT

A Box Office History of Marvel’s Blockbuster Hits

The small but mighty Boss Fight Studio stands tall in the collectibles category.

How Ashley Eckstein and Her Universe Changed the Narrative for Female Fans

A Sneak Peek of the Latest Merch, the Hottest Properties, and the Biggest Deals in Licensing

80 | A PRESCHOOL BRITISH

The popular Japanese franchise soars stateside with new licensing deals.

INVASION

106 | THE REWIND

How Nintendo Consoles Past Fueled the Latest Gaming Platform

108 | COSPLAY CORNER

KING OF THE RING

102

WWE, the theatrical-sports hybrid juggernaut, dominates both the entertainment and licensing industries.

10 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

Ricky Zoom, Kindi Kids, and a Live-Action Rugrats Movie

New aliens settle in and old villains return as Ben 10 travels the world in season four.

62 | THE RETURN OF ULTRAMAN

A Look Behind the Scenes as Disney•Pixar Preps for Toy Story 4

73 | NEXT-GEN NEWS

76 | BEN 10, TAKE US TO YOUR LEADER

50 | HIGHLIGHTS FROM LICENSING EXPO

64 | WOODY RIDES AGAIN

PAGE 71

39 | MINT CONDITION

Colorado Captain Matt Gnojek combines charity, commmunity, and cosplay.

110 | MERCH MAKERS

Funko leans into what consumers want for new collectible merch.

Fifteen years after its debut, Peppa Pig remains a childhood staple.

84 | HIGHLIGHTS FROM LICENSING EXPO: JUST FOR KIDS Get the inside scoop on up-and-coming kids’ TV shows, movies, toys, and more.

94 | 50 YEARS ON THE ‘STREET

Sesame Street celebrates a half century of kids’ first fandom.

FROM THE EDITORS

THE ONE WHERE WE TURN ONE Could we BE any more excited?!

Happy birthday to us! We’re one!

The Pop Insider launched one year ago with a quiet little 36-page issue full of pop culture goodness. We’ve come a long way since then, explaining who we are, what we are doing, and why the heck we are here.

It’s been a great (and highly exhausting) first year, and we are so thankful to all of you reading this for letting us fuel your fandom.

“Fandom” is such a broad term, and there are so many things you can choose as your No. 1 bae, whether it’s a comic book, entertainment classic, or sports team — and at Licensing Expo (and in this issue), you’ll find all of these things and more.

Licensing Expo is where the entertainment and lifestyle behemoths of the world come to strut their stuff in hopes of partnering with manufacturers to turn their one-trick pony into the next Seabiscuit. Pretty much any branded product you’ve marveled over — such as a mug with your favorite Disney character or a Captain America T-shirt — is the result of a licensing deal, and the groundwork for said deal was probably laid at Licensing Expo.

We’ve highlighted some of the most exciting new products for adult fans and kids in our Licensing Expo showcases, beginning on pages 50 and 84. Check out some key brands and new products we know you’ll love, from Cobra Kai stuff that kicks serious butt, to the latest Stranger Things collectible action figures.

You know, we’re not the only ones with a super important birthday this year. A certain furry red monster and all of his friends are celebrating 50 years this year. For many of us, Sesame Street was our very first fandom.

We grew up watching Cookie Monster chow down on chocolate chip cookies while singing our ABCs with Big Bird — and that’s still the case for today’s kids. Read more about what Sesame Street is doing to celebrate 50 years and appeal to its OG fans, as well as the next generation, on page 94.

Girl power is also spilling out of this book, a fact that we are beyond proud of — and not just because we’re Spice Girls fans.

Read all about our cover girl Ashley Eckstein, voice of Ashoka Tano on Disney’s Star Wars: 12 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

The Clone Wars and founder of Her Universe, a geeky fashion label unlike any other.

We’ve uncovered why and how Eckstein went from fangirl to girl boss in this amazing feature on page 46.

Plus, redefine what it means to “play like a girl” and get the inside scoop on how the NFL Players’ Association is leveling the playing field for women (and other under-represented athletes) by launching licensing programs through its new branch, REP Worldwide, on page 18.

We also introduce you to one of our favorite cosplayers, Colorado Captain — a real-life hero who combines charity, cosplay, and community in his own unique way to make a difference in the world — on page 108.

2019 is a banner year for entertainment, with films such as Avengers: Endgame and TV series such as Game of Thrones breaking record after record. Take a look at some must-have merch from these franchises and more on page 14, and travel down memory lane as we recap how much dinero Marvel movies have made over the last decade on page 16.

Thank you for this year. Thank you for every follow, like, comment, and show of support. It’s been an incredible journey of growth, and we can’t wait to show you what we’re doing next. Our next stop is San Diego for Comic-Con International, and we hope to see you all there!

Love you. Mean it.

®

CEO Laurie Schacht laurie@popinsider.com PUBLISHER Jackie Breyer jackie@popinsider.com EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Marissa DiBartolo marissa@popinsider.com Ali Mierzejewski ali@popinsider.com SENIOR EDITORS Sierra McCleary-Harris sierra@popinsider.com Maddie Michalik maddie@popinsider.com James Zahn james@popinsider.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jacqueline Cucco jc@popinsider.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Madeleine Buckley mbuckley@popinsider.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Victoria Rosenthal victoria@popinsider.com Miranda Siwak miranda@popinsider.com ART DIRECTOR Joe Ibraham joe@popinsider.com PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Bill Reese bill@popinsider.com VP, SALES & MARKETING Mandy Bardisbanian mandy@popinsider.com SALES & MARKETING Patrick Kennerly patrick@popinsider.com Adventure Media and Events, LLC 307 7th Avenue, #1601, New York, NY 10001 Phone: (212) 575-4510

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER! popinsider.com/subscribe Follow us @thepopinsider!

ABOUT THE EDITORS: Marissa DiBartolo and Ali Mierzejewski are editors-in-chief of the Pop Insider and the Toy Insider. They report on trends and hot topics affecting the toy and pop culture industries, keeping up to date with the latest in TV, movies, video games, collectibles, and more. They have been featured on ABC World News Now, Good Morning America, The TODAY Show, The Steve Harvey Show, MSNBC, Fox Business, and dozens more. Follow them on Twitter @thattoygirl and @ohsotrendy.

THE POP INSIDER, Spring 2019 — “THE POP INSIDER” (ISSN-2641-5496) is published quarterly by Adventure Media & Events, LLC, 307 Seventh Ave., Room 1601, New York, New York, 10001. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and additional mailing offices. © 2019 Adventure Media & Events, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. Subscription rates: $48 per year. THE POP INSIDER is a trademark and service mark of Adventure Media & Events, LLC registered in the United States Patent & Trademark Office Postmaster: Send address changes to THE POP INSIDER, c/o Adventure Media & Events, 307 Seventh Ave., Room 1601, New York, New York, 10001 or e-mail bill@ popinsider.com.

MUST-HAVE MERCH

YOU WANT IT? YOU GOT IT! This month’s picks are chock-full of retro-inspired goodies with a modern twist, including some sassy Golden Girls figures, a DIY Gumby, and an ‘80s-inspired Stranger Things mini arcade. And of course, we wouldn’t dare forget about Game of Thrones after the much-anticipated finale. Check out this must-have merch you need to own.

»

PIKACHU & EEVEE SERIES 3 500-PIECE JIGSAW PUZZLE I BUFFALO GAMES

ALMOST SKATEBOARDS

BY DR. SEUSS ..................

ALMOST SKATEBOARDS

»

»

Piece together Pikachu, Eevee, Charizard, Meowth, Snorlax, and the whole Pokémon gang with this bright and colorful, 500-piece jigsaw puzzle.

MSRP: $10.95 | Available: buffalogames.com

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish. Skaters can deck out their skateboards with Dr. Seuss favorites, including the Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2.

MSRP: $54.95 (deck only), $109.95 (complete) Available: thankyousupply.com

DOCTOR WHO TARDIS FRENCH PRESS I SE7EN20 » Coffee is necessary fuel for time traveling and now Whovians can caffeinate with this TARDIS French Press. It brews 34 ounces of coffee — that’s two to three cups of Joe to get you through the day, and through other dimensions too.

MSRP: $39.99 | Available: thinkgeek.com

»

GAME OF THRONES MLB BOBBLEHEADS FOCO

Game of Thrones (GoT) fans know that anything can happen on the HBO hit show, including Mr. Met stealing the Iron Throne for himself.

These bobbleheads merge GoT imagery with all your favorite baseball teams, making them a collector’s dream. The first series features the Night King, Ice Dragon, and Mascot Iron Throne figures with team banners, frozen-over team logos, MLB mascots, and current players infused with details from the show.

MSRP: $60, sold separately | Available: foco.com

14 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

These 6-inch-scale Black Series figures are carefully detailed to look like the characters from Solo: A Star Wars Story. Each figure includes two accessories and nine points of articulation. Characters include Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, Range Trooper, Qi’ra, and more.

MSRP: $19.99, sold separately Available: now, major retailers, hasbrotoyshop.com

GOLDEN GIRLS FIGURES NECA

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Thank you for being a friend! The Golden Girls get the action figure treatment with these fully articulated, 8-inch collectibles with fabric clothing and window-box packaging. Now, those are some stylish ladies. Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sofia send their regards.

MSRP: $29.99 (sold separately) Available: mass retailers

SCRABBLE: WORLD OF HARRY POTTER I USAOPOLY

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What are you looking at, Muggle? Practice your Wizarding World vocabulary without attracting weird stares. In addition to regular English words, you can play magical words, including character names, spells, and potions, for bonus points. Just be careful where you throw that Avada Kedavra.

MSRP: $29.95 | Available: mass retailers

MY HERO ACADEMIA SUPER » FIGURE COLLECTION I ABYSTYLE

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Everyone needs a hero sometimes.

ABYstyle recreated three of the most popular characters from My Hero Academia, featuring true-to-series looks and removable bases. Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo are available now, and All Might will hit shelves this fall.

MSRP: $29.99 each | Available: Amazon

»

STRANGER THINGS PALACE ARCADE HANDHELD ELECTRONIC GAME I HASBRO

DIY GUMBY KIT I MYTHICAL SLYME

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Make your own personal Gumby by rolling out the green putty and shaping it with the Gumby outline cutter. In a few steps, you’ll have a poseable, stretchable, meltable, green Gumby, just like the original funkmaster stretch.

MSRP: $9.99 | Available: Amazon

Tease up that hair and throw it back to the ‘80s with this portable mini arcade unit straight out of the Palace Arcade from Stranger Things. It features 20 retro games, including Pac-Man, Galaga, Galaxian, and more. The outside is decked out with cartoon versions of your favorite Stranger Things characters, including Eleven and the Demogorgon.

MSRP: $29.99 | Available: mass retailers THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 15

STAT SHOT

Â

BOX OFFICE

HISTORY PRODUCTION BUDGET

CUMULATIVE WORLDWIDE GROSS

$585.2M

may 2, 2008

$263.4M

june 13, 2008

$623.9M

may 7, 2010

$449.3M

may 6, 2011

$370.6M

july 22, 2011

$1.52B

may 4, 2012

$1.22B

may 3, 2013

$644.8M

NOV. 8, 2013

Â

$714.8M

APRIl 4, 2014

Â? Â? Â? Â?Â?

$774.2M

AUG. 1, 2014

Â? Â

$1.41B

may 1, 2015

­

$519.4M

july 17, 2015

$1.15B

may 6, 2016

Â

$677.7M

NOV. 4, 2016

� � � �� € ‚

$863.8M

may 5, 2017

 ­

$880.2M

july 7, 2017

ƒ

$854M

NOV. 3, 2017

„ …

$1.35B

FEB.16, 2018

† �

$2.05B

april 27, 2018

­

$617.3M

july 6, 2018

$1.12B (AS OF PRINT DATE)

march 8, 2019

‡

$2.5B (AS OF PRINT DATE)

APRIL 26, 2019

$0

$250M

$500M

$750M

$1B

$1.25B

$1.5B

$1.75B

$2B

Cumulative worldwide gross data courtesy of Box OfďŹ ce Mojo — a service of IMDbPro. Used with permission.

16 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

$2.25B

$2.5B

JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM

LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD REP Worldwide helps female athletes bet on themselves.

by Ali Mierzejewski, editor-in-chief

PLAY LIKE A GIRL? GOOD. REP Worldwide, the newest business development branch of the National Football League Players’ Association (NFLPA), is working to level the playing field for athletes who are underrepresented, boosting up the business success for female athletes in particular.

The NFLPA, a labor union of all NFL players, was founded in 1994. The association focuses on collective bargaining rights for those players, as well as wages, hours, working conditions, and more — including NFL Players Inc., which is the licensing and marketing arm of the business.

Carli Lloyd, U. S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) Photo: Kevin Koski/NFLPA

18 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

In 2011, the last time that the NFLPA negotiated its collectible bargaining agreement, the new management team set an ambitious goal to double the business during that agreement’s 10-year lifespan. And by the end of the last fiscal year in February, it had successfully doubled from $100 million to $200 million.

The think tank over at the NFLPA saw that growth and thought: “If we can do this for the NFL, why can’t we do it for other athletes and athlete-focused businesses?”

Enter REP Worldwide, a new branch that represents those who have been underrepresented in the past. The roster includes the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), and the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams.

“We knew that other groups of athletes [had] their group licensing rights but didn’t have a way to really monetize those, and they were entrusting those rights to other groups that weren’t necessarily prioritizing them,” says Steve Scebelo, vice president of licensing and business development for NFL Players Inc. “We were looking at those sets of rights as being very similar to ours and being able to take an approach that we’ve taken on behalf of NFL players. We know how to put together a group licensing program for groups of athletes, so why don’t we do that for [them]?”

And while REP Worldwide doesn’t solely benefit female athletes, it is making great strides in closing the obvious gender gap that is present in the sports licensing market.

While retailers are quick to pick up NFL, NBA, MLB, and even some MLS product, they still seem to shy away from carrying product featuring USWNT or WNBA players and teams.

“The best example of that is the USWNT players when they came back from the 2015 World Cup and there was just no merchandise in the market to support them,” Scebelo says. “Contrast that with the Patriots [winning] the Super Bowl, and I don’t think 60 seconds has gone by before the first ad from Fanatics is airing with where you can get your Patriots Super Bowl merchandise. …

It’s a well-oiled machine and everyone knows how that works, but why wasn’t that machine being adapted to work on behalf of women who just won the highest honor in global competitive soccer — they just won the World Cup and there was nothing out there to really celebrate that. That’s what we want to change, and I think that there is a market for that.”

Scebelo says that a lot of it might just

stem from the basic human fear of change — citing that people get nervous when they have to look at things differently. In this case, these products might force companies to take a different marketing tactic than what they’re used to with their already-established programs, whether it is placing the product somewhere new in their store (the womens’ apparel section), using social media to sell directly to fans themselves, or using an even more creative approach. “[Sports licensing] is a machine now, but turn the clock back 30 years ago, and … people even at that stage were thinking differently, and our players program has grown,” he says. “The fact that there is significant demand from fans for products featuring our players, that wasn’t part of the mix to begin. It continues to change and evolve — and you get companies, such as Fanatics, that do recognize that and come up with ways to create merchandise with flexible inventories. I think that always drives businesses forward: the creative approaches to doing things a little differently.”

So, why are there fewer jerseys and other types of merch available featuring your favorite WNBA and USWNT players? The WNBA, which has been around for more than two decades, isn’t new. One could point to our current society in general, in which women have to battle through incredible barriers simply because they are women. But Terri Jackson, executive director of Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association (WNBPA), says its also all about visibility.

“It’s not that folks don’t want to do [licensing],” Jackson says. “I just don’t think that we’re visible enough for them to see us and realize, ‘Oh yeah! That makes sense!’”

BETTING ON WOMEN All players’ associations are unions run by — you guessed it — players. Each has a board of executives that represent the full roster of players, and help make decisions.

The introduction of REP Worldwide has given a voice to these players, in both the business they create and the merchandise being sent out into the world.

"The players’ involvement is important

for two big reasons,” says Meghan Klingenberg, USWNT player. “First, the products feel more authentic, making the relationship with the fans/consumers more authentic. They know they are supporting the​players and the players​approve of the products. Also, the players feel comfortable with what’s in the market, which means they will be integral in the marketing and sales of the​products.​" The athletes are not just clients of REP, either. Since they partnered early, they are also founding partners of this organization, meaning they not only have a stake in their own personal business and brand, but in the business as a whole. They are also able to help craft the beginning of REP Worldwide from the ground up and have partial control over where it will go in the future.

“Joining REP Worldwide was a great opportunity to materialize the values we hold as elite, professional players in the sports world,” says Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA president and member of the LA Sparks.

“We are not only clients, but also founding partners with an equity stake in the business.

That, together with new business relationships, will create economic empowerment for us both individually and collectively.”

And the athletes themselves are not exclusively advocating for their own sports. All of them cross over and are willing to support the other players’ unions. When BreakingT, a REP Worldwide apparel partner, created “Bet on Women” T-shirts for the WNBA players based on an article penned by Ogwumike, NFL players wore them as well.

“There’s a bond that exists between all athletes, and I saw this at the 2019 NFLPA Board of Player Representatives Meeting where players took photos in ‘Bet on Women’ shirts to show support for WNBA players as they prepared for CBA discussion,” says Eric Winston, NFLPA president and veteran NFL player. “It showed solidarity and support for fellow athletes, gave all athletes more power when dealing with licensees, … and it presents a revenue line that we could grow in the future — all of these points, especially using our expertise to help our brothers and sisters in sports, was met with overwhelming understanding and enthusiasm.”

“It’s a well-oiled machine and everyone knows how that works, but why wasn’t that machine being adapted to work on behalf of women who just won the highest honor in global competitive soccer?”

- STEVE SCEBELO, NFL PLAYERS INC. THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 19

BETTING ON THEMSELVES With the support of new partners, other players’ associations, and fan demand, the players working within REP’s programs have two common goals: growth and longevity.

“Unlike the NFLPA, ... we are small,” says Becca Roux, executive director of the U.S. Women’s National Team Players’ Association (USWNTPA). “I am one person; we hired our first staff person beyond me a month ago.

And the players are extremely involved. Julie [Ertz] really cares about the product and has an incredible knack for thinking about who the customer is. She reviews all of the product — the style, the designs, our creative.”

All of the work that Ertz does for the USWNT products is unpaid. She does it because she believes in this program, her teammates, and the chance that REP Worldwide is providing them with growth potential. That type of dedication will help drive this small, start-up business to NFLPA levels of success. “[I’m able to help] collectively push boundaries for women’s football globally,” Ertz says. “It’s cool for me to be able to work with companies who want to promote us on the field and make product [featuring] us because they look at who we are individually and [what] we stand for collectively."

The athletes are able to flex their business-savvy muscles off the field. They are empowered to have control over their own individual brands. And especially, in a space that is very much dominated by men, women are getting the chance to be in charge.

“The dumb jock thing isn’t relevant,” Ertz says. “[It’s] been really cool to see the x’s and o’s of how you can push the boundaries in off-the-field endeavors. It’s cool to be around athletes who want to support other athletes because it’s the right thing to do. … We went from nothing to something in a crazy short amount of time. When you have something built from scratch and then to see the growth projections for where we could be in five years, there is no doubt that we are all very excited about this business.”

While REP and those involved know that they are doing something great, they also understand that they have a long way to go. Every step forward is a step in the right direction. The goal?

“A time when I can walk through Times Square and see my members up on the billboards because that means that what we’re looking to build them up and elevate who they are and underscore the value of what they bring to the table, it means we’re that much closer,” Jackson says. “We haven’t arrived because they’re up on a billboard, but we’re that much closer.” ✪ 20 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

“Julie [Ertz] is mad-poppin’.

She always comes up with some creative ideas. I love how much she cares about the team and thinks about ways that we can promote ourselves in new, creative ways.”

- CRYSTAL DUNN, USWNT

Crystal Dunn, U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) Photo: Kevin Koski/NFLPA

CHINEY OGWUMIKE, WNBA ALL-STAR, ESPN ANALYST WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FANDOM? I am absolutely obsessed with TV shows! I am a devotee of TGIT [on ABC] and Shonda Rhimes. I celebrated like no other when Viola Davis followed me on Twitter. I smile thinking about the random lunch that I shared with Milo Ventimiglia when our paths randomly crossed while I was working in Dallas. And I am still campaigning for April 14 to be a national holiday honoring the final season of Game of Thrones. #TeamDragons HOW DO YOU FUEL IT? The real source of my TV fandom started during my time at Stanford University as a student athlete. To wind down after a long day, I would watch a show to decompress. And even now, I still have the same TV routine. I am blessed and fortunate to have three amazing yet strenuous jobs: WNBA, ESPN, and I serve as our league’s union vice president. TV is my still getaway! If you love to “spoil,” that’s considered a felony around me. But suggest “Netflix and chill,” and that lowkey is the way to my heart.

CAROLYN SWORDS, WNBA WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FANDOM? Age 9 appears to have been a defining time for me. It was the first year I was old enough to sign up to play basketball, and it was the year when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone made its way to bookshelves in the U.S. Harry Potter’s magical world consumed my imagination and transformed me into an avid reader. I impatiently waited for each book’s release by “killing time” with other books until the next Harry Potter went on sale.

HOW DO YOU FUEL IT? I have reread the books or listened to the audio books several times. I cannot read or watch movies on a bus, so my 8- to 10-hour bus rides overseas have been spent listening to Harry Potter [audio books]. I’ve taken more quizzes than I care to admit to test my HP knowledge; and while I’ve definitely been late to the Pottermore scene (apologies), I can say that I have officially confirmed my House (Gryffindor) and my Patronus (Kingfisher). For my birthday, my mom and brother returned from a trip to London with a History of Magic book from the Harry Potter exhibit. It’s fantastic!

What Fuels Your Fandom?

We asked star athletes what they obsess over off the field.

DAVID NJOKU, NFL

WHAT IS YOUR FANDOM? I love Adidas. They’re collaborating with a bunch of other brands, such as Bape & Pharrell Williams. I’m really excited to see what they do in the near future.

HOW DO YOU FUEL IT? I showcase it through social media and everyday outfits; I have a huge variety when it comes to the three-stripe life.

ELENA DELLE DONNE, WNBA WHAT IS YOUR FANDOM? Literally anything Disney.

HOW DO YOU FUEL IT? I have lots of Mickey gear! I get to Disney World (Orlando) at least once a year. I love watching Disney movies and will often rewatch them (Frozen is my fave).

Bucket list for me is to get to all of the Disney parks in the world!

KIMBER ROZIER, U.S. WOMEN’S RUGBY NATIONAL TEAM

WHAT IS YOUR FANDOM? I’m a massive Game of Thrones fan.

HOW DO YOU FUEL IT? Reading and sharing fan theories, hosting watch parties, and frequenting restaurants with themed food and drinks. I may also own a dragon egg candle.

BLAINE SCULLY, CAPTAIN, U.S. MEN’S RUGBY NATIONAL TEAM, CO-FOUNDER, USRPA

WHAT IS YOUR FANDOM? TV: Game of Thrones, Billions; Movies: A Star is Born; Music: country, hip-hop, and pop.

HOW DO YOU FUEL IT? Game of Thrones: Coffee cup (big coffee drinker); listen to ASIB soundtrack (“Shallow”); and playlist creation on Spotify.

DARIUS LEONARD, NFL WHAT IS YOUR FANDOM? I love Law & Order SVU. I’ve watched every single episode and can recite the entire intro.

HOW DO YOU FUEL IT? I binge-watch it with my wife. We watch it almost every night.

CHRISTEN PRESS, USWNT WHAT IS YOUR FANDOM? I’m not usually obsessed with shows, but I LOVE Game of Thrones.

HOW DO YOU FUEL IT? I’ve never missed an episode, and I’m so excited about this final season.

SAM MEWIS, USWNT

WHAT IS YOUR FANDOM? Harry Potter!

HOW DO YOU FUEL IT? I read the books and re-watch the movies all the time.

THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 21

POP TRENDS

Q&A

Industry experts, brand owners, manufacturers, and retailers weigh in on the state of the licensing industry, trends in pop culture, and which outside forces are affecting — and expanding — fandoms.

THE POP INSIDER: HOW DO YOU WORK WITH BIG BRANDS TO CREATE THE BEST POSSIBLE PRODUCTS FOR FANS? JAMES KISKIS: Cryptozoic works with big brands, such as Warner Bros./DC Comics and Rick and Morty, to create amazing games, trading cards, figures, and digital collectibles for the dedicated fans out there. Our products always start with our team members, who are pop culture fanatics and bring a high level of knowledge and passion to the product development process. We VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT then work closely with the licensor to acquire assets and make CRYPTOZOIC sure we stay true to a property that so many fans care about.

ENTERTAINMENT Ultimately, it’s about designing a product that both captures the unique qualities of the brand and does something fun and new with it.

JAMES KISKIS

PI: HOW DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FANS TO ENSURE YOU’RE CREATING THE PRODUCTS THEY CRAVE? JK: Cryptozoic’s company motto is “Fans First,” so we put a lot of emphasis on making sure fans are happy with our products. We’re all pop culture fans ourselves, so we work on products we would want to own. On a day-to-day basis, we read emails from fans, spend a lot of time on fan/collector message boards and Facebook pages, and work with influential reviewers to get their reactions to our products and help us get the word out to fans. We also try to keep track of what’s happening in our three key industries (games, trading cards, and collectibles), as well as popular culture more broadly. Our most illuminating interactions with fans take place at public conventions, such as Comic-Con International: San Diego, WonderCon, and Gen Con, where we hear directly from gamers and collectors about what they like about our products and what we could do even better. By staying in touch with fan communities, we continue innovating and creating products they want.

PI: HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR LINE BETWEEN BIG, POPULAR FANDOMS AND MORE NICHE FANDOMS? JK: Cryptozoic has always tried to balance our products between both kinds of fandoms, since we know the potential risks and rewards of focusing on either of them. The advantage of a big, popular fandom is that you have a huge pool of people who are automatically interested in your product if they see it in a store or read about it online. In addition, stores of all sizes are more likely to carry a product if it caters to a large fan base. The downside is that the market can be saturated with products for these bigger properties and, even if you produce an amazing product, it can be hard to stand out.

In contrast, niche fandoms are easier to reach directly since they have more discernible and focused online communities. In particular, we have experienced this in creating trading card and collectible products based on the TV series Outlander. Moreover, in developing our own brands, such as Epic Spell Wars and Cryptkins, we have seen fandoms organically form online, inspired by the popular games and vinyl figures. Fans of niche properties will usually work with us and let us know what they would like to see in products based on the fictional worlds they care about so much. These fans are fiercely loyal, and if they know we care about a property as much as they do and we involve them in our product development process, a large percentage of them will buy the relevant products. The negatives of niche fandom products are that it is harder to convince stores to carry them, the number of people who might buy them is inherently more limited, and sometimes the fans can be hypercritical of the products since they are so passionate.

Regardless of the kind of fandom out there for a property, our goal is always to produce the highest-quality products possible. We want anyone who buys one of our games, trading cards, or collectibles to become a fan of that product and — if they aren’t already — become a fan of Cryptozoic as a company. ✪

22 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

PETE YODER VICE PRESIDENT CARTOON NETWORK ENTERPRISES (CNE) NORTH AMERICA

THE POP INSIDER: HOW DOES CARTOON NETWORK CATER TO BOTH KIDS AND ADULT FANS? PETE YODER: We are able to reach a wide array of fans through the diverse programming we have on Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. Our consumer products team works closely with our studios teams and show creators to identify who the audience for each show is and then develop a customized consumer products program from there. For example, for the Cartoon Network series, Ben 10, we know the audience is primarily kids ages 4 to 8, so our strategy is to focus on toys and core categories that allow our fans to feel and “be” like Ben 10. For a brand such as Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe, which features a series that has a storyline appealing to kids and adults alike, we have developed a two-pronged approach: One prong targets our younger fans, while the other allows us to take a more niche-collectible approach in categories such as publishing and apparel for our young adult and adult fan base. And with Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty, we developed a program that caters to a wider adult fan base, hitting both specialty and mass retailers.

PI: HOW DO YOU THINK THE CHANGING RETAIL LANDSCAPE IS AFFECTING THE WORLD OF LICENSED PRODUCTS, INCLUDING THE LOSS OF TOYS “R” US? PY: Retail is ever-changing, so in order to be successful, first you have to be nimble and identify exactly where your fans are. Then, you have to develop products that reach that audience as quickly as possible and in a meaningful way. With Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty, for example, we have a fantastic roster of partners and retailers who understand this and are able get product to shelf fast, as well as refresh designs and lines on a regular basis to best sync up with linear episodes. We also work with companies that engage and understand our fan base and leverage their designs to add another perspective to our licensed programs.

PI: HOW DO YOU REACH FANS IN NEW WAYS? PY: We are reaching fans in a variety of new ways. On the product side, we are working with companies, such as Amazon and RedBubble, to leverage fan art into customized consumer products. We also engage fans through experiential fan events and location-based entertainment. Later this year, we will open up our first Cartoon Network hotel, which will allow fans to engage with their favorite characters and brands in a more interactive, personal way. On the Adult Swim side, whether it’s through our activations at various cons, the Adult Swim festival, or the traveling Rickmobile, we are bringing our brands to fans in an exciting and unique manner. And we’ve been the leader with our multi-platform approach on content, creating unique episodes, Rick and Morty BlackMilk shorts, and behind-the-scenes material to make sure that we are Aliens Cap Sleeve Skater Dress everywhere that our fans are, giving them the opportunity to regularly engage with our brands.

PI: DO YOU THINK THE KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT SPACE IS OVERCROWDED? HOW DO YOU COMBAT THIS? PY: There are definitely a lot more options for kids today, so in order to stand out, you have to be available to fans anywhere and anytime, on platforms and in personalized ways. Cartoon Network has been the leader in our multi-platform approach on content. Since we know that kids today view content on multiple devices, our studios develop custom content for each platform, which helps to broaden the world and deliver a different and unique experience everywhere our fans go.

PI: HOW DO YOU GATHER FAN FEEDBACK — AND HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT FEEDBACK TO THE PARTNERS AND PRODUCTS THAT YOU CHOOSE? PY: We’ve always believed that it is important to have a two-way dialogue with our fans; therefore, we have consistently deemed it important to gather feedback about our products/partners. On the kids side, which is a little more difficult due to regulatory restrictions, we will conduct focus groups and speak with parents about how their kids engage with content and products. This helps educate us on how we approach our programs and choose our partners. On the teen and adult side, we use our social platforms to ask what they like and don’t like about our shows, and we leverage those learnings to inform our decisions on future consumer products programs. ✪

THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 23

POP TRENDS Q&A

LLOYD MINTZ SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS GENIUS BRANDS INTERNATIONAL

Rainbow Rangers

THE POP INSIDER: WITH MORE KIDS’ CONTENT AVAILABLE THAN EVER BEFORE, THANKS TO PLATFORMS SUCH AS YOUTUBE AND NETFLIX, HOW DOES GENIUS BRANDS CAPTURE KIDS’ ATTENTION? LLOYD MINTZ: We understand that the most important element is to create content that is engaging, appealing, aspirational, and relevant for our target audiences. We can then leverage the power of the digital universe via social media, mom bloggers, influencers, etc., to gauge awareness and drive kids to our shows.

PI: WHAT MAKES A KIDS’ BRAND RIGHT FOR LICENSING? LM: There are so many factors that need to be taken into account. First and foremost, we must determine if there is a market void or market demand for the brand. Second, a kid’s brand needs to have unique and compelling positioning visà-vis the competition. Third, the storytelling must be engaging for kids. Fourth, the characters need to be appealing and aspirational so kids want to re-enact or role-play their favorite characters. Fifth, the storylines and characters need to be populated with visually interesting content and feature gadgets, vehicles, and environments that are appealing to the target audience. Finally, a brand needs to be able to break through the most cluttered content marketplace in history and captivate kids so they keep coming back for more.

PI: HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS CONSIDERATION WHEN DEVELOPING KIDS’ CONTENT? LM: It is of paramount importance. These days, if the brand cannot be licensed for consumer products, then its overall value is significantly reduced over its lifetime.

PI: WITH CONTINUING RETAIL CONSOLIDATION AND THE LOSS OF TOYS “R” US, HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE CONSUMERS CAN FIND YOUR PRODUCTS? LM: That is today’s $64,000 question, and I don’t know that anyone has landed on “the answer” just yet. It’s going to take some trial and error to find new pathways to the consumer. My guess is it will be a combination of direct-to-consumer retail with online and digital outreach so consumers know to look for product, along with working with retailers to explore the best ways to feature licensed products both in store and online. ✪

THE POP INSIDER: HOW IMPORTANT ARE RETAILER EXCLUSIVES TO YOUR PRODUCT OFFERING? ED LABAY: Exclusives are an important part of the product mix for retailers as they offer our individual brands a point of differentiation in the marketplace. It also gives our brands a unique voice in the sea of licensed product options.

ED LABAY VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL MERCHANDISE MANAGER HOT TOPIC

PI: WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE BIGGEST CHANGES TO BE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS REGARDING THE COLLECTIBLE/FANDOM SPACE? EL: Fans want products faster. They want their items to be more unique and clever, and they want them at a good price. The market will have to evolve faster than it ever has before to meet consumer demands for instant gratification, similar to accessibility to content on a streaming service.

PI: IN A TIME WHEN WE’RE FINDING THAT “GEEK IS CHIC,” HOW DO YOU SEE CURRENT FASHION TRENDS CROSSING OVER INTO THE FANDOM SPACE? EL: Female fans are demanding trendier fashion options in the fandom space. Constantly evolving the look and feel of the product assortment is key to keeping this consumer engaged. She wants to support her favorite fandom, and look fashionable doing it. ✪

24 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

OLIVER DUMONT PRESIDENT ENTERTAINMENT ONE (EONE) FAMILY AND BRANDS

THE POP INSIDER: HOW DOES EONE ENSURE ITS CONTENT STANDS OUT FROM THE CROWD? HOW IMPORTANT ARE LIVE ACTIVATIONS TO YOUR BRAND? OLIVER DUMONT: Strong, original content is at the heart of everything we do at eOne, and it’s key to sustaining long-term, successful licensing programs. First and foremost, we strive to work with the very best creative and production talent in the industry. The creative teams behind our preschool hits Peppa Pig, PJ Masks, and Ricky Zoom are among the best creative minds working in preschool TV today, and this has helped attract other talented creators and producers to the company.

Beyond the quality of the content itself, engaging your audiences beyond the show is crucial to building a loyal fan base, and live activations have become an increasingly important part of that marketing mix.

Our experiential division covers the full spectrum of these, from enhanced meet-and-greets and in-store activities at retail, to touring stage shows and location-based entertainment or theme park attractions, which offer the opportunity to recreate the entire world of your favorite character. There’s no better way to strengthen that emotional connection that fans have with their favorite shows and create those everlasting childhood memories.

PI: WITH MORE SVOD OPTIONS THAN EVER, DO YOU THINK THE KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT SPACE IS OVERCROWDED? OD: There will always be space for really great content that is truly original and aspirational for kids. However, for original programming, discoverability on SVOD platforms can be challenging, and that’s something we discuss very often with them. Ultimately, these platforms will have to seek ways of promoting and supporting shows if they want to succeed in creating true franchises that kids can engage with off screen.

PI: HOW DOES EONE APPEAL TO A GLOBAL AUDIENCE? OD: We look for content with universal themes and great storytelling that will resonate with a global audience, and to produce those shows we have teams from a very diverse background. This helps us craft shows that can appeal to the widest possible audience. We also have offices based in key global markets to work closely with local broadcasters and tailor our marketing and content strategies to those markets. ✪

CHUCK TERCEIRA

THE POP INSIDER: HOW DO YOU WORK WITH BIG BRANDS IN ORDER TO CREATE THE BEST POSSIBLE PRODUCTS FOR FANS? CHUCK TERCEIRA: Getting the right reference materials is paramount in the creation of quality collectibles. With library movies and TV shows, that isn’t generally an issue; we can source our own.

But for upcoming movies and most video games, it’s important for us to work with the licensor to get development artwork in advance of release. And we usually need more reference than other companies, given our product lines — action figures, PVCs, and statues — which tend to focus on the environments almost as much as the characters themselves. Luckily, most licensors absolutely get that and are willing to give us a high level of access to whatever materials they have.

PRESIDENT

PI: HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR LINE BETWEEN BIG, POPULAR FANDOMS AND MORE NICHE FANDOMS? CT: We definitely look at our library of licenses as being popular or niche and try to keep a balance. But with the rise of geek culture and the mainstreaming of what were once niche properties, that line has blurred a lot. Large chains are interested in what would previously never have been considered for that market. And the licenses also affect what kind of products we make, not just the placement — the mass-friendly items skew toward action figures and vinyl figures, while the niche items skew toward larger PVC dioramas and statues. So, we have to look at a balance in licensing in order to maintain a balance in categories and price points.

DIAMOND SELECT TOYS

PI: WITH A SHRINKING RETAIL MARKETPLACE, WHAT DO YOU DO TO STAY COMPETITIVE AND DELIVER WHAT FANS WANT? CT: We have definitely stepped up our relationships with chains where toys had a smaller presence, and in many cases that presence has increased in the wake of losing Toys “R” Us. We’ve also opened conversations with a lot of non-traditional chains, as many of them have chosen to stock toys to fill that void, and it gives us a new way to get the products out to fans. But we’ve also gone back to our roots, choosing and cultivating licenses that speak to the large specialty market of comic shops and independent toy stores.

That was where we began, as a sister company of Diamond Comic Distributors, and we have always serviced that market, but it has become even more important in recent years. And now that they don’t have as much competition for collector dollars, those stores have stepped up to offer a wider range of products to those left behind when the Toys “R” Us up the street shut down. We’re lucky to have that safety net of independent retailers to support us and keep us going, and it allows us to pursue some great niche licenses that might not otherwise have gotten much toy love. ✪ THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 25

POP TRENDS Q&A

PJ LEWIS VICE PRESIDENT & GLOBAL HEAD OF ACTION FIGURES

THE POP INSIDER: HOW DO YOU MAKE COLLECTIBLES, SUCH AS THOSE IN YOUR WWE LICENSE, RELEVANT FOR BOTH KIDS AND ADULT COLLECTORS? PJ LEWIS: We believe a collectible should build on the audience connection with a property. For example, with WWE, authenticity and in-ring accuracy drive both kids and adult collectors. As such, we will do everything we can to deliver the most realistic action figures. We are lucky to have great partners at WWE to help us here.

PI: HOW DO YOU STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN YOUR OWN COMPANY’S IPS — SUCH AS BARBIE AND HOT WHEELS — AND OUTSIDE LICENSES? PL: Barbie and Hot Wheels are incredible brands and category leaders, no question. Mattel also prides itself on having the ability to apply our creative vision, building businesses around partner IPs. We look for best-in-class storytellers and IP holders who create points of difference in the marketplace. If that exists, the balance is easy.

MATTEL

Barbie x Unique Vintage

PI: HAVE YOU FOUND THAT MORE ADULTS ARE BUYING TOYS FOR THEMSELVES IN RECENT YEARS? HOW HAS MATTEL ADAPTED TO THIS TREND? PL: Absolutely. The competition is strong for the adult collector segment. The good news is we have engaged adult fans — who have been fans of properties from Hot Wheels to licensed partners including DC Universe and WWE — for years. We have deep experience here. Moving forward, we will continue to differentiate with channel-specific strategies, limited runs, and best-in-class social engagement. ✪

CAROLANN DUNN

THE POP INSIDER: HOW DOES DISCOVERY APPEAL TO BOTH KIDS AND ADULT FANS? CAROLANN DUNN: We are a company that is consumer obsessed, and we create content for passionate super fans that entertains, delights, and enlightens. We are able to reach generations of fans through our content and storytelling on any screen and at any time, from food and home to animals and science; there’s something for everyone.

PI: HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO STAY ON-BRAND WHEN IT COMES TO LICENSED PRODUCTS? CD: Super important — your brand essence and principles should guide your decision-making. Without it, you lose your credibility.

VICE PRESIDENT, CONSUMER PRODUCTS LICENSING DISCOVERY

PI: HOW DOES DISCOVERY WORK WITH LICENSING PARTNERS TO ENSURE THEY ARE DELIVERING THE PERFECT BRAND MESSAGE TO FANS? CD: We have a wide portfolio of brands, each with a unique brand essence, attributes, and target audience, so it is super important that our licensing team works closely with our creative and network teams to develop brand guides and assets to share with our licensing partners. We participate in product brainstorms, development, and line reviews at all stages of development to ensure we are keeping the product fresh, new, and on brand.

PI: HOW DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FANS TO ENSURE YOU ARE CREATING PRODUCTS THEY CRAVE? CD: Our viewers are passionate super fans and are highly engaged on our social media channels. We listen, watch, and react to their engagement, as well as review consumer insights and conduct research, to understand their psyche, what’s important to them, purchasing behavior, etc. ✪ 26 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

POP TRENDS Q&A THE POP INSIDER: TOYS ARE A KEY PART OF POP CULTURE. HOW DOES SPIN MASTER ENSURE ITS TOY BRANDS WILL MAKE AN IMPACT FOR YEARS TO COME? ADAM BEDER: We’ve had incredible success with franchises, such as Paw Patrol and Hatchimals, permeating pop culture. These stories, characters, and toys resonate with children and become ingrained in their daily lives and the lives of their parents. Paw Patrol has been referenced by many celebrities on social media and on countless late-night shows, and Hatchimals was recently referenced on an episode of The Simpsons.

One of our key growth strategies is to develop global evergreen entertainment properties, such as Paw Patrol, that seamlessly integrate toys and entertainment through compelling storytelling and exceptional character development. As we have seen previously with brands like Hatchimals, there is EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP & an appetite for episodic content across a variety of mediums, as they have the ability to bring the child’s FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT imagination to life, expanding the world these toys live in.

SPIN MASTER For Spin Master, making an impact and sustaining the engagement comes down to the storytelling — whether on screen or through physical play. We are constantly scouring the globe in search of new, innovative, and exciting elements that capture the hearts and minds of children and bring Paw Patrol to life their wildest imaginations through the stories they will tell.

ADAM BEDER

PI: TOYS, SUCH AS HATCHIMALS, ARE BECOMING LICENSED BRANDS THEMSELVES. WHAT GOES INTO CHOOSING THE RIGHT CATEGORIES FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS BASED ON TOY BRANDS? AB: Ultimately, it has to make sense for the brand in terms of age, category, and quality and must align with our core values. At Spin Master, we are constantly working to push the boundaries of creativity and fun, and we expect the same of the stakeholders we work with. We look for strategic partnerships that provide a different platform for the brand to grow and thrive in new and innovative ways.

PI: HOW IMPORTANT IS CREATING ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT WHEN LAUNCHING A TOY BRAND? AB: For children today, it is increasingly important to create engaging, interactive, and innovative multiplatform content. When developing a new entertainment property or toy line, we consider the stories we can create around these characters, where the content can — and should — live, and how children — specifically Generation Alpha — want to consume and engage with it. Spin Master’s deep understanding of play gives a unique perspective and insight that help to create entertainment that truly resonates with children. Whether it’s a toy, entertainment, an app, or digital content, these storytelling opportunities allow children to engage, connect, and explore the characters or worlds they feel connected to. ✪

28 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

ROBERT MARICK EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS & EXPERIENCES

THE POP INSIDER: HOW DOES NOSTALGIA PLAYS INTO CONSUMER PURCHASING HABITS? ROBERT MARICK: Nostalgia plays a significant role not only in consumer purchase habits, but in how they rely on experiences. Just look at how consumers are vested in franchise films and the pent-up demand on its latest installment. This triggers a significant up-tick in franchise merchandise sales, and most recently, the importance of extending that relationship through location-based entertainment experiences. Case in point, MGM’s upcoming Addams Family CGI feature film due out in October. For more than 50 years, the Addams Family franchise has delighted fans across all demos and around the world. With the new CGI film release, we will be introducing the franchise to a new generation of fans, which will make it the perfect family film event for grandparents, parents, and kids to join in together and enjoy for years to come. This quality of timelessness will certainly lend itself to extending the brand to experiences, such as haunted houses and more.

PI: WITH MORE CONTENT AND VIEWING OPTIONS THAN EVER BEFORE, HOW DOES MGM STAY COMPETITIVE? RM: Our goal is to focus on bigger, quality collaborations across our key franchises, such as Bond, Pink Panther, Stargate, Vikings, the upcoming Four Weddings and a Funeral, and more. Focusing on core franchises and delivering compelling storytelling allows us to organically extend the consumer relationship into compelling merchandise, interactive games, location-based entertainment, and more.

MGM

PI: HOW IS THE WORLD OF LICENSING EVOLVING? RM: Customization, collaboration, and continuation, especially with the younger consumers, who want products, services, and experiences that speak to them. They want customized products that speak to their personality and tastes, but with brands they love.

So building out collaborations with their favorite apparel brand and overlaying an entertainment IP that speaks to them is a winning combination. Recently, we collaborated with Huf, Zara, and H&M on our Pink Panther brand. Each collaboration sold quickly. That’s compelling when you think about the fact that we haven’t released a new Pink Panther film in a few years, yet the younger audience gravitated to a merchandise line. Continuing to keep the brands and IPs relevant helps keep the ideas and properties newsworthy.

PI: WHAT TRENDS DO YOU THINK WE’LL SEE IN THE COMING YEAR OR YEARS? RM: Entertainment licensing has expanded beyond traditional consumer products. Besides customization and collaboration, licensing is moving heavily into consumer services and location-based entertainment. MGM is very fortunate to have had a partnership between Pink Panther and Owens Corning as its spokesperson. In the coming months, MGM will be taking on a proactive position in identifying partners and projects in location-based entertainment space around the world. ✪

Marvel Legends Series: Endgame Electronic Power Gauntlet

SAMANTHA LOMOW PRESIDENT HASBRO ENTERTAINMENT BRANDS

THE POP INSIDER: HOW DO YOU BALANCE LICENSED PRODUCTS WITH YOUR COMPANY’S OWN ENTERTAINMENT IPS? SAMANTHA LOMOW: Our goal is to deliver innovative play experiences for global audiences whether it’s working with our own franchise brands — Transformers, My Little Pony, Monopoly, and more — or through strategic partnerships with best-in-class storytellers. We have the privilege of working with many of the industry’s best properties, including Star Wars, Marvel, Disney Princess, and Disney Frozen, as well as Universal Dreamworks Trolls, Overwatch, Fortnite, Sesame Street, Beyblade, and more. The variety of story-driven brands in our portfolio allows us to deliver an expansive array of characters and play experiences for global audiences.

PI: HOW DO YOU MAKE COLLECTIBLES, SUCH AS THOSE IN YOUR MARVEL LICENSE, RELEVANT FOR BOTH KIDS AND ADULT COLLECTORS? SL: Many of our brands appeal to fan of all ages — from kids who are discovering brands for the first time to adults who have been fans of the brands their whole lives … and [enjoy] sharing them with their own children.

With Marvel, we go deep into the universe of characters through several different lines, including The Marvel Legends Series created for adult fans and featuring premium, expertly designed collectibles; the Marvel Titan Heroes Series, [which] offers poseable figures for kids; and our new Playskool Marvel Superhero Adventures: Mega Mighties, which is designed for Marvel’s youngest fans.

Miniature collectibles [also] allow us to deliver new collectible expressions of fan-favorite characters and stories with low consumer price points. ✪

THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 29

POP TRENDS Q&A THE POP INSIDER: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST TRENDS YOU ARE SEEING IN ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING? GENNA ROSENBERG: It’s a really exciting time for iconic entertainment brands! Two big trends are creating a wealth of opportunities to push limits (and licensed merch sales) in amazing new ways — collaborations and bringing entertainment brands IRL. IPs with huge-but-different followings can catapult awareness to new audiences through ultra-creative short- and long-term mashups, which could also lead to new themes for licensed consumer products if the fans love them as much as the marketers do. For instance, The Sims recently debuted at Coachella a collaboration with the luxury fashion house Moschino. Now, more than 80 million The Sims fans’ avatars can wear ultra-cool threads in the game and CEO & CHIEF IDEATOR then buy the exact same high-fashion sweatshirt IRL, if they want to shell out $595 for it!

GENNCOMM IMAGENNATION Another fun and diverse example is WWE Superstar Week on Nickelodeon Double Dare. I love it as BOARD MEMBER a platform for other brands to do themed challenges on the show. As the retail landscape continues to WOMEN IN TOYS evolve, other companies are bringing their brands IRL in different ways and creating their own selling opportunities for their licensed consumer products. Nintendo Mario Kart World is selling licensed merch as it rides into cities nationwide. Hasbro announced it’s opening a slew of Family Entertainment Centers, and GennComm ImaGENNation client Urban Air Adventure Parks, the fastest-growing franchise of family entertainment centers, is creating Retaintainment opportunities and immersive ways to bring licensed entertainment brands IRL through themed attractions and related merch in their more than 100 indoor amusement parks.

GENNA ROSENBERG

PI: GEEK CULTURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SEEN AS A “MALE-DOMINATED” SPACE, UNTIL RECENTLY, WITH SO MANY POWERFUL WOMEN HEROES AND CHARACTERS TAKING THE SPOTLIGHT. HOW IS THIS SHIFT CHANGING ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING? GR: I started noticing it more deliberately in 2015 with Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens starring Daisy Ridley as Rey, and in 2016 with the all-female cast of Ghostbusters. Neither got the credit they deserved, but they certainly raised awareness — and the bar — for strong female heroes taking the spotlight and their power in entertainment licensing.

In 2017, Wonder Women merch was more thought out, with Walmart, Funko, Jakks Pacific, LEGO, Bioworld, Hallmark, and Rubie’s getting in on the action, and movie sales have topped more than $841 million worldwide. Most recently, Captain Marvel not only held her own, but also smashed through Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and superhero ceilings worldwide, hitting more than $1 billion in sales at the global box office — woohoo! I predict powerful female leads will continue to resonate with geek fans and make a powerful mark on both pop culture and consumer products as women of all ages feel increasingly empowered and love seeing powerful characters at the box office. ✪

JANET SARCHETT

THE POP INSIDER: HOW DO YOU WORK WITH NOSTALGIC BRANDS TO CREATE THE BEST PRODUCTS FOR FANS? JANET SARCHETT: Our design team travels extensively all over the world, shopping trends from the street to the runway. Our success is driven by working closely with our licensors to apply these trends to our lifestyle product collections that customers and fans are looking for, while ensuring we capture the vision and message our brand owners want their consumers to receive.

PI: HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR LINE BETWEEN BIG, POPULAR FANDOMS AND MORE NICHE FANDOMS? JS: Our team of experts understands the need for diverse collections covering all channels, retailers, and customers. We evaluate each brand, understanding who the target customer is within each channel, whether it is mainstream, big box retailers; high-end, niche specialty; or both. Our team creates the ultimate collection specific to each retailer and its customers. ✪

DIRECTOR, LICENSING H3 SPORTGEAR

30 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

Polaroid T-shirt from H3 x Difuzed

THE POP INSIDER: ESPORTS IS ON THE RISE. HOW IS ACTIVISION ADAPTING IN THE NEW GAMING ERA? STEVE YOUNG: Esports is on the rise, and Activision Blizzard (AB) is leading the charge in a number of ways. First, we have established the first-ever global, professional, city-based esports league. In any given week, Overwatch League teams from Vancouver, New York, or Los Angeles could be playing against teams from Seoul, London, or Shanghai.

Second, AB is setting the industry standard in e-commerce and consumer products by signing bestin-class partners to create PRESIDENT ACTIVISION BLIZZARD the most comprehensive CONSUMER PRODUCTS assortment of esports GROUP merchandise in the industry.

And for e-commerce, we have recently launched our relationship with Fanatics, which is Overwatch League’s international, multi-channel retail provider.

We have also signed deals with industry-leading brands, including New Era and G-III/Starter, along with endemic esports brands, such as ULT. So, I wouldn’t say we are adapting to esports licensing; our goal is to continually raise the bar for esports via consumer products.

STEVE YOUNG

PI: HOW DO YOU THINK ESPORTS WILL CHANGE THE LICENSING INDUSTRY IN THE COMING YEARS? SY: In our business, capturing the attention, imagination, and individualism of millennials and Gen Z is critical. Overwatch League over-indexes with this highly coveted demo.

So, leagues such as Overwatch League and the next iteration of the Call of Duty World League are changing the sports licensing business now, and the impact will continue to grow as another generation of consumers raised on consoles, PCs, and mobile devices, comes of age.

Esports is becoming an immense space for consumer products. There is a whole new generation of athletes across Overwatch League and Call of Duty esports, which in turn has created a whole new generation of sports fans — esports fans!

PI: WHAT CRITERIA DO YOU USE TO CHOOSE LICENSING PARTNERS FOR PHYSICAL PRODUCTS BASED ON DIGITAL PROPERTIES? SY: Above all else, any consumer products we bring to retail need to be true to franchise and characters they represent. Our fans are among the most passionate in the world, which brings a real responsibility to every product offering — not just the games themselves.

As mentioned, we’re very fortunate to have global fans who appreciate the whole spectrum of Activision Blizzard titles.

This allows for a large range of consumers between age, game genre, play styles, and lifestyles.

It’s also important to understand that one size doesn’t fit all with fans. Our global teams are working with partners to customize programs fit for individual markets and stay true to each brand’s integrity.

PI: HOW IMPORTANT IS FAN FEEDBACK WHEN DEVELOPING LICENSED LINES? SY: Our fans are what drive us to make consumer products successful. Our players are at the center of everything we do and really define the culture of our game communities. They drive us to make consumer products successful. We want our offerings to enrich the fan experience for all our gamers, not just in the U.S., but also on a global scale.

The consumer products story for our industry is really starting to take off. Just think of the significant steps we’ve taken as a company in the past couple of years, including upgrades to our partnerships and bringing in very important licensees, the expansion globally through major retail partners, and the growth of esports licensing and merchandise.

PI: NOSTALGIA IS A POPULAR TREND WITH MILLENNIALS. WHY DO YOU THINK RETRO PROPERTIES ARE SO STRONG? SY: The retro trend is the real deal, and the classics, such as Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, are back! The past couple of years have seen a true appetite among gamers for bringing back their favorites, which has been helped by new tech capabilities and graphics upgrades seen in remasters.

In many ways, certain video game franchises — no matter the era — can be just as timeless as a classic album or film. We’ve loved re-introducing these games to longtime fans and have brought in a new generation. It’s something that we feel is here to stay, and we’re certainly embracing through consumer products ✪

THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 31

POP TRENDS Q&A JASON LABOWITZ PRESIDENT ENTERTAINMENT EARTH

THE POP INSIDER: YOUR SITUATION IS UNIQUE IN THAT YOU’RE BOTH A MANUFACTURER AND A DISTRIBUTOR. HOW DO YOU BALANCE A LINEUP OF YOUR OWN PRODUCTS WITH THOSE FROM OTHER MANUFACTURERS? JASON LABOWITZ: Technically speaking, your question is referring to two separate companies.

JLA Direct LLC is a manufacturing company that creates product under the brand names Bif Bang Pow! and Entertainment Earth and holds various licenses from studios. But indeed, those products are funneled through the same pipeline as those of other manufacturers, all being distributed via Entertainment Earth. Our business model is not entirely unique. The relationship Diamond Select Toys has with Diamond Comics Distribution is similar. The simple answer is that we, of course, try to promote the items we are manufacturing, but at the end of the day, the customer decides and ultimately drives product demand, regardless of who makes it.

MANAGING PARTNER JLA DIRECT LLC

PI: HOW IMPORTANT IS FAN FEEDBACK FOR THE PRODUCTS THAT YOU CHOOSE TO OFFER? HOW DO YOU COLLECT THAT FEEDBACK? JL: Fan feedback is incredibly important, but we approach this from a slightly different perspective. One of the perks of working at our company is that we hire a lot of those fans — experts, collectors, and enthusiasts of all kinds of pop culture genres. We mine their ideas to come up with interesting product concepts, specifically asking if they would buy such an item.

We then bounce those ideas off of different departments and across business disciplines to battle test them. We are pretty confident in this approach to building out a product line.

PI: WHICH SPECIFIC DETAILS OR FEATURES SET ENTERTAINMENT EARTH’S PRODUCTS APART FROM OTHERS ON THE MARKET? JL: Our Pin Mates line of wooden collectibles is special because of the material they are made of, and its unique because of the high amount of detail we are able to fit on such a small-scale item. Additionally, fans can collect many of them without taking up a lot of space, and they are fairly inexpensive ($4.99 MSRP). We also make other distinctive, wood-based items, such as nesting dolls, push puppets, and Wittles. Jack-in-the-boxes, Chair Capes, and a variety of retro tin totes, action figures, and drinkware round out our current product line. They are all fun for just about anyone. ✪

MARTY BROCHSTEIN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, INDUSTRY RELATIONS & INFORMATION LICENSING INTERNATIONAL (LIMA)

THE POP INSIDER: DO YOU THINK THE LICENSING INDUSTRY IS SUFFERING FROM OVERSATURATION IN ANY WAY? MARTY BROCHSTEIN: For the more than two decades that I’ve been connected to the licensing business, I’ve constantly heard about how difficult it is for a property to gain a following and for products to find enough shelf space. It’s always been an extremely competitive business. The big change is that the internet has democratized creators’ ability to get new content in front of an audience, whether that’s on a YouTube channel, streaming platforms, broadcast or cable-based channel, website, or other platforms. The challenge now is to get noticed, and to develop a significant enough following that licensees will find to be an attractive business.

PI: HOW CAN LICENSORS AND LICENSEES COMBAT THIS AND STAY RELEVANT? MB: There’s no single magic bullet. It’s a matter of creating good content — great storytelling, compelling characters, etc. — and finding the right combination of distribution platform and marketing. It’s also important to do your homework. Understand the competitive landscape. You’re never looking to be the 15th of a particular genre trying to elbow your way onto the market. Figure out what makes you unique.

PI: HOW HAS NOSTALGIA PLAYED INTO LICENSING IN RECENT YEARS? MB: All licensing is based on emotion. A corporate brand might inspire trust; a sports logo represents affinity for a team; a celebrity license works because you identify with that person’s talent, sense of humor, sense of style or some other aspect of their persona.

Nostalgia is [an] emotion that can drive sales of licensed goods. For a long-running entertainment franchise such as Star Wars, adult collectors account for a significant percentage of action figures, driven in large part by nostalgia. And part of nostalgia by the older generation is a desire to [pass] the property to [the next generation]. ✪ 32 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

SUZY RAIA VICE PRESIDENT, CONSUMER PRODUCTS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

THE POP INSIDER: HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR BRANDS APPEAL TO A GLOBAL MARKET? SUZY RAIA: Compelling storytelling is at the foundation of any globally impactful pop culture franchise. Brands such as Doctor Who tap into universally relatable emotions, even when depicting far-off fictional worlds and narratives. However, understanding the nuances of consumers from territory to territory impacts how that franchise will land across various regions. It’s critical to have strong and talented teams on the ground across all key markets. Identifying which categories or partnerships can be leveraged globally vs. which should be looked after regionally is a delicate balance. Typically, fashion-based products that cater to regional aesthetics can be executed locally, whereas products that incur heavy upstart investment — such as collectibles — should be scaled globally.

This comes into play when finding the right blend of global and local partners for Doctor Who and other BBC Studios brands.

BBC

PI: HOW DO YOU WORK WITH LICENSEES TO CREATE PRODUCTS BEST SUITED FOR NICHE FANDOMS? SR: The process must be highly collaborative of course, but must never deviate from the core essence of the brand. Fans are the lifeblood for niche brands, such as Doctor Who. So, keeping your ear to the ground, engaging with fans, and truly hearing them is fundamental to successfully extend that emotional connection beyond the content into product. Tapping into content moments that resonate with fans and optimizing that connection is necessary to translate brands to the product. And finding a partner who understands that unique connection is critical. Often, partners identify successful formats and then look at how brands can be retrofitted, instead of immersing themselves in the IP and then building a line unique to that content. Fans are sophisticated, and too often they know the IP better than the license holders.

PI: WHICH PLATFORMS AND RETAIL INITIATIVES DOES BBC UTILIZE TO CAPTURE MILLENNIAL DOLLARS? SR: We go where our fans want to engage with our brand and each other! Naturally, social platforms have the most reach and overall engagement, so having exposure across Twitter, Instagram, etc., is crucial. We actually found that Doctor Who fans are highly engaged with Facebook in particular; thus, it is a direct line of communication for news about priority launches and our recent Fan Art competition. Additionally, partnering with priority retailers, such as Hot Topic, that cater to tweens and young adults has been central to staying connected with millennial fans. Choosing a product assortment that is authentic to the core attributes of the show, and promoting those products with signage, online marketing, and influencer support, keeps the brand front and center for millennial fans. ✪

POP TRENDS Q&A THE POP INSIDER: WITH MORE KIDS CONTENT AVAILABLE THAN EVER BEFORE, HOW DOES SESAME STREET STAY RELEVANT AND FRESH? GABRIELA ARENAS: We stay relevant by having compelling characters and driving further engagement to top characters — Elmo, Cookie, and Abby. Each one has their own mini segment on Sesame Street. Elmo is of course the star of our refreshed and most popular “Elmo’s World.” Cookie, a favorite with kids and adults, has a segment called “Foodie Truck,” where he and his friend Gonger explore where food comes from. And Abby has a new animated segment with her brother Rudy.

Every year, we produce a new feature-length special, and 2020 is going to be a Monster year when Sesame Street’s best-selling book of all time turns into an animated special for HBO. Coming to the TV screen for the first time, The Monster at the End of This Story makes Grover the star of his very VICE PRESIDENT, LICENSING, NORTH AMERICA own story.

SESAME WORKSHOP And we’re excited to be headed to the big screens. Warner Bros. announced a new live-action Sesame Street movie produced by Shawn Levy. The movie is scheduled to premiere Jan. 15, 2021.

PI: DO YOU THINK THE KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT SPACE IS OVERCROWDED? HOW DO YOU COMBAT THIS? GA: There is definitely more competition — and more platforms — than ever before. There are big studios, small studios, and toy companies becoming studios. There is more to consider, such as if you want to launch with short-form only and how much seeding time you need to expand on your licensing. A lot of content can be very visually appealing, fresh, and new, but without a strong and compelling storyline, there won’t be longevity to a property.

At Sesame Workshop, we have a unique model that brings together researchers, educators, and producers to create a show that is engaging and educational. Every year, we identify which issues are affecting kids and determine how best we can meet their needs. Being an evergreen brand is a big responsibility — we have to continue offering the best-in-class content. And, of course, we are diversifying the availability of that content so that we can be wherever families are. Sesame Street is available across all platforms from HBO and PBS. We have a thriving YouTube channel, which features content pulled directly from Sesame Street, as well as entirely new content that’s been created with the YouTube audience in mind.

GABRIELA ARENAS

PI: WITH YOUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, HOW ARE YOU BALANCING PRODUCT FOR YOUR PRESCHOOL FAN BASE WITH THE NOSTALGIC PRODUCTS FOR OLDER FANS? GA: It is all about the execution. When working with adult products, designers take a more sophisticated, trend-based approach to the brand. Kids products tend to feature a more classic stylization. Characters also play a big role in this. Adult fans of the brand gravitate more toward Cookie and Oscar, as well as original favorites Snuffy, the Count, and Bert and Ernie. Children tend to be obsessed with Elmo and Cookie because they are the most featured characters on the show today. ✪

THE POP INSIDER: WITH SO MANY FANDOMS OUT THERE, HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR BRAND PARTNERS? HOWARD BEIGE: Rubie’s has always been very involved with the cosplay community and has always offered a collection of high-quality costumes and accessories, especially for the cosplayer. Rubie’s has been a long time exhibitor at all of the key cosplayer events such as Comic-Con International: San Diego, New York Comic Con, and Star Wars Celebration. It is at these important cosplayer community events that we get to connect with the important cosplayers and learn which licenses, characters, and products are important to them. They guide us as to which brands to partner with.

PI: HOW DOES THE GROWTH IN POPULARITY OF COSPLAY CHANGE THE WAY YOU MANAGE YOUR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RUBIE’S COSTUME CO. LICENSING PARTNERSHIPS AND YEAR-ROUND OFFERINGS? HB: The recent growth in cosplay has motivated Rubie’s to increase our product development for the cosplay quality and price points on both new licenses and existing licenses that Rubie’s is honored to have. You will see more new cosplay products than ever coming from Rubie’s in the next six to 24 months.

HOWARD BEIGE

PI: HOW DO YOU THINK THE RISE IN COSPLAY AND FAN CONVENTIONS IS CHANGING LICENSING AS A WHOLE? HB: I believe the rise in cosplay broadens the licensing opportunities. This now expands into categories and channels not previously on the spectrum. Also, women now comprise almost half of the overall cosplay statistics, so that too somewhat changes the opportunities on how we position the various brands. Cosplay and fan conventions will continue to grow for many years to come,w and also are now including one’s family in addition to one’s friends. ✪ 34 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

MINT CONDITION

Articulation, Innovation, Representation How Boss Fight Studio Reinvigorates Collectible Action Figures

by Marissa DiBartolo, editor-in-chief The human body has 230 moveable and semi-moveable joints, so why does the standard action figure only have five points of articulation?

Unlike many major action figure manufacturers, Boss Fight Studio (BFS) recognizes the importance of articulated joints. The specialty collectible company’s original 4-inch figures feature an average of 35 points of articulation — right down to the toes. And the product innovation doesn’t stop there.

Vitruvian H.A.C.K.S. Amazon Army Archer of Molpadia

BFS is a nimble organization comprised of fewer than 10 people. According to BFS’ Director of Business Development and Marketing Sarah J. Brown, the company’s small roster is exactly what allows it to be so successful. “It allows us to have direct access to our customer conversations, or really dig into our social media communications,” she explains.

“We speak directly to our customers; whether they are fans and collectors or retailers and distributors, we talk to everybody ourselves. There is no middle man. We’ve found that our fans have responded very well to that. It’s one of the things we’re known for.”

Comprised of ex-Hasbro executives, the BFS team prides itself on its ability to act fast and make the best decisions for the company and its fans, without having to deal with political ramifications. “We do what we are passionate about, we do it very well, and we don’t have to compromise anything,” Brown says.

BFS’ Vitruvian Highly Articulated Character Kit System (V H.A.C.K.S.)

features 1:18-scale action figures with a revolutionary design. The highly customizable collectibles feature special joints that allow fans to pull them apart and reassemble them in countless combinations. They can create new characters, add fresh paint jobs, and interchange the accessories — all for just $24.99 each.

BFS launched V H.A.C.K.S. on Kickstarter in 2014, successfully funding the project with more than 1,100 backers raising $412,270 (far surpassing its goal of a mere $75,000). Customizers were ready for highly articulated figures that offered something different — and they got it.

V H.A.C.K.S. series one featured an array of characters inspired by Greek mythology, including Achilles, an Amazon warrior, and a River Styx Guardian. The second series introduced a fantasy theme complete with a Dragon Priest, Orc Hunter, and Elven Ranger.

In addition to intense articulation, creative character designs, striking deco, and a raft of accessories, V H.A.C.K.S. are meant for both play and display. “A lot of our fans want to be able to play with the figure. It’s got that touch-and-feel aspect,” Brown says.

“We intentionally design all of our packaging to be reopened and played with, and then you can display it and put it back on the shelf.” BFS’ packaging features an innovative, unique design. The blister is carefully folded back over the card, so fans can open the package without ruining anything, remove the figures, and then put them back in like nothing ever happened.

Walk down the action figure aisle of any major retailer, and one thing is noticable: There are hardly any female figures hanging from the pegs. But BFS’ V H.A.C.K.S line is comprised of just as many female figures as male — it’s a true 50-50 ratio. “Because of our target, and the fantasy settings that we THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 39

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40 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

type of rapport we had,” Brown gushes — and the feeling is mutual.

Neal Adams, president of Continuity Studios, explains that BFS’ passion and attention to detail are what fuels the successful partnership. “To run into a company that feels very proprietary of the work they do and very desirous of turning out a really good product is the thing that we love,” he says. “This is a small group of individuals who give a damn, and we like that.”

In addition to new Bucky O’Hare figures, BFS is set to launch a line of Sam & Max figures later this year, and it recently announced a partnership with Masked Republic for collectibles based on the Legends of Lucha Libre.

BFS also heads a bit outside of its comfort zone this year with the release of I Am Brilliance, a line of STEM-themed action figures targeting kids ages 8 and up. BFS hopes the line will introduce girls to different professions of which they might not already be aware. BFS typically targets collectors ages 25 and up, focusing heavily on history and fantasy. I Am Brilliance is a clear departure, but it’s an exciting new venture. “While our collectors were initially surprised, they’ve really bought into the range now that they understand it,” Brown says.

BFS figures are all created in limited quantities, and once they are gone, they’re gone. “We don’t rerelease what we’ve already done,” Brown says. The company currently sells about 75% of its figures directly to consumers via its website, but it will be expanding distribution this year to give its fans more opportunities to find the figures on store shelves.

You can find BFS at comic conventions throughout the East Coast, in specialty comic book stores and hobby shops across the country, and online at bossfightstudio.com.

On the rise, the manufacturer isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “We’re in this for the long haul,” Brown says. ✪

Boss Fight Studio will release new figures based on Sam & Max later this year.

Boss Fight Studio's innovative packaging allows fans to open the figures, take them out for display or customization, and then put them back in without causing any damage.

»

put them into, we are able to drive our storylines to support the figures,” Brown says.

Though only about 30% of BFS’ collectors are female and 70% are male, the female figures still sell well, especially because of the fantasy and Greek themes.

“Collectors want to have female figures in their collections. There’s a storyline to be built out, and you can’t do that with just male figures,” she says.

And inclusion doesn’t stop at gender.

BFS’ figures are available in multiple flesh tones and represent different ethnicities, including African-American, Asian, and Hispanic. “We run the gamut of what makes up our cultures. Not only just from our carded figures, but also from our custom figures.

And we take input from our fans in regard to what they’d like to see and if they feel there’s a gap in something,” Brown says.

V H.A.C.K.S. are also available in blanks, designed with customizers in mind. “There was a huge gap in the 4-inch customizing offering. They weren’t to this level,” Brown says. The blank figures include multiple sets of hands, feet, different heads, and a stand.

They are available in a full array of colors, from flesh tones to neons. “When they launched the carded figures, nearly half the skews they launched with were focused on customizers. We knew that was a segment that was lacking and we filled the gap,” Brown says.

Series Z, which will introduce zombies into the BFS mix, is coming to the V H.A.C.K.S line later this year. “Fans are banging down the doors to get the Series Z figures, it’s a really fun take on zombie apocolypse,” Brown teases.

But there’s more to BFS than its original IPs. Since 2017, the company has been working with Continuity Studios, which owns the rights to Bucky O’Hare — a neon-saturated, space-themed comic book series from the ‘80s — on a line of officially licensed, 4-inch figures based on the comics.

With three waves of Bucky O’Hare characters available now, including Dead Eye Duck, Storm Toad Trooper, and First Mate Jenny, BFS will continue to release new figures into the line because of fan demand.

“When Hasbro released the original toy line, which was very much kid-focused, there were some core characters like Jenny who they never released,” Brown says. “We have been shocked by the amount of interest in it and the request for new characters and new crew and vehicle support.”

Continuity was the perfect partner for BFS since the studio also has a small, tightknit team. “I wish every company had the

FANDOM FEATURE Mufasa and Simba overlook their kingdom in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Lion King.

Walt Disney Studios rules the box office with a massive movie year, including five live-action films.

by Maddie Michalik, senior editor 42 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

E

verything the light touches is Walt Disney Studios’ kingdom.

There are only three months this year during which Disney isn’t putting out a movie — and we’ve already passed two of them.

The company’s slate for the rest of the year includes major expansions of blockbuster franchises, including Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 4 (June 21), Frozen 2 (Nov. 22), and the end of the Skywalker era with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Dec. 20). And, of course, Avengers: Endgame broke records in April with a $1.2 billion global debut, becoming the first film in history to surpass $1 billion in its opening weekend.

Needless to say, Disney is already having a huge entertainment year. While the end of another Star Wars trilogy or the close of the Infinity War saga would have been enough to keep fans happy, Disney is also putting out an unprecedented five live-action movies this year, which are all live adaptations of films or characters that were originally animated. This is more in one year than the past four combined.

Live-action versions of Dumbo and Aladdin already hit theaters, with The Lion King (July 17), Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (Oct. 18), and The Lady and the Tramp (announced to debut alongside Disney’s upcoming streaming service Disney+ on Nov. 12) on the way, making September the only month for the rest of the year without a Disney release.

“It’s a big bet to make that many new ones,” Jonathan Taplin, director emeritus of the Annenberg Innovation Lab at the University of Southern California, says. “In some way, [Disney has] made the calculation that even with all the cost of making a live-action movie, it’s probably cheaper than making an animated film. Secondly, they’re doing what they’ve always done, which is remake things that were successful in one medium in another medium.”

IT’S IN THE PAST The last time there were multiple live-action releases in one year was 2016 with just two films: Alice Through the Looking Glass and The Jungle Book. Disney’s first live-action remake ever was The Jungle Book in 1994, followed by 101 Dalmatians and 102 Dalmatians in 1996 and 2000, respectively.

The studio took a decade-long break from rebooting its animated content, with Alice in Wonderland debuting in 2010.

This year’s spike in live-action films doesn’t necessarily dilute the value of these types of movies overall, but the ones that

perform better outweigh the cost of films that disappoint at the box office. Simply put: Some franchises will do better than others, and that will always be a risk. And the numbers speak for themselves, fluctuating and lacking consistency when examining Disney’s past four live-action remakes.

“Some are going to be hits. I think Lion King will be a hit, and some are going to be misses, and I think, quite frankly, Dumbo was a miss, Aladdin I suspect is going to be a bit of a miss as well,” says Bruce Nash, founder of Nash Information Services and publisher of The Numbers. “But then The Lion King is going to justify the whole decision and get them looking under the mattress for other films they can recycle as well.”

At the time of publishing, Dumbo was the most recent Disney live-action release, performing $107.8 million domestically, according to Box Office Mojo, an IMDb company. It performed on-par with Disney’s Christopher Robin (2018), raking in $99 million domestically. Comparatively, Beauty and the Beast (2017) brought in $504 million domestically, while The Jungle Book (2016) did $364 million domestically.

There are many reasons why some of these live-action remakes do better than others, but at the end of the day, it has to do with each individual movie. Studios can’t assume that audiences will show up to movie theaters just because a film is associated with a classic name. The story, direction, technology, and other factors all have to come together, according to Taplin. For example, Dumbo originally came out in 1941, so many people today weren’t around for the original release. But when it comes to The Lion King, audiences are more likely to remember seeing the original and will still resonate with the film’s core themes.

Needless to say, The Lion King is the most-anticipated live-action adaptation from the bunch this year, especially since it’s the animated film’s 25th anniversary.

“I think it still makes sense to do these films because for every Dumbo, they’re going to have a Lion King,” Nash says. “Going back a couple of years, Beauty and the Beast was in 2017, which again, was a massive success for doing a movie that was an exact shot-for-shot remake of the original film and Lion King is going to be the same. It’s a shot-for-shot remake. They’ve updated a few jokes, and that’s about it.”

HAKUNA MATATA Although officially dubbed a live-action movie, most would find that classification generous. The upcoming The Lion King

comes with some of the most realistic animation we’ve seen so far.

“I think there’s no question in my mind that it’s going to make its mark,” Nash says.

According to the official film description, The Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau (2016’s The Jungle Book), “journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born.

Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new “‘THERE IS cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother NO QUESTION — and former heir IN MY MIND to the throne — THAT [THE has plans of his own. The battle LION KING] for Pride Rock is IS GOING ravaged with beTO MAKE trayal, tragedy, and drama, ultimately ITS MARK.’” resulting in Simba’s — BRUCE NASH, exile. With help THE NUMBERS from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.”

Disney promises that this remake will stay true to the classic story, while using pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring the iconic characters to the big screen in a whole new way. The Lion King features the voices of Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, and John Oliver as Zazu.

“I think that The Lion King is a landmark film in that it really looks like a live-action film, but 90% of it is computer-generated,” Nash says. “I think it’s pointing toward what is to come as far as technology is concerned, and I think it will be really interesting to see how audiences react to that. … I think the top-three grossing movies of the year we already know are going to be Avengers: Endgame, The Lion King, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. We just don’t know in which order they’re going to end up.”

LONG LIVE NOSTALGIA The main expectation here is that fans who originally saw these animated features when they were growing up will be excited for these live-action reboots and remakes for two main reasons: They themselves were fans of the original content, so naturally they will want to see the new adaptation; and that THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 43

Young Simba brushes up on looking down with his avian royal adviser, Zazu, by his side.

parents will want to introduce their kids to the stories that they grew up with, sharing those memories with them. Plus, these new technologies help introduce kids to a film that may not have a new concept but is still relevant to them in terms of the other movies they see.

“Tapping into nostalgia can be extremely lucrative at the box office, especially when executed properly with a solid film and solid marketing,” says Gitesh Pandya, editor of boxofficeguru.com. “Family films truly reap the benefits, as adults often want younger generations to discover the stories they loved when they were younger. A big part of the appeal of the new Aladdin and The Lion King films comes from people who remember seeing the originals in theaters in 1992 and 1994, remembering the impact on pop culture, and wanting their kids to now join in on the fun, too.”

The bottom line is that these types of films open up a whole new audience for kids who have never seen the content before.

Double the audience, double the draw. And with the new The Lion King film, for example, there will be a true curiosity in the aforementioned animation. In true Disney fashion, each teaser and trailer was very careful in using wide-angle shots and mostly no speaking, so audiences will be in for a real treat (or disappointment) in how it turns out.

“From a technology perspective, the same people that would go and see Star Wars or Avengers for the spectacle are going to see The Lion King for the spectacle, too.

When it works, you can get the kids, the parents, and that middle-teen and young-adult audience,” Nash says.

THE FUTURE OF ORIGINAL CONTENT Reboots, remakes, sequels, and prequels — let’s face it: Chances are if you are a fan of literally any franchise, there is some sort of new content on the way. Disney is certainly not the only studio honing in on and taking advantage of this trend.

“Disney has been really good at taking something that was a successful animated film, making it into a Broadway musical, and 44 | Issue No. 3 2 | THE POP INSIDER

now making it into a live-action film,” Taplin says. “They’re basically taking the library and saying OK, well, we’ve got The Lion King, we know it worked in these two other mediums, we’ll remake it as a live-action film. We’ve got Lady and the Tramp, we’ll do it; or we’ll remake Aladdin. In one sense, it seems to be a death of new stories, which is a lack of imagination, but they’re replowing the same ground in a different medium.”

In a way, taking advantage of a beloved franchise makes sense — even at the expense of original content. People are attracted to and are comfortable with familiar stories and characters that they know and love, and they want more content from those universes. It’s the reason each Marvel movie shatters the record of the previous one and why a fourth Toy Story works.

“If you go back to 2018, I think that the issue that they faced is that they’ve got such surefire money-makers in the Marvel movies and Pixar and in the Star Wars universe, that they have struggled a little bit with trying to find other things that they can make films about, which is sort of a little bit more in the traditional Disney mold,” Nash says. “I think Mary Poppins Returns was a success and that got over the bar, but then A Wrinkle in Time last year was a financial disappointment, and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms was a disaster financially.”

I’M SURROUNDED BY STREAMING SERVICES Experts also suggest that Disney+ has a lot to do with this sudden spike in the company’s upcoming movies for the year, including the live-action films. Movie theaters are feeling the pressure to keep up with streaming services, as theatrical releases are becoming available to consumers sooner on these platforms. Streaming services also offer exclusive content.

“Disney is a dominant player in the theatrical film business, and that business is changing. On one level, Netflix is challenging the movie theaters to release them online as soon as the movies are released in the theaters. That’s getting a huge amount of resistance from both the theater owners and

the filmmakers, such as Steven Spielberg,” Taplin says. “On another hand, Disney now is rolling out this huge streaming platform whose whole intent is to take on Netflix head-on to be the dominant home entertainment streaming platform. And so obviously they’ll need a lot of content for that, and a lot of exclusive content for that. It’s an interesting bet. The question is: Will people still go to the theater when they can get it on their big home screen very quickly by the time it comes out?”

And Disney will deliver with Disney+.

At launch, the streaming service will release more than 25 original series and 10 original films across all Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic brands. This new, original content is on top of access to recent theatrical releases and every Pixar film available to consumers during the first year of launch.

BE PREPARED ...

FOR MORE LIVE-ACTION MOVIES Walt Disney Studios recently revealed its film release schedule for the next few years, including at least nine unnamed live-action movies between 2021 and 2023 with Mulan and Cruella tied to official release dates in 2020: March 27 and December 23, respectively. While many details about most of these films are not available yet, reported upcoming projects include Pinocchio, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Lilo & Stitch, and The Little Mermaid.

Disney’s live-action initiative may fluctuate from now through 2023, but the studio is following a clear path: These films are becoming a major component of its entertainment slate.

It’s unlikely that Disney will take a break from live-action movies as it has done in the past. If this trend continues, the studio will put out at least one to two live-action films each year.

“Familiar brands sell at the box office, and Disney happens to own the largest library out there, so it is not too surprising to see many event films all ready for market in the same year,” Pandya says.

If one thing’s for sure, it’s that Simba will reign the box office in July. Hear him roar. ✪

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Maddie Michalik is the senior editor at the Pop Insider and the Toy Insider, where she fuels her geeky heart with the latest in pop culture, entertainment, and toys.

She is also the managing editor of the Toy Book, making sure the industry is up to date with the latest toy news.

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I JUST CAN’T WAIT FOR ALL THIS MERCH GET IN ON THE DISNEY MAGIC WITH NEW MERCH THAT CELEBRATES THE LION KING, BOTH THE ORIGINAL ANIMATED CLASSIC AND THE NEW LIVE-ACTION ADAPTATION.

Monopoly: The Lion King Edition | Hasbro Buy up property all over the Pride Lands.

In this new edition of the classic game, players can celebrate Simba’s journey to become king with a game board and artwork from the original The Lion King motion picture. The title deed cards are made up of moments and locations from the film, such as Pride Rock, The Circle of Life, Hyena’s Lair, and more. This game comes with a Pride Rock card holder that plays “Nant’s Ingonyama” from the opening of the film. Fans can play as their favorite characters with the six included tokens, including Simba, Nala, Timon, Pumbaa, Mufasa, and Scar.

MSRP: $39.99 | Available: mass retailers

Lion King Live-Action Small Plush with Sound Just Play Bring home the adventures of the new, live-action film with these adorable small plush. Squeeze them and press their paws to activate sounds from the movie. Each cuddly pal features deluxe embroidered detailing designed to look like the characters from the film. Collect all four characters: Simba, Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa.

MSRP: $9.99 each | Available: mass retailers

Funko POP!: Disney The Lion King Live-Action Assortment Funko These POP!s will reign your collection.

Revisit the Savannah and collect Rafiki, Scar, Pumbaa, Timon, and Simba as their live-action versions. Special, flocked editions of Timon will be available at Barnes & Noble; Scar at FYE; Rafiki at shop.funko.com; and Simba at BoxLunch.

MSRP: $8.78-15 | Available: mass retailers

Simba Canteen Seven20 Skip the trip to the watering hole with this wide-mouth water bottle that features a Simba silhouette design.

MSRP: $19.99 | Available: Hot Topic in July

“Carefree Camaraderie” Figurine | Enesco Hakuna matata, it means no worries! This hand-painted, 7.5-inch figurine combines folk art designs with the memorable scene from The Lion King when Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa strut along as Simba ages.

Fans can replicate the happy-go-lucky montage, switching out cub Simba for young adult Simba.

MSRP: $109.95 | Available: shopdisney.com

THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 45

COSPLAY CORNER FANDOM FEATURE

FROM FANGIRL TO GIRL BOSS How Ashley Eckstein Changed the Narrative for Female Fans

by Madeleine Buckley, assistant editor

O

n the day she launched Her Universe, Ashley Eckstein had no idea whether things were going to work out. She had created an entire company — an entire dream, for that matter — around a hunch and two statistics she’d heard: that 45% of all sci-fi and fantasy fans (at the time) were women and girls, and that women made up 85% of all consumer purchases.

Eckstein didn’t grow up with plans to be an entrepreneur. She was, and still is, an actress and self-identifying fangirl. In 2006, she landed the role of Ahsoka Tano in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

As she began making public appearances for Ahsoka at comic-con panels and events at Disney World, she went shopping for Star Wars clothes to wear.

She found nothing.

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“Every single time, I ended up in the men’s and the boys’ sections,” she says. “I was told that girls would not buy Star Wars merchandise made for them, and that I should just be happy with the men’s size small.”

That was the catalyst for what would eventually become Her Universe, a company that has since grown to produce themed apparel for more than 15 different fandoms, offer plus-sized options for nearly every clothing item, and host a major annual fashion show at Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC).

Back in 2008, though, Eckstein didn’t know any of this. She started by approaching Lucasfilm, simply asking if she could make Star Wars merchandise for female fans. They told her no (twice), but not because they disagreed. “They’re not telling me no to my idea; they’re telling me no to how I’m going about it,” Eckstein says now, explaining that she didn’t have any idea how licensing or manufacturing worked.

At that point, Eckstein easily could have let the idea go. Instead, she decided to go all in: start a company, find a reputable manufacturing partner, and try again. Eckstein primarily credits her character, Ahsoka, for pushing her to start Her Universe. The character broke ground as the first leading, female Jedi in the Star Wars universe, which inspired her.

“I was so inspired by Ahsoka that I wanted to be a real life version of her,” Eckstein says. “I literally asked myself, I said, ‘What would Ahsoka do?’ and the answer was: Ahsoka would stand up for fangirls. Ahsoka, she would do this.”

So, Eckstein did. The next time she approached Lucasfilm, the company said yes.

In June 2010, Her Universe debuted to the fan community. Eckstein and her husband (who she refers to as her “equal since day one”) started with a team of less than five people, but had a first day of sales that “far exceeded expectations.”

“It was such an obvious thing,” says Kristi Siedow-Thompson, a 2018 Her Universe Fashion show winner. “[Ashley was] like, ‘Well I want a Star Wars T-shirt.’ But she actually had the follow-through to prove that it could be sold.”

However, Eckstein realized she wanted to do more with Her Universe than simply sell products. She had read many, many stories of women and girls who were bullied simply for liking Star Wars, which she says broke her heart.

“I thought, this is no way to live. I know being a fangirl is a part of you,” she says.

“And, for me, Star Wars is a story of hope.

It’s a story of good overcoming evil, and you can’t put a gender on that. ... And my goal from day one was not to say that Star Wars is just for girls. It’s not just for boys, it’s not just for girls — Star Wars is for everyone. So that’s what I set out to do.”

" Take the first step and throw your dreams out into the universe. " — Ashley Eckstein To this day, the community aspect of the company is Eckstein’s priority. She designed Her Universe to be a safe place for fans.

“I say, ‘Look, I don’t care if you ever buy a single piece of merchandise from us, but I hope you will come and join our community, join the conversation, and feel welcome and be celebrated,’” she says.

Eckstein also launched the Her Universe Fashion Show to give fellow fangirl designers a unique platform to showcase their talents.

The annual competition gives female designers the opportunity to design clothes based on their favorite fandoms.

The fashion show was a dream Eckstein shared with Ed Labay, vice president and general merchandise manager at Hot Topic, who first met Eckstein around 2011 when he was buying women’s novelty T-shirts for Hot Topic.

At SDCC 2014, Eckstein made that dream happen and put together the first iteration of the Her Universe Fashion show. As Labay describes it, that first show was in a “small little meeting room” that held about 150 people — a mere fraction of the thousands who now attend

the annual show. But, to Eckstein, the size of the crowd didn’t matter.

“To see Ashley’s face as she watched and supported these women walk their awesome designs in this tiny room down a runway in front of their peers …” Labay says, “she had tears in her eyes. It was great.”

Siedow-Thompson, whose Aliens-inspired “PWL Chic: Ripley in the Power Loader” outfit was the Audience Winner at last year’s show, says she made friends from around the world after participating in the annual event.

“We talk to each other all the time,” she says. “We have this common bond of being geek girls who also are interested in fashion. ... We support each other and we help one another and it’s all because of Ashley’s message and [because of] her.”

Now, nearly a decade after the company’s launch, Eckstein still gets countless “letters, and stories, and tears, and hugs” from women and girls whose lives have been changed by Her Universe.

“It never stops being surreal,” she says.

“I’m so grateful for every moment because it does happen often, where fans share their stories. And those are the moments that touch me the most because that is solely the reason I started Her Universe. It’s never been about the money. It’s never been about the notoriety or the recognition. It’s always been about the fans.”

According to Eckstein, the change in the narrative surrounding fangirls has been “night and day” since she started Her Universe. While she is happy about the progress she’s seen, she says there is still room to grow and continue the conversation.

“I think that the day when we’re no longer talking about the fact that we’re surprised that these female superheroes are doing well, when we’re no longer having to ask for more for fangirls …” she says. “I think the day that we stop having the conversation is the day when we’ve finally made it.”

Despite the fact that her entire company revolves around making a space for women, Eckstein didn’t really think about the challenges or limitations of being a female entrepreneur when starting her company.

Her parents, she explains, raised her to ignore gender limitations. So, she entered the business world — a traditionally male-dominated industry — with what she calls “Rapunzel-colored glasses.” She explores this idea in-depth as part of her memoir-slash-guidebook, It’s Your Universe, but the basic idea is that she didn’t know what she didn’t know.

As a result of her naivete, Eckstein didn’t doubt herself or worry about the barriers she THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 47

PJ MASKS would face as a female CEO. In fact, she says she wouldn’t go back in time to give herself any advice about starting Her Universe, because knowing the road ahead may have stopped her from trying.

“I’m grateful for my Rapunzel-colored glasses and for being naive, because it just forced me to bulldoze my way through like a bull in a china shop and just say ‘well, why not?’” she says.

In 2016, Eckstein decided to sell Her Universe to Hot Topic. She refers to the sale as “a huge blessing,” because it gave her small company access to the expanded resources of a larger company: a larger fit team and licensing, production, and marketing departments.

She describes the sale as sending her baby off to college, but Eckstein is still very involved in Her Universe’s day-to-day operations (she even has a fantastic, Alice in Wonderland-themed office at Hot Topic).

Despite her impossibly busy schedule — running Her Universe, writing a book, working as a full-time actress, etc. — Eckstein still finds time to keep up-to-date with the latest movies, shows, and pop culture trends. Her recent obsession? Captain Marvel, which she’d seen twice within two weeks of its release.

In fact, Eckstein refuses to produce Her Universe products for a license unless she’s personally a fan. “I’m not going to do something if I can’t do it from a fan’s point of view,” she says. “In many ways, maybe we could have grown faster or into other categories. But we just couldn’t do it because we weren’t able to come at it from a fan’s point of view, and I didn’t feel that I could do the properties justice.”

Because she truly loves the fandoms featured in the Her Universe products, Eckstein finds herself wearing the clothes nearly every day. Recently, Eckstein was packing up her closet in preparation to move. Her mother, who was helping her, looked at Eckstein and asked, “Are all of your clothes Her Universe now?” Thinking about it, Eckstein responded, “Pretty much.”

“I founded Her Universe because I just wanted merchandise made for me, made for a female fan, that I could wear,” Eckstein says, reflecting on that moment with her mother. “And so now to have so much of it — and basically have my entire wardrobe be Her Universe — is surreal.” ✪

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“I think from afar you get this idea of this person who just seems like a Disney princess or someone who runs on magic ... And she actually is that kind. She is that amazing of a person.”

— Kristi Siedow-Thompson 2018 Her Universe Fashion Show Audience Winner

“Ashley is sweet but passionate; fierce and yet gentle at the same time. She is both Light and Dark Side.”

— Ed Labay Vice President, General Merchandise Manager at Hot Topic

“The growth of Her Universe within the fandom community, and as a female empowerment brand, are a direct testament to Ashley’s influence, character, and drive.”

— Andrea Lewis Vice President, Brand Marketing at Hot Topic

LICENSING

EXPO 2019

GOTTA HAVE IT ALL! You want new merch? You got it. Our favorite video games, movies, TV shows, comic books, and more come to the real world through carefully crafted consumer products, developed by entertainment companies in partnership with expert manufacturers. These heroes are basically responsible for every poster, action figure, and funny mug you own. So where do they meet? Licensing Expo, AKA the licensing industry’s biggest party. Over the next few pages, check out a sneak peek of the coolest properties and all the products they’ll have to offer over the next year. Consider this an early Christmas list.

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

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Stranger Things Hopper and Eleven

MCFARLANE TOYS McFarlane Toys will release new Stranger Things action figures this July, the same month that the Emmy-award winning show’s third season debuts. The new figures are Eleven and Chief Hopper, decked out in their nostalgic ‘80s attire from the new season.

Each figure features multiple points of articulation and character-specific accessories.

Plus, McFarlane adds new Fortnite vehicles to its collection. The Fortnite Premium Mako Glider features movable wings and a handle bar. Available this summer, the glider is compatible with all 7-inch McFarlane Toys Premium Fortnite action figures.

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Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group (ABCPG) continues to evolve from a video game publisher to an entertainment company with a portfolio of major gaming franchises, including Overwatch, Call of Duty, Spyro, and Crash Bandicoot.

In partnership with manufacturers including Hasbro, LEGO, UNIQLO, McFarlane Toys, and more, ABCPG continues to extend the core gamer experience across multiple fan touchpoints, providing fans engaging, relevant, and innovative experiences through consumer products, especially within the esports world.

With esports on the rise and Activision Blizzard at the forefront of competitive entertainment, ABCPG is raising the bar for esports via consumer products through new deals soon to be announced.

Coming off a successful inaugural season for the first professionalized esports league, Overwatch League, Activision Blizzard now plans to move forward creating a professionalized league for another blockbuster franchise, Call of Duty.

Soon, fans can get their hands on more Overwatch League merchandise than ever before. Activision Blizzard announced a multi-year, exclusive, multi-channel agreement with Fanatics, a leader in the sports merchandise space. In partnership with Fanatics, Activision Blizzard is building an international e-commerce and mobile shopping experience for Overwatch League, offering fans the opportunity to engage with their favorite teams and players through trendy merchandise. The new e-commerce platform, shop.overwatchleague.com, is helping connect fans around the world to their favorite teams and players. The 2019 Overwatch League season officially launched in February and will run through Grand Finals in September.

LICENSING 2019

Rick & Morty x BlackMilk

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EXPO

CARTOON NETWORK Cartoon Network expands its iconic Cartoon Network and Adult Swim series in multiple product categories, including fashion, comic books, games, and collectibles.

Finn, Jake, and the rest of the gang from Adventure Time come to life in a line of plushies, stationery, gifts, and accessories including backpacks and cosmetics through a collaboration with Miniso. New comic books from Boom! Comics are also available now.

We Bare Bears expands through a new plush collection from GUND, and they take on the form of Pop! Vinyls with new Funko collectibles. Fans can also look forward to Steven Universe books from Dark Horse and Abrams Books, Mr. Pickles apparel from PUCK HCKY, and Robot Chicken Loot Crates.

But the brand with the most new merch hitting shelves this year is Rick and Morty. Primitive Skateboarding launched a line of skateboard decks, hoodies, long- and short-sleeve shirts, socks, hats, and wallets; while BlackMilk has a collection of shirts, dresses, sweaters, jackets, pants, and swimsuits. Stance socks created designer socks featuring the iconic Szechuan dipping sauce, which pair perfectly with Diadora’s exclusive capsule collection featuring two sneaker styles in addition to a classic, ‘90s-inspired track jacket, sweatshirt, and T-shirt. Fans can also have Ricky and Morty swag delivered right to their doorsteps because Loot Crate released a subscription box full of exclusive collectibles based on the show.

MATTEL Mattel celebrates Barbie’s 60th anniversary this year with new partnerships for Barbie merch, set to launch throughout the year on a global scale. In addition to products for the younger generation, Mattel appeals to adult fans with a raft of new apparel, accessories, and experiences.

Mattel partnered with Amazon to offer a wide assortment of exclusive graphic T-shirts and sweatshirts available now, celebrating Barbie’s 60th anniversary through a print-on-demand program that allows consumers to select kids’, women’s, or men’s styles and choose a shirt color that best suits their personal style. Customers can visit amazon.com/barbie or look for one of the five pop-up stores across the U.S. to see the full collection.

Luxury candy boutique Sugarfina has created a new collectible candy collection inspired by Barbie’s most iconic careers. The six Candy Cubes in the collection celebrate Barbie’s ability to break the “plastic ceiling” and make her professional dreams come true. From Astronaut Barbie’s Cosmic Sours to Athlete Barbie’s Gummy Kicks, each Barbie career is paired with a sweet Sugarfina treat and packaged in a limited-edition Barbie design.

Sephora launched a full line of #Lipstories Lipsticks featuring eight different shades and intricately designed tubes. The makeup retailer also produced a miniature eyeshadow palette, mascara, a face and eyes brush kit, three care masks, and a primer mask.

Puma Nova x Barbie takes inspiration from ‘90s Barbie dolls, with two color palettes available. Longtime Barbie fans will also love the matching active apparel. The line is sold exclusively at Foot Locker.

Additional Barbie goodness includes a handbag collection from Forett, luggage from Samsonite, 60th-anniversary coins from Perth Mint Australia, and the collectible book Barbie: Sixty Years of Inspiration from Aussoline.

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LICENSING

EXPO

Shark Week Bu

ild-A-Bear Plush

2019

CREATIVE LICENSING CORP. Creative Licensing Corp. (CLC) specializes in merchandise for films including Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Rambo, Ace Ventura, Halloween, and Evil Dead 2.

New for 2019 is the announcement of the sequel to Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Bill and Ted Face the Music.

In the film, two middle-aged dads find themselves trying to crank out a hit song to save the universe and fulfill their destiny.

The film is set to begin shooting at the end of this year. CLC currently has more than two dozen licensing partners signed on for the film, including American Classics for apparel, Boom! Comics for graphic novels, and Universal Studios Orlando for events.

CLC will also bring fans unique escape room experiences this year. Boyd Escapes created escape rooms themed around Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Hourglass will create a themed escape room based on Evil Dead 2.

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DISCOVERY CONSUMER PRODUCTS Whether you’re a foodie, a shark enthusiast, or a DIY kween, Discovery has you covered with consumer products from its biggest shows and networks this year. Discovery Consumer Products will develop new licensed products and partnerships for brands including Discovery #Mindblown, Shark Week, Animal Planet, Food Network, and HGTV Home.

Animal Planet brings people up close with animals in every way. Available in 360 million homes in more than 205 countries and territories, Animal Planet combines content that explores the undeniable bonds forged between animals and humans, optimized across all screens around the world.

Animal Planet collaborated with art & eden, a sustainable cotton kids’ clothing brand, to create a capsule collection made of quality eco-friendly materials, with a portion of the proceeds from the sale going to Project CAT, Discovery’s ongoing initiative with the World Wildlife Fund. Later this year, Discovery will announce a new retail partner for Animal Planet.

Discovery Channel’s Shark Week is TV’s longest-running summer tentpole event. Each year, Shark Week takes viewers on a weeklong journey to the depths of the sea to uncover the secrets of the ocean’s top creature.

Each year, Shark Week is a pop culture phenomenon that thrills fans of all ages who are fascinated by these often misunderstood sea creatures. Shark Week is found in all 220 countries and territories around the world.

Last year, Shark Week celebrated its 30th anniversary, collaborating with Build-A-Bear Workshop, Vineyard Vines, Swedish Fish, and more. And there’s more fin-fueled fun on the way this year. Vineyard Vines will release a new Shark Week collection this summer, and additional new products will also launch this year from Fifth Sun, Knockaround, Dandee, Bright Kingdom, and Vans.

HGTV delivers compelling renovations and stunning transformations to more than 88 million U.S. households. The design experts at HGTV and paint company Sherwin Williams partnered to create HGTV HOME by Sherwin Williams, revealing the year’s trending Color Collection and distinguished Color of the Year, available exclusively at Lowe’s.

Food Network is distributed to nearly 100 million U.S. households and draws more than 46 million unique web users monthly. Last year, Food Network developed the Food Network Kitchen Inspirations line in partnership with Kraft Heinz, releasing 17 different flavors across their dressings, sauces, and meal kits, sold in major retailers, including Walmart, Target, Albertson’s, Kroger, and BJ’s. In July, the grocery product line will expand with soup kits in three flavors.

LICENSING

EXPO 2019

PANDA MONY This fall, Panda Mony introduces Alter Nation, a new breed of action figures featuring human-animal hybrid creatures. This 1:12-scale action figure line includes six characters — four heroes and two villains — each available in a standard or large size. Each character includes one to three character-specific accessories and a comic book.

CRYPTOZOIC The first figure in Cryptozoic’s new, horror-inspired Vinyl Terrorz line is based on the iconic villain from the A Nightmare on Elm Street film series, Freddy Krueger. It features the character’s trademark gruesome face, fedora, and clawed glove. The 7-inch figure comes inside a display-worthy window box and proves that after decades on the big screen, Freddy Krueger is still the stuff of nightmares.

SONY PICTURES CONSUMER PRODUCTS Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP) unveils merch across categories just in time for season two of YouTube Premium series Cobra Kai.. Fans can take home Halloween costumes, uniforms, and headbands from Spirit Halloween and Party City. Silver Screen will offer a 12-ounce bottled Cobra Kai IPA craft beer; and there’s a variety of apparel coming, too, including sleepwear, headwear, hosiery, and a variety of accessories from Bioworld Merchandise; and T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, sleepwear, socks, and more from Active Brand Commerce, Caprice Australia, and Fifth Sun. Fans can accessorize with Cobra Kai water bottles, stickers, duffle bags, wrist bands, and headbands from Surreal Entertainment, in addition to notebooks, stationery, calendars, posters, wall art, key chains, rugs and mats, luggage accessories, and coasters from Impact Rock.

Plus, Funko has action figures, phone accessories, backpacks, keychains, belts and buckles, hats, and more, while NECA reveals all-new action figures.

Purchases made at Spencer’s locations will include a limited-edition, in-store gift with purchase — across more than 680 stores. Not near a Spencer’s? Fans can also shop Cobra Kai merch online at the Araca Group's Cobra Kai store. Fifth Sun will also launch an Amazon and retail e-commerce print on-demand program with SPCP. The iconic Ghostbusters brand is collaborating with Hasbro’s Transformers franchise for a new GameStop-exclusive version of the famed Ecto-1 that transforms into a paranormal robot called Ectotron, in celebration of both brands 35th anniversaries. IDW Publishing will also feature Ectotron in a five-issue comic miniseries. Also, Funko will debut Ghostbusters figurines and GameStop-exclusive Funko Pop! Cereal figures.

For Men in Black: International, SPCP is releasing toys and collectibles, video games, apparel, action figures, and more.

In the true spirit of Jumanji gameplay, the franchise will see the addition of toys and a revamped Jumanji board game from Cardinal Games, as well as multiple video games.

For season five of Outlander, SPCP will unveil new collectibles, spirits, and drinkware, plus fashion accessories and jewelry, and the Araca Group will introduce the official Outlander online store.

56 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

DR. SEUSS ENTERPRISES

PLAYMOBIL Playmobil ain’t afraid of no ghosts, and they prove it with the Playmobil Ghostbusters Ecto-1A, modeled after the iconic car from Ghostbusters II,, with an updated logo and technical equipment.

The collectible vehicle features a functioning digital announcement board and a detachable roof. The ghost trap projects a ghost into the clear hologram cone when synced with the free Playmobil app.

The set also includes figures of Ghostbusters Ray Stantz, Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, and Winston Zeddemore in their official Ghostbusters II uniforms with two detachable slime blower packs and wands, two proton packs, a ghost trap, a PKE meter for measuring psychokinetic energy, and silicone slime splatters that stick to smooth surfaces.

Dr. Seuss isn’t just for kids. In addition to a full range of children’s products, longtime fans of the OG rhyme master and can enjoy new collectibles, apparel, and more based on The Cat in the Hat; Green Eggs and Ham; Oh, the Places You’ll Go!; How the Grinch Stole Christmas!; One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish; and The Lorax.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ new licensing partners include Dwindle and Supreme for skateboards and apparel and Williams Sonoma for kitchenware and tabletop products.

LICENSING

EXPO 2019

UNCANNY BRANDS

R2-D2 Popcorn Ma

Beep boop pop pop. Make popcorn with R2-D2 with Uncanny Brands’ Star Wars R2D2 Popcorn Maker. Users can simply plug him in, add corn kernels, and watch as R2-D2 air-pops a snack for a Star Wars movie night. R2D2’s head doubles as a serving bowl and it includes both a butter warmer and a popcorn scoop.

Start your day at light speed with the Deluxe Millennium Falcon Waffle Maker, featuring a regulating thermostat and a weighted lid to ensure perfectly even waffles, the Rebel Alliance symbol on the waffle plate, a movable sensor dish, and dual indicator lights that let breakfast fiends know when it’s time to pour the batter and when the waffles are ready.

ZORRO PRODUCTIONS This August kicks off a year-long celebration of Zorro’s 100th anniversary. Licensing Works!, the brand’s exclusive North American licensing agent, is ready to bring new products and experiences featuring the masked man to fans worldwide this year. And — spoiler alert — they are all awesome.

Casinos will get a little bit cooler with the new game, Zorro: Mighty Cash, from Aristocrat. Housed in the Arc Single cabinet, the progressive Lightning Link game features an 84-inch behemoth ultra-high-definition LCD portrait monitor cabinet with 5.1 stereo surround sound.

American Mythology continues to publish two distinct monthly series of Zorro comics, which are classic reprints of Zorro comics created for foreign markets available in English for the first time, as well as new comics with a supernatural twist. Four mini series will launch this year, including Zoro: Swords of Hell, Zorro: Sacrilege, Zorro: Rise of the Old Gods, and Zorro: Galleon of the Dead. Plus, fans can expect a 9- by 12-inch art book, The Mark of Zorro: 100 Years of the Masked Avenger, as well as collectible trading cards, this October.

Zorro Fans can also enjoy The Sword of Zorro escape room by Mystery Escape Room LLC. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, fans have one hour to try to recover Zorro’s sword. Tickets are available now, and the experience is expected to have a national rollout in the future.

This summer, Smoky Mountain Knife Works introduces the 100th Anniversary Bowie by Rough Ryder with a 440 stainless steel blade, Zorro graphics, and a black wood “Zorro” engraved handle and display stand. New Zorro Zippo lighters are soon to follow.

This fall, Overworld Games will launch the Zorro Dice Game, a tabletop dice and card game; Rubie’s Costume Co. celebrates 13 years as a Zorro licensing partner for worldwide Halloween costumes and accessories for children, men, women, and pets; and Silverscreen Bottling will produce collectible, premium-level Zorro tequila in bottles and themed gift packs bundling tequila with drinkware/barware, as well as cigars and allied apparel based on The Mask of Zorro and Legend of Zorro feature films.

In December, Gallant Knight Games will introduce Zorro: The Roleplaying Game, a new swashbuckling and heroic tabletop role-playing game set in Alta California, just as Zorro begins his search for those who can aid in his fight for justice. This game uses the new edition of West End Games’ classic D6 second-edition system. Gallant Knight will create a full-color, 200-plus-page, hardcover core rulebook; a faux-leather Collector’s Edition; metal Hero Point Tokens emblazoned with the iconic Zorro Z; and a collector’s set of Zorro dice, including a custom Zorro Wild Die. Plus, Caseable creates hand-crafted, custom Zorro covers for smartphones, laptops, and e-readers; and Redbubble features the Zorro 100th-anniversary logo, “100 Years of Zorro” artwork, and fan-generated Zorro artwork on a wide array of products, including apparel, mugs, stationery, accessories, and novelty items.

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TETRIS Tetris celebrates its 35th anniversary this year with a variety of new Tetris-branded games and collaborations. Sanrio will create an online version of the classic Tetris game featuring Sanrio characters, which fans can play on tetris.com starting on June 3. Tetris also partnered with ipsy for Tetris-themed beauty products. Ipsy will release its limited-edition Tetris x ipsy Glam Bag collection this month, featuring personalized packages of five makeup and beauty products. Plus, AtGames launches the full-size Legends Ultimate Home Arcade machine this fall, featuring hundreds of built-in games, including Tetris.

GLOBAL MERCH SERVICES Global Merchandising Services (GMS) is a music artist, celebrity, and brand merchandise company representing Alice Cooper, Motorhead, Slayer, Ghost Ozzy Osbourne, Little Mix, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Five Finger Death Punch, Backstreet Boys, and Mariah Carey.

GMS partnered with Funko last year on a line of rock and roll Pop! figures for iconic stars, including Alice Cooper, Lemmy, Motley Crue, Mariah Carey, and Elton John.

Later this year, additional Pop! collectibles will release for the Backstreet Boys, Ghost, and Slayer; and Rob Zombie will be out in 2020.

Plus, figures from Super 7 are newly available in Slayer, Motorhead, Ghost, and Ozzy Osbourne. Additional limited-edition, glow-in-the-dark figures will release at Comic-Con International: San Diego.

PCS Collectibles launched a highend, 18-inch, articulated Alice Cooper figure that comes complete with sword, snake, and top hat accessories and two outfit changes.

Later this year, Amoktime will release resin mini Ghost statues under its Monstarz division.

LICENSING

EXPO

ASMODEE ENTERTAINMENT Settlers of Catan is coming off the tabletop. Asmodee Entertainment is a newly formed platform of games publisher and distributor Asmodee, which looks to extend its iconic board game titles into TV and film development, comic books, location-based entertainment, and consumer products licensing platforms. At Licensing Expo, Asmodee will look for category partners for Catan, Arkham Horror, Pandemic, Legend of The Five Rings, KeyForge, Ticket to Ride, and more; meaning fans could have a lot of new ways to interact with their favorite strategy games in the coming months. Apparel and accessories, collectibles, gifts and novelties, home decor, and social expressions are a few key categories in which Asmodee Entertainment is currently looking to expand.

2019

Masterchef Junior

ENDEMOL SHINE Endemol Shine North America, part of the Endemol Shine Group’s tent pole franchise, Masterchef, celebrates its 10th season this summer on Fox. Its new property, Family Food Fight, comes to ABC this summer.

The Endemol Shine Group’s portfolio also includes scripted brands, such as the Netflix anthology series Black Mirror and the BBC One/Netflix gangster drama Peaky Blinders.

The group also features other new brands include the newly revived Deal or No Deal on CNBC, the digital animated series Simon’s Cat, and Mr. Bean. Its legacy properties include Fear Factor, Wipeout, and Minute to Win It.

« Batman DZNR Symbols Chibi

YUME To celebrate Batman’s 80th anniversary, YuMe created a speciality line of 7- and 10-inch chibis that celebrate the Dark Knight’s rich history. The five designs from the company’s DZNR series will be available this fall for collectors: Dark Knight Batman features the iconic suit from the Masked Crusader, Modern Age is based on Jim Lee’s artwork, Symbols features the various transitions the Batman emblem has gone undergone over the years, Logos features all of the different logos spanning Batman’s entire comic book history, and Camo uses subtle Batman designs and symbols to please a more urban street crowd.

Finally, a limited-edition DZNR Blackout Batman will also be available in limited quantities, embodying the color that best represents the Dark Knight’s crime-fighting spirit. Plus, Gotham’s Bruce Wayne transforms from the billionaire playboy into the self-made superhero who fights crime in the dead of night.

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WOW! STUFF

MASTERPIECES MasterPieces has acquired FanPans to create sports-related housewares products, including cake, muffin, and cupcake pans; ice cube trays; and candy molds. The FanPans will all come in official team logo shapes and colors based on NFL, NHL and 40 top NCAA sports teams. FanPans are refrigerator-, freezer-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe, and they offer direct freezer-to-oven convenience.

MasterPieces will also produce more consumer products in the baby and infant and toys and games categories.

Wow! Stuff expands its Harry Potter offerings with the Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak, which fans of the Wizarding World can use to “appear to disappear.” Using the free Wow! Stuff app and the green screen invisibility cloak, anything or anyone covered by the cloak disappears when viewed, photographed, or filmed using the app. The other side of the cloak features a detailed pattern inspired by the films. The cloak measures 5 feet and 2 inches in length and is available in either a Standard Version — featuring a detailed pattern and a foldaway smartphone stand — or a Deluxe Version with a more detailed pattern and a tabletop smart device tripod.

Just like Tom Riddle’s Diary in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the Tom Riddle’s Diary Notebook is made for keeping invisible notes and messages hidden. The set includes an invisible ink Slytherin house pen and a wand UV light that reveals the invisible messages.

The Light Painting Wands are 1:1 scale replicas of characters’ wands from the Wizarding World — including those wielded by Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Newt Scamander. Each wand features an LED tip, activated by a button on the wand’s handle. With Wow! Stuff’s Light Painting app, fans can use the wand to create drawings or practice spells using the light.

FANDOM FEATURE Ultraman battles Bemular, one of the 3,000 kaiju, in the original Ultraman series.

THE RETURN OF ULTRAMAN The popular Japanese franchise makes its U.S. comeback.

by Miranda Siwak, editorial assistant

B

efore we had Transformers, Power Rangers, and Voltron, we had one supersized hero: Ultraman. Once a cult, live-action TV series in Japan in the early ‘70s and ‘80s, Ultraman soared to new heights once it began broadcasting in the U.S., gaining an impressive fan following both in America and abroad.

After tense litigation over trademarks ended its initial U.S. distribution, the Japanese property is set to make its triumphant return to the global stage this spring, following a verdict set in Ultraman’s favor. Still in the early phases of developing how the franchise will return stateside, both the production and licensing teams have rallied the troops to recreate the magic that Americans saw decades ago with new and classic programs.

REMEMBERING A CLASSIC

First appearing in Japan in 1966, Ultraman enthralled viewers with the concept of a human growing into a supersized cosmic being who could defeat iconic monsters 62 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

known as kaiju. Produced by Tsuburaya Productions, the show grew in popularity across several Asian countries. By the late ‘60s, the classic version of Ultraman arrived in the U.S. in syndication.

“It was a completely new concept. A gigantic hero didn’t really exist before,” says Kei Minamitani, general manager at Tsuburaya Productions. “It wasn’t just about the superhero killing bad enemies, but we have 3,000 different types of kaiju in our archives now, and the thing is that each kaiju has their own story. I believe that is one of the reasons why, at the time, people were excited about the series, and it is still going on.”

When the series was first syndicated in America, Ultraman stood out with its unique character stylizations.

“I think there’s an aspect [that] it’s not Western and it definitely has a different point of view in terms of how [fans] view heroes,” says artist and toy collector Mark Nagata, in regard to Ultraman. “I think most Western types of heroes were very cut and dry. It’s a hero, so he’s going to save the day, and things kind of end on a happy note … .”

Piquing fans’ interest with unique styling, action-packed battles, and cosmic superpowers, the show soared in popularity. While the Western Hemisphere was left with an Ultraman void during the creators’ legal battle, the hero flourished in Asia as Tsuburaya continued to produce new series. Now, it’s time to reintroduce Ultraman to a new generation of American fans.

GETTING REACQUAINTED

Tsuburaya and its U.S. licensing partner, The Licensing Group, announced the return of Ultraman at last year’s Licensing Expo, exciting former fans and potential licensees.

“We were sitting down and many people just came up to us, saw Ultraman on the board and would stop by and say ‘I know this character; what are you going to do with this?’” Minamitani says. “It was really surprising to see so many people who knew the character and were looking forward to it.”

Many of the show’s original U.S. fans found the hero through the series’ daily syndication between 1966 and 1981. Danny

Simon, founder of The Licensing Group, explains that many Generation X viewers remain fans of the property today, and are anticipating its return and looking forward to passing down something they enjoyed to their own kids.

" What we believe is that we have a different virtue to characters."

-KEI MINAMITANI, GENERAL MANAGER, TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS To kick off the process of bringing the iconic franchise back to North America, Minamitani says the first phase will bring the classic series back into the mainstream market and reintroduce people to the beloved hero and his kaiju opponents. Tsuburaya plans to focus on the original live-action series, in addition to a new sequel on Netflix that was released in April, which features advanced animation styles and the son of the original hero taking on the iconic moniker to save Earth from a new alien threat. In addition to bringing original programs to the Western market, potential new live-action films and series are in development to create new realms for the iconic hero.

The creators also aim to focus on new licensing opportunities and merchandising as a way to further engage the passionate fan base that has been clamoring for the hero’s global comeback.

“As we’re just starting, we know that it’s a challenge as there are lots of different heroes and IPs everywhere in the global market now. And we believe it’s a big challenge, but what we believe is that we have a different virtue to characters than the U.S. makes,” Minamitani says. “What we’re trying to achieve here is to introduce not a new type, but a different type of character into the market, which is a challenge, but I think it’s feasible. But we’ve only just started, so we’ll see where it goes.”

SOARING TO SHELVES

Although Ultraman’s resurgence is only beginning, fan excitement for new merch

promises an optimistic future for the brand.

A collection of Ultraman Funko Pop! figures sold out within the first week of its launch, proving fans’ appetite for the nostalgic series, which bodes well for expansions.

“We know that there’s an audience that remembers Ultraman, and we want to play to that audience initially in re-establishing the character,” Simon says. “We’re actively engaging licensees now, already signed up a number of companies in various categories, and are in discussion with a number more.”

New products will pay tribute to the iconic series and its characters, bringing a sense of nostalgia to new merchandise.

New licensees will see the creation of comic books, collectibles, apparel, gifts, novelty, and toys, Simon explains.

While there is no confirmed media program in place yet for the return of the classic series or any new live-action films, The Licensing Group and Tsuburaya are looking for dedicated companies to develop an ongoing partnership as the franchise develops.

“A couple of us grew up Ultraman’s] in the ‘80s and [Ultraman’s] the kind of stuff we grew up with and were interested in. Now that we’re in a position where we can really capture our youth and create cool products that we didn’t have when we were young, we’re going back and chasing after a lot of these vintage categories,” says Eric Phan, chief marketing officer at apparel company Bait, one of the merchandising partners currently on board.

While the franchise team is in the process of signing on new licensees to expand Ultraman’s reach, several existing partners are working to craft unique apparel, accessories, and collectibles based on fans’ nostalgia for the iconic characters and its images.

Due to Ultraman’s U.S. absence, there’s been a lack of new products in the market. So, original fans will likely be excited to get their hands on new merch — currently in development — that they could have only wished existed back in the day.

“I think the fan reaction is going to be

great,” says Will Thompson, president of licensing at apparel manufacturer Changes.

“There’s been a real drought of product in the U.S., and people have not been able to get ahold of a cool Ultraman T-shirt for a long time, so I think we have a real audience and a real build-up out there of interest, and I think we’re going to do really well with it.”

For Bait, Phan explains how many of the original American audience members have a more expendable income now and can pay more for rare, exclusive, higher-end products. Other partners, such as Changes or collectible pin company FanSets, also see the value of the property’s core fans and plan to showcase the iconic Ultraman imagery as inspiration for new merchandise.

FanSets is known for its deep dives into DC characters on collectible pins and is currently expanding into other licenses.

Ultraman seemed to be the perfect partner for the collectibles manufacturer, considering the diverse characters in the franchise.

A BIGGER ULTRAMAN

Ultraman still has a long way to go, but before long, fans will be reveling in a new series and merchandise meant to reacquaint them with the supersized hero and stable of intricate kaiju. “Our mission is, at this stage, to expand the franchise for the next 50 years, to expand it and trynew Chris Pratt try meets a baby raptor in the to make Jurassic it even World: betterFallen so it Kingdom lasts fortrailer another 50 years,” Minamitani says. As Ultraman continues to do well in the Asian market, Minamitani hopes Tsuburaya and its partners can replicate its success in the U.S. “The goal would be to be able to be continuously producing feature films [and] series in a continuous manner, not just to make one feature film, but to keep on creating the franchise, so that’s what we have to try to control and have to understand and be careful about,” Minamitani says. “We’re just very excited about getting back to the U.S. [It] is such an important market for this entertainment [property] and characters. It’s a major challenge; [there are] lots of IPs in the market, but we’ll see if we can penetrate and if we can reach the mass market. ... [We are] very excited though.” ✪ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Miranda Siwak is an editorial assistant at Adventure Publishing Group, where she contributes to the Toy Book, the Toy Insider, and the Pop Insider, covering the latest toy and entertainment industry news.

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FANDOM FEATURE

WOODY

A LOOK AT DISNEY•PIXAR’S TOY STORY 4

RIDES AGAIN 64 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

Woody and Bo Peep have a chat with the smallest member of the new Toy Story crew, Officer Giggle McDimples. Photo: Pixar

Inspired by real-life toy history, the crew from Bonnie’s room hits the road for their biggest adventure yet!

by James Zahn, senior editor

It’s been nine years since audiences last caught up with Sheriff Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Trixie, Hamm, and the rest of the toys from Andy’s bedroom. Since the 1995 release of John Lasseter’s groundbreaking Toy Story — Pixar’s first full-length, animated feature — those toys have become like family, not just to each other, but to a growing fan base around the world.

In Toy Story 3, director Lee Unkrich provided a remarkably satisfying and emotional conclusion to the original trilogy. Almost immediately upon hearing that a fourth installment was in development, many wondered why the toy box was opening again.

Quite simply, when Andy passed his toys on to Bonnie, Toy Story 3 was the conclusion to Andy’s arc.

“There’s a saying here at Pixar that if there’s a story worth telling, we’re gonna tell it,” says director Josh Cooley, a 15-year studio vet who began his career doing story-

boards on The Incredibles (2004). “We found our story.”

According to producer Mark Neilsen, “Andrew Stanton (co-writer of all four Toy Story films) thought of the first three films as a complete, three-volume set. With Toy Story 4, it’s a new beginning in a new room.”

Of course, sometimes you have to look to the past in order to find the future.

At a preview screening at Pixar Animation Studios, Cooley and Neilsen introduced the first 20 minutes of the film in its nearly finished form — and the footage is absolutely stunning. There’s always a jump in quality between Pixar films, but this — a flashback to a rainstorm at night, in which RC is trapped in a muddy gutter, desperately awaiting rescue — is an achievement on all levels. You can feel the urgency of the characters, in what becomes a truly edge-ofyour-seat moment.

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FANDOM FEATURE

Perfect imperfection: Pixar adds real-world detail, such as unique welds and bends, to materials, such as steel. Photo: Pixar

powerful tools to tell the story,” says production designer Bob Pauley, who joined the company in 1993 and served as a concept artist on the first film.

“In the beginning, we used simple shapes and rigging due to the limitations of the software we had,” adds Bill Reeves, global technology supervisor at the studio.

“It was all simple textures, but plastic did well, which lent itself to doing toys. The first two films were very similar, but the 11-year gap between Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 meant a significant improvement in the software. In the nine years since, we have a new version of RenderMan and can add things to the cinematography that we couldn’t do before — depth-of-field and dust. The level of polish is the big jump. Toy Story 4 is in true widescreen for the first time.”

By the end of the unexpectedly thrilling opening sequence, before the title card even appears or audiences hear the familiar sound of Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” we learn what happened to Bo Peep and understand just how close Andy was to 66 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

losing Woody. Bo went away, but she wasn’t Andy’s toy — Woody was.

Flash forward to present day, and it’s time for Bonnie to head off on a new adventure — kindergarten. The whole crew is there in her room, and Bonnie has no desire to do anything but play. Concerned for her ability to make it through her first day, Woody manages to hitch a ride in Bonnie’s backpack, winding up in the classroom, where he plays a part in Bonnie’s creation of Forky, a plastic spork who insists he’s trash.

“When we first started making our own Forkys, they looked too good,” explains animator Claudio De Oliveira, who helped bring the character to life through the creation of hundreds of real-world crafts. “Forky needed to look like a little girl made him.”

The first 20 minutes is powerful, but to truly show off just how far Pixar storytelling has come, Cooley presents an assortment of scenes from later in the film — scenes that introduce viewers to new locations, new characters, and a whole new level of detail.

“Toy Story has a caricatured world where

everything is designed from the toy’s point of view,” Cooley says. “We really wanted to expand the world as much as possible.

So, going outside of the tri-county area was huge. And we put the toys in places that they’d never been — places that would have new types of toys that would present new problems.”

The antique store is an incredibly complex set, populated by more than 10,000 individual items, painstakingly grouped and placed into themed departments or “worlds” throughout the shop. It’s here we meet Gabby Gabby, a 1950s pull-string doll inspired

by Chatty Cathy, and her henchmen who are voiceless ventriloquist dummies of the vaudeville era. Gabby and her friends are the stuff of nightmares, and what they’ve been seeking, only Woody can offer.

Then there’s Duke Caboom — a 1970s Canadian stuntman inspired by Ideal Toys’ famed Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle. The catch is that Duke can’t achieve all of the fantastic stunts shown in his own toy commercial.

Opened to much fanfare, he found himself

tossed aside when his kid realized that “truth in advertising” isn’t always what it seems.

The level of detail present in the antique store, the neighboring carnival, and an adjacent playground will take multiple viewings to fully absorb. One shot revealed in a recent TV spot showed a very realistic-looking cat, sparking online chatter about just how far Pixar animation has come.

“In this movie, there are shots that are staggeringly realistic,” Cooley says. “At times we have to pull it back — it’s too real.”

Still, some shots are even more real than they need to be, but it’s a testament to Pixar’s creativity. In addition to advancements in lighting and cinematography, the company wrote a program just to handle dust — something common in an antique shop. Turning the program on full blast is too much, but as it is scaled back, there’s just the right balance.

In the carnival, we see lighting that functions as real lights would. And while many real-life carnivals have switched to LED, the lights in Toy Story 4 have the warmth and glow of incandescent bulbs. Animated, yes, but they’re “wired” to function just as lights on actual rides and midways would, flashing naturally and imperfectly. Even something as simple as a metal grate — on which Buzz finds himself strapped — is not animated as a symmetrical grid. It’s damaged, with imperfections in some of the bars, and unique welds at each joint. It shows the age of a display that’s been moved from town to town.

Down the street we see a park, and beyond the stray grains of sand that add detail to the suburban playscape, we see that even the toys themselves have evolved. Bo Peep

Director Josh Cooley reviews footage as Toy Story 4 takes shape. Photo: Pixar

shows cracks in the gloss that covers her hair — a reminder that she’s still a porcelain doll.

Combat Carl, who appeared as a 12inch, ‘70s-style action figure being blown to bits in the first film, would later appear in the made-for-TV Toy Story of Terror reimagined as a modern, muscular hero. Mirroring the Hasbro G.I. Joe figures that inspired him, Combat Carl is back in Toy Story 4 as a 3.75inch, ‘80s-style figure — right down to this swivel-arm battle grip.

And he’s not the only 3.75-inch figure in the mix. As some eagle-eyed fans noticed in the first full-length teaser trailer, there’s a couple of very familiar characters who pop up: a duo from a long time ago, and a corporate sibling from the Walt Disney family of companies.

“In the first Toy Story, characters such as Slinky Dog and Mr. Potato Head — those

were real toys, and people almost forget that,” Cooley says. “In Toy Story 4, I wanted to see some things that I grew up with, and almost anyone my age grew up playing with Kenner Star Wars action figures.”

As the toys get ready to hit the road this summer, it might be too early to begin thinking about what’s next, but one comment from Cooley stands out: “Every ending is a new beginning.”

Toy Story 4 hits theaters on June 21. ✪

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: James Zahn, best-known as The Rock Father, is senior editor of the Toy Book, the Pop Insider, and the Toy Insider.

He is a media personality, commentator, consultant, actor, adventurer, raconteur, and overall pop culture and toy enthusiast.

Scale is everything. The animators use charts like this to see how the toys would line up in the real world. Photo: Pixar

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FANDOM FEATURE

TOY STORY 4 ACTION FIGURE COLLECTION MATTEL This collection of core action figures from Mattel’s massive product assortment features characters from Toy Story 4, including Woody, Bo Peep, and Forky.

There are two-packs and deluxe offerings available featuring larger characters, such as Benson, Bunny, and Ducky.

MSRP:$6.99-29.99 Available: mass retailers

DISNEY•PIXAR TOY STORY BEDDING POTTERY BARN KIDS The bedding collection is inspired by classic imagery from the Toy Story franchise and includes bedding and decor families can use to create an immersive experience in any child’s room. Items include sheets, pillows, comforters, wall art, and more.

MSRP: $14.50-229 Available: Pottery Barn Kids

TOY STORY 4 POP! VINYL ASSORTMENT FUNKO Funko’s line of 3.75-inch Pop! Vinyl figures expands with a host of new characters and old favorites, including Buzz, Woody, Jessie, an Alien, Forky, Ducky, Bunny, and more.

MSRP: $9.99 Available: mass retailers

MR. POTATO HEAD ANDY’S PLAYROOM POTATO PACK | HASBRO This 61-piece set includes everything kids need to build Mr. Potato Head dressed as Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Forky, Duke Caboom, Ducky, Bunny, and Bo Peep. It includes two large potato bodies, seven small potato bodies, and 52 accessories.

MSRP: $39.99 | Available: mass retailers

TOY STORY 4 SOCKS COLLECTION | STANCE The Stance x Toy Story collection brings Buzz, Woody, and Pizza Planet style to a trio of new sock designs. A deluxe box set comes in a Pizza Planet Box, complete with a pair of bonus pins.

MSRP: Individual styles: $18; Pizza Box Set: $80 Available: Stance Stores, shopDisney.com

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FANDOM FEATURE

DISNEY·PIXAR’S TOY STORY 4 HIGH FLYING BUZZ LIGHTYEAR | JUST PLAY This 13-inch Buzz plush features interactive sounds and motion-activated fun. Kids can lift up Buzz to see his jet pack wings deploy, or tilt him to watch his arm and leg move into a flying pose. When flying, Buzz makes sound effects and says fun phrases from the movie.

MSRP: $24.99 Available: mass retailers

DISNEY•PIXAR TOY STORY EPIC MOVES BO PEEP ACTION DOLL | MATTEL With a mighty staff and 14 points of articulation for posable fun, kids can show off Bo Peep’s epic moves. The action doll includes multiple costume pieces and rooted hair for fashion play.

MSRP: $24.99 | Available: mass retailers

BUZZ & WOODY’S CARNIVAL MANIA! | LEGO Kids can join Woody, Buzz, and Bo Peep as they explore Carnival rides and games with their new friends Ducky and Bunny. The 230-piece building set includes new minfigures, a laser cannon, a Terrorantulus ride, bumper cars, and an ice cream stand.

MSRP: $39.99 | Available: mass retailers

70 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

NEXT-GEN NEWS MEET THE KINDI KIDS, FROM THE PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT YOU SHOPKINS

‘RICKY ZOOM’ IS YOUR PRESCHOOLER’S NEXT OBSESSION Prepare to zoom into adventure with Ricky Zoom, a new CGI-animated, action/comedy/adventure series from the people who brought you PJ Masks.

The new show, from Entertainment One (eOne), is all about friendship, community, and learning how to stand on your own two wheels.

Ricky Zoom stars Ricky, a motorbike who is really just an everyday kid with everyday experiences. With a zest for speed, Ricky is a born leader who lives in Wheelford, a town that’s tailor-made for bikes.

Whether it’s racing around the adventure park or riding to the rescue, Ricky shares his experiences with his enthusiastic bike buddies Loop, Scootio, and DJ. TOMY International is the global master toy partner for the series, with plans to release a full toy line in select markets next spring. Additionally, eOne plans a full global consumer products program to support the series.

Expect to see lots more of Ricky and his friends next year. ✪

Read more at thepopinsider.com

Ricky Zoom © Frog Box & Entertainment One UK Limited 2019

RUGRATS IS GETTING THE LIVEACTION MOVIE TREATMENT Calling all ‘90s kids: Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, Angelica Pickles, and the rest of the Rugrats squad is coming to life in a live-action/CGI-enhanced movie from Paramount. The movie is based on Nickelodeon’s animated TV series from the ‘90s about a bunch of babies running wild. The show ran for nine seasons and spawned three animated movies in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s.

David Bowers (director of the second, third, and fourth Diary of a Wimpy Kid films) will direct the new movie, and Rugrats series creator Gábor Csupó will serve as the producer, alongside Karen Rosenfelt and Brian Robbins. David Goodman wrote the script.

Paramount is on a Nickelodeon revival kick, as the studio is also working on the upcoming Dora the Explorer and Are You Afraid of the Dark? films.

The Rugrats film is expected to arrive in theaters on Jan. 29, 2021, so only time will tell how everyone’s favorite ‘90s babies will translate to their live-action dopplegangers. ✪

Moose Toys has a new property that aims to bridge the gap between preschool and kindergarten.

Kindi Kids will launch this fall with a line of four colorful bobblehead dolls — Marsha Mello, Jessicake, Peppa-Mint, and Donatina — each with glittery eyes, rooted hair, and changeable clothes. The dolls will include “magical” food-themed accessories that move, and the line will include three play sets: a bear fridge, a kitty supermarket, and a bunny shopping cart.

“Kindi Kids is more than a brand launch for Moose Toys. It’s an incredible opportunity to disrupt the preschool aisle to celebrate the major milestone of entering kindergarten for the first time,” says Paul Solomon, co-CEO of Moose Toys.

“We’ve received great support from retailers, and this is just the beginning for Kindi Kids. We are building out a robust world with music and content, with more to come.”

Ahead of the toy launch at retail, Moose will introduce the world of Kindi Kids — Rainbow Kindi — with an original, musical YouTube series set to debut in June. ✪

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POP JUNIOR: FANDOM FEATURE

Ben 10 faces off against Hex.

BEN 10, TAKE US TO YOUR LEADER New aliens settle in and old villains return as Ben 10 travels the world in season four.

by Jacqueline Cucco, associate editor

A

liens are among us. There’s Grey Matter, who’s small and slimy, with sharp teeth and big brains. There’s Rath, an extraterrestrial feline with serious cattitude to pounce on enemies with cat-like reflexes and retractable claws. There’s Stinkfly, the gross-but-deadly flying insect alien who shoots streams of bug juice to choke and blind his enemies. And that’s just the beginning, all stemming from a 10-yearold boy named Ben and his watch-like device, the Omnitrix, which gives him the ability to transform into 10 different aliens — that’s why they call him Ben 10.

Cartoon Network’s animated series Ben 10 first aired in 2005, spawning five TV series, four films, an Emmy Award, and countless toys featuring Ben and his alien transformations. After a brief hiatus, Cartoon Network rebooted the series in 2016, and now it’s heading into its fourth season, slated to premiere globally next year.

Ben 10 is Cartoon Network’s longest-running franchise to date, and even after all these years, the show continues to empower its fan base through new alien transformations, action-packed battles with both old and new villains, and exciting storylines.

76 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

The show first introduced the travel theme in season three and will expand on it in season four as Ben, his cousin Gwen, and Grandpa Max adventure around the world, with pit stops in Italy, Japan, Mexico, and more. “Since Ben 10 is such a beloved series throughout the world, it was only natural to have Ben visit some amazing international locations,” says Executive Producer John Fang.

“Giving Ben new experiences and having adRath, the extraterrestrial feline, works the crowd.

ventures in brand-new environments definitely keeps the show interesting and engaging.”

Don’t expect Ben’s family to book a flight for these family vacations, because they don’t fly commercial like everybody else. “Although not an actual character, there is a new addition to the Tennyson family: a giant chopper that can carry the Rustbucket and the family to far-off destinations,” Fang says.

Some fan-favorite aliens will return,

including Rath, the extraterrestrial feline, and Humungousaur, the dino-battler who slams down his long, spiked tail to create a booming blast of sound and sonic shockwaves. The show will spice things up with new aliens as well, including Slapback, who can split into two smaller copies of himself when struck on the back. If struck enough times, these copies can subdivide into Ben’s own mini strike squad. There will be exciting changes to all of Ben’s aliens and the Omnitrix, but Fang isn’t able to reveal specifics just yet.

As for the villains, “Ben will be facing the mysterious Forever Knight and also Kevin 11, armed with his own version of the Omnitrix,” Fang says. Kevin 11 first made his debut in 2006 in the very first season of the show, reappearing earlier this year to become one of the main villains in season three of the reboot. Kevin 11 can transform into aliens just like Ben, using a bootleg version of Ben’s Omnitrix, called the AntiTrix.

“It’s a great challenge for Ben to have an adversary closer to his age with his own watch capable of matching up to the Omnitrix,” Fang says. The way the two boys choose to use their similar abilities reveals their true character. Ben uses his for good, while Kevin uses his to bully others. “It’s not the watch, but the person behind the watch that makes someone a hero,” Fang says.

It’s the mixture of action and humor that keeps kids interested in the show, according to John Stelzner, vice president of marketing at Playmates Toys, the global master toy partner for Ben 10. The show fulfills a fantasy for kids, which Playmates Toys tries to replicate by working closely with Cartoon Network to pump out new action figures and role-play toys featuring Ben and the aliens from the show’s changing storylines and characters.

The key demographic of the Ben 10 toys is boys ages 4 to 7. “We’ve developed new themes for the figures, which complement their evolution in the show,” Stelzner says.

In addition to the new action figure assortment released this spring, Playmates Toys will launch new toys this fall, including figures featuring the new characters, Alien World Microsets, and two new versions of the Omnitrix that kids can wear to feel just like Ben. Toys are the most popular products from the brand overall, according to Cartoon Network Enterprises, but Ben 10 is also entering into new categories, such as apparel, accessories, seasonal, and amusement. Fans can join in on Ben’s alien adventures with products ranging from play sets and clothing to books and graphic novels.

The brand is constantly challenging itself, coming up with new ways to stay relevant Ben 10 is heading into its fourth season, premiering globally next year.

by adding fun and unique ideas to every episode. “Whether through art direction, storytelling, sound design, music, so on, we are always looking for new ways to tell an amazing Ben 10 story,” Fang says.

There are valuable life lessons packed into each episode, such as the importance of a good support system and using your powers for good. Family is important to Ben, and to the series as well. Gwen and Grandpa Max are still huge influences — Ben wouldn’t be able to defeat the bad guys and bullies without their help. Sure, he has special powers, but he’s still just a kid at heart. “Ben

is 10 years old and barely understands the Omnitrix, so he’ll make a lot of mistakes,” Fang says. “But in the end, he is always doing his best to do what’s right.” ✪

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jacqueline Cucco is an associate editor at Adventure Publishing Group. She writes for the Toy Book, the Toy Insider, and the Pop Insider, and is in charge of all things Instagram. When she’s not watching slime videos, you can find her playing paparazzi for her pet bunny, Peepers (@thebigpeep on Instagram).

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A new season of Ben 10 not only brings fresh storylines and characters, but also new toys and merch. Kids can take home their favorite aliens, read about them in graphic novels and books, and even dress up as them. Here are some out-of-this-world products inspired by Ben and his alien buddies.

BEN 10 COSTUMES RUBIE'S COSTUME CO.

Dress up any day of the year and transform just like Ben with these hero and alien costumes featuring Ben, Four Arms, and Heatblast.

MSRP: $29.99 Available: mass retailers

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MEDIA

BEN 10 T-SHIRTS

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CARTOON NETWORK SHOP Kids can rock shades of black and blue on these youth-sized T-shirts featuring colorful graphics of Ben and his aliens charging forward and the Omnitrix hard at work.

MSRP: $19.95 Available: Cartoon Network Shop

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4. GRAPHIC NOVELS BOOM! STUDIOS

ACTION FIGURES, OMNITRIX, ALIEN WORLD PLAYSETS

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Ben 10: For Science! and Ben 10: Mecha Madness follow the adventures of Ben and his cousin Gwen as they attempt to save the world.

MSRP: $7.99 Available: Amazon, comic book shops, and bookstores

PLAYMATES TOYS

5. BEN 10 VOLUME DVDS

Playmates Toys has quite the selection of new Ben 10 toys this year, including action figures (such as Rustbuggy Ben and Kevin 11), an Alien Game Omnitrix that kids can wear to play four different games on the LCD screen, and Alien World Micro Playsets with microfigures and accessories.

MSRP: $8.99-24.99 Available: mass retailers

CARTOON NETWORK Go back to the beginning and catch up on past seasons of the show, including Ben 10: Villain Time, Ben 10: Omni-Tricked, and Ben 10: Out to Launch.

MSRP: $9.99 Available: mass retailers

6. PAPERBACK BOOKS PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE There are eight titles to choose from in the Ben 10 book series, including paperbacks and activity books with pullout maps, word games, and travel journals.

MSRP: $4.99-7.66 Available: mass retailers

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A Preschool British Invasion Fifteen years after its debut, Peppa Pig remains a

childhood staple.

by Miranda Siwak, editorial assistant

The British are coming!

The British are coming! While Americans fought off an invasion back in colonial times, this time around, we bitterly lost at the hands of a sassy, slightly bossy, adorable pink piglet named Peppa.

“The accelerating popularity of Peppa in multiple markets is a testament to the brand’s universal appeal,” says Joan Grasso, senior vice president of licensing at Entertainment One (eOne). “This has been the key to the popularity of Peppa globally and explains its ability to resonate with audiences everywhere.”

Following Peppa Pig’s impressive debut in the UK, distributor eOne saw the show’s potential to dominate the U.S. market, and the little pig who likes to jump in muddy puddles quickly captured the hearts of American preschoolers. Since 2004, families have been keeping up with the adorable pig with a British accent.

Peppa Pig’s rapid growth in popularity is all thanks to the show’s relatable storytelling, diverse cast of characters, and laugh-outloud humor.

Telling a Familiar Story The show follows preschool-aged Peppa and her friends and family. As Grasso explains, the series is relatable on a global level as many of the episodes focus on some 80 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

of the first life experiences that a young viewer would have, giving kids a way to easily bond with characters, such as Peppa, George, and Suzy.

Another hallmark of the series is its quick episodes. Each episode lasts around five minutes, which means they are short enough to hold kids’ attention for the length of the entire program. While the show airs on Nick Jr., the Peppa Pig YouTube channel also features full episodes, clips, and even a livestream of different episodes back to back, giving kids and families a quick, no-cost way to watch.

“The episodes aren’t long episodes, and I think kids love to watch them over and over again, and honestly, I love watching them,” says Debra Dorfman, vice president and publisher for global licensing, brands, and media at Scholastic. “I think they have good lessons [and] universal themes. I think a lot of parents put their children in front of the TV, and this is the kind of show that you don’t mind sitting down and watching with your kids.”

Welcome to Playgroup Peppa Pig is known for its diverse cast of characters, as Peppa’s playgroup is made up of different animal species with varying physical attributes. Seamlessly blending diversity into the show helps create a sense of realism that mirrors the real world. As

the show continues to entertain impressionable young children, eOne continues its commitment to diversity, including its most recent announcement of a new friend to the playgroup: Mandy Mouse, Peppa’s first friend in a wheelchair.

During the eighth season of the preschool program, Mandy makes her smallscreen debut in her own episode titled “Mandy Mouse.” The sporty Mandy arrives to playgroup in her wheelchair, popping wheelies and performing tricks with ease.

In addition to Mandy, Pedro Pony and Molly Mole — who both have poor eyesight — the extremely tall Gerald Giraffe, and more diverse characters coming in future episodes prove that the show aims to help viewers learn to embrace their differences.

Fans have taken to social media to express how inspirational the show has been in portraying a variety of characters.

Making Fans Laugh Peppa Pig is a show known for its relatable sense of humor that both kids and parents can enjoy. And more often than not, Daddy Pig is the butt of the joke. “[With] the humor element, they do make fun of Daddy Pig a lot, and some of the things that happen to him are somewhat unfortunate, but I think it makes it funny.

That’s one of the reasons parents like it as well because some of those things happen

to adults in their everyday life,” Grasso says.

In addition to poor Daddy Pig, Peppa gives off some sassy honesty throughout the show, often adding to the humor. For example, in one episode, Peppa hangs up on her best pal Suzy Sheep when she discovers Suzy can whistle but Peppa cannot. The scene has since gone viral on YouTube, with more than 1.7 million views on its official channel, and even spawned a popular internet meme.

Other sassy remarks that encourage audience chuckles include her constant sniping at Daddy Pig about his weight or tasks, including, “Blah, blah, blah, that’s Daddy’s job.”

Mummy May I? If your child watches Peppa Pig episodes repeatedly, there’s a good chance they’ve either marveled at her British accent or tried to mimic the way the piglet speaks — or even both. Several parents have reported that their kids even try to replicate Peppa’s dialogue and speech patterns as a way to emulate the beloved pig.

“Kids, even in the U.S., are picking up some of the British slang words that are being used in episodes, and they are speaking in British accents,” Grasso says. “Parents in the U.S. don’t seem to mind at all; they’re totally OK with it.”

After kids started repeating the funny accents they heard on the show, many parents shared the amusing reactions, including one viral tweet from St. Louis, Missouri-based mom Grace Terbrock that has since been retweeted more than 14,000 times.

As Terbrock’s 3-year-old son began watching more episodes of Peppa, she began to notice him picking up new terminology from the show. Switching out “vacation” for “holiday,” “grocery store” for “supermarket,” and “call” for “ringing” somebody on the phone, his dialogue began to imitate the British piglet.

“I can’t pinpoint one thing that has made my son so drawn to the show,” Terbrock says. “It certainly is different; their accents are something [kids] aren’t used to hearing, and I think it fascinates them a bit. The standout element would definitely be the British culture and slang, combined with the fact that they are a family of pigs who enjoy things like jumping in muddy puddles.”

While kids are mimicking the different way Peppa speaks, according to Sushannah Levi, an associate professor of communicative sciences and disorders at New York University, kids aren’t actually learning an entirely new dialect or altering their normal speech patterns. Rather, kids are likely just repeating the funny things they hear Peppa

say on the show.

“It’s incredibly unlikely that kids are actually learning to pick up that dialect or speak like Peppa Pig in any broad sense,” Levi says. “When kids learn languages, they pick up the dialogues or the languages that are spoken around them. It’s unlikely to come from a TV show; it would have to be around or on many hours as they are speaking with other people in their language community.”

likeness of Peppa Pig and make sure it’s true to that, and how do we look at positioning Peppa within our portfolio to make the most sense,” says Edzra Gibson, vice president of brand marketing at good2grow. “We make sure we allocated the appropriate amounts of space so that Peppa can be featured on that product line, which allows fans of the brands to find her and collect her.”

Licensing Takeover

As the year continues, Peppa Pig will continue to grow, with more than 100 new episodes in production. To celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the show’s initial debut in the UK and Australia, new programs and merchandise will be based on family traditions, such as birthday gatherings and festivals. A new, two-part special episode launching in July will feature festival staples, including kids’ crafts, musical concerts, and glamping, all culminating in the biggest muddy puddle jump the show has ever seen.

While Peppa continues to jet off on global excursions and experience new and relatable moments, her core values have remained the same, teaching fans of all ages valuable life lessons about friendship, family, and being our most authentic selves.

Here’s to 15, Peppa; you’re still as cute as a button; a kind, inclusive friend to all; smart as heck; and just sassy enough to take over the world. ✪

While Peppa herself has mounted a second “British invasion” globally, she did so by remaining true to herself and the larger goals of the licensing program. Grasso explains that even though Peppa has grown in popularity and reached new heights, eOne finds it important to keep the core essence of the show intact: celebrating everyday moments for preschoolers.

In addition to the series, preschoolers can bring Peppa home through a host of eOne’s licensing partnerships. The Peppa Pig product line features many unique items, including toys, apparel, books, and food.

“Obviously, the toy program has been one of the most successful categories, I think, because kids can act out what they’re seeing on the show and what relates to them through the product line,” Grasso says. “It really has brought the show and the characters to life by offering all these products out there for our consumers.” eOne keeps a close relationship with its licensing partners to utilize key themes, characters, and messages from the show that translate well into age-appropriate products designed for preschoolers.

“We try to make a product that speaks to the Peppa DNA of fun playfulness, with some fashion flare,” says Marie Todd, director of licensing at Komar Brands. “We partner with the Peppa design team and work on trends and the focus of the upcoming season so that the fan will get Peppa newness.”

Many of the licensed products are successful because they feature the cute, oneof-a-kind pig. When creating a new Peppa-licensed product, companies often look to her broad and universal appeal to sell products that fans would use in their daily lives.

“When looking at creating new products, one of the first things we look at is how do we take the

New Year, More Peppa

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Peppa Pig’s Magical Parade Float Jazwares Who doesn’t love a parade? Jazwares introduces Peppa Pig’s Magical Parade Floats this fall, which includes three attachable floats, character figures, and a moveable train for kids to lead Peppa on a parade. With the press of a button on the wand, kids can activate sounds from the series.

MSRP: $39.99 Available: mass retailers (this fall)

Peppa Pig Character Tops Good2Grow Getting your little ones to eat healthier can be challenging. When getting them to drink their juice, add a bit of Peppa’s sass with good2grow’s Peppa Pig character tops. The Peppa-topped designs are available on single bottles of its all-natural juice, fruit and vegetable drink blend, and reduced sugar beverages.

MSRP: $2.19-3.49 Available: Convenience, grocery, and largeformat stores

Family Trip Scholastic Dive into reading fun with Scholastic’s new Family Trip storybook. Follow along with the Pig family’s Italian holiday. The book showcases travel adventures, including packing, flying on an airplane, and sightseeing. The storybook includes two exclusive Peppa-themed postcards that kids can rip out and send in the mail. Ciao!

MSRP: $4.99 Available: major booksellers

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Toddler Girls’ Peppa Pig Dress 2-Pack Happy Threads Add a bit of Peppa’s confidence — and her love of pink — to your toddlers’ daily wardrobe with these girls’ Peppa T-shirt dresses, from Happy Threads. The set includes two cotton everyday dresses with fun Peppa-themed graphics and cute messages to inspire preschoolers to be more like the posh piggy.

Accent not included.

MSRP: $18.99 Available: Target

Peppa Pig Let’s Chat Learning Phone VTech Hello, mummy, may I give you a ring? With the Peppa Pig Let’s Chat Learning Phone, from VTech, kids ages 2 and up can answer the toy phone to respond to Peppa’s questions and hear her playful answers. Kids can practice basic math skills, including numbers, counting, and addition through interactive games starring the Pig family. Just like a real smartphone, kids can listen to voicemail messages from George, Mummy, and Daddy, and change the ringtone and brightness on the LCD screen.

MSRP: $14.99 Available: major retailers

Peppa Pig Toddler Sleepwear Sets Komar Brands

Peppa eppa Pig Color Wonder Coloring Pages Crayola Add color to Peppa’s black-and-white stenciled adventures with a magical twist. With Crayola’s mess-free Peppa Pig Color Wonder Coloring Pages kit, kids can color 18 pages of Peppa Pig-themed designs with the five included Color Wonder markers. As soon as kids press the ink on paper, colors and patterns magically appear in the sketchbook.

Voila, you’re an artist!

MSRP: $7.99 Available: mass retailers

Catch some Zs! Kids can curl up for a restful night’s sleep with these Peppa-licensed cotton toddler sleepwear sets, from Komar Brands.

These two- or four-piece sleepwear sets are available in both pants or shorts bottoms, and the jammies include clever and cute graphic patterns and phrases. Now, sleep tight!

MSRP: $16.99-21.99 Available: Target, Walmart

Peppa Pig Breakfast Bites Primary Colors Design Corp.

As you’re running out the door to avoid being tardy for the day ahead, grab hold of Primary Colors Design Corp’s Peppa Pig Breakfast Bites, launching this fall. The individually packaged bite-sized breakfast snacks includes seven chocolate or brown sugar cookie biscuits. The bites include no artificial ingredients or sweeteners.

MSRP: $3.99 Available: Ross, mass retailers (this fall)

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JUST FOR KIDS! While we’re all just kids at heart, there are hundreds of entertainment properties ACTUAL kids are crazy for. If you’re a parent of a little one younger than 10, you’ve likely heard the name “Ryan” a time or two. From classics like Sesame Street to new favorites like Fortnite, there are so many brands kids just can't get enough of, and merch makers across the world are cranking out awesome products to help fuel kids’ fandoms. Check out some of the coolest stuff coming out this year, and get a look at what makes these shows, games, and movies so darn awesome.

GENIUS BRANDS

JAZWARES New Fortnite toys are dropping in from Jazwares.

The 1x1 Builder Set brings the most essential building from Epic Games’ Fortnite to life. This set features an articulated 4-inch Black Knight figure, Pick Squeak and Axecalibur harvest tools, and weapons including the Grenade Launcher and Legendary Burst Assault Rifle.

Fans can recreate one-by-one structures and build walls, ramps, floors, and so much more with 31 building materials, and exclusive new windows and door materials.

Jazwares also expands its Roblox line of toys with the Jailbreak: Great Escape set. Fans can recreate their favorite epic breakout scenes inspired by the Bloxy Award-winning game Jailbreak, created by Badimo.

Hatch the ultimate escape plan or catch the crooks before they wreak havoc in the city. Kids can mix and match parts to build their own unique Roblox character and deck out the figures with the included accessories.

It also includes a redeemable code to unlock an exclusive virtual item in Roblox.

And brand new this year, Jazwares introduces Nanables, a new line of ultra small, colorful, and whimsical dwellings inhabited by Nanos. Kids can collect six different houses in two locations: Sweetness Town and Rainbow Way. Each highly detailed house comes with two Nano figures and a viewer that allows kids to peek inside. The Nanables app that lets kids scan their toys into an augmented reality environment.

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Genius Brands offers new back-to-school items based on Rainbow Rangers, an animated preschool adventure series that follows the adventures of seven magical girls who are Earth’s first responders, protecting people, animals, resources, and the world’s natural beauty. Later this year and next, fans can expect toys from Mattel, books from MacMillan Publishing, apparel from Bentex, bikes and scooters from Dynacraft, Halloween costumes from Disguise, and bedding and bath items from Jay Franco. Plus, additional items across the games, party goods, personal care, coloring and activity kits, boxed role-play, room decor, consumer packaged goods, and more categories are in the works.

Rainbow Rangers-inspired products will be available across mass, mid-tier, and specialty retailers, as well as direct to consumer.

Fans of the Genius Brands x Netflix Original preschool series Llama Llama, starring Jennifer Garner, are in store for a slew of new branded merch. The show, which is currently in production on season two and two 30-minute specials, is based on the award-winning and best-selling book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney. Llama Llama is about first childhood experiences and adventures, as well as the connections between Llama Llama, his mom, grandparents, and best friends. Expanding on last year’s multi-channel retail program — which included coloring and activity books from Bendon Publishing, animatroinic plush from Cuddle Barn, plush toys and puppets from Kids Preferred, and toys from Phat Mojo — new merch includes school book fair products from Scholastic, bakery goods from Decopac, costumes from fun.com, and home entertainment from NCircle Entertainment.

Llama Llama

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PLAYMONSTER PlayMonster acquired the license for The Logo Game and will debut a new version of the game this fall, featuring a mix of 137 contemporary and nostalgic brands. In the game, two to six players ages 12 and up compete to answer trivia questions about popular logos, commercials, and brands. The new version features 78 new brands and 3D pewter pawns.

Burping SpongeBob SquarePants joins PlayMonster’s Stinky Pig game line. In this hot-potato style game, players ages 6 and up pass SpongeBob as he plays a tropical tune. The player holding SpongeBob when he “lets one loose” takes a token, and the player with the fewest tokens at the end of the game wins.

PlayMonster also introduces its first line of collectibles based on the mobile game My Singing Monsters. The figures sing and harmonize with each other, like they do in the game.

The first series includes six articulated monsters from Plant Island: Entbrat, Furcorn, Mammott, Noggin, Maw, and Toe Jammer. Designed for kids ages 7 and up, the figures measure 2 to 5 inches tall and each comes with an accessory from the game.

AURORA WORLD Aurora World is ready to expand the YooHoo brand of big-eyed animal friends this year.

The preschool animated series YooHoo to the Rescue launched on Netflix in March, followed by a number of freeto-air launches. Inspired by the original YooHoo plush — which has sold more than 80 million pieces since 2007 — the series features 26 episodes and is available in 190 countries and in 20 different languages. The animated show teaches kids about environmental conservation as the main character YooHoo and his friends travel from the magical forest of YooTopia to Earth to confront threats to nature and wildlife.

The new show has also inspired a refreshed line of YooHoo plush, with a new look and new characters. But wait, there’s more! Additional YooHoo products include stickers, mini figurines and trading cards from Panini; baby products from Nuvita; toiletries from Apple Beauty; magazines from Kennedy Publishing; and more.

PENGUIN YOUNG READERS The Little Engine That Could chug, chugs her way to her 90th anniversary next year. To celebrate, Penguin Young Readers has a year of publishing planned, including a 90th-anniversary edition and a new style guide in honor of the Little Engine’s big birthday. Apparel, from Litographs, and e-invitations, from Punchbowl, are in store, too.

Penguin Young Readers also continues to expand its licensing program with Mad Libs. The classic word game finds even more ways to fill in the blanks through card games, greeting cards, and more from partners such as American Greetings and Looney Labs. In addition to iOS and Android apps, Mad Libs is also available as an Amazon Alexa Skill (via Amazon Echo speakers and all other Alexa-enabled devices) and a Google Action (on Google Home speakers and all other Google Assistant-enabled devices).

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KAHOOTZ Kahootz brings back an old-school classic with the Original Waterfuls, the handheld game made for kids ages 3 and up. The retro favorite features six different game panels inspired by classic arcade games.

Kids can insert the game card of their choosing into the back of the toy, add water, then swirl, shoot, and score. The game is screen- and cord-free, and there are no batteries required.

The Spirograph Retro Deluxe Design Set is a reproduction of the original set from the ‘70s, featuring throwback packaging and retro graphics. The set features all the iconic wheels and rings of the original, designed for kids ages 8 and up.

Colorforms Retro Remix Editions are now available in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Care Bears styles. These Retro Remix Editions are classic reproductions that capture the spirit of the original Colorforms play sets, updated for kids ages 3 and up.

TASTE BEAUTY Ryan from Ryan ToysReview is taking over bathtime, with a little help from Taste Beauty. Kids can make a splash with Ryan’s World Fun Fizzers. Available at Walmart, Target, Amazon, and more, each individually wrapped bath bomb includes a special surprise inside. Kids can watch the fizzer whirl in the tub and fill the air with a sweet scent. The bath bomb dissolves to reveal Ryan’s surprise collectible. The fizzers feature different characters from Ryan’s World, including Gus and Combo Panda, and they are available in blueberry, cherry, orange blast, and green apple scents.

And, more Ryan products are on the way.

Taste Beauty and pocket.watch are partnering to develop and deliver new bath toys and games featuring Ryan and his friends. The products are set to be revealed in time for the holidays.

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SESAME WORKSHOP Sesame Workshop celebrates 50 years of Sesame Street with the opening of Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando. The land features Abby Cadabby’s Garden, Big Bird’s Nest, Mr. Hooper’s Store, and the famous 123 Stoop, as well as everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends. The debut of the six-acre attraction is the largest Sesame Street Land inside of any of the SeaWorld parks.

Sesame Street characters and friends will host free family festivals in 10 cities around the U.S. this summer with the Sesame Street Road Trip.

Fans can also look out for a series of media events, including a one-hour primetime TV special on HBO and PBS, a live concert series with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and the launch of the 50th season on HBO. Next year, Sesame Street’s best-selling book will turn into an animated special airing on HBO. Coming to the TV screen for the first time, The Monster at the End of This Story makes Grover the star of his very own story, but he doesn’t want to get to the end because he is afraid of monsters. Grover tries different ways to stop the viewers from watching so that they’ll never get to the end, but nothing works. With help from his friends like Elmo and Cookie Monster, Grover learns that it’s OK to feel afraid, and he builds up courage to reach the end of the story where he sees the monster, which happens to be himself.

Sesame Street is also headed to the big screen with a live-action movie from Warner Bros. Produced by Shawn Levy, the movie is scheduled to premiere on Jan. 15, 2021.

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PILLOW PETS Pillow Pets celebrates Sesame Street’s ’s 50th anniversary with the Elmo and Cookie Monster Pillow Pets and matching Sleeptime Lites. The Elmo and Cookie Monster Pillow pets feature each character’s head, arms, and legs on a fuzzy pillow matching their fur color. The Sleeptime Lites feature a glowing light cover that projects rainbows and stars onto the ceiling. They feature three color modes and a 20-minute timer.

AARDMAN ANIMATION It’s the end of the farm as we know it. Aardman is gearing up for the global release of Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddom. In addition to the film sequel, a new season of the Shaun the Sheep series is in production, and a Nintendo Switch game is in development. Shaun the Sheep and his flock will also become official supporters of Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, creating an exclusive joint merchandise opportunity for UK partners across sports and character merchandising. Fans can also expect new plush from Aurora, publishing titles from Sweet Cherry, and gifts and collectibles from Funko.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. Wallace & Gromit celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with special events, promotional partnerships, and new giftware and apparel collections. Fans can catch up on Wallace & Gromit shorts, which are now available on Netflix and Amazon Prime’s digital platforms.

ENTERTAINMENT ONE Kids can gear up like their favorite kid heroes with new PJ Masks products from eOne’s licensees.

Just Play introduces two new play sets: the PJ Seeker and the Mystery Mountain Playset.

The Seeker has lights, sounds, and a show-inspired design. It can fit up to four vehicles in the detachable carrier and up to three 3-inch PJ Masks figures in the cabin. It also features a disk launcher, a pull-out ramp, and a drop-down side door. The Mystery Mountain Playset features a lava elevator, a ball launcher to keep away Night Ninja, and a trap door to capture all of the baddies.

Primary Colors Design Corp. makes breakfast and snack time a little more super with a variety of PJ Masks-themed products: Shaped Cheese Crackers, Mallow Pops Assortment, Blueberry Breakfast Bites, Cinnamon Brown Sugar Breakfast Bites, and Chocolate Breakfast Bites. All of the snacks are individually packaged, with seven breakfast bites per package. The Mallow Pops Assortment is also available in a Peppa Pig theme.

Kids ages 3 and up can race around on the PJ Masks 3D Molded Scooter from Sakar. This three-wheeled scooter is available exclusively at Walmart and features rubber handlebar grips.

Simon & Schuster introduces two new PJ Masks books this spring. Mystery Mountain Adventure is an 8- by 8-inch storybook based on the show’s “Mystery Mountain” episode. It also comes with a sheet of stickers. Race to the Moon is a level one ready-to-read book, following Catboy, Gekko, and Owlette as they go into space to keep Luna Girl from capturing the harvest moon crystal.

The PJ Masks Super Learning Phone from VTech is an interactive toy phone designed for kids ages 3 and up. The phone features four educational games, voice-activated conversations, voice messages from the PJ Masks characters, and animations on the LCD screen.

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WOWWEE Coming later this summer, WowWee brings PINKFONG’s Baby Shark to life with Baby Shark Fingerlings.

Kids can attach Baby Shark to their finger, and watch as the special fin lights up different colors when you blow kisses or shake him. When you pet him, Baby Shark will flap his tail and blink his eyes to tell you how he’s feeling. Baby Shark will also give kids magical kisses when they press his face to their cheek. Magic Motion Sense allows you to move him in a wave-like motion to hear him splash around and break into the “Baby Shark” song.

J R. JAY@PLAY Jay@Play introduces Rainbow Fluffies this fall, plush rainbows with a cuddly plush animal hidden inside. There are nine rainbow plush to choose from, including a unicorn, a panda, a ladybug, a turtle, an elephant, a kitty, a puppy, a dragon, and a tiger. Sizes vary between regular and jumbo. Each Jumbo Rainbow Fluffie includes a hidden mini character inside.

Available this fall, Boxy Girls UnboxMe Blind Box features an 8-inch Boxy Girls doll in a blind package for kids to reveal. Each box includes a new, exclusive Boxy Girl doll. There are 36 dolls in total, each with articulated arms, legs, hips, wrists, and heads.

Also new from Jay@Play this fall, Boxy Babies allow kids to collect five 6-inch baby dolls and dress them up in new clothes and accessories. Each Boxy Baby comes with two shipping boxes to unbox, featuring baby clothes, baby shoes, baby bottles, accessories, and more. The articulated dolls come with soft, PVC clothes that kids can pop on and off. Each doll has its own personality, outfit, shipping boxes, and name: Addison, Izzue, Paisley, Charlie, and Tini. A Boxy Baby Triplets Surprise Box features three additional baby siblings named Kiley, Wiley, and Miley.

Plus, the original line of Boxy Girls dolls expands with season two: Mila, Hazel, Hanna, and Kiki. The new dolls includes five shipping boxes plus a miniature box with a luxury fashion surprise.

SUNRIGHTS Sunrights extended Beyblade Burst this year with new deals for games and puzzles, QSR toy premiums, publishing, and confectionary products.

Earlier this month, Burger King launched a Beyblade Burst Evolution-themed collection of character figurines and spinning tops for kids ages 4 to 9.

Goliath will extend the fun of Beyblade Burst with Bey Master, a new board game for players ages 6 and up. The interactive board game features a magnetic board that moves at the will of player and includes two spinning tops. Players can create their own obstacle course with score towers and magnetic bumpers, launch their tops on the board, and move the board in any direction to guide their spinning top toward the score towers. Whoever gets the highest score wins.

The game features artwork from season three, Beyblade Burst Turbo.

For younger fans ages 4 and up, Pop N Race is a classic board game in which the die is located in a pop device in the middle of the board. Players push down on the popper to roll the die and move their pieces across the board, and the first one to get all of their pieces to home base is the winner. This new version features iconic characters and artwork from Beyblade Burst.

Both new board games are set to launch in August.

Panini France will launch a Beyblade Burst Evolution magazine with premium toy this summer. The magazine will feature themed games and activities, comic strips based on the series, a fan art section showcasing artwork from real Beyblade Burst fans, and more.

Each magazine focuses on story arcs from three to four episodes from the show.

Beyblade Burst fans can immerse themselves in Beyblade goodness with new Beyblade Burst Evolution novels from Grund. Similar to the magazines, each novel follows the arcs of three to four episodes from the animated series. Pages are printed in full color and feature Beyblade Burst Evolution character assets or episodic art from the show.

Plus, kids can sweeten up the Beyblade fun with Easter Eggs in two sizes from Dolci Preziosi and Bauli.

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POP JUNIOR: FANDOM FEATURE

50 Years on the Sesame Street celebrates a half-century of kids’ first fandom.

by James Zahn, senior editor Right now, somewhere in the world, a kid is experiencing Sesame Street for the very first time — falling in love with a colorful cast of characters who will make a lifelong impression. In just a few short years, that kid will move on to other things, but the spirit of Sesame Street will live on inside of them — tucked away for now and likely re-emerging in new ways somewhere down the line. In an era in which passion for pop culture is an all-encompassing lifestyle, there’s a lineage that can be traced back to almost every kid’s first fandom: Sesame Street.

Since Nov. 10, 1969, Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett’s creation has continued to be a pioneer in educational entertainment. With a diverse mix of human characters and Jim Henson’s Muppets of Sesame Street, the iconic series is driven by constant reinvention — becoming a global brand that consistently evolves to meet the changing needs of its worldwide audience, all while staying true to its core values and heart.

Early on, Children’s Television Workshop (CTW) — the independent, non-profit organization that would become Sesame Workshop — recognized the power and value of licensing its brands to fund the core operations of creating programming that would enrich the lives of kids everywhere.

Now, as Sesame Street celebrates 50 years and counting, the brand has reached the pinnacle of cross-generational appeal as it continues to welcome new friends, fans, and neighbors as big kids who grew up on the ‘Street find warmth in representing their childhood favorite.

THE WORLD’S MOSTFAMOUS PRESCHOOLER For many, that favorite is still a certain character who reached the peak of pop culture stardom in 1996, inspiring a toy that changed it all: Tickle Me Elmo.

It’s been 23 years since the famed, 94 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

giggling, shaking, bundle of joy hit retail — practically launching the entire category of “feature plush.” It arrived to such massive success that kids had to have it, and the demand sent parents into a frenzy to find one. Tickle Me Elmo set a benchmark that’s still being chased today.

Elmo continues to evolve, and this holiday season we’ll see the release of Love to Hug Elmo from Hasbro’s Playskool division. So what is it about this particular Muppet — who originally appeared as a nameless “Baby Monster” — that continues to lead Sesame Street into the toy aisles with such lasting appeal?

“Sesame Street is an evergreen brand that resonates with a young demographic of fans,” explains Gabriela Arenas, vice president of North America licensing at Sesame Workshop. “It is one of the first brands that parents experience with their kids; and specifically Elmo is often a child’s first ‘character’ and a favorite. As a fellow 3-and-a-half year old, kids relate to Elmo.”

The connection to Elmo is something that any parent who has taken a child to meet the furry monster in person has witnessed first hand — an almost inexplicable, immediate feeling of love, seen regularly at Sesame Place in Pennsylvania and at meet-and-greets on the Sesame Street Live! tour.

“A new generation of preschoolers engage with the property every year, and we continue to evolve Elmo at retail and in consumer experiences,

The gang’s all here and celebrating 50 years of Sesame Street.

Left: Sesame Street Animated Happy Birthday Elmo Plush

by GUND

such as with the opening of Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando,” Arenas says.

“We work with best-in-class toy companies — most importantly our master toy partner Hasbro — to bring exciting and innovative new Elmo toys to market every year. He is a true icon in the preschool aisle,” she says.

EVOLVING FOR A NEW CLASS With a constant stream of new fans, it would seem that certain items such as Playskool’s 3-inch figures, would be a staple, but even the classics need to be refreshed from time to time. It’s a challenge that Sesame Workshop and its partners are up for, and this fall we’ll see Classic Characters and Neighborhood Friends box sets, setting up the figures for the incoming fans.

When it comes to keeping things fresh, Arenas says that her team works closely with their licensees “to create products that have never been seen before,” looking “for innovative designs that showcase the breadth and depth of the brand,” which means staying on top of the latest play trends and incorporating them into the Sesa-

me Street product mix.

“There are some amazing trends in miniatures and collectibles, and unboxing elements that are attractive to preschoolers,” she explains. It’s not just a matter of slapping the name on whatever’s hot. “We are thoughtful about introducing these new categories, making sure they are engaging and showcase favorite characters to our youngest fans.”

The same goes for the series itself. Sesame Street often goes through a cyclical evolution, reinventing what’s on-screen for preschoolers and their caregivers.

“Sesame Workshop’s production team is constantly creating new content and evolving the show — it’s what keeps Sesame Street fresh even after 50 years,” Arenas says. “We’ve been able to respond to this new content with our toys, introducing new items tying directly to the recently rebooted “Elmo’s World,” and to our new “Cookie Monster Foodie Truck” segment. This allows us to explore new themes in toys, and it works especially well when our toy audience has a built-in familiarity with the content from the show.”

“Sesame Workshop’s production team is constantly creating new content and evolving the show — it’s what keeps Sesame Street fresh even after 50 years.”

— GABRIELA ARENAS, VICE PRESIDENT OF NORTH AMERICA LICENSING, SESAME WORKSHOP

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POP JUNIOR: FANDOM FEATURE

Chef Gonger and Cookie Monster prepare to cook up some fun in “Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck.”

Photo: Sesame Workshop

WHOLE-CHILD LEARNING STEM and STEAM are two terms that are constantly tossed around with little substance, but Sesame Street was ahead of the curve in presenting these concepts with grounding in proven educational data several years ago. While some entertainment companies and product manufacturers are jumping on the STEM bandwagon, Sesame Workshop is looking at the bigger picture.

“Sesame Street is grounded on a comprehensive whole-child curriculum that supports preschoolers’ cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development,” Arenas explains. “The curriculum is created by child psychologists, educators, and educational advisors, incorporating the latest research in child development and innovative approaches in early childhood education. While the series is designed to address all areas of children’s learning and development, the primary curricular focus changes every one or two seasons in order to meet preschoolers’ 96 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

current critical needs. We look at what issues are impacting kids, and we find the best ways to address those needs. In the past, we’ve delved into STEM and STEAM. We’ve also addressed kindness and autism.”

WE MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO GET TO SESAME STREET, BUT WE CAN ALWAYS FIND IT It’s been 50 years since Sesame Street premiered, but the preschool series still faces some new challenges today, including a crowded entertainment space.

“Today, there are so many platforms available and much more competition,” Arenas says. “There are big studios, small studios, and toy companies becoming studios. There are more considerations, such as launching with short-form only and/ or figuring out the seeding time to expand licensing. A lot of content can be very visually appealing, fresh, and new, but without a compelling storyline, there won’t be longevi-

ty to a property.”

Being evergreen is something that Arenas says the company feels is “a big responsibility.” She adds that the company is always conducting curriculum exploration to ensure that the content being produced is relevant to what kids are experiencing today.

Whether it’s on HBO, PBS, YouTube, or another app that doesn’t yet exist, Sesame Workshop aims to make sure that Sesame Street is available wherever kids are. And of course, it’s always going to be entertaining — the lineup for the next half-century has already begun to take shape.

“We’re creating more long- and shortform content in different formats, including an animated TV special for HBO in 2020, and a live-action movie with Warner Bros. coming out in early 2021,” Arenas adds.

After 50 years, Big Bird, Oscar, and all of their friends are just getting started. ✪

Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando brings the ‘Street to life with interactive activities, attractions, and an award-winning parade.

Photo: Sesame Workshop

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POP JUNIOR: FANDOM FEATURE

SESAME STREET LOVE TO HUG ELMO PLAYSKOOL (A DIVISION OF HASBRO) The next evolution in Elmo feature plush, kids can squeeze his tummy and he’ll respond by throwing up his arms and asking for a big hug. When kids give the 13-inch plush a cuddly embrace, Elmo responds and sings the “Hug Song” in English or Spanish.

MSRP: $29.99 Available: mass retailers

SESAME STREET x ZARA APPAREL COLLECTION ZARA Kids and grown-ups alike will find unique fashions featuring characters from Sesame Street, including Cookie Monster, Elmo, and more. The company is also making handbags, backpacks, and shoes.

MSRP: $12.99-29.99 | Available: Zara 98 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

BAKED BY MELISSA BITE-SIZE CUPCAKES BAKED BY MELISSA This fall, Baked by Melissa stores will be decked-out in Sesame Street branding for the debut of five new bite-size cupcake flavors, inspired by Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, and Abby Cadabby.

MSRP: $1.25-35 | Available: Baked By Melissa, June 4 to Dec. 31

EZPZ PLACEMAT + PLATE COLLECTION EZPZ Elmo and Cookie Monster are imagined as new editions to ezpz’s signature Happy Mat collection. The all-in-one placemat + plate concepts include a stable base that promotes self-feeding and the development of fine motor skills.

MSRP: $19.99 | ezpzfun.com

SESAME STREET 50 YEARS AND COUNTING SURPRISE PLUSH GUND The second series of GUND’s blind-boxed plush includes Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Prairie Dawn, Snuffy, Baby Bear, and a mystery chase character.

MSRP: $9.99 | Available: mass and specialty retailers

POP JUNIOR: FANDOM FEATURE Alan (Alana Muraoka) combs Julia’s hair with Abby Cadabby. Julia is the first Muppet with autism.

Photo: Sesame Workshop

ABBY CADABBY 11-INCH PLUSH GUND The sweetest fairy-in-training has a brand-new look for Sesame Street’s 50th anniversary. She has a new outfit, classic stringy hair, and a wand.

MSRP: $24.99 | Available: mass retailers

SESAME STREET MINI PLUSH FRIENDSHIP CELEBRATION PACK PLAYSKOOL (A DIVISION OF HASBRO) Kids can cuddle up with miniature plush takealong pals that are perfectly sized for little hands. The pack includes Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Snuffy, and Count Von Count.

MSRP: $39.99 | Available: mass retailers 100 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

FANDOM FEATURE

KING OF THE RING

WWE, the theatrical-sports hybrid juggernaut, dominates both the entertainment and licensing industries.

by Ali Mierzejewski, editor-in-chief

LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!

In a cross between entertaining theatrics and a true test of athleticism, WWE has been wowing its loyal fans for decades.

Like any successful entertainment brand, WWE explores a huge number of characters and intertwining, engaging storylines. It allows fans to follow their own heroes and villains through epic battles that they can watch live in-person.

That’s where the “sports” aspect of WWE

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comes in; Forbes has named WWE’s Wrestlemania event one of the world’s top 10 most valuable sports event brands for the past four years. WWE has been a publicly traded company since 1999, with a current market cap of $7.5 billion.

“At our core, WWE tells stories of good versus evil, which is something everyone can relate to,” says Sarah Cummins, WWE’s senior vice president of consumer products.

“As a company, WWE is always on, with live

programming 52 weeks a year, allowing our fans to continually engage with their favorite WWE Superstars and the stories that unfold around them.”

And the company makes sure that its content is suitable for kids and adults alike.

WWE’s popular Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live — which were named the No. 1 and 2 shows on the USA Network, as well as being responsible for making USA the No. 1 cable network for more than a decade

Fireworks explode over Metflife Stadium in New Jersey during Wrestlemania 35 Photo: WWE.

— are rated TV-PG, meaning that adult fans can share the experience with their own kids.

EVERYONE CAN JUMP INTO THE RING WWE works to deliver characters, storylines, events, a full consumer products line, and content that not only deliver across a multi-generational fan base, but also exceed fans’ high expectations. The products range from kids’ brands, such as Fisher-Price, to adult-focused brands, such as New Era Cap.

“We partnered with Mattel on this unique opportunity to integrate our Superstars into the longstanding Little People line,” Cummins says. “We see this as a way to broaden engagement and collectibility in a fun, new way that lends itself nicely to our multi-generational audience.”

In fact, a lot of WWE’s supposed “toy” partners make products that appeal to the entirety of the audience the company reaches. That, combined with WWE’s inherent

theatricality, allows for fun partnerships that entice fans across the board, such as with Alpha Group, who signed WWE as its first partner for its AirNormous line of inflatable wearables and props.

“WWE AirNormous oversized inflatables deliver supersized fun for kids and kids at heart. Becoming your favorite WWE superstar appeals to fans of all ages,” says Matthew Sherman, director of global brand marketing at Alpha Group. “From its size THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 103

WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair Photo: WWE

to its inherent play patterns, the sports entertainment brand perfectly complements [the line].”

APPAREL FIT FOR AN ENTRANCE As for fans looking for a little bit of nostalgia, WWE partnered with Garbage Pail Kids (GPK), the brand full of gross-out humor founded by the Topps Co. in 1985.

The original brand featured trading cards, T-shirts, collectibles, sticker albums, and other novelty items that featured their characters with subversive attitudes. GPK is seeing its own resurgence in popularity currently, as all things ‘80s are becoming retro and trendy.

WWE worked with GPK and Spencers to launch its collaboration, using Wrestlemania as leverage for the launch. The collection, which is available at Spencers, features graphic T-shirts and headwear featuring GPK versions of WWE Superstars for fans to obsess over. To add to the excitement, there are also exclusive WWE and GPK collaboration items available at wweshop.com.

New Era also launched a line of headwear this spring that features embroidered logos, names, catchphrases, and more from the current WWE Superstars and past Legends. To show that you’re a true fan, New Era will also include a collection of pay-per-view specific headwear in its offerings for major WWE events, including “WrestleMania,” “SummerSlam,” and “Royal Rumble.”

THE FACTS ON FIGURES It’s probably no surprise that with a lineup of interesting characters and a huge fans, WWE dominates the action figure category.

Mattel is the brand’s global partner for action figures, and last year, it secured both the No. 1 and No. 3 spots for action figure items in the U.S., according to the NPD Group. Its line features just about as much variety as WWE’s fan base.

Mattel’s figure line centers around its Core Figure Assortment, consisting of 6-inch WWE action figures that feature articulation, True FX-enhanced facial detailing for authenticity, and ring gear. The Elite Figure Assortment also includes 6-inch figures with all the same features, but adds on even more articulation and accessories. There are even more options for adult collectors, including the Collector Ultimate Edition Assortment and the WWE Championship Title Assortment, which features a variety of WWE Championship Belts.

Mattel’s Wrekkin’ line adds “action” into the mix. The 6-inch Wrekkin’ Figure Assortment features collectibles with three moves —slamming, punching, and kicking — and

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they can even hold “wrekkable” accessories, such as a ladder, a table, and more. There’s also a Wrekkin’ Ring, which is a play set with a backstage gym area and collapsible scaffolding. Whether fans are displaying their figures in a collection or re-enacting their favorite wrestling moments with their friends, they’ll be able to bring the best — or their own — WWE storylines to life.

And WWE is not content with just topping action figure markets. Thanks to new deals with companies such as Mars, Hyundai, Coca-Cola, EA Games, Paramount, Universal, Disney, and more, WWE’s global sponsorship revenue increased by 17% last year, showing that nearly everyone is willing to bet on the company — and that its success is only trending upward.

With more than 300 licensees with products in more than 85 countries, WWE fans would be hard-pressed to be unable to find something that doesn’t match their personal taste or style.

“Fans are extremely passionate about our brand, so we create opportunities for them to express their fandom through a variety of products,” Cummins says. “From action figures to apparel and [replicas of] championship titles, there is something for everyone. Authenticity and relevancy are critical to our success.”

MORE THAN MERCH And sure, it may be hard to shop without seeing any WWE-branded products, but it’s also becoming just as difficult to flip through the channels or scroll through social media without seeing the WWE Superstars.

The E! Network’s second-longest-running reality TV show — right behind the empire that is Keeping Up with the Kardashians — is Total Divas, which gives fans an inside look into the lives of female WWE wrestlers, including their work within WWE and behindthe-scenes footage that provides insight into their personal lives.

Additionally, last year, the Miz & Mrs. docuseries premiered on USA, chronicling the lives of Superstars — and married couple — The Miz and Maryse. These shows, in addition to WWE’s other programming, are available in more than 800 million households worldwide in more than 180 countries and 27 languages. Not many sports brands — or even entertainment brands for that matter — pack that kind of power.

One thing is for sure: WWE’s robust content, carefully curated storylines, characters overflowing with unique personalities, and ever-loyal fans turn their merchandising program into money in the bank. ✪

PRODUCTS TOASTER AND WAFFLE MAKER Uncanny Brands The WWE Toaster burns the WWE mark on your bread, English muffin, or waffle. It also features the WWE logo on the outside of the cool-touch housing. The WWE Championship Belt Waffle Maker creates an iconic shield-shaped waffle — or hash browns, cookies, or other snacks — that looks just like the coveted championship title. Indicator lights let you know when to pour batter and when it’s cooked just right.

MSRP: $34.99 (toaster); $39.99 (waffle maker) Available: Amazon, FYE, wweshop.com

WIZKIDS HEROCLIX NECA Players can form their dream team of WWE Superstars in the HeroClix collectible miniatures game. Once they’ve assembled an all-star team, they can challenge their opponents to tabletop combat.

MSRP: $7.99 (figurines); $24.99 (Starter Set with six figurines); $34.99 (Start Set with Ring and four figurines) Available: online, select hobby locations (this fall)

AIRNORMOUS INFLATABLES Alpha Group The WWE AirNormous line features Big Bash Props — a sledgehammer, fire extinguisher, and microphone based on actual Superstar props — Super Slammin’ Fists, and Deluxe Muscle Arms.

These inflatables transform fans into their favorite Superstars.

MSRP: $9.99 (Big Bash Props and Super Slammin’ Fists); $19.99 (Deluxe Muscle Arms) Available: mass retailers (this fall)

ACTION VINYLS Loyal Subjects Display your favorite WWE Superstars and Legends in their iconic poses with these 3.25-inch collectible action vinyls, sold as blind packs.

MSRP: $13.99 Available: Amazon, Walmart

COLLECTOR ULTIMATE EDITION ASSORTMENT Mattel The WWE Ultimate Edition assortment features Superstar action figures in authentic gear with more than 30 points of articulation, two swappable heads, and a pair of swappable hands. Each figure comes with additional ring or entrance gear so that fans can recreate their favorite signature moments.

MSRP: $29.99 (sold separately) Available: mass retailers (this fall) THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 105

THE REWIND

Deconstruct Nintendo’s latest gaming system and you’ll find iconic hallmarks of the company’s past innovations.

Compiled by Miranda Siwak, editorial assistant

2017

NINTENDO SWITCH

2012

WII U

1985

NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

2006

NINTENDO WII

The NES console took at-home gaming to new heights when the system introduced two controllers so that players could battle side by side, an early predecessor of the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers. The NES introduced gamers to the world of Super Mario Bros. and Zelda games and is one of the most iconic gaming consoles of all time.

The Switch inherited integral elements from the ghosts of gaming systems past, resulting in the most advanced gaming system yet. The home console — which features five different Joy-Con controller configurations, including one that makes it a handheld gaming system to take on the go — brings the best of Nintendo’s history into one place.

This first attempt at a sleeker version of the Wii’s technology included a gamepad that doubled as a second screen, allowing players to transfer their game from the TV to the gamepad. Although it is much more portable, the Switch gets a lot of its physical DNA from the Wii U — you can definitely tell they’re siblings.

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In an era when home consoles were overshadowed by portability, the Wii made at-home gaming en vogue again with its advanced technology and motion-sensored remote controllers.

Sound familiar?

They’re the inspiration for the motion-sensored features on the Switch’s removable Joy-Con.

1989

GAME BOY

Whether it was the iconic classic version, the neon-colored version, or the larger, horizontal Advance, the Game Boy was the first mainstream, portable, handheld gaming console. This portability is now a major feature that sets the Switch apart from other consoles on the market.

1991

SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

Not only was the SNES a more powerful machine (and the first to bring us the Super Mario World games), but it also added in X/Y and L/R buttons for more player actions. Though the Switch’s Joy-Con are smaller, they still have all of these button options for player interactivity.

1996

NINTENDO 64

The Nintendo 64 added an analog control stick and a rumble pack to its controller to get players more immersed in the game. If you’re guessing that these analog sticks and rumble features stuck around long enough to make their way to the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, you’d be right!

2004

NINTENDO DS

Double the screens, double the fun. The DS was a sleeker, handheld console with a dual-screen experience and stylus that integrated touchscreen technology, one of the major features of the Switch. This added tech allowed players to explore game worlds deeper than ever before with the DS — and with future iterations, including DS Lite, Dsi, 2DS, 3DS, 3DS XL, and New 3DS XL.

2001

GAME CUBE

In addition to uniquely shaped controllers and mini disc capabilities, the GameCube also featured a handle for users to carry the chunky console, which was an attempt at reintroducing portable gaming. Although flawed in execution, this is the first glimmer of a home console you could take on the go, an idea that would turn into the Switch’s biggest selling point.

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COSPLAY CORNER

WHEN PATRIOTS BECOME HEROES Colorado Captain Matt Gnojek combines charity, community, and cosplay.

by Ali Mierzejewski, editor-in-chief 108 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

Not all heroes wear capes.

Sometimes they’re clad in cosplay gear riding cross-country on a motorcycle.

For the past three years, charity personality Colorado Captain — real name: Matt Gnojek — has traveled all over America on the back of his Harley. Dressed as Captain America, he takes an annual cross-country ride to spread positivity. But he’s not out there to show off his own cosplay skills. Gnojek is a real-life superhero who helps raise money for pediatric cancer while bringing smiles to afflicted kids and their families.

“But seriously, I’m no hero, I’m just a guy in a suit,” Gnojek says, sounding as humble as Steve Rogers himself. “Yet, if you’ve seen me, maybe I’ve managed to bring you a smile.

That’s all it takes sometimes.”

He may not have supernatural strength to wield a heavy shield, but last year, Gnojek’s Colorado Captain rides raised $8,500 for pediatric cancer. As he sets off on his third annual cross-country trip, he has big plans to exercise his patriotic duty by encouraging Americans to vote in next year’s election.

“My goal is not to promote Colorado Captain, but instead all of the incredible individuals throughout the nation that work tirelessly to defend the defenseless, to help those in need, and support our most precious responsibility: kids.”

AN ORIGIN STORY Gnojek started out working birthday parties as “American Hero Guy,” dressed like Cap and cruising down highways on his Harley. During one of his rides, he saw an SUV full of kids waving to him excitedly on the road and realized that he had the power to make a bigger impact.

Gnojek ditched his party-store-grade costume and began volunteering throughout the Denver metro area in professional cosplay as Colorado Captain. Until one day, he met a little boy who would change his whole cosplay game.

“Following the 1-hour-and-30-minute drive to Colorado Springs, I came face to face with a young man with a stiff upper lip who was battling cancer and sported a self-imposed nickname that coincided with his courage: The Indestructible Jack Flash,” Gnojek says. “After the event, Jack’s father approached me with tears in his eyes and said, ‘Thank you for this. He’s smiling.’ We shared a powerfully silent moment... Finally he asked me, ‘Do you do this all the time?’ “‘I do now,’ I responded.”

In the true spirit of Captain America, Gnojek is a hero who fights for the little guys. He went home that night and drew up his plan,

which would eventually be called Cap Across America. Dressed as Captain America, he annually rides across the U.S. visiting hospitals and special locations, aiming to raise $10,000 for pediatric cancer. In addition to raising money, however, Gnojek has another big goal in mind: bringing smiles.

For as long as he can remember, Gnojek has only ever wanted to do what he could to make others smile. He laughs loudly, loves hard, and empathically feels others’ happiness. He turned these personal qualities — along with his goal of nurturing the human spirit — into a way to make a difference in the world he lives in, one smile at a time.

“I once heard Chris Evans [who plays Captain America in the MCU films] say that Steve Rogers is a challenge to portray because ‘he’s good … for the sake of being good,’” Gnojek remembers. “Captain America thinks the weight he carries is the shield in his hand; however, what I think he is holding on to is hope. And not just for me, for everyone. He came from nothing, yet he puts others first. So when Cap is giving you his all, he’s giving you everything. I believe we can do that; we can all do that.”

Although Captain America and his spirit mean a lot to Gnojek now, a teenage version of himself would not have understood the impact that a star-spangled hero could have on his adult life. “[Captain America is] not just a hero, but a good man,” Gnojek says. “Characters like his give you a moment to look outside yourself and see something better: to imagine, to feel possibility again. It’s the basis of hope, and comics offer you a window into a world that is beautiful because you see the struggles of your own life mirrored in a hero’s. And if these larger than life characters — with all of their power and might — still face the same challenges as you or I, then what other proof do we need that we are already the champions of our own stories.”

“He asked me, ‘Do you do this all the time?’

‘I do now,’ I responded.”

Gnojek tells folks he’s a charity for other charities. Each year, he selects a single charity to be the recipient of his campaign funds.

Thanks to working three to four jobs (in his words: “Thor didn’t pay for that new axe on his own”) to save money to fund his cosplay and his ride, Gnojek is proud that he can then give all of the donations he raises back to the community. For the third year in a row, 100%

of his donations — which he collects through the events and his website — will go to Cap for Kids, a pediatric cancer charity.

Cap for Kids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to bring hope and happiness to kids who are undergoing cancer treatment, as well as their families. It provides financial and emotional support to the immediate families, as well as brings them face to face with their favorite comic and pop culture heroes through in-character hospital and home visits.

cap’s latest ride Over the past few years, Gnojek has racked up many miles on his Harley, estimating that Colorado Captain rode about 25,000 miles through 26 states to date. But with big plans for the future, he has no intention of hanging up his shield anytime soon.

“Naturally, 2020 holds tremendous weight for me — an election year is a wild time to be marching around as a comic book character whose canonical birthday is the Fourth of July,” Gnojek says.

Although nothing is final, he is pursuing the opportunity to work with Rock the Vote — expanding his reach and influence beyond pediatric cancer — and really get engaged in encouraging others to vote. He seeks to remind people of the power of an individual’s voice — and for the American people to understand how important it is to use that powerful voice, not just because a “guy in a suit” says so.

But for now, this year, Colorado Captain set out on his third annual charity ride. Unlike past rides, “Cap Across America: Great Divide Ride” serves as a prolonged season of small trips, instead of his usual many months on the road. This year’s ride focuses on visits out west across the Rocky Mountains (hence the name).

“With any luck, however, I’ll still be running into many of my old friends from the past two charity rides, as I seek to reach as many stops as possible along the path to my final con of the year: New York Comic Con.” Because that’s what it’s really all about for Gnojek: connecting with people and fostering new relationships. It’s about making a difference and showing everyone that we can all be heroes.

“Whether you’re the captivating cosplayer I met in New York City or you’re the little kiddo in a van next to me while we cruise down I-95, nothing can compare to the open and honest hearts that I have met on the road,” Gnojek says. “You have made me speechless in the face of your kindness toward others.

From Denver to Boston and back, you are the heroes of this story.” ✪ THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 109

MERCH MAKERS

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE

Funko gives the people what they want.

by Miranda Siwak, editorial assistant hether you’re a Potterhead, a Thronie, or a Trekkie, there’s a Funko Pop! Vinyl for you — and for countless other fans, too.

Known for its iconic figures with oversized heads, beady eyes, and missing mouths, Funko leads the charge in affordable collectibles, selling more than $233 million worth of merchandise last year.

To date, the toymaker has produced thousands of vinyl figures for nearly every franchise you can think of, including cult classics such as the Golden Girls, superhero mainstays such as Marvel, and even celebrities such as the Royal Family. A simple collectible with an iconic design, the Pop! figure has become a staple in any fan’s pop culture collection. And for Funko, it’s all about quantity.

the past few years, and as we look into 2019 and beyond — we look at it as a take on fast-fashion in pop culture,” says Cameron Deuel, Funko’s senior manager of social.

“Our concern is more about representing a variety of interests and pop culture licenses and different pop culture moments, and so we wind up with a very vast licensing

CHARACTER CRAZE

A FAST-FASHION APPROACH Funko has seen significant growth over the last few years, with last year’s sales increasing 38% to total $233 million and its active properties increasing 34% to 583 from the previous year’s 435, according to the company’s end-of-year financial reports. This year, the company is further ramping up production of its geeky products to meet mass demand from an impressive fan base.

“I think that the way that Funko approaches collectability — especially in 110 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

Molly Hartney. Funko’s in-house creative team allows it to move products from design to presale quickly, making the company a leader in collectibles as fans become more frequent purchasers.

As more consumers find a variety of products appealing and buy more, Funko’s engagement increases, and the figures become more acceptable for fans of all things pop culture, Hartney explains.

catalog with a lot of different possibilities in terms of products that we can make in an effort to actively represent how wide pop culture interests can be.”

Funko’s speed to market is a huge advantage; the company can take products from concept to shelf in as few as 70 days, according to Funko’s Chief Marketing Officer

Funko’s range of collectibles, from its iconic Pop! vinyl figures to Mystery Mini blind bags, includes characters and themes from multiple genres of pop culture, including celebrities, music, movies, and TV shows. It doesn’t matter what you love, Funko can help you bring a piece of your favorite fandom to your shelf or desk.

“Our products connect to consumers in a way that is unique to Funko,” Hartney says. “We believe we are very well-positioned to benefit the global demand for licensed products because they continue to grow. … We will continue to develop and leverage these licenses to be more excited about the future and where pop culture is headed.”

While Funko expands its product assortment multiple times a year as new films and TV shows capture fans’ attention, there are a few licenses that consistently perform well.

According to Hartney, Harry Potter, Fortnite,

Stranger Things, Marvel, God of War, Dr. Seuss, Deadpool, and the Royal Family are some of the toymaker’s most popular lines.

2019 marks a banner year for blockbuster entertainment, and Funko has fans covered with new products based on Captain Marvel, Toy Story 4, Stranger Things season three, and Avengers: Endgame. In addition to leveraging each license with new figures, Funko looks for new ways to add to each story. Exclusive figures, second waves of existing lines, and new details that highlight certain scenes put an added twist on each product, giving hardcore fans more variety for their shelves.

“We’re trying to look for ways to appeal to the fans in varying degrees,” Deuel says. “... And a lot of the time it comes down to: Is it going to be appealing as a figure, designwise, and resonate with fans? Is it pushing the boundaries of what we can do with Pop! figures, too?”

When crafting new products, Funko looks to the fans themselves and asks what they want. Hartney adds how Funko’s connection to the customer keeps a pulse on today’s pop culture and what’s trending.

The toymaker welcomes all ideas to find its next hit, whether it’s from a fan, an employee, a retailer, a celebrity, or a trending topic.

Licensed characters are obviously key to Funko’s success, but the unique design of its Pop! figures is what allows Funko to be a pop culture staple itself. Its vinyl figures are must-haves for collectors, giving Funko its own vibrant fan base.

“Our stylized products connect fans with content in a way that is unique to Funko, given that we are very well-positioned to benefit the global demand to licensed products,” Hartney says. “We will connect fans to the things they love, and we’ll allow them to do so by having it all mixed together, so you can have Jem (from Jem and the Holograms) sitting next to Bob Ross with Thor on the same shelf. And for that, Funko is the premier destination for pop culture.”

THE EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE If you’ve ever attended a fan convention such as New York Comic Con, you’ll notice that one booth in particular has a constant, wrap-around line: Funko’s. Fans wait for hours to get con-exclusive Funko Pop!s and

other figures they can’t get anywhere else.

Deuel explains that the company’s event-exclusive figures are cool, fun, or off-the-wall products that feature unique elements compared to the regular assortment. For Star Wars Celebration in April, Funko created Pop!s of fan-favorite Star Wars characters in a blue metallic finish. The quantities of each character were limited, and fans could not find them anywhere outside of the convention, making them highly coveted, rare collectibles.

Deuel explains that Funko uses conventions to highlight new licenses and core figures and tie the event together with experiential or commemorative moments.

“We can’t tell people what or why to collect, but there is that extreme interest in exclusives because it raises the flag for several types of collectors,” Deuel says. “We’re creating these things in hopes that they go to homes of people who will appreciate them and — I know this is controversial —

WINNIE THE POOH TIGGER DISNEY DORBZ

Bounce your collection to a new level with this Disney Dorbz, featuring the most energetic friend in the Hundred Acre Woods. Dorbz feature round heads, closed eyes, and simple smiles.

MSRP: $7.99

CLASSIC STAR WARS MYSTERY MINIS

Mystery Minis bring your Pop! collection down to a mini size. The 2.5-inch vinyl figures come in blind bags, so grab your lightsaber to slash them open. The Classic Star Wars series features Han Solo, Darth Vader, and more.

MSRP: $7

Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow rides Rhaegal.

hopefully will take them out of the box, and see what they look like on the back because our artists designed the full figure, and our intention is for this to get to someone who is really going to appreciate it.”

REACHING BEYOND POP! While the company knows that figures based on beloved fandoms will always do well, they can have more fun with other outof-the-box licenses, including I Love Lucy, Rainbow Brite, and Mister Rogers. Creating unique figures allows the company to experiment with its other lines. While Pop!s have been a driving force for the company’s success, other ranges, such as VNYL and 5

DC JUSTICE LEAGUE BATMAN & WONDER WOMAN 2-PACK VNYL.

The ultimate DC team-up is ready for anything. Vnyl. figures stand 3.75 inches tall, and feature tons of character-specific detailing.

MSRP: $15

THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 111

MERCH MAKERS

“WE CAN’T EVER REALLY TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, BUT POP! HAS BEEN TRENDING UP EVER SINCE WE LAUNCHED THE LINE.” -Cameron Deuel, Senior Manager of Social, Funko

Star, add to what fans can collect. “... We understand that Pop! is really driving our business right now, but we are really looking at ways to try other things as well,” Deuel says. “Not only do we want to appeal to Pop! and Funko and culture fans, but we want to find what else is going to resonate with people, and we’re having a lot of fun doing it, too.”

THEY’RE EVERYWHERE! To help spread the word about its products, Funko works with several retail partners, including Amazon and GameStop, on specific events and programs. It’s nearly impossible to step foot into a video game store, comic book shop, or toy retailer without stumbling on a display of Funko figures.

“Funko’s Pop! [and] VYNL program is very important to GameStop and our fans,” says Kristina Ventura, vice president of collectibles and merchandising at GameStop.

“It’s definitely a key driver for us. It fits perfect within the GameStop world because Pop! has a vast variety of IPs, and our fans have a lot of interests. They are video game fans at the core of their heart, but they’re also true fans … of movies, fans of pop culture, and they’re fans of video games.

Funko addresses all of those, and they love to collect items that express their fandom.”

Specifically at GameStop, Funko collectibles have seen significant growth year after year, Ventura adds, as video game franchises — such as Overwatch, Fortnite, Kingdom Hearts, and Gears of War — anime properties, and exclusives tend to sell well.

Looking for a broad variety, GameStop aims to find products for a host of fandoms, as well as plenty of exclusives to entice fans to complete their collections. With their Funko Insiders Club, members have exclusive access to giveaways, early insider information, and Funko special offers. The video game retailer also offers exclusive Funko 112 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

collectibles that can only be found in their retail branches, including a DC collection with Jim Lee and Gamer Mickey and Minnie, characters that hold a video game controller and wear a gaming headset. Having such exclusives, Ventura explains, helps differentiate the retailer as a stop for unique products.

For many fans, these products become more than just a figure pertaining to their favorite film or character; they transform into something they can be a fan of, and collect, in itself.

“As a collector, you always want to collect something that’s unique or exclusive, or separates your collection from somebody else’s. That’s the true collectible nature of a fan,” Ventura says.

HOGWARTS EXPRESS ENGINE HARRY POTTER POP! RIDES

Pop! Rides bring iconic pop-culture vehicles to life, and each one includes an appropriate Funko Pop! Figure. The Hogwarts Express comes with Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, or Ron Weasley.

MSRP: $27.95

ACCESSIBLE COLLECTIBLES While many collectibles retail for higher price points in exchange for intricate details or exclusivity, Funko has kept its retail price affordable, giving more fans an entry into the market. For example, individual Pop! figures typically arrive in the market at somewhere between $10 to $15. Vynl.s, which range from $15 to $25, include two figures in one package, while a 5 Star Collectibles figure — modestly priced at $10 — includes a special accessory. Despite low price points, Funko never compromises on quality.

“There are some collectible items that get so high that a lot of the market doesn’t always opt to get in,” Ventura says. “[Funko figures] are at a price point where a lot of people can play; they’re fun. They have such a broad litany of a library that you can actually curate something to reflect who you are.”

NFL — RUSSELL WILSON WOBBLERS

Seahawks fans can solidify their fandom with this collectible figure of the star quarterback. Wobblers are 6-inch figures that feature long legs and expressive eyes, and each one stands on a display base.

MSRP: $10

MOVIN’ ON UP Starting this year, Funko will look to expand from a collectible toy manufacturer into a globally recognized, independent brand in its own right. To do so, the company dives into new initiatives to position itself as a lifestyle brand, expanding into new merchandise categories, such as apparel, and launching an app and an animation studio.

“We can’t ever really take it for granted, but Pop! has been trending up ever since we launched the line, and we’re really trying to expand it in ways that make it more interactive ... ,” Deuel says. “We’re constantly looking for new ways to adapt Pop! into other formats, as we look to change things up every once in a while in order to keep the attention.” ✪

STRANGER THINGS — ELEVEN 5 STAR

This 3-inch tall Eleven figure is straight out of Hawkins, Indiana. 5 Star Collectibles feature three points of articulation and true-to-character accessories.

MSRP: $9.99

by Madeleine Buckley, assistant editor “Get me the hell out of here!” may be the last thing we ever expected to hear Pikachu say. Yet everyone’s favorite electric Pokémon exclaims this exact phrase in this summer’s Pokémon Detective Pikachu — a far cry from his classic, ever-adorable “Pika Pika!”

In many ways, the movie was a radical concept for The Pokémon Co. International.

The idea of Pikachu having a voice (let alone the voice of a top Hollywood celebrity such as Ryan Reynolds) and moving around the real world was unprecedented for the brand and its characters.

The film, based on last year’s 3DS video game Detective Pikachu, hit theaters back on May 10. Its debut followed massive social media hype and a wild array of promotional material — from trailers set to throwback jams such as “Holding Out for a Hero” and “Happy Together” to a mock-serious video in which Blake Lively recounts her husband Reynolds’ over-commitment to his role.

Despite the movie’s unique sense of humor, which was evident from its first trailer, Detective Pikachu also leans heavily into classic Pokémon nostalgia, introducing characters fans have loved for more than two decades in an entirely new visual way.

As J.C. Smith, senior director of consumer marketing for The Pokémon Co. International, explains, the movie needed to satisfy not only Pokémon’s traditional family-friendly demographic, but also the older fans who grew up with the franchise. “Kids are going to love this movie and their parents are going to have just as much fun seeing it with them,” he says. “It’s visually stunning and features a compelling story full of adventure and, of course, lots of iconic Pokémon as they’ve never been seen before.”

When it came time to create merchandise for the movie, blending these elements of fun and nostalgia was key. The Pokémon Co. decided to continue working with two

of its existing partners — Wicked Cool Toys (WCT) and Mattel’s MEGA Contrux line — as well as new partners including Buffalo Games and Controller Gear to produce Detective Pikachu products.

Smith says WCT, which was named The Pokémon Company International’s master toy licensee back in 2017, was a “no brainer” for Detective Pikachu products. The company produced a variety of new toys and collectibles for the movie, including figures, plush, and a talking Pikachu.

Despite being a toy company, WCT’s Gerhard Runken, vice president of marketing and brand strategy, says the product line and its catchy black brick and neon packaging isn’t just for kids. “We don’t think we’ve alienated either the superfan, the collector, or someone who is just new to the series,” he says. “We think the line really covers it for everybody.”

Runken says the movie’s unique tone did impact the products, especially the Movie THEPOPINSIDER.COM | #FuelYourFandom | 113

Feature Plush, which features both Pikachu’s classic “Pika Pika” phrase and Ryan Reynolds’ voice. This, he says, is a whole new way for fans to interact with the character.

“For us to be able to create something and tape those iconic phrases that you’re going to see in the movie really gives Pikachu almost a new personality that Ryan Reynolds has really developed,” Runken says. “He’s fun, he’s a little sarcastic, he’s got a different sense of humor. But he’s still that partner, your best friend, which the fans have grown to love.”

In addition to licensed products, The Pokémon Co. created Detective Pikachu merchandise of its own through The Pokémon Center and the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG).

For the Pokémon Center, which is the premier destination for Pokémon clothing and accessories, Smith says the team had a lot of fun creating products that “feature subtle references to settings and scenes from the movie trailers.” The lines released for the movie included the Hi-Hat Café collection, based on a coffee shop the characters frequent, and the Ryme City 10-Year Anniversary line.

“It’s fun way for fans to show their love for Pokémon but in a subtle, ‘in the know’ kind of way,” Smith says. “And, since these items were revealed when only the trailers were out, they also helped frame what settings and themes fans can expect from the movie, adding to the excitement and anticipation.”

Conversely, Smith says the other popular item is perhaps the least subtle of them all:

the Detective Pikachu Plush Ears Hat, which is styled after Pikachu’s detective hat from the movie and features his iconic yellow ears.

Detective Pikachu and his hat also star in the new TCG line, which The Pokémon Co. rolled out in the months leading up to the movie. There were 27 cards to collect, with the final card, featuring Detective Pikachu, only available to purchase in theaters during the movie’s opening weekend.

These new cards are fun to simply collect and look at, but they are also completely compatible with all other Pokémon TCG decks. According to Smith, they are valid for anything from a casual match with friends to an official Play! Pokémon TCG competition.

Clint Walker, director of merchandising at video game retailer GameStop, expects all Detective Pikachu products to do well in stores this year, but expects growth in the trading cards specifically. “We really are looking at [the movie release] to be a potential halo effect on our assortment, similar to what we experienced with Pokémon Go,” he says.

Smith says creating these new TCG cards for the movie was an easy and early decision for the company, and one that helped generate excitement.

“The reveal of the cards in the press and on social media provided some of the earliest and clearest depictions of Pokémon as they’re seen in the movie,” he says. “It was a lot of fun to provide some of these early looks at the Pokémon through something as classic as the Pokémon TCG.” This concept of reveals and secrecy was — as with most of this year’s major entertain-

ment properties — an important aspect of building hype for the movie. The Pokémon Co. kept tight-lipped about which characters would appear, revealing new Pokémon in each promo video and trailer.

Perhaps the biggest reveal was the inclusion of Mewtwo, a Psychic-type Legendary Pokémon who didn’t appear until the second official trailer. Runken says WCT played a role in these secrets, keeping any and all Mewtwo merchandise tightly under wraps, even at trade shows such as Toy Fair New York.

Overall, Runken says the process of creating products was a creative challenge in many ways. The turnaround was fast, and the required level of secrecy and attention to detail were intense. However, he says The Pokémon Co. was great to work with. Marketing the products was also incredibly easy, thanks to the movie’s social media traction, with the stars even showcasing the WCT products on their personal accounts.

Plus, Runken’s personal love of Pokémon made the entire experience exciting. Recalling the first time WCT got to see early footage from the movie, he says everyone at the company “kind of geeked out.”

“They’ve really given the fans just a new way to engage and something that’s just unexpected,” he says. “For a fan or a superfan, it’s almost like Christmas morning … You’re unboxing this whole new adventure with these characters that you’ve been in love with for 20 years.” ✪

Justice Smith, Ryan Reynolds , and Kathryn Newton in this summer’s Pokemon: Detective Pikachu Photos: Warner Bros.

114 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER

DETECTIVE PIKACHU PLUSH EARS HAT POKÉMON CENTER Channel your inner Detective Pikachu with this hat, which features his iconic detective’s cap and yellow ears.

MSRP: $10.99 | Available: pokemoncenter.com

POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU 500-PIECE JIGSAW PUZZLE BUFFALO GAMES Build the Pokémon Detective Pikachu movie with this puzzle.

POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU CASEFILES

MSRP: $10.99 | Available: Major retailers

SCHOLASTIC This in-world guidebook includes tons of exclusive stats and facts about different Pokémon, along with Detective Pikachu’s notes on the case!

MSRP: $7.99 | Available: Barnes & Noble

POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU MOVIE FIGURE LINE WICKED COOL TOYS This line features 2-inch figures, including Detective Pikachu, Psyduck, and Bulbasaur, and 3-inch, articulated figures including Ludicolo and Mr. Mime.

MSRP: $6.99 each | Available: Major retailers

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MEGA CONTRUX DETECTIVE PIKACHU HI-HAT CAFE MATTEL Build Pikachu, Ludicolo, and the Hi-Hat Cafe with this set, then help Pikachu pour some coffee as he pores over his case notes.

MSRP: $19.99 | Available: Major retailers

POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU 8-INCH PLUSH WICKED COOL TOYS Collect all of these plush Pokémon, including Ludicolo, Psyduck, and Snubbull. Each features different interactive sound responses.

MSRP: $14.99 each | Available: Major retailers

MEGA CONTRUX DETECTIVE PIKACHU MATTEL He’s buildable and he’s articulated! Made up of 232 pieces, this detective Pikachu stands 6.25 inches tall.

POKÉMON TCG: DETECTIVE PIKACHU CHARIZARD-GX CASE FILE

MSRP: $24.99 | Available: Major retailers

THE POKÉMON CO. Put some Detective Pikachu style in your Pokémon TCG collection with this Case File pack. It includes a foil oversize card featuring Charizard-GX, four Detective Pikachu booster packs, and more.

MSRP: $19.99 | Available: Major retailers

HI-HAT CAFE APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES POKÉMON CENTER Rep your favorite Pokémon coffee joint with signs, hats, mugs, and more.

MSRP: $14.9554.99 | Available: pokemoncenter.com

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