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.
50 | Issue No. 3 | THE POP INSIDER
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.