Licensing World Hexbug partners with Wind Sun Sky Entertainment on multiplatform collaboration Junkbots is converging the best in play, story, entertainment and technology, allowing fans to immerse themselves in a thrilling, multi-platform experience. The CGI web series and Roblox Junk-based universe sees Junkbots' Jack Static receive a cryptic message on his radio, setting in motion an epic journey of adventure, mystery and junk builds alongside a team of inventive, hilarious and butt-kicking Bots. “We are always looking to innovate, and the expansion into Roblox and a larger presence on YouTube is a prime example of our forward thinking,” said Tony Norman, co-founder and CEO of Innovation First International. “We took our cue directly from kids to deliver an expansive new play experience that spans multiple platforms. It promises to truly immerse them into the Junkbots metaverse through a blend of gaming, play and entertainment. Our partnership with multi-platform entertainment company Wind Sun Sky has allowed us to take this to a whole new level.” “I can proudly say that the Junkbots universe roll out is a rich, engaging and boundary pushing cross-platform narrative experience for fans and future fans of this amazing toy,” said CEO and EP Catherine Winder, WSS. “Storytelling and worldbuilding is our expertise, and the Junkbots web series created by our phenomenal team dares to take things a step further cross-platform. Fans will laugh and become inspired as they watch in awe, then continue the story on Roblox and with their toys.” The Junkbots Roblox game offers hours of content, with multiple mini-games within each Mission and dozens of playable set pieces. Players can further immerse themselves with a unique 'playground experience' where they can come together, socialise, customise their worlds and explore between playing story episodes. The announcement comes as season two of Junkbots hits shelves in the form of environment-based Junkbots Factory Collection play sets, which kids can explore to find the Junkbots hidden in the advent-style unboxing experience. Junkbots Season 2 also introduces 16 new Junkbots to collect. Each comes with power modules for light and motion, while an interlocking pipe-building system lets kids pull pipes directly off the wall to deconstruct and reconstruct for alternate builds. The Junkbots Factory Collection will be available later this month.
Amelia Fang bolsters Rubies’ range of licensed literary costumes
United Wheels UK signs new Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm multi-year deal
The Amelia Fang book series, published by Farshore/HarperCollins UK, has sold over 380,000 copies in the UK, and been translated into 24 languages worldwide. The books follow a little vampire with a big heart through her adventures in the city of Nocturnia. Popular among 7-9-year-olds, the sevenbook series invites readers to enter an imaginative, gothic world brought to life with creative illustrations. Rubies' new costumes will feature Amelia Fang and her signature spooky outfits in a variety of sizes. The company will design, market, manufacture and distribute the range in the UK from next year, and says the highly versatile character works equally as well for World Book Day as she does for Halloween. This fan-favourite book series joins Rubies' impressive list of official licences, which includes everything from the superheroes of Marvel and DC to Dennis the Menace and Horrid Henry. As the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of fancy-dress and costumes, Rubies says that inspiring its audience and kick-starting a life-long love of reading in children is at the heart of everything it does. Tracey Devine-Tyley, head of Licensing & Portfolio EMEA, explained: “We understand how important reading is to children; it helps develop their minds and imaginations and we strive to support this through the licences we hold that celebrate reading. Amelia Fang is a fantastic licence for us to acquire. It's a beloved book series with a strong and growing group of fans consisting of children and parents alike.” Laura Ellen Anderson, creator of Amelia Fang, added: “I'm so excited to see Rubies bring the Amelia Fang costume to life. It's wonderful to know that my fans and readers will be able to easily access this costume, which can be worn for events such as World Book Day and Halloween, or just for fun.”
United Wheels UK, part of privately held Covation Holdings Ltd, has announced a new licence agreement for Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm film properties for UK, Ireland, France, Iberia, Italy, Germany, Benelux and Africa territories. Disney and United Wheels’ affiliate, Huffy Corporation, have worked together in the US since 1996, and this agreement between United Wheels and Disney expands the existing partnership to include EMEA. As early as July 2021, United Wheels will begin marketing Huffy-designed Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm licensed wheeled products for order. These products will be available for shipment in early 2022. Covation Holdings announced the expansion of its global footprint into the European market with a new UK sales hub last year. Having opened its new EU office, United Wheels is well placed to help drive continued growth of the Disney licences across these new territories. “Our company has had a long relationship with Disney,” said Jon Tilley, general manager of United Wheels UK. “It was only natural for us to reach out to Disney when we decided to make a concerted effort in Europe, to find mutually beneficial ways to work together. Since then, we have invested in building a strong EU team and infrastructure and will focus on supporting each market with in-country-specific teams and local distribution operations.” The United Wheels team held a two-week virtual trade open event in which potential retailer partners could meet the team and preview some of the new Disney products available for sale in January 2022. The collection will cover all properties and wheel sizes, ranging from balance bikes to 16” wheel sizes. For more information contact salesuk@huffy.com.
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