Licensing World Hasbro’s Partner Day sees companies honoured at The Oinksters Hasbro held its annual Partner Day in July with over 200 people attending the event at The Science Museum in a new meeting space – Illuminate – which boasts spectacular views across London. There was a presentation of Hasbro’s plans for the Peppa Pig brand for 2023, building towards the brand’s milestone 20th anniversary in 2024, which will be a huge year for Peppa, especially in the UK, the brand’s home market. There was also a panel discussion entitled ‘The Peppa effect – how to remain relevant in a rapidly changing retail environment’. KidsKnowBest CEO Joel Silverman was one of those invited to speak. The talk was moderated by comedian and broadcaster, Cally Caroline Beaton, and also platformed YouTube Kids and Family lead, Fatima El Miliani; CEO and founder of Bamboo Bamboo, Joel Rémy Parkes; and Olympic Gold medallist and Peppa superfan, Greg Rutherford. Joel commented: “It’s fair to say that despite approaching 20 years old, Peppa still has a huge place in the hearts of families around the world. A huge thanks to Sally Carnota, Gabrielle Sims and the rest of Hasbro and Entertainment One team for inviting us to a truly fantastic event.” The Partners Day also played host to Hasbro’s Partner Awards, known this year as The Oinksters. Wow! Stuff’s global SVP and commercial director, Dawn Lavalette, commented: “We thoroughly enjoyed Hasbro’s Official Peppa Pig Party Event and being awarded Edmond Elephants Clever Clogs Award for Wow! Stuff’s innovation across its Clever Tech range was the icing on a Peppa cake. The love and strength of the Peppa Pig brand was evident. Great job Hasbro UK.” The Oinksters 2022 winners were: Puddle Jumping Hero – Character Options; Penny Polar Bear Newcomer Award – Calbee Group UK; Edmond Elephant’s Clever Clogs Award – Wow! Stuff; Daddy Pig’s Marketing Expert Award – Vitabiotics; Zuzu and Zaza’s Partnership Award – BM Fashion (UK); Grandpa Pig’s Best of British Award – Tesco; Miss Rabbit’s Best Retailer Award – Asda; Peppa Cares Award – Character.com; Madam Gazelle’s Learning Award – Penguin Random House; Mummy Pig’s Values Award – Blues Group.
Bluey launches second series on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer After its first series proved a hit with UK fans, popular global animation Bluey released its second series on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer on 1st August. The first series has been streamed more than 97m times on BBC iPlayer since its launch on iPlayer in April last year. It has also become a hugely popular property, with toys from Moose Toys, M.V. and Ravensburger amongst others making Bluey one of the hottest brands since its launch at retail last year, gaining the title of No.1 new pre-school toy brand in 2021, according to NPD data. In May, BBC Studios announced new deals with 8th Wonder (wooden toys), Spin Master (wooden puzzles – extending the US range into the UK), Moonpig (cards and gifting), Drew Pearson (accessories) and an expanded deal with Ravensburger in the UK (including proprietary games including Memory and Labyrinth). In June it was announced that Bluey would join HTI Toys‘ licensed toy portfolio after the company signed a new three-year deal with BBC Studios for UK and European territories. Bluey, which was first launched in Australia in October 2018, was also the highest rating programme on CBeebies for Q1 2022. The animated series has won multiple awards, such as the International Emmy Kids Award in the prestigious Pre-school Category in 2020 and has picked up the AACTA Award for Best Children’s Programme for three years running (2019-21). Bluey won four Kidscreen Awards in February 2021 and recently won a Logie for Most Outstanding Children’s Programme at the Aussie equivalent of the BAFTAs for the second time. Bluey is produced by multi-Emmy award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC Kids Australia, co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios, and distributed internationally by BBC Studios outside of Australia.
Rainbow and Flair partner on Pinocchio and Friends Italian entertainment and licensing powerhouse Rainbow has signed a master toy licensing deal, in the UK and Eire, with Flair GP for Iginio Straffi’s reimagined animated TV series of the children’s classic Pinocchio and Friends. The series, which launched on CBeebies at the end of May, has got off to a fantastic start and early indications show its audience is growing week on week. Flair GP will concentrate on a roll-out strategy from 2023 that incorporates mini figures, dolls, play sets and plush toys. The series launched in late 2021 on Italy’s Rai Yoyo, and quickly became the leading show on the channel. The comical, light-hearted series for all the family is an original adaptation based on Carlo Collodi’s timeless classic and is created in high quality CGI animation. Pinocchio and Friends includes new characters for today’s viewers such as Freeda the pirate doll. Cristiana Buzzelli, SVP Content and Licensing at Rainbow, said: “I am delighted that we have partnered with Flair GP to bring the wonderful wooden puppet, Pinocchio, to life for children across the UK. We have already received great feedback since launch and are looking forward to exploring all licensing possibilities.” Julia Cake, country manager, Flair GP commented: “We look forward to partnering with Rainbow and Lisle Licensing to bring the characters of this new colourful adaptation to children in the UK, through the innovative toys and figures in the collection.” Flair GP will work closely with Rainbow, as well as with its UK licensing agent, Lisle Licensing, investing in the UK-specific toy lines and supporting the launch with marketing outreach to raise brand awareness. Communications and consumer events are being managed by Rainbow’s long-term PR partner, Grapevine PR. Pinocchio and Friends also secured master toy partner Giochi Preziosi which is due to launch products in autumn 2022. In addition to its UK launch on CBeebies, the series will premiere on Discovery Kids Latin America this year. Licensing partners already confirmed for Italy and the UK include Kennedy Publishing, Fashion UK, Ravensburger, Mondadori, Dolfin, Ciao, Dino Bikes among others.
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