Licensing World Spin Master named global master toy partner for DreamWorks’ Gabby’s Dollhouse Spin Master has announced that it has reached an agreement to become the global master toy licensee with Universal Brand Development for DreamWorks Animation’s all-new pre-school series Gabby’s Dollhouse. With an anticipated launch of 2021, Spin Master will bring the characters from the show to life through a new toy line that will include play sets, figures, plush, games and puzzles. Gabby’s Dollhouse will debut globally on Netflix in 2020. Created and executive-produced by Traci Paige Johnson (Blue’s Clues, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) and Jennifer Twomey (Blue’s Clues, Team Umizoomi), Gabby’s Dollhouse is a mixed media series that unboxes a surprise before jumping into a fantastical animated world full of cute cat characters that live inside Gabby’s dollhouse. “We’re thrilled to partner with Universal Brand Development on this exciting new TV series that is sure to capture the imaginations of pre-schoolers,” said Ben Gadbois, Spin Master’s global president and COO. “Spin Master has had a long, successful partnership with Universal Brand Development, and we are looking forward to bringing our renowned innovation to the toy line for Gabby’s Dollhouse.” “Gabby’s Dollhouse is the ultimate dollhouse experience come to life,” said Joe Lawandus, senior VP and general manager, Global Toys and Hardlines, Universal Brand Development. “The series is a fresh and modern take on traditional dollhouse play, and we look forward to collaborating with Spin Master to design toys that will inspire creativity and create endless opportunities for imaginative play and storytelling.”
Hasbro appointed global master toy licensee for Ghostbusters Hasbro will create a wide range of Ghostbusters toys to appeal to fans of the original franchise, as well as a new generation of Ghostbusters around the world. The line will be available in 2020, aligning with the promotion of the Ghostbusters movie, which will be released next summer. The deal marks a return to the Ghostbusters franchise by Hasbro. From 1986 to 1991, Kenner, which is now part of Hasbro, created and marketed The Real Ghostbusters toy line, with many of the original developers from Kenner still working with Hasbro. More recently, Hasbro created the Transformers Generations Collaborative: Ghostbusters Mash-Up Ecto-1 Ectotron. Additionally, a Transformers/Ghostbusters crossover comic series is now available from IDW. These collaborations mark both brands’ 35th anniversaries this year. “Ghostbusters is an iconic and beloved franchise and we are excited and honoured to return to the brand as the global master toy licensee and bring new product to the next generation of fans,” said Tom Warner, senior vice president, Hasbro.
Mattel toy line to support Netflix anime HeMan series The new series will be titled Masters of the Universe: Revelation and take place in the Mattel toy inspired world, focusing on some of the unresolved storylines of the classic 80s show and bringing He-Man and the Masters of the Universe to a new generation. Showrunner and executive producer Kevin Smith commented: “In Revelation, we pick up right where the classic era left off to tell an epic tale of what may be the final battle between He-Man and Skeletor. Brought to life with the most metal character designs Powerhouse Animation can contain in the frame, this is the Masters of the Universe story you always wanted to see as a kid.” Mattel Television is producing, alongside executive producer Rob David, the vice president of Mattel TV and author of He-Man: the Eternity War. Both Masters of the Universe (MOTU) and He-Man have been rebooted in the past, to limited success. Mattel chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz has commented that MOTU “has not been properly monetised in 35 years.” The new incarnation will be accompanied by new toy lines and brand extensions, including a new collection of figures, vehicles, creatures and play sets launching in 2020. Masters of the Universe Minis will also be available in 2020, in the popular blind box form.
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