Cartamundi scores with Shuffle Subbuteo card game
It’s alright at Copywrite
Cartamundi has announced the launch of the Shuffle Subbuteo card game, licensed by Hasbro. Available in January 2016, this brand new version is part of the Shuffle range, which combines playing cards and digital technology for an enhanced way to play card games with support from tablets and smartphones. Like the table-top game, Shuffle Subbuteo card game allows you to pass, tackle and beat the goalie (or try to save the ball). The game comes with easy-tounderstand instructions and the Shuffle digital extra. The free Shuffle Subbuteo app (available through Apple iOS and Android) adds a digital twist, with a scoreboard timer and stadium sounds which bring the game to life. Shuffle Subbuteo joins a wide range of games in the Shuffle range, including Twister, Monopoly Deal, Disney Monopoly, Monopoly Junior, Cluedo, Trivial Pursuit, Guess Who?, Pictureka, Disney Cards, Transformers Robots in Disguise, My Little Pony, Boggle Slam, Littlest Pet Shop, Play-Doh, and Battleships – with more titles on the way soon.
Paul Lamond gets Boj-ing
Confirming its move into the arts and crafts category, Paul Lamond will be introducing a series of Boj make-and-do craft kits inspired by the popular CBeebies character. The Let’s Get Boj-ing range will make its debut in spring/summer 2016. The three Boj-ing kits contain everything a child needs to create something Boj inspired. Each kit is based on items commonly found in the child’s home, such as cardboard tubes, cereal boxes, and paper plates. After completing their Boj creations, kids can expand their creative play by discovering more things around the house to upcycle into new toys. Alongside the craft kits, Paul Lamond has developed a 4-in-1 puzzle set, a giant floor puzzle and a picture card game which features all five of the show’s Giggly Families. Since launching on Cbeebies 18 months ago, Boj has aired on every regular weekday and has succeeded in more than doubling audience share. A newly-ordered special-length episode will see Boj programming continue on the BBC until 2022. The new partnership with Paul Lamond follows on from the news that Redan Publishing will be launching a Boj magazine in 2016, while plans for Boj World, a soft play visitor attraction at West Midland Safari Park, are also at an advanced stage. David Hodgson, Pesky founder and Boj co-creator, commented: “We continue to grow a truly innovative Boj licensing campaign. In Paul Lamond Games we have found the perfect partner to embrace Boj’s passion for creative play with this series of Boj craft kits, plus some lovely puzzles and the must-have Giggly Families card game.”
Toy World’s Jonika Kinchin talks to International Greetings’ group licensing director Helen Webster about 2015 highlights and key licences for 2016.
How has 2015 been overall? Copywrite Designs/Anker International is part of the International Greetings plc group of companies and results from 2015 have been extremely pleasing. Copywrite Designs has continued to build its reputation for a strong licence portfolio supported by innovative product and design while the IG group’s gift packaging and greeting card company, IG UK, has further demonstrated its market-leading position as a supplier of gift-wrap, gift bags, Christmas crackers and greeting cards to the UK’s top retailers. What was the highlight of 2015? There were actually three major highlights for Copywrite Designs in 2015. Disney’s Frozen garnered a fantastic response at retail. Copywrite launched Frozen in October 2014 and so far has sold over five million Frozen items across the UK market. This, plus the fact that Frozen continues to perform strongly in all product categories, is a testament to the appeal of this licence across all age groups. The second highlight was, of course, Despicable Me and the Minions movie. We produced a great creative play range for January 2015 followed by a tight colouring/activity and sticker offering for the Minions movie release in the summer and both were a big hit. Interestingly, our retail listings for this brand are firm well into 2016 so Despicable Me has definitely morphed seamlessly into a major franchise and all bodes well for the release of Despicable Me 3 in 2017. Last but by no means least, the build up to the release of Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens on 17th December was phenomenal, mainly because the movie trailers look fantastic and the public’s interest in the return of Han Solo et al was so huge. Copywrite launched a colouring and activity and sticker product range in September and sales began to grow immediately. What are your key new licences for 2016? Copywrite’s licensed portfolio includes Disney Junior staples, Marvel’s Spiderman and Avengers, Star Wars, Despicable Me, My Little Pony, Peppa Pig and Thomas & Friends, so we have a very solid array of quality licences to offer retailers for 2016 and will be concentrating on maximising everyday and seasonal opportunities with these brands. Copywrite’s stationery and sticker offering to tie in with Marvel’s much anticipated new movie Captain America: Civil War will be another major launch for us. Due to hit UK cinemas on 29th April followed by a DVD release in August, the movie will feature everyone’s favourite Marvel characters and Spiderman. Another major launch for Copywrite in 2016 will be The Secret Life of Pets, a stationery, creative play and sticker range. The Secret Life of Pets movie will not hit UK cinemas until June 2016, but Copywrite is already getting a positive response, so this is one to watch. Another major hit for 2016, both at the box office and at retail, will be Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory. Copywrite’s offering is sticker-based and will feature some great new novelty formats. The final major release for Copywrite in 2016 will be another sticker offering, this one featuring Dreamworks’ Trolls movie. What products do you expect to be particularly successful in 2016? We don’t reveal much about our bestselling products as that would be giving away too much to our competitors, but our novelty products do really well at retail and our passion for ensuring we deliver genuine value-for money, added value features, print finishes and add-ons really drives sales with our retailers and consumers.
Licensing World 30