Including WildBrain bringing back 1980’s favourite Strawberry Shortcake with a new animated series and global franchise programme.
Source rounds up more news from the licensing industry across the globe from the week.
WildBrain is bringing back Strawberry Shortcake with a cool new look and ‘savvy attitude’ for today’s kids in a new animated series, Berry in the Big City. In addition, there will also be a new global franchise programme designed to inspire fans through events, toys, games, books, music, learning and experiences. A hugely popular line of toys and consumer products in the early 1980s, Strawberry Shortcake was then licensed annually across US$500m worth of consumer products. It went on to sell over five million dolls and has generated more than US$4 billion at retail to date. The new series will debut on 18 September on the official Strawberry Shortcake channel on WildBrain Spark.
Magic Light Pictures has teamed with Kew Gardens and Wakehurst for a new The Gruffalo’s Child interactive trail. Running from 16-31 October at Kew Gardens and its wild botanic garden, Wakehurst, the trail will encourage visitors to collect clues to cultivate their curiosity in their search for The Gruffalo’s Child and other characters. Planting will replicate the snow-covered landscape of the book, while visitors will also be able to learn about seasonal produce at Kew’s Kitchen Garden.
On the heels of the box office success of Candyman – with ticket sales totalling over $50m worldwide to date – MGM‘s consumer products division has revealed the expansion of its licensing programme for the horror property. A line-up of new merchandise will debut throughout the year including apparel, accessories, novelties and collectables for the slasher film. Some of the new licensees include Goodie Two Sleeves, Lootcrate, Funko, YouTooz and Trick or Treat Studios.
Pop culture specialist, Fanattik has confirmed that its charity partner until the end of 2022 is gaming charity, Get-Well Gamers. Founded in 2016, the charity provides recycled consoles and games to hospitals, hospices and other healthcare settings, where children may have long hospital stays or are in circumstances in which recreational activities can be beneficial. It is currently linked up with almost 200 hospitals and organisations across the UK.
The Pokémon Company International and Netflix have confirmed that the next animated movie in the Pokémon franchise will premiere on the streaming platform around the world (with the exception of Japan, China and Korea) on 8 October. Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle marks the 23rd animated Pokémon movie in the franchise.
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