Including Silvergate Media unveiling expansion plans for Octonauts in the UK.
The Source rounds up more news from the licensing industry across the globe from the week.
Silvergate Media has outlined expansion for the Octonauts brand in the UK. A new initiative has launched with long-standing partner Swimming Teachers Association which sees it team with Virgin Active as the headline partner, rolling out an Octonauts Swimming Programme for children. The scheme is available at all 26 Virgin Active Family Clubs in the UK and 138 additional leisure clubs. In addition, Silvergate has renewed its successful global partnership with Sea Life until 2019. The partnership brings the show’s core themes of science, conservation and teamwork to life for fans at Sea Life attractions across the UK. This year, UK Sea Life centres launched the Octonauts Octo-Glow Explorers event where kids could take part in a range of interactive activities to discover how creatures of the deep use light to hide from predators, attract their prey and talk to each other.
Poetic Brands has secured a deal with Cartoon Network to produce adult underwear and nightwear based on Rick and Morty.
DRi Licensing is expanding The Happy News brand welcoming Widdop, stationery and Portico to the licensee line-up. In addition, Moonpig is also on board, while Penguin Random House will publish a creative journal called Make Someone Happy.
Saban Brands has celebrated the UK launch of the first toy range inspired by preschool series Cirque du Soleil Junior – Luna Petunia. Smyths kicked off the merchandise roll out, debuting Funrise Toys’ collection of play-sets, figures, plush, dolls and role-play items. To further drive awareness, Saban are teamed with YouTube influencer Emily Tube, who has been showcasing the toys in a series of videos.
eOne continues to build the Peppa Pig brand in Asia, revealing key plans for Japan. The preschool show will debut on TV Tokyo on October 10, with eOne and master licensee SEGA Toys readying the launch of consumer products. Publishing will spearhead the programme, led by Froebel-kan, while toys and games licensees include Hanayama, Bandai, Meteor APAC and Ty. Nippon Columbia will also distribute DVDs.
eOne has revealed details of a new extension to Peppa Pig World at Paulton’s Park theme park in Hampshire. The attraction will be expanding to include two new rides – The Queen’s Flying Coach Ride and Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club – which will open on May 16, 2018.
Imperial War Museums has partnered with Kent & Stowe for a new range of gifts for the home and garden, inspired by the IWM collections. The gift line will repurpose imagery, patterns and artwork from IWM’s collection of WWII propaganda materials, including posters from British Home Front campaigns such as Dig for Victory and Lend a Hand on the Land.
JELC has appointed The Art File to produce a range of greeting cards, giftwrap and gift bags in the UK and international markets for I Like Birds. The new range will launch in January 2018 at Top Drawer London.
Nickelodeon UK and Ireland has launched its first ever online multiplayer game. Living Loud: Lincoln’s List is based on the Nicktoons show The Loud House and has been developed and produced by London-based creative agency, Ralph.
APC Kids has sold the first season of KID-E-CATS to Viacom. The animated series will be shown on Nick Jr from this autumn in a raft of territories including in the UK.
Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow @LicensingSource on Twitter.
