Including Disney-Pixar’s Coco getting off to a storming start at the UK box office.
The Source rounds up more news from the licensing industry across the globe from the week.
Disney-Pixar’s latest movie Coco is performing strongly at the UK box office, grossing an estimated £5.1 million including previews during its opening weekend. The result follows on from the film’s win at the Golden Globes, while it is also nominated in the upcoming BAFTAs and Oscars. A healthy licensing programme has also seen product begin to hit shelves from the likes of Mattel.
Marie Claire UK has launched its first ever athleisure range – entitled Marie Claire Sport. The deal was brokered by licensing agency Brand Talent and sees the fashion and beauty magazine extend its licensing programme to incorporate a capsule range of directional lifestyle sportswear, launching this month.
Cartoon Network EMEA has shared details on the second wave of Ben 10 toys from master global toy partner Playmates. Flair is the distribution partner for the toy line in the UK and is gearing up to expand on the first range (which debuted last July). Key new skus launching this month include the Heatblast Rocket Flyer and Diamondhead Power Tank vehicles, a range of Omni-Enhanced figurines and the new Omni Launch Battle Figures.
German brand management and media company m4e has acquired 100% of the rights to Mia and me from its co-production partner Gerhard Hahan and his Hahn Film AG.
Meanwhile, Studio 100 Media/m4e and Planeta Junior have bolstered their partnership. The ongoing relationship will see the companies collaborate on five new productions from Studio 100 Media/m4e and two productions from Planeta Junior (including certain co-production and distribution rights for all companies).
As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, New York Magazine has partnered with Pixels.com for print on demand images. The deal means that the magazine’s iconic covers can now be purchased as framed prints, canvas prints and more.
Maurizio Distefano Licensing has been named the merchandising agent for Italy and Eastern Europe for the Tetris brand. The company will now be targeting multiple categories for the popular video game property.
SmileyWorld has launched a Smiley concept pop-up café in the middle of Hong Kong’s Langham Place shopping centre. The deal was brokered by Smiley’s APAC partner, Walton Brown.
Digital kids network and studio, WildBrain has struck a multi-year deal with JibJab Bros. Studios to manage and grow its StoryBots brand. Showing on YouTube, StoryBots is a learning programme for children aged three to eight.
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