CONSUMER PRODUCTS

Super RTL picks up licensing rights for Vodka’s Bugsted

German broadcaster Super RTL has acquired licensing rights for Vodka’s multi-platform property Bugsted in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

April 2, 2013 Gary Rusak

Toys ‘R’ Us pulls IPO as sales dip

CONSUMER PRODUCTS

A continued slope in domestic and foreign sales has contributed to mega retailer Toys ‘R’ Us’ decision to withdraw its proposed initial public offering. The move comes amid the company’s latest financial report that saw fourth-quarter holiday sales fall roughly 3% to US$5.8 billion.

April 1, 2013 Wendy Goldman Getzler

Walmart among new partners for The Jungle Book

CONSUMER PRODUCTS / TV

India-based animation production company DQ Entertainment (DQE) has struck a licensing deal with Walmart that will go along with 12 additional licensing and merchandising agreements for its property The Jungle Book.

March 28, 2013 Wendy Goldman Getzler

Tilly series adds licensing friends

CONSUMER PRODUCTS / TV

Five new licensees spanning apparel, greetings and digital gaming categories have joined the Tilly and Friends publishing/TV preschool brand in the UK.

March 28, 2013 Wendy Goldman Getzler

Peppa Pig posts record mobile gaming and publishing numbers

CONSUMER PRODUCTS / INTERACTIVE

The collective group of apps based on eOne’s Peppa Pig has surpassed one million downloads on iOS, Nokia and Android platforms in the UK. Offline, the brand is gaining traction in the publishing category, as sales of Redan Publishing’s Fun to Learn Peppa Pig magazine have hit a record high.

March 27, 2013 Wendy Goldman Getzler

New venture aims to take companies from digital world to toy land

COMPANIES / CONSUMER PRODUCTS / INTERACTIVE

As gaming properties like Angry Birds continue their migration to the toy aisles, consultancy groups AT New Media and Virtual World Licensing have launched a new venture designed to offer services to gaming, social and virtual brands that are looking to enter the world of toy licensing.

March 27, 2013 Wendy Goldman Getzler

Jeff Nuzzi to extend Monster In My Pocket through new Rubicon digital arm

CONSUMER PRODUCTS / INTERACTIVE / PEOPLE MOVES

Gaming industry vet Jeff Nuzzi is taking the helm as director of digital media at entertainment company Rubicon Group Holding, where among his first order of business is adapting the boy-centric collectible property Monster In My Pocket for digital platforms.

March 27, 2013 Wendy Goldman Getzler

Henson gets crackin’ on South Korean IP

CONSUMER PRODUCTS / RETAIL / TV

The Gangnam Style trend showed the world that South Korea might just be the next global pop-culture hub. In its wake, The Jim Henson Company has mined the territory, finding IP I Love Egg, which it intends to take to global TV and consumer products markets.

March 26, 2013 Gary Rusak

Space Enterprises inks e-commerce deal for The Hive

CONSUMER PRODUCTS / RETAIL

Licensed products based on preschool brand The Hive can now be purchased online thanks to a new partnership between Space Enterprises and UK-based e-commerce facilitator Heroes for Kids.

March 25, 2013 Jeremy Dickson