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Licensing Show 2011
Playing with character
CONSUMER PRODUCTS / KID INSIGHTWhat came first, the property or the play pattern? The answer may be a moot point—you can’t have one without the other when it comes to kids consumer products.
Moves
The top-five things on our radar this month
NEWSFrom word play to a new era in books, we’re keeping our eyes on what’s happening in the fast-paced kids’ entertainment industry.
How I Did It – Jessi Dunne
CONSUMER PRODUCTSJessi Dunne may have started out in straightforward consumer packaged goods sales, but after landing her first toyco job at Galoob, she got hooked on the creativity inherent in the kids biz. So when Disney came knocking, she couldn’t say no.
Bladez Toys puts inflatable twist on R/C vehicles
CONSUMER PRODUCTSAt almost 20 inches tall, Bladez Toys’ Pump & Play range is looking to shake up the RC market.
TV
Direct hits?
INTERACTIVE / TVNewbie toon platforms set up web-only kids content hubs to build viewership.
Coolabi’s Poppy Cat scores on both sides of the pond
TVFor a series that launched in the UK on Nick Jr. at the beginning of last month, it’s too early to relay ratings news on Poppy Cat. However, the 52 x 11-minute preschool show produced by UK-based Coolabi and King Rollo Films had already fast-tracked its way to a raft of licensing agreements and international sales well before its debut.
Hannah Montana writers find freedom in Canada
TV“American broadcasters want a hook,” says Life with Boys creator Michael Poryes, which led him to Canada to collaborate with YTV and Corus. “It gave us the freedom to try something different and to write something that relies more on dialogue and characters.”
Interactive
Random House and Stardoll’s first Kiss
INTERACTIVELast fall, Random House’s vampire-themed original online title, Mortal Kiss, was unleashed to virtual community Stardoll’s 100 million users and gave new life to the way young girls engage with book content. What started as an experiment in online publishing has now led to solid hard-copy book sales, a second upcoming serialized novel and potential film and TV spin-offs.
Kiip gets ‘em while they’re happy
INTERACTIVENineteen-year-old Brian Wong and his San Francisco-based team at Kiip are turning heads with their real-world spin on in-game mobile rewards.
The definitive kids ent resource.-
McDonald’s, General Mills among Despicable Me 2 marketing minions -
Two-year-old Disney Junior UK brings Appisodes to two-year-olds -
Disney and Lucasfilm announce new Star Wars animated series -
eOne takes all rights to YouTube animated hit Simon’s Cat -
Microsoft unveils its next-generation console -
Children’s Museums: Not just for kids
Photos
MIPCOM 2012 - Toon Goggles MD Stephen Hodge offers insights into new digital funding