Toronto’s Epic Story Media (ESM) is expanding its global operations with the launch of a brand-new toy division 

Headed up by Kim Morris, who was promoted from her current role as global marketing director of ESM, Epic Story Toys will offer services that include designing and manufacturing toys for third-party franchises, securing partnerships with toy distributors and sales agents, and working with other manufacturers on product development. 

“In an ever-evolving market for kids, we need to be open to new ways of thinking and working,” says ESM CEO and founder Ken Faier. “Epic Story Toys is a natural extension of our vision to connect more meaningfully with our audience.”

The new venture is already in full operation, having secured global master toy rights to CG-animated preschool series Vegesaurs (pictured) from co-producers Cheeky Little and Studio 100 International (ESM is the IP’s global licensing agent). Epic Story Toys is also developing a range of collectible figures and travel-themed playsets based on Bubble’s Hotel (52 x 11 minutes), which ESM co-produces with Unicorn Entertainment and Tencent Video.

Epic Story Toys will unveil its first SKUs for both Vegesaurs and Bubble’s Hotel on January 28 at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair. It will also be hunting for new toy distributors for Reesee’s Slugterra toy line of figures and role-play blasters that has launched in more than 15 countries to date.