- Hidden Pigeon Company is running a second game day promotion with the New York Yankees that will see Mo Willems’ The Pigeon character take over Yankee Stadium on July 13. As part of the event, the first 10,000 guests under the age of 14 will receive a free plush Pigeon keychain, and attendees can head to the team store throughout the day to purchase exclusive co-branded merchandise created by New Era Cap and OT Sports. This builds on HPC’s first game day deal last August that saw the Yankees take on the Toronto Blue Jays with more than 40,000 people in attendance.
- Cloudco Entertainment and Bulldog Licensing have inked a multi-year deal with Britain’s Teal Group Holdings to launch an exclusive range of Care Bears products in The Entertainer, Tesco, Moonpig and Marks & Spencer stores across the UK this fall. Addo Play will manufacture these new products, which include plush, arts & crafts kits, seasonal items, beauty sets and reusable bags, all featuring several Care Bears characters.
- Toei Animation Europe has tapped Smiffys to manufacture and distribute a new collection of Dragon Ball Z costumes for kids and adults in the UK and Ireland. Initial products will roll out in time for Halloween this year, focusing on the anime franchise’s main character Goku and his iconic orange and blue gi.
- Board game maker Maestro Media has named Asmodee as its exclusive distribution partner for the US, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Maestro’s catalogue includes several licensed games for kids of all ages, including Hello Kitty: Day at the Park, The Smurfs: Hidden Village, Donald Duck: Happy Camper and Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Besties.
- Magic Light Pictures is expanding its consumer products program for The Gruffalo and Friends, securing UK grocery chain Morrisons as a new softlines licensee. In addition, existing apparel partner Character World Brands has picked up home and bedding rights to the IP, and nightwear manufacturer Aykroyds & Sons will develop Gruffalo-branded daywear and nightwear for toddlers.
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