Geronimo Stilton Animated Series Coming to U.S.

GeronimoStilton imageInternationally successful animated kids series, Geronimo Stilton, based on books of the same name, hits U.S. retail shelves on September 24. Co-producers Atlantyca Entertainment and Moonscoop  partnered with Entertainment One for the premiere DVD debut in the U.S.

Geronimo Stilton features the adventures of the famous Geronimo Stilton, a brilliant, bookish mouse and media empire mogul who would prefer to spend his days reading and playing chess with his very bright 12-year-old nephew, Benjamin.

Adventure always comes knocking at Geronimo’s door, and Geronimo and his pals are ready. Geronimo Stilton the animated series has proved itself popular with children across various countries worldwide.

 

TCG Partners with Entertainment One for Peppa Pig Puzzles and Activities

eOne.PeppaPigTCG has entered into a new licensing partnership with Entertainment One to manufacture, distribute, and market a new line of puzzles and activities featuring Peppa Pig in North America. The Peppa Pig puzzles and activities are expected to launch at mass-market, toy, drug, and online retailers in August.

The new product line, targeted to preschoolers, will include three 24-piece and three 48-piece jigsaw puzzles, and Magnetic Creations. Each puzzle and activity captures the essence of Peppa, the loveable star of the hit animated television show for preschoolers, Peppa Pig, which airs on Nick Jr. in the U.S.

Transformers Prime Earns Emmy Awards, Hub Garners Nominations

TransformersHasbro Studios, the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Hasbro Inc., received a trio of Daytime Emmy Awards in Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for Transformers Prime from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). The wins were also hailed as achievements by The Hub Network, on which the animated series airs.

Transformers Prime received early victories for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for Character Animation (Arato Kato), Background Design (Jason Park), and Storyboards (Kirk van Wormer).

In addition to its success with Transformer Prime, The Hub Network received 17 Daytime Emmy Award honors, the most ever in its two-and-half year history, with 14 nominations, as announced by NATAS. The Hub Network received the second most nominations of any kids network, behind only Nickelodeon.

For the first time, The Hub Network received three top programming nominations, including two for Outstanding Children’s Series for The Aquabats! Super Show! (FremantleMedia Enterprises and The Magic Store) and R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series (Front Street Pictures in association with The Hatchery, LLC.), as well as one for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program for Dan Vs. (Film Roman Inc., a Starz Media Company, in association with The Hatchery, LLC.).

The Hub Network also received nominations for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program (Dan Vs.), Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program (Curtis Armstrong as Dan in Dan Vs.), Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Direction/Scenic Design (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design and Styling (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program (Dan Vs.), Outstanding Directing in a Children’s Series (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Achievement in Makeup (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Original Song—Children and Animation (“If You’re a Guy,” Littlest Pet Shop), Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Editing (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Photography (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), and Outstanding Writing in a Children’s Series (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series).

Hasbro Studios Inks Home Entertainment Deal With U.K.’S Clear Vision

Hasbro Studios, the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Hasbro Inc. has announced an extensive multi-territory deal with leading independent home entertainment label Clear Vision. The U.K.-based company has acquired HV distribution rights to the first and second seasons of the kids’ hit My Little Pony Friendship is Magic in the U.K., France, Spain, Italy, the Nordic countries, and the Middle East.

mlpProduced and distributed globally by Hasbro Studios, My Little Pony Friendship is Magic follows a core cast of six pony friends through funny, offbeat experiences, lessons in friendship and exciting, enchanted adventures.

Mezco to Create Figures Based on the Batman Classic TV Series

Mezco Toys is partnering with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Entertainment, to produce toys and vehicles based on the classic 1960′s Batman Classic TV Series.

The Mez-Itz line will feature the likeness of the actors from the series such as Adam West and Burt Ward, famed for their portrayals as the dynamic duo, Batman and Robin.

Mezco’s Mez-Itz line will also debut the Batman Classic TV Series toys, including the Batmobile. While the Batmobile appeared throughout the Batman comic books, the iteration designed by George Barris for the classic TV series was radically different and quickly became a fan favorite. Batman and Robin both fit in the Mez-Itz Batmobile, as do most other Mez-Itz figures. [Read more...]

New Yo Gabba Gabba! Products Arrive at Toys “R” Us

Now in its fourth season on Nick Jr., Yo Gabba Gabba! is a live-action TV series and live stage show whose unconventional formula has created a triple stacked fan base. Jazwares will introduce new Yo Gabba Gabba! figures, plush, and electronics to the Toys “R” Us toy aisles this year. Featuring characters from the series, including Brobee, Foofa, Muno, Plex, and Toodee, the line includes electronics such as an interactive microphone, articulated figure assortments, and plush. Visit www.yogabbagabba.com or www.yogabbagabbalive.com for more info.  Check out some of the new products below!  [Read more...]

AG Properties Expands in Central and South America

The popularity of Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, and Holly Hobbie & Friends continues to grow in Central and South America as AG Properties (AGP), the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation, expands its agreements with Productos Panameños and Campestre Confeccao e Comercio for products in Brazil and Panama based on these properties. The deals were negotiated by Exim Licensing Group, licensing agency of record for AGP in Brazil and Panama.

hhf_logo_002Campestre, already a licensee for Care Bears in Brazil, has expanded its relationship with AGP to include backpacks for Holly Hobbie & Friends. Campestre also maintains an established roster of Care Bears products that includes stationery, apparel, publishing, health and beauty aids, and footwear.

In Panama, AGP and Exim have renewed a partnership with Productos Panameños for stationery items featuring Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, and Holly Hobbie & Friends.

PlaySquare Partners with Curious Pictures for Investment, Production Agreement

PlaySquare LLC, the creator of Touchable Television for the tablet, announced an investment and partnership with Curious Pictures, a leading producer of television programs, commercials, animation, feature films, and video games.

Under the terms of its agreement, Curious Pictures will also be a production partner and provide support to PlaySquare in the development of Touchable Television episodes for its PlaySquare platform. The investment is being made through Curious Ventures, the venture arm of Curious Pictures.

PlaySquare will co-locate with Curious Pictures in their New York City studio. In addition, Jan Korbelin, CEO of Curious Pictures, will become an advisor and board member of PlaySquare.

PlaySquare’s first release is an adaptation of the episode “Happy Birthday Dog,” from PBS KidsWordWorld, which was released last July and has since accumulated more than 13 million minutes of use, as well as several industry awards. It is currently available for free on iTunes for a limited time.

The Company plans to release new episodes and the PlaySquare platform in the fall.

Mindshapes, The Jim Henson Company Launch Sid the Science Kid-Sid’s Slide to the Side

Kids and families can now take Sid the Science Kid on-the-go with a new mobile app available for iOS devices. The app, which launches today, coincides with the DVD and iTunes release of Jim Henson‘s Sid the Science Kid: The Movie, a feature-length film following the adventures of Sid and his curious friends.

sid's slide to the side screenshotSid the Science Kid – Sid’s Slide to the Side is the first in a new app format from Mindshapes called an “Appisode,” enhanced story–based adventures that feature rich learning and game and play activities, all wrapped around a storybook. This fun and interactive Appisode is a new approach to mobile learning sure to get kids engaged and entertained with their favorite franchises. The Appisode features  songs, interactive games, reinforced learning activities, and colorful characters from the Sid the Science Kid television program on PBS.

KISS Catalogue Ltd, Sanrio to Produce KISS Hello Kitty Animated Series

kiss hello kityThe Hub Network has optioned the rights to a new animated series, KISS Hello Kitty (working title).

The KISS and Hello Kitty collaboration began in 2010 with a global collection of co-branded products, from Sanrio. The collection features hundreds of licensed items across all categories, including apparel, toys, electronics, stationery, and back-to-school merchandise.

KISS Hello Kitty will feature the four KISS x Hello Kitty characters living their rock ’n roll dreams and bringing pink anarchy to a number situations. The series is in the initial stages of development and will be produced by KISS Catalogue Ltd. and Sanrio.