Nelvana Readies 40th Anniversary Product Launch for Max & Ruby

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana is lining up licensing and retail partnerships for Max & Ruby ahead of the property’s 40th anniversary.

Cracker Barrel is the exclusive U.S. retail launch partner for a full range of Max & Ruby plush, apparel, and sleepwear available in all 650 of its stores this fall. Licensees on board for Max & Ruby include Aurora (master plush partner), Chouette Publishing, Picture This (apparel), Prime Party (party goods), Happy Threads (apparel), and Jellifish (sleepwear). In January, Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy stores will debut a Max & Ruby QSR program in the U.S. Additionally, Nelvana’s Korean licensing agent — Asiana Licensing Inc. — granted Eplis Co. rights to create Max & Ruby stationery products for sale in the region.

“Since its launch, the esteemed series captured the hearts and minds of preschoolers by helping children learn and understand the universal nature of sibling relationships through play,” says Mellany Masterson, head of Nelvana Enterprises. “We’re excited to welcome our amazing new partners to the Max & Ruby family and look forward to the brand’s next 40 years!”

Looking ahead, families can expect a Max & Ruby sweepstakes to launch on Facebook later this fall, and on Nov. 26, Mall of America will host a special Toddler Tuesday with a Max & Ruby event.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.