The company known for its ubiquitous Pop! Vinyl collectibles is expanding further into traditional toys and taking steps to make sure its new offerings connect with kids.
Following the debut of its Snapsies toy line last month, Funko — the Washington-based “purveyors of pop culture” — inked a deal with ChizComm Beacon Media to handle multiplatform media for the brand. Under the new deal, ChizComm Beacon Media will manage Funko Kids media across linear, digital, video-on-demand (VOD), over-the-top (OTT), search, and social.
The social elements include new @originalfunkokids profiles on Instagram and YouTube.
“As Funko diversifies its portfolio into toys, being selected as their partner to help push this agenda forward is an incredible honor,” says Harold Chizick, CEO of ChizComm. “It’s a brand we’ve always admired and we look forward to sharing our innovative approach and expertise in connecting with kids, families, and fans to create as much awareness and momentum as possible.”
In the absence of Toy Fair New York this year, Funko recently announced Funko Fair, a 2-week event that kicks off on Jan. 19. The virtual programming will provide a first look at Funko’s 2021 product lineup, featuring reveals from its Vinyl, SODA, and Paka Paka lines, as well as new items from Funko Games and Loungefly. A variety of licensing partners are set to join in, too, including DC, The Pokémon Co. International, NBCUniversal, and Five Nights at Freddy’s. There will also be specific days of Funko Fair dedicated to Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars products.
ChizComm — recently acquired by Genius Brands International — recently inked a deal to serve as the PR agency of record for Bazooka Candy Brands (BCB), a division of The Topps Co.
