The year is almost halfway over, but Maurizio Distefano Licensing shows no signs of slowing down. The Italy-based licensing agent unveiled its roadmap for the rest of 2026, including new entertainment experiences and products for Bing, Care Bears, Polaretti, and Bluey.
“2026 has opened with a series of strategic initiatives and high-value projects for Maurizio Distefano Licensing, which continues to strengthen its market positioning through high-profile partnerships and impactful activities,” says Maurizio Distefano, President of Maurizio Distefano Licensing. “The agency is further advancing its integrated approach, developing strategies that enhance IPs in a cross-category and innovative way for each consumer target.”
Together with Acamar Films and Inscenando Eventi su Misura, Maurizio Distefano is developing a series of family activities and costume character pop-ups starring Bing and Flop, the adorable animals from the hit preschool series Bing. The characters will stop at shopping malls across Italy, fostering brand awareness while bringing families together for an afternoon of fun.
While at the mall, shoppers can explore a brand-new Care Bears capsule collection at United Colors of Benetton. The line includes a range of colorful outfit pieces for kids and juniors with playful graphics inspired by the Care Bears’ original ‘80s character design. Consumers can browse the entire collection in-store and online.
As the Care Bears brand continues to build momentum internationally, Cloudco Entertainment is shifting to a more localized digital strategy, starting with creating a Care Bears social media account specific to Italy. The channel will feature engaging content and visuals tailored to the Italian audience, while also playing a key role in driving traffic and promoting campaigns. For more information, visit @carebears_ita on Instagram.
Later this summer, Polaretti will bring the blizzard to beachwear with a pair of swim trunks from MC2 Saint Barth. This super-cool set will feature a subtle micro-print starring the ice pop’s penguin mascot, Mr. Polaretto. As the brand’s first foray into apparel, this collaboration marks a new chapter for Polaretti and opens the doors to even more out-of-the-ice-box licensing opportunities in the future.
Beyond the shelf, Maurizio Distefano will also celebrate three theatrical releases tied to its IP portfolio: M6 Studio’s Asterix: The Kingdom of Nubia in December 2026, Moonbug Entertainment’s CoComelon: The Movie in February 2027, and the upcoming Bluey animated film in August 2027.
For more information, visit mdistefanolicensing.com.
Meet The Toy Book Team at Licensing Expo!
The Adventure Media & Events team will be present at Licensing Expo with new issues of The Toy Book and The Pop Insider set to debut May 19. Visit us at Booth No. F106 to grab The Toy Book‘s 2026 Licensing & Entertainment Issue (featuring The Licensing Book supplement), and the spring edition of The Pop Insider. Both issues are now in production. To book your space in our new issues, please contact Jackie Breyer, James Devin, or Stephanie Katz.
