Sunday, August 18, 2013

US Toy Company Wonder Forge Secures Multi-Year Game Licensing Rights To Nick Jr.'s "Tickety Toc"

Wonder Forge has announced the Nick Jr. USA News in the following Press Release, from their official website, wonderforge.com, that the US toy manufacturer has recently secured game licensing rights to the popular CG-animated preschool series "Tickety Toc" through a multi-year partnership with Zodiak Kids, brokered by US licensing agent Established Brands! The partnership is the latest in a string of hit properties secured by Wonder Forge that includes some of the world's most beloved children's brands, including Nickelodeon's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".



Tickety Toc Matching Game packaging from The Toy Book

As part of their merchandising partnership with Zodiak Kids, Wonder Forge will debut its "Tickety Toc Matching Game" through an exclusive retail partnership with Toys R Us, and will launch additional signature games in 2014. A multi-category consumer products program will launch in North America in Fall 2013 led by master toy partner, Just Play, and Home Entertainment partner, Anchor Bay Entertainment:
Wonder Forge, Inc.™ Secures Multi-Year Game Licensing Rights to Tickety Toc Preschool Property

Seattle, WA (June 13, 2013) – Wonder Forge™, named one of Washington State's fastest growing private companies (1) and a stand-out in the U.S. toy and game market, has recently secured game licensing rights to Tickety Toc through a multi-year partnership with Zodiak Kids, brokered by US licensing agent Established Brands. Tickety Toc, a breakout hit in the US, airs seven days a week on Nick Jr. The partnership is the latest in a string of hit properties secured by Wonder Forge that includes some of the world’s most beloved children’s brands.

Wonder Forge will debut its Tickety Toc Matching Game through an exclusive retail partnership with Toys R Us, and will launch additional signature games in 2014. A multi-category consumer products program will launch in North America in Fall 2013 led by master toy partner, Just Play, and Home Entertainment partner, Anchor Bay Entertainment.

"We're always on the lookout for quality properties with engaging characters, themes and stories because they make for rich game play experiences," said Joel Berman, head of global business development and licensing for Wonder Forge. "Tickety Toc is just this kind of brand, and we are pleased to offer children and their families a whole new way to experience these delightful stories."

"Wonder Forge has an amazing track record for creativity in the game aisle,” said Bob Traub, President of Licensing for Established Brands. “We are excited to work with a company who takes such a thoughtful and high-quality approach to licensing and game development."

Tickety Toc features Tommy & Tallulah and their remarkable friends as they race against time to keep the clock ticking. Through Tommy & Tallulah's madcap adventures, Tickety Toc explores concepts of teamwork, social responsibility and problem solving in a fun and engaging way.

Wonder Forge was founded by CEO Jacobe Chrisman, former head of product development at Cranium games. The company launched in 2007 and today includes a product line of more than 80 games and puzzles, featuring cherished children’s properties such as Disney Princess, Minnie Mouse, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Dr. Seuss, DC Super Friends, Richard Scarry's Busytown, Angelina Ballerina, Curious George, Chuggington, and MythBusters. Wonder Forge has amassed more than 130 awards for game excellence and sells its products in 10 countries and growing.

1 Puget Sound Business Journal, 2010

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About Wonder Forge, Inc.™

In 2007 a small group of creative folks with a passion for children’s entertainment came together to develop extraordinarily fun, original, quality play experiences. Wonder Forge preschool titles celebrate the “can do” in all kids, engaging them physically, socially, and creatively. Our family games bridge generation gaps and build lasting family bonds. We are proud to now offer more than 80 games and puzzles, created in partnership with some of the industry’s top licenses, and honored with more than 130 prestigious awards for product excellence. To learn more, visit www.wonderforge.com.

About Zodiak Kids

Zodiak Kids is the global independent leader in kids entertainment, combining Zodiak Media’s dedicated kids production companies, consumer products and sales division. Zodiak Kids encompasses prominent production companies Marathon Media and Tele Images Productions (France) and The Foundation (UK). Sales for Zodiak kids are handled by a dedicated team within Zodiak Rights, one of the leading international distributors in the industry. All aspects of licensing are handled by a dedicated division with highly experienced teams based in London and Paris (Zodiak Kids CP London and Zodiak Kids CP Paris).

Zodiak Kids boasts one of the largest, high-quality kids catalogues in the world, which includes Totally Spies!, the international hit animation series; Tickety Toc, the new animated series; Waybuloo, the CBeebies pre-school hit; Redakai, a brand new series on Cartoon Network US; Mister Maker, the ultimate arts and craft show; Gormiti, based on the extraordinarily successful figurine range that sold over 100 million pieces; Street Football, one of the top rated animated shows in France and Italy and the newly launched The Ranch. www.zodiakkids.com

About Established Brands

Established Brands is comprised of two distinctly different, but extremely complimentary disciplines. An impressive sales machine built on intimate relationships and access at the world’s biggest and best retailers. And a team of marketing professionals focused on generating new revenue for brands that have the strength to extend beyond their core categories. Both work as one. This unique combination gives Established Brands an enviable advantage in the go-to-market process. Whether it’s partnering with our stable of blue chip licensors or shepherding a national brand through the retail ecosystem we bring unequalled experience and integrity.

CONTACT:
Kimberley Pierce
Head of Marketing Communications
Wonder Forge
(510) 326-0058
kimberley@wonderforge.com.

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HiT Entertainment Hires Three High Profile Executives For Their New-Look Global Brand Team, Including Former Nickelodeon Executive Gina Briggs

The licensing industry news website Licensing.biz is reporting the licensing news that Hit Entertainment, the British/American entertainment distribution company owned by Mattel, has appointed three high profile executives, including former Nickelodeon executive Gina Briggs, to spearhead its global brand and marketing efforts for its key properties, including brand strategy roles working on popular animated properties (Nicktoons) including "SpongeBob SquarePants", "Fairly Odd Parents", and "Robot and Monster".

Gina Briggs, who previously held a variety of marketing and strategy roles at Nickelodeon, has joined HiT (formally Henson International Television) as senior global brand manager for the popular CG-animated preschool series "Mike the Knight", which currently airs on Nick and Nick Jr. in the United States.

Gina Briggs will work out of the company's New York office and will report to Shari Donnenfeld, Vice President, global brands, at Hit Entertainment:
Hit Entertainment unveils new-look global brand team

High profile execs confirmed to look after brands including Thomas & Friends and Mike the Knight.

[Veteran execs appointed from Walt Disney Company and Nickelodeon. - ToyNews]

Hit Entertainment has appointed three high profile executives to spearhead its global brand and marketing efforts for its key properties.

Robin Gay has joined as global brand director for Thomas & Friends. He moves across from The Walt Disney Company EMEA, where he most recently ran the franchise business for Mickey Mouse & Friends, Winnie the Pooh, Disney Fairies and Disney Baby.

Meanwhile, Will Speer has been appointed global brand director for Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam. Speer also joins from The Walt Disney Company, where he held a variety of roles including Disney Stores (retail), Disney Channels and most recently franchise management.

Finally, Gina Briggs has joined Hit as senior global brand manager for Mike the Knight, having previously held a variety of marketing and strategy roles at Nickelodeon.

Gay and Speer will be based in the UK, while Briggs will work out of the New York office. All three will report to Shari Donnenfeld, VP global brands, Hit Entertainment.

"Assembling this new team reinforces Hit and Mattel's commitment to propel our brands to even greater levels of engagement with consumers and partners," said Donnenfeld.

TAGS: hit entertainment, thomas & friends, mike the knight, fireman sam, bob the builder
Also, from Kidscreen:
HIT unveils global brand team

In a move to strengthen its preschool brand management, Mattel’s HIT Entertainment has appointed three veteran execs, Robin Gay, Will Speer and Gina Briggs, to head up its global brand and marketing efforts for a number of HIT’s leading properties including Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam and Mike the Knight.

For the newly created positions, Gay and Speer will be UK-based, with Briggs based in New York City. All three will report directly to HIT’s VP of global brands Shari Donnenfeld.

Gay has come on board as the global brand director for Thomas & Friends. He most recently ran the franchise business for Mickey Mouse & Friends (including Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), Winnie the Pooh, Disney Fairies (including Tinker Bell), and Disney Baby for The Walt Disney Company EMEA, as well as managing hit Disney Channel and Disney XD IP including Phineas & Ferb, Hannah Montana, and Wizards of Waverly Place.

Also making the move from Disney, Speer is now global brand director for Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam. He most recently handled franchise management for brands such as Jake and The Neverland Pirates, Doc McStuffins, Monsters University, and Phineas and Ferb.

Briggs rounds out the hires as senior global brand manager for Mike the Knight. She comes to HIT from Nickelodeon where she served in a number of marketing and brand strategy roles working on popular animated properties including SpongeBob, Fairly Odd Parents, and Robot and Monster.

The hires come as Mattel posted weaker-than-expected second quarter profits, but recent licensing growth for Thomas and Mike the Knight.

Tags: Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Gina Briggs, HIT Entertainment, Mattel, Mike the Knight, Robin Gay, Thomas & Friends, Will Speer

Nickelodeon Africa To Debut "Big Time Rush" Season 4 From October 2013

Nickelodeon Africa has announced in a Tweet on their official Twitter profile page (@NickAfrica) the very exciting Nickelodeon International News that Nickelodeon Africa will start to premiere and show brand new episodes from highly anticipated all-new fourth season of Nick's hit original musical comedy series "Big Time Rush" in October 2013!
Please Can You Just Tell Me When The New Season Of Big Time Rush is Airing
@NickAfrica: The new season of @bigtimerush premieres on @NickAfrica in October. #BTR #Rushers.
Created by Scott Fellows ("Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide") and produced in partnership with Sony Music, "Big Time Rush" season 4 finds best friends Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Carlos Pena, Jr. and Logan Henderson, recording music for their third studio album and preparing for the launch of their next world tour. The BTR guys quickly discover that the music landscape has become more competitive and the pressure to stay relevant proves tougher than ever.


Recording artist Gavin DeGraw, comedian Jon Stewart and actor Terrence Jenkins join Big Time Rush during the season premiere, "Big Time Invasion", where the guys must stop the invasion of a British boy band. Concerned that Gustavo is spread too thin, they try to hire a top music manager and when they are unable to agree, a rift quickly escalates within the band. Other guest stars confirmed to appear in season 4 of "Big Time Rush" include the British singer Cher Lloyd, Nickelodeon Star Victoria Justice ("Big Time Tour Bus"; "Victorious"), Nick At Nite star Scott Baio ("See Dad Run", "Happy Days", "Joanie Loves Chachi", "Charles in Charge", "Bugsy Malone"), Nick Star Lucas Cruikshank ("Fred", "Marvin Marvin"), and the cast of Nick Jr.'s popular preschool series "Yo Gabba Gabba!".
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Nickelodeon Africa To Debut Nick's New Buddy Sitcom "Sam & Cat" In November 2013

Nickelodeon Africa has announced in a Tweet on their official Twitter profile page (@NickAfrica) the very exciting Nickelodeon International News that Nickelodeon Africa will start to premiere and show the brand new live-action Nick original comedy series "Sam & Cat" in November 2013, as part of Nick Africa's Autumn 2013 highlights!:
when does Sam and Cat air on South African TV?
@NickAfrica: It premieres in November. #SamandCat.
The brand new Nickelodeon sitcom "Sam & Cat" follows feisty Sam Puckett (Jennette McCurdy; "iCarly") and flighty Cat Valentine (Ariana Grande; "Victorious") as they become best friends and unlikely roommates who start a babysitting service called "Sam & Cat's Super Rockin' Fun-Time Babysitting Service". The series is created by award-winning executive producer Dan Schneider ("iCarly", "Victorious", "Drake & Josh", "Zoey 101").


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Nickelodeon Africa To Premiere "The Legend of Korra" "Book Two: Spirits" (Season 2) In February 2014

Nickelodeon Africa has announced in a Tweet on their official Twitter profile page (@NickAfrica) the very exciting Nickelodeon International News that Nickelodeon Africa will start to premiere and show episodes from season two of Nickelodeon's hit original animated series (Nicktoon) "The Legend of Korra", called "Book Two: Spirits", in February 2014! The Nick News may also indicate when Nickelodeon's other 40+ international channels across Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia will start to debut the second season of "Legend of Korra"!:
Just can't wait for. Avatar: Legend of Korra s2... Is gonna be #DOPE ? !... When is it gonna premier ?
@NickAfrica: The new season of Legend of Korra premieres on @NickAfrica in February, 2014. #LegendOfKorra #Avatar.

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