Spin Master has unveiled details and a first look at the company's upcoming PAW Patrol Big Rig Pups Highway HQ playset, set to roll into stores during Fall 2022!
PAW Patrol® Big Rig Pups Highway HQ™: Every mission starts at the all-new Big Rig Pups Highway Rescue HQ. Pups can jump into the commander center, pull up and transform to reveal an over three-foot-wide HQ. With a garage spot for each pup, a tune-up and car wash station, vehicle launcher, and lights and sounds, the Highway HQ has everything kids need to race to the rescue. Includes Chase figure and truck with room for all six vehicles (sold separately). Fall 2022; SRP $99.99; Age: 3+
Watch all your favorite shows on Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Paramount+! Parents and caregivers: try Paramount+ for FREE at ParamountPlus.com.
Maurizio Distefano Licensing (MDL), which manages licensing for a number of the biggest children’s brands in the Italian market, has announced some very exciting Easter plans aimed at young fans of chocolate, toys and cartoons.
This year, the charming pre-school animated hit Bing and high-quality chocolate maker Dolfin have come together for a selection of Easter eggs made of the finest milk chocolate. The eggs will be in four different sizes: 50 grams 220 grams and 320 grams, plus a special version which comes with a free-time bag.
And for a delightful alternative look no further than toy company Giochi Preziosi and Bing’s Pasqualone an egg-shaped package.
Chocolate, pastry and sweets specialist Motta is again returning to a winning formula after the sold-out success of last year’s 190-gram Masha and the Bear fine milk chocolate Easter Eggs. This year Motta is promising many surprises that will delight fans of the much-loved animated duo, whose continuing enormous popularity is a major attraction for Motta.
Italy’s number one easter eggs producer Walcor this year brings back ALVINNN!!! And the Chipmunks as one of the stars of its Easter 2022 offering: fans of the wild band of singing chipmunks will be able to choose between a mini egg (45 gram) and a maxi version (200 gram).
Another sweet star of the chocolate scene, Witor’s, has a partnership with Gigantosaurus in a 200-gram format containing some great surprises for fans of the little dinosaurs.
Biscuit, cake and sweet maker Balocco offers something new for the little ones: a starring role for Leo and Tig, the leopard cub and tiger cub, whose exciting adventures in the Taiga have inspired a 150-gram egg made with the finest milk chocolate.
Cereal and chocolate producer Cerealitalia’s Dolci Preziosi brand celebrates Easter with two ambitious new projects. The first partnership is with the successful Moonbug Entertainment production CoComelon, which arrives on the shelves with a 150-gram surprise egg, a great treat for fans who love the nursery rhymes and catchy educational songs from the world’s biggest family YouTube channel.
The second Dolci Preziosi license involves the young creator Charlotte M who can boast a vast number of followers on YouTube and TikTok. Fans can sweeten up their Easter table with a super surprise hidden in a 280-gram fine milk chocolate egg.
Maurizio Distefano says: “The confectionery and toy categories have once again enthusiastically supported our popular children’s and young people’s brands with some amazing products. This is yet another great 2022 Easter season full of news, sweets, fun and winning projects for us, for our very successful property portfolio and for our licensees.”
Hasbro has unveiled three new kids’ shoes through its TOMS x Peppa Pig collaboration, which are available now for purchase at footwear retail speciality channels and online at https://www.toms.com/us/kids/shoes. Every shoe purchase gives back one-third of profits to efforts around the world that are creating positive change.
Nodding to the kid-favourite Peppa Pig series, the playful TOMS x Peppa Pig capsule collection evokes classic fun with design details inspired by the joy and adventure of Peppa Pig and friends through optimistic sun daisy prints and chambray details.
In Tiny and Youth sizes, the TOMS classic kids’ Alpargata shoe is given a tiny daisy embellishment and a print inspired by the world’s cheekiest little pig. In Tiny sizes, the shoemaker’s classic Cordones Cupsole sneaker takes a cute twist with a print inspired by the much-loved TV character. Prices start at US$ 34.95.
Stream all your favorite Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. shows on Paramount+ and Noggin! Try Paramount+ for FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Launching during the week of World Book Day (March 3), for which Rubies is an official corporate partner, the initiative will see an exclusive offer for 250 fans to receive a free copy of a specially created comic-style book entitled “Horrid Henry’s Vile Vacation” when they purchase a Horrid Henry dress-up costume through one of Rubies official retail partners. The offer will be supported on both Rubies and Novel Entertainment’s Horrid Henry official social media channels.
The book is based on the popular TV episode of the same name, written by Novel Entertainment’s Co-Founder and Creative Director Lucinda Whiteley, and follows Henry on the trip of a lifetime – even though it isn’t quite what he was expecting.
Under Novel Entertainment’s long-term deal with Rubies, the Horrid Henry costume is available in children’s sizes. A “Bag of Tricks” is available, featuring essentials for budding pranksters and Horrid Henry fans.
“As a long-standing and valued partner of Horrid Henry, it’s fantastic to be teaming up with Rubies on this campaign to support the launch of our first-ever comic-style book alongside the latest brilliant costume,” says Lucinda Whiteley, creative director and head writer, Novel Entertainment. “At Novel Entertainment, we’re committed to highlighting the joy of reading among Horrid Henry’s strong and growing fan base and this is just the start of our plans in this space. We can’t wait to see children have the chance to dress-up and immerse themselves in the world of ‘Horrid Henry’s Vile Vacation.’”
“This is a fantastic opportunity to promote the power of reading to children,” says Mike O’Connell, managing director, Rubies U.K. “With our exclusive offer, we know this will not only be a way to generate unprecedented interest in our Horrid Henry costumes and the new story, Vile Vacation, but to also inspire children to read, which provides untold and limitless benefits. We are proud of our robust relationship with Novel Entertainment and Horrid Henry, which is showcased through the unique opportunities we have to collaborate with them.”
The awards were presented virtually on the first day of Women’s History Month with a further celebration planned for International Women’s Day next week.
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) announced the 2022 Wonder Women Award winners on March 1, the first day of Women’s History Month, and as the global organisation celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The WiT Wonder Women Awards is an annual celebration of the industry’s remarkable thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers in toys, licensing & entertainment.
“It’s a privilege and an honour to celebrate this incredible slate of 2022 Wonder Women Award winners and honorees,” said Janice Ross, WiT president. “This year’s expanded categories gave us the opportunity to spotlight the broad range of tremendously talented women in our industry, and the powerful impact they’re having. Out of hundreds of deserving nominees, this amazing group embodies such extraordinary excellence in leadership.”
Wonder Women Awards co-chairs, Genna Rosenberg and Jennifer Caveza, added: “Heartfelt congratulations to each of this year’s remarkable Wonder Women Award recipients. While we wish our celebration happened in person in New York, we look forward to celebrating our winners and honorees with the WiT community and our industry all throughout the month of March. There’s no better way to celebrate Women’s History Month.”
Changemaker Award – Steven Wolfe Periera – Encantos
WiT is also planning a special International Women’s Day Celebration Event on 8th March to celebrate the achievements of all women in the industry, and highlighting WiT’s 2022 Wonder Women Award Winners and Honorees.
WiT presents the 2022 Retailer of the Year Award to Amazon, accepted by Anne Carrihill, director, Toys & Entertainment, for the positive impact Amazon had on the industry and everyone’s lives during the pandemic including Amazon Smile, which offers customers a way to support their favourite charitable organization; Amazon Small Business Academy; and Amazon Black Business Accelerator which have empowered entrepreneurs, businesses and organisations.
Nickelodeon star, pop star, social media sensation, author and consumer products global brand JoJo Siwa received the Icon Award while the 2022 Changemaker Award went to Encantos CEO Steven Wolfe Pereira, for his purpose-driven and transformative leadership in diversity and inclusion.
WiT thanked its generous 2022 sponsors, including Amazon, Hasbro, Mattel, Paramount, Disney, Spin Master, Lego, Jazwares, The Bandai Foundation, VTech, Warner Bros, Tomy, and the many partners who provide funding and support for WiT’s year-round programming, events, initiatives, including The WiT Foundation Scholarship Program.
A huge congratulations to all the winners of the 2022 Wonder Women Awards!
