Multi-territory deal signed for upcoming range from master toy licensee character options
Halifax, NS - 4 June 2015 - DHX Brands, the dedicated brand management and consumer products arm of DHX Media, has appointed global toy industry leader Spin Master to distribute the upcoming range of Teletubbies toys in the US, Canada, France, Germany, and Benelux.
The deal, which sees Spin Master distributing the eagerly anticipated plush, plastics and bath toys from Teletubbies master toy licensee Character Options, was negotiated on behalf of DHX Brands by CPLG.
The Teletubbies toy range is set to debut in 2016, following the launch of the show on UK commissioning channel CBeebies.
DHX Brands EVP Peter Byrne says: “Significant momentum is building for the global launch of Teletubbies and the addition of Spin Master adds a real catalyst to our partnerships on the brand. With their excellent retail relationships and expertise in understanding the marketing needs of high-profile toy brands, they are the ideal distributor in these core markets.”
Spin Master Executive Vice President of Global Licensing, Adam Beder says: “Teletubbies has long been one of the most iconic brands in the pre-school space and Spin Master is beyond thrilled to be playing a key role in the introduction of the brand to a new generation of children. We look forward to unveiling our new line of plush, bath, and plastic toys which are sure to excite all of the young Teletubbies fans in the US, Canada, France, Germany, and Benelux.”
Licensing activity continues to ramp up on the property with a Teletubbies ELA UK deal recently announced with leading manufacturer VTech, as well as an agreement with Egmont for master publishing. Over 20 new licensees have been appointed by DHX Brands including Worlds Apart (Furniture & Accessories), Aykroyds (Nightwear and Underwear), Character World (Bedding), Amscan (Partyware), Bon Bon Buddies (Confectionary), Posh Paws (Bags) GB Eye (Posters) and Zak UK (melamine tableware).
Multi award-winning Teletubbies is one of the most successful children’s brands of all time. It has reached more than 1 billion children to date and the original episodes have aired in more than 120 territories in 45 languages. It was the very first Western pre-school property to air on China’s CCTV, reaching an audience of 300 million children. Its enduring resonance with children is further underscored by the brand’s postings on YouTube, which garner almost 65 million views per month.
Historically, the Teletubbies brand has enjoyed unprecedented success as both a television series and a consumer products phenomenon, worth almost US$2 billion a year globally at peak.
The new 60-episode series of Teletubbies has been commissioned by the UK’s CBeebies and is being produced for DHX Media by award-winning UK production company, Darrall Macqueen Ltd. It will feature the same much-loved characters but will bring a refreshed, contemporary look to one of the world’s most well-known pre-school properties, ensuring that it is relevant for a new generation.
For more information, please contact:
Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR for DHX Media
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8985 4708 or aimee@ddablueprint.com
About DHX Brands
DHX Brands is the dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm of DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B) (www.dhxmedia.com), a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. DHX Brands specializes in creating, building and maintaining high-profile global entertainment brands within the children’s and young-adult markets. With expertise in brand development, licensing, marketing and creative, we develop brands which captivate and inspire through engaging content, first-class distribution, quality consumer products, immersive live experiences, and digital media. DHX Brands’ world-class portfolio includes Teletubbies, Twirlywoos, In the Night Garden, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Slugterra, Ella the Elephant, Johnny Test, Inspector Gadget and Degrassi. DHX Brands has offices in London, Toronto and Los Angeles.
About Spin Master Ltd.
A multi-category children's entertainment company, Spin Master has been designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing consumer products for children around the world since 1994 and is recognized as a global leader within the toy industry. Spin Master is best known for award winning, innovative brands including action phenomena Bakugan Battle Brawlers™, Zoomer™, Air Hogs®, and Spin Master Games™ including 2014 Game of the Year, Boom Boom Balloon ™. In 2013 Spin Master acquired the international Meccano™ brand and has re-launched the brand with the iconic Meccanoid G15 KS™, introducing robotics and embracing the global Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) movement. In 2015 the company expanded its reach within children's media and entertainment, launching SpindoTV, a YouTube channel dedicated to broadcasting Spin Master Entertainment’s original television and media properties, including the hit animated preschool series, PAW Patrol™. Spin Master employs over 900 people with offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Munich, and Milan.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to DHX including anticipated launch dates and successful marketing and sales. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, among other things, include risk factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended June 30, 2014, and annual Management Discussion and Analysis. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.