Fortnite Strikes First Licensing Deals

The first licensing deals involving the popular mobile/videogame Fortnite have been signed, with master toy licensee Jazwares (playsets, loot boxes game-replica weapons, tools and plush), Funko (collectibles) and Mad Engine (apparel) planning for products to be available by year-end. The Funko collection will span 10 different lines including Pop! and 5-Star figures, Pint Size Hero mini-figures, key chains and Pop! apparel. The deals are the first to be signed since IMG started representing the Epic Games title earlier this year. Fortnite had 125 million players as of mid-June, with 40 million logging in every month to play.

Contacts:

IMG, Gary Krakower, VP Worldwide Licensing, gary.krakower@img.com

Epic Games, Mike Rein, VP, 919-854-0070

Funko, Lauren Winarski, Senior Licensing and Brand Mgr., lauren@funko.com

Jazwares, Sam Ferguson, VP Global Licensing, +44 7713 566 310, sferguson@jazwares.com

Mad Engine, Dean Allen, Chief Marketing Officer, 858-558-5270 dean@madengine.com

Stickbots Apparel Launches at Amazon, Old Navy

Zing Toys’ Stikbots brand has shifted into apparel and bedding. with Amazon and Old Navy are carrying Hybrid Apparel’s t-shirts, and Franco Manufacturing Co. having signed on for bedding, towels, home décor and bath accessories, says Joester Loria Group’s Jackie DeMaio. Basic Fun, which launched Stikbots products through Walmart Canada earlier this year, is expanding distribution to Target in the U.S. in August.

Contact:

Joester Loria Group, Jackie DeMaio, Licensing Dir., jdemaio@tjlgroup.com

Moose Signs 19 Deals for Pikmi Pops

Moose Toys, via agency The Licensing Shop, has secured deals with 19 licensees for Pikmi Pops, stretching across apparel, stationery, bath and body products, backpacks, novelty toy products and costume jewelry. The first of the products – Goliath Games’ board games and puzzles – has launched through Walmart and Target, and Scholastic Corp. will deliver two books this fall, says TLS’s Nancy Fowler. Pikmi Pops were introduced in 2017.

Contacts:

The Licensing Shop, Nancy Fowler, Pres., 416-322-7300 x202, nancy@thelicensingshop.com

Shopkins, Alexandra Reis, VP Marketing and Strategy, 310-341-4642, alex.reis@moosetoys.com

Hot Topic Launches Lisa Frank/SpongeBob SquarePants Collection

Hot Topic launches Lisa Frank/SpongeBob SquarePants co-branded apparel, capping a one-year development effort with Hybrid Apparel. Under the program, Nickelodeon and Lisa Frank agreed to reduced royalty rates in combining characters (Nickelodeon’s SpongePob and Patrick Star with Frank’s Hollywood Bear and Markie the Unicorn) to create an 11-piece collection ranging from an iron-on patch at $4.90 to a girl’s tank top/shorts sleepwear set at $34.90. There also is a drawstring bag ($15.90), dad cap ($14.90) and sticker sheet ($6.99).

Contacts:

Hot Topic, Cindy Levitt, VP General Merchandise Mgr., 626-839-4681, clevitt@hottopic.com

Hybrid Apparel, Derrick Baca, EVP Global Licensing, 714-947-8347, dbaca@hybridapparel.com

Lisa Frank Co., Janice Ross, SVP Licensing and Brand Development, 310-804-1908, jross@lisafrank.com

Viacom/NickelodeonGlobal Consumer Products, Pam Kaufman, President, 212-846-4430, pam.kaufman@nick.com