Ubisoft acquires 1492 Studio, a French video game development house specializing in free-to-play episodic and interactive stories on mobile. eOne buys out the remaining 49% stake in The Mark Gordon Co. that it didn't already own in a deal worth $209 million. As part of the deal, founder Mark Gordon joins eOne as Chief Content Officer. Spin Master acquires plush manufacturer … [Read more...] about M&A: Toys & Entertainment Edition
eOne
Who’s News—3/5/2018
Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Email Jen at jen@plainlanguagemedia.com and we'll announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. Blizzard Entertainment appoints Daniel Siegel to the newly created position of Head Esports Licensing. Siegel will help drive extended investment in the … [Read more...] about Who’s News—3/5/2018
Experiential & Social Activations
Hasbro and Cityneon bring interactive exhibition Transformers Autobot Alliance to China in December 2017. The launch follows years of R&D—the walk-through exhibit is the first of its kind to showcase the larger-than-life robots, as well as special effects, reflex tests, virtual reality, motion sensing, and other features surrounding the Transformers brand. It will debut in … [Read more...] about Experiential & Social Activations
Roundup: Experiential Initiatives
Live arena production Fast & Furious Live is set to debut on a global tour in January 2018. Produced in partnership with Universal Brand Development, Fast Live Productions, and Live Nation, the show launches in London before racing through 23 other European cities. The two-hour show features cars, locations, and scenes from the film series through state-of-the-art 3D … [Read more...] about Roundup: Experiential Initiatives
Who’s News
Open call Looking to hire or be hired? Contact our business development team to feature your listing on TLL. Just want to feature your new hires? Contact editorial. Warner Bros. Consumer Products names Julian Montoya as SVP Global Toys to develop brands such as DC, J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, and Hanna-Barbera. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Digital Networks Group … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Who’s News
NBCUniversal Brand Development names Jonathan Baker as its new VP EMEA NBCUniversal Consumer Products and Hannah Mungo as Country Director U.K. & Ireland NBCUniversal Consumer Products. The entertainment giant has established new regional offices in both Japan and China, as well as the newly created EMEA central office in London. Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, NBCUniversal is … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Mergers & Acquisitions
PlayMonster acquires Automoblox, a line of collectible toy vehicles in the classic wooden toy car category. VF Corp. completes the sales of its contemporary brands business (7 for All Mankind, Splendid and Ella Moss) to Delta Galil Industries. People and Entertainment Weekly launch an ad-supported streaming service called the People/Entertainment Weekly Network (PEN). The … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions
Who’s News
Andrew Cooper is the new President of Sequential Brands Group.HMD global Oy appoints Pekka Rantala CMO. Following NBCUniversal’s acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group restructures its management team. Vince Klaseus leads the combined Universal and DreamWorks Animation games, digital and consumer products divisions. Margie Cohn helms the … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Mergers & Acquisitions
Private equity company KKR is considering a bid for eOne after the company rejected a takeover bid from ITV. The Sunday Times named other potential suitors as ProSieben and Vivendi, as well as the potential for ITV to increase its offer. Walmart will buy Jet.com and its Hayneedle home furnishings subsidiary by yearend for approximately $3 billion in cash. Spin Master acquires … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions
Build-A-Bear Lines Up Licensees
Build-A-Bear Workshop’s 400 stores will host a lineup of visiting entertainment/characters licenses well into next year. In residence now, ahead of the July 10 theatrical release of Minions, from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, are Kevin, Bob, and Stuart. In August come four dolls from MGA Entertainment’s Lalaloopsy. Entertainment One’s Peppa Pig will be in … [Read more...] about Build-A-Bear Lines Up Licensees