‘Dinosaur Train’ Picks Up Speed
The Jim Henson Company has secured a raft of new licensing deals for “Dinosaur Train,” as well as new television and digital partners.
April 6, 2018
The Jim Henson Company has secured a raft of new licensing deals for “Dinosaur Train,” as well as new television, home entertainment and digital partners.
“Each new broadcast agreement that brings Dinosaur Train to children around the world also provides new opportunities to expand our licensing program,” says Melissa Segal, executive vice president, global consumer products, The Jim Henson Company. “The fascination that preschoolers have with dinosaurs and trains is a universal consumer products trend and provides both the opportunity for Tomy to expand their global toy program and for many additional local licensing opportunities that fit the needs of individual marketplaces.”
Among the brand’s new licensing partners are:
In the U.K., Ireland and the Channel Islands, Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products brokered agreements with Aykroyd & Sons for children’s nightwear and underwear, with Smith & Brook for children’s outerwear and swimwear and with Rainbow Productions for Buddy meet-and-greets.
In Germany, licensing agent Lizenzwerft brokered two new agreements: Popstar will develop party goods and Universal Music is creating audio storytelling products, both physical and digital. Nelson Verlag is also on board for coloring and activity books.
In France, Studio Canal has been appointed as the new licensing agent for the brand. Studio Canal is also the DVD partner in that territory.
In Russia and the CIS, licensing agent Megalicense negotiated a new agreement with TPK Gruppa Tovarischey for school supplies.
n Poland, Egmont Polska has been appointed as the licensee for books and bi-monthly magazines.
In the Nordic region, licensing agent Alicom brokered a deal with Sanoma Magazines for books in all formats.
These new partners join a number of existing licensees across Europe and Australia, including master toy licensee Tomy:
Licensees in the U.K., Ireland and Channel Islands include Puffin (publishing), Kidztation (wooden toys), Koninklijke Jumbo BV (puzzles, giant playing cards and floor games), Redan Publishing (magazines) and Rail Events (rail events).
Licensees in Spain include Panini Espana (publishing), Unice Toys (toys and games, including balls and bucket sets), Play By Play Toys and Novelties Europe (plush), Naipes Heraclio Fournier (playing cards), Saica Toys (outdoor toys and games), Musicales Reig (musical toys) and United Labels Iberica (foam floor puzzles). Selecta Vision is the company’s licensing agent in Spain.
Licensees in France include Hasbro (2D and 3D puzzles), Evasion Communications (costumes), Shok ID (soft toys), Alcara (charms, frames and collectibles), ATM (bags and accessories), Bagtrotter (back-to-school), Editions Gladius (games), CCI (footwear) and France Television (storybooks and activity books). Additional licenses have been signed with Belltex for home goods and accessories for France and French-speaking Benelux and with TV Mania for branded apparel in France and French-speaking Europe.
In the Nordic region licensees include Junior Productions in Sweden (meet-and-greets) and Cappelen Damm in Norway (story books and audio books).
Licensees in Russia and the CIS include C-Trade (toys).
Additionally, Jim Henson has also signed a series of broadcast and video-on-demand deals for the kids’ show that will see “Dinosaur’s Train” arrive on Nickelodeon in the U.K., Canal+’s Piwi in France and YLE in Finland. Season one of the series has been sold to Channel 11 in Australia, while seasons one and two are headed to Canal Panda in Portugal and Zee Learn in India.
ZON Media has taken DVD and digital distribution rights to seasons one and two in Portugal and Watchever plans to bring season one to SVOD service in Germany.
“‘Dinosaur Train’ continues to attract more viewers through television and other media outlets, consumers and licensing partners from around the globe, and we are particularly enthusiastic about the momentum in Europe," says Richard Goldsmith, executive vice president, global distribution, The Jim Henson Company. “We knew that young children worldwide have an innate attraction to dinosaurs and trains, which is both enduring and endearing, and we were able to tap into that affinity to deliver engaging storylines that impart an understanding of science and the natural world through likable, relatable characters.”
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