GUND to Produce Plush, Accessories and
Giftware in a Multi-Territory deal
TORONTO, Feb. 18, 2019 /CNW/ - International kids' studio
and brand licensing company Silvergate Media has signed GUND, one
of the top plush toy manufacturers in the world, owned by leading
global children's entertainment company Spin Master (TSX:TOY;
www.spinmaster.com), as the first licensing partner for its hit new
Netflix animated adventure TV series, Hilda.
Targeting girls and teen fans, GUND will develop a line of
plush, accessory and giftware products for the beautifully designed
series, which launched to great acclaim on Netflix in September 2018. The range will hit shelves in the
U.S. in early 2020, before rolling-out to additional markets.
This partnership follows Hilda's outstanding success at the 2019
Annie Awards this month, where the show was crowned 'Best Animated
TV Production for Children' in addition to scooping the awards for
'Character Animation' and 'Writing for an Animated TV/Broadcast
Production', making it the most-awarded TV series of the
evening.
Co-produced by Silvergate Media and Mercury Films,
Hilda is now available in
130 countries on Netflix's global platform and Silvergate is
currently lining up FTA broadcasters for the show. The stunningly
animated 13 x 22-minute episodes from series 1, aimed at kids aged
6-11 years, feature the voice talents of Game of Thrones'
Bella Ramsey in the title role of
Hilda and a theme song by Grimes.
The series debuted on Netflix in September and secured a second
season commission within a month of launch.
The 2D animated series follows the adventures of a fearless
blue-haired girl as she travels from her home in a vast magical
wilderness full of elves and giants, to the bustling city of
Trolberg, where she meets new friends and mysterious creatures.
With her bold adventurous spirit and a vividly imagined world,
Hilda is sure to delight
fans of the original comic and find new audiences around the
world.
"We are thrilled to be working with GUND, with its rich heritage
and commitment to high quality, to kick off our global licensing
adventure," said Waheed Alli, CEO at
Silvergate Media. "Hilda could not
be in better hands."
"We're huge fans of Hilda and admire the magical connection
she has created with adults and children," said Ronnen Harary, Co-Founder, Chairman and Co-CEO
of Spin Master. "GUND has been bringing beloved characters to life
in plush form to hug, hold and play with for more than a century
and we're honoured to be able to bring Hilda from the screen to playrooms
globally."
Silvergate Media
Silvergate Media is a creative
content and licensing company driven by big ideas and big
collaborations. Silvergate was formed in 2011 by Waheed Alli and William
Astor, with offices in New
York and London. In
April 2016 Silvergate partnered with
Shamrock Capital, an LA based private equity firm, who now hold a
stake in the Company.
Silvergate develops and produces world-class content built to
inspire, entertain and engage audiences of all ages through
innovative storytelling, great products and strong
partnerships.
About GUND
GUND®, a division of Spin Master, Inc, is
known worldwide for its top quality, soft, and huggable plush
designs and gift products. Award-winning GUND products appeal to
all ages, from infants up, and are perfect for both play and
collecting. The 121-year old company is based in the
New York City area and distributes
throughout the United States and
Canada as well as in Europe, Japan, Australia, and South America. GUND
products may be found in gift, specialty, toy, book, museum, and
department stores as well as many other retail outlets. To
find your nearest retailer or to purchase directly please visit
www.gundbusiness.com
About Spin Master
Spin Master (TSX: TOY;
www.spinmaster.com) is a leading global children's entertainment
company that creates, designs, manufactures, licenses and markets a
diversified portfolio of innovative toys, games, products and
entertainment properties. Spin Master is best known for
award-winning brands including Zoomer®, Bakugan®, Erector® by
Meccano®, Hatchimals®, Air Hogs® and PAW Patrol®. Since 2000, Spin
Master has received 103 Toy of the Year (TOTY) nominations with 28
wins across a variety of product categories, including 13 TOTY
nominations for Innovative Toy of the Year. To date, Spin Master
has produced eight television series, including the
recently re-launched Bakugan Battle Brawlers and current hit
PAW Patrol, which is broadcast in over 160 countries and
territories globally. Spin Master has 28 offices and employs over
1,700 people globally in Canada,
United States, Mexico, France, Italy, United
Kingdom, Russia,
Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Sweden, the
Netherlands, China,
Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, and Australia.
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SOURCE Spin Master