Page 6 - Toy & Hobbly Retailer Magazine August-October 2019

LICENSING NEWS
FROM INSIDE THE LICENCE
Broadway Shopping Centre revealed as next location for Lego
ALCEON Group has revealed the next locations for the upcoming Lego certified stores in Australia. Later this year a new certified Lego store will
open in Broadway Shopping Centre in Sydney on level two. The group has also revealed that in the coming months further locations will open in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, with store openings in South Australia and Western Australia set to follow in 2020.
Alceon Group executive director Richard Facioni said that the expansion of the store
(L to R): Claus Kristensen (vice president and GM Australia and NZ – Lego) Tina Khanzadeh (Alceon and GM – Lego Certified Stores Australia) and Richard Facioni (executive director – Alceon)
network will help to further build hype around the Lego brand.
“Our first Lego certified store in Bondi Junction has captured the imagination of all generations. We now look forward to extending the footprint of this world-class retail concept.
“The introduction of further Lego certified stores in key locations will accelerate the reach of this leading global retail concept, as we build on the excitement and emotion intrinsic to the iconic Lego brand,” he said.
The announcement follows Alceon’s confirmation of an upcoming Auckland Lego certified store set to open in late 2019. ❉
IN BRIEF
◗ CAT IN THE BAG
Toy business, Funrise, has signed
a global, multi-year licensing deal with construction brand Caterpillar (Cat), to produce, distribute and market a line of toys based on the Cat machines.
The toy line is expected to include machines across a wide range of styles including motorised, light and sounds, RC and free-wheeling toys in different scales, as well as metal Cat machines for ages three and up. The Funrise line will focus on the mass-market, but the business will partner with Perth-based, high-end Cat diecast distributor, Custom Originals to distribute the range into Cat dealerships.
Sydney secures Thor film production
THE next instalment of the Thor franchise
will be filmed in Sydney thanks to the Federal Government’s $24.1 million Location Incentive grant and support from the New South Wales government.
Titled Thor: Love and Thunder the movie will begin filming in August 2020 with production beginning in March next year.
The film is anticipated to create up to 2,500 jobs and use the services of 1,650 Australian businesses. It is estimated to inject over $178 million into the economy.
Alongside the film production, Marvel Studios will offer a trainee program to enhance the skills of the next generation of Australia’s screen talent.
The program will work with students at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, the National Institute of Dramatic Arts as well as tertiary institutions to improve knowledge and skills while also targeting skill shortages. The announcement follows the news that Disney has also set up a new studio for its visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) in Syndey. This location is only the third outside of North America for the post, digital and visual (PDV) effects business. ❉
Rubie’s Deerfield and The Iconic partner on children’s costumes
AUSTRALIAN fashion retailer, The Iconic, has announced a partnership with Australia’s largest costume company, Rubie’s Deerfield.
The partnership sees over 70 children’s costumes and accessories land on the site, with more expected to be released in the coming months.
The Iconic chief category manager Mareile Osthus said the venture aims to take the stress out of fancy dress.
“Fancy dress parties are a fun and magical time for kids, but finding and choosing the right costume can be stressful for all involved.
“At The Iconic, we know the pain of a last minute wardrobe malfunction, or a forgotten social event, which is why we’re thrilled to be able to offer our customers a huge range of the best children’s costumes - all available in as little as three hours,” she said. ❉
6 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER AUGUST / SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2019