DHX Brands Grows Teletubbies in China with New Toy and Publishing Deals
HALIFAX, Jan. 4, 2018 /CNW/ - DHX Brands, the dedicated brand management and consumer products arm of DHX Media (or the "Company") (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B; NASDAQ: DHXM) has signed its first two consumer products deals in China for the preschool hit Teletubbies, appointing licensees to launch a new range of toys in the territory, and produce a children's publishing line. The deals, which were brokered for DHX Brands by Promotional Partners Worldwide, will see the launch of Teletubbies toys in China in Spring 2018, followed by the launch of children's books later in the year.
Building on DHX Brands' strategy to expand the Teletubbies brand throughout Asia and to capitalize on the significant potential for consumer products in the territory, the new agreements follow the successful rollout of the new Teletubbies series in China on the country's most popular streaming services, including iQIYI, Youku, Tencent and others. Since launching in June 2017, the series has generated 100 million views on such platforms.
"The new Teletubbies series has clearly struck a chord with preschoolers and parents in China," said Candy Ho, Business Development Director - Asia, DHX Brands. "Fans who loved the original show when they were kids are now sharing the new series with their children through the country's top streaming platforms. We're thrilled that this massive audience will be soon able to also enjoy new Teletubbies toys, accessories and books through the launch of products later this year."
The newly signed licensees in China are a part of DHX Brands' global rollout of the renewed Teletubbies brand, which began in the U.K. in 2015. Since then, the property has enjoyed considerable success in the UK, consistently ranking in the territory's top-five preschool properties, and posting strong sales in the master toy category, which has shown solid year-over-year growth. Plush toys remain an integral part of the product line, and have been boosted further by the successful introduction of new Tiddlytubbies plush toys in 2017.
In China, the market potential is significant for Teletubbies, with approximately 226 million children under the age of 14 on the Chinese mainland, and the number of newborns expected to climb up to 21 million annually by 2021. Retail sales of toys and games in China grew at an average annual rate of 2% from 2010 through 2015, and are expected to exceed US$43.5 billion within the next two years.* The original Teletubbies series was a massive hit in China, becoming the first western preschool property to air on China's CCTV.
| *Source: Euromonitor "Toys and Games in China", June 2016 |
About DHX Brands
DHX Brands is the dedicated brand management and consumer products arm of DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B; NASDAQ: DHXM), one of the world's leading children's content and brands companies. DHX Brands specializes in creating, building and maintaining high-profile global entertainment brands within the children's and young adult markets. With expertise in brand development, licensing, marketing and creative, we build and manage brands that captivate and inspire through engaging content, first-class distribution, quality consumer products, immersive live experiences and digital media. DHX Brands' world-class portfolio includes Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Twirlywoos, Massive Monster Mayhem and In the Night Garden. DHX Brands has operations in London, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong.
About Promotional Partners Worldwide
With over 20 years' experience of strategy formulation in sales and promotion, Promotional Partners Worldwide (PPW) is a brand facilitator with traces all over the world. The brands PPW carries are all reputable and enviable, including Bear Grylls, Booto, Candy Crush, Chuggington, Discovery Channel, Lamborghini, Pantone, Peppa Pig, Smurfs, Teletubbies, FIFA World Cup and European Premier football clubs, national football teams of Brasil, France, England and Netherlands, etc. PPW's mission is to deliver to clients a hassle free one-stop shop solution via our innovative and holistic services. Besides its experienced brand management and business development teams, its supporting teams, creative, legal and finance, are always ready to provide value-added services. In addition to the applause given by brand owners, PPW has gained the recognition in the licensing industry as PPW has received twice the award of Best Licensing Agency from the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association. www.ppwgroup.com
Disclaimer
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws with respect to DHX Media including, without limitation, statements regarding timing of the launch of Teletubbies toys and books in China, the markets and industries in which DHX Media operates, including the market potential in China for Teletubbies, and the business strategies and operational activities of DHX Media. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to the Company. Actual results or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, among other things, include the Company's ability to close and execute on anticipated licensing arrangements, changing demographics and/or consumer preferences in China and risk factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and annual Management Discussion and Analysis, which also form part of the Company's annual report on Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
SOURCE DHX Media Ltd.
Investor Relations: Nancy Chan-Palmateer - Director, Investor Relations, DHX Media Ltd. [email protected], +1 416-977-7358; Financial Media: Shaun Smith - Director, Corporate Communications, DHX Media Ltd., [email protected], +1 416-977-7230; Trade Media: Valerie Taylor at Valerie Taylor PR Ltd., [email protected], +44 (0) 7889 666594
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