Joanna Padovano Tong

LONDON: Zodiak Kids has renewed its Mister Maker licensing agreement with Creativity International for another three years, while also appointing two new licensees for the popular arts and crafts property.

According to data from The NPD Group, U.S. toy sales rose by 6.7 percent last year compared to 2014, generating $19.4 billion and driven by the success of Star Wars merchandise, among other factors. Out of the 11 major categories, nine saw gains in 2015.

LONDON: Nurture Rights has inked an exclusive deal with global parenting retailer Mothercare for an apparel line inspired by the popular preschool brand Dinosaur Roar!

HÖHENKIRCHEN/MUNICH/BARCELONA: m4e and Planeta Junior have entered into a long-term co-production, distribution and consumer products partnership.

PASADENA: PBS Kids is launching a sneak peek of the new animated show Ready Jet Go!, produced by Wind Dancer Films, on digital platforms ahead of its February 15 linear premiere.

BURBANK: Disney XD has lined up new installments of Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man vs. the Sinister 6 and Marvel's Avengers: Ultron Revolution, which are due to debut in February and March, respectively.

SANTA MONICA: Yo-Kai Watch Land, a new application based on the popular anime series, is now available for download on compatible iOS and Android devices in the U.S., Canada and Australia.

ROME: Ilaria Rossi has become the licensing director for Turner Italy, a Time Warner company.

Later this month, Disney Channel will premiere The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, a prime-time television event that continues the story of the hit 1994 film The Lion King. The 44-minute animated special follows Kion, the son of Simba, …