TVKIDS
Epic Story Media is launching a new toy division, Epic Story Toys, led by Kim Morris.
Morris moves up to head of Epic Story Toys from her current role as global marketing director at Epic Story Media. Morris has worked at Unilever and Revlon and also worked for Mattel on the Disney Princess and Polly Pocket brands. Following this, she was VP of Disney brands while at JAKKS Pacific before she joined Alpha Toys, working on licensed programs Nickelodeon and WildBrain. She joined Epic Story Media in 2020.
Epic Story Toys’ services will oversee toy strategy, design and development, working with manufacturers and securing partnerships with global and regional toy distributors and agents.
A new range of product has been unveiled for Vegesaurs, a preschool series created and produced by Cheeky Little Media and distributed globally by Studio 100 International, for which Epic Story has now been appointed as the global master toy partner. Epic Story Media will continue to serve as the North American licensing agent for Vegesaurs.
Additionally, Epic Story Toys has created a toy line for its own IP, Bubble’s Hotel, a 3D animated preschool series co-produced by ESM, Tencent Video and Unicorn Entertainment. The initial line, targeting kids aged 4 to 7, was designed in collaboration with Unicorn Entertainment and has launched alongside the series in Mexico with distribution partner Fotorama, following successful launches in China and South Korea.
ESM Distribution continues to manage the licensing rights for Slugterra, owned by WildBrain. Epic Story Toys is working with Reesee on a toy line targeted at fans aged 6 to 12 that includes collectible figurines and blasters, including a Megamorph Blaster that shoots slug ammo over 30 feet. The range has launched in over 15 countries thus far. In the U.S., Epic has employed a direct-to-consumer strategy on Amazon and Shopify.
Morris said: “I am thrilled to lead this new venture for Epic Story Media and to be able to combine storytelling and play in toys. We are excited to bring our own IPs, like Bubble’s Hotel and those of our trusted partners like Vegesaurs and Slugterra, to life and engage with our fans beyond the screen in new, interactive ways.”
Ken Faier, el presidente and founder of Epic Story Media, said: “In an ever-evolving market for kids, we need to be open to new ways of thinking and working. Epic Story Toys is a natural extension of our vision to connect more meaningfully with our audience. That said, we will continue to partner and work with other global toy companies on specific projects to help build content and gaming strategies to help grow partners’ brands. We always strive to think in a 360 way, and having Kim lead the division is exciting, as she is a proven leader who is both consumer and franchise-focused. Our first master toy partnership with Cheeky Little and Studio 100 International for Vegesaurs provides the perfect foundation to get started.”
Joachim Knoedler, head of licensing at Studio 100 International, added: “As a global partner for Vegesaurs, we’re delighted to see the brand expand into the toy space with Epic Story Toys. This collaboration creates new opportunities to connect with young audiences, reinforcing the playful and imaginative spirit that defines Vegesaurs.”
