Animated Series’ National Premiere Heralded by Licensed Products Push at Retail
NEW YORK – August 30, 2017 – SUNRIGHTS INC., the New York City-based entertainment rights management company, today announced that its skyrocketing new animated series, BEYBLADE BURST, premiered on Nickelodeon in Germany on July 22, 2017, airing Saturdays in the coveted 11:10 a.m. time slot. Consumer interest is growing rapidly throughout the German marketplace, as licensed BEYBLADE BURST products have already been introduced at retail and are being swept up off the shelves.
SUNRIGHTS INC. Managing Director Kaz Soeda said, “Germany is a priority market for any program expanding its reach in Europe. The association with Nickelodeon and the incredible retail support we’ve seen to date ensure BEYBLADE BURST of a spectacular premiere and opens the door for more licensing and merchandising opportunities for the brand in German speaking markets.”
The licensing program in German-speaking territories is handled by the German brand management and media company m4e AG, in cooperation with Studio 100 Media who acquired m4e earlier this year.
The new BEYBLADE BURST animated series, created by d-rights inc. and produced by OLM, introduces viewers to Valt Aoi, who is crazy about Beyblade, the phenomenally popular spinning top that has been fueling competitions from schoolyards to global tournaments for over a decade.
Valt’s best friend since childhood, Shu Kurenai, is hailed as a Beyblade prodigy and has already been named as one of the National Beyblade Tournament’s Supreme Four. Inspired by Shu’s accomplishments, Valt sets his sights on reaching this year’s National Tournament. But to get to the big leagues, he must first emerge victorious from the district tournament – no easy feat, given the tough opponents standing in his way.
Determined to win, Valt aims to make it to the championship, where he hopes to battle Shu and move on to the National Tournament. As he battles, Valt broadens his circle of friends and reaches new heights. Without even realizing it, he has begun to dream of becoming the best Blader in the world.
Welcome to the world of BEYBLADE BURST, the story of a group of passionate Bladers who follow their dreams on an unforgettable journey to the top.
The BEYBLADE BURST product line from Hasbro features a dynamic “burst” component, bringing more excitement to the successful battling play pattern. Fans can elevate their physical play to a digital playing field by scanning their BEYBLADE BURST tops into the BEYBLADE BURST app (available in the App Store and Google Play) allowing them to customize and battle with their collection digitally with friends through local Wi-Fi.
About SUNRIGHTS INC.
SUNRIGHTS INC. is an entertainment rights management company backed by one of the top advertising agencies in Japan, Asatsu DK, and the trading conglomerate Mitsubishi Corp. Located in New York City, SUNRIGHTS directly manages the development of intellectual property, including BEYBLADE BURST, B-DAMAN CROSSFIRE and B-DAMAN FIREBLAST, globally outside of Asia. SUNRIGHTS is unique in that it takes full advantage of Asatsu DK and Mitsubishi contacts in developing new sectors of IP business while simultaneously working to procure new strategic media assets on behalf of its parent companies. Learn more about us at http://sunrights-inc.com/.
About d-rights Inc.
d-rights, Inc. is a key player in the production of international animated content for families and children around the globey. Recognized for brands such as Beyblade, B-Daman, and Scan2Go, d-rights manages every aspect of content creation from production to distribution, financing, marketing and product licensing. Co-owned by Asatsu-DK Inc. (ADK), distributors of popular titles including “Yu-Gi-Oh!”, “Doraemon”, “Crayon Shin-chan” and “One piece,” and Mitsubishi Corporation, d-rights assumes a key role in the global business. Check our properties at http://www.d-rights.com.
About m4e AG
The m4e Group, founded in 2003, is an international brand management and media company focussing on children’s and family entertainment content. m4e AG is a leader in creation, production, distribution and marketing of animated and live action programming. Its library of more than 2,300 episodes features some of the most recognizable brands such as “Lizzie McGuire”, “Mia and me®”, “Tip the Mouse”, “Wissper”, “Miffy”, “Rainbow Fish” and “Conni”.
The m4e Group includes Tex-ass Textilvertriebs GmbH, Telescreen B.V., m4e Television GmbH, the joint venture companies Hahn & m4e Productions GmbH and YEP! TV Betriebs GmbH & Co.KG, as well as m4e Licensing & Merchandising, a full service agency/division that represents international entertainment brands such as “Beyblade”, “Yo-kai Watch” or “Super Wings”.
Since July 2007, m4e AG is listed on the Entry Standard at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN: DE000A0MSEQ3).
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, LITTLEST PET SHOP and MAGIC: THE GATHERING, as well as premier partner brands. The Company’s Hasbro Studios and its film label, Allspark Pictures, are building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Through its commitment to corporate social responsibility and philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to make the world a better place for children and their families. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).
Media Contacts:
SUNRIGHTS INC.
Natasha Gross
Director TV Sales, Marketing & Licensing
Natasha.gross@sunrights-inc.com
PRIORITY PR
Jeff Pryor
E.jeff@prioritypr.net