Kung Fu Tea, the largest bubble tea chain in the United States, has announced a strategic licensing agreement with Secret Creamery to bring boba to the ice cream aisle. The collaboration, brokered by Cronus Global, comes just in time of consumers to to cool off this summer.

Las Vegas, Nevada-based Secret Creamery is known for its handcrafted approach to blending unique flavors with premium ingredients to create small-batch delicacies that often sell out within weeks of production. Now, the high-end ice cream maker is working with Kung Fu Tea to bring its newest gourmet ice cream line to retail freezer cabinets in stores across America.

“Secret Creamery has a strong reputation for its dedication to quality. They’re the perfect licensing partner as we look to bring our much-loved boba flavors to new and exciting formats modeled after our handcrafted drinks,” said Matt Poveromo, marketing manager at Queens, New York-based Kung Fu Tea.

Launch Flavors Include:

• Kung Fu Milk Tea. This classic in the making balances the aromatic notes of a milk tea with the rich, creamy texture of ice cream.

• Taro Cookies and Cream. For those looking for something different, buttery Taro is blended with Oreo cookie chunks for a rich, decadent dessert.

• Thai Tea with Mochi bits. An earthy, sweet Thai tea flavor with mochi bits mixed in for a sweet treat.

• Red Bean Coconut. This rich red bean and creamy coconut flavor provides a sweet, nutty taste as popularized in Asia.

• Matcha Marshmallow. Nutty, savory matcha swirled with fluffy marshmallows.

• Strawberry Lemonade. The deliciousness of ripe strawberries combined with the zesty burst of lemonade.

Pre-orders for these new flavors will be available on Secret Creamery’s website (www.secretcreamery.com) beginning July 21 to coincide with National Ice Cream Day. Starting August 25, customers will be able to scoop up their favorite pints at select gourmet grocers, national chains, and Kung Fu Tea’s corporate outlets in New York City.

Founded in 2010, Kung Fu Tea is a handcrafted bubble tea company with over 400 retail locations across the United States. Bubble tea is a Taiwanese drink that mixes tea with milk/fruit and is topped off with chewy tapioca balls, and over the past decade has exploded in popularity across the world.

SOURCE: FROZENFOODBIZ.COM

Unleash your inner Kung Fu Master, with the Kung Fu Tea keychain, free at the Cronus Global booth at Licensing Expo this year.

BY: GARY SYMONS

EDITOR IN CHIEF, THE LICENSING LETTER

Kung Fu Tea is known as the brand that puts a bit more punch into tea time. It’s the largest bubble tea company in North America, with a large and dedicated following.

This year visitors to Cronus Global’s booth at E196 can learn more about licensing

opportunities with Kung Fu Tea, and participate in the “Send a Selfie to Your Bes-Tea” photo opportunity.

Taking place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from May 21 to May 23, Licensing Expo 2024 serves as a platform for brands to present their latest partnerships, collaborations, and licensing programs. Cronus Global is using this occasion to

launch the Kung Fu Tea brand into the lifestyle and food & beverage space, and connect

with prospective licensees in a memorable and interactive way.

Expo attendees can take a selfie with a life-sized version of Kung Fu Tea’s famous Milk Tea and share this favorite moment from the show with their bestie or “bes-tea.” Participants in the “Send a Selfie to Your Bes-Tea” photo op will receive a Kung Fu Tea Boba Buddy plushie keychain, and 200 lucky selfie-takers will get to experience Kung Fu Tea flavors first hand by winning a QR code voucher for a free Kung Fu Tea drink. 

Drink vouchers are redeemable at the Mandalay Bay Kung Fu Tea location or any of the 400 Kung Fu Tea locations throughout the United States.

“We’re excited to meet with prospective licensing partners while bringing fun and creativity to the Expo with the ‘Send a Selfie to your Bes-Tea’ photo op,” says Matt Poveromo, Marketing Manager for Kung Fu Tea. “At Kung Fu Tea, we believe in fostering meaningful connections with our fans, and this event is a fantastic way for attendees to engage with our brand while having a great time.”

In addition to capturing memorable moments, participants can share their selfies on Kung Fu Tea’s Instagram, allowing them to join a community of Kung Fu Tea enthusiasts from around the world.

“We have a great Kung Fu Tea display in the Cronus Global booth and are looking forward to connecting with new partners at the show,” says Kristin Calzada, President of Cronus Global. “The demand for bubble tea flavors and scents is exploding globally, and what better way to visually demonstrate that growth than with a giant Kung Fu Tea Milk Tea?”

If you haven’t tried bubble tea, and particularly Kung Fu Tea’s varieties, the popular beverage that originated in Taiwan is quite an experience.

Also known as pearl milk tea, boba milk tea, or simply ‘boba’, the beverage mixes tea with milk and fruit, and is topped off with chewy tapioca balls. In recent years bubble teas have exploded in popularity around the world. Kung Fu Tea was founded in Queens, New York in 2010, and now, only 14 years later, the franchise has grown to 400 locations.

The company says the traits that have driven Kung Fu Tea’s rapid growth are based on handcrafting every drink with authentic, high-quality ingredients, and the level of training and skill of the staff at each location. The brand’s founders and all of its baristas are ‘Kung Fu Masters’, the company notes, and are passionate and dedicated to changing the face of the beverage industry.

SOURCE: THE LICENSING LETTER

The emoji company, owner of the emoji brand, announced the appointment of Cronus Global as its exclusive licensing agency for the U.S. and Canada. In this new position, Cronus Global will use its expertise to drive the expansion of the emoji brand via licensing, partnerships and collaborations across a diverse array of consumer products and experiences in the lifestyle and food & beverage categories. The announcement comes in advance of Licensing Expo, in which Cronus Global plans to showcase emoji The Iconic Brand in its booth.

“We’re excited to partner with Cronus Global, a leading licensing agency known for its innovative strategies in brand development,” says Marco Huesges, chief executive officer and founder, The emoji company. “Together, we aim to further cultivate the presence of the emoji brand in the US and Canada and connect with consumers in a unique and organic way through a blend of licensing, partnerships, and collaboration initiatives.” 

"The emoji brand has become a universal means of expression, transcending language barriers and resonating with people of all ages and backgrounds,” says Kristin Calzada, president, Cronus Global. “Through strategic licensing programs, collaborations and partnership efforts, we intend to amplify the reach of this iconic brand to further engage consumers across the US and Canada.” 

Cronus Global will be exhibiting at Licensing Expo 2024, booth #E196. 

SOURCE: LICENSE GLOBAL

BY: BUG HARTSOCK

NEWS WRITER

Emoji Co., known for its immediately recognizable Emoji brand, has appointed Cronus Global as its exclusive licensing agency representing the brand in the U.S. and Canada. 

The Emoji brand has more than 25,000 designs, with its popular icons used frequently in communications across various platforms. With Cronus Global as its exclusive representative, Emoji Co. hopes to see the brand expand further with new licensing partnerships and other collaborations. The new deal comes just in time for the upcoming Licensing Expo from

May 21-23.

"Together, we aim to further cultivate the presence of the Emoji brand in the U.S. and Canada and connect with consumers in a unique and organic way through a blend of licensing, partnerships, and collaboration initiatives."

- Marco Huesges, CEO and Founder of Emoji Col GmbH

Cronus Global will host an emoji-themed lounge at Licensing Expo in Booth No. E196. Visitors can enjoy a seating area featuring pillow versions of various emoji icons as well as watch emoji video shorts.

“The Emoji brand has become a universal means of expression, transcending language barriers and resonating with people of all ages and backgrounds,” says Kristin Calzada, President of Cronus Global. “Through strategic licensing programs, collaborations, and partnership efforts, we intend to amplify the reach of this iconic brand to further engage consumers across the U.S. and Canada.”

Those interested in more information about licensing opportunities with the Emoji brand can contact Cronus Global directly or connect with the company through the Licensing Expo platform.

SOURCE: TOYBOOK.COM

By: ANDREA HERNANDEZ

KIDSCREEN STAFF WRITER

Powerkids Entertainment

Indian streaming platform JioTV and its app JioTV+ have inked a deal with Powerkids Entertainment to launch what the studio claims is India’s first-ever FAST channel for teens. Along with the PowerTeens Channel, the companies will also launch a PowerKids Kartoon Channel (a co-branded venture from Kartoon Studios and Powerkids), which features animated and live-action series from both catalogues, including Akira and Mowgli, The Jungle Book, Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten and Rainbow Rangers. 

The Pinkfong Company

The South Korean studio has partnered with The Wiggles to make a series of 2D-animated/live-action music videos featuring Pinkfong and Baby Shark characters grooving together. The first three-minute short, Baby Shark (feat. The Wiggles), launched last week on both brands’ YouTube channels, and the plan is to release a new one every two months. This is becoming something of a go-to strategy for The Wiggles, which has previous collabs with Sesame Workshop‘s Elmo, Abby and Cookie Monster and the Super Simple Songs YouTube channel under its belt. 

Cronus Global

Gearing up to do more consumer products business with its preschool toon Turbozaurs (105 x seven minutes), Tale Wind Animation has signed LA-based Cronus Global as the IP’s new licensing agency in the US and Canada. This deal comes on the heels of Amazon Prime acquiring the series on August 1. Since it premiered on Russia’s Carousel Channel in 2019, Turbozaurs has also aired on broadcasters including Turkish linear channel Minika Cocuk and Nick Jr. in Italy. The show has generated more than 300 million unique views on YouTube, and a fifth season is currently in development. It centers around a squadron of dinosaurs that can transform into vehicles with unique powers.

Nickelodeon

A new interactive attraction based on Nickelodeon‘s SpongeBob SquarePants brand is going live this winter at the family-friendly Circus Circus Las Vegas resort. Florida-based Sally Dark Rides created the new US$6-million attraction (called “SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride”), which features automated vehicles and iconic locales and characters from the animated series. According to Paramount Entertainment, it will be SpongeBob’s first “dark ride”—a theme park industry term for an indoor ride with vehicles that move passengers through it. 

SOURCE: KIDSCREEN

Cronus Global, an international brand licensing agency, has announced that it will be representing the hit animated series, Turbozaurs, for brand partnerships and licensing in the United States and Canada across all consumer products categories. The partnership arrives just as Turbozaurs expands its U.S. presence through Amazon Prime, and with an all new sixth season in development.

The preschool series, produced by Tale Wind Animation, is a fun-filled story about dinosaurs that can transform instantly into Turbozaurs, super powerful vehicles, each with a unique set of features. Meet Thor, a loveable stegosaurus who can change into a backhoe, Jerry the pterodactyl who transforms into a drone mid-flight, and Bull the triceratops who becomes half bulldozer, half tow-truck in an instant. These Turbozaurs, along with their other dino-pals, are discovered by three kids: Peter, Katie, and fearless toddler, Florian. Together, they form a special rescue team of friends that can work through any challenge, whether it’s discovering hidden treasure, rescuing a lost pet, thwarting neighborhood bullies, or finding ways in which to protect the environment.

With 105 episodes currently available, Turbozaurs has amassed over 300 million views and 500K+ subscribers on YouTube. The series is offered in 20 languages and is distributed globally including a special 10-year partnership via Alibaba’s Group’s, Youku, to co-produce and distribute Turbozaurs’ 5th season. The first season of Turbozaurs is available to watch in the U.S. on Amazon Prime, with additional streaming service partnerships to be announced later this year.

“Turbozaurs’ streaming success has created a significant opportunity to bring the incredible story and characters to life through licensed merchandise,” says Karen Asatryan, CEO of Tale Wind Animation Studio. “Our partnership with Cronus Global will allow us to develop Turbozaurs-branded products to satisfy new audiences as we expand distribution into the U.S. and Canadian markets.”

“The clever fusion of dinosaurs and cars in Turbozaurs naturally lends itself to a broad range of consumer goods, especially within the toy category,” says Kristin Calzada, President of Cronus Global. “Our goal is to bring new licensed partners on board to create products so kids can recreate the transformative fun of these characters and engage in the imaginative play brought to life in this new animated series.”

Cronus Global will be seeking prospective partners for Turbozaurs at the upcoming Toy Fair New York (September 30 – October 3 at the Javits Center). To make an appointment at the show or to learn more about Turbozaurs, please contact Kristin Calzada at kristin@cronusglobal.com.

###

About Tale Wind Animation Studio:

Tale Wind Animation is a creative-driven entertainment company established in 2019. The studio creates, develops and produces hit shows that captivate and inspire kids and families all over the world. Tale Wind’s most well-known IP is the Turbozaurs animated series, distributed in more than 30 countries in 20 languages. Tale Wind continues its expansion into new markets. The series is now available in Latin America and North America in addition to Europe and Asia. Four seasons are already produced, and season 5 will be released shortly.

SOURCE: LICENSING INTERNATIONAL

Cronus Global, an international brand licensing agency, has announced that it will be representing bubble tea giant, Kung Fu Tea, for food, beverage, and lifestyle licensing across all consumer products categories. The partnership is intended to tap into the growing $2.7 billion global bubble milk tea market by leveraging Kung Fu Tea’s signature flavors like Kung Fu Tea Milk Tea, Cocoa Cream Wow, and Taro Slush within the food & beverage sector while developing licensed lifestyle products catering to the chain’s dedicated fan base and bubble tea enthusiasts everywhere.

With over 370 locations in 38 states, Kung Fu Tea was awarded “Fastest Growing Franchises” by Entrepreneur Magazine and named Yelp’s top 3 most loved brands in 2023. The bubble tea chain has amassed 400K followers on Instagram, 285K followers on TikTok and generates 4.7M monthly impressions on both channels combined. A further indication of Kung Fu Tea’s success is the 2M downloads of the company’s app.

“We’ve had numerous requests for Kung Fu Tea-branded lifestyle merchandise from our fans via social media and through our app,” says Matthew Poveromo, Marketing Manager for Kung Fu Tea. “We also think the infusion of our signature bubble tea flavors into other foods and beverages will create unique and delicious-tasting product combinations like matcha green tea ice cream or brown sugar waffles. Our partnership with Cronus Global allows us to expand our licensed footprint and find new and creative outlets in which consumers can engage with and experience the Kung Fu Tea brand.”

According to Future Market Insights, the bubble tea market is anticipated to reach a high of $6.17 billion in 2033 with demand driven by Gen Z and Millennial purchases, support on social media channels like TikTok, and celebrity endorsements. The U.S. is projected to dominate the market with a growth rate of 12.4%. Bloomberg reports that the tapioca balls, commonly referred to as “Boba” in bubble tea, are now the US’s largest food import from Taiwan.

“Kung Fu Tea is the dominant brand in the rapidly growing U.S. bubble tea market due to its exceptional tasting bubble teas and outstanding customer service,” says Kristin Calzada, President of Cronus Global. “We see a chance to bring Kung Fu Tea’s signature drink flavors to other categories within the food and beverage aisle and also fill the gap in demand for lifestyle products like candles and scent-based items using the sweet, unique, and calming scents associated with Kung Fu Tea’s popular line-up of bubble teas.”

About Kung Fu Tea

Founded in Queens, NY, on April 30, 2010, Kung Fu Tea is a made-to-order bubble tea company with over 370 locations across the U.S. Bubble tea (also known as pearl milk tea, boba milk tea, or simply boba), is a Taiwanese drink that mixes tea with milk/fruit and topped off with chewy tapioca balls, and over the past decade has exploded in popularity across the world.

At Kung Fu Tea, each beverage is freshly handcrafted with authentic, high-quality ingredients. The brand’s founders, baristas, and customers are Kung Fu Masters — passionate, dedicated, and fearless in changing the face of the beverage industry. To learn more, please visit https://www.kungfutea.com/ or follow Kung Fu Tea’s official social channels: Instagram and TikTok.

SOURCE: LICENSING INTERNATIONAL

BY ALLISON WATKINSON

TLL REPORTER

Cronus Global will be showcasing a range of brands at booth E196 for this year’s Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.

The agency will introduce its newest licensing partnerships with Zuzubaland, Justina McCaffrey Lifestyle, and Bestway USA, alongside existing clients Unis Technology, EVERI Games and ZURU 5 Surprise Mini Brands.

Zuzubaland is a Brazilian animated series that follows a young bee that loves social media as she goes on adventures in a magical world made of food.

Created by Mariana Caltabiano, Zuzubaland currently includes four seasons of buzz-worthy content and an animated film is currently in development for the series.

Cronus Global is seeking consumer products licensing partnerships for the franchise and will host a Zuzubaland-dedicated booth at A188 at the Licensing Expo.

Justina McCaffrey Lifestyle is a new extension of the couture designer’s existing bridal fashion brand. The Justina McCaffrey Lifestyle brand will focus on direct-to-retail and licensed consumer products programs that relate to the global wedding and event industry.

A gown from Justina’s latest collection will be featured in the first-ever Fashion Showroom at this year’s Licensing Expo. Cronus Global’s main booth will also showcase a graphic of the brand’s popular Alexia II gown from the Kleinfeld Bridal boutique.

In addition, a Cronus Global representative will be available to set up in-person meetings with Justina McCaffrey at booth E196 during the show.

Bestway USA is an inflatable products manufacturer that creates high-quality products designed for both indoor and outdoor use.

ZURU 5 Surprise Mini Brands is a toy and collectible company that specializes in creating detailed miniature replicas of pop-culture brands. The Cronus Global Booth will feature a newly-created Mini Brands Amusement Game promotion that allows players to win a free 5 Surprise Mini Brands Capsule.

UNIS Technology is a multinational developer and manufacturer of coin-operated, redemption, and merchandising games for the arcade industry. Cronus Global’s booth will showcase two of UNIS’s latest licensed games: Mini Brands Mania and emoji ROLLER.

In addition, a limited quantity of complimentary Cronus Global/UNIS Technology trade show reusable bags will be offered to visitors at the Cronus Global booth.

EVERI Games is a global game developer that provides branded slot games, digital games, and gaming systems for casinos. The company’s high-quality gaming products include features such as 4K displays, integrated touchscreens, and surround-sound cabinets.

Cronus Global is a licensing and brand management agency that offers services such as customized product pitches, brand partnerships, management solutions, direct-to-retail initiatives, and more.

The 2023 Licensing Expo trade show is scheduled to take place on June 13 to 15 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

SOURCE: THE LICENSING LETTER

LOS ANGELES, MAY 23, 2023 – Famous bridal wear designer, Justina McCaffrey, and Operation Prom National Network (OPNN), want licensing industry professionals to say “I DO” to doing something good at Licensing Expo this June. Justina McCaffrey, Canada’s most celebrated wedding dress designer, announced a partnership with OPNN to create a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the needs of at-risk and inner-city youth as these teens and their parents struggle to afford the experience of an important milestone: prom. The initiative combines the giveaway of a custom-made Justina McCaffrey bridal gown or suit (valued at $20,000) with an optional financial donation to OPNN by entrants.

The drawing will be facilitated by McCaffrey’s licensing agency, Cronus Global, with support from the organizers of Licensing Expo, Global Licensing Group. The contest launches on June 5th, and Licensing Expo attendees will have the opportunity to access the drawing homepage via QR codes positioned in the Fashion Showroom Café and in Cronus Global’s Booth #E196. Entry to win the one-of-a-kind gown or suit is free, and optional donations can be made directly to OPNN via a link on the contest homepage. The winner of the McCaffrey originally designed and custom-made gown or suit will be announced on July 5th .

Operation Prom National Network was founded in 2005 by Noel D’Allacco who worked as an event planner and began collecting bridesmaid dresses from clients and donating them to students at the high school she once attended. The charity has grown to 17 locations nationwide and now serves as a resource for students, parents, and schools to find organizations and community groups that can provide free formal wear to teens in need. OPNN is open to all and will not turn away any student from events or services regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. To date, OPNN has helped thousands of students attend their prom at little or no cost.

“It makes me happy to see students leaving our donation sites with formal wear, shoes, and accessories in hand, and to know we’ve helped so many teens experience prom,” said

D’Allacco. “With most formal events cancelled during the pandemic, our inventories are lower than in prior years, and that’s why this awareness campaign with Justina McCaffrey is so important. We certainly accept financial donations, but we are just as glad to receive physical donations too.”

In addition to providing prom wear and other accessories to low-income families, OPNN is also working to meet the needs of transgender students through educational workshops like “women’s fit tuxedos” to assist these students in finding a prom outfit. Funds from donations will be used to purchase more female-fitting tuxedos and additional plus sized prom wear.

“OPNN is such a great charity, and it aligns organically with what I do every day, which is to bring joy to people as they celebrate life’s important milestones,” said McCaffrey. “We’ll have achieved our goal if even one more student is able to go to prom due to awareness from this campaign. I’m ecstatic that my work might provide that chance.”

In concert with OPNN’s Mission Statement, Justina McCaffrey serves all, independent of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. The winner of the drawing will be free to choose the style of formal wear that is suited to their definition of a perfect celebration day.

# # #

About Justina McCaffrey

For over 30 years, the Justina McCaffrey couture wedding dress brand has been a symbol of luxury, timeless elegance, and exquisite craftsmanship. The brand has been at the forefront of the bridal industry with a Justina McCaffrey gown holding the #1 ranking in units sold at Kleinfeld Bridal (the “Say Yes to the Dress” bridal boutique). Known as Canada’s most celebrated wedding dress designer, Justina was the first wedding dress designer to be invited to present a collection at Paris Fashion Week. Her designs have been featured on the covers of top magazines like Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle Weddings, The Knot, Town & Country, Modern Luxury, and New York Weddings. She has dressed celebrities, political figures, brides of NHL and NFL players, and the entire troupe of the National Ballet of Canada. One of Justina’s most notable accomplishments is creating a pluvial cope for His Holiness Pope John Paull II which is currently preserved in the Vatican archives. To learn more about Justina McCaffrey, visit justinamcaffrey.com.

About Operation Prom National Network

The Operation Prom National Network, Inc., is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free dresses and tuxedos to students in need. Each school year, OPNN collects and distributes prom formal wear as well as accessory items such as shoes, undergarments, jewelry, and bow ties. OPNN’s goal is to ensure that each student it serves receives the perfect prom attire allowing them to feel confident and empowered for their prom. Operation Prom National Network is based in New York but has locations all over the United States including Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Georgia, and Indiana. The staff consists of 100% volunteers, and no one at OPNN takes a salary. Operation Prom Nation Network is partnered with several community organizations, including departments of social services, churches, and hospitals. To learn more about OPNN, or to donate, visit: promnationalnetwork.org.

About Noel D’Allacco

Realizing that there were no organizations to help students in her community attend prom, Noel D’Allacco, a native of Yonkers, New York, founded Operation PROM. Now, more than 19 years later, Noel has established the Operation Prom National Network, Inc. A resource for students, parents, and schools to find organizations and community groups that can provide free formal wear to teens in need. As a leader in her community, Noel has been named one of Westchester County’s (NY) top 40 business leaders under 40 and has received many awards for her community service. She has been featured on national news outlets such as ABC, CNN, Fox, and NBC. In addition to her role at the Operation Prom National Network, she works with other local non-profits including the Women’s Enterprise Development Center. She has been an Assistant Professor for the School of Business at the College of Westchester for the past 16 years.

LOS ANGELES, MAY 22, 2023 - Cronus Global, an international brand licensing agency, has been selected to represent couture bridalwear designer, Justina McCaffrey, for bridal and lifestyle licensing across all consumer products categories. The Justina McCaffrey Lifestyle licensing program is intended to tap into the $60 billion global bridal market via direct-to-retail bridalwear initiatives and product licensing.

Justina McCaffrey, Canada's most celebrated wedding dress designer, has spent the last three decades creating couture gowns for celebrities, showcasing collections in international bridal markets and at Paris Fashion Week, and garnering space on the covers of global fashion and bridal magazines. Her "Alexia II" gown holds the top ranking in units sold at Kleinfeld Bridal, the famous "Say Yes to the Dress" bridal boutique.

Now, McCaffrey is lending her prestigious name to bridal and lifestyle licensing, including direct-to-retail programs, with efforts aimed at offering fashionable, affordable bridal gowns, celebration wear, and lifestyle products to consumers at mainstream retail.

"I look forward to sharing the love and joy that my designs have brought to thousands of brides over the years and making wedding gowns and celebration wear more accessible to a broad and diverse customer base," said McCaffrey. "Not every bride is a size 4, and not every couple is considered 'traditional' based on older definitions, but everyone deserves well-crafted, beautiful, and affordable wedding wear and celebration products suited to their happily-ever-after and beyond."

The appointment of Cronus Global is intended to combine the agency's expertise in building leading consumer products franchises with the design sensibilities and bridal manufacturing know-how of McCaffrey. Together, they plan to create a bridal, lifestyle licensing, and direct-to-retail program that secures the purchases of couples from engagement to wedding, and then throughout the celebration of life's other milestones.

"The bridal market remains largely untapped and there is an entire celebration eco-system to be monetized. With the right brand and product mix, retailers can keep celebration customers purchasing products well beyond that special day," said Kristin Calzada, President of Cronus Global. "Justina's design pedigree, coupled with her well-known name in the wedding industry, makes Justina McCaffrey Lifestyle the perfect brand with which retailers and licensees can capture the lucrative bridal and celebration market and convert those consumers to loyal, long-term purchasers.

The agency will launch the Justina McCaffrey Lifestyle direct-to-retail and lifestyle licensing program at the upcoming Licensing Expo in the Cronus Global booth #E196.

About Justina McCaffrey:

For over 30 years, the Justina McCaffrey couture wedding dress brand has been a symbol of luxury, timeless elegance, and exquisite craftsmanship. The brand has been at the forefront of the bridal industry with a Justina McCaffrey gown holding the #1 ranking in units sold at Kleinfeld Bridal (the "Say Yes to the Dress" bridal boutique). Her designs have been featured on the covers of top magazines like Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle Weddings, The Knot, Town & Country, and New York Weddings. She has dressed celebrities, political figures, brides of NHL and NFL players, the National Ballet of Canada troupe. To learn more: www.justinamcaffrey.com.

About Cronus Global:

Cronus Global is bringing a new level of service to the Licensing Industry by delivering targeted business materials like customized product pitches and tapping into white-space categories to increase licensing opportunities for its clients. Cronus Global believes that through an effective mix of collaborations, product licensing, brand partnerships, and direct-to-retail initiatives that clients are able to achieve optimal exposure for their brands while maximizing consumer touchpoints. The company is headquartered in the Los Angeles, CA area. 

SOURCE: PR NEWSWIRE

LOS ANGELES, MAY 15, 2023 - Cronus Global has announced it will be representing the Brazilian hit animated series, “Zuzubaland,” for licensing across all consumer products categories in the U.S. The partnership arrives just as “Zuzubaland” expands its U.S. presence with new content and an animated film in development.

“Zuzubaland,” from award-winning creator/producer, Mariana Caltabiano, features Zuzu, the social media-savvy tween bee who dreams of being a famous singer (despite her out-of-tune voice). Alongside friends, Rocky Cocoa, Marsha Mallow, Popcorn and Hot Dog, she lives in the enchanted food-filled world called Zuzubaland. The magic of the land doesn’t stop Zuzu and her pals from experiencing the trials and tribulations of tween life. Each episode follows the hilarious escapades of Zuzu as viewers learn that before there was a Queen Bee, there was a Tween Bee.

In less than a year, “Zuzubaland’s” Brazilian YouTube channel, Zuzubalândia, reached 83 million views, grew to more than 330,000 subscribers and was

 awarded a YouTube Silver Play Button. “Zuzubalândia” is one of the five most-watched cartoons on NOW, the biggest Brazilian VOD operator, and features episodes in English, Spanish and Portuguese. “Zuzubaland’s” English YouTube channel is following suit and has amassed over 8 million views in under two years. The new “Zuzubaland” animated film will also be dubbed in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

“I think ‘Zuzubaland’s’ success comes from the fact that it teaches modern life-lessons in a fun manner and appeals to a broad audience,” says Caltabiano. “Zuzu’s adventures are engaging to kids while the humor can also be enjoyed by adults. Our upcoming animated film takes the same tact in that it highlights the vital role bees and pollination play in maintaining our world’s food supply but expresses this message in an entertaining way.”

“Our team was sold on this property from the minute we started watching the ‘Zuzubaland’ episodes,” says Kristin Calzada, president, Cronus Global. “‘Zuzubaland’ has the perfect mix of great content, bright and relatable characters and educational messaging. We know this will translate into a successful consumer products program and we’re confident that our prospective partners will feel the same way about this fantastic franchise.”

Cronus Global will be at this year’s Licensing Expo at booth E196.

SOURCE: LICENSE GLOBAL

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17, 2021 – Zuru has appointed Cronus Global, a recognized leader in licensing, marketing, and development, as its newest agency for the toy company. Cronus will secure brands for existing and future categories to fuel the explosive growth of Zuru's highly successful line of 5 Surprise Mini Brands™. Zuru's Mini Brand products are exact replicas of iconic brands consumers know and love.

Experienced industry veteran and Cronus Global President, Kristin Calzada, brings 25+ years of combined experience in global consumer products licensing, marketing, sales, product development, manufacturing, and buying at companies including Warner Bros., Funrise Toy Corporation, and May Merchandising Company.

"I'm looking forward to working with the Zuru licensing team to continue to feed the collectible frenzy by bringing more iconic brands to its line of 5 Surprise Mini Brands™ and assisting the company in its expansion into other new and interesting mini categories," said Calzada.

Since launching in 2019, Zuru has added well-known brands, including Hostess, Pez, Kraft Heinz, Unilever, Skippy, Jell-O, and many more. In addition, Zuru is experiencing similar success with its recent launch of 5 Surprise Toy Mini Brands ™. Mini Toy Brands feature beloved characters like SpongeBob, games like Rubik's Cube, and even influencer-based products like JoJo Siwa's Styling Head (in mini form, of course).

Much of the brand's reach is due to an audience that is not the typical toy market target. Mini Brands have become a global phenomenon with Gen Z & Millennials. In addition, #minibrands has over 2.2 billion aggregate views on Tik Tok, and the myriad of mini brand trading platforms encourage even more fans to collect. That means Zuru must continue to offer new collections to serve their loyal customers while satisfying the increasing demand for its 5 Surprise Mini Brands™, and this is where agencies like Cronus Global come in.

"The onboarding of Cronus Global allows Zuru to support the development of many future 5 Surprise Mini™ categories," said Kerry Gilmour, Director of Licensing for Zuru. "We'll be drawing on Kristin's expertise in licensing and leveraging her long-term relationships in the industry to secure partnerships and deliver the best brands for our consumers."

About Zuru:

ZURU is a disruptive and award-winning company that designs, manufactures and markets innovative toys and consumer products. Inspired by kids and imaginative play, ZURU is one of the fastest growing toy companies in the world and is known for their agility, creativity and new-age manufacturing techniques. The company that started in New Zealand and is now headquartered in Hong Kong, now directly or indirectly employs more than 5,000 staff across 10 countries and distributes to most major retailers in over 120 countries. ZURU has delighted millions of families all over the world with brands such as Bunch O Balloons™, X-Shot™, Rainbocorns™, Robo Alive™, Smashers™, 5 Surprise™, Pets Alive™ and Metal Machines™ as well as through partnerships with entertainment properties, including Nickelodeon, Disney, Universal Studios and DreamWorks, to name a few. With a strong commitment to the community, ZURU supports Captivating International, local China orphanages and also student development programs in Asia and in New Zealand. ZURU will continue to pave new ways for kids to play and focuses on reimagining what this looks like everyday. www.zuru.com

SOURCE: ZURU

Brea, CA, Jan. 11, 2021 – Artistic Nail Design introduces the Alive & Amplified collection in collaboration with Hard Rock® for Summer 2021. Alive & Amplified captures the spirit of music through bright hues, popping tones, and, of course, embracing the sounds of colour! This collection is filled top to bottom with luscious, eye-catching shades perfect for making some noise this summer.

Music lovers and leisure-seekers alike, prepare yourselves for the Alive & Amplified collection! For the bold babes out there, we created the stunning shades Hit ‘Em With A High Note, a coral crème, and Too Much Sax, a pink crème. All About The Sound, a bright teal crème, and Strike A Chord, a bright orange crème, are both perfectly buzzworthy shades to combat the summertime heat! Whether you’re reminiscing about past concerts, enjoying virtual performances, or making new memories, add some adventure to your summer with the shades Got That Funk, a lime green crème or Light Up The Stage, a yellow crème.

“We at Artistic Nail Design are excited to introduce the Alive & Amplified Summer 2021 collection in

collaboration with Hard Rock,” said Jason Naohara, Director of Marketing at Artistic. “Alive & Amplified will make some noise this summer, and with these bright and bold colours, you won’t skip a beat on having fun in the sun!”

“We are thrilled to be joining with Artistic Nail Design to launch this electrifying collection of bold new nail colors,” said Mark Linduski, Director of Licensing at Hard Rock International. “This collaboration, brought to us by our agency partner Cronus Global, is the first of its kind and will attract everyone from our biggest fans to those who just want to stand out in a crowd.”

The collection includes six NEW standout shades:

•      Hit ‘Em With A High Note – Coral Crème

•      All About The Sound – Bright Teal Crème

•      Too Much Sax – Neon Pink Crème

•      Strike A Chord – Neon Orange Crème

•      Light Up The Stage – Yellow Crème

•      Got That Funk – Lime Green Crème

The Alive & Amplified shades will be available in Colour Gloss Soak Off Gel Polish, Colour Revolution Reactive Nail Lacquer, and Perfect Dip Powders, ensuring that every lover of colour will have an Artistic formula to meet their nail needs.

The HARD ROCK® Alive & Amplified collection from Artistic Nail Design will be available beginning in May 2021 for a limited time at salons, beauty stores, specialty shops, and other fine retailers.

PRESS CONTACT PR Team- pr@nailalliance.com