New World-Class Licensees Include Fanatics, Starter, Upper Deck,
DRKN, and Fashion UK
Esports Panel Set to Take Place on Tuesday, June 4 from 11:00 A.M.
- 12:00 P.M.
Global Licensing Theater Group (Booth
A105)
Returning Programs Include Hasbro, LEGO® Group, Funko, UNIQLO,
Astro, New Era, McFarlane, and More
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 4, 2019--
Returning with a dedication to providing global consumers with an
unmatched fan experience centered on consumer products, Activision
Blizzard Consumer Products Group (ABCPG) arrives at Licensing Expo
2019 with an all-star roster of new and returning licensed programs and
world-class licensees. The iconic franchises from Activision and
Blizzard Entertainment continue to grow beyond gameplay, and Licensing
Expo will showcase a range of consumer products that deliver engaging,
relevant, and innovative experiences unparalleled in the video game
space.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190604005395/en/
(Graphic: Business Wire)
“Activision Blizzard has a portfolio of some of the world’s most beloved
franchises, and our aim is to work with world-class licensees that
enrich our fans’ experience around the world,” said Steve Young,
President of Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group. “The fan
experience is at the center of everything we do, and we’re thrilled to
create new opportunities for players to immerse themselves and show
their passion for Activision’s and Blizzard’s games through
relationships ranging from LEGO to UNIQLO.”
Since its inception, ABCPG remains steadfast in its efforts to drive
global growth and engagement for Activision Blizzard’s flagship brands,
including Activision’s Call of Duty®, Crash
Bandicoot™and Spyro™, and Blizzard’s Overwatch®
and World of Warcraft®.
Additionally, with Activision Blizzard at the vanguard of competitive
entertainment, ABCPG continues to raise the bar for esports via the
merchandise program for the Overwatch League™ as we usher in a
new generation of fans and athletes.
Activision Highlights
This year, the definitive, first-person action series Call of Duty
continues to build on a successful 2018 with new collaborations and
offerings. International streetwear brand DRKN, in collaboration
with Activision, will launch a high-end Call of Duty capsule
collection, which will be available Fall 2019. Additionally, Fashion
UK, newly appointed Pan-European apparel and fashion accessory
collaborator, will develop and offer a range of products across a wide
selection of retailers, available this Fall. Following the May 30 game
announcement, ABCPG worked with Bioworld, KontrolFreek, New
Era and international companies Pyramid and Fashion UK
on a range of products to drive further excitement around the reveal of
the highly anticipated Fall launch. Furthermore, Astro, ScufGaming, Surreal, and Rubber Road will return with Call
of Duty licensed programs this year.
2019 marks the 40th anniversary of Activision and its rich
history helping to support and define the standard for innovation within
the video game industry. Looking into Activision’s past, present, and
future, we want to celebrate gamers – across generations – by leaning
into the strong consumer demand for retro properties with the
reemergence of iconic characters from the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro
franchises. ABCPG is dedicated to fully embracing the possibilities with
consumer products for Crash Team Racing as well as for the
critically acclaimed Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice.
Blizzard Highlights
Toy and apparel offerings for Overwatch continue to expand
throughout 2019. LEGO® Group kicked off the year with the release
of the first ever LEGO Overwatch product line, which will
feature new product launches later this year at various price points.
Additionally, Overwatch franchise master toy licensee Hasbrocontinues
to createa wide range of play experiences, including the
recently released Overwatch Ultimates Action Figures
and NERFBlasters product lines, as well as the upcoming
tabletop board game OverwatchMonopoly, with more
to come this Fall. Further, apparel juggernaut UNIQLO launched –
with a global program in May rolling out regionally through the end of
June – an exclusive line of clothing across Blizzard franchises,
including Overwatch and World of Warcraft®,
as part of its Spring/Summer 2019 collection.
Funko also has launched the latest wave of Overwatch
Pops! designed for the growing segment of collector-fans. In
addition, Insight Editions is now offering global Overwatch
fans and foodies the opportunity to preorder Overwatch: The
Official Cookbook filled with more than 100 recipes inspired by
the heroes of Blizzard’s hit game. Finally, multinational book publisher Scholastic
announced preorders for the third installment of the World of
Warcraft Traveler book series, aimed at young readers, which is
due out later this year.
ABCPG is also thrilled to announce the relaunch of the official Blizzard
Gear Store in China with new ecommerce licensee Baozun. Kicking
off on May 15 on Tmall (Alibaba Group), this relationship now allows
offerings on the Blizzard Gear Store to reach millions of fans
throughout the region.
Esports Highlights
The Overwatch League has also entered into an e-commerce license
agreement with Fanatics, the worldwide leader in licensed sports
merchandise. This new e-commerce platform helps fans around the world
connect with their favorite league, teams, and players via Shop.OverwatchLeague.com.
Through the multiyear deal with Fanatics, ABCPG is excited to
bring the avid esports fan base ongoing licensed product offerings. On
May 20, Baozun launched the Overwatch League’s official China
ecommerce shop on Tmall (Alibaba Group). Newly launched relationships
for the Overwatch League include New Era, Starter, G-III,
Outerstuff, and the first-ever trading card program for esportswith Upper Deck. Additionally, Funko will be launching
an Overwatch League-themed Pop! Vinyl SKU in Q4 of this year. ABCPG is
also currently exploring opportunities for the next iteration of Call
of Dutyesports.
ABCPG will be hosting an esports-focused panel at Licensing Expo
on Tuesday, June 4 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Booth #A105),
which will spotlight the Overwatch League’s inaugural season while
showcasing how our expanding licensed merchandise portfolio is
supporting and elevating esports fan culture.
Check out the ABCPG booth during Licensing Expo 2019, located in Booth
#U202.
About Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group
Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group is a division of Activision
Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), an S&P 500 company and a leading standalone
interactive entertainment company. Building on the existing consumer
products businesses, the Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group
encompasses Activision, Blizzard and King’s franchises. The division is
passionate about working with best-in-class licensees around the world
to create high quality and deeply relevant merchandise that gives fans
new ways to play, display, wear, and live the brands they love.
Activision Blizzard is home to iconic and beloved entertainment
franchises, including Activision’s Call of Duty®,
Crash Bandicoot™, Spyro™, and Skylanders®;
Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft®,
and Overwatch®; and King Digital Entertainment’s Candy
Crush™.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking
Statements: Information in this press release that involves
Activision Blizzard's expectations, plans, intentions or strategies
regarding the future, including statements about the company's Consumer
Products division, including with respect to Licensing Expo 2019,
including the date and features of the esports-focused panel at
Licensing Expo, and the merchandise licensing programs for Call of
Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Sekiro: Shadows Die
Twice, Call of Duty esports, World of Warcraft,Overwatch,
the Overwatch League, and the Blizzard Gear Store in China, including
their availability, features and licensees, are forward-looking
statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Factors that could cause Activision Blizzard's actual
future results to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements set forth in this release include
unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk
factors sections of Activision Blizzard's most recent annual report on
Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The
forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information
available to Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and the
company does not assume any obligation to update any such
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be
true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements
are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Blizzard and
are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are
beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially
from current expectations.
© 2019 Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision, Call of Duty, Call of
Duty, Crash Bandicoot, and Spyro are trademarks of Activision
Publishing, Inc.
© 2019 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.Overwatch League is a trademark and
Overwatch, World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Blizzard, and Blizzard
Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard
Entertainment, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190604005395/en/
Source: Activision Publishing, Inc.
Dashaun Gasque
PMK•BNC
Dashaun.Gasque@pmkbnc.com
Steve Willis
PMK•BNC
Steve.Willis@pmkbnc.com