Kim Morris
Epic Story Media (ESM) is launching a new toy division – Epic Story Toys (EST) – under which the company will design and manufacture toy lines for both its own and third-party properties internationally. The division is led by Kim Morris, who steps up to Head of Epic Story Toys from her current role as Global Marketing Director at Epic Story Media. This announcement comes as Epic Story Toys heads to the upcoming Spielwarenmesse Toy Fair in Nuremberg, running 28 January – 1 February.
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. The division will unveil its first products at Spielwarenmesse, including a new range for "Vegesaurs", a preschool series created and produced by Cheeky Little and distributed globally by Studio 100 International, for which Epic Story Media 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 4-7, 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. EST will unveil a new range at Toy Fair that includes collectible figurines and hotel and travel themed fashion play sets, allowing kids to explore their own dream vacations and adventures.
ESM Distribution is continuing to manage the licensing rights for the fan-favorite kids action series, "Slugterra", owned by WildBrain. Epic Story Toys is working with Reesee on a toy line targeted at fans aged 6-12, which includes collectible figurines and blasters. The range has launched in over 15 countries thus far as Epic heads to Nuremburg to look for more toy distributors around the world. In the U.S., Epic has employed a direct-to-consumer strategy on Amazon and Shopify.
Kim Morris, Head of Epic Story Toys, 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."
"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',“ added Joachim Knoedler, Head of Licensing at Studio 100 International.