#FIRSTLOOK: NELVANA ANNOUNCE NEW SLATE OF GLOBAL LICENSING PARTNERSHIPS

Nelvana, a world-leading international producer, distributor and licensor of children’s animated and live-action content, today announced a slate of new global licensing partnerships across its portfolio of beloved legacy brands, reinforcing the continued cultural relevance and commercial strength of nostalgia-driven properties.

The newly signed agreements span apparel, accessories, home décor and specialty crafts, bringing fresh consumer products to market inspired by iconic series including Babar (co-licensed with The Clifford Ross Company), Max & Ruby, Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear, Pippi Longstocking and Franklin the Turtle.

Timed ahead of Licensing Expo 2026, the announcement highlights Nelvana’s strategic focus on expanding its consumer products footprint through high-quality, design-forward collaborations that resonate with both nostalgic adult audiences and new generations of fans.

The new licensing agreements include:

Undiz, which launched a Babar-inspired apparel collection in March in France

Retrokid released adult apparel collections featuring Max & Ruby, Pippi Longstocking, Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear and Franklin the Turtle in April across North America

Rowing Blazers, which released a Babar capsule collection in spring 2026

Aykroyds & Sons, developing Babar apparel for retail distribution in 2026

Trevco, producing print-on-demand Max & Ruby, Pippi Longstocking, and Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear apparel and accessories in 2026

Ploom Baby, launching Max & Ruby, Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear and Franklin the Turtle sleepwear and loungewear collections in 2026

Little Van Gogh’s, launching a Babar wall art collection in the second quarter of 2026

Penny Linn, introducing Babar, Max & Ruby, Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear and Franklin the Turtle needlepoint canvases and accessories in 2027

“These partnerships reflect the enduring emotional connection audiences have with Nelvana’s classic brands,” said Carly Slack, Director, Global Licensing, Retail & Marketing at Nelvana. “By collaborating with best-in-class partners across fashion, lifestyle and specialty categories, we’re creating meaningful, high-quality products that allow fans to rediscover the stories they grew up with in new and relevant ways.”

Steve Gaskin, Founder and CEO of Retrokid, added: “These Nelvana properties are a huge part of many childhoods—including my own. Translating that nostalgia into apparel gives fans a tangible way to reconnect with those memories while keeping things fresh and current.”

Robyn Cowling, Head of Licensing at Aykroyds & Sons, said: “Babar is a timeless brand with strong recognition and multi generational appeal. We’re so excited to introduce collections that respect its legacy whilst also appealing to today’s global retail landscape. The design team is doing an amazing job across several departments and we can’t wait for the Babar collections to be out!”

The partnerships span North America and Europe, with product rollouts planned throughout 2026 and into 2027. The deals reinforce Nelvana’s commitment to growing its licensing business through strategic collaborations that blend heritage IP with contemporary design, sustainability and retail innovation.

As demand for nostalgia-driven products continues to rise, Nelvana remains focused on unlocking new commercial opportunities for its library while maintaining the integrity and storytelling legacy of its brands.

About Nelvana

Entertaining kids for over 50 years, Nelvana is a world-leading international producer and distributor of children’s animated and live-action content. Nelvana produces a stable of award-winning and globally renowned brands that focus on comedies, preschool and action series, and ancillary consumer products programs. Nelvana’s content airs on Corus Entertainment’s kids channels in Canada and in over 180 countries around the world. The Nelvana library has well over 5,000 episodes of programming and has received over 70 major international program awards including Emmys® and Canadian Screen Awards. Visit the Nelvana website at nelvana.com.

About Corus Entertainment

Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that develops, delivers and distributes high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. Engaging audiences since 1999, the company’s portfolio of multimedia offerings encompass 25 specialty television services, 36 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, digital and streaming platforms, and social digital agency and media services. Corus’ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, Flavour Network, Home Network, The HISTORY® Channel, Showcase, Slice, Adult Swim, National Geographic and Global News, along with streaming platforms STACKTV, TELETOON+, Vivéo, the Global TV App and Curiouscast. For more information visit www.corusent.com.

About The Clifford Ross Company
Founded in 1985 by multimedia artist Clifford Ross, The Clifford Ross Company focused on three classic properties during its early years: the works of Edward Gorey, Tom Swift and Babar. After optioning the rights to Babar in 1986 directly from Laurent de Brunhoff and the de Brunhoff family, CRC entered into a working relationship with Nelvana on all aspects of the property. For over 30 years, the companies have worked together producing both television and feature-length movies featuring the Babar characters and developing a worldwide licensing program.

#INTERVIEW: ERIC BAUZA ON “SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY”

By Mr. Will Wong

1996’s SPACE JAM not only had the distinction of being Warner Bros. Feature Animation‘s first ever film, but went on to become the highest-ever -grossing Basketball film and won several awards including ANNIEs and GRAMMYs, among others. To say it was a cultural phenomenon is by no means an exaggeration. 25 years later comes Malcolm D. Lee‘s SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY, coming to audiences with a new message, a new Cast, Lebron James, and of course some of the most beloved Warner Bros. characters of all time!

We had the pleasure of chatting with Scarborough’s very own Eric Bauza, a Voice Actor, Animator and also Co-Founder of Retrokid, a nostalgia-based apparel brand which right now has several exclusive and licensed Space Jam-inspired pieces. We ask him about what Space Jam means to him and voice multiple characters in the Film including Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn and Marvin the Martian.

What does the legacy of SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY mean to you?

Eric: “Being a part of SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY is so important to me. I could be here all day doing all the press in the world and still not be able to describe how thrilled I am that I get to be a part of this and that my son gets to watch it with me! It is definitely a laundry list of characters that everyone knows so well, so the pressure is on. Not just to win a cyberspace Basketball game, but to make sure that these characters live on the way that we all remember them.”.

We all know Nike‘s message of “Just Do It”, but the Film has a unique message to us to “Just Do You”. What do you hope the audience will take away from the Film?

Eric: “The nugget of the Film is that it has such a family aspect to it that I think will be the biggest surprise. It’s not just this big fireworks show. It really has heart and meaning behind it. I think it does it well. I found myself a little choked-up watching the first screening. I was watching of course, to make sure that I did my job well, but I was really pleasantly surprised with how it all wrapped-up in the end. I hope the audience experiences that.”.

You were a Scarborough boy growing-up watching Mr. Dressup and drawing sketches. Walk us through how you got to fulfill your dream today being a part of Space Jam and also co-owning Retrokid?

Eric: “It’s a crazy journey that did start in Canada and will always be a part of me. I live here in Los Angeles now, but in any given year I’m back at least three to four times. Being part of Canada, there’s just something in the water that keeps us humble, but funny at the same time. Maybe it’s those long winters. I haven’t forgotten how to shovel a driveway! But it really was just being in a country that is very multi-cultural. And I think that’s the one big thing, that you really do feel welcome in Canada. I feel we’re in this secret club not only being from Toronto, but being from Scarborough. There’s something about being from that town. Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, John Candy – there’s something in the water in Scarborough that makes us a little Schizophrenic. Being able to capitalize on that is something.”.

“Retrokid is really a love letter to Toronto. It is a nostalgic apparel brand, but it ties into this too. I grew-up watching this Movie in Scarborough, seeing the ads at Kennedy Station. To now fast-forward 25 years later and know that I got to be a part of this, there’s no better way to celebrate than producing this line.”.

See Video from our Chat:

Warner Bros. Canada release SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY in theatres on Premium Video-on-Demand Friday, July 16, 2021.

Don’t forget, we’re giving away a SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY Prize Pack to one lucky winner, which includes a pass for two to see the Movie!

Head-on over to MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK for details how to win!

Don’t forget to check-out Retrokid‘s exciting Giveaway here where you can win a Space Jam: A New Legacy BMX bike! Built and designed by local artist Duro The Third.  

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Canada)