WildBrain CPLG opens Japan office, appointing Koichi Yamamoto as Commercial Director. WildBrain CPLG continues to build on its portfolio of evergreen franchises globally. WildBrain CPLG is expanding its Asia-Pacific (APAC) footprint with its new Japan office, headed up by Koichi Yamamoto, the new official Commercial Director, Japan. Yamamoto will lead the WildBrain CPLG Japan team in growth and partnerships, bringing decades of market experience across the entertainment, retail, and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industries. Most recently, Yamamoto served as Head of Consumer Products at Paramount Global Japan K.K. for more than four years and brings additional experience from United Media, Mattel, and Hasbro. Yamamoto will report to Soojin Ahn, Regional Director, South Korea and Japan. "Japan is one of the world's most influential and unique licensing markets, offering exceptional opportunities for brand and retail partnerships," says Marie Kopp, VP, APAC, WildBrain CPLG. "We are committed to building a strong local presence that combines deep market expertise with the strength of our global network. I'm delighted to welcome Koichi to the team and look forward to working closely with him and Soojin to build our presence in Japan, strengthen local partnerships, and drive the next phase of growth in this exciting market." The Tokyo office will focus on driving long-term partner value, serving as a key hub for WildBrain CPLG's growth in Japan. This move comes on the heels of WildBrain CPLG's growing momentum in APAC and increased traction for WildBrain's owned franchises, including Teletubbies and Strawberry Shortcake, as well as other growth opportunities for partners like the Van Gogh Museum, Miraculous Corp., Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and Supercell. "Japan represents a highly strategic market for WildBrain CPLG, with significant opportunities to grow our brand portfolio and deepen partnerships," says Maarten Weck, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, WildBrain CPLG. "Opening a dedicated office in Tokyo marks an important step in our Asia-Pacific expansion, enabling us to build a strong, locally rooted presence and deliver tailored, market-specific strategies for our partners. With Koichi and Soojin's leadership and expertise, we are well-positioned to unlock new opportunities and accelerate growth across the region." WildBrain CPLG will additionally continue to work with Tohoku Shinsha Co., Ltd. (TFC), its longstanding subagent in the Telebubbies market, to grow and support the franchise in Japan. Yamamoto will additionally shape and execute long-term commercial strategy, driving retail and licensing partnerships, building locally grounded business, and a team of licensors specializing in WildBrain CPLG's global portfolio. "WildBrain CPLG has an outstanding portfolio of globally recognized brands and a strong track record of building meaningful partnerships," says Yamamoto. "I'm pleased to join the team at such a pivotal moment and to lead the business in Japan. By combining local market insight with WildBrain CPLG's global capabilities, we have a unique opportunity to drive impactful collaborations across multiple categories and deliver long-term value for partners." WildBrain CPLG's new Japanese office opening and the appointment of industry veteran Yamamoto demonstrate the company's commitment to global expansion in an ever-evolving industry. For more information, visit wildbraincplg.com. Annie Marino. Annie Marino is an Editorial Assistant at The Toy Insider, The Pop Insider, and The Toy Book. A native New Yorker, she can often be found on long walks through Central Park or catching a film at the AMC Lincoln Square theater. Marino is passionate about all things pop culture and is an alumna of Fairfield University.

Mercis BV and WildBrain CPLG expand relationship to include Location-Based Entertainment for Miffy and Friends. Amsterdam & London - Mercis BV and WildBrain CPLG, a trusted licensing partner for leading brands worldwide, are expanding their relationship to include Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) rights for Miffy and Friends across China, Southeast Asia, South Korea and the Middle East, with opportunities in Europe and the U.K. on a case-by-case basis. Under the new agreement, WildBrain CPLG will drive strategic LBE initiatives for Miffy and Friends with a focus on long-term, ticketed physical experiences, including family entertainment centres, theme parks, cruises, hotels, resorts and water parks, as the beloved brand continues to evolve beyond consumer products into experiential formats designed to drive sustained engagement and repeat visitation. Miffy and Friends celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2025 with an extensive slate of high-profile licensing collaborations worldwide, reinforcing the brand's timeless appeal and cross-generational resonance, setting the stage for its next phase of global experiential growth. That momentum continues into 2026, with a robust pipeline of new partnerships designed to introduce the iconic characters to new audiences while deepening engagement with long-standing fans. WildBrain CPLG represents licensing rights for Miffy and Friends across the Nordics, Poland, Italy, Greece, the Middle East and India. The phenomenal growth that Miffy is experiencing worldwide will be further boosted this year by the launch of a new 78-episode "Miffy and Friends" TV series, already available in many territories worldwide. "As Miffy and Friends continues to grow as a global brand following its milestone 70th anniversary year, location-based entertainment gives us a powerful new way to bring Miffy's universe to life. Across key markets, including China, Southeast Asia, South Korea and the Middle East, there is strong demand for high-quality, family-focused attractions, making this an exciting next chapter for the brand. With WildBrain CPLG's deep expertise across both experiential and consumer products licensing, we have the right partner to realise this vision." Marja Kerkhof, Managing Director at Mercis Bv "With its instantly recognizable storytelling, design-led visual identity and deep emotional connection with families, the Miffy and Friends brand lends itself naturally to immersive experiences that can travel across territories and formats. Together with Mercis Bv, we're focused on building a strong slate of location-based experiences that stay true to the brand while resonating with local audiences, bringing Miffy's world to life and supporting the brand's continued global consumer products growth." Evi Sari, VP, Global LBE at WildBrain CPLG Louisa Danquah Marketing & Communications Specialist, Global Partnerships & Licensing, WildBrain About Dick Bruna and Miffy Miffy was "born" on 21 June 1955, when Dutch artist Dick Bruna first drew the character to entertain his young son whilst on a rainy seaside holiday in Holland. The series of picture books which followed used simple illustrations and rhyming text to explore the universal experiences of childhood, immediately earning Bruna international critical acclaim as an author and artist. 71 years later, the Miffy books have sold more than 90 million copies, and are currently published in more than 50 languages. Merchandise is available across five continents and highly integrated business units in the fields of publishing, media and licensing (Mercis bv) support Miffy's global explorations. About WildBrain CPLG At WildBrain CPLG, we believe that collaboration is about clarity, openness and trust. Offering more than 50 years of expertise in building highly successful consumer products and location-based entertainment programmes, we are a trusted licensing partner for leading brands worldwide across the entertainment, sport and lifestyle sectors. WildBrain CPLG combines the strength of global reach with local expertise to achieve the very best results for partners, with more than 20 offices serving the UK, Europe, India, the Middle East, China, Asia Pacific and the US. Our passionate teams consistently challenge themselves to explore, innovate and implement fresh ideas and opportunities for partnerships, activations, creative and business processes. WildBrain CPLG is part of WildBrain Ltd., a global leader in family entertainment, offering 360° expertise across Franchise & Global Licensing, Content, and the WildBrain Network. For more information, please visit us at cplg.com.