May is set to be a big month for Aurora World and WH Smith as it sees the launch of a refreshed, expanded line of YooHoo plush based on characters from the new 3D Netflix Original series YooHoo to the Rescue.
The formal YooHoo plush launchof 14 five inch plush characterswill be taking place from May 5in 200 WH Smith high street stores,and will be supported by special YooHoo CDUs along with advertising in store throughout May. In addition, the WHSmithstores in Exeter, White City, Brighton, Bromley and Kingston upon Thames will prominently feature five giant 60cm YooHoos. All POS/advertising material will use imagery from YooHoo to the Rescue, which arrived on the global Netflix platform last month.
“With the arrival of YooHoo to the Rescue on the Netflix platform, and the partnership witha household name in UK retail, we are looking forward to a very positive response to the new YooHoo plush,” comments Jay Noh, director of content business at Aurora World. “This partnership is a major boost for the YooHoo brand in an important market.”
The launch forms part of a continuing promotional push for the new show and YooHoo licensed product.Since 2007, sales of YooHoo plush have exceeded 80m, but the line has now been refreshed to reflect the themes and characters of the new series.
The new YooHoo plush toy line has also been the focus of several major launches globally. Aurora World is working closely with key partners in retail, especially in the UK and Japan. Stores include John Lewis, Chessington Zoo, and the Rainforest Café, along with Hamleys Hakata and Yokohama in Japan. More launches are planned or under way around the world.
As well as a renewed plush toy line based on the new series, a licensing and merchandising programme is planned across many other categories.
The UK launch initially began on April 15 in 200 WHSmith high street stores featuring specially designed clip strips containing YooHoo keychains.
Top: The first batch of YooHoo plush from Aurora World.
