Pixar’s Toy Story teams with Papa Johns 

For its fifth installment releasing next month (June 19), the franchise is trying a new licensing recipe with its first pizza-based partnership. (The fictional Pizza Planet franchise was a key part of the first film.) Papa Johns is launching a range of Toy Story 5 personal pizzas, dip cups, limited-edition collectibles, merchandise, immersive experiences and even an in-app game. The campaign will roll out in the US and 42 international markets for a limited time.

JAKKS re-ups its Disney pact for ily 4EVER

The toyco has extended its global licensing agreement with Disney Consumer Products for the fashion-focused brand through the end of 2027 across key international territories. The ily 4EVER brand features dolls dressed up in trendy Disney-inspired outfits along with accessories and playsets. The renewal includes a new Snugg-ily Styles segment that will debut this fall, featuring six-inch collectible dolls in character onesies.

Zoological Society of London targets young readers

UK publisher Bonnier Books has struck a three-year deal with the 200-year-old wildlife conservation org. Bonnier will roll out multiple formats across its children’s imprints, including non-fiction and picture books spotlighting global conservation stories, animal and nature facts as well as the org’s conservation efforts. The first three titles under the partnership will launch this year.

Lotería appoints a global licensing agency

The 140-year-old Mexican bingo game—which recently expanded with its first bilingual edition—has now locked down Playology International to steer the brand’s international expansion. Playology will serve as the brand’s master licensing agency outside the US and Canada to lead strategic partnerships and category expansion in international markets. The agency will also manage a few categories like QSR, LBE and live experiences across the globe, including in the US.

Sandbox Group expands its PlayKids app 

The company’s flagship edutainment-driven platform has broadened its distribution footprint by leaping onto the Galaxy Store and on Samsung TV Apps. The PlayKids app includes curated videos, games and activities based on IPs like Paw Patrol and Pocoyo, as well as original titles like I Love to Learn and Super Hands.