Maurizio Distefano the evolution of Licensing has announced some important deals and retail launches for its brands, notably Bing, Care Bears™, Polaretti™ and Bluey.
The year 2026 opens with a series of strategic initiatives and high-value projects for Maurizio Distefano the evolution of Licensing. The agency continues to strengthen its market positioning through significant collaborations and high-impact activities, developing integrated strategies capable of enhancing IPs in innovative and cross-functional ways.
Maurizio Distefano Licensing Wins Two Awards at the Bologna Licensing Awards 2026 Once again this year, Maurizio Distefano the evolution of Licensing has secured prestigious accolades at the Bologna Licensing Awards, confirming the strength of the strategic work developed for the leading properties in its portfolio.
Bluey emerged as the true star of the 2026 awards, winning three prizes across different categories. The beloved Blue Heeler won Best Property of the Year, an award that evaluates not only the intrinsic strength of the property but also the quality and effectiveness of the licensing program developed during 2025, its ability to extend across multiple categories, and its overall impact on market visibility and performance. This result reflects the brand’s growing relevance in the family segment and its ability to activate consistent initiatives across multiple touchpoints, from products to experiential entertainment.
Furthermore, the editorial project developed by Ladybird Books, Penguin Random House UK, received the award for Best Pre-School Licensing Project. This recognition considers the level of innovation in licensed products, specifically in terms of development approach and market impact. Finally, Bluey also won Best Licensed Videogame, thanks to the project realized in collaboration with LEGO.
The award for Best Licensed Kiosk Product was granted to the project developed by Panini S.p.A. under the Moomin license. The collection, featuring a variety of trading cards dedicated to the iconic characters, stands out for its high editorial quality and an engaging collection concept, enriched by limited-edition cards with exclusive artwork and innovative printing techniques.
Bluey and Bingo Join a Special Easter Egg Hunt at Leolandia From April 4th to 6th, Leolandia hosted a special Easter Egg Hunt featuring the Blue Heeler pups from the hit preschool series Bluey (aired on Rai Yoyo). During the Easter weekend, visiting children and families followed clues across the park to find hidden eggs and receive a 20g chocolate egg by Dolfin. This initiative offered an interactive and memorable experience perfectly aligned with the brand’s values, representing a strategic asset to amplify IP visibility and generate direct contact with the final consumer.
New Partnership Between Acamar Films and Inscenando- Eventi su Misura In the Location-Based Entertainment sector, Maurizio Distefano Licensing announced a new partnership between Acamar Films—producer of the beloved preschool series Bing—and Inscenando- Eventi su Misura for the management of costume characters in Italy. The partnership involves a structured program of activities featuring Bing and Flop characters within shopping centers nationwide, offering immersive live experiences designed to strengthen brand awareness and family engagement.
Three New Movies Coming to Theaters The agency announces the arrival of three new films dedicated to its IPs: Bluey, Asterix, and CoComelon. Starting December 2026, fans can enjoy a brand-new CGI film – Asterix – The Kingdom of Nubia – featuring a fresh adventure full of humor and action. From February 3, 2027, CoComelon: The Movie (working title) will bring JJ and friends to the big screen, distributed globally by Universal Pictures and produced by Moonbug Entertainment, Flywheel Media, and DreamWorks Animation. Finally, the Bluey movie is set for a worldwide theatrical release in August 2027, followed by streaming on Disney+.
Care Bears™ x United Colors of Benetton Collection Hits Stores A capsule collection dedicated to Care Bears™ is now available online and at United Colors of Benetton stores for Kids (1–6 years) and Junior (7–14 years). The collection features original designs and bright colors, reflecting Benetton’s commitment to quality. This collaboration aligns with the 2026 global theme “Colors of Caring”, celebrating how the Care Bears™ use colors to express empathy.
Care Bears™: Italian Social Media Page Launched To support brand development in Italy, Cloudco Entertainment has launched the official Italian Instagram page: @carebears_ita. This strategic step aims to strengthen local brand awareness and build a direct relationship with the Italian public through localized content, storytelling, and community-building activities that also support licensing partners.
Pop Summer: MC2 Saint Barth Meets Polaretti Polaretti®, the icon of Italian summer, announces an exclusive collaboration with MC2 Saint Barth. For the Spring-Summer 2026 season, Polaretti® enters the beachwear market with men’s swimwear featuring Mr. Polaretto (the brand’s penguin symbol) in a new micro-pattern. This project turns a pop symbol into a wearable lifestyle item, combining quick-dry technical fabric with impeccable tailoring for the perfect vacation style.
All these updates confirm the distinctive approach of Maurizio Distefano the evolution of Licensing, which remains focused on integrating content, brands, and experiences into a coherent vision that generates concrete value for partners.
