NEW YORK – May 15, 2023 – 9 Story Brands and Fred Rogers Productions are pleased to announce a new licensing partnership with global lifestyle brand Skip Hop for the beloved children’s series, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. This is Skip Hop’s first-ever licensing deal and covers multiple product categories for the US. Rights granted include children’s backpacks, non-pedal ride-on toys, and children’s mealtime items such as snack cups and drink cups. Skip Hop released a 3-in-1 ride-on toy last November as its first Daniel Tiger sku and has plans to launch a series of backpacks and several mealtime items this April.
“We are excited to partner with Skip Hop, a powerhouse in the baby and toddler space,” said Kyra Halperin, Co-VP of Consumer Products for 9 Story. “Just like Daniel Tiger, Skip Hop leans into first experiences, and we can’t wait to see kids engage with their favorite tiger in new and meaningful ways.”
“Daniel Tiger and Skip Hop both celebrate the shared value of emerging preschool independence,” said Lauren Duchene, Vice President, and General Manager of Skip Hop. “We are excited to partner with Daniel Tiger to help share beloved stories of Daniel and his friends through these special-edition everyday products made just the right size for toddlers.”
“We are thrilled to work with such a trusted and beloved brand in the children’s product space,” said Matt Shiels, Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs, Fred Rogers Productions. “Skip Hop and Daniel Tiger are a natural fit, and we are excited for fans to have the chance to experience Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood in fun new ways.”
New products launching this spring include:
- Mini Backpacks – the perfect size for your little one’s very first backpack with room for snacks, an extra sweater, and more must-haves. Ages 1-4.
- Little Kid Backpack – sized just right for toddlers, this tigertastic backpack holds snacks, a water bottle and Ages 3+.
- Daniel Tiger Snack Cup – featuring a flexible, no-spill opening, a snap-top lid for freshness, and an easy-grip handle for little Ages 12 months+.
- Daniel Tiger Straw Bottle – A big step-up from a sippy cup with a flip-top lid to keep spills at bay and a flexible straw that flips down to stay clean when the lid is Ages 12 months+.
The new Skip Hop items will be available at Skiphop.com and Amazon, and priced from $8-$70, with select items offered at Carters. This marks the first time Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood products will be available at Carters.com, with the assortment also featuring two new t-shirts from Isaac Morris and priced at $18 along with Skip Hop’s Little Kid Backpack and Straw Bottle.
After premiering in 2012, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is now in its sixth season on PBS KIDS. The series is co-produced by Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story Media Group and animated by 9 Story’s
award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films. 9 Story Brands holds worldwide licensing rights. The property has 50 licensees on board including Jakks Pacific (toys), Simon & Schuster (publishing), Crayola (coloring), Isaac Morris (apparel), Tonies (audio toy), Waloo Products (sporting goods), and more.
About 9 Story Brands
9 Story Brands is the dedicated brand management and consumer products division of 9 Story Media Group, a leading content creator, producer and distributor of kids and family- focused intellectual property. 9 Story Brands builds international entertainment brands for kids, with expertise across creative, brand marketing and licensing. 9 Story Brands manages merchandising rights for top children’s properties, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Karma’s World, Super Why, Colorforms, Wild Kratts, and Nature Cat. www.9story.com
About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this
much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 30 Emmy® Awards among other important honors. The company’s latest series are Donkey Hodie, the innovative puppet series inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano. Fred Rogers Productions strives to inspire a lifelong enthusiasm for learning through its series as well efforts beyond broadcast including games and digital offerings, community engagement activities, and much more. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Skip Hop®
Skip Hop is a global lifestyle brand committed to making parenting as easy and fun as possible. With a core philosophy of “Must-Haves Made Better®,” Skip Hop re-thinks, re-energizes and re-engineers essential products – everything from diaper bags to strollers to bath toys – to give parents, babies and toddlers smart design and true functionality. Skip Hop joined the Carter’s, Inc. family in 2017. For more information, please visit www.carters.com or www.skiphop.com.