“Our fan ecosystem is more expansive than ever before.”

How do you balance surprising fans through product, while also delivering authentically-sound ranges? How do you ‘bend’ brands without breaking them?
Everything we do is intentional, and while we are listening to our fans and embracing emerging trends, we remain deeply anchored in our brand’s core values. We believe that brands can evolve through fresh perspectives and creative collaborations, as long as they remain rooted in authenticity.

What are some highlights in terms of upcoming launches?
From new LEGO sets for Star Wars, Pixar, Disney Princess and Marvel to special-edition Crocs, we have a range of collaborations that will bring Blockbuster Season stories into everyday life for collectors and casual fans alike. We are also supporting our Blockbuster Season offerings with shortform content that extends the storytelling and creates anticipation and excitement for consumers.

Finally, how do you ensure the licensing slate caters to the different types of fans that exist in the ‘fan ecosystem’ today?
Our fan ecosystem is more expansive than ever before, and our approach to licensing starts with understanding their interests – from lifelong enthusiasts to new fans discovering our brands for the first time. Our focus is to meet consumers wherever they are and offer authentic points of connection with our stories and characters.

The post Paul Gitter of Disney Consumer Products on blockbuster launches for The Mandalorian and Grogu, Toy Story 5, Moana and more appeared first on Brands Untapped.

The range blends everyday wardrobe staples like denim and swimwear with details including embroidery, patchwork and vintage-inspired graphics.

Key pieces highlight vintage Mickey Mouse graphics, patchwork and stripe sets, as well as Americana motifs like gingham and map-inspired prints.

The post Old Navy launches latest Disney collaboration appeared first on Brands Untapped.

As part of the initiative, designers are being invited into Disney’s archives to explore Mickey Mouse across decades of design, using vintage silhouettes, graphics and storytelling as inspiration for reinterpretations.

Ami Paris founder and creative director Alexandre Mattiussi will be the first to launch his collection in early 2027.

“Working with Disney on the road to Mickey’s 100th anniversary feels both surreal and deeply personal,” said Mattiussi.

“Growing up, Disney was a world of imagination, emotion, and timeless storytelling that shaped the way I see creativity today. To collaborate now, through Ami Paris, is a true honour, and a meaningful opportunity to connect that sense of wonder with our own vision of friendship, joy, and modern Parisian style. Mickey is more than a character, he is a universal symbol that transcends generations. Being part of this celebration is something I am incredibly proud of.”

Vogue contributing editor Mark Holgate added: “The idea of bringing together Mickey Mouse, an enduring cultural figure known the world over, with designers from around the globe was thrilling – and a reminder that creativity is always at its best when there’s an openness to reimagining what we all already know and love.”

Lisa Baldzicki, President of Disney Consumer Products, added: “This new partnership celebrates Mickey Mouse as an enduring style icon, and we’re thrilled to partner with Vogue to explore his influence through a fashion-forward lens.

“We’re honouring Mickey Mouse’s legacy as a cultural symbol while inviting new interpretations that reflect how he continues to inspire creativity and style around the world.”

The post Disney and Vogue partner for multi-year project that sees fashion designers reinterpret Mickey Mouse appeared first on Brands Untapped.

Diving into that, what was it important for these dolls to capture?
As we began our exploration, we endeavoured to define what Disney meant to consumers and determine how to extend that into the nurturing aisle. Where we netted out was the emotional response – that feeling you get when you engage with a Disney brand, whether it be at a park, in theatres, on Disney+ or anywhere you engage with the brand. It’s a feeling of joy, happiness and warmth in your heart. No matter your age, Disney just makes you happy. And that is the core positioning of Disney Darlings – The Happiest Babies on Earth.

Terrific! And for anyone that hasn’t seen Disney Darlings in action, can you talk us through the play here?
Well, as with everything Disney, it’s starts with a little magic… A magic wand that empowers the owner to ‘Spark The Magic’ when waved over the doll’s head. Sparkling stars appear on her cheeks accompanied with an infectious giggle. Nurturing is, of course, the core play here, so our baby comes with a bottle, plush friend and includes a Disney lullaby. All trigger more giggles and happy sighs from our baby.

Lovely! The first wave of dolls centre on characters like Minnie, Stitch and Marie, with Pooh to come. What made these characters right to kick off the line?
We worked with Disney to identify the top characters appealing to our core age demographic of girls aged two to four, their mums and grandparents. Minnie is an icon of Disney, Stitch is a global phenomenon, Pooh is total nostalgia – celebrating his 100th birthday this year – and Marie is an adorable white kitty loved by all.

A strong line-up! And as well as the iconography on the baby’s outfits, there are some neat design touches with characters reflected in the headbands, accessories and plush characters. Does this speak to the strength of these characters – that they can be instantly recognised by elements like ears or sidekicks alone?
Absolutely – and while we all love Disney characters, they all started in a wider story. As their partner, we believe in the power of the character in their story. We wanted to extend the imaginative play and immerse consumers in the world of their favourite Disney character.

In terms of the ears specifically, we wanted to leverage elements that were iconically Disney. Not only do the dolls have fun ear headbands, they also have Mickey Mouse heads in their eyes and embedded throughout the packaging. These serve as an authenticity marker and a sign of premium quality.

JAKKS Pacific and Disney have a long-standing partnership. What is the key to fruitful collaborations between toycos and brand owners?
While our partnership with Disney is a traditional licensor/licensee relationship, we don’t look at it that way in the day-to-day. We are always focused on bringing their stories to life across multiple toy categories, infusing innovation to enhance play and offering at a great consumer value. I think there is also a great deal of trust and respect in both directions. We align on our goals and don’t stop until we’ve achieved them.

What does the future hold for the Disney Darlings line? I imagine you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to future characters.
Growth, innovation and new characters of course – but also some new ways to ‘Spark the Magic’ and create more giggles.

Nicely teased! Last question – what fuels your creativity? What helps you have ideas?
Passion. We all love what we do and are passionate about our brands. JAKKS is a family – we have a great culture full of incredibly creative and innovative people. We also believe great ideas can come from anyone, so we frequently invite teams from across functions to brainstorm with us.

Terrific. Thanks again Hayley!

The post JAKKS Pacific’s Hayley Woodward on the magic behind Disney Darlings appeared first on Brands Untapped.

The range marks their third successive collaboration and spans sweatshirts, t-shirts, sneakers, caps, and bags.

Spanning ‘vibrant prints, layered illustrations, and playful co-branding’, you can check out some of the line below:

The post Disney and Marc Jacobs launch tennis-inspired Mickey & Friends collection appeared first on Brands Untapped.

Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck will be front and centre of the collaboration this spring, appearing in exclusive merchandise, on-site character experiences and original content.

“Our collaboration with Formula 1 sparked a cultural moment with fans worldwide, and expanding into F1 Academy opens an exciting new chapter in that story,” said Tasia Filippatos, President of Disney Consumer Products.

“With Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck leading the way, we’re celebrating confidence, friendship and individuality while connecting Disney storytelling with a sport empowering the next generation of female athletes.”

Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy, added: “We’re excited to bring Disney’s iconic storytelling to F1 Academy through Fuel the Magic.

“This new chapter with Disney is inspired by Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck’s friendship that embodies the power of women supporting women. By bringing together two worlds united by creativity, ambition, and a belief in what’s possible, we’re building pathways that inspire and empower future fans, drivers and leaders to shape the future of our sport.”

More details, content drops and merchandise reveals will debut this spring.

The post Disney details Formula 1 Academy collaborations appeared first on Brands Untapped.

Featuring character designs by Disney’s Global Creative Director Bobby Kim, Complex’s collection introduces ‘a rebellious new take on classic Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse iconography’, reimagined through BLACKPINK’s unmistakable edge’.

The range spans tees, sweatshirts, crop tees, tank tops, a tote bag and a fitted hat. To celebrate the launch, Disney, Complex and BLACKPINK have designed collection-exclusive photocards, offered as a special keepsake included with each order.

“This punk‑inspired collection is all about expressing your individuality and challenging the status quo with confidence,” said Bobby Kim, Global Creative Director of Disney Consumer Products.

“As a global pop‑culture phenomenon, BLACKPINK’s fearless creativity and boundary‑breaking style are at the heart of this capsule, making them the ideal creative force to kick off a high‑impact series of collections with Complex.”

Aaron Levant, CEO of Complex, added: “I’ve been working with Bobby Kim for over 20 years across various projects. It’s exciting for me to have Complex now collaborating with him in his new role at Disney. We’ve shared a longstanding creative relationship rooted in pushing culture forward and this collaboration felt like a natural evolution of that partnership.

“Bringing together BLACKPINK and Disney – two of the most influential global brands in entertainment – creates a powerful moment at the intersection of music, fashion, and pop culture.”

The launch marks the first of several collaborative apparel collections between Complex and Disney.

The post Disney, BLACKPINK and Complex team up for punk-inspired apparel collection appeared first on Brands Untapped.

The Mickey & Friends collection sees iconic characters grace 31 items, including Crescent Bags, Fanny Packs and Reusable Bags, plus travel accessories and a Mickey Mouse Bag Charm.

Select items from the line will also come to DisneyStore.com and Disney Store’s TikTok Shop. Disney Store will also carry three exclusive items including two Crescent Bags featuring embroidered designs of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, and a Cloud Carry-On showcasing a Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse all over print.

The collection launches on March 4th at Baggu.com and DisneyStore.com. It will also be available in BAGGU stores.

The post BAGGU teams with Disney for Mickey & Friends collection appeared first on Brands Untapped.

WEBTOON is launching ‘Mickey X Formula 1 Racing to the Top!’ – an original vertical comics series that will run exclusively on WEBTOON’s global platforms throughout the 2026 Formula 1 race season. The series will launch on March 6th during the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, with new episodes dropping tied to each race weekend throughout the season.

“Formula 1 and Disney sparked a cultural moment felt worldwide – and it was only the beginning. This year is about turning that moment into a season‑long story,” said Tasia Filippatos, President of Disney Consumer Products.

“A new digital chapter with WEBTOON gives fans a reason to stay connected between race weekends, brought to life through product and standout moments that feel authentic to each stop on the calendar.”

Starting at the Chinese Grand Prix next month, select Formula 1 races throughout the season will feature ‘Fuel the Magic’ fanzone retail pop-ups, with new branded merchandise inspired by the host city. Race-specific pieces and a core collection from Disney and Formula 1 will be available at the F1 Hub and Grand Prix Plaza, as well as online at F1.com.

“The continuation of our ‘Fuel the Magic’ campaign with Disney is far greater than just a sports partnership, but one that leverages both Formula 1 and Disney’s power of immersive cultural storytelling and engaging entertainment,” said Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer of Formula 1.

“From unique product launches to fan experiences, digital content and WEBTOON integration, we’re offering even more unique ways that new and existing audiences can engage with our sport and experience race events like no other.”

In addition, Gentle Monster will introduce the 2026 Circuit Collection – a global eyewear collaboration with Disney and Formula 1. The range includes three exclusive designs inspired by Disney’s Mickey & Friends and Formula 1. The launch will also include pop-up experiences in Seoul and Shanghai.

Elsewhere, the Disney Store will launch an exclusive Mickey Mouse plush in a Formula 1 uniform. It will be available first in Australia ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, with a global roll-out planned later this year. New collaborations will also launch with Uniqlo, alongside an expanded Disney x Formula 1 core collection available online.

The post Disney and Formula 1 detail collaborations across race activations, digital comics, eyewear, apparel and more appeared first on Brands Untapped.

The Marvel OREO Stuf of Doom Cookies introduces a ‘Masked Decadence’ flavour of chocolate graham and toasted marshmallow-flavoured creme, complete with an embossment of Doctor Doom’s mask.

The Marvel OREO Stuf of Doom Cookie Packs include OREO’s colour-changing technology, with a black creme that turns your tongue Doctor Doom’s signature green when you lick it. The packaging also features Marvel Comic-style depictions of Doctor Doom, illustrated by renowned Marvel Comics artist Todd Nauck.

“With the Marvel OREO Stuf of Doom Cookies, we’re bringing an exciting and interactive finale to the fan-focused journey we started with the launch of the Marvel OREO Stuf of Legends Cookies,” said Matt Foley, Vice President of OREO.

“We marked the final chapter in our most ambitious collaboration yet by handing the story over to the fans. By blending the OREO brand’s playful nature with Marvel’s legendary storytelling, our interactive experience made fans the heroes, setting a new standard for how brands can create cultural moments with passionate fandoms.”

After collecting all three Marvel OREO Stuf of Legends Cookie Packs and placing them side by side, fans can unveil a hidden scene that showcases the full story behind Marvel and OREO’s collaboration.

To celebrate the launch, on Saturday, February 21st at Brooklyn’s Dumbo Archway, fans can enjoy an exclusive first taste of the Marvel OREO Stuf of Doom Cookies before they hit shelves. The first 50 people will also receive a cookie pack signed by Todd Nauck, the Marvel Comics artist behind the pack illustrations.

The Marvel OREO Stuf of Doom Cookies land in the US from March 2nd.

The post Disney and OREO unite for Marvel OREO Stuf of Doom Cookies appeared first on Brands Untapped.