Epic Story Media (ESM) wears many hats, from creating its own content to licensing and distributing other third-party franchises. Now, the company is officially expanding into the toy market.
ESM is launching a new toy division that will oversee the strategy, design, and development of toys inspired by both its own IP and ESM’s growing catalog of international licensees. Led by ESM’s former Global Marketing Director Kim Morris, Epic Story Toys (EST) already has exciting licensing deals and projects in the works, to be unveiled at the 2025 Spielwarenmesse toy fair at the end of this month.
In an ever-evolving market for kids, we need to be open to new ways of thinking and working. Epic Story Toys is a natural extension of our vision to connect more meaningfully with our audience. That said, we will continue to partner and work with other global toy companies on specific projects to help build content and gaming strategies to help grow partners’ brands. We always strive to think in a 360 way and having Kim lead the division is exciting as she is a proven leader who is both consumer and franchise-focused. Our first master toy partnership with Cheeky Little and Studio 100 International for Vegesaurs provides the perfect foundation to get started.”
EST has hit the ground running, already being named the Global Master Toy partner for Cheeky Little and Studio 100 International’s preschool series Vegesaurs. The brand will launch a brand-new range of toys across numerous categories inspired by the series and its characters. EST will reveal the anticipated collection and claim its place in the industry at Spielwarenmesse.
Beyond Vegesaurs, EST has created a toy line for ESM’s Bubble’s Hotel IP, including collectible figurines of the series’ characters and travel-themed fashion playsets. EST will also take over ESM’s licensing deal with WildBrain’s kid-favorite action series Slugterra. In collaboration with Reesee, the brand is designing a new collection of Slugterra figurines and blasters, the headliner being a new Megamorph Blaster that launches slugs over 30 feet.
As a global partner for ‘Vegesaurs,’ we’re delighted to see the brand expand into the toy space with Epic Story Toys. This collaboration creates new opportunities to connect with young audiences, reinforcing the playful and imaginative spirit that defines ‘Vegesaurs.'”
Kim Morris is ready to spearhead this division into the global toy market as the Head of EST. Morris has a history of leading successful licensing projects, including serving as the VP of Disney Brands at Jakks-Pacific and striking coveted deals with Nickelodeon and WildBrain at Alpha Toys. She joined ESM in 2020 as Global Marketing Director, working with ESM’s key toy franchises to deliver innovation and creativity while creating a meaningful play experience for children everywhere.
As Head of Epic Story Toys, Morris plans to use engaging storytelling to create kids’ next favorite toys. She says, “We are excited to bring our own IPs, like Bubble’s Hotel and those of our trusted partners like Vegesaurs and Slugterra, to life and engage with our fans beyond the screen in new, interactive ways.”
Epic Story Toys will unveil these projects and more at the 2025 Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1. Visit the trade fair’s website to register for the event.
