Maestro Media preps for slew of new board game releases with Flat River Group distribution partnership

Maestro Media, the publishing company adapting IPs such as Hello Kitty and video game The Binding of Isaac to the tabletop, is preparing for a string of new releases by signing a global distribution deal with Flat River Group.

Maestro made a name for itself in 2018 when it teamed up with Edmund McMillen, the creator of The Binding of Isaac video game, to launch a Kickstarter for a board game version – a campaign which raised over $2.6m, followed by another $6.7m through a crowdfunded expansion three years later.

The new agreement sees Flat River take on responsibility for managing sales, marketing, and events for Maestro’s English catalogue, which also includes recent Kickstarter project Hello Kitty: Day at the Park and the upcoming Antoine Bauza co-design Smurfs’ Hidden Village.

Those games, as well as Sally Face: Strange Nightmares and Streamer Standoff, are set to be showcased at GAMA Expo at the beginning of March before officially launching in the second half of this year.

Javon Frazier, founder and CEO of Maestro Media, said, “Maestro Media is embarking on an exhilarating new chapter in licensing and development.

“Our aspiration is to extend the beloved Binding of Isaac: Four Souls to a broader audience, while introducing Sally Face: Strange Nightmares, Hello Kitty: Day at the Park, and The Smurfs Hidden Village – delivering a fresh spectrum of thrilling products in partnership with some of the globe’s foremost brands.

“Flat River Group is the ideal partner to propel us toward these expansive horizons.”

Jules Vautour, VP of hobby and business development for Flat River, added, “I am thrilled to begin our partnership with Maestro Media. Their innovative approach and exceptional design team are developing remarkable licenses that we are proud to associate with.

“At FRG, we are confident that together we can amplify their market presence across diverse channels.”

Flat River, which was founded in 2011, buys inventory, warehouses it and sells it to more than 20 major e-commerce retailers, as well as managing product listings and inventory and fulfilling dropship and distribution centre orders.

Last year the firm bolstered its roster of distribution partnerships by signing deals with Pendragon Game Studio, Funforge and Nord Games.