Licensing Industry

Halliday studied at Epsom School of Art and Design, Lancashire Polytechnic and Kingston Polytechnic. Since graduating from Kingston in 1991 with a BA in graphic design.

Halliday launched his publishing company, HallidayBooks after 25 years working as a designer and illustrator within the publishing industry. The author says: “For the last two years I’ve promoted our titles through UK book chains, but have recently found success and new opportunities with related non-book products and foreign markets.”

The company’s first title The Lonely Tree has sold over 32,000 copies and the second book, The Scummage has recently hit the shelves.

Following positive reviews over a range of media and praise from celebs such as Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley and Cherie Blair, Halliday has subsequently developed plush toys, signed the first foreign rights deals and is now looking to extend brands to other products and to animation.

The company’s inaugural licensing exhibition at BLE will see the launch of three new brands. Halliday has recently taken on a commission to write and illustrate original stories for the child safety awareness publisher Hari Books and will be making a soft-launch of its first title Oops Hari!

Glis, The Eco Mouse is the second new brand. Glis lives in a tree stump with his caterpillar friend. He finds fun and imaginative ways to recycle objects discarded in his environment.

First developed as a cartoon strip for the national franchise magazine Raring2Go!, this character is a topical brand. Glis approaches the subject in a humorous way. The brand will be accompanied by a plush toy and additional merchandising material.

Lily Black is the final new brand on show. Lily makes her own clothes, cuts her own hair and never wears shoes. She is shy and lives her life in the gaps between the words and pictures of her books.

Halliday explains his choice to exhibit at the show: “I was introduced to Brand Licensing Europe by a regular exhibitor, Bernie Parker. Bernie and I recently worked together on a series of books and since securing several important deals through previous shows, Bernie recommended it to me.

“After looking at a quick investigation I realised this was the perfect opportunity to introduce our growing list of characters to new markets, increase our international presence and extend our brands."

Halliday continues: “As first time exhibitors we will be using the show as a test bed from which to launch into new markets and future shows. I would like to invite anyone to visit us and discuss our original approach to illustration and character development.”