News
BKN Speeds in
Samantha Loveday May 14 2008, 5:16pm
Firm to handle licensing and merchandising in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Middle East for Speed Racer properties.
BKN has inked a deal with Speed Racer Enterprises to handle all licensing and merchandising in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Middle East for Speed Racer: The Next Generation and Speed Racer Classic.
Since its debut in Japan in 1967, Speed Racer has some 40 million fans worldwide. This year, a worldwide TV premiere of the all-new animated movie will be on Nicktoons Network, which dovetails into the new animated half-hour series Speed Racer: The Next Generation.
The Wachowski Brothers new film is currently showing in cinemas.
"We have very high expectations for Speed Racer as a property and as a television show," said James Rocknowski, president of Speed Racer Enterprises.
"The response from US licensees and retailers has been very encouraging. We have chosen BKN as a major partner to represent the property due their proven capabilities and skills in Europe and Australia and we expect a long and fruitful relationship."
Nicola Andrews, MD of BKN in London, added: "Our company policy is to handle only properties that we own completely, but this opportunity was special and we made an exception.
"The property has been extremely well received and we feel that there is a huge market internationally."
