
The Licensing Source Book announced the winners of The Licensing Awards 2009 last night in London.
The awards were presented at a black tie event at the Lancaster London Hotel and hosted by comedian Jason Manford.
The judging for the product award categories, for which 4,500 products were entered, was conducted by a panel of retail buyers including those from Amazon, Tesco, Bhs, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Mothercare, Play.com, Tammy, Hamleys, Waterstones and WHSmith.
The judges assessed each product entry against the criteria of the excellence of design, innovation and originality; consumer targeting and quality of manufacture and packaging.
The finalists in the retail award categories were arrived at through canvassing nominations from licensees and licensors which were then correlated and validated by a panel of industry experts while the property award categories were also as a result of a nomination and validation process involving thousands of companies.
Ian Hyder, director of The Licensing Source Book, creator of the event commented: “The Licensing Awards brings together an incredible industry – fantastic retailers, innovative licensees, tenacious licensors and committed suppliers.
“Testament to the strength of this industry this awards event has grown every year since we launched it four years ago and has become one of the best awards events of any kind in the UK.
“It has grown because of the industry’s involvement. Retailers have become increasingly receptive to participating in the judging panel, licensees and licensors have become more enthusiastic about entering – and the inventiveness and generosity shown by those who have added the extra touches - from the bespoke animations to the goody bag goodies – have seen The Licensing Awards grow into something extraordinary.”
Jessica Blue, event director of Brand Licensing Europe, this year’s headline sponsor, added: “What an amazing night – as always: great entertainment, great industry, great hosts and great winners. Congratulations to each and every one of them.
“Brand Licensing Europe is thrilled and honoured to be this year’s Licensing Awards headline sponsor. It’s given us a fantastic opportunity to say thank you to all the retailers, licensees, licensors and media that have supported the event since we launched 11 years ago, and who continue to support it as it grows in stature every year.”
The winners are as follows:
THE RETAIL AWARD CATEGORY WINNERS
Best Pre-School Retailer of Licensed Products
Mothercare
Sponsored by HIT Entertainment
Best Kids Retailer of Licensed Products
Next
Sponsored by 4Kids International
Best Brands Retailer of Licensed Products
Debenhams
Sponsored by The Beanstalk Group
Best Direct Selling Retailer of Licensed Products
Littlewoods
Sponsored by RDF Rights
Best Overall Retailer Of Licensed Products
Next
Sponsored by Mattel UK
PRODUCT CATEGORY WINNERS
Best Licensed Toy Or Games Range
Ben 10 Wheeled Toys Range from MV Sports & Leisure
Sponsored by BBC Worldwide
Best Licensed Dress-Up and/or Party Range
Mr Men and Little Miss Dress-Up from VMC Accessories
Sponsored by Warner Bros Consumer Products
Best Licensed Apparel Or Accessories Range
EMI Music Publishing ‘Lyric’ T-Shirts from TU Clothing for Sainsbury’s
Sponsored by Nickelodeon UK
Best Licensed Written, Listening Or Learning Range
Peppa Pig Book Range from Penguin Books
Sponsored by PPC Enterprises
Best Licensed Paper Products or Stationery Range
Mr Potato Head Cards & Wrap Collection from The Monster Factory
Sponsored by HarperCollins Children’s Books
Best Licensed Giftware Range
Top Gear Novelty Gift and Toy Range by Wow! Stuff
Sponsored by TV-Loonland
Best Licensed Home Décor, Housewares or Bedding Range
In The Night Garden Bedroom Furniture Range from Martin Yaffe
Sponsored by Sony/Target Entertainment Group
Best Licensed Food or Drink Range
Hello Kitty Confectionery Range from Bon Bon Buddies
Sponsored by Kidz Entertainment/EEMC A/S
The Innovation Award
SpongeBob SquarePants Real Musical Instrument Range from John Hornby Skewes
Sponsored by Turner Broadcasting Systems Europe
Best Licensed Brand Product – Soft Goods
V&A Anemone Range of Bed Linen from Bedeck
Sponsored by Watermelon
Best Licensed Brand Product – Hard Goods
Flying Scotsman Gifts & Accessories from Wild & Wolf
Sponsored by International Brand Management
THE PROPERTY AWARD WINNERS
Best Pre-School Licensed Property
Peppa Pig
Sponsored by Character World
Best Schoolers/Tween or Teen Licensed Property
Ben 10
Sponsored by Blueprint Collections
Best Licensed Sports Property
England Rugby
Sponsored by Zap
Best Licensed Celebrity Property
Jamie Oliver
Sponsored by Danilo
Best Licensed Brands Property
V&A
Sponsored by Licensing International Expo & License! Global
The Honorary Achievement Award
Trevor Jones
Sponsored by Smiffy’s