Category Archives: Highlight

Panini to launch 2020 Tour de France sticker and card collection this summer

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Panini is launching an exclusive 2020 Tour de France sticker and trading card collection this summer, with the range hitting shelves and Panini’s online store from August 6th this year.

The new collection features a 64 page album full of information about the teams and competitors taking part in the summer event. As one of the few sporting events not to have been wholly cancelled this summer but postponed until August 29th, Panini has expressed its excitement over the launch of the range.

The stickers and cards feature bikes, shirts and key locations for the race. There are 384 stickers to collect, including 32 special stickers. Plus, there are 44 cards for collectors to keep a look out for, which can be kept in a specially-designed card holder.

To support the launch of the exclusive 2020 Tour de France Stickers and Cards Official Collection, there will be free album sampling with WHSmith and a social media campaign across Panini’s social channels. Panini will also be working closely with the organisers of the Tour de France to engage with the passionate cycling community across the UK and Eire.

WildBrain CPLG and cycle brand Milltag launch Twin Peaks capsule collection

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WildBrain CPLG has secured a deal with the London-based cyclewear brand Milltag for a new capsule collection celebrating the 30th anniversary of the original TV series, Twin Peaks.

Brokered by WildBrain CPLG on behalf of ViacomCBS Consumer Products, the Twin Peaks x Milltag collection features a full range of cycle clothing, including a jersey, shorts, mitts, snood and cap, and will be available for a limited time in the UK this summer.

The range combines cutting-edge garment technology, high-performance fabrics and a slim fit. The collection’s earthy green and brown tone colourway is inspired by the natural surroundings depicted in Twin Peaks, and is adorned with the logos of iconic local businesses from the series including Double R diner, and the Packard Sawmill.

Laura Quinn, category manager UK at WildBrain CPLG, said: “Twin Peaks has an avid and highly engaged following thanks to its bold, original and genre-bending approach which remains influential to this day. With the show now celebrating its 30th anniversary, we’re very excited to be collaborating with Milltag and translating the brand into a dynamic and high-quality cyclewear range, which we’re sure will be a huge hit with fans across the UK.”

Ed Cowburn, owner at Milltag, added: “Milltag’s favourite projects are ones that hold emotions for people. Whether it be producing products based around someone’s favourite film, album, band or in this case, television show. We like to think that these products mean more to people than a regular off the rack design. Hopefully that means they’ll treasure and look after them, leading to a more sustainable model of consumption as clothing is worn to the very end of its usage cycle.

“We’re incredibly proud of this project as fans of the show. The chance to add to the rich world created by Mark Frost and David Lynch in 1990 is a dream come true and we like to think we’ve designed something true to the essence of Twin Peaks.”

 Created by Mark Frost and David Lynch, Twin Peaks debuted on ABC in April 1990 with an original two seasons and has become one of the most iconic television shows of all time.

In 2017, a third season of Twin Peaks launched on Sky Atlantic. Set in a sleepy Washington town which is rocked by the murder of a young girl, Twin Peaks explores crime, loss, grief and life in small-town America.

Spotlight Licensing’s Carole Postal: “Our industry is strong and I’m heartened by our coming together to weather the storm”

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Spotlight Licensing isn’t only known for its portfolio of properties boasting major fan bases and audience numbers both sides of the Atlantic, with the likes of Call the Midwife, Downton Abbey, and Boo – The World’s Cutest Dog among them, but also for its crack team of professionals that, when it comes to licensing, knows its business inside out.

But when you’re led by the nine-time LIMA Licensing Excellence Award winner, Carole Postal – a name now synonymous with not only the US but global licensing business – little else could be expected. Sitting among the upper echelons of Spotlight Licensing is Jodi Gottlieb as senior vice president, and Ken Wong, director of marketing, all of whom have been working together for the last 20 years. With such as history in the space, it makes sense that this is a team that has seen licensing evolve through its many – and ever changing – forms.

Licensing.biz catches up with Carole Postal, president of Spotlight Licensing to talk about her history with licensing, the quick reflexes of the industry as a whole in the face of the pandemic, and how it is the struggles and hardships of uncertain times that forges better and lasting relationships in business.

It’s a formidable trio, and a great team you’ve built around you Carole. How many years in the making has Spotlight Licensing been? Where did it all begin for you?

Formidable – I like that! We really do have a great team. Jodi, Ken and I have been working together for over 20 years. We’ve built on each other’s strengths and areas of expertise and work very efficiently together. And, importantly, have fun!

 I started out in the business working in entertainment licensing and then my husband and I built up our agency starting with retail consulting for the big entertainment companies and their blockbuster films. Licensing quickly became part of our core responsibilities eventually overtaking the retail consulting aspects and we developed from there.

My husband, Robert Postal, was, of course, a big part of the agency right up until his passing and we’ve had other employees who’ve gone on to great careers in the industry as well of which we are most proud. The agency business is all about being able to deliver results and I’m incredibly proud that our team has been able to build successful licensing programs for our clients for so many years.

How has business been for you guys over the last few months? We’ve seen a tremendous amount of resilience, adapting and evolving in a short space of time in the face of the pandemic, what has been Spotlight’s approach throughout this period?

We’re just now starting to see actual reports with numbers on how Q2 royalties were affected by the pandemic but it’s obviously been a challenge for retailers, licensees, and everyone up and down the chain.

Fortunately for us, products are still being made and sold and we are still getting deals done even if it takes a little more patience, perseverance, and willingness from everyone to make mutual accommodations during this unprecedented time. We are all in this together as a world and all adapting and making changes as we go along. It is a great opportunity for all components of the licensing equation – Licensor, Agent, Manufacturer, Retailer, and Consumer – to all work together for the common good.

How have you seen the licensing space evolve not only over the last year, but over the past four months? What do you think will be a lasting impact on licensing, retail, and the relationship between the two?

Licensing is always changing and evolving and introducing newness – that’s one of the aspects we all love about this industry isn’t it? Consumers and retailers are constantly looking for ‘what’s next’ – and licensors and manufacturers will continue to find creative ways to provide that through new licensing opportunities, new products or new twists on old favourites.

Even in the middle of a pandemic, Spotlight has been able to work with licensees on new BOO The World’s Cutest Dog plush from Gund and gorgeous hand-made Italian eyewear inspired by Downton Abbey from Bonavista Optics just to name a few. But we’ve definitely seen a lot of changes over these last few months as well: greater online shopping; delayed release of upcoming film properties; and, of course, the sudden but logical emergence of face masks as a licensed product category here.

Our industry is strong and resilient and I’ve been heartened by the way licensors, licensees,  manufacturers and retailers have all been working together to weather the storm so, ultimately, I think we’ll see the relationships between all four as strong as ever after this is all over.

You’ve got an enviable portfolio with quite the UK connection going on. How is your portfolio reflective of the US market right now? What do you look for in a license? What do you look for in a licensing partnership?

As a boutique agency, we pick and choose our clients carefully because each one is so important to us. Our portfolio is built on properties we personally like and understand and believe in because that gives us the edge when strategizing and talking to manufacturers and retailers about the opportunity.

As you can see from our portfolio, we definitely have an empathy for British entertainment and have built a reputation for understanding how to translate niche properties into licensed products that American audiences will like. But it doesn’t matter to us whether the property is British or French or Korean or as American as apple pie, as long as it is well done and the brand brings something special.

 

When you’re not busy winning LIMA Licensing Excellence Awards Carole, you’re either co-founding a business, sitting on the LIMA Board of Directors, or taking your place at the Board for the Delivering Good organisation and its Women of Inspiration initiative.

Can you talk us through the work you do with Delivering Good? Why is this so important to you?  

I believe each and every one of us is responsible for each other and can find a way to help so I decided nearly 12 years ago that I would find a way to help people through my contacts in the licensing business on a global basis. I always say that licensing is about stuff. Since Delivering Good is dedicated to getting stuff to the people who need it – whether their need arises because of poverty or disease or disaster or some other circumstances – I knew that I and the rest of the licensing industry could really help with Delivering Goods mission.

My involvement started out with product donations and just kept growing. In addition to being a Board Member, I co-chair the annual Women of Inspiration luncheon honouring women executives for their achievements and philanthropic efforts.

I’ve always felt no one is more supportive of others than the licensing industry and that faith has truly been borne out in how manufacturers and retailers and others in the industry have responded over the years and in response to COVID-19 in particular.

Our industry trade organization, Licensing International, has been incredibly supportive overall not to mention all the wonderful  manufacturers and retailers and individuals who donated products or provided financial support for shipping those products to where they need to be. You all know who you are reading this article so allow me to say thank you and to remind everyone that the need is never greater than it is now.

You’ve mentioned new areas of manufacturing and masks etc. Can you talk us through Spotlight’s efforts in this capacity? What lasting effect do you think this will have on the licensing space?

The pandemic made masks a ‘must have’ accessory so it was inevitable that licensing would be there to bring a little fun and fashion to mask-wearing. In Asia, masks have been accepted as part of regular flu precautions for years so I think there’s a good chance masks will stick around as a licensed product category in the US and Europe as well.

To me, this is just another example of how quickly a new consumer product category can emerge and a reminder of why people in licensing have to stay informed about developing trends as well as trends from other regions and be prepared to act quickly when unexpected opportunities arise in your own market.

 

A few quick-fire questions to round us up, then. What would you say has been the proudest moment of your career in licensing to date? 

In truth, one of my proudest moments was being one of the very first women in licensing to start her own company which transitioned from retail consulting, which no one was doing at the time, into a full service licensing agency.

Remember, 25 years ago women were not founding their own agencies and certainly not without the backing of a major studio or property. The licensing industry has always embraced and recognized the strength of women and I’m proud that this industry has been supportive and thus afforded young women a place where they can grow and be successful.

What is the best part of your job? 

My favorite part of the job is working with my team and our licensing partners to turn an idea or concept into a great product that performs well on retail shelves and/or online sales.

The typical fan who buys licensed products will probably never realize how many different things – the multitude of people and decision and challenges – involved in getting that product to market but we do, and my team and I still get a real thrill out of seeing it all pay off in the end.

What advice would you give to someone looking to break into the licensing industry?

My advice to anyone looking to break into the licensing industry is to be an observant consumer…staying on top of trends, keeping your finger on the pulse of pop culture, identifying overlooked or underappreciated audiences, and applying your talents – whether as a creator, lawyer, designer, marketer, accountant, licensing agent or whatever – to the opportunities outside your immediate universe.  Carpe diem!

 

Mad Beauty partners with Warner Bros Consumer Products for Friends, DC, and Looney Tunes lines

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The UK bath, body, and cosmetics specialist Mad Beauty has detailed a new partnership with Warner Bros Consumer Products to develop a collection inspired by its iconic brands Friends, DC, and Looney Tunes. The new deal and subsequent collection will bolster the firm’s plans for growth across the UK and US.

The partnership marks another milestone for Mad Beauty who has cited ‘extraordinary growth’ over the last two years in home markets. Already 2020 has seen announcements including international extensions of existing brand licenses, the launch of Mad Beauty USA, and establishing new warehouse and fulfilment support.

The first collaboration coming out of the new partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products will be a collection inspired by the hit television series Friends. The assortment will launch into market from AW20, consisting of Eyeshadow Palette, Lip Glosses, Make-up Brushes, Face Masks, Shower hats, and more.

“We see ourselves as a beauty company that makes gifts rather than a gift company that makes beauty products and we believe that combining our experience in producing high quality beauty, bath and body ranges with some of Warner Bros’ most iconic characters is a winning formula that retailers will enjoy offering and fans will love,” said Mad Beauty’s managing director, Trevor Cash.

“We’re excited to partner with Mad Beauty on this wonderful new collection. This collaboration provides a great opportunity for fans to celebrate their favourite characters and incorporate them into their daily lives, said Rachel Wakley, general manager UK & Ireland, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

 

The Point. 1888 names Becky Langer its new senior commercial manager

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The Point. 1888 has expanded its commercial team with the appointment of Becky Langer to the role of senior commercial manager. Langer joins from Hasbro where she held the position of retail development manager.

With 14 years of licensing experience at high profile companies, such as Warner Bros, HIT Entertainment, and Character World, Langer’s appointment has been described as a significant one for The Point. 1888.

Under her new role, Langer will report into the head of retail and softlines, Hannah Stevens, who was last week awarded Licensing International’s prestigious Rising Star Award. She was the only representative for the UK and European licensing community.

It’s notable that The Point.1888 has found itself to be resilient to the effects of the pandemic, something the company has attributed to its retail-first approach and brand-manufacturer pairing process. In some cases it has delivered increases in sales for clients’ products over the last few months.

Hannah Stevens said: “More so than ever, in the current climate, our team is working with amazing speed and enthusiasm on identifying strategic partnerships with retailers and licensees to drive the company’s growth plans, and fill gaps for our brands. We have to continue to innovate and deliver brands that are reflective of trend, but also have the longevity to inspire the customer to repeat buy year on year. It’s a tall order and the reason why we’re growing our team at this time.

“Becky brings a huge wealth of knowledge and expertise from her licensing career to this Innovative and forward thinking team.  Her tenacity, positivity and creativity make her a fantastic fit not just for my team, but for the agency as a whole and I’m so excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Langer added: “Having been in the industry for 14 years, I’ve watched The Point.1888 emerge and establish itself as an industry leader in record time. It’s clear why when you see the capability of the team and the business model they’ve adopted. It’s also incredibly refreshing to be part of an organisation that operates with such integrity and kindness, not only in business but also in how they treat their team.

“The portfolio is full of exciting, beautiful and diverse brands so there really is something for everyone without being limited to certain genres or demographics.  I cannot wait.”

Established in 2014, The Point.1888 delivers retail focused brand extension programmes by creating new products based on the gaps it sees at retail, rather than what it thinks the brand’s target demographic might like. This supports a higher chance of retailer buy-in and a better sales performance.

 

Sanrio celebrates 45 years of My Melody with new digital and ecommerce campaign

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Sanrio has launched a new digital and ecommerce campaign to celebrate the 45th anniversary of one of its oldest and best-loved characters, My Melody, this summer. The celebration follows hot on the heels of Hello Kitty’s 45th anniversary last year.

My Melody was created in 1975 as the depiction of an honest and good-natured girl, always recognised by the treasured hood her Grandma made her. Like Hello Kitty, My Melody has become an icon of friendship and kawaii style, whose long ears are said to be antennas of friendship that can tell if someone is happy or sad.

On July 27th this year, Sanrio will kickstart two weeks of online celebrations with an array of My Melody content, alongside  a new My Melody Instagram filter on the @hellokittyeu Instagram. Fans will need to follow the handle to see and use the filter.

An Instagram prize draw will also be held from July 27th to August 3rd. Prizes are a selection from the exclusive My Melody 45th Anniversary collection available on ShopSanrio.com and a My Melody accessories bundle, courtesy of Artbox UK.

My Melody isn’t afraid of colour and neither are the macro-influencers involved in the campaign. Sophie Hannah (pictured) and Ling.KT will be giving their followers My Melody styling and make-up tips.

Kids can also get involved in the fun. Downloadable paper dolls to mix and match outfits for My Melody will be available for free at Sanrio Europe.

 

Peppa Pig supports Team GB at Tokyo Olympics in new campaign as children’s ambassador

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Hasbro has detailed a new collaboration with Team GB in the UK that will see Peppa Pig join the British Olympic team as a special children’s ambassador to get kids excited for the summer Olympics in Tokyo. The event has been rescheduled from 2020 to 2021, a move that was forced by the world’s lockdown measures.

Big Inspiration for Little Piggies is a new campaign designed to get the nation’s kids moving and into the spirit of the Olympics – set to be one of the most watched sporting events of the year next year – by cheering on their favourite national athletes.

The campaign will be underpinned by a roster of live events, retail activations, digital content, and bespoke merchandise.

“With a year to go until the Olympics there couldn’t be a better time to inspire young kids and their families to get active,” said Hasbro’s Marianne James, VP EMEA consumer products. “Our Big Inspiration for Little Piggies campaign is a great opportunity to tap into the enormous interest surrounding the Olympics to both support the Team GB athletes and nurture a lifelong love of sports in the younger generation that will leave a lasting legacy.”

Partners are already lining up to produce exclusive new consumer products across categories including toys, apparel and accessories, stationery, home gifting and publishing.

The campaign will span multiple touchpoints with a brand-new bespoke style guide featuring innovative new designs that put Peppa and all her friends right into the action with unique sporting outfits and active wear to inspire a range of Team GB licensed merchandise for children, placing the preschool brand in good company with Team GB’s official mascot, Pride The Lion.

New branded content is also being developed across digital channels that will harness the popularity of Peppa Pig and Team GB by encouraging children and families to take advantage of the global sporting event and promote an active, healthy lifestyle.

Throughout summer 2021, Hasbro will be readying a packed calendar of interactive marketing activities that will see Peppa Pig model her very own Team GB kit at various events across the country, sports-related meet-and-greets, experiential displays, retail activations and fun competitions hosted at multiple locations.

The collaboration will kick off with a digital presence in Team GB’s inspired community campaign I Am Team GB from 23rd – 30th July to capitalise on the should-have-been Olympic buzz, and get kids enthusiastic about getting active with Peppa Pig.

WildBrain Spark is bringing Teletubbies and In the Night Garden to AR through ANIPEN partnership

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WildBrain Spark, the digital media division of WildBrain, is making its first foray into augmented reality by teaming up with the South Korean AR specialist ANIPEN to bring characters from Teletubbies, In the Night Garden and Boy & Dragon to the medium.

Under the new partnership, the popular children’s characters, including a cast of those from the original WildBrain Spark  show Boy & Dragon, will be brought to life through ANIPEN’s AR technology made available within the company’s AnibeaR app.

Through the app, users will be able to create short videos which will incorporate the characters in real-world scenes shot on their phones. These videos can then be shared via social media. The project is currently in development and the characters are due to launch on AnibeaR in Korea, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and Australia later this year.

Jon Gisby, managing director of WildBrain Spark, said: “This is a ground-breaking project for WildBrain Spark as we use immersive technology to allow kids and families to create their own stories with our globally recognised characters.

“We are excited about the possibilities of AR and look forward to bringing our favourite characters to life through ANIPEN’s unrivalled technology.”

Jaewoong Jeon, CEO of ANIPEN, added: “We are committed to bringing next-generation augmented reality content that provides bold new experiences for users, such as interactive AR technology that combines our technical expertise with the family characters audiences know and love.

“With a portfolio of popular and internationally successful brands such as Teletubbies, In the Night Garden and Boy & Dragon, we’re very excited to be teaming up with WildBrain Spark and to take their characters into the world of AR.”

Based in South Korea, ANIPEN Inc. is an augmented reality startup that was founded in 2013 and developed an interactive augmented reality content-authoring engine to help global companies at home and abroad in technology and content. The AnibeaR app was developed and serviced in-house at ANIPEN and was also selected as the Best of AR in Google Play in 2019.

ZAG to premiere two new Miraculous animated films on Disney Channel and Disney+

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Disney Channel and the studio’s own streaming platform Disney+ have acquired the global rights to two new Miraculous animated TV movies, set to air this autumn and spring 2021. The two new feature films will take the cast of Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir on their first overseas adventures, the first to New York City, the second to Shanghai.

The launch is the result of a partnership between the independent animation studio ZAG and the European animation leader ON Kids & Family. The two companies are also currently in production on a $60 million budget animated Miraculous feature to be released globally in autumn 2021 or early 2022.

The two animated TV movies, Miraculous World – New York -United HeroeZ and Miraculous World – Shanghai – Lady Dragon, will be available on Disney Channel and Disney+ who have acquired global rights except for Brazil and China. It will then roll out across France’s TF1 for the second window.

Brazil’s Gloob (Grupo Globo), Canada’s Family Channel & Télé-Québec and UK’s POP have acquired respective territory rights.  Created by ZAG and produced by ZAG and ON kids & family (Mediawan Group), the 3D-CGI-animated TV movies are directed by Thomas Astruc.

“With our two new movies, we’re expanding the world of Miraculous like never before as Ladybug and Cat Noir explore New York and Shanghai, and meet new superheroes as they take on treacherous villains far away from their home city of Paris,” commented Jeremy Zag, founder and CEO of ZAG.

“We thank all of our fans for their continued love for Ladybug and Cat Noir, and our tremendous partners, and we can’t wait to share this whole world of new amazing hero characters with everyone.”

Aton Soumache, president and co-founder of On Kids & Family, added: “We are fortunate to be the producers of an extraordinary franchise, that has grown forcefully over time, with phenomenal success and which crosses frontiers. It is now time to extend “The Miraculous World” and today we are taking our universe to a decisive stage in its evolution. The legend will now expand all over the world.”

Miraculous has garnered over 16 billion views on YouTube (authorized and of user-generated content) and has seen over 150 million products sold during the past three years. Miraculous is the winner of thirteen awards, including the 2018 Teen Choice Award for Choice Animated Series, and airs in over 120 countries across the globe.

Experiential production outfit Gamepath will mark UK launch with immersive Monopoly deal

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Gamepath, a new company dedicated to developing and staging experiential and live gameplay productions in partnership with leading global entertainment brands has launched into the UK. The new outfit will make its UK debut with the launch of an immersive Monopoly experience in collaboration with Hasbro.

Further details of inaugural projects will be revealed in the coming months, but will include partnerships with other major and iconic titles across the gaming and cinematic genres.

Gamepath comes in under the umbrella of H&R Entertainment, the parent company of Selladoor Worldwide theatrical production company. Gamepath’s work will encapsulate the best of escape rooms – a booming global industry – combined with immersive theatrical magic, and innovative translations of much-loved titles in Covid-secure venues in London and beyond.

With the gaming industry in the UK projected to be worth an estimated £23bn by 2023, and the global tabletop board games market projected to be worth more than $12bn by the same year, and with over 10,000 escape rooms in existence worldwide, Gamepath will look to bring new audiences for live entertainment from the growing gaming sector and with a unique fusion of theatrical storytelling, thrilling gameplay and global brands.

Led by head of development Julia Posen, who came to the company from Walker Books and previously BBC Worldwide, the company comprises associate producer Paul Mansfield, development producer Tom Beynon, and is headed up by CEO David Hutchinson and CFO Philip Rowntree.

Hutchinson said: “We’re delighted to launch our new company, Gamepath, dedicated to developing and producing experiential productions in partnership with leading global brands. The gaming sector is a huge industry, and by working alongside household brands developing them into innovative, dynamic live gaming experiences – we’re hoping we can bring a whole host of new audiences to live performance who want to consume entertainment in a different way.”

Posen added: “We’re excited to be working with the leading industry players like Hasbro. For each project we work on, we always seek to ensure the creative heart is worthy of the brand name its based upon. It’s a responsibility taking such iconic properties into a live arena and making sure the experience really delivers something special to our audiences. Our projects will have genuine creative purpose and storytelling that honours all that has gone before.”

H&R Entertainment Ltd is made up of Selladoor Worldwide, I Am Marketing, Desk Tidy Design, and now Gamepath.