Category Archives: Highlight

Magic Light Pictures supports global growth with three promotions

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Multi award-winning Magic Light Pictures, home of The Gruffalo, has announced a series of promotions across its brand and licensing departments.

Aidan Taylor-Gooby has been promoted to Head of Licensing, leading Magic Light Pictures’ successful licensing business. In his new role Aidan will oversee commercial activity across licensed consumer products, brand partnerships and live experiences globally.

As well as focusing on the continued growth of Magic Light’s evergreen Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler titles including The Gruffalo, he will lead the roll-out of the preschool ratings hit Pip and Posy, currently broadcasting daily on Milkshake! and Sky Kids.

Aidan joined Magic Light in July 2017 from Modest Management, where as Brand & Licensing Manager he developed award-winning licensing campaigns for global music acts One Direction, Little Mix, 5 Seconds of Summer and Olly Murs. Aidan began his licensing career at Banijay Kids, creating consumer products partnerships for preschool properties Waybuloo, Mister Maker, Little Princess and Tickety Toc.

Alex Sanson is promoted to Senior Brand Manager. Since 2013 Alex has worked across product development, licensing and marketing for the Gruffalo family of brands. Alex has worked with major partners such as Eden Project, Yorkshire Tea, Kew Gardens and The Royal Mint. She will continue to develop Gruffalo partnerships with Merlin Entertainments, Forestry England, Arla Big Milk and Twycross Zoo.

After the enormous success of Superworm last Christmas, the fourth most-watched show on Christmas Day, Alex will build on her work with BBC One for the launch of the animated specials.

Bridie Gibbs takes on additional responsibilities as Product Development Manager, responsible for all product development and approvals across Magic Light’s portfolio. Bridie joined Magic Light in March 2018 from Santoro, where as Product Development Executive she worked across high-end gift and lifestyle products, including fine art brands such as “Gorjuss”.

Leaving the Magic Light team is Brand Director Daryl Shute. After sixteen years with the company, Daryl decided the time was right to explore new opportunities. As Brand Director, Daryl oversaw the growth of the Gruffalo brand both in the UK and internationally, developing and delivering a licensing and brand engagement strategy for sustained long-term growth and successfully building the in-house licensing team.

Martin Pope and Michael Rose, Joint Managing Directors at Magic Light, said: “Daryl played an immense role in the growth of Magic Light over 16 hugely successful years and we will be forever grateful for his tremendous contribution. We absolutely respect his desire to explore new opportunities, but he will be greatly missed.

“We’re delighted that the team and strategy Daryl has built are all in place for continued growth in the years ahead, and look forward to Aidan, Alex and Bridie stepping up and enjoying the challenge of their new roles.”

Rocket Licensing signs Little People, BIG DREAMS

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Rocket Licensing has announced that it will be representing children’s book property Little People, BIG DREAMS, and will build a consumer products programme for the inspirational brand.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is the original and bestselling series of illustrated biographies exploring the lives of outstanding people for readers aged three to seven years old. The subjects of the books range from designers and artists to scientists and activists, all of whom have achieved incredible things, but began life as a child with a dream.

Told as a story, with a facts and photos section at the back, the children’s series, published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, part of the Quarto Group, and created by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, has sold over 7.5 million copies worldwide and been published in 35 languages.

With such a diverse range of people as subjects, the brand offers the perfect way to celebrate key milestones throughout the year, including titles such as Marie Curie on International Women’s Day; Frida Kahlo on World Book Day; a variety of sporting icons like Muhammad Ali for sporting events; Stephen Hawking for British Science Week; and Nelson Mandela during Black History Month. Little People, BIG DREAMS aims to inspire every little dreamer’s ambition.

Planned titles for 2022 include Neil Armstrong, Laverne Cox, Nikola Tesla, Mae Jemison and many more. The series will also publish its 100th title in 2023, to be announced soon.

Rocket will be discussing the exciting brand with licensees across a wide range of categories, and plans to create a licensing programme including apparel, dress-up, games and puzzles, publishing, stationery, gifting, and much more. A brand-new style guide will be available for licensing partners, using the stunning illustrations from the series.

Charlie Donaldson, joint MD, Rocket Licensing, commented: “Little People, BIG DREAMS is a unique and inspirational brand, which brings history and culture to life for the younger generation in a fun, bright and colourful way. We’re really looking forward to bringing the property into the homes and lives of children across a wide range of consumer products.”

Shannon Cullen, Group Publishing Director for Children’s at Quarto Group, added: “We are so proud of the way our bestselling series has inspired children all over the world to achieve their dreams. It’s an exciting opportunity to be working with Rocket and our series creator, Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, on bringing these stories to life off the page.”

Bluey brings first-ever live show to U.S. audiences

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The much-loved Heeler family are coming to theatres across the United States with the Bluey live show, Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show.

The Emmy Award-winning animated preschool series, which airs on Disney Junior, Disney Channel, and Disney+, will be “taking the show on the road” to theatres all across the U.S., starting with its November 18, 2022 premiere at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. See blueylive.com for more information and to purchase tickets, which will be on sale from late May 2022.

Fans of all ages will get to see Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, and Chilli as they’ve never seen them before, as the Heelers embark on their very first live theatre show in the U.S. featuring puppetry, live actors, and iconic sets. Based on an original new story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show also contains new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush.

“After seeing the amazing reaction the show received during its Australia run, we are delighted to bring this standout live theatre show to U.S. audiences,” says director Rosemary Myers of Windmill Theatre Co. “We know how much love there is out there for Bluey and are thrilled and honored to translate these brilliant characters into the three-dimensional world and to share this special experience with fans throughout America.”

“U.S. audiences have whole-heartedly embraced Bluey and all its Aussie quirks, and I can’t wait to see their reaction to the live show,” says Kate O’Connor, Head of Licensing and Brands, BBC Studios ANZ. “Bluey’s Big Play is exceptional, and the fact it has such a talented Aussie team behind it makes even more special. And I must add I’m personally pretty excited for a bin chicken to make its U.S. theatre debut!”

Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show is presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co. The stage show enjoyed much success in the home market of Australia, where it premiered in Bluey’s hometown Brisbane and went on to perform 447 times across 65 venues, including the Sydney Opera House.

The Smiley Company launches exclusive digital designs on Ready Games’ Icon app

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Epik, a specialist in bridging the gap between real-world brands and digital ecosystems, has connected Ready Games, the leading distributed web3 gaming ecosystem on mobile, and Smiley Company, the lifestyle brand and original creator of the iconic smiling emoticon now celebrating its 50th anniversary.

In honour of Smiley’s half-century, the brands have launched a bespoke virtual fashion line of SmileyWorld branded merchandise for Ready Games’ app, ‘ICON Avatar Fashion Universe’. In the app, players can now choose up to 21 unique SmileyWorld pieces to add to their avatars’ virtual fashion closets. 

“Ready’s innovative NFT technology provides brands and creators with the opportunity to elevate fashion collections in the digital space,” says Christina Macedo, COO of Ready Games.” Our vision is for players to be able to express themselves through clothing and in-game accessories. Smiley’s iconic symbol of universal happiness is the perfect fit for our first animated and textured NFT fashion collection. The whole collection feels fresh, playful, and wonderfully iridescent – truly brilliant!”

“Launching a collection of SmileyWorld virtual fashions with Ready Games is an exciting leap into the metaverse for The Smiley Company,” says Lori Heiss-Tiplady SVP of Digital at The Smiley Company. “The ICON app is the perfect launching pad for digital fashions from our lifestyle brand born in the digital universe and built on self-expression. The animated patterns and avatars made possible by Ready’s ground-breaking technology will allow users to express their moods in a bold new way with SmileyWorld.”

 

Children’s brand Belle & Boo seals licensing deal with Michael Miller Fabrics

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Award-winning UK children’s brand Belle & Boo has signed a licensing deal with US-based Michael Miller Fabrics. Four collections each year will be distributed via the American firm, making Belle & Boo’s fabrics available to the $4.2 billion quilting market.

The collections will be marketed as “Belle & Boo Out to Play” and will complement international online sales of the brand’s organic cotton fabrics via www.belleandboo.com.

The first in the series, called “Seaside and Sandcastles”, will enter stores in spring 2023. Featuring the eponymous Belle, a sweet little girl who is never seen without her bunny friend Boo, it aims to bring to mind a trip to the beach. Including hand-drawn illustrations of children playing and building sandcastles by the sea, it will be the perfect fabric for all summer craft projects.

Established in 2008, Belle & Boo was originally known for its whimsical children’s books featuring the childhood duo. Its enchanting world now extends to unique children’s room décor including a huge choice of fabrics that evoke Enid Blyton and vintage illustration.

The Belle & Boo characters encapsulate a childhood of simple pleasures: sloshing in puddles, crunching through leaves, fluttering kites, tiny tea parties, blowing dandelion clocks, and building sandcastles.

Michael Miller is a New York City based fabric specialist that aims to offer beautiful designs and inspire creativity. Founded in 1999 by Michael Steiner and Kathy Miller, it distributes via stores and online throughout the US.

Kate Shafe, co-founder and managing director of Belle & Boo, says: “It’s a world of friendship and fun, balloons and rainbows, princesses, knights and mermaids. It was created to spark imaginations, ignite dreams and allow children to be children. The first collection reflects this, conjuring the feel of sand between your toes while you sew with this beautiful collection of seaside-inspired designs.”

Shari Goldenberg, marketing manager at Michael Miller Fabrics, adds: “We’re excited about bringing a series of beautiful Belle & Boo fabrics worldwide. The first, Seaside and Sandcastles, is an adorably sweet 100% cotton collection that will launch in January 2023 for wholesale customers and will be shipping to stores Spring 2023.”

Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2022: the winners

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The winners of The B&LLAs 2022 industry awards were announced yesterday at an awards event held at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel in London.

Hosted by Ed Gamble, the brand licensing community’s annual get-together was attended by 400 retailers, licensees and brand owners who shared in the joy as the worthy winners made their way to the stage to collect their trophies.

And, after three years, the ceremony was back in its rightful spring slot.

“While we are all very well aware of the current challenges and global upsets that fill our daily lives, it also good to reflect that as these B&LLAs awards recognise and reward achievements over 2021 – a year massively affected by Covid – of just how resilient the brand and lifestyle licensing sector has showed itself to be, forging a powerful connection with the public,” said Jakki Brown, director of Max Publishing in the welcome speech.

The grand finale of the awards ceremony was the Brand Ambassador Award, which was presented to Adam Bass, MD of Golden Goose, for his continued contribution to this dynamic sector.

The winners of the B&LLAs 2022 are:

PRODUCT AWARD CATEGORIES

Best Brand Licensed Fashion Accessories or Lifestyle Product or Range (sponsored by Lisle Licensing)
Jelly Belly Sneakers from Reebok

Best Brand Licensed Food or Beverage Product or Range (sponsored by MDR Brand Management)
TGI Fridays Frozen Appetisers and Desserts from Iceland

Best Brand Licensed Health & Beauty Product or Range (sponsored by Sara Miller London)
Van Gogh Museum Sunflower Pop from Floral Street Fragrances

Best Brand Licensed Adult Apparel Product or Range (sponsored by ASPIRE by WildBrain CPLG)
Morris & Co. Apparel Collection from Next

Best Brand Licensed Gifting Product or Range (sponsored by Country Living/House Beautiful)
Joules Crafting Range from A2V

Best Brand Licensed Homewares, Kitchen & Tabletop Product or Range (sponsored by Pink Key Licensing)
V&A Reflect Series from Richard Brendon

Best Brand Licensed Children’s Product or Range (sponsored by Start Licensing)
RHS Collection from George@Asda

Best Brand Licensed Electrical &/or DIY Products or Range (sponsored by Golden Goose)
National Trust Lighting Collection from Anglepoise

Best Brand Licensed Home Décor Product or Range (sponsored by Natural History Museum)
Good Housekeeping Sofa Collection from DFS

Inspired Innovation Brand Licensed Product or Range Award (sponsored by Discovery Consumer Products)
Tetris Tetrimino Waffle Maker from Fizz Creations

The Sustainability Brand Licensed Product or Range Award (sponsored by Products of Change)
Eden Project Compostable Coffee Capsules from Fresh Coffee Shop

 

RETAIL AWARD CATEGORIES

Best Fashion Retailer of Licensed Brands (sponsored by Beanstalk)
Primark

Best Department Store or Mixed Retailer of Licensed Brands (sponsored by Metrostar)
Next

Best Supermarket of Licensed Brands (sponsored by TSBA Group)
Iceland Foods

Best Specialist Retailer of Licensed Brands (sponsored by Brandgenuity)
Homebase

PROPERTY AWARD CATEGORIES

Best Licensed Heritage or Institution Brand (sponsored by Brand Licensing Europe)
Natural History Museum

Best Licensed Lifestyle Brand (sponsored by Dependable Solutions)
House Beautiful

Best Licensed Design-led Lifestyle Brand (sponsored by Poetic Brands)
Laura Ashley

Best Licensed Food or Beverage Brand (sponsored by Erve Group)
The Hershey Company

Best Licensed Fashion or Talent Brand (sponsored by H&A)
Sara Miller London

Brand Licensing Ambassador of the Year (sponsored by Brandcomply.com/Octane5)
Adam Bass, MD, Golden Goose

 

Finsbury grows Gordon’s portfolio with new gin-flavour cupcakes

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Specialist baker Finsbury Food Group continues to grow its longstanding partnership with global drinks giant Diageo, after announcing a second collaboration with the best-selling gin brand Gordon’s.

Following on from last summer’s successful launch of one of the brand’s signature distilled gins in cake form, Gordon’s Premium Pink Cake (available in ASDA RRP £12), Finsbury Food Group have added Gordon’s gin-inspired cupcakes to its growing portfolio with the drinks brand.

Available online and in-store at Tesco from 25 April, the Divine Duo Cupcakes are topped with gin flavour frosting and finished with edible decorations. With an RRP of £4, each pack contains three pink vanilla flavour sponges topped with gin flavour frosting and dried raspberry pieces, and three vanilla sponges topped with gin flavour frosting and lemon sugar sprinkles.

Emma Hamilton, Brand Manager at Finsbury Food Group, says: “After seeing consumers flock to purchase the Gordon’s Premium Pink Cake last summer, we knew that there was further appetite to combine Diageo’s much-loved portfolio of drink brands with our expertise and bring to market innovative products in new formats. By launching the Divine Duo Cupcakes, we are confident that we can replicate the success of our previous collaboration. Not just appealing to gin lovers, each cupcake comprises delicious flavour combinations to make this treat suitable for all to enjoy.

“With the strength of the Gordon’s brand and the exceptional products that Finsbury is known for, we can’t wait to see how consumers react to the newest edition in our range, when the cupcakes land in Tesco this spring.”

Declan Hassett, Senior Licensing Manager at Diageo, adds: “After the triumph of last summer’s Premium Pink cake, Diageo have continued to work with our partners at Finsbury to once again bring something new and exciting to the supermarket aisles. We are excited to see the enjoyment our new cupcakes bring to consumers this spring!”

Luiz Ferreira appointed as Fanattik Sales Director

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Fanattik, the award-winning UK based pop culture gift licensee, has appointed Luiz Ferreira to the position of Sales Director.

Luiz started with Fanattik as a consultant three years ago before moving up to head of sales, and now as Sales Director he will be managing relationships with gift retailers throughout the UK, mainland Europe, MENA and Australasia.

Fanattik is a gift, home décor, barware and collectibles licensee for Hasbro, CBSViacom, Universal Studios, Microsoft, Bethesda, Capcom, Studio MDHR and many more.

A gaming and film fan himself, Luiz brings more twenty years’ experience working with pop culture merchandise to the role.

Anthony Marks, M.D Fanattik, says: “With a number of high-profile licensing agreements which we will be announcing post Las Vegas Licensing Expo, we needed someone on the senior team to help support the national gift retailers Fanattik supplies throughout Europe and beyond. Luiz has a proven track history in doing that.”

For further details on Fanattik, email hello@wearefanattik.com

Miffy partners with BYBORRE for knitwear and accessories collection

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Miffy – the iconic bunny character created by graphic artist Dick Bruna – is launching  a new limited-edition, responsibly sourced men’s knitwear and accessories range.

The collection has been created by BYBORRE, a Dutch textile innovation company committed to democratizing the textile industry by offering transparency, reliability and freedom in textile creation.

To achieve this, BYBORRE uses its award-winning software platform Create™ to allow the design, sampling and production of textiles all in one place in the company’s Amsterdam-based knitlab, or via its transparent ecosystem of suppliers. This approach means less waste and more design freedom for the company and the creators with which it collaborates.

Dick Bruna’s illustrative style – recognised worldwide – captures the essence of a character or story with just a few lines and a small range of colours.

BYBORRE has mirrored this style, producing a capsule collection of refined menswear where the simple designs play with the scale of Bruna’s artwork; some garments feature large-scale linework, others feature smaller repeat patterns, some just feature subtle imprints of Miffy’s iconic silhouette. The palette of colours, like Bruna’s, is limited.

The collection spans men’s staples such as a suit jacket, trousers and button tee, as well as key pieces that have featured in previous BYBORRE limited edition ranges but have evolved here – including an open-back vest, layer shirt and an A-type jacket.

The range also includes lifestyle accessories comprising a versatile everyday bag, a large woven blanket, a FIDLOCK equipped Keycord and a classic 5-Panel cap.

Marja Kerkhof, MD of Mercis, which manages the Miffy brand, says: “The new BYBORRE collection is an important step in the evolution of our global collections for the Miffy brand. Not only is the range responsibly produced – something we want more of our licensees to consider – but it also showcases Miffy’s design kudos and unisex appeal, together with the creative flexibility Dick Bruna’s work offers.”

Borre Akkersdijk, CCO of BYBORRE, adds: “It has been a privilege to pay homage to Dick Bruna’s art in our 10th Limited Edition. We hope it will inspire creators worldwide ‘to be part of something bigger’ by creating consciously bespoke textiles that don’t impact the planet.”

The Miffy BYBORRE limited edition range is now available from Selfridges in the UK and www.byborre.com

WildBrain’s Strawberry Shortcake kicks off “Fruitastic” produce promotion

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Top-selling U.S. fruit brands Sunkist Growers, Naturipe Farms and T&G Global’s Envy Apples have launched a new “Fruitastic” promotion for WildBrain’s new animated Strawberry Shortcake series Berry in the Big City (now available on YouTube and Netflix).

According to a recent study, shoppers increased their basket spend by over 50 percent when strawberries and blood oranges were purchased on the same trip compared to the average strawberry trip. Total basket spend increases were also seen with apples and blood oranges trips.

This spring, Naturipe (strawberries and blueberries) is representing WildBrain’s new Strawberry Shortcake character in the berry category, Sunkist is promoting Blood oranges with Strawberry Shortcake’s friend Orange Blossom, and Envy (apples) is celebrating Strawberry Shortcake’s move to Big Apple City in the new series. A complete “Fruitastic” produce takeover featuring images of Strawberry Shortcake and her friends will kick off in May at select U.S. retailers in time for Mother’s Day, with merchandisers provided by the participating produce suppliers. With limited-edition packaging and merchandising displays, in-store promotional opportunities are available for a short time.

“As life-long fans of the original Strawberry Shortcake series, we are thrilled to be partnering with WildBrain, as well as Sunkist and Envy, to celebrate the new series,” says CarrieAnn Arias, Vice President of Marketing of Naturipe Farms. “This gives our produce brands a great opportunity to cross-promote all the delicious fruit that is featured in Berry in the Big City and to help establish the next generation of fans of this iconic brand.”

To celebrate the partnership and to prominently feature its strawberries and blueberries, Naturipe has launched an interactive webpage featuring Strawberry Shortcake and Blueberry Muffin that includes new custom recipe videos that inspire users to “bake the world a better place”. This page also includes downloadable activities for kids and grown-ups alike.

Sunkist rolled out limited-edition packaging for Blood oranges, featuring Strawberry Shortcake and Orange Blossom, available in 2lb and 3lb bags at select retailers. Naturipe has POS display signage to support this promotion available for retailers. Envy apples has also created promotional 2lb bags and bins. All three brands have also developed recipes for citrus, berries, and apple fans of all ages.

“This in-store and online promotion is unique, as all three brands come together to celebrate healthy eating and snacking in a ‘fruitastic’ way,” says Christina Ward, Senior Director of Global Marketing at Sunkist. “Our data shows that 62 percent of Blood orange shoppers prefer to eat them as a snack, so we are excited to introduce shoppers to a specialty variety they may have never tried before, like Sunkist Blood oranges.”

“As Strawberry Shortcake and pals ‘bake the world a better place’ in Big Apple City, only the best apple will do,” says Cecilia Flores Paez, Head of Marketing North America at T&G Global. “That’s why Strawberry Shortcake has partnered with Envy apples. Prized for their beautifully balanced sweetness, uplifting fresh aroma, and delightfully satisfying crunch, Envy apples are a perfect ingredient for enjoying both exciting adventures and everyday special moments with the people we love.”

“We’re thrilled that parents and kids – especially moms and daughters – will be able to share their love of Strawberry Shortcake and delicious fruit this spring through our partnership with Sunkist Growers, Naturipe Farms and Envy Apples,” adds Michael Riley, CBO at WildBrain. “These household-name brands are ideal promotional partners in our global Strawberry Shortcake franchise programme, designed to inspire and delight kids through new content, toys, games, books, music, events and more.”

WildBrain’s new series, Berry in the Big City, invites fans to join Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City, with her friends Orange Blossom, Lime Chiffon, Lemon Meringue and Blueberry Muffin, as the entrepreneurial girls run their fabulous food trucks and enjoy daily adventures filled with laughter and singing.

For more information, visit these unique landing pages: Naturipe, Envy and Sunkist.