Category Archives: Highlight

Penguin Random House Children’s plans 120th birthday celebrations for Peter Rabbit

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The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter was first published in 1902 and since then the iconic rabbit in a blue jacket has gone on to win the hearts of millions of families around the world. The original Tale has sold over 46 million copies globally and has been published in 48 languages including Braille and Hieroglyphics.

Penguin Random House Children’s will be celebrating Peter’s 120th birthday with a suitably adventurous, fun-filled campaign, creating a wealth of opportunities for families to party with Peter throughout 2022.

The Owned Brands team at Penguin Random House Children’s will launch a purpose-driven PR and digital campaign, working with high profile partners and ambassadors in the outdoors space to reaffirm Peter’s continued relevance and appeal to young families. Peter Rabbit’s role as children’s ambassador for the Queen’s Green Canopy will see Peter supporting tree planting initiatives throughout the year whilst celebratory Picnics for Peter will take place during the summer supported by key partners and at locations throughout the UK.

“With an incredible legacy that has endured since 1902, we wanted to use this milestone for the brand to celebrate Peter Rabbit’s continued relevance and resonance with today’s families,” says Izzy Richardson, Global Director, Owned Brands, Penguin Random House Children’s. “Our ambitious, year-long series of birthday celebrations will enable us to connect parents, young children and fans with The World of Peter Rabbit, helping to continue Beatrix Potter’s legacy for a new generation. Through new immersive experiences, digital and social content, consumer products and publishing, everyone is invited to celebrate with Peter in 2022.”

Penguin Ventures, the licensing team at Penguin Random House Children’s, will be growing a number of existing product ranges throughout 2022 in the UK including new apparel collections with expanded retail placement from Dennicci as well as new gardening lines from Jardinopia. In addition DNC are confirmed to launch picnicware and online retailer My First Years is signed for personalised infant product. A number of special commemorative ranges will also launch across plush, apparel and gifting categories.

Penguin Ventures has also confirmed a programme of experiential activations in the UK offering families immersive events throughout the year. A brand new Peter Rabbit Story Time Trail will launch in March and tour libraries and gallery spaces across the country, with venues booked up until July 2023 offering little ones the chance to step into The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Meanwhile the first Peter Rabbit themed entertainment parties will launch in 2022, in a new deal with children’s party entertainers Captain Fantastic, combining party games, magic and plenty of Peter Rabbit’s trademark mischief.

In addition, Happy Birthday Peter Rabbit, a brand new stage production, will be launching at the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in the Lake District next summer. The show encompasses music, puppetry and live action, offering audiences an exciting and memorable theatrical experience.

Outside of the UK, celebrations will include a major touring exhibition of Potter’s original Peter Rabbit artwork in Japan with exhibition partner Toei, marking the first time the collection will have left the UK. The exhibition will tour three major cities from March through to November and is expected to attract over 160,000 visitors, and will be supported by a national media campaign. Additionally, a new permanent Peter Rabbit English Garden will open at Fuji Motosuko Resort in a deal brokered by Sony Creative Products with Fujikyuko Co. Ltd. The attraction will include a café, shop and museum. A new Japanese publishing partner, Hayakawa, has also been confirmed, reflecting Penguin Random House Children’s strategy to bring the World of Peter Rabbit publishing to family audiences in this key territory for the brand.

In Australia, a collectable 120th anniversary stamp pack will be produced by Australia Post and consist of 12 commemorative stamps. The pack will be available in around 1,000 Australia Post stores across the country. In addition, plush partner Jasnor will be launching a range of a special edition Peter Rabbit plush to commemorate the anniversary.

“The birthday moment presents a fantastic opportunity for both our existing licensees as well as new partners in the UK and other key international territories,” says Susan Bolsover, Global Licensing and Consumer Products Director, Penguin Ventures. “We have been delighted with the way in which licensees, promotional partners and retailers are supporting this milestone moment, helping create memories for existing and new Peter Rabbit fans alike, be that through products, experiences or events. There is much more to look out for in 2022!”

Finally, Penguin Random House Children’s will be launching a range of commemorative publishing throughout 2022 including a picture book edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, featuring Beatrix Potter’s original text and iconic illustrations. This new large format will be perfect for families to share together, helping new readers discover Peter at his most adventurous. The Tale of Peter Rabbit will be released in picture book format in April 2022, and will be supported with a creative and high-profile Publicity and Marketing anniversary campaign.

Sky’s Obki ties up with Products of Change to launch sustainable character merchandise

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With Brand Licensing Europe just around the corner, Products of Change has announced the launch of a truly sustainable brand champion for the community and planet.

Obki on Sky Kids will be a leading force in driving the sustainability agenda on a global platform through a series of worldwide licensing deals via newly signed licensing agency the Radius Group. Launching at The Brand Licensing Europe Show on November 17, supported by Products of Change, Obki will bring together the most sustainable companies to curate a range of brand lifestyle products, including apparel, plush, toys, food, drink and publishing for children.

The cartoon series on Sky Kids features Obki, a loveable alien, on his journey to be a positive force for good on Earth. The show is part of Sky’s campaign to be net zero carbon by 2030 and its commitment to encourage its customers to #GoZero, by using its content and channels to raise awareness of the climate crisis and inspire viewers with actions they can take to protect the planet.

Products of Change is a global educational hub aimed at driving sustainable change across consumer product markets and beyond and will highlight the inroad that Obki on Sky Kids is making as a sustainable brand. With growing numbers of shoppers calling on retailers, brands and governments to implement change from Cop26, Obki is working with Sky Zero and Products of Change as part of its strategy.

Global licensing expert and CEO of the Radius Group, Damian Hopkins, says: “Obki has a unique ability to command the most sustainable licensing partners and influence what toys, clothes and food consumers buy and how they use their purchases at home. Obki will lead by example, driving change in the character licensing industry, by collaborating with licensees and partners to deliver products with sustainability at their core.”

Obki founder Amanda Evans coined the term “small step sustainability” – the notion that providing customers with a wide range of branded goods that they know and trust as being truly sustainable will make it easier and quicker for them to make multiple sustainable decisions, both in store and at home.

For 2022, Obki will focus on being the voice of positivity and proactivity in the face of climate change doom and gloom and communicate that small changes make a big difference. Customers will be able to view Obki on Sky Kids and obtain detailed information about the sustainability credentials of Obki’s food, clothing, toys or homewares that they are purchasing.

Amanda says: “We want to educate consumers about Obki’s sustainability principles and how they can shop more ethically and reach for the product that they know is better for the planet. Retailers will then be able to shift ethically minded consumers towards these products. Obki will become an active ambassador for climate change by inspiring the next generation to be environmentally intuitive in their thinking and decision making.”

Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO and founder of Products of Change, says: “Obki is an example of a brand that embeds sustainability into its thinking and operations. To see the ambitions of the team to build a truly sustainable licensed brand from content to product is pretty phenomenal, as well as incorporating a large proportion of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals within its sustainability framework. It is a real honour to be working with such a progressive team at Obki to bring this to life, and I am really looking forward to watching its success around the world.”

OBKI was screened at COP26 at a special event called ‘World Leaders Listen Up’ and Obki’s animator Simone Giampaolo was chosen as a UK Government ‘One Step Greener’ Ambassador.

 

MOLANG partners with Gen Z influencers and youth charity for World Kindness Day

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MOLANG, the digital property owned and produced by Paris-based production studio Millimages, has recruited a group of UK-based Gen Z influencers as the #MolangKindnessCrew to help spread kindness.

In another act of kindness, MOLANG has donated £10,000 to The Mix – the UK’s leading support service for young people – to help fund its upcoming #OneKindWord campaign which aims to curb cyberbullying.

Timed to coincide with this year’s World Kindness Day (13 November) and the UK’s Anti-Bullying Week (15-19 November), this is MOLANG’S first purpose-led activity in the UK.

The Mix provides a free and confidential 24-hour support network for under 25s.  MOLANG’s donation will fund a two-week digital campaign focused on cyberbullying, providing support and advice for those affected by online bullying and trolling, as well as aligning with the UK’s Anti-Bullying Alliance’s 2021 theme “One Kind Word” by creating, promoting and inspiring kindness pledges.

Animations, GIFs and images of MOLANG will feature across the campaign’s content (co-created by young people and experts). Comprising videos, articles, Q&As, quizzes, reels, social resource packs and a competition, the content will be promoted across The Mix’s social media channels, online community, email newsletter and website with a dedicated Bullying Support hub page: themix.org.uk/bullying-support.

Zoë Bailie, Deputy CEO at The Mix, says: “Bullying can have a massively destructive impact on the lives of young people, leading to poor mental health and low self-esteem. The Mix is hugely grateful to  MOLANG for championing our work on this issue, by funding our campaign and helping us reach even more young people who are experiencing bullying and offering them free and confidential support. MOLANG is the perfect partner to collaborate with to spread kindness and compassion during Anti-Bullying Week.”

Set to be unveiled on World Kindness Day, the #MolangKindnessCrew initially comprises four Gen Z influencers who will post co-branded video content across Instagram and TikTok, inviting their followers to tag a friend – with a kind word about them – in the comments and in stories. Millimages hopes the #MolangKindnessCrew will grow exponentially in 2022, so that more social communities engage with MOLANG’s mission to spread kindness worldwide.

Marina Narishkin of Millimages comments: “MOLANG’s core value is kindness – something that particularly resonates with today’s Gen Zs who are a key target audience for the property worldwide – and partnering with the Mix is kindness in action. We are also excited to recruit our first UK members of the #MolangKindnessCrew and roll out the concept internationally, with the help of our 11 international licensing agents, as part of our long-term brand strategy.”

MOLANG started life in 2010 as a doodle by Hye Ji Yoon, a Korean illustrator, but quickly grew into a digital sensation, with over 16 billion views on GIPHY and more than 4 million social media followers. Having acquired global rights in 2015, Millimages produced a MOLANG Tv series of over 260 episodes sold in 190 countries, thanks to author and creator Marie-Caroline Villand, which has now evolved into a lifestyle brand with a successful consumer products programme, supported by 11 international licensing agents.

The UK licensing agent for MOLANG is The Point. 1888

 

Cartoon Saloon’s “Silly Sundays” and “Puffin Rock – The Movie” presented for first time at BLE

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Five-time Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Emmy Award-nominated Irish animation studio, Cartoon Saloon, will attend Brand Licensing Expo (BLE) for their second time to present licensing and merchandising opportunities for two new preschool properties: the recently announced animated preschool series Silly Sundays and their new feature film Puffin Rock – The Movie. Also being presented is Cartoon Saloon’s Irish Folklore Trilogy, featuring WolfWalkers, The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea.

Brian Tyrrell, Cartoon Saloon’s General Manager, Licensing & Merchandise, says: “This is going to be an exciting BLE for Cartoon Saloon. In the preschool space, we’re presenting for the first time our newest animated series, Silly Sundays, for which we’ve already had many discussions and seen huge interest since we announced our deal with WarnerMedia Kids & Family for the series to air on the new Cartoonito preschool block on HBO Max and Cartoon Network, along with RTE in Ireland. We’re also proud to debut Puffin Rock – The Movie, based on the award-winning hit series, which will debut in 2022.

“BLE will also provide us with the opportunity to speak to potential partners about Cartoon Saloon’s Irish Folklore Trilogy. With the completion of WolfWalkers, with its Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA nomination among its more than 100 awards nominations and 45 award wins to date, and also Academy Award nominees Song of the Sea and The Secret of Kells, we’re delighted to work with potential licensing partners to create merchandise for fans geared toward the movie trilogy that offers further engagement across the brands.”

Silly Sundays is an animated comedy series following cousins Sonia, Hugo and Mel on fun, unexpected adventures at their family get-togethers. Created by Oscar-nominated producer Nuria González Blanco (Late Afternoon), Silly Sundays will debut in 2023 on Cartoonito in the U.S.,  LATAM and EMEA, as well as with RTE in Ireland.

Co-produced with long-time partner Dog Ears and Chinese partner CNB, Puffin Rock – The Movie, based on the Emmy Award-nominated preschool TV Series Puffin Rock (78×7), will debut in the summer/autumn of 2022. The movie sees the heroic Oona work with her new friend Ursula to save their island, and a precious little egg, in an action-packed story which celebrates the puffins’ magnificent natural environment. The popular series enjoys international success, having received an International Emmy Award nomination, two Kidscreen Awards and a Royal Television Award, and has been a huge hit with preschool audiences. Puffin Rock screens globally on Netflix and on Tencent in China where it has been streamed over 170 million times, and on linear TV around the globe.

Cartoon Saloon will be seeking licensing partners for all properties across Toys, Apparel, Games/Puzzles, Crafts, Publishing, Accessories and more.

Magic, fantasy and Celtic mythology come to life in Cartoon Saloon’s celebrated Irish Folklore Trilogy, featuring three Academy Award-nominated modern animated classics.

Early deals for the trilogy include a 4-Disc Blu-ray box set to be made available December 14 in North America with GKIDS and Shout! Factory and in the UK/Ireland with Studio Canal. This deluxe set features animatics and bonus features for the three films never released before in North America and is presented in environmentally friendly packaging that reflects each film’s loving depiction of the natural world.

Cartoon Saloon will be developing a consumer products program for the Trilogy across multiple key categories, including Apparel, Games, Publishing, and Accessories, with an anticipated retail debut in 2022.

About WolfWalkers: Set in Kilkenny, Ireland, in the mid-17th century, Wolfwalkers tells the story of Robyn Goodfellow, a young apprentice hunter who comes to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last pack of wolves. Her life changes after she saves a native girl, Mebh, leading to her discovery of the Wolfwalkers and her transformation into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy. WolfWalkers is co-produced with Luxembourg’s Melusine Productions in association with Shenzhen based V & P Media and has won over 45 major awards together with Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. Wolfwalkers is available nearly worldwide on Apple TV+.

About The Secret of Kells: The Secret of Kells is a  bewitching animated fairy-tale for children and adults alike that is a spirited retelling of the provenance of Ireland’s most cherished artefact, the Book of Kells, combining stunning artwork influenced by Irish medieval illustrations. It was Cartoon Saloon’s first feature film and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2010. The film was a co-production with Vivi Film (Belgium) and Les Armateurs (France).

About Song of the Sea: Song of the Sea takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land. Song of the Sea was a co-production with Cartoon Saloon, Melusine Productions (Luxembourg), The Big Farm (Belgium), Nørlum (Denmark) and Superprod (France).

Also in production from Cartoon Saloon and for release in 2022 exclusively for Netflix is My Father’s Dragon, a major animated feature production based on the 1948 Ruth Styles Gannet best-selling book with script by Meg LeFauve.

 

FC Barcelona taps IMG for Southeast Asia licensing programme

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Five-time UEFA Champions League winning football club FC Barcelona has appointed IMG as its master licensee in Southeast Asia to develop a consumer products programme for fans in the region.

Part of the club’s broader merchandising strategy and evolution into a global lifestyle brand, the multi-year deal will see IMG focus on lifestyle and fashion apparel, accessories, luggage and bags, gift and novelty, homeware and textiles, and digital and tech product categories.

Miki Yamamoto, SVP of Licensing, IMG, says: “FC Barcelona is one of the most recognised football clubs in the world and there’s huge untapped potential for brand extension in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, where football has always been extremely popular. This, combined with Barça fans’ unwavering passion for the club and desire to show support for their team, presents extensive licensing opportunities in the region.”

Barça Licensing and Merchandising (BLM) is working with leading companies like IMG to expand FC Barcelona’s lifestyle footprint and provide a 360-degree merchandising experience for Barça fans around the world.

BLE latest: Style Sisters’ live appearance, plus attractions for speed freaks and dog lovers

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Come and meet the celebrities’ favourite duo, the Style Sisters, for an insight into their incredible skill set detoxing, styling and organising homes; relax with special guests from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and Guide Dogs; check out the latest automotive innovations with Motul and more.

With nearly 300,000 Instagram followers, celebrity clients and fans aplenty, Style Sisters Gemma Lilly and Charlotte Reddington are taking time out of their busy schedules to make an exclusive appearance at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) next Thursday (18 November) to tell the story of their burgeoning brand in the Retail Trends Lounge and take part in a meet-and-greet at the BLE bar.

Attendees are not only able to grab one of 40 giveaway copies of their book Style Sisters: Helping you live an organised and stylish life, but also be in with a chance to win a very special wardrobe detox* by The Style Sisters themselves.

“We are thrilled that the Style Sisters are able to join everyone at BLE, talking to retailers, licensees and guests about their success in business and what it takes to bring an organised and stylish life to everyone’s home, and on all levels of budget,” says Francesca Lisle, Managing Director, Lisle Licensing.

“Style Sisters are due to launch their licensing programme in Spring 2022 and are looking forward to sharing their plans with guests in the retail lounge and in the BLE Bar during Thursday afternoon.  After all, every stylish life deserves a glass or two to make you smile!”

Exclusive appearance from the Style Sisters on Thursday 18 November:

2.15pm-2.45pm – Presentation and Q&A in Retail Trends Lounge
2.45pm-3.45pm – Meet & Greet at BLE Bar (Stand C191)

Gemma and Charlotte’s appearance at BLE (17-19 Nov, ExCeL London) is just one of many exciting new announcements to the event schedule.

Each day of the show, BLE attendees can meet a Battersea dog or join the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home team at any time for a chat and ice cream by Jude’s (visit stand #C201), which last year launched its Battersea branded ice cream for dogs.

Guide Dogs for the Blind will also be bringing two adult dogs and two pups in training to the first day of BLE, Wednesday November 17. Attendees can meet them via their brand licensing agent, Bulldog Licensing (stand #A182), or come and say hi as they make their way through the show.

Attendees with a love of all things automotive can visit a wide variety of cars and motorcycles on the show floor from a range of prestigious brands. Direct to Retail will be bringing an M-Sport WRC Rally Car (Stand #D143/C190), BlueSkye Licensing and KJG Ltd will be showcasing the world’s smallest car, the Peel P50, on the BLE Bar and the Motul Café will be hosting two iconic British and Italian bikes – the 1956 Triumph Bobber and 1979 Moto Guzzi Custom – to bring automotive brand licensing to life.

BLE runs from Nov. 17-19 and is also followed by a complementary two-day online event on 30 Nov and 1 Dec. Registration for both events is free and available online at www.brandlicensing.eu. Please note, visitors to the in-person event at ExCeL London are asked to register by Tuesday 16 November.

* The winner of the Style Sisters’ Wardrobe Detox must live within the M25 and must submit a picture of their wardrobe to gain approval. Single/two single wardrobes only.

Sony unveils new licensing collabs ahead of Ghostbusters: Afterlife release

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In advance of the Ghostbusters: Afterlife theatrical release on November 19, Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP) is bolstering the Ghostbusters consumer products programme with a raft of new licensing collaborations. With merchandise and interactive experiences covered across all categories, including apparel, publishing, toys and collectables, home goods, seasonal, gaming, interactive games and more, the current Ghostbusters licensing lineup is the brand’s biggest CP programme of all time. In addition to the U.S., the brand can be found in hundreds of formats around the world, including the UK, Germany, Mexico, Japan and Australia.

“A cult classic and cultural phenomenon, the Ghostbusters brand has withstood the test of time reaching a myriad of fans, generation after generation around the globe,” says Jamie Stevens, EVP, Worldwide Consumer Products, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “We are excited to continue celebrating the famed franchise with the Ghostbusters: Afterlife release. Our partners have been fantastic at bringing the beloved brand characters and themes to life through movie-themed products and interactive experiences we are sure fans will never forget.”

All-new Ghostbusters: Afterlife licensee collaborations include the following:

  • A Ghostbusters’ capsule collection featuring apparel and footwear inspired by the film from streetwear brand A BATHING APE. The collection is now available in stores and at BAPE.com and US.BAPE.com.
  • An in-game integration by Halfbrick Studios launching late November in their title Jetpack Joyride.
  • Hasbro’s first-ever Ghostbusters HasLab project, which gives fans the opportunity to get their hands on a Ghostbusters Plasma Series Spengler’s Proton Pack. Visit the crowdfunding platform HasbroPulse.com to pre-order.
  • AR game Ghostbusters: Afterlife ScARe from Imprezario Entertainment, arriving 19 November.
  • Ghostbusters content to be included in Psyonix’s sports-action video game Rocket League. Details will be revealed on the Rocket League Twitter account and website on November 11.
  • “Ghostbusters: Afterlife: The Art and Making of the Movie”, published by Titan, available to pre-order now at Amazon.com.

SPCP is providing a one-stop-shop where fans can find all their favourite goods across every major product category at shop.ghostbusters.com for shoppers in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia and shop-ghostbusters.com for European shoppers.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife and classic Ghostbusters interactive games, apparel, footwear, collectibles, seasonal, home goods and more are available now:

  • Epic Gameslaunched a Ghostbusters: Afterlife Fortnite in-game integration, where fans completed a series of movie-themed quests in order to unlock a free Ghostbusters back bling.
  • DecoPaccake kits, cake toppers and decoration kits are now available on Amazon.
  • Disguise (the costume division of JAKKS Pacific) costumes, costume accessories and inflatables are available online and at major retailers.
  • Doumakrelaunched limited-edition Campfire Stay Puft and Mini Stay Puft marshmallows. Find nationwide retail locations at https://www.campfiremarshmallows.com.
  • Forbidden Planet has a full assortment of apparel and accessories inspired by the film at www.forbiddenplanet.com.
  • Home décor throws and pillows by Francoare available on Amazon.
  • Funko’s Ghostbusters: Afterlifeassortment includes ten Pop! vinyl figures, all available now for pre-order at Amazon.
  • Giftable keepsake ornaments and itty bittys from Hallmarkare on sale at www.hallmark.com.
  • KIDdesignsdeveloped a line of youth electronics now on sale at Amazon.
  • The largest and most detailedLEGO Ghostbusters ECTO-1 ever created is available at major retailers and at www.lego.com.
  • Mad Engineapparel for the entire family can be found at Walmart.
  • Reebok’s full-familyfootwear and apparel collections is available globally at www.reebok.com/ghostbusters.

Worldwide, numerous licensees are offering gifts, novelties, apparel, accessories, costumes and home goods including: Furyu (Japan); Brand Alliance (UK); The Hut Group (UK); R.H. Smith & Sons / Smiffys (UK); and Walmart de Mexico.

Caroline Mickler Ltd appointed as global agent for Stanley Kubrick classics

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Caroline Mickler Ltd has been appointed by The Stanley Kubrick Film Archive as global licensing agent for a number of Stanley Kubrick’s best-known works.

In this role the award-winning independent company will build on the success of the Warner Bros global licensing programme for six of Stanley Kubrick’s iconic films: The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Barry Lyndon, Eyes Wide Shut and A Clockwork Orange, which continues its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2022.

Stanley Kubrick created genre-defining worlds for his films, using stunning imagery and designs that are uniquely recognisable to this day. It is the visually striking nature of these films, along with their classic status, that Caroline Mickler plans to translate into a truly original licensing campaign focusing on the delivery of unique products across multiple categories.

Brand collaborations, fashion collections and fan-based merchandise are all expected to play a role in a carefully curated licensing programme that will pay homage to Stanley Kubrick’s extraordinary work and its enduring popularity with millions of fans around the world.

MD Caroline Mickler will be at BLE discussing the development of this programme along with plans for the coming year.

In a career that spanned nearly 50 years Stanley Kubrick gained an enduring reputation as one of the most original and influential filmmakers in cinematic history. He proved his genius across multiple genres, including war, science fiction, satire, horror, historical drama and much more, gaining a reputation as a true visionary, whose works have influenced innumerable filmmakers and remain popular to this day.

Jonathan Cameron, President of The Stanley Kubrick Film Archive, says: “Bringing the iconic work of this master filmmaker to a global licensing programme requires a partner with a clear understanding both of brand management and of the unique nature of Stanley Kubrick and his films. In Caroline Mickler we have found that partner. We are looking forward enormously to working with her and her team.”

Caroline Mickler says: “Few films in history can claim the lasting significance and appeal of Stanley Kubrick’s works, which are visually striking and memorable in a way that we believe can inspire products that are both desirable and highly original. We are truly honoured to be representing Stanley Kubrick and his unique and ground-breaking movies.”

 

ViacomCBS teams with Asda Opticians for film and TV-branded eyewear

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ViacomCBS Consumer Products UK has announced a new partnership with Asda Opticians and optical wholesaler Alexander Parker Ltd to launch branded optical ranges for spectacle wearers of all ages. The new collections will include branded glasses showcasing some of ViacomCBS’s most iconic properties including PAW Patrol (produced by Spin Master Entertainment), SpongeBob SquarePants and Paramount movie classics such as Grease and Baywatch.

This first-time partnership with Asda Opticians comprises of two ranges of colourful eyewear for kids and adults which are rolling out across more than 130 Asda stores across the UK. The “Kids”collection, featuring Nickelodeon properties such as children’s favourites PAW Patrol, launched this autumn with SpongeBob SquarePants launching on 30 January 2022. The “In the Movies” adult range also launched this autumn and spotlighted some of Paramount Pictures’ classic movies including Grease, Footloose, Top Gun and Baywatch.

The “In the Movies” collection is priced at £80 for one pair, even if lenses need to be varifocal or if consumers need to have thinned lenses. This range also includes sun tints for adults; a second pair includes buy2 save £40 pricing. The “Kids” collection is free with an NHS voucher*, and any of the kids’ frames can be used for prescription sunglasses for just £15.

*NHS vouchers for glasses will only be issued following an eye test if a prescription is required. For more information, visit www.opticians.asda.com.

 

Surge Brands named as North American licensing agent for mobile game Epic Seven

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Leading global licensing agency Surge Licensing has been appointed as North American licensing agent for the fan favourite and community-driven anime RPG Epic Seven “E7”, developed by Super Creative and published by Smilegate Megaport.

E7 is an 2D anime-inspired epic featuring over 1,000 stories and 234 collectable characters, in which players explore and adventure through the Land of Orbis, attempting to prevent its demise. Surge Licensing has been retained to develop a merchandise programme across multiple categories, including toy, publishing, apparel, table-top games, and digital products including NFTs and more. The launch is anticipated in Q2, 2022 across retailers and direct-to-consumer platforms.

With an 18–34-year-old adult demographic, E7 is played in over 145 countries and has topped growth charts in all of the major territories. The game was recognised as a “Top 10 RPG Game of 2020” by the Apple App Store and is a Top 3 grossing RPG on Android. In 2018, E7 was awarded the “Best Mobile Game” in the Korea Game Awards and “The Game of 2018” in the Google Play Store. E7 boasts a loyal fan base with over a billion minutes played every month.

“E7 is an adventure unlike anything seen on mobile, with anime-inspired production values that rival television and film production quality,” says Elan Freedman, Surge Licensing EVP.  “With a loyal and engaged fanbase of hundreds of thousands in the US alone, we’ll be able to leverage the game’s plethora of characters and rich backgrounds to create a robust L&M program to further engage players with the brand as it continues to build its user base on a global scale.”

Founded in 1986, Surge Licensing is an IP incubator, which identifies, nurtures, and grows brands into multi-platformed entertainment and consumer product licensing programs. It has developed a number of pop culture’s best-known properties, including the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Street Sharks, Axe Cop, Feisty Pets and more.