Category Archives: Media & PR

Sustainability in Licensing | “The UK and EU have the chance to be world leaders in plastic management”

Posted on by

The UK and the EU have the opportunity to be world leaders in plastic resource management, when legislative changes in packaging and plastics finally kick in, ‘but only if we get it right.’

This is the message being promoted by Stuart Foster, CEO at RECOUP and director of EPRO (the European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisations) as he prepares to join a panel of experts at this year’s Sustainability in Licensing Conference.

Foster has stated that the current set of policy and legislation proposals made by the government “represent a once in a generation opportunity to deliver change and accelerate the move towards plastic circularity”; with the first signs of the environmental benefits showing green shoots from as early as 2022.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management and MD of PPS Recovery Systems, Foster will be taking to the digital stage next week, to join the second SILC conference taking place online across Wednesday, June 24th and Thursday, June 25th. 

He will be joined by representatives from the likes of LEGO, ZURU, Asda, Tesco, The Eden Project, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Hannah Mills, and The Insights Family in sharing valuable insight on topics including sourcing, fabrics, technology, and the upcoming packaging rules and crucial regulatory changes.

“Plastic is a key material with many environmental benefits, which is why it is so widely used, but this will only remains the case if we can significantly improve current sustainability and recycling credentials and reduce the leakage into the environment,” Foster told Licensing.biz.

“The proposed UK government policies set out in recent consultations on waste prevention, extended producer responsibility, recycled content tax and single use plastics are robust and cover a wide range of areas. So, all efforts should be focused on refining and developing those proposals, understanding the best approaches and committing to the deadlines for delivery.

“If we get it right, the UK and EU has the opportunity to be world leaders in plastic resource management.”

In his SILC21 session, Foster will also underline the importance of acknowledging the environmental benefits of plastic use, remarking on the need for an “evidenced policy making process which takes all environmental and business factors into account and avoids anti-plastic sentiment.”

He said: “We have a responsibility to implement the right systems and drivers to achieve circularity in plastics (and all materials), and then also work internationally to share and support best practice to deliver global change.”

SILC21 will take place online next week (June 24th to 25th). Two-day virtual passes are priced at £100, with a 20 per cent discount for Products of Change members.

Ethical chocolate and toy brand PlayIn Choc secures crowdfunding to scale business to next level

Posted on by

The ethical confectionery brand, PlayIn Choc has beaten its crowdfunding target of £250,000 to scale up its business and build on the solid foundation it has here in the UK and global markets.

The brand has been championed for its message of sustainability while promoting healthier organic treats and natural ingredients through its chocolate product, as well inspiring creativity and engagement with bio-diversity through the kids’ puzzles included in each box.

Launched to the scene in 2018 by the husband and wife team, Maya and Dominic Simler, PlayIn Choc already exports to 30 countries and is listed with 25 distributors, including a recently secured partnership with Ocado.

The team launched a crowdfunding campaign to the CrowdCube platform earlier this year with a target of £250,000 in order to scale up its business. 

“We currently have a range of 19 products which are all plastic-free, organic, vegan certified, and free from 14 allergens. We estimate that the global chocolate with toy market segment is worth $4bn a year, and PlayIn Choc ToyChoc Box is the only plastic free allergen free product in this market,” read a statement posted on the team’s crowdfunding page.

The company has also estimated that the total market size of stockists is around one million, of which 100,000 are in the UK. PlayIn Choc’s strategy going forward to acquire more stockists will be driven by targeted marketing, key new hires, and automating production and packing processes.

The funding secured via the CrowdCube campaign will enable the business to put this plan into action. PlayIn Choc has now secured 136 per cent of its initial target, completing its crowdfunding campaign with £342,000.

Check out the brand here and its successful crowdfunding campaign here.

The Insights Family forges alliance with InspiredConsumer to tap 50 million US families for research

Posted on by

The kids, parents, and family market research outfit, The Insights Family, has forged a new partnership with InspiredConsumer, a US youth experiential marketing agency, to ‘transform the research sector in the United States.’

Operating the largest and most singular community centre network across the US, InspiredConsumer not only boasts 20 years of experience in the field, but a client list that includes the likes of Nickelodeon, Disney, and Mars.

Meanwhile, The Insights Family has established itself as a global front runner in kids, parents, and family research, by providing real-time data to clients such as Amazon, BBC, Mattel, and Warner Bros.

Through the forging of a new partnership, the pair aim to ‘create unrivalled opportunities for kids’ research and insight,’ with solutions that will ‘drive significant value for clients; insightful data, cost reduction, fast turnaround, and elimination of the pain-points associated with traditional qualitative research.’

Nick Richardson, founder and CEO of The Insights Family, said: “Having spent the last four years developing the most comprehensive and dynamic real-time family insights solution, so many clients and partners have approached asking us to do something in the qualitative research space.

“Based on understanding their needs and requirements, we have developed a suite of solutions which meets their needs and removes the issues which they have previously experienced.”

As part of the partnership, The Insights Family will provide several research services to InspiredConsumer’s clients to help with planning and measurement, including evaluating and demonstrating the ROI of client campaigns.

Stav Vaisman, CEO of InspiredConsumer, said: “We have spent the last 20 years building and nurturing relationships that sustained our firm, while also investing in the communities we work in. So, it is with great pride that we are embarking on this new research endeavor with such an impressive partner. We will work tirelessly to ensure we provide incredible value to our clients, and participants.”

With kid’s influence now growing across 90 per cent of expenditure categories in the US, the pair believe ‘it’s more important than ever to understand the attitudes, behaviors and consumptions of the next generation of families.’

To find out more, and download the new free report on “The Next Generation of Families” visit https://get.theinsightsfamily.com/familyreport/

The Insights Family forges alliance with InspiredConsumer to tap 50 million US families for research

Posted on by

The kids, parents, and family market research outfit, The Insights Family, has forged a new partnership with InspiredConsumer, a US youth experiential marketing agency, to ‘transform the research sector in the United States.’

Operating the largest and most singular community centre network across the US, InspiredConsumer not only boasts 20 years of experience in the field, but a client list that includes the likes of Nickelodeon, Disney, and Mars.

Meanwhile, The Insights Family has established itself as a global front runner in kids, parents, and family research, by providing real-time data to clients such as Amazon, BBC, Mattel, and Warner Bros.

Through the forging of a new partnership, the pair aim to ‘create unrivalled opportunities for kids’ research and insight,’ with solutions that will ‘drive significant value for clients; insightful data, cost reduction, fast turnaround, and elimination of the pain-points associated with traditional qualitative research.’

Nick Richardson, founder and CEO of The Insights Family, said: “Having spent the last four years developing the most comprehensive and dynamic real-time family insights solution, so many clients and partners have approached asking us to do something in the qualitative research space.

“Based on understanding their needs and requirements, we have developed a suite of solutions which meets their needs and removes the issues which they have previously experienced.”

As part of the partnership, The Insights Family will provide several research services to InspiredConsumer’s clients to help with planning and measurement, including evaluating and demonstrating the ROI of client campaigns.

Stav Vaisman, CEO of InspiredConsumer, said: “We have spent the last 20 years building and nurturing relationships that sustained our firm, while also investing in the communities we work in. So, it is with great pride that we are embarking on this new research endeavor with such an impressive partner. We will work tirelessly to ensure we provide incredible value to our clients, and participants.”

With kid’s influence now growing across 90 per cent of expenditure categories in the US, the pair believe ‘it’s more important than ever to understand the attitudes, behaviors and consumptions of the next generation of families.’

To find out more, and download the new free report on “The Next Generation of Families” visit https://get.theinsightsfamily.com/familyreport/

Random House Children’s Books to launch Dr Seuss Workbook series for US schoolchildren

Posted on by

Random House Children’s Books has partnered with Dr Seuss Enterprises to launch multi-subject Dr Seuss Workbooks across the US. The new format book series will be aimed at preschool kids through to third grade, encouraging readers to interact with their favourite characters while supporting learning goals.

The deal has been announced by Barbara Marcus, president and publisher, Random House Children’s Books, and Tom Russell, vice president and publisher, reference and workbooks. The first two editions – Preschool and Kindergarten – will be launched on September 7th this year. The remaining three will follow next March.

The launch of the books will also be supported by a video series hosted on Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ YouTube channel, featuring fun, original sing-alongs to help readers further engage with the characters and subject matter.

“In the last year, we have seen such increased demand for learning resources, and so we are particularly pleased to bring the Dr. Seuss Workbooks to market and offer fresh, engaging content to support young learners today,” said Russell. “These workbooks provide parents and educators an accessible blend of core academic concepts and such equally important topics as kindness, empathy, and self-esteem.”

The workbooks have been developed and written by education experts and based on curriculum standards, and readers at every grade level will be introduced to four subjects, each with their own dedicated Seuss character ambassador guiding the way: Reading and English Language Learning with the Cat from The Cat in the Hat, Maths with Thing One and Thing Two from The Cat in the Hat, Science with the Lorax from The Lorax, and Social and Emotional Learning with Horton from Horton Hears a Who!

Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, said: “The imaginative works of Dr. Seuss have been an entry point to the world of reading and learning for several generations. For years Dr. Seuss books have delighted children while helping them learn to read and develop their cognitive skills.

“This new workbook program and its supporting video content are a natural progression that make it even easier for kids to learn, with fun exercises and engaging lessons that help them hone new skills.”

Maya the Bee becomes face of World Bee Day at Germany’s retail and tourism group REWE

Posted on by

The European retail and tourism group, REWE has underlined its commitment to the protection of biodiversity across Germany, including that of bees and insects, by celebrating World Bee Day last week with its brand ambassador, Maya the Bee.

For the past two years, the popular Studio 100 Media character has been the face of much of the retailer’s environmental activity, including its insect protection campaign, tapping into the brand’s ethos in standing for insect protection and sustainability in its own Project Poppy Meadow initiative.

Last week, Maya the Bee took on the role of ambassador for and face of REWE’s World Bee Day celebrations, with POS designed across the retailer’s outlets to broadcast the importance of the annual Bee Day and raising awareness among customers. As well as this, Maya is prominently placed on the retailer’s website, while TV spots on RTL and VOX round off the campaign this year.

Together with 530 farmers throughout Germany and parts of Austria, the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) and the Rhineland Cultural Landscape Foundation, REWE is implementing biodiversity projects such as nesting aids and flowering areas. The company currently operates the largest biodiversity promotion in conventional fruit and vegetable cultivation (in terms of cooperation between retail, nature conservation and farmers).

Like REWE, “Maya the Bee” also cooperates with NABU and acts as an ambassador for its campaign, Insect Summer. At the same time, NABU supports Maya and her friends with its ‘know-how’ on the website www.diebienemaja-bienenschutz.de.

Peter Rabbit selected as Children’s Ambassador for The Queen’s Green Canopy

Posted on by

Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit has been selected as the Children’s Ambassador for The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, a special Platinum Jubilee project that will see a nation-wide tree planting take place in honour of the Queen in 2022.

The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative was launched this week under the theme ‘Trees in Literature’, as the QGC Ambassador, Dame Judi Dench recited a poem in her garden in memory of loved ones. Dench shared her own passion for trees and literature, as well as her support for The Queen’s Green Canopy by recording her recital of A E Houseman’s Loveliest of trees, the cherry now.

“As an official Ambassador for The Queen’s Green Canopy, I am proud to be a part of a nation-wide tree planting initiative to pay tribute to Her Majesty and her lifetime of service to the United Kingdom,” said Dench.

“People of all ages from Land’s End to John O’Groats are being invited to Plant a Tree for the Jubilee in 2022. This country has never before celebrated a Platinum Jubilee and next year we will have the opportunity to thank Her Majesty by planting trees to create an abundant canopy across the four corners of the country. Planting season starts in October, so get ready to plant.”

Meanwhile, and with nature at the heart of the initiative, Peter Rabbit has been selected as the Children’s Ambassador for the project. First published in 1902, The Tale of Peter Rabbit will be celebrating its 120th birthday during the Platinum Jubilee.

Beatrix Potter’s illustrations of trees in nature depict woodland adventures and comfortable homes for her animal creations. Her original pencil sketch of Peter Rabbit’s burrow in the roots of a fir tree will be released in support of The Queen’s Green Canopy launch.

The QGC looks forward to working with Peter who will help children understand the importance of trees as a sanctuary for animals, and to encourage families to become involved in the planting process together.

As The Queen’s Green Canopy looks ahead to the planting season in October, we will be helping people through the dedicated website www.queensgreencanopy.org to learn about the best way to plant trees so that they survive and flourish for years to come.

Comedy channel Dave partners with CALM to launch social cue cards to fight post-lockdown apprehension

Posted on by

The comedy TV channel, Dave has teamed up with the mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) to create a series of conversational cue cards to help people who are feeling apprehensive of social situations as lockdown comes to an end.

The cards were created following original Dave research which found that four in five (81 per cent) of British adults are exhibiting some nerves over restrictions lifting. Many of us are exhibiting symptoms of ‘post lockdown anxiety’ as we become increasingly apprehensive about re-entering real life social situations, suggests the findings.

The Dave study pinpointed work, parties and long overdue visits to the in-laws as key stress points.

The conversational cue cards which are available on a first come first serve basis via CALM’s ambassadors are supported with a suite of light-hearted video tutorials, giving top tips for how to successfully navigate social interactions without trepidation.

The videos, which feature Darren Harriott; Stevie Martin; Ania Magliano; Ahir Shah; and Seann Walsh deal with everything from work meetings in person; to remembering how to dance in public; to tips on how to quietly leave a social situation without being noticed.

The short films form part of Dave and CALM’s reintegration guide for people that are worried about having to interact with other humans after a year of screen time. The guide also includes a unique set of conversational cue cards, which give tips on conversation starters in real life, and are deigned to help break the ice as we emerge from lockdown.

Steve North, UKTV’s genre general manager, said: “Coming out of lockdown is stressful for the best of us. We’ve been talking into a screen for the better part of a year and many are worried about having to interact in real life. Gone are the days of being able to mute someone on Zoom or blame bad internet when you want to sneak out of an event.

“Dave is all about bringing people together to have a laugh – and we’re thrilled to be working with CALM to help encourage people to start having real life conversations again following an extraordinary year of lockdown.”

 Simon Gunning, CEO, CALM added: “There’s no denying lockdown has had an huge impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. In the 365 days following the first lockdown the CALM helpline has answered over 147,000 calls and chats. That is a call for help every 62 seconds, with chats and messages exchanged around topics such as isolation, anxiety, relationship concerns, health worries, financial stress and suicidal thoughts.

 “After being stuck indoors for so long, having the ability to see your mates at the pub, visit our families and get out of the house is great. But understandably for many it might be uncomfortable getting back into the swing of things. We’re all on different timeframes, so It’s important not to expect too much. Humour is a great way to make people feel at ease and we’re delighted to be partnering with Dave to raise awareness, encourage people to talk more, and accept its OK not to be OK.”

The Brand Informer launches online platform to ‘change the way brands sell and retailers buy’

Posted on by

The Brand Informer Ltd has launched its new online platform, www.thebrandinformer.com, a service designed to connect retailers directly to brand owners, with the mission of ‘changing the way brands sell and retailers buy.’

The Brand Informer is bridging the gap between brand owners, licensees and retailers, and providing a place online for brands to connect with opportunities to support business growth and retailers to access brands.

The platform will enable brands to showcase their products, outline their core brand values and objectives, and provide a calendar of events that will allow retailers to forward plan. Brand owners’ products will be displayed in clear categories: such as product type which is sent direct to the retailer’s account where it can be viewed in real-time..

All brand owners will be verified, providing retailers with confidence against the threat of purchasing unlicensed products. Buyers will be able to search for products through option choice and filtering systems to enable them to find the specific product they are looking for.

The Brand Informer is the brainchild of founder Victoria Preston, licensing specialist having worked for brands including ITV, Williams F1, England Rugby, England Football, England Cricket and various Premiership Football Teams.

She said: “The Brand Informer is opening up a new way within the licensing industry. I believe by providing a place to support brands, big and small, and offering up to date information to retailers we will see great opportunities for both. I feel passionate in the potential of bridging the gap within the licensing sector to empower both brands and retailers.”

As part of the launch, Preston will be hosting a free course starting on May 17th, 2021 ‘Simplifying the Brand Licensing Buying Process’ helping brand owners and retailers on their own individual journeys. There will be three live workshops, covering how to simplify the buying process for your business.

The workshop is for all business sizes large and small as well as those who are just considering the possibility of licensing. www.goto.thebrandinformer.com

Green age waste ban | The Insights Family explores sustainability in the kids’ market

Posted on by

This article appears in the Spring/Summer edition of ToyNews

With greater purchasing power comes greater social responsibility… or words to that effect. Undeniable though, is the increasing demand and interest in sustainability and eco-consciousness among target audiences. Here, The Insights Family’s founder, Nick Richardson explores the issue

[divider style=”solid” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]

Figures from the latest Kids Insights data shows that over half of UK kids aged three to 12 have “a lot” of influence over the toy purchases their parents make. In addition to this, UK kids spend a collective £709m of their own money on toys and games in 2020.

However, children’s purchasing power has changed with growing interest in the environment.

Sustainability is becoming a way of life for many consumers as more people are choosing to buy greener, healthier, ethically sourced, and more environmentally sustainable products. Eco-friendly products accelerated their infiltration into toys in recent years and companies – the likes of Hasbro, LEGO, Mattel, MGA, Playmobil and Clementoni included – also understand that a clear and transparent environmental strategy can give them a competitive advantage while staying relevant.

This trend will increasingly affect families’ purchasing habits and toy brands are strongly recommended to emphasise their environment friendly credentials when planning their marketing campaigns.

The increasing penetration of smartphones and tablets among children is stimulating social activism while also driving eco-friendly product purchases. So-called ‘Greta effect’, named after Greta Thunberg following her “how dare you” speech at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, raised the awareness further.

There is also a large eco-influence coming from parents. According to our Toys & Games Global Report 2020, over a third of UK pre-school parents think that it is important for their children to take care of the environment – a year-on-year increase of 56 per cent. Over a third of parents hope to teach their child to take care of the environment before they have even reached their fifth birthday.

Brands have already started to work on producing eco-friendly toys, or at least use more recyclable packaging. According to our Kids & Family Industry Report 2021, 69 per cent of toy companies believe they can make a difference in the sustainability sector.

As a good example, LEGO is another toy manufacturer which has made substantial progress and commitments to change by 2030. The company introduced reusable plastics for bricks and is said to be considering the idea of a LEGO subscription service. In an effort to improve the brand’s sustainability, a rental service could reduce the fossil fuels required to make LEGO, all while keeping eco-conscious parents happy. LEGO is also making a switch towards paper bags instead of single-use plastics.

Meanwhile, Mattel introduced its own MEGA Biobloks at 2020 Nuremberg Toy Fair with the aim of reaching its 100 per cent recycled materials goal by 2030. Likewise, Clementoni revealed its Baby range made from 100 per cent recycled materials in January 2020 as part of its own sustainability push.

The same with Amazon, the favourite online shop of two million kids aged three to nine in the UK, has revealed plans to roll out 500 electric delivery vans in the UK as part of their Climate Pledge. From manufacturing to distribution, there are opportunities for corporations to make improvements to their sustainability practices to engage sustainable consumers.


What does this mean to you?

Brands need sustainability to be incorporated into long-term business strategies, with public transparency and accountability surrounding these targets, to show their loyalty and awareness.

We believe the brands that will succeed at appealing to the sustainable consumer will be the ones who make it straight-forward and rewarding for customers to change the way they consume, purchase, or behave.

Children’s influence on their parents and brands continues to grow every day. Therefore, understanding what attitudes kids hold in real-time and how this affects their purchasing decisions is a critical advantage for brands.

With the purpose to provide children, parents, and families with a voice to shape their worlds, The Insights Family is highlighting why brands need to pay attention to trends like this and carefully reflect on consumers opinion.

The Insights Family® has released its Kids & Family Industry Report 2021 where we have shown how companies are also responding to societal needs, with 64 per cent reporting their business decisions will be affected by a drive towards sustainability.

To read the Kids & Family Industry Report 2021 and learn more about the attitudes, behaviour, and consumption patterns of kids, parents, and families, and to get freemium access to The Insights Family® real-time data portal, please visit: https://try.theinsightsfamily.com/toynews

The Insights Family (formerly The Insights People), is a global leader in kids, parents, and family market intelligence, providing real-time data on their attitudes, behaviour, and consumption patterns. Every year the company surveys more than 362,100 kids and more than 176,800 parents.