BBC Studios showcases global brands for all ages in Las Vegas

With Licensing Expo 2022 opening in Las Vegas today (24 May), BBC Studios is set to share an impressive roster of brands with delegates.

 BBC Studios’ raft of titles includes global preschool hit Bluey, adventures in time and space with Doctor Who, multi award-winning animation Hey Duggee, much-loved entertainment show Top Gear and natural history brand BBC Earth.

 “We’re so excited to share our incredible range of brands with the industry, update people on our latest plans and products and meet potential new licensees,” says Stephen Davies, Managing Director of Consumer Products and Licensing, BBC Studios. “It’s been a while since we’ve been able to get together like this and we’ve certainly got a lot to catch up on – not least global hit preschool show Bluey, new Doctor Who and so many more popular brands we have in our roster and in development.” 

Licensing Expo is also a chance for BBC Studios to discuss the recently launched Kids & Family Division, which combines the exceptional talent and expertise of the BBC Children’s Production team and the content investment, customer and brand experience within BBC Studios into a new and integral part of the BBC Studios content powerhouse.

Bluey

Global-hit animation Bluey was Disney Junior’s #1 ratings driver with kids 2-5 in 2021 in the US.

With audiences worldwide falling for the lovable Blue Heeler pup and her family and friends, Bluey has set viewing records in its native Australia and features in the top three Disney Junior shows in five EMEA markets. BBC Studios is establishing a long-term global licensing programme for the brand and has already appointed agencies and licensees in markets around the world. Key existing agreements include master toy partner Moose Toys and master publisher Penguin Random House as well as global and multi-territory deals including VTech, Crayola, Colgate and a recently announced deal with Hasbro.

Season three of Bluey debuted on ABC TV in Australia in November 2021 and is set to be released globally on Disney platforms later this year. It was recently announced that hit stage show Bluey’s Big Play will be touring in the US from November 2022 after a successful debut in Australia. The show has also made international headlines for an innovative partnership with Airbnb which saw the Heelers’ home recreated ‘for real life’ in Brisbane for a lucky family to stay at.

Bluey has had an incredible couple of years of rapid growth with strong sales across markets and product lines; we’re excited for the future of the brand and we’ve put a strong platform in place to support the development of Bluey for the long-term,” says Andrew Carley, Director of Global Licensing, BBC Studios. “The show itself is so special and touches so many people and we are delighted to have assembled a fantastic global licensing programme with partners around the world who are busy making great products and experiences for fans.” 

Doctor Who

With over 58 years of history as the world’s longest running action-adventure television show and the Doctor’s next regeneration due to air later this year, Doctor Who is a hit global franchise with hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide and over 50 long-standing licensees including Character Options, Moonpig.com Limited, Winning Moves, Eaglemoss, Build-A-Bear and Brand Alliance.

Titan has renewed its worldwide licensing agreement for collectible figurines, apparel, cards, art prints and gifting/novelties. Battlefront Miniatures will continue to produce toys and games across Europe, the US, Canada and New Zealand. 

Hey Duggee

Multiple BAFTA and Emmy award-winning preschool animation Hey Duggee continues to delight fans and was recently commissioned for a fourth series as well as hitting the headlines for special collaborations with fitness guru Joe Wicks, and naturalist David Attenborough who narrated The Green Planet Badge. Hey Duggee has an impressive global footprint in over 150 territories and more than 1.2million fans across its social channels, and its official YouTube channel has more than a billion lifetime views. In 2021 in the UK, Hey Duggee was the most-watched kids’ show on CBeebies and was streamed more than 250m times on BBC iPlayer. 

The licensing programme continues to grow with new UK licensees recently announced for health and beauty products, H&A and an expanded range of wheeled toys from MV Sports. Master toy partners are Golden Bear (UK), Bizak (Spain) and Lansay (France), with wooden toys from 8th Wonder in the UK and roleplay and bubbles from HTI Toys (UK). Master publishing agreements are with Penguin Random House (UK), who recently scored a #1 bestseller for The World Book Day Badge, and Hachette (France). Ypsilon Licensing were announced as agents for Spain last year while France TV are licensing agents for France.

Earlier this year a new attraction, Hey Duggee’s Big Adventure Badge, opened at CBeebies Land at Alton Towers Resort in the UK.

Mandy Thwaites, Director, Magazines & Consumer Products, UK Division, BBC Studios, says: “Hey Duggee continues to delight audiences and we continue to be delighted with the growth of the brand. We have great existing partners for Hey Duggee and we’re continuing to welcome more on board. It’s going to be an exciting year for the brand with new content to share later this year and new partnerships to announce soon.” 

Top Gear

Top Gear still sits in pole position with its 31st series and BBC Studios are looking to expand the licensing portfolio for the hit global brand. Current successful partnerships include Danilo for cards and calendars and TDP and Aykroyds for nightwear, DreamTex as bedding partner, and Assured Products Ltd for car-cleaning gift kits. Kimm and Miller are partnered for food gifting,  Immediate Media for magazines and recently signed Ginger Fox for board games. BB Designs will also be working on the direct-to-consumer website selling multiple product areas.

BBC Earth

As BBC Studios’ natural history content pipeline grows bigger than ever, the BBC Earth brand continues its partnerships with Teemill, who have added a fun children’s collection to its sustainable clothing range, and Danilo for cards and calendars.

BBC Studios is at stand N204 for the duration of Licensing Expo 2022 with representatives from offices in all global markets in attendance.

 

Posh Paws to showcase latest licensed plush line-up through six Product Showcase Events across the UK

Posh Paws is to host six Product Showcase Events across the UK this June, enabling its customers to see its portfolio of new licensed plush toys and gifts in person. The move has been made in accordance to the latest easing of restrictions on social distancing.

Next month, visitors will be able to see the new licensed product from across Posh Paws’ portfolio of leading brands, including Sesame Street, Jurassic World, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Croods 2: A New Age, and Swizzels Rainbow Drops.

New lines from the popular Sunny Bunnies, BBC Earth, Ragtales, and Love Hearts will also be showcased, as well as a raft of new own-brand product developments.

‘Posh Paws has ensured that all these showcase events will be 100 per cent Covid-Secure and adhere to all government and venue guidelines, making the safety of customers and staff a priority,’ the firm said in a statement.

The six locations of their Product Showcase Events are listed below and if you are nearby or able to travel to them, please get in touch to book an appointment today:

ABERGELE SHOW: Tuesday 8th – Thursday 10th June

Kinmel Manor Hotel, St George Road, Abergele, LL22 9AS


BLACKPOOL SHOW: Monday 14
th – Friday 18th June

De Vere Village Hotel, East Park Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY3 8LL


BRISTOL SHOW: Monday 21
st – Thursday 24th June

The Bristol, Prince Street, Bristol, BS1 4QF


GREAT YARMOUTH SHOW: Monday 7
th – Thursday 10th June

Ocean Room, Pier Gardens, Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, NR31 6PP


SKEGNESS SHOW: Monday 14
th – Thursday 17th June

Southview Hotel, Burgh Road, Skegness, PE25 2LA


YORK SHOW: Monday 21
st – Thursday 24th June

The Principal York Hotel, Station Road, York, YO24

 

Alternatively, customers who would prefer to book a virtual product showroom tour can do so by arranging this with one of Posh Paws’ sales representatives.

“With the Plush toy category showing the largest sales growth in April, it’s the perfect time to make sure you’re stocking the highest quality plush from the biggest and best-selling licenses that Posh Paws has to offer,” said the company.

For more information on Posh Paws Product Showcase Events, call them on 01268 567317 or email them at sales@poshpawsinternational.co.uk

BBC Studios renews plush partnership with Posh Paws for BBC Earth

BBC Studios and Posh Paws International have renewed their current partnership to continue to develop and distribute plush products under the BBC Earth license.

The deal brokered by European Licensing Agent WildBrain CPLG, will be effective in the UK, EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand from January 2020.

After the successful launch of the BBC Earth inspired toy plush range in 2019, Posh Paws will be adding a new range of soft baby animals to the collection, including a giraffe, penguin, seal pup, lion cub, baby leopard and a baby monkey. All will be available for spring 2020 from all good retailers.   

An eco-conscious new collection, the new range will include 100 pr cent recycled post-consumer waste PET plastic (plastic bottles) filling to demonstrate a commitment to the environment, along with packaging made from 100 per cent recycled FSC certified craft paper and soy-based inks.

Each plush comes  with a Love me for Life swing tag and statement highlighting that each toy is not a throwaway purchase and encourages consumers to ‘love them for life or pass on to someone else who will care for them just as much.’

“The development team at Posh Paws International is aware of how important environmental issues are,” said Lauren Shipman, group marketing director. “The addition of this new BBC Earth product range is just a first step on our journey to make more sustainable and environmentally friendly soft toys.”

Julie Kekwick, senior licensing manager at BBC Studios, added: “We are pleased to continue our partnership with Posh Paws and are looking forward to rolling out further toys inspired by the BBC Earth brand.”

BBC Studios renews plush partnership with Posh Paws for BBC Earth

BBC Studios and Posh Paws International have renewed their current partnership to continue to develop and distribute plush products under the BBC Earth license.

The deal brokered by European Licensing Agent WildBrain CPLG, will be effective in the UK, EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand from January 2020.

After the successful launch of the BBC Earth inspired toy plush range in 2019, Posh Paws will be adding a new range of soft baby animals to the collection, including a giraffe, penguin, seal pup, lion cub, baby leopard and a baby monkey. All will be available for spring 2020 from all good retailers.   

An eco-conscious new collection, the new range will include 100 pr cent recycled post-consumer waste PET plastic (plastic bottles) filling to demonstrate a commitment to the environment, along with packaging made from 100 per cent recycled FSC certified craft paper and soy-based inks.

Each plush comes  with a Love me for Life swing tag and statement highlighting that each toy is not a throwaway purchase and encourages consumers to ‘love them for life or pass on to someone else who will care for them just as much.’

“The development team at Posh Paws International is aware of how important environmental issues are,” said Lauren Shipman, group marketing director. “The addition of this new BBC Earth product range is just a first step on our journey to make more sustainable and environmentally friendly soft toys.”

Julie Kekwick, senior licensing manager at BBC Studios, added: “We are pleased to continue our partnership with Posh Paws and are looking forward to rolling out further toys inspired by the BBC Earth brand.”