Acamar appoints Spotlight Licensing to drive growth for Bing in North America

Acamar Films has appointed Spotlight Licensing as licensing and merchandising agent for North America for its award-winning preschool series Bing.

The multi-year licensing and merchandising agreement covers the USA and Canada. Spotlight will drive strategic Bing licensing and retail programmes as the show’s footprint continues to grow in the region.

A bespoke American version of Bing made its US debut on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network in September 2021, to great success. The show then launched on Cartoonito on HBO Max in February this year. Cartoonito is highlighting Bing as a series that helps young viewers understand how to manage emotions, understand others’ perspective and develop social skills. In Canada, the series is available on TVO Kids, TFO and Amazon Prime Video. Bing is also available on YouTube and in the app stores in both the USA and Canada.

Spotlight Licensing is an award-winning and well-established boutique licensing and IP management company with considerable expertise and experience in the preschool sector. The agency has a reputation for innovation and successfully extending licensing programmes by tailoring strategy to reflect the unique DNA of an individual property. The Spotlight Licensing team will be exhibiting at this year’s Licensing Expo in Las Vegas and are looking forward to spreading the word about Bing and exploring exciting opportunities with attendees.

Sandra Vauthier-Cellier, Chief Commercial Officer, Acamar Films, says: “We are delighted to be partnering with the award-winning Licensing & Merchandising team at Spotlight Licensing. Their outstanding expertise of preschool properties and their strategic and innovative approach, coupled with their wholehearted passion for Bing, promises exciting results. Bing already enjoys a hugely successful licensing programme in Europe, with consumer products across a wide variety of categories, live shows and other immersive experiential offerings. Now we’re looking forward to launching and building Bing’s licensing programme in the USA and Canada to provide our audience with equally delightful products and experiences to connect them even more closely with Bing.”

Carole Postal, President, Spotlight Licensing, adds: “The whole team here at Spotlight has been moved and delighted by Bing and we’re excited to be working with Acamar Films on developing a dynamic and robust programme to accelerate its growth in the region. With its strong, unique and timeless values, the series is so relatable for toddlers and their families, and we want to help deepen their engagement and ensure its longevity.”

Bing is a celebration of the joyful, messy reality of preschool life. Set in a delightful community “round the corner, not far away”, its authentic, timeless stories follow the everyday ups and downs of Bing, Flop (Bing’s own “carer”) and their friends. Bing provides an honest depiction of the highs and lows of preschool life from a preschooler’s perspective – a unique viewpoint for a children’s property.

Acamar Films has established a successful licensing programme for Bing in European markets, with over 100 licensees on board across key categories, from toys and apparel to kids’ audio storytelling and games, and experiential activities. The show is currently distributed to over 130 territories and engages digital audiences on a daily basis via 20 language-specific YouTube channels, social media channels and a suite of digital apps, and is firmly on-track to become a global evergreen property, cherished by families and young children worldwide.

 

Miraculous and Bing join tonies® lineup

tonies®, the leading children’s audio system, has three new releases lined up for May: Pride Tales, Bing and Miraculous.

Ladybug and Cat Noir fans will be excited for the new Miraculous Tonie (ages 6+), set to bring superhero adventures to life on the Toniebox. Find out how the pair became their city-saving superhero personas with a little help from the Kwamis, with flashbacks based on the original episodes from the hit TV show.

Bing makes his debut on top of the Toniebox this month, with a collection of stories aimed at kids aged 3 and up, featuring Bing, his carer Flop and all their friends. The new Bing Tonie features dialogue from the original episodes paired with songs from the popular series. With a running time of almost an hour, it’s guaranteed to be a hit with preschoolers.

Ahead of Pride Month in June, tonies® is launching ‘Pride Tales’ (4+), an exclusive collection of LGBTQ+ stories, poems and songs. This Tonie offers the perfect way to explain different stories of love to young children, and to encourage them to always follow their own rainbow.

For more information, visit https://tonies.com/en-gb/

Star Cutouts joins Acamar Films’ licensing programme for Bing

Acamar Films continues to build its UK licensing programme with its newest licensee, Star Cutouts, which has launched a new range of cardboard cut-outs for hit preschool show Bing.

Star Cutouts has launched the Bing range with four character Star-Minis, ahead of expanding into life-size cut-outs, table toppers and masks – all ethically sourced and perfect for Bing-themed parties, room decoration and dress-up occasions.

In addition to Star Cutouts, Acamar Films is celebrating a raft of recent UK renewals with existing partners. Roy Lowe has renewed its contract for a further two years; its matching Bing and Flop family socks provide Bingsters and grown-ups with a fun way to connect with their favourite characters.

Paper Projects first launched its reward charts and sticker sets in 2019 and its Bing Potty and Toilet Training Reward Chart has been a consistent Amazon best-seller in the genre. Moonpig has also renewed its licensing agreement, expanding its greetings card offering to 21 colourful designs, with two more arriving for this upcoming Mother’s Day.

Ian Ravey, Managing Director of Star Cutouts, says: “Bing is a perfect property for Star Cutouts and we are delighted to partner with Acamar Films on this lovely new range. The preschool space offers lots of opportunities for parties and special occasions and we look forward to seeing little ones celebrating with their favourite character and his friends.”

Louise Simmonds, Head of UK Licensing for Acamar Films, says: “We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Star Cutouts, adding another fantastic new licensee for Bing, as well as renewing with a number of our valued partners. Celebrations, as a category, is particularly strong for Bing and it’s brilliant to be able to offer even more ways to make those big days extra special for our Bingsters.”

 

Bing extends partnership with Alton Towers Resort with new themed bedrooms

Acamar Films has shared a first look at the new Bing-themed bedrooms coming to CBeebies Land Hotel at Alton Towers Resort in March 2022.

The rooms, along with a brand-new Bing and Flop live show, are part of Acamar Films’ recently renewed long-term partnership with Alton Towers Resort and BBC Studios, bringing exciting new announcements to CBeebies Land for 2022.

The unique and colourful designs have been created especially for families with preschoolers and include a special interactive entertainment wall and lots of other toddler- friendly features.

From March, Bingsters visiting CBeebies Land Hotel will be able to enjoy the ultimate sleepover in the two new bedrooms. Guests at CBeebies Land will also be able to experience the brand-new Bing and Flop live show, which will be performed daily in the Big Fun Show Time, and Bing’s Sleepover will continue to delight overnight guests at the hotel.

Kirsty Southgate, Director of Experiential and Promotions at Acamar Films, says: “Announcing these new Bing experiences at Alton Towers Resort is a fantastic start to the year. We are thrilled to continue our valued partnership with the BBC and Alton Towers, and incredibly excited at this wonderful milestone in our Bing journey. We can’t wait to see Bingsters’ reactions following the first sleepovers in March.”
Larry Roles, Marketing Director for Alton Towers Resort, adds: “We are really excited to be adding the Bing bedrooms to our portfolio of experiences at the UK’s only CBeebies Land Hotel. We pride ourselves on providing truly immersive experiences for families to enjoy together and really captivate the imaginations of young fans. We’re sure both parents and children will love experiencing this fun new addition to the hotel and we cannot wait to see them being enjoyed by our guests.”

 

Bing strengthens US presence with launch on Cartoonito on HBO Max

Acamar Films’ International Emmy Award-winning hit TV show Bing is set to make further inroads in North America with its launch on Cartoonito on HBO Max on Thursday February 24.

The HBO Max launch follows last September’s successful US debut of a new, bespoke American version of Bing on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network – created to make the preschool series as relatable as possible for US audiences.

According to WarnerMedia Kids & Family, Cartoonito, its new preschool block, offers “a modern approach to preschool programming with its proprietary educational framework, Humancentric Learning”. Bing, which celebrates the “joyful, messy reality of preschool life” is highlighted by Cartoonito as a series that helps young viewers understand how to manage emotions, understand others’ perspective and develop social skills.

Since Bing’s US premiere, six episodes have been running each weekday on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network. The show’s availability on HBO Max will further increase its reach in North America, with the popular streaming service having currently reached a US subscriber base of more than 45 million.

Jodie Morris, Chief Content & Audiences Officer, Acamar Films, says: “We are absolutely thrilled with our new American version of Bing, and are delighted that, through its launch on HBO Max, we now have an even greater opportunity to move and delight US audiences with our stories and characters.”

Bing is currently distributed to over 130 territories and engages digital audiences on a daily basis via 20 language-specific YouTube channels, social media channels, and a suite of digital apps.

Growth for Bing softlines as Acamar Films renews deals with apparel partners

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Generation Media signs deal to distribute Bing Event Cinema in new territories from 2022

Generation Media confirmed today that it has partnered with Acamar Films to exclusively manage the theatrical distribution of Bing Event Cinema in territories including Australia and the Nordics.

Following box-office success for ‘Bing’s Christmas & Other Stories’, and ‘Bing’s Animal Stories’ across the UK, Italy, Poland and the Netherlands, this new deal will see Generation Media support Acamar to expand Bing’s cinema distribution footprint to new markets, further complementing Bing’s multiplatform presence across linear TV, streaming services, YouTube, apps and more.

The deal was secured by Generation Entertainment, Generation Media’s division that focuses on global content development and distribution initiatives across cinema, TV and digital. Generation Entertainment’s previous U.K. and Global event cinema releases include iconic preschool brands such as “L.O.L. Surprise! on the Big Screen” and Beano’s “Dennis and Gnasher”.

Greta Bisetto-Donelan, Director of Entertainment at Generation Media, says: “Bing is a beloved preschool character and we are incredibly proud to be bringing such relatable and engaging stories to the big screen in new territories, delighting young children with a new kind of Bing experience for the first time.

“Event Cinema is our absolute passion and a primary tool for engaging with preschoolers and their parents. Cinema is and will always be a fundamental part of a long-term franchise strategy – bring premium content to engaged fans in a quality environment.

“Last year saw us win the Gold Indie Award for the best TV Media Campaign, featuring IMC’s Cry Babies Magic Tears. This year we are, more than ever, committed to bringing engaging content, to the right audiences, wherever they are.

“Within the Kids’ and Families Entertainment space our expertise is truly 360. Our content-first approach allows our clients to achieve long-term success and maximise licensed products sell-in.”

Acamar Films appoints EMEA Licensing Director and Head of Agent Management

Following the continued European success and expansion of International Emmy Award-winning pre-school series Bing, Acamar Films has promoted Laura Clarke to Licensing Director, EMEA and Luca Bonecchi to Head of Agent Management.

Reporting to Executive Director of Sales, Natalie Harvey, Laura will oversee the overall EMEA licensing strategy in conjunction with managing Acamar Films’ agents in Northern Europe, and will continue to manage and lead the European toy distributors under Golden Bear’s master toy agreement.

Laura joined Acamar Films in 2016 from Mattel, where she was Group Director for EMEA. Since then, Laura has taken Bing from strength to strength in EMEA with her wealth of experience working across all categories in the preschool sector.

Luca joined Acamar Films last year from Entertainment One where he worked as VP Licensing EMEA on major preschool properties including Peppa Pig and PJ Masks. Luca will continue to support and report to Laura, and with his new role will be responsible for the management of existing agents in Southern Europe and new agents outside of the US, in line with Acamar Films’ market expansion.

Natalie Harvey says: “Laura Clarke embodies all the values of Acamar Films in everything she does and with Bing‘s growing international footprint, it is essential we remain focused on servicing the needs of each of our markets and their respective audiences. We are thrilled she has the brilliant support of Luca Bonecchi, who we are very lucky to have as part of our team and who has in a short time has contributed greatly to the ongoing success of Bing in EMEA.”

Growth for Bing softlines as Acamar Films renews deals with apparel partners

Following the continued success of Bing softlines in the UK, Acamar Films has announced the renewal of existing apparel partnerships with William Lamb, Aykroyds & TDP and Fashion UK.

In the last year, there has been an increase in the overall apparel business with sales doubling in the first six months of 2021 against the same period in 2020 and the daywear business seeing a significant increase. Yearly trend guides are supporting the development of fresh and colourful designs and the latest guide, released in September, is already inspiring new ranges for delivery in 2022.

Aykroyds & TDP has been a successful long-term partner for Bing, with its nightwear range naturally aligning with bedtime routines, one of the show’s key themes.

Dean Greasley, Head of Licensing at TDP Textiles, says: “Bing has been a core offering in our preschool stable since 2016 and each year the Bing business has steadily grown for us. We are delighted to be renewing our partnership once more with the Bing team.”

Bing’s gender-neutral appeal has enabled Fashion UK to capture key online retail space during a challenging time, offering apparel-buying departments flexibility with their merchandising.

Hannah Miles, Joint Managing Director at Fashion UK, says: “Gender neutral brands are becoming more of a consideration when our buyers are looking at properties to support. Bing has a unisex appeal and the yearly trend guides mean that we can offer each of our retailers a different look and feel, with timeless designs to suit any time of the year.”

Online was a key area for softline growth in 2021. The launch of new girlswear lines on the Asda George website for spring/summer, Smiffys’ new Sula costume at Sainsbury’s TU for World Book Day and a Character.com website takeover in July generated a huge audience response, with Bing’s highly engaged social community sharing photos of their Bingsters enjoying their Bing apparel.

Meanwhile, autumn/winter has seen the launch of the new Bing BBC Children in Need range, with exclusive clothing lines available on The Bing Store and a portion of the proceeds going towards helping young people across the UK.

Louise Simmonds, Head of UK Licensing at Acamar Films, comments: “We are delighted to have seen real growth this year across all our apparel categories. The launches of some great new products and an expansion of our retail footprint is a real positive in what has continued to be a tough year. We very much look forward to continuing with all our partners.”

 

Acamar Films launches Bing dental and bath time products with Solent Brands

Acamar Films, producers of award-winning TV show Bing along with Brown Bag Films, has launched Bing’s first health and beauty products in the UK with new partner Solent Brands.

Hitting shelves now are a Bing toothbrush and toothpaste, launching in B&M, and tissue packs, available in Poundland.

“Bing is a great addition to the Health and Beauty category in our Solent Brand group,” says Anthony Balkin, Managing Director of Solent Brands. “A much-loved gender-neutral license, Bing supports real life learning and skill development and we are excited to encourage this with the launch of our Bing oral care products and tissues. We look forward to extending the range in 2022.”

Louise Simmonds, Head of UK Licensing at Acamar Films, says: “It is wonderful to begin this exciting new partnership with Solent Brands and to see Bing launch into a new category in the UK. We hope these fantastic new products will delight Bingsters as they build healthy bedtime routines and equally, support the grown-ups in their lives.”

 

Acamar Films renews Bing partnership with master toy licensee Golden Bear

Acamar Films, producers of the multi-award-winning TV show Bing along with Brown Bag Films, has renewed its licensing deal with master toy licensee Golden Bear. The EMEA agreement, which extends the partnership for a further four years, will run until 2025.

Golden Bear has seen huge success with its Bing toys since launching into the UK market in the autumn of 2019. The initial range, featuring core character plush toys – including the award-winning Light Up Bing With Hoppity and figurines – was a sell-out sensation for Christmas 2019.

A pan-European partnership, Golden Bear’s toy sales for Bing have increased not just in the UK but across multiple markets including Italy, where Bing continues to be the top pre-school property, the Netherlands and Central Eastern Europe. Further expansion is planned for 2022 and beyond, in line with Bing’s growing licensing programme.

Over the three years since the range launched, Bing has become Golden Bear’s number one global license and seen an impressive 110 per cent sales uplift between 2019 and 2021. This growth continues into Christmas 2021, with a 52 per cent increase in retailer stocking points compared to AW20.

Delivering a multi-year product strategy to steadily expand the toy lines, the range has expanded further across feature plush, playsets and most recently bath toys. The development of additional characters and locations are serving to grow Bing’s world and ensure the longevity of the range.

Set to delight Bingsters this Christmas are the hero lines for AW21: Bing’s House Playset, with nine accessories, and the fun and interactive Musical Statues Dancing Bing, both of which will be fully supported across TV, digital and social platforms. The toys aim to inspire creativity, build imagination and encourage role-play in little ones as they bring the TV show to life.

“I am very proud of what our team and distribution partners have achieved with Bing over the last three years,” says Barry Hughes, Managing Director at Golden Bear. “We are delighted to have signed a further long-term agreement with Acamar Films on the property and look forward to introducing Bing toys into new markets. The highly experienced Acamar Films team have proven themselves to be experts in getting all the building blocks in place to ensure success in every market in which we have launched. We are so excited about what the next few years hold for Bing in both current and new territories.”

Natalie Harvey, Executive Director of Sales at Acamar Films adds: “Golden Bear have delivered a wonderful range of Bing toys which continue to delight our Bingsters across the world – with so much more to come. In the last three years, the Golden Bear team has shown true innovation, care and talent as they have built out the world of Bing, whilst successfully negotiating the industry’s many challenges.”

Bing is an International Emmy award-winning show with broadcast deals in over 130 territories worldwide including the USA, where it launched on Cartoonito with WarnerMedia in September 2021.