Tag Archives: ble 2021

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.

 

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.

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.”

 

Spotlight on Brands I Pink Key gets Vim!

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Spotlight on brands

 

Vimto is a brand with real pedigree. Nationally renowned and proudly from the North, it also has a proven licensing pedigree.

It all began in Manchester in 1908 when John Noel Nichols created the drink we know and love as a herbal health tonic using a secret recipe combining fruits, herbs and spices from around the world. It  was a pick-me-up, giving the consumer ‘vim’ (energy and enthusiasm) and ‘vigour’ (strength and power).

But the brand we know now as Vimto has never stood still. From its rich heritage it has kept itself contemporary by adapting to changes in consumer conditions and tastes and has developed a versatile product range. There are numerous ways now in which you can enjoy the great taste of Vimto – from the ‘schlurp’ out of a can to hot (yes, hot!) Vimto to fend off those chilly winter nights.

Yet, through all these developments, the brand character has always remained constant: a fun, high-quality, refreshingly different soft drink.

 

Perfect partnerships

Vimto is no stranger to the licensing world, and has already acquired many food licensees managed by its dedicated Commercial Development Controller, Helen Hartley, who has brought on board a number of partners including:

  • Confectionery with Vimto Bon Bons, Jelly Babies and Juicy Mixups
  • Frozen foods with Vimto Ice Lollies, Cheesecake, Pyramids and No Added Sugar Remix Ice Pops
  • Dedicated Vimto ‘Factories’ in Selfridges, the Trafford Centre Manchester and the Bullring Birmingham, offering Vimto Slush, drinks and confectionery
  • Vimto protein powders and vitamins in partnership with the world’s number one sports nutrition brand MYPROTEIN.

Vimto is extending its licensing programme to take both and its rich history and heritage into the non-food arena.

Pink Key’s pedigree

Pink Key Licensing is Vimto’s exclusive UK agent to develop the non-food programme, and will be offering new licensees a style guide that will focus on the brand’s history and is packed with visuals of posters, packs and amazing artwork from the extensive Vimto archive, including Vimto logos and slogans.

Richard Pink of Pink Key says: “The Vimto archive is extraordinary in its range of colour and usable assets. It’s a brand that I’ve always felt would be an ideal fit with what we do so well, and I’m delighted that Vimto think so too!”

There is no doubt that Vimto seems to naturally fit within Pink Key’s portfolio, which incudes food brands Kellogg’s, Pringles, SLUSH PUPPiE and The Laughing Cow, alongside the heritage programme that Richard and his team have been running for Pan American Airways.

“Having lived in Manchester myself, I have an appreciation of just how proud the people are of home-grown and developed brands; they are fiercely loyal,” says Richard. “And it’s not just anecdotal: Vimto is a nationally recognised brand, but in its home town its popularity rivals the best in the world!”

 


If you are interested in talking to
Pink Key about licensing Vimto you can
contact Richard at
richard@pinkkey.co.uk

 

 

 

Interview: Anna Knight, BLE Event Director, talks trends, testing and Team GB

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Hi Anna, thanks for giving up your time in the run-up to the show. We’re guessing everyone is delighted to be able to meet in person again. Is there a real sense of excitement?

100 per cent. Me and the whole BLE team can’t wait to get to ExCeL and see everyone in person again. The support we’ve had from exhibitors (199 companies confirmed to date), the numbers of visitor registrations we’ve had and the fact over 1,500 meeting requests have already been sent show how excited the industry is, too. It’s a brilliant opportunity to reconnect and reunite the European licensing industry and we’re only too happy to play our part.

Are there any new initiatives this year?

Yes, there’s loads of news stuff this year, starting with a new theme – What’s Next – which is aptly forward-looking after the two years we’ve all endured and highlights the progress that’s being made when it comes to D&I and sustainability, among other things. Check out the Agents of Change gallery in the main entrances that highlights Who’s Next in licensing.

Don’t miss the Sustainability Activation in partnership with Products of Change: a must-stop for brands, retailers and manufacturers and packed with innovation when it comes to sustainable technology, processes, materials, retail, product, and fashion design. We’ll have product showcases from the likes of Lego, Keel Toys, George at Asda, Natural History Museum, The Eden Project, Tesco, Teemill and many more.

There are five brilliant insight sessions in the Retail Trends Lounge from the likes of George @ Asda and Hasbro, Kids Industries and The Insights People.

Please wear bright clothes on Thursday for Colour for Kelvyn day and pop to The Light Fund stand to make a donation. You can also bring a piece of preloved branded clothing, you can swap it in our Newlife Charity Branded Clothes Swap in the Sustainability Activation in return for a donation to the Light Fund, too.

We have partnered with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to bring dogs to the show for visitors to pet and cuddle as part of our commitment to health and wellness. And I hope everyone joins us for our Welcome Back drinks between 5pm and 7pm on the show floor across our Crunchyroll Bar, BLE Bar and Motul Cafe

The keynote speakers this year sound really interesting. Do you think diversity and inclusion is going to become second nature to companies, moving forward?

Yeah, they are both pretty epic keynotes, aren’t they? On Wednesday 17 at 4pm we’ll have a Team GB panel session featuring two British Olympic gold medallists, Tom Daley and Charlotte Worthington, who’ll be appearing alongside Tim Ellerton (Team GB) and Will Stewart (The Point.1888).

The second is at 1pm on Thursday 18 November and is a super insightful session from ViacomCBS Consumer Products discussing insights from its Diversity & Inclusion efforts with a specific focus on its recent toy research. This keynote will follow a presentation from Black Lives Matter Licensing UK. ViacomCBS has also curated three exclusive online sessions for us that go live on 22 November with very senior executives looking at D&I in the workplace, in content and in products.

Diversity, equity and inclusion cannot be ignored any longer. The uprising of the Black Lives Matter movement in the States last year was a real tipping point and brands are now taking action to ensure that their marketing, products and people are truly – and authentically – reflective of the society that they operate in. It’s important to note, too, that inclusivity is not – and should not – be limited to race, but must also take into account gender, age, physical and neuro disability and social mobility.

Can you tell us a bit more about the Covid measures and testing processes you’ve put in place?

We take our role as a safe event organiser very seriously. This is why we’re going above and beyond UK Government guidelines and asking people to wear masks while they’re on the show floor unless they are medically exempt, are eating and drinking, or they are in a business meeting where everyone is comfortable being mask-free.

We have also partnered with ExpressTest by CignPost to facilitate all testing requirements for international attendees. Anyone needing to take a day two test to enter England will be able to purchase a ‘click and collect’ testing kit to be picked up at ExCeL. The tests can be self-administered in any location with results uploaded online. Those requiring a ‘fit to fly’ test for re-entry into their country of origin will also be able to benefit from an onsite service with tests carried out by CignPost staff in secure private meeting rooms at the venue.

These are just two of many measures in place. The full BLE health and safety plan can be found here and ExCeL London’s safety plan can be found here.

What’s been the interest so far in the Kelvyn Gardner License This! Competition?

 So, this is our 11th year of License This! but our first named in tribute to Kelvyn. Once again, we’ve had some truly creative and professional entries for all three award categories and we have nine finalists who will battle it out for the much-coveted Brand & Design, Character & Animation and Product Design trophies in the Retail Trend Lounge on Friday 19 November.

How do you think the licensing industry has weathered the storms of the pandemic, and where do you see it heading in 2022 and beyond?

When you look at industries like travel or hospitality, the licensing sector has had a much milder storm to navigate and, in fact, some categories within licensing – toys, games, puzzles, outdoor play – have had a fantastically successful 18 months.

In 2022 and beyond, I’m personally interested to see what happens in the world of location based entertainment now everything is opening up post-pandemic, and this is the theme for Licensing Expo in May. The licensing partnerships between entertainment brands and fashion have really pushed the envelope in recent years and I think we’ll see a lot more from these collabs especially as more high end and edgy brands enter the game.

Are there any collaborations that have impressed you this year, or that you’re looking forward to seeing?

In the toy space, LEGO and Barbie have always been particularly creative with collabs. I love that LEGO is at COP 26 advising governments on the next steps children want to see them carry out. I love that Smurfs are working so closely with the UN to promote the sustainability message among kids. And I love the quirky collabs you don’t expect but make perfect sense when you see them, like Kermit on a pair of Stan Smiths.

BLE unveils content agenda for online event

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Brand Licensing Europe has unveiled its online agenda which will go live on 22 November as part of the online experience supporting the in-person event, taking place 17-19 November at ExCeL London, allowing attendees to enjoy sessions on-demand and use their time at the show to focus on in-person meetings, live experiences and walking the floor.
The two-day online event (30 November – 1 December) offers additional virtual networking and learning opportunities. The networking allows those who attend BLE in-person to book follow up and overflow meetings and ensures that people who are unable to travel to London for BLE don’t miss out on valuable business opportunities. With 1,500+ meetings already confirmed, the free meetings platform is already open allowing registered attendees to start planning their diary and send meetings requests.
The event’s online content programme will continue the show’s ‘What’s Next’ theme and includes three online-only ‘In Conversation’ sessions with senior executives from ViacomCBS Consumer Products; a Sustainability Panel with Products of Change and Licensing U, alongside the option to watch recordings of the Team GB and ViacomCBS live keynotes; the five ‘What’s Next at Retail’ sessions taking place at the show and more – all of this content will be available to watch on demand until 28 February 2022.
ONLINE-ONLY CONTENT INCLUDES:
‘D&I In Conversation’ sessions with ViacomCBS executives
• Diversity in the Workplace with
o Wincie Knight, VP Global inclusion Strategy, ViacomCBS International

o Nancy Lenghorn, Global Chief Inclusion and Culture Officer, MediaCom (moderator)

• Diversity in Content with 
o Wendy Harris – SVP of Content & Creative Affairs, 9 Story Media Group
o Farrell Hall – Chief Inclusion Officer, 9 Story Media Group
o Nina Hahn – Senior Vice President, International Production & Development, Nickelodeon International & Head of ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) Kids

o Keith Dawkins, Founder & CEO, Rock Hill Media Ventures (moderator)

• Diversity in Products with
o Simta Sawhney, UK Category Direct, ViacomCBS Consumer Products
o Shalom Lloyd, Founder & Managing Director, Naturally Tribal
o Saphia Maxamed, President @London Entertainment Inc & Founder, Black Lives Matter Licensing (moderator)
Brands for Social Change
Join Products of Change as they talk to Yellow Octopus, Newlife, Preloved Kilo and George at Asda to discuss how they are diverting clothes from landfill and building a fully circular fashion industry. Speakers include:
o Amanda Gallacher, Sustainability and Brand, George at Asda
o Sheila Brown, CEO, Newlife
o Steve Lynam, MD, Preloved Kilo
o Jack Ostrowski, Founder and CEO, Yellow Octopus
o Helena Mansell-Stopher, Founder, Products of Change (moderator)
“The quality of content for BLE online is phenomenal and hats off to ViacomCBS for curating three amazing sessions delivered from very senior perspectives on some of the most important topics businesses within licensing are addressing right now,” says Anna Knight, VP Licensing, Informa Markets.
“These sessions – and more – are just a small part of a much bigger focus for BLE and the Global Licensing Group around sustainability and D&I during 2022. We promise to continue sparking these incredibly important conversations at each of our flagship events and conferences and through License Global content.
Licensing U
BLE and Licensing International are bringing the Licensing U programme to Europe for the first time. Featuring 14 presentations across three tracks – Basics, Spotlights and Tactics & Strategies – Licensing U is a one-stop-shop education programme about the $292bn licensing industry for newcomers and experienced professionals.
Licensing U will take on a fully virtual format and will be available on demand for three months from 22 November 2021. Tickets start at £145 if purchased ahead of the event, or £160 in the platform, and can be purchased when registering for BLE. (Licensing International members can enjoy a 10% discount).
“We’re pleased that Licensing U, which has long been a mainstay of Licensing Expo Las Vegas, is now part of BLE, with outstanding speakers and presenters, offering information and insights for both industry newcomers and seasoned executives,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International.
LICENSING U AT BLE
Basics Track:
How does licensing work? What do I need to know to get started? Executives and experts will create the foundation of your licensing knowledge to help you understand the ins and outs of the business.
• Basics of Licensing
• Licensing Law for Non-Lawyers
• Working with Agents & Consultants:
• Style Guides: Bringing Brands to Life
 
Spotlights Track:
We’ll take a deep dive into some of the key growth categories within the licensing business, covering the unique aspects of those classifications, current trends and spotlighting some of the opportunities and challenges that are ahead.
• Art Licensing
• Location-Based Licensing
• Sports Licensing
• Gaming & eSports
• Fashion
Tactics & Strategies Track:
Aside from the products and brands themselves, the success of a licensing program is determined by how it’s brought to market. These sessions will examine some of the forces at play, and how licensing executives create strategies to give them the best chance to succeed.
• The Key to Successful Partnerships & Collaborations
• Confronting Supply Chain Challenges
• The Changing Face of Retail
• Sustainability
• How to Promote Diversity & Inclusion in Licensing, Marketing and Advertising: A UNICEF Playbook

 

Motul appoints Blue Chip Brands as its agency for Australia and NZ

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Following its appointment in March of WildBrain CPLG as its global agent (excluding AsiaPac), engine oil brand – and now lifestyle brand – Motul has appointed Blue Chip Brands as its agent for Australia and New Zealand.

Motul has also appointed licensing specialist PR and marketing agency kilogrammedia to manage its relations with the licensing trade press. In addition, the brand will be the sponsor of the Motul Café, the Brands & Lifestyle Bar at Brand Licensing Europe at London’s Excel from 17-19 November.

Motul is specialises in the formulation, production and global distribution of high-tech engine lubricants for the consumer market.

In the 1950s the brand began using racetracks and international motorsports events to develop, refine and test its products. As a result, the company has been a dedicated technical partner and official supplier to some of the best-known teams and manufacturers in history, with a presence in over 160 countries, and numerous event partnerships including the Dakar Rally, Le Mans and Goodwood Revival.

Among the many categories the campaign is targeting will be bags, stationery, earphones, phone covers, masks, kitchenware, houseware and, of course, car accessories. It will also address a wide range of apparel, from t-shirts to padded jackets, deck shoes to hats, safety helmets and sportswear. Like the brand’s famous red and white banner, the designs will be simple, direct and striking.

Nature and the great outdoors are another target market, with potential for rugged, functional apparel lines as well as backpacks, tents and portable stoves.

There is also the opportunity to highlight the near 100-year heritage of the brand through special retro ranges deploying versions of the brand throughout its early history.

Managing the Motul campaign is Laurent Taieb, a licensing specialist with over 25 years’ experience. He says: “Our aim with Motul is to bring both the brand and its many associations to a global audience. The appointments of both WildBrain CPLGand Blue Chip Brands are key to developing the extraordinary potential of this brand, and we’re delighted to be working with both of these highly respected agencies.”

Brand Licensing Europe announces 2021 Kelvyn Gardner License This! shortlist

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Brand Licensing Europe has unveiled the nine finalists who will battle it out to win one of three Kelvyn Gardner License This! awards. BLE takes place in person from 17-19 November at ExCeL London followed by an online event running from 30 November to 1 December. It’s free to register at www.brandlicensing.eu.

There are three categories for 2021, including a brand-new Product Design award launched in partnership with Mojo Nation, where designers have been tasked to invent a desktop accessory inspired by Aardman’s Morph IP. The Character & Animation and Brand & Design categories are both aimed at unlicensed brands and properties and judges look for new creative concepts which have the potential to spread across multiple product categories.

Chair of the judging panel, Ian Downes, director Start Licensing, says: “The standard of entries this year for the Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition was very high. It was encouraging to see so many original ideas and concepts. The entrants put a lot of effort into the competition crafting some compelling entries and it was tough to draw up a shortlist. Based on the quality of entries it is clear that there is no shortage of creativity in and around licensing at the moment and the industry can be assured there is plenty of fresh thinking going on.”

The nine finalists are:

  1. Brand & Design Category:
  • Pencil & TIE® are the best of friends who live in Shibuya, Tokyo. Pencil, a graphic designer, is never seen without his pencil. Tie is his one-footed, cheeky friend (and a tie).
    Designer Mark creates onefold and witty stationery, which manifests itself in the (paper) product design and/or the illustration(s) used. With a lifelong passion for stationery, years of design experience for A-list brands and an attachment to Japanese culture, Pencil & TIE produces lovable and sustainable stationery products in its lab in the Netherlands.
  • Sophie Jonas-Hill and Tea for Tattoo, which brings together two great British passions – drinking tea and getting tattooed! Tea for tattoo is a series of hand-drawn motifs which bring together the colour palette and style of traditional blue and white ceramics, with the aesthetic and cheeky edge of old school tattoos. It’s distinctive because it carries Sophie’s unique hand drawn stamp, created by drawing separate parts of each image on tracing paper and then layering them together to create the look of glazed ceramic.
  • Aline Cervo – Aline Bea is a surface pattern designer, illustrator and digital nomad. Inspired by nature, simple things in life, and her own journey, she draws everything from flowers to buildings and abstract compositions. The stories embedded in her designs talk about bravery, courage, love and connection, about noticing the details, and abundance and presence. The beauty of being alive and enjoying every moment is what she expects to imprint on the world with her designs and products.
  1. Character & Animation Category:
  • Els Morris – Els Doodles: Rosie Roars’ is an illustrated little one’s story book. Rosie is three and her favourite animal is a lion, she even wants to be one when she grows up. Her family helps her to discover different animals and she decides that being a ‘buzzy, hopping, rainbow roaring me’ is the perfect person to be. This book teaches little ones that it’s good to celebrate who we are, while learning about others along the way.
  • Stacy Moore – Eat Dirt: Eat Dirt is a series of humorous stories and poems for children aged 2-5 years old, designed to inspire a love of veggies, gardening, and outdoor play, served up with a big dose of pure silliness. It is rich with bright colour and pint-sized humour to help foster creativity, inspire movement, encourage play and garden activity, and stimulate little brains for healthy growth. The lovable main characters include Grumpy Bean and his seven vegetable friends, plus the Green Thumb Chums and Toad.
  • Joel Mercer – SeedFolk. SeedFolk has been developed by the innovative creative team behind Seedlings Cards & Gifts; a lovable range of characters, who care for our native habitats and wildflower seeds. Joel says: “Unbeknownst to human eyes, there is a hidden world of little folk who guard and tend to our wildflowers and seeds. They are the SeedFolk, and this story follows adventures led by Yarrow, a courageous young wizard, and his dependable friend Buttercup, along with friends Mari and her little sister Gold, Clover and Bumble, the wise old Snowdrop, and the king’s daughter, Cornflower – as they set out to protect our native wildflowers.”
  1. Product Design Category
  • Jon Morse – Tomato Source
  • Chris de Junien – Imagine8
  • Wayne Lindsay – Imaginnovation

The three designers in this category will pitch their concepts to the judges during the live final on Friday 19 November.

Brand Licensing Europe partners with ExpressTest by CignPost to facilitate testing needs for international attendees

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Brand Licensing Europe has partnered with ExpressTest by CignPost to facilitate all testing requirements for international attendees. Anyone needing to take a day two test to enter England will be able to purchase a ‘click and collect’ testing kit to be picked up at ExCeL. The tests can be self-administered in any location with results uploaded online. Those requiring a ‘fit to fly’ test for re-entry into their country of origin will also be able to benefit from an onsite service with tests carried out by CignPost staff in secure private meeting rooms at the venue.

The test booking service will open during the first week of November and information will be communicated via the BLE website, social media channels and direct communications with event customers. Attendees are also reminded to join the next BLE webinar at 2pm (BST) Tuesday October 26, where the team will provide information on this new partnership as well as the show’s health and safety plan. Attendees can register for the webinar here.

ExpressTest by CignPost is one of the leading UK testing providers, an ABTA partner and a UK government listed COVID-19 screening service, which provides fast, accurate and reliable testing. They said: “We are delighted to be working with Brand Licensing Europe as official testing partner, providing both gold-standard PCR and lateral flow tests for exhibitors and delegates alike.  ExpressTest has been at the forefront of testing to help businesses operate through the pandemic.”

This latest partnership is just one of the many measures in place to help the safe return to live events by organiser Informa Markets. In addition to requiring proof of vaccination, negative test or natural immunity to enter ExCeL and an extremely comprehensive list of other safety measures, organisers are now also requiring that masks are worn by attendees. Medical exemptions will apply, as well as allowing for the removal of masks when eating and drinking. The team is also asking attendees to be respectful of each other during business meetings and wear a mask if their meeting partner requests it.

The full BLE health and safety plan can be found here and ExCeL London’s safety plan can be found here.

“As a safe event organiser, BLE is committed to going above and beyond UK government guidelines with a robust set of safety measures and the facilitation of required testing for international attendees,” said Anna Knight, VP Licensing, Informa Markets.

“We are all looking forward to the return of Brand Licensing Europe and the bringing together of the licensing industry. Nevertheless, it’s imperative that we do this as safely as possible and remove any challenges related to international travel for a significant contingent of our audience. I’m pleased to be announcing our partnership with CignPost and to reiterate our commitment to attendee safety as we approach the final countdown to BLE 2021.”

Art and design brand Snowtap to make licensing debut at BLE

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Set to appear for the first time at Brand Licensing Europe, Design studio Snowtap has partnered with licensing agent Kirsty Guthrie from KJG to create a range of consumer products based around its beautiful, playful designs.

Established in 2016 by two university friends, Snowtap is the design studio of graphic designer Susy Snow and illustrator Gracie Tapner. The pair met at the University of Westminster in 2011 while studying for degrees in Illustration and Visual Communication.

After graduating, the founders were both working in the industry, when a catch-up over coffee sparked the idea of setting up a studio together. Less than a month later, the pair had launched Snowtap and the initial two greeting card designs had been stocked in their hometown of Newmarket.

The company now boasts over 70 card designs. Featuring witty puns, the cards cover all occasions, with a range of instantly recognisable designs and illustrations created collaboratively using watercolour, line drawing and hand-drawn typography.

Snowtap is now working with Kirsty Guthrie from KJG to build a licensing portfolio around the brand and extend the illustrations to a range of products covering greetings, homewares, stationery, gifts and more.

Susy commented: “We’re really excited to be working alongside Kirsty and for our range of illustrations to have had such a positive reception already from industry leaders. Working as a duo, our designs have double the creative input, resulting in illustrations that are the best of both worlds. Add to this mix some new opportunities to expand our range and the result is a very exciting future for Snowtap with unlimited potential.”

Kirsty Guthrie added: “Snowtap’s designs are absolutely gorgeous, and their clever, funny puns make the artwork ideal for creating a wide range of lifestyle products. Susy and Gracie are incredibly talented and can create illustrations for any purpose and I’m really looking forward to discussing this brand with potential licensees at BLE and building a consumer product portfolio. Our initial conversations have already resulted in a few deals – more to be revealed shortly – and the brand is being incredibly well received over all manner of product categories. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Snowtap.”