Tag Archives: Bluey

New licensing opportunities for hit animation Bluey as it launches in Italy and Greece

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Produced by Ludo Studio and co-commissioned by BBC Studios and ABC Children’s, the much-loved global-hit animation Bluey will make its free-to-air debut on 27 December in Italy on Rai Yoyo, the public broadcast service’s preschool channel. The series will also air on ERT in Greece.

BBC Studios will also launch a new Italian language YouTube channel in January 2022 featuring clips and bonus content from the series.

Master toy partner Moose Toys will lead the product launch this coming Easter with their highly successful toy range via their distributor Giochi Preziosi. Other products from partners including global publishing partner Penguin Random House will follow. Maurizio Distefano Licensing was recently announced as BBC Studios’ licensing agent for Italy.

In Greece, Bluey will air on public broadcaster ERT, with transmission dates to be confirmed shortly. BBC Studios are in the process of finalizing the appointment of Partner Plus to act as licensing agent for Bluey in Greece and Cyprus. Giochi Preziosi will also handle distribution of Moose Toys in Greece and Turkey.

This marks further expansion in EMEA for the award-winning animation which has recently launched on free-to-air TV in Ireland, Denmark, Sweden and France. Bluey is also available on YouTube in French, Spanish and Danish and English with more than 950,000 subscribers.

The series follows Bluey, a six-year-old Blue Heeler dog who loves to play and turn everyday family life into extraordinary adventures that unfold in unpredictable and hilarious ways, bringing her family, friends and community into her world of fun.

Bluey has won the hearts of kids and parents around the world since it first launched in Australia in October 2018, and has quickly become a global hit.

In Australia, Bluey is the number one kids show on broadcast television in 2020 and is the most-watched series ever on ABC iview. In June 2019, BBC Studios struck a global broadcast deal with Disney to premiere Bluey in all territories outside Australia, New Zealand and Greater China; it now screens in over 60 countries.

In the UK, it was the most viewed show on CBeebies in August and is also available on Disney+. In the US, across Disney Junior and Disney Channel in Q2 2021, the show was the #1 most watched TV series with kids ages 2-5.

Bluey has also won multiple awards, such as the International Emmy Kids Award in the prestigious Preschool Category in 2020, and its second AACTA Awards for Best Children’s Program that same year. The accolades continue in 2021, with Bluey winning four Kidscreen Awards in February.

Bluey is produced by multi-Emmy award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC Kids Australia, co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios, and distributed internationally by BBC Studios outside of Australia.

Crayola to launch Bluey-themed merchandise in deal with BBC Studios

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BBC Studios has agreed to a multi-territory licensing deal with Crayola for stationery, arts, crafts and colouring packs, further expanding its global licensing portfolio for the multi-award-winning Bluey. Crayola joins a growing roster of top tier Bluey licensees including Moose Toys, Penguin Random House, VTech and Stor.

The first Crayola products to hit the shelves featuring Bluey – a six-year-old Blue Heeler Dog who loves to play – will be Giant Colouring Pages, which will be available at Walmart in the US in time for the holiday season.

In addition to the US, the licensing deal covers Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as the UK, where the range will be available in January 2022.

Bluey has won the hearts of kids and parents around the world since it first launched in Australia in October 2018 and has become a global hit. In the UK, it was the most viewed show on CBeebies in August, while in the US, across Disney Junior and Disney Channel in Q2 2021, the show was the number-one most watched TV series among kids aged 2-5. Bluey has also won multiple awards, including the International Emmy Kids Award in the prestigious Preschool Category in 2020, and four Kidscreen Awards in February this year.

For Warren Schorr, Vice President, Business Development and Global Licensing, Crayola, the partnership is an ideal way to showcase the company’s mission of inspiring artistic creativity in children – which they have done for more than 100 years. “We know that parents value creative and imaginative play, which we can enable and enhance by offering the best products with the best partners,” he says.

Suzy Raia, Senior Vice President, Consumer Products and Business Development, BBC Studios – Americas, adds: “This is a pivotal moment for our beloved preschool brand Bluey as we bring iconic brands like Crayola to an expanding portfolio of licensees that broaden the world of Bluey at retail. Crayola is a natural fit and extension of Bluey’s brand, promoting creativity and imaginative play for preschool children.  I know children and their parents will be delighted to see these brands come together.

Bluey is produced by multi-Emmy® award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC Kids Australia, co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios, and distributed internationally by BBC Studios outside of Australia.

 

BBC Studios to drive Bluey licensing growth across the Americas with new SVP of consumer products and business development

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BBC Studios – Americas has promoted Suzy Raia to the role of senior vice president, consumer products and business development, where she will oversee and provide licensing planning for the hit preschool franchise, Bluey alongside Doctor Who, Top Gear, His Dark Materials, and Natural History Unit programming.

Tara Maitra, chief commercial officer, BBC Studios – Americas, said: “Bluey has quickly grown to become a favorite brand among preschool-aged children and their families due in large part to Suzy’s fastidious devotion to the brand, as well as her keen insight into smart consumer product strategy.

“This well-deserved promotion acknowledges Suzy’s leadership in developing the Bluey franchise so successfully in such a short time, as well as for the positioning of the brand for continued, record-breaking growth in the future.”

Since joining BBC Studios in 2018, Raia has been responsible for driving the licensing and consumer products strategies across its portfolio of properties for the US, Canada, and Latin America. Her purview includes product licensing across multiple genres, including factual and natural history content, drama series, science fiction, and children’s animation.

Raia said: “I am living and breathing Bluey every day, and could not ask for a better brand in which to be fully immersed. We have launched a robust licensing program in the US, with extensions in Canada and Latin America alongside our Master Toy Licensee Moose as well as many other best-in- class licensees. All I can say is, the best is yet to come.”

Prior to BBC Studios, Raia built her career over 19 years at Nickelodeon, where she most recently served as the vice president of partnerships and collaborations within the consumer products division. In that role, Raia executed ground-breaking deals including Moschino X SpongeBob, Jeremy Scott X Ren & Stimpy, Story X Nick 90’s, TMNT X Melo (Carmelo Anthony), and SpongeBob(RED).

Raia also served as vice president of apparel and accessories for over 10 years, tripling the business during her tenure with hit properties including SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Paw Patrol, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, and more. Earlier in her career, she worked across a variety of categories which included activity, toy, back-to-school, stationery, and seasonal, with an expanded oversight across Viacom properties including Nickelodeon’s children’s portfolio, Comedy Central’s South Park, and Paramount’s The Godfather, Audrey Hepburn, and many more.

Dreamtex Ltd launches Bluey bedding produced in first partnership with the Better Cotton Initiative

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The boutique bedding specialist Dreamtex Ltd has partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative for the first time as it prepares to launch its new, sustainably focused Bluey bedding in time for autumn 2021.

Its partnership with the initiative is reflective, says the company, of its commitment to sustainability in licensing and within the bedding industry. The BCI is a global not-for-profit organisation recognised as the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world. It has been formed in order to improve the global cotton production industry and the environment, and as a means to safeguard the future of the sector.

The popular preschool property, Bluey will adorn the first roll-out developed in partnership with the BCI, marking what Dreamtex has billed as a ‘welcome addition to the preschool bedding portfolio.’ Available in single size and made from 100 per cent BCI cotton, the launch duvet focuses on character artwork from the series.

Jo Duckworth, director of Dreamtex Ltd, said: “The team has been excited to bring Bluey homewares to the UK for a long time now. We all know how popular the TV series is in Australia and it’s no surprise it is performing so strongly on CBeebies since making its on-air debut earlier this year. We’re looking forward to bringing in the collection of Bluey bedding, cushions, blankets and towels later this year.

“We’ll be supporting the new collection with PR and influencer gifting to spread the joy of Bluey and her family, and to also promote the introduction of BCI cotton into our manufacturing as we strive to deliver on our commitment to sustainability in licensing.”

Dreamtex Ltd launches Bluey bedding produced in first partnership with the Better Cotton Initiative

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The boutique bedding specialist Dreamtex Ltd has partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative for the first time as it prepares to launch its new, sustainably focused Bluey bedding in time for autumn 2021.

Its partnership with the initiative is reflective, says the company, of its commitment to sustainability in licensing and within the bedding industry. The BCI is a global not-for-profit organisation recognised as the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world. It has been formed in order to improve the global cotton production industry and the environment, and as a means to safeguard the future of the sector.

The popular preschool property, Bluey will adorn the first roll-out developed in partnership with the BCI, marking what Dreamtex has billed as a ‘welcome addition to the preschool bedding portfolio.’ Available in single size and made from 100 per cent BCI cotton, the launch duvet focuses on character artwork from the series.

Jo Duckworth, director of Dreamtex Ltd, said: “The team has been excited to bring Bluey homewares to the UK for a long time now. We all know how popular the TV series is in Australia and it’s no surprise it is performing so strongly on CBeebies since making its on-air debut earlier this year. We’re looking forward to bringing in the collection of Bluey bedding, cushions, blankets and towels later this year.

“We’ll be supporting the new collection with PR and influencer gifting to spread the joy of Bluey and her family, and to also promote the introduction of BCI cotton into our manufacturing as we strive to deliver on our commitment to sustainability in licensing.”

BBC Studios and Immediate Media to launch Bluey Magazine this summer

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The multi-award winning preschool series, Bluey has landed a new children’s magazine deal thanks to a partnership between BBC Studios and the popular kids’ publishers, Immediate Media Co.

Bluey Magazine will feature new ways for children to explore the world of Bluey, with open-ended play activities and opportunities for young readers to engage their imagination, whether its exploring the Bluey family home, or making their own Daddy Robot, tidying the playroom, or making their own Bingo toast.

Each issue of the new magazine will come with a sticker sheet, while the first issue will include a collectable ‘paint your own figurines’ play-set enabling fans to create their own Bluey and Bingo.

Produced by Ludo Studio and jointly commissioned by BBC Studios and ABC Children’s, the hit preschool series follows Bluey, a six-year-old Blue Heeler dog, who turns everyday family life into a series of adventures that unfold in unpredictable ways.

Bluey has gained vast audiences worldwide, winning an International Emmy Kids Award in the prestigious Preschool Category in 2020 and becoming Australia’s most popular children’s television show as well as the number one show for preschoolers in its UK time slot on CBeebies.

Fiona Campbell, Immediate youth and children’s publisher, said: “Bluey has been a roaring broadcast success across the globe, and we’re thrilled to be creating content for fans to enjoy, here in the UK. It’s great to finally give ‘little squirts’ (and let’s be honest, their parents too!) what they’ve been waiting for.

“We have an exciting line up of issues and gifts, featuring themes from family to food along with Bluey classics such as Daddy Robot, Magic Asparagus and the Grannies with plenty of games, makes, puzzles and giggles along the way.”

Mandy Thwaites, director, magazines and consumer products, BBC Studios, said: “We’re delighted to work with Immediate to bring the new Bluey Magazine to shelves and can’t wait for you to see it. It’s packed full of exciting activities to keep your children entertained while learning, having fun and sharing their love for Bluey and her family.”

The first issue of Bluey Magazine is on sale from August 4th 2021. Bluey toys were released earlier this month and are now available at retail.

Bluey billed “most important preschool IP since Frozen” as Stor SL readies merch portfolio for UK, Ireland, and EMEA

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Bosses at the global product manufacturer, Stor SL have hailed BBC Studios’ preschool property, Bluey “the most important property since Disney’s Frozen” as it prepares to launch a portfolio of more than 50 licensed items to the UK, Ireland, and EMEA markets in the coming months.

The range, spanning drinkware, lunch bags, plates and bowls, cutlery, bottles, and more will be made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and porcelain and will add natural fibres to traditional plastics to reduce the percentage of plastics by up to 30 per cent.

Stor will also be offering tailor-made options to retailers who request an exclusive line.

Valentin Ortiz, CEO of Stor SL, said: “In my view, Bluey is without a doubt the most important pre-school property since Frozen. It has been a real phenomenon in Australia and the USA and is becoming a huge global hit. Our retailers, customers and Stor local office directors have been asking about this opportunity and we are proud to work together with them to develop our Bluey range.”

Anita Majhu, senior licensing manager, BBC Studios, added: “We are delighted that Stor is joining our raft of world-class partners for Bluey. This partnership offers a fantastic opportunity to reach fans across the UK and Ireland and EMEA markets.

“Stor’s commitment to sustainability also complements BBC Studios’ work in this area and we welcome bringing Bluey products to market that are responsibly sourced.”

The Bluey line of product from Stor will complement extensive launch plans for Bluey licensed product across UK and EMEA driven by ‘exceptional TV ratings’ and led by a comprehensive toy programme.

First launched in Australia in October 2018, Bluey is quickly becoming a global hit, achieving ‘outstanding ratings’ and attracting a multitude of best in class partners.

In its home market, Bluey was the number one children’s programme on metro broadcast television in 2020 and is the number one series of all time on ABC iview, with over 480 million views across series one and two. The property also won Pre-School License of the Year for the second year in a row at the Australian Toy Association (ATA) Awards.

Meanwhile in France, Bluey is available on France Télévision’s free-to-air channel France 5 and its catch-up kids’ platform OKOO. Toys from global master toy partner Moose is set to launch at retail in France in 2022.

The series is also available on CBeebies in the UK, where it has become the top programme on the channel since it launched in April. Its episodes constitute the top five most requested CBeebies episodes on BBC iPlayer. Toys from global master toy partner Moose will launch at retail in the UK in July.

BBC Studios has a global broadcast deal with Disney for Bluey and recently announced that the third season will debut on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+ in all territories outside of Australia, New Zealand and China.

BBC Studios reshuffles licensing team as Rikesh Desai leaves licensing director role

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BBC Studios has detailed a reorganisation of its licensing team following the departure of Rikesh Desai, the company’s licensing director for the UK and EMEA.

Director of magazines, Mandy Thwaites will take on additional responsibility for the merchandising team, while global director of live entertainment, Mat Way, will now also lead the gaming and interactive team. Both will continue to report to Stephen Davies, BBC Studios’ managing director of consumer products and licensing.

Davies said: “Rikesh has been a driving force behind our merchandise and gaming licensing activity for the last few years and he generated a significant amount of new business and growth for the company, the recent ground-breaking Doctor Who game releases and the tidal wave of Bluey merchandise deals to name a few. It’s fair to say that he has left those businesses in terrific shape.

“I am delighted that Mandy and Mat have agreed to take on additional responsibilities. Mandy has enormous and impressive experience in business leadership, particularly in the field of licensing, and has deep expertise in stakeholder and client relationship management. She also plays a key role in delivering our sustainability agenda, a key consideration for the merchandise team.

“Mat, similarly, has a huge depth of experience. His role managing rights licensing for live entertainment has significant synergy with gaming and interactive markets, as evidenced by recent collaborative projects including the Green Planet 5G project.

“Mandy and Mat both bring passion, energy and commercial nous to carry on the excellent work taking place across the consumer products and licensing division here at BBC Studios.”

Thwaites joined BBC Studios in 2014 and during her time at the company she has managed multiple magazine licensing deals and compliance for over 20 brands, from Gardeners’ World, to Countryfile, to Doctor Who, Top Gear and CBeebies. She is also responsible for the recently relaunched topgear.com.

She said: “It couldn’t be a better time for me to be joining forces with the incredible merchandise team. We’ve the launch of Bluey products about to launch in the UK off the back of the show’s massive success in Australia and the USA. And then Bluey is off to Europe. Hey Duggee will lead the way as we’re soon to roll him out too across European territories. And sustainability is top of my to do list, we’ve made great strides in this area but there is still work to do.”

Meanwhile, Way has worked in the live entertainment team at BBC Studios for 10 years and was promoted to global director of live entertainment in 2018. Following an early career in radio production, he has almost 20 years’ experience working for world-class content studios.

He and his team have delivered landmark projects for the business including, the launch of CBeebies Land and CBeebies Land Hotel at Alton Towers, Blue Planet II in Concert, Planet Earth II in Concert, Doctor Who’s immersive production Time Fracture which has just launched in central London, and the Strictly Come Dancing Live Arena Tour.

He said: “I am thrilled to be joining the gaming and interactive business where there is already a deeply knowledgeable and passionate team in place. Both the live entertainment and gaming & interactive businesses provide really exciting opportunities to bring our brands to life and engage fans in new ways, and given the synergy between the two areas, I am looking forward to exploring new ways of working together too.”

BBC Studios adds VTech to growing global toy roster for preschool series Bluey

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BBC Studios has agreed a multi-territory licensing deal with VTech to produce electronic role play toys based on its multi-award winning children’s TV property, Bluey.

Marking the latest expansion of the series’ global licensing programme, VTech’s initial Bluey range will feature popular characters from the series and lines include electronic books, role play watches and a phone.

Product is expected to launch at retail in both Australia and USA for Q3 2022, followed by future roll outs in the UK, France, Canada and New Zealand.

Andrew Barrett, director of product development and licensing at VTech, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with BBC Studios on this beautifully crafted show. Its focus on imaginative play combined with adventurous storytelling fits perfectly with our ethos of play, learn and develop.”

Julie Kekwick, senior licensing manager at BBC Studio, added: “Our new partnership with VTech symbolises a significant extension of our Bluey franchise, joining our other global partners such as Penguin Random House and complementing the highly successful Moose Toys, master toy range.”

First launched in Australia in October 2018, Bluey is fast becoming a global hit, achieving outstanding ratings and attracting a multitude of best in class partners.

In its home market, Australia, Bluey was the number one children’s programme on metro broadcast television in 2020 and is the number one series ever on ABC iview with over 480 million views across series one and two. It also won ‘Pre-School License of the Year’ for the second year in a row at the Australian Toy Association (ATA) Awards.

In the US, Bluey is the number one new license in the super plush category, and was the number two top new growth property in 2020 for the total toy industry. Across Disney Junior and Disney Channel in Q1 2021, it was the third most watched TV series with kids aged two to five years old.

Bluey is also available on CBeebies in the UK, where it has become the top programme on the channel since it launched in April. Its episodes constitute the top five most requested CBeebies episodes on BBC iPlayer. Toys from global master toy partner Moose are set to launch at retail in the UK in July.

Bluey tops the ratings on CBeebies and iPlayer during first month on its UK free to air home

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Bluey has been named the top rating programme on CBeebies in April, the same month that the popular preschool series launched to its free to air home in the UK.

The series also become the number one show in its time slot for 0 to six year old children, and its episodes constitute the top five most requested CBeebies episodes on the BBC iPlayer. So far throughout May, Bluey represents nine of the top ten most requested episodes on CBeebies.

Henrietta Hurford-Jones, executive producer for Bluey and director of children’s content partnerships at BBC  Studios, said: “Working with Ludo and ABC on Bluey is a joy and a privilege, and seeing audiences worldwide respond so positively to the warmth, humour and authenticity of the show is immensely rewarding. The degree to which the CBeebies audience has now embraced Bluey too is equally incredible.”

Bluey has been winning the hearts of kids and parents around the world since it first launched in Australia in October 2018, and the show is fast becoming a global hit. In its home market, Bluey was the number one children’s programme on metro broadcast television in 2020 and is the number one series ever on ABC iview with over 480 million views across series one and two.

In addition to winning over audiences worldwide, Bluey has scooped up multiple awards, such as the  International Emmy Kids Award in the prestigious Preschool category last year. The accolades have continued into 2021, with Bluey winning four Kidscreen Awards in February.

Multi-award winner Bluey follows a six year-old Blue Heeler dog who loves to play and turns everyday family life into extraordinary adventures. Bluey is produced by the multi-Emmy award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC Kids Australia and is co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios.