The UK licensing agent, Lisle Licensing has sealed three early deals for the US brand, Kate Smith Company in the greetings card, online greetings, and calendar categories, tapping Hallmark, Moonpig, and Carousel Calendars.
Kate Smith Company is a brand on a mission to make humans smile. Its origins started several years ago in the greetings card sector with its own ‘From Frank’ brand. Lisle Licensing has secured an agreement with Hallmark as master greetings partner which will see a comprehensive range of cards launch later this year.
Moonpig has also been appointed as the online greeting card partner and will offer a variety of the Kate Smith Company lines which have become so popular across the USA and Canada, but are particularly renowned for sending uplifting, happy, positive vibes blended with its vibrant art design house-style.
The range will also be extended in the coming months with designs that can be personalised to add that extra personal touch and make an even bigger impact.
Lastly, Carousel Calendars will launch 2022 dated calendars and diaries.
All three licensees were brokered by Lisle Licensing who has already seen strong interest in Kate Smith Company’s brands, demonstrating its potential to expand into further categories. Discussions are already taking place with gifting, stationery, and additional categories..
Francesca lisle, managing director at Lisle Licensing, said: “When we first set eyes upon Kate Smith Company and saw their success in the USA and Canada, we instinctively knew they had a fantastic future in the UK quite simply because of their humorous, cheeky and happy brand which will aspire to consumers here.
“We are thrilled that licensees agree with us, and to have got them off to a fantastic start in key categories and strong partners.”
Jen Stephenson, UK head of licensing, Hallmark added: “We’re delighted to be working with Kate Smith Company and so excited about our partnership. Kate is a wonderful designer and we absolutely love her fun, funny, quirky and playful style. As soon as we saw her card designs they made us smile and we knew straight away her brand would be a perfect fit for Hallmark.”
Martin Rees-Davies, product, licensing lead, at Carousel Calendars, said: “We are delighted to be working with Kate and her amazing designs and captions. With the year that we have all had I have no hesitation that the vibrant colours and designs will bring a much- needed smile to everyone’s face.”
