Tag Archives: food and beverage

The Breakfast Club: Richard Pink on five successful years with Kellogg’s and Kimm & Miller

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It’s a partnership that has spanned the last half a decade and one that continues to move from strength to strength with each year that passes and each new range that finds more and more shelf space within some of the UK’s most popular retail destinations. Kellogg’s and Kimm & Miller have become almost as synonymous as eggs and soldiers, or Snap, Crackle, and Pop.

And there in the middle, the broker of this breakfast behemoth’s gifting gallery, is Pink Key Licensing’s Richard Pink. Together, this formidable trio has managed to push the envelope for food brands in the gifting and the classic brand with vintage appeal sector, building up a portfolio that from small beginnings now sits on shelves at some of the country’s biggest grocers.

And still, there is more to come. 2021 has been earmarked as the year that Kimm and Miller takes the Kellogg’s brand into the housewares sector, a ‘key push for the brand’ that has successfully navigated the waters of 2020 so far to have maintained its strength of position in the market, even throughout its most tumultuous moments.

Here, Licensing.biz catches up with Pink Key Licensing’s Richard Pink, and Kimm and Miller’s Dave Kimm to talk about those future plans, the demand for the Kellogg’s brand, and the secrets to a successful licensing partnership.

 

Richard Pink of Pink Key Licensing

Richard, it’s been a while. Thanks for chatting with us and to kick us off can you talk us through the strength of the Kellogg’s brand? 

Kellogg’s is a hugely important brand in our portfolio. Firstly, it has terrific awareness across  every territory that we manage in Europe which allows not only local activity but also  activity that goes cross-border and even global. Secondly, it’s a very adaptable brand and  works on many levels because it has a contemporary aspect as well as a rich heritage. It appeals right across a very large consumer demographic. 

What does the brand bring to the gifting and vintage/classic brand sector? 

Obviously, there is the food element which works so well for the Kimm and Miller gifting  sets, but there is also the amazing artwork which allows it to work almost like an art license as well. 

Your partnership with Kimm and Miller has been one stretching over the last five years. What success have you had with the Kellogg’s range over that time? 

The range started quite small but has expanded each year based on the success that we  have had. Initially, it was only available in Debenhams and it grew there to become the  largest Christmas gifting range. Since then, Kimm and Miller have developed additional products which have been listed by other retailers such as Tesco and Morrisons that still use the same characters but are distinct from the large range that remains in Debenhams.

Every  year the range has grown and become more successful for us. 

How have you seen the collection develop over that time? 

At this point I think I’ll turn this question over to Dave Kimm who has developed and managed the range…

Dave Kimm, commercial director, Kimm & Miller: Working with the UK’s favourite cereal brand has been and continues to be a great experience. In conjunction with Pink Key we launched our first Vintage Kellogg’s gift range in 2015 with seven SKUs and, in a clear sign of the affection the consumer holds for the  brand, that SKU count has grown fourfold since then, helped on with a move into the  housewares category.

It’s absolutely essential to continually update and refresh the winning  core lines with the wonderful assets available to us whilst also introducing new product  uniqueness into the range on an annual basis.  

What makes Kimm and Miller the ideal partner for this sector and for this brand? 

Richard Pink, Pink Key: Kimm and Miller have enormous experience in understanding brands and which kind of  products will work. They understand the core elements of what appeals to consumers and are able to translate that into products the consumers want to buy, either for themselves or as gifts for others.

They also have first class processes to ensure that the quality of the  product is maintained which is always so important for food and to the brand.

What’s the secret to a successful and long-standing relationship like yours with Kimm &  Miller? And how has that helped in the success of the range and brand at retail? 

The key word here is partnership: We always work together to understand each other’s  needs and we instinctively know when we need to push things a little with the brand to create innovative product.

Kimm and Miller has fantastic retail relationships; they include us in their discussions when necessary so that we can have a direct understanding of what their customers want. And, because of the huge amount of art we have available, we are then able to give retailers things that they want to build on; past successes or respond to emerging trends. 

Can you talk us through any new developments, launches or plans for the Kimm and Miller  partnership? 

My view is that every year we develop the core range, keeping the bits that work and adding  to it so that it always has a certain amount of innovation as well as the core products that we know work so well.

It’s probably a bit early to say how we are going to develop things for next Christmas, however, now that we are working with Kimm and Miller on a broader housewares range, we are able to access new retailers with an all year round  offering.

Dave might also have a view on this…

Dave Kimm: I couldn’t agree more with Richard – the expansion of the housewares range is key to us for 2021 and we are at the beginning of that process as we speak. Even in these extremely testing times for us all, this year our retail channels for Kellogg’s have grown both online and  with the bricks and mortar retailers. I believe that in itself is proof of the affection and  fondness Tony, Cornelius, Coco et al are held in and we need to ensure both our housewares  range and Vintage gift sets continue to reflect that popularity.

How strong will the range be this Q4 and as we move into the new year? 

Richard Pink: I’m glad you asked me that! Every year the range just seems to get stronger. Even in a  difficult year like this we have been able to maintain the sales of our range. It makes me  believe that, as (hopefully) retail begins to open up next year our range will be stronger than  ever.

Thank you both, is there anything you’d like to add? 

I’d like to leave the final words to Alex the designer at Kimm and Miller for the Kellogg range whose input is absolutely invaluable: 

‘Working with a brand like Kellogg’s is a total privilege – the archive is really well-managed  and it’s always enjoyable to come up with new ideas that work with the classic characters. 

‘Kellogg’s and the Pink Key team give us a lot of trust and flexibility, which we have built on  over the years. I always get a real buzz when I see the finished range come together – it’s so vibrant and bright and I hope it makes people happy when they receive one of our gifts for  Christmas.’

Condé Nast opens it first branded property in China with the launch of Vogue Cafe Beijing

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Condé Nast has opened its first branded property venture in China with the launch of the Vogue Cafe Beijing. Opened under a licensing agreement between Beijing Sycamore Seed Advertising and Media, the new cafe marks the first of a sweep of planned branded cafes for China.

The second Vogue Cafe will open in Shanghai in 2021.

Located at the iconic China World Mall in the Chaoyang District in central Beijing, the Café sits among the city’s leading luxury flagship stores. The area brings together local and international visitors, with a mixture of retail, office spaces, hotels and residential.

The Café is positioned as the ‘ultimate destination for shoppers seeking a unique dining experience’, as well as office workers looking to grab a takeaway lunch.

“Beijing’s rich culture and long history paired with the constantly evolving restaurant scene makes it one of the most enticing cities in China, which is why Condé Nast is thrilled to open the country’s first Vogue Café in the capital,” said Markus Grindel, managing director, global brand licensing, Condé Nast.

“Vogue Café Beijing will bring luxury fashion and high-end cuisine together – an experience sure to enchant both local and visiting epicures.”

Vogue Café Beijing, spread over 400 sq. metres, features two elegant dining rooms and a feature cocktail bar. In keeping with Vogue Cafés globally, striking images and covers from the archives of Vogue adorn the walls, including iconic shots featuring some of the world’s most renowned models and photographers.

Joining Vogue Café Beijing as head chef is Jack Yao, whose career spans over 14 years. Having formally trained in Italy and Singapore, Yao’s exclusive menu blends influences from Italian and Asian cuisine for an alluring mix of flavors. Vogue Café Beijing will be open seven days a week, between 10am and 10pm. The Café also operates a full home delivery service.

Vogue Café Beijing joins Condé Nast’s portfolio of branded property under its global licensing division. Other Condé Nast restaurants around the world include Vogue Cafés in Kiev, Moscow, Porto and Riyadh, Vogue Lounge Kuala Lumpur, Vogue Restaurant Istanbul and GQ Bar Berlin.

Condé Nast has published its media titles in China for nearly 15 years, having launched Vogue China in 2005, which today ranks as the country’s most influential fashion authority.

Today, Condé Nast China publishes titles including Vogue, Vogue Film, Vogue Me, GQ, GQ Lab, GQ Style, Condé Nast Traveler and Architectural Digest, under copyright cooperation with partners.

Peaky Blinders masterminds wine deal with French vineyard Vignobles Bardet

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The renowned French vineyard, Vignobles Bardet, has partnered with Banijay Brands and Caryn Mandabach Productions to launch the first, official, Peaky Blinders wine.

Inspired by the multi-award winning drama, Vignobles Bardet has created two red wines – a Saint-Emilion and a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru – which will initially be available in France before being made available for export via local distributors in key markets across Europe and Asia.

Born from the highly-regarded Bordeaux region following research in 1920s wine in partnership with the win historian Jean-Michel Chevet, the offerings are set to give the buyers the opportunity to ‘immerse themselves in the world of the international hit drama.’

Jane Smith, group director, brand licensing of Banijay Brands, said: “In Vignobles Bardet we have found an established and creative partner to create an authentic product, which is perfectly suited to the Peaky Blinders brand.

“This collaboration has created two fine reds that will give fans an authentic taste of the 1920s in the very style that would be shared at the Shelby table.”

Thibault Bardet, Vignobles Bardet, added: “It’s easy to imagine a character like Thomas Shelby importing his own wine from our great-great-grandfather Jean Roy on the prestigious Saint-Emilion region of Bordeaux and we believe these reds are exactly what he would have chosen. We are extremely proud to produce a product that captures the true essence of Peaky Blinders.”

Jamie Glazebrook, executive producer of Peaky Blinders for Caryn Mandabach Productions, said: “Peaky Blinders continues to be a journey into the unexpected. In series five, Churchill outlines Tommy Shelby’s progress as ‘a tent, then a boat, then a house, now a mansion.’ To which we can now add a vineyard. We could not be more delighted with this collaboration, the results of which are truly delicious.”

This year Banijay Brands has developed an extensive licensing programme for the global hit in partnership with official Peaky Blinders brand owner, brand curator and producer Caryn Mandabach Productions. This includes a collaboration with Curve Digital for Peaky Blinders: Mastermind,  Hodder for The Official Peaky Blinders Quiz Book,  a card game with Steamforged, the first stationery products in Brazil with Tilibra, Thornbridge Brewery for the first endorsed “Shelby” beer, and various product ranges spanning apparel, gifting, men’s grooming and more. 

Peaky Blinders is distributed by Banijay Rights and has sold in more than 183 countries and is widely available internationally on Netflix i including the USA.

The Banijay Brands portfolio includes MasterChef, Temptation Island, Peaky Blinders, Survivor, Deal or No Deal, The Inbetweeners, Big Brother, Mister Maker, Operation Triunfo, Eat Well for Less, Simon’s Cat, Mr Bean, Don’t, Sunday Brunch, Tipping Point, The Biggest Loser, Ready Steady Cook, Black Mirror, Miss France, Maddie’s Do You Know?, Wipeout and Crystal Maze.

GQ partners with NIO Cocktails to launch luxury gift box of themed cocktails

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GQ is letting its hair down through a new partnership with NIO Cocktails to develop a ‘unique and luxurious’ tasting experience through a collection of cocktails that aim to ‘fuse hedonism, style, and luxury with all five senses.’

Produced by NIO Cocktails and designed exclusively for the taste of GQ, the collection is sold as a hand-crafted gift set made with 100 per cent recyclable materials, and is available to buy online and ready to taste in the comfort of your own home.

The luxury gift box launch encompasses what it calls “an aesthetic diary for a sensorial journey: four cities, four capitals of taste, four different styles.” It delivers four exclusive cocktails created by NIO Cocktails’ master mixologist Patrick Pistolesi for GQ, four original glasses, each distinctly unique to enhance the taste, one ice mold and four luxury prints for decoration.

The collection features Milan’s The Milanese Bianco. London’s The Dandy, New York’s The Big Apple, and Tokyo’s Sensei.

The Milanese Bianco celebrates the Milanese tradition while providing a twist on a classic Negroni cocktail, mixing Tanqueray Gin, Bitter Bianco Luxardo and Cocchi Americano Bianco for a mature palate. Meanwhile, the Dandy is billed as a sober cocktail, based on Gin Tanqueray, with a touch that gives sparkle, ginger liqueur, light and of a slight amber color.

The Big Apple is the name of a cocktail that celebrates the iconic figure of contemporaneity, including a green apple liqueur with a fruity base that recalls the healthy world. The apple liqueur is suited to the sweet and deep notes of Bourbon Bulleit.

Finally, Tokyo: Sensei is described as a technically perfect citrus cocktail with a strong yellow color. The typical Japanese Yuzu liqueur, mixed with Blended Whiskey, fragrant and round with a fruity and exotic Lychee Syrup, very popular in Japan.

NIO Cocktails is the Italian startup leader in artisanal blending of ready to drink cocktails. All the cocktails are exclusively created with premium ingredients, signed by the well-known mixologist Patrick Pistolesi and contained inside a 100 per cent recyclable pack.

The RHS launches its own wine with Babylonstoren ahead of RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021

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The Royal Horticultural Society has secured a partnership with the historic South African fruit and wine farm, Babylonstoren to produce its own branded RHS rosé wine.

The wine will launch just before the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 17th, 2021, for which it will be the official rosé wine. Visitors to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be the first to taste the special vintage.

Listed as a fresh fruity rosé, Babylonstoren will harvest and bottle the grapes only a few weeks before the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021, before rushing the first shipment to London. The rosé will feature a designation label on the front of the bottle. The RHS logo and information about Britain’s favourite gardening charity will appear on the label on the back of the bottle.

Babylonstoren RHS Rosé will be available at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 and for a limited time at some RHS gardens. It will also be available throughout 2021 via Babylonstoren’s friends in the UK, The Newt in Somerset at shop.thenewtinsomerset.com, as well as a variety of independent wine stores and hospitality outlets throughout the UK.

The license includes an agreement that Babylonstoren will be the non-exclusive supplier of rosé wine at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021.

As with French rosé, the varietal Mourvèdre is being used for Babylonstoren RHS Rosé.

Charl Coetzee, the Babylonstoren Cellarmaster, said: “We keep it on skins for a mere one to two hours, to ensure a liquid the colour of a delicate sunrise. The result is a fuller and rounder rosé, with a lovely floral character. Its flavour incorporates creamy rhubarb, sweet freshness of watermelon and subtle punch of acidity. The style is elegant and ethereal.”

This is a first for the RHS. The charity has a wine club for members and has also in the past endorsed a limited edition honeybee gin with Warner’s Distillery. However, it has never licensed a specific wine before. 

Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, said: “Rosé is an ideal spring and summer wine, and the first-ever RHS-endorsed rosé calls to mind flowers, gardens and the outdoors, with the promise that warmer days are on the way. What better way could there be to welcome Britain’s best-loved flower show? We’re delighted to be partnering with Babylonstoren on this wonderful wine.”

Coetzee added: “Babylonstoren RHS Rosé is an ideal accompaniment for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, both of which celebrate spring and the coming of summer. We’re thrilled to be working with the RHS and, like our partner in this exciting initiative, we’re looking forward enormously to our first sip of Babylonstoren RHS Rosé.”

The Laughing Cow’s 100th anniversary is another reason to be cheerful in 2021

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Next year is giving us all a good reason to smile, and it’s not just at the prospect of a Covid-19 vaccine emerging out of a year of turmoil. More so than that, 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the Laughing Cow.

Bel Licensing has now earmarked the coming year as one for celebration, bringing in its roster of 40 continent-spanning licensees to take part in the joviality, and celebrate the iconic Laughing Cow – the image that has been called the ‘pop art incarnation of the Mona Lisa’ by the US conceptual artists Mel Bochner, in the only way it knows how.

Created in 1921, iconized by Benjamin Rabier in 1923 and present in more than 130 countries, the Laughing Cow brand will be celebrated by its nearly 40 licensees across food and non-food categories and spanning a licensee roster of long-established partners and brand new ones.

Patrick Tamburlin, Bel Licensing manager, has hinted at new deals to launch across the globe throughout the coming year, as well as the launch of a new TV ad spot, a new style guide celebrating the 100th anniversary, 100 years limited edition packaging, in-store pop-ups and more.

New partnerships brokered by Pink Key Licensing in the EMEA, and Design Plus Licensing in the US, as well as Infiniss in Korea will all be celebrated.

“So many new deals to arrive and other ones to (re) discover all over 2021 to reinforce huge brand celebration (new TV copy, 100 years specific logotype, 100 years limited packaging edition, pop-up store…) echoing The Laughing Cow universal brand mission ‘It’s better to laugh’,” said Tamburlin.

YWOW Games continues mission to ‘revolutionise the market’ with Perfetti Van Melle partnership

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YWOW Games, an up and coming games and puzzles company on a mission to ‘revolutionise the market’ by combining global household brands with collectable jigsaw puzzles, has expanded its best-selling range through a new partnership with the confectionery brand, Perfetti Van Melle.

The fast-growing company launched onto the scene with its brand Mini Puzzles earlier this year when it introduced its Kellogg’s and Pringles range via distribution channels reaching most major markets. According to the firm, the two licensed puzzles lines are already selling out in major retailers in the UK.

Now, building on the momentum of the launch, YWOW Games have finalised a global licensing deal with Perfetti Van Melle for its iconic Mentos brand. Not only will the license occupy a solid space within the Mini Puzzles brand, but will also be one of the first licenses that make up the new SuperSized puzzles line.

SuperSized puzzles are 500 to 1000-piece vintage puzzles packaged in extra-large packaging resembling the brand’s own packaging.

“It is evident from the brand’s success in these markets that the current circumstances make puzzles even more of an evergreen category,” said the firm.

“It is safe to say YWOW Games are only just getting started with their license deals, and they promise to bring to all markets their iconic puzzles based on the A-brands for all categories.”

Please feel free to contact YWOW Games at info@ypernova.com for more information.

Caroline Mickler named UK licensing agency for Surge Brands’ Toxic Waste Sour Candy

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Caroline Mickler Ltd. has been appointed as the exclusive UK Licensing Agency on behalf of Surge Brands Inc, to develop a brand licensing campaign for Candy Dynamics Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy.

“I am thrilled to be representing this dynamic brand which has a huge following,” said Caroline Mickler. “Launched in the UK in 2005 by distributor Newbridge Confectionery, the brand is recognized as the number one sour novelty product in the market place and has achieved extensive retail distribution including in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Martin McColls, B&M, The Range, Home Bargains and Spar.”

Recent times have seen kids and adults alike take on the Toxic Waste extreme challenge, a game played where the winner is able to hold the ultra-sour candy in their mouth for at least 60 seconds and claim the honour of becoming a Full Toxie Head.

The challenges are uploaded on YouTube by fans of all ages.

Toxic Waste was featured on Channel 4’s “Heston Blumenthal Fantastical Food” as the Ultimate Super Sour Product currently available today.

Targeted licensed product categories will initially include Food & Beverage, Apparel & Accessories, Health & Beauty and gifts.

Caroline Mickler named UK licensing agency for Surge Brands’ Toxic Waste Sour Candy

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Caroline Mickler Ltd. has been appointed as the exclusive UK Licensing Agency on behalf of Surge Brands Inc, to develop a brand licensing campaign for Candy Dynamics Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy.

“I am thrilled to be representing this dynamic brand which has a huge following,” said Caroline Mickler. “Launched in the UK in 2005 by distributor Newbridge Confectionery, the brand is recognized as the number one sour novelty product in the market place and has achieved extensive retail distribution including in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Martin McColls, B&M, The Range, Home Bargains and Spar.”

Recent times have seen kids and adults alike take on the Toxic Waste extreme challenge, a game played where the winner is able to hold the ultra-sour candy in their mouth for at least 60 seconds and claim the honour of becoming a Full Toxie Head.

The challenges are uploaded on YouTube by fans of all ages.

Toxic Waste was featured on Channel 4’s “Heston Blumenthal Fantastical Food” as the Ultimate Super Sour Product currently available today.

Targeted licensed product categories will initially include Food & Beverage, Apparel & Accessories, Health & Beauty and gifts.

Baileys enters the snacking sector with the indulgent Baileys Chocolate Treat Blondie Bars

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Baileys is stepping into the snacking category with the launch of its new Baileys Chocolate Treat Blondie Bars, courtesy of the food and beverage specialist, Finsbury Food Group. The move has been devised to tap into the fast-growing snacking sector, one that 94 per cent of consumers in the UK say they subscribe to.

Recent research from Finsbury has found that 55 per cent of UK ‘snackers’ have moved towards eating healthier at mealtime, making way for more indulgent treats. Enter the new Baileys Chocolate Treat Blondie Bar, arriving in time to meet snackers as they make yet another trip to the fridge while working from home this year.

Baileys Chocolate Treat Blondie Bars offer a blondie sponge filling, topped with traditional Baileys tasting frosting, wrapped in a layer of milk chocolate.

Jack Cook-Broussine, brand manager at Finsbury Food Group, said: “Snacking was a no-brainer for us, we’re a nation of ‘snackers’ and the at-home snacking category has seen a rise due to lockdown.

“We’ve always wanted to delve into snacking with Diageo and Baileys Chocolate Treat Blondie Bars are the perfect hybrid product to be enjoyed at home, or when the world returns to normal, on the go. We’re really excited to launch this to consumers, especially with the glowing track record of previous products in our growing Baileys range.”

Declan Hassett, senior licensing manager at Diageo, added: “We continue to work with Finsbury developing the ongoing success of the range. Snacking products are something we’ve wanted to put our Baileys stamp on for a while, we’ve been working hard to stay ahead of the curve and to deliver that delicious, indulgent, signature Baileys experience for consumers to enjoy wherever they are.

“We have already seen great success with Finsbury and our range of Baileys-infused cakes, and we have no doubt that Baileys Chocolate Treat Blondie Bars will be enjoyed all-year-round.”