BBC Studios is expanding its consumer products division with the appointment of Louise Rigby and Gaby Dior as its new licensing managers, with a focus on expanding the programmes around Bluey, Hey Duggee, BBC Earth, and Doctor Who.
The pair will report to BBC Studios’ licensing director merchandise, partnerships, and interactive, Rikesh Desai. Rigby will manage UK deals while Dior will oversee the licensing operations and agent relationships across EMEA.
Desai said: “Louise and Gaby bring a wealth of experience and creativity from the brand and licensing world. They have worked with some of the most popular brands and I’m thrilled they’re joining us at an exciting time to provide our fans with more opportunities to interact with their beloved programmes and characters in new and exciting ways.”
Rigby joins from Fashion UK & Global Licensing with over 12 years’ experience working in the brand and licensing industry. She has worked with over 100 world renowned brand owners including LEGO, Disney, WB, Hasbro, Nickelodeon and PlayStation, and has led PR, marketing and account management for product areas including soft lines, accessories, footwear and health & beauty.
She said: “I’m so pleased to be joining BBC Studios at such an exciting time, when the consumer products team is supporting the success and significant growth of preschool properties like Hey Duggee and Bluey.
“I’ve also seen their dedication to supporting partners with sustainable, ethical and environmentally friendly manufacturing which is an amazing thing to be part of. I’m looking forward to working with our existing partners and building new relationships for potential future collaborations.”
Meanwhile, Dior has over 15 years’ experience working in licensing and consumer products and has previously managed licensing programmes across EMEA for leading international agency Wildbrain CPLG, and internationally for Zodiak Rights (now Banijay Rights).
She has worked on leading entertainment brands including The Simpsons, Sonic The Hedgehog, Sesame Street and most recently Brown & Friends, BT21, the Spin Master portfolio, Ghostbusters and the Sony Pictures Entertainment TV portfolio.
“I am thrilled to be joining the team at BBC Studios, home to the very best of British creative content,” she said. “Tapping into my experience across the European markets, I am looking forward to developing and growing the footprint of the licensing business for the new and award-winning preschool brand Bluey and the wider portfolio of existing and trusted brands across the EMEA region.”
The announcement follows a successful year for BBC Studios’ consumer products division which has secured an extensive catalogue of licensees in the UK to coincide with the launch of Emmy Award-winning pre-school series Bluey on CBeebies, new partnerships and renewed deals for Hey Duggee including its first confectionery product with Kinnerton, and successful BBC Earth branded product launches.
BBC Studios is looking to expand its brand footprint in both the UK and EMEA and they will lead key projects in 2021 and beyond.
