Tag Archives: Merchantwise Licensing

Merchantwise Licensing secures Oodies for emoji – The Iconic Brand

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Merchantwise Licensing has secured a Valentine’s Day partnership with The Davie Group’s Oodies for emoji – The Iconic Brand.

As the Australian licensing agent for emoji – The Iconic Brand, Merchantwise Licensing has brought together the two much-loved brands for a special Valentine’s Day collection for adults.

Featuring the eggplant emoji brand icon for the men’s Oodie design and the peach emoji brand icon for the female Oodie, the cheeky and playful range launches this month in time for Valentine’s Day. Each product can be found via the official Oodie website www.theoodie.com and will be available for sale across the Australia/New Zealand, European and UK regions.

To complement the emoji – The Iconic Brand X Oodies offering, the deal also sees The Davie Group launching a cheeky range of emoji brand socks and underwear in the coming months.

“The Davie Group is very excited to be partnered with the global icon that is emoji – The Iconic Brand.  We have some fantastic product in development and look forward to sharing it with the world throughout 2022,” says The Davie Group Founder, David Fogarty.

“We are pleased to have partnered the much-loved emoji brand with The Davie Group’s Oodies for this playful Valentine’s range. emoji – The Iconic Brand continues to be a very popular brand here in Australia and New Zealand as well as around the world so we anticipate this collaboration will be a resounding success,” adds Kerryn McCormack, Merchantwise Licensing’s General Manager, Licensing.

Marco Huesges, CEO and Founder of the emoji company, comments: “We can’t wait to see the eggplant and peach emoji brand icons come to life on Oodies for Valentine’s Day. We are thrilled to be partnering with The Davie Group for this fun collection and look forward to the roll-out of some great emoji branded underwear and socks for the family.”

Merchantwise Licensing heads up Australian and New Zealand licensing programme for Schitt’s Creek

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ITV Studios has tapped Merchantwise Licensing to represent the hit comedy series, Schitt’s Creek for licensing opportunities across Australia and New Zealand. Work has already got underway on a licensing programme, with local partner Caprice Australia engaged for apparel, footwear, headwear, bags and more.

Also on board is Merch Mother who will develop products across the homewares, gifts and apparel categories.

Licensing opportunities will also be sought by Merchantwise Licensing across other categories including consumer electronics, food and beverage, gardening and outdoor, room décor, personal care, puzzles and games as well as consumer promotions and stationery and paper goods.

“We are pleased to commence this licensing partnership with ITV Studios – Schitt’s Creek enjoys great broadcast success in Australia and New Zealand across Netflix, ABC Comedy and Foxtel. With its historic nine Emmy awards last year, two Golden Globes wins and two Critics’ Awards in 2021 Schitt’s Creek combines great comedic storytelling with fabulous characters and an impressive cast line-up which will ensure its Australian and New Zealand retail licensing success,” said Merchantwise Licensing’s general manager, Kerryn McCormack.

When filthy-rich video store magnate Johnny Rose, his soap star wife Moira, and their two kids – uber-hipster son David and socialite daughter Alexis – suddenly find themselves broke, they are forced to live in a small, depressing town they once bought as a joke. With their pampered lives now abandoned, they must confront their newfound poverty and discover what it means to be a family, all within the rural city limits of Schitt’s Creek, their new home.

Viewed in English speaking countries on Netflix, Schitt’s Creek also enjoys broadcast across multiple platforms around the world including Now in Germany, TV4 in the Nordics and Canal+ in France. Internationally, the brand has many partners signed across a number of retail categories including collectibles, apparel, gifts, toiletries, puzzles and games and mobile games.

Merchantwise Licensing named Australian and New Zealand licensing agent for Kiri and Lou

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Merchantwise Licensing has been named the Australian and New Zealand licensing agent for the pre-school brand, Kiri and Lou, having already secured the support of Scholastic Australia with a series of Kiri and Lou titles scheduled for release later this year.

Meanwhile, already in active development are product categories including toys and apparel.

“We are thrilled to embark on this next stage of the Kiri and Lou journey, and to work with Merchantwise Licensing to meet the needs of fans,” said Kiri and Lou producer, Fiona Copland. “It’s exciting to see it growing in a way that brings joy, which is what Kiri and Lou is all about.”

Kerryn McCormack, Merchantwide Licensing’s general manager, added: “We are absolutely delighted to be representing Kiri and Lou across Australia and New Zealand. With an acclaimed creative team, truly creatively unique, Kiri and Lou has already seen great brand success internationally and we are certain it will perform equally as well in its hometown of New Zealand and across the Tasman in Australia.

“We can’t wait to roll-out publishing titles with Scholastic Australia and know both apparel and toy ranges will be popular with preschoolers.”

Produced in New Zealand, the award-winning pre-school series Kiri and Lou has been making waves around the world. With 52 five-minute episodes already released and a further 26 slated to air throughout this year, in Australia Kiri and Lou is on-air on ABC KIDS and in New Zealand on TVNZ.

Kiri and Lou centres on the friendship between Kiri, a feisty little dinosaur, and Lou, a gentle and thoughtful creature, as they explore the world of feelings through laughter, song and outdoor adventure.

Original and imaginative, Kiri and Lou invites children to learn about empathy and how to get along, through warm-hearted and gently humorous storylines which are resonating with audiences of all ages.

The show is hand-crafted in paper and clay and created using traditional stop-motion animation from Antony El-worthy (Coraline, Corpse Bride, Isle of Dogs).  The series is voiced by Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords, Moana, Rio) and Olivia Tennet (Lord of the Rings) and is written and directed by feature film director Harry Sinclair.

It is produced by Fiona Copland for Stretchy and Heather Walker of Yowza Animation.

Activision taps Merchantwise Licensing to grow consumer products reach across Australia and New Zealand

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Merchantwise Licensing has been appointed licensing agent for the video game publisher Activitision as it looks to build its consumer products programme across Australia and New Zealand.

As part of the partnership, Merchantwise will seek out new local partners and opportunities for some of Activision’s biggest franchises, including the entertainemtn blockbuster brand Call of Duty.

Opportunities will also be sought for the Crash Bandicoot franchise, including Crash Team Racing and the newly released Crash Bandicoot 4 – It’s About Time released in October last year, and Activision’s classic games series Spyro the Dragon and the company’s publishing titles – including three of Atari’s top ten best-selling games of all time – Pitfall, Grand Prix, and River Raid.

“Merchantwise Licensing prides itself on its gaming and digital licensing expertise and we are incredibly thrilled to be welcoming Activision to our portfolio of pedigree brands,” said Merchantwise Licensing’s general manager, Kerryn McCormack.

“With exceptional brands like Call of Duty, Crash and Spyro as well as all the Classics range, Activision is one of the top game publishers in the world and globally recognised for its fun, thrilling and engaging entertainment experiences. We can’t wait to explore local licensing opportunities for Activision and to provide fans with a fully immersive merchandise experience with their favourite gaming brands.”

The licensing programme will be tapping into Activision’s heritage of ‘changing the way people play’ for more than 40 years. Over the course of it four decades, Activision has built one of the largest portfolios or recognised brands and today is one of the most valuable interactive entertainment companies in the world.

Founded in 1979 as the first independent video game software developer and distributor, the company launched a series of multi-million unit selling titles in the early 1980s for the Atari 2600 including Pitfall, Kaboom! and River Raid. Since then, Activision has created some of the most iconic and memorable game experiences of all time.

Today, the company is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products for various consoles, handheld platforms and the PC. Over the past five years, Activision has continued to thrive as a leading digital entertainment provider, and its games appeal to a variety of gamers.

Activision strives to make the most fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences for its players, who live in a world with many entertainment options. The company operates in more than 15 countries including in the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, mainland China, Hong Kong and the region of Taiwan.

Australia’s Blinky Bill lands first clothing collection with BIG W

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The popular Australian animated character, Blinky Bill has partnered with Caprice Australia and Cotton Australia for the launch of an extensive summer range of clothing for infants, kids, and adults with BIG W.

Now available in-store and online, the branded range includes sleepwear for both infants and kids as well as a selection of outerwear pieces for boys and girls including t-shirts, shorts and skirts. The first range for BIG W also includes a Blinky Bill t-shirt for mum and one for dad that both match pieces in the kids outerwear range.

The deal was brokered by Blinky Bill’s licensing agency, Merchantwise Licensing and the range was designed and developed by Caprice Australia for BIG W.

Made from Australian cotton and grown by farmers who care for the natural environment and produce the world’s strongest, cleanest cotton fibres.  Soft to touch, this natural Australian cotton is gentle on skin and the environment.

“As one of Australia’s most-loved local brands, Blinky Bill continues to be popular with the young and old, mums and dads and of course, kids. This partnership with Cotton Australia is absolutely perfect for the Blinky Bill brand – Blinky Bill is synonymous with the Australian bush and the use of Australian cotton in these products goes to ensuring the support of Australian farmers in regional areas across the country,” said Merchantwise Licensing general manager, Kerryn McCormack.

“We are sure it is going to be an incredible retail success.”

Barbara Stephen, CEO of Flying Bark Productions, added: “Blinky Bill has been a much-treasured part of Flying Bark Productions’ history since 1992 when the iconic Blinky Bill feature film, Blinky Bill: The Mischievous Koala was produced by Yoram and Sandra Gross.

“The world’s favourite koala has gone from strength to strength since then with the 2015 feature film, Blinky Bill the Movie and the 2016 television series, The Wild Adventures of Blinky Bill being produced by Flying Bark Productions.  It goes without saying that we are absolutely thrilled to see Blinky Bill in the spotlight again with this first ever BIG W range for infants, kids, mums and dads.

“Blinky Bill continues to be as popular as ever with parents and kids alike so we are certain the matching pieces for mum, dad and kids will be mini-me must-haves.  Not only is the range incredibly cute but it is has been created in partnership with Cotton Australia – meaning each piece has been made from Australian cotton and goes to supporting Australian cotton farmers.”

Merchantwise Licensing lines up Xbox merchandise partnership with Australian retailer EB Games

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The Australian and New Zealand licensing agent, Merchantwise Licensing, has brokered a new partnership between Microsoft’s Xbox and the Australian retailer, EB Games that will see the in-store launch of a new collection of Xbox branded merchandise.

Under the new partnership, all EB Games stores across Australia will feature an endcap showcasing several Xbox licensed products, including branded unisex apparel and accessories such as wallets, caps, travel mugs, drink bottles, socks and beach towels. The deal was formed in celebration of the global launch of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles.

Launching in time for festive gift-giving, the program also includes digital in-store POS, digital marketing and social posts.

“Xbox continues to be a strong and consistent performer for EB Games – and now more than ever, following the launch of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, fans can’t get enough of the brand,” said Kerryn McCormack, general manager at Merchantwise Licensing.

“EB Games has designed and launched an exciting and extensive range of licensed products that are sure to satisfy Australian fans wanting to further connect and engage with their much-loved brand. We are certain it will be a retail success – especially ahead of the festive gift-giving period.”

Merchantwise Licensing lines up Xbox merchandise partnership with Australian retailer EB Games

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The Australian and New Zealand licensing agent, Merchantwise Licensing, has brokered a new partnership between Microsoft’s Xbox and the Australian retailer, EB Games that will see the in-store launch of a new collection of Xbox branded merchandise.

Under the new partnership, all EB Games stores across Australia will feature an endcap showcasing several Xbox licensed products, including branded unisex apparel and accessories such as wallets, caps, travel mugs, drink bottles, socks and beach towels. The deal was formed in celebration of the global launch of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles.

Launching in time for festive gift-giving, the program also includes digital in-store POS, digital marketing and social posts.

“Xbox continues to be a strong and consistent performer for EB Games – and now more than ever, following the launch of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, fans can’t get enough of the brand,” said Kerryn McCormack, general manager at Merchantwise Licensing.

“EB Games has designed and launched an exciting and extensive range of licensed products that are sure to satisfy Australian fans wanting to further connect and engage with their much-loved brand. We are certain it will be a retail success – especially ahead of the festive gift-giving period.”

Popeye lands its first Australian sportswear partnership with The WOD Life

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Merchantwise Licensing has brokered the first Australian Popeye sportswear collection withe the popular online sportswear label, The WOD Life. The deal was struck on behalf of King Features Syndicate.

Launching this month ahead of the Australian summer season, the limited-edition range of fashionably branded Popeye sportswear apparel for women and men includes a high-waisted booty short, fleet bra, motion shorts, slash crop, flex short and printed tank.

‘Popeye’s heart of gold, brave and compassionate personality shines across a number of branded sports and training accessories including a scrunchie, printed socks, an immerse headband as well as a quick dry towel and a face mask covering,’ said the company.

The branded range also extends to training support items including wrist wraps, strength wraps, a four-inch Velcro lifting belt as well as knee sleeves.

The WOD Life will be heavily supporting the range with a ‘Hype’ campaign pre-release followed by an early access marketing activity ahead of the launch at the end of this month. The WOD Life will also drive extensive marketing, digital, media and influencer outreach campaigns for the collaboration.

“For the past three years, The WOD Life has been releasing successful limited edition prints for our customers which can sell out in a matter of hours, said The WOD Life’s director, Ben Dineen.

“Popeye is a cartoon character which our customer base would be familiar with and may have grown up watching Popeye cartoons on TV or the movie during their childhood. We think our customers are going to really relate to the new Popeye x TWL range and will be excited to get into their training space to show off their new style.”

“We are so excited by this Popeye partnership with The WOD Life. Not only is it the first time we have launched an Australian Popeye branded sportswear collection, it is an incredibly comprehensive range featuring apparel, accessory and training support products that are sure to please both Popeye fans and The WOD Life’s extensive customer base,” said Merchantwise Licensing’s general manager, licensing, Kerryn McCormack.

Mojang’s Minecraft ‘hits new heights in Australia and New Zealand’ through Merchantwise Licensing partnerships

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Mojang Studio’s hit video game franchise, Minecraft is ‘hitting new heights’ across the Australian and New Zealand markets through a raft of locally developed merchandise partnerships and major retail initiatives across the territory.

The programme has been developed by Microsoft, owners of Mojan Studio and the Minecraft video gaming brand, in partnership with the IP’s local licensing agent, Merchantwise Licensing.

Minecraft is recognised as the best-selling video game in history with over 126 million unique monthly players and over 200 million copies sold worldwide. In Australia it is tipped as the most popular video game among boys and girls aged seven to 14.

To compliment top global partners such as LEGO, Mattel and Harper Collins, new partnerships with best-in-class local licensees now include apparel and accessories with Caprice Australia, New Zealand apparel and accessories with MacEwen Apparel, apparel, accessories, gifts and novelties with EB Games, back-to-school stationery, bikes and outdoor toys with Hunter Leisure, lucnhing, drinkware, and home decor with Zak! Australia, and calendars, diaries, wall art, puzzles, and gifting with Impact Merch.

New products have been rolling out since July, achieving very strong sales across leading retailers led by Big W, Target, Kmart, The Warehouse and EB Games / Zing. The range includes product categories now available to local consumers for the first time.

Meanwhile, this month sees BIG W launch the first Minecraft cross-category retail marketing event in Australia. Marketing activity includes dedicated point-of-sale units across all stores, catalogue, website takeover as well as extensive digital and social media.  Plans are already underway for a major back-to-school event in the new year.

Also, from October, EB Games is launching uniquely designed ranges of gamer-centric apparel, accessories, gifts and novelties across both EB Games and Zing Stores, supported by strong digital and in-store marketing.

“It is a pleasure to be working with Merchantwise Licensing, our licensees and top Australasian retailers such as BIG W and EB Games to expand our presence down under,” said Microsoft Retailer Business Development, Minecraft marketing director, Bob Brennecke.

“Together we are creating innovative and world class Minecraft retail programs that will engage and excite local Minecraft players.”

Merchantwise Group CEO, Alan Schauder, added: “Everyone loves Minecraft, and now players can fully immerse themselves in the Minecraft world with some brilliant new merchandise across all leading categories.

“It’s a rare privilege to be working with Mojang, Microsoft and our local partners, helping to take the local Minecraft merchandise program to even greater heights.”

Merchantwise Licensing promotes Kerryn McCormack and appoints Natalie De Freitas-Ariente

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Building on its continued growth across the Australian and New Zealand market, Merchantwise Licensing has promoted Kerryn McCormack to the role of general manager of licensing, and appointed Natalie De Freitas-Ariente as its new general manager of licensing and retail.

Having been with Merchantwise Licensing since 2012 and instrumental in the business’ growth in that time, McCormack has over 25 years of experience in the licensing entertainment brand sector having kick-started her career with Warner Bros Consumer Products in London as creative manager, before time at Cartoon Network Enterprises Asia as associate director.

Since joining Merchantwise, McCormack has spearheaded a number of successful consumer product programs, live theatrical events as well as character costume live shows, home entertainment and publishing opportunities for brands including Shopkins, emoji, Shaun the Sheep, Sony Pictures, King Features, The Gruffalo, Sonic the Hedgehog and PAC-MAN which have resulted in record growth for the company’s business.

In her new role, she will continue to develop and execute extensive strategic brand and creative initiatives as well as manage the extensive kids’ entertainment, film, TV and music portfolio. McCormack will continue to be based in Merchantwise Licensing’s Melbourne office.

Meanwhile, and as a senior licensing and retail executive of over 15 years, and with a strong, consistent record in delivering profitable sales growth and leading teams to deliver exceptional results in the consumer goods retail market, entertainment, tourism and leisure and technology, Natalie De Freitas-Ariente has had experience in many markets including Australia, Greater China, New Zealand and South East Asia.

De Freitas-Ariente has worked across various B2B and B2C channels ultimately driving business growth for some of the most iconic brands and companies including Chanel, Berlei Intimates, Goldwell Haircare, Merlin Entertainment Group and Universal Music. In her most recent roles, she was general manager for Bravado Merchandise Group where Natalie represented a roster of over 100 artists, establishing and driving cross-category programs for the likes of Justin Bieber and The Rolling Stones 50th anniversary and was chief executive officer of Australian fashion brand, Karen Gee.

She will now oversee the business’ portfolio of digital and gaming brands as well as select licensee partnerships and promotions. She will drive collaborative programs with the business’ retail partners, licensors and licensees to develop innovative in-store and online brand events. De Freitas-Ariente will be based in Merchantwise Licensing’s new office in North Sydney.

“Our brand management businesses, Merchantwise Licensing (entertainment) and Asembl (food and lifestyle) are enjoying strong continued growth, so it’s exciting to be adding new high calibre personnel to our teams, as well as establishing a new office in North Sydney,” said Merchantwise CEO, Alan Schauder.

“Kerryn McCormack has been a highly valued senior member of our team for many years and will relish this new opportunity and challenge. Natalie is a great new addition to the business, coming to us with years of experience in licensing, location-based entertainment, retail and consumer products with businesses such as Bravado, Merlin, Berlei and Karen Gee.

“With Kerryn and Natalie at the helm, we really feel we have put together a dream team of licensing, marketing and creative professionals to drive the ongoing success of our clients’ brands and properties in Australia and New Zealand.”