The Point.1888 doubles Moomin UK licensing programme with raft of new partnerships

The Point.1888 has announced a raft of new Moomin licensees for the UK market, including The Hut Group and Moonpig.

Since announcing its partnership with Moomin Characters Ltd and Rights & Brands in January 2020, The Point.1888 has focused its retail-first brand extension model to widen both retail and licensing partners on the much-loved heritage brand.

The last two years have been hugely exciting for the Moomin brand, from celebrating their 75th anniversary to launching their ABC initiative, a literacy programme to help develop young readers and writers. This initiative has been hugely successful and will be the basis of a touring exhibition, with the first stop being held at the Eden Project this February half term.

The Point.1888 has now added new partners to the licensing programme, covering a broad range of categories and distribution channels including, but not limited to:

The Hut Group for a DTR consisting of apparel, homewares, furniture, stationery & paper goods, own brand, and collaborations

Fashion UK for kids’ and adult daywear, hosiery, and accessories

Denicci for baby and kids’ day and nightwear

Aykroyds for nightwear, swimwear and underwear

William Lamb for footwear, bags, purses, wallets and umbrellas

Moonpig for personalised POD greeting cards

IAMFY for prints, cushions, and throws

PSTR for print on demand art prints

Heart & Soul for celebration crackers

Artisiana Miniatures for miniature figurines

Potato Cellar for tote bags via Etsy

The Point.1888 has worked alongside Moomin Characters to grow the depth of distribution over the past two years, with licensing deals ranging from a partnership with Oxfam to HMV cross-category activations, through to new lines with dedicated partner Truffle Shuffle for key trade events.

2021 also saw the launch of new babywear SKUs within ASDA George, and new ladieswear lines.

Katie Wilkinson, Head of Publishing & Operations at The Point.1888, says: “We are so privileged to work with Moomin Characters and Rights & Brands on Moomin. It’s a brand whose values are more relevant today than ever before and that chimes so clearly with us as a business and individuals.

“The love for Moomin from both retailers and licensees is palpable and we are excited for how much there is in the pipeline for this brand.”

The Point.1888 secures 7 more licensees for Percy the Park Keeper

Moomin Characters launches Tove Jansson website and livestream event

Moomin Characters Ltd has launched a brand-new website which celebrates the life and work of Moomin creator and multi-talented artist Tove Jansson.

Presented in the style of an immersive exhibition, the new website gives fans and newcomers to Jansson’s work the opportunity to understand how intricately her life and her creative output were intertwined, by presenting them side-by-side.

Visitors will be able to get new insights into Jansson’s creations by learning about what was happening in her life while she was working on the books, comics, paintings and illustrations she is so loved for. They will be able to explore her childhood home in a bohemian artist’s studio, dive into details of her rich oil paintings, and learn about the struggle of an artist with many talents trying to fulfil both her inner curiosity and the demands of an ever-growing global audience.

Images, video and text will bring Jansson’s personal story to life, from the influence of the Second World War to falling in love with a woman at a time when it was still illegal to be homosexual in Finland.

To celebrate the launch of this unique new showcase of Jansson’s work, Moomin Characters Ltd is holding the first global online screening of the film ‘Tove and Tooti in Europe’ on December 9 at 3pm GMT.

This rarely-seen-before film uses footage shot on an 8mm Cine Camera by Tove Jansson and her long-term partner, the graphic artist Tuulikki Pietilä, known as Tooti, as they documented their travels around Europe. The footage dates from 1972 to 1993 and includes scenes from Paris, Venice, London, Madrid, Dublin, Iceland and Corsica.

Another 8mm Cine Camera documentary shot by Tove and Tuulikki, called ‘Haru, Island of the Solitary’, was recently screened in the same way to celebrate Moomin Characters Ltd raising over one million euros with their #OURSEA campaign to help save the Baltic Sea. The live stream attracted thousands of Tove Jansson fans from around the world, demonstrating the huge appetite from fans to see this archive footage and learn more about her life.

Sophia Jansson, Creative Director at Moomin Characters and niece of Tove Jansson, said: “With this website, we wanted to create the richest and most comprehensive digital gallery and online resource that exists for any artist worldwide. Our hope is that it will be the most brilliant introduction to Tove’s work for newcomers, and that there will also be something new to discover for even the most committed fans. As Tove’s niece, it is very moving for me to see her life and her work presented in such a beautiful way and now accessible to people all over the world.”

The website www.tovejansson.com launches on December 3, 2021. It is currently available in English, Swedish and Finnish. Further content will be released in phases, with more material to come about the people and places that were important to Tove Jansson. Eventually, visitors will be able to step into the Moominhouse, learn about lovers becoming lifelong friends and important artistic collaborators, and a family that supported Tove in her bold, uncompromising approach to life and art.

To join the global screening of ‘Tove and Tooti in Europe’ on Thursday 9 December, please sign up via the Eventbrite page.

New US licensing partnerships for Moomins

King Features Syndicate has announced a robust new licensing programme for the children’s property Moomin as the brand continues to gain momentum in North America. This growth is supported by new consumer product launches, the recent theatrical release of TOVE – a new biopic about Moomins’ creator Tove Jansson – and a Moomin exhibit now open at the National Children’s Museum in Washington, D.C.

On November 5, Just Peachy, a California clothing and accessories brand, released its line of Moomin-inspired apparel, accessories and novelty items including hoodies, sweatshirts, bags and woven throw blankets. Additionally, the fan-favourite Ripple Junction apparel line has been renewed with Moomin-themed tops, loungewear, joggers, swimsuits, mobile phone accessory, pins and more. Moomin characters will appear on assorted apparel, accessories, footwear and skateboard decks from Rowing Blazers in 2022.

The expanded Moomin licensing programme comes on the heels of the biopic TOVE, which was theatrically released in the U.S. earlier this year. The movie follows the artistic struggles and unconventional personal life of Tove Jansson, who found worldwide success from an unexpected side project: the creation of the beloved world of the Moomins.

Now through January 9, 2022, fans in the United States can experience the magic of Moominvalley in person at the National Children’s Museum in D.C. by visiting the “Moomin Animations – Thrills and Cuddles” exhibit. The exhibit is produced by the world’s only Moomin Museum and brought to the U.S. by the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C. Combining texts and colourful illustrations, the exhibit retells the story of how the Finnish author Tove Jansson’s beloved Moomin books and comics have been brought to life using animation. Families can enjoy Moomin animation from different eras and parts of the world, from the very first Moomin film to premiere on TV to the most recent, award-winning 3D animation series, Moominvalley. The exhibition is co-produced by the Moomin Museum, the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C., National Children’s Museum, Gutsy Animations Ltd. and Moomin Characters Ltd., and is supported by Finarte and Lovi Ltd.

As part of the annual Kids Euro Festival in D.C., organised by the EU Delegation to the United States, the Embassy of Finland and National Children’s Museum distributed 400 free tickets to the exhibition this autumn. In addition, the festival offers a variety of free online programming for everyone to enjoy at home. Upcoming events include The Music of Moominvalley (Saturday, November 20, 10:30 am ET), in which composers Samuli Kosminen and Jarmo Saari share how they made the music for the hit TV series Moominvalley (Gutsy Animations, 2019), and Christmas in Moominvalley (Saturday, December 11, 10:30 am ET). Log on to hear a Moomin story written by Tove Jansson and learn about the holiday traditions of Finland.

“Moomin and its charming characters are known around the world for friendship, love and adventure and have become a true cultural phenomenon,” says King Features Vice President and General Manager, Global Head of Licensing, Carla Silva. “We are thrilled to be sharing the Moomin values with consumers in North America through local products and experiences that the whole family can enjoy.”

First debuted more than 75 years ago, Moomin has an extensive fan base across European territories and is now gaining popularity in North America. The 3D CGI series Moominvalley currently airing in multiple territories around the world.

 

Moomin Characters backs Finnish literacy campaign Read Hour as it makes UK debut

Finland’s successful literacy initiative, Read Hour is coming to the UK for the first time this year, with the help of the country’s best loved literary export, the Moomins.

Celebrated on UN International Literacy Day, Read Hour was created by the Children and Youth Foundation with a mission to encourage people to spend one hour of their day on September 8th reading.  Kids will be encouraged to read whatever they can get their hands on, whether a book, magazine or comic book.

After witnessing the success of the Read Hour campaign in its home country, Moomin Characters was inspired to help launch the initiative on an international scale. Three years since its launch, Read Hour has now attracted growing support. Sauli Niinistö, President of Finland, has been the patron since Read Hour began and thousands of Finns shared their Read Hour participation on social media every year.

In the UK, organisations who have pledged to support Read Hour so far include Waterstones, Macmillan Children’s Books, Sort Of Books, Oxfam, World Book Day, BookTrust, Love Reading and many more.

There will be special Read Hour events taking place at Waterstones stores in London and Glasgow on September 8th at 4pm. The Glasgow event at the Sauchiehall Street store will see Moomin storyteller Liz Fost entertain audiences with interactive storytelling and crafts.

Meanwhile, in London’s Kingston store, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and have a photo with Moomintroll and hear tales of Moominvalley from children’s author Philip Ardagh, the author of The World of Moominvalley.

Roleff Kråkström, managing director of Moomin Characters, said: “We have made a long term commitment to helping spark a love of reading and writing in young people around the globe, and are delighted to be bringing Read Hour to the UK as part of that mission.

“We believe that being able to read and write opens up a world of possibilities for young people, allowing them to communicate their hopes and dreams, relate to others, engage with the big issues of our times, and create positive change.”

Jennifer Saunders, Cressida Cowell, Laura Dockrill and Philip Ardagh are among the celebrities and authors who will be supporting Read Hour on social media. Anyone taking part is encouraged to share a photo of themselves or the book they are reading on social media using the hashtag #ReadHourUK.

The official Read Hour will be held at 2pm-3pm, but anyone unable to take part then is encouraged to hold their own Read Hour at any time that suits them on September 8th. Reading alone and reading together with a family member, friend, classmates or colleagues are equally encouraged.

A range of Read Hour resources are available here for bookshops, schools, and libraries who would like to take part in the initiative. Please contact emily@riotcommunications.com for further information.

Walthamstow Wetlands and the William Morris Gallery to celebrate Moomin creator Tove Jansson with trail and exhibition

The London Wildlife Trust is to host a special exhibition and outdoor trail across Walthamstow Wetlands and in the William Morris Gallery, dedicated to the Finnish artist, writer, and creator of the Moomins, Tove Jansson in a project supported by Jansson’s family and estate.

Starting with an indoor exhibition and outdoor trail opening to the public in June this year, the collaboration will mark a year-long celebration of Jansson, a much-revered painter, cartoonist, satirist, writer, and – as dubbed by author Philip Pullman – genius.

The Woman Who Fell In Love With An Island will draw on the parallels between the island of Klovharun in the Finnish archipelago, where Jansson spent her summers immersed in nature, and the scenery at Walthamstow Wetlands which is Europes largest urban wetlands with eight islands of its own.

Visitors to the Wetlands will be able to enjoy an exhibition about Jansson’s island home and the inspiration she took from nature, featuring rendered and displayed facsimiles of photographs taken of Jansson on Klovharun, quotes, and her own work including her nature studies and descriptions of birds.

The trail will be accompanied by a unique downloadable audio piece from multi-instrumentalist and composer Erland Cooper, which includes field recordings from Klovharun and a new reading of Jansson’s essay ‘The Island’ by her niece Sophia Janssson

Cooper said: “Tove Jansson was an inspirational creator and cultural icon. To be able to score an exhibition and retrospective of her work is a great honour. I have a fondness for London’s Walthamstow Wetlands and so to try and transport a listener through that world and into hers, over to the tiny island and cabin on her remote, treeless Klovharun where she created a timeless body of work, is a joy.

“She seemed like a child of nature and I’ve tried to bring that gentleness into a score to support this exhibition. To me it feels almost like a soundwalk through her creative world, across the seas and back again into a city where local sounds of birds may interact freely with those of the score itself. She seemed to have such grace and affection towards her surroundings, and I hope this meditative score touches on just a little bit on her magic.”

The Woman Who Fell In Love With An Island will run at Walthamstow Wetlands from June 2021 until January 2022. It will be followed by a second exhibition which will open at the William Morris Gallery in 2022.

This landmark exhibition will bring together personal objects, photographs and archival material to tell the story of Janssons life and development as an artist through the lens of her deep affinity with nature, which is something that she shared with William Morris. The exhibition will invite visitors to consider Janssons most famous creations – the Moomins – as creatures in touch with the environment and connected to nature in a powerful way.

The year-long celebrations are being curated by Alison Williams and Mhairi Muncaster on behalf of the William Morris Gallery.

Alison Williams said: “We are delighted to bring Tove’s island, the inspiration behind the Moomins, all the way from the Baltic Sea to London. Walthamstow Wetlands Nature Reserve is a very special place – it has the same conservation status as the Amazon and the Nile, right here in Walthamstow.

“These exhibitions will explore how island life, the weather and an ever-changing landscape informed Jansson’s work, which still captures the imaginations of children and adults alike, and share some thoughts on what we can learn from the Moomins when it comes to ecology, conservation and the climate crisis.”

Mhairi Muncaster, added: “There are more similarities between Toves archipelago and our Wetlands than you might think – from the islands and their rich ecosystems to the fact that Finland and Walthamstow both have a history of pioneering social progress. After a year filled with challenges, were looking forward to safely welcoming visitors to a pair of exhibitions that will inspire, delight and offer new ways of looking at the natural world. And you don’t have to be a visitor to enjoy Erland and Sophia’s piece – fans from all around the world will be able to download it and enjoy the magic of the island wherever they are.”

Leah McNally, director of strategic projects and engagement at London Wildlife Trust, added: “London Wildlife Trust is delighted to host ‘The Woman Who Fell In Love With An Island’ exhibition and outdoor trail at Walthamstow Wetlands, we can’t wait for visitors to explore and experience the new show on site, learning more about Tove Jansson’s love of nature and linking that to conserving London’s nature.

“Walthamstow Wetlands is a special place, designated as a site of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA) and internationally designated as a Ramsar site, as well as being an operational Thames Water reservoir.”