Tag Archives: Norton PR

Licensed collectables specialist Eaglemoss enters the Advent Calendar market with Doctor Who, Star Trek and more

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The licensed collectables specialist and pop culture expert, Eaglemoss Hero Collector is entering into the advent calendars market for the first time, having appointed the PR, marketing, and digital agency Norton PR to spearhead its first campaign.

The company plans to target fans and collectors at launch, as well as run a mass market consumer initiative to drive sales in the run up to Christmas.

With detailed high-quality collectable items hiding behind each of the calendar doors, the new products have been designed to appeal to both dedicated fans from the Sci Fi and Music genres out of season plus have mass market appeal in the run up to Christmas. With a growing trend in the market for calendars that break with the traditional chocolate and sweet treat tradition, each calendar can also be used as a storage and display unit with the idea of keeping single-use packaging to a minimum.

Eaglemoss Hero Collector’s inaugural collection features three licensed calendars: Doctor Who, Star Trek, and The Beatles.

Fans of the fab four can take a trip down Penny Lane and enjoy the countdown to Christmas with The Beatles Advent Calendar designed in a four-tray format within an outer shell featuring iconic Beatles artwork.  Each ‘tray’ is illustrated with a stylized image of John, George, Paul or Ringo on its outer edge and contains a whole host of Beatles-inspired collectable gifts.

Meanwhile, Star Trek continues to delight and entertain fans across the world and followers of Gene Roddenberry’s intergalactic cinematic creation have a whole host of merchandise and collectables to discover in the Star Trek Advent Calendar.

“Norton PR has extensive experience in working with licensed products and a dedicated collector fan base through their work with numerous brands including Warner Bros. Consumer Products, LEGO, Airfix and Thunderbirds,” said Alex Neal, managing director, Ecommerce and brands at Eaglemoss.

“The team’s consumer insight and creative thinking around how we can best promote the calendars to drive retail sales both in and out of the traditional festive season will provide us with the platform we need to launch into an exciting new market for 2021.”

Eaglemoss recently sat down with ToyNews for an exclusive interview, discussing the company’s heritage in the pop culture and collectors space, as well as the thinking and strategy behind the decision to move into the Advent Calendars market this year.

You can read the interview in full in the Spring/Summer issue of ToyNews.

Withit earmarks ’21 as ‘year of resurgence’ for its character licensed merchandise

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Withit is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year by making preparations for a resurgence in popularity and the re-launch of a range of character licensed merchandise to a whole new generation of fans.

Founders Dolph Zahid and Brad Caines will be getting the launch underway as it works alongside the licensing and family brand specialists, Norton PR to re-introduce Withit to the UK market and beyond from this month.

Withit’s popular Cheeky Monkey, Glamour Puss, Mad Cow, and Happy Bunny characters rocketed to fame in the ’90s and ’00s when Withit branded stationery and bags sold in their millions at WHSmiths, while nightwear and apparel lined the racks at retailers such as Dunnes, Top Shop, and BHS.

Internationally, Withit also saw sell-out success with the likes of C&A and Carrefour, while during its peak, the firm even partnered with Burger King to produce a Withit Kids Meal which saw over five million toys sold through the UK, UAE, and Europe.

Under the creative guidance and drive of its leadership team, Withit World developed into an internationally renowned design studio and social phenomenon, with a network as far-reaching as Brazil, USA, Australia, Russia, and Mexico.

Now, making its return for 2021, Withit is coming to the UK market with a collection of licensed fashion bags and social stationery, as well as more licensed ranges planned for launch across the year. Initially the new products will feature the most popular character icons from the original designs: Glamour Puss and Cheeky Monkey with more to follow.

“It’s been a while but 2021 heralds a dramatic return to the UK market for the Withit brand,” said Dolph Zahid. “Introducing a new style guide, designs and creative concepts, the bag and stationery range will provide us with a launch platform to re-introduce Withit to a new generation of girls and also to Mums who actively engaged with the brand in the ’90s and ‘00s and have an established affinity with the characters.”

Tony Norton, chairman of Norton PR, added: “Withit is a brand that has the power to resonate across generations. Working alongside the brand creators Dolph and Brad we have the chance to experience and communicate the appeal of Withit first-hand, supporting its launch back into the UK market and beyond.” 

Experience the re-launching Withit brand and range by visiting its new website:  www.withitstudios.com

Withit’s Licensing agent Val Fry at CentaIP for UK & EIRE can be contacted directly on: 

val.fry@centaip.com     Tel: 07973 783053