Tag Archives: Simon’s Cat

Simon’s Cat fans to create the purr-fect product

Posted on by

Banijay Brands has announced a new partnership for internationally loved digital animation Simon’s Cat, with leading social commerce platform Spring. The latest collaboration offers Simon’s Cat fans the opportunity to help design the ultimate Simon’s Cat plush that will go into production later this year.

Building on the success of previous Simon’s Cat collaborations with Spring, including the sell-out Baby Simon’s Cat plush, this latest project will, for the first time, give fans control over the design of the new product. Voting via the Simon’s Cat social media platforms, fans can determine the body shape, facial expression and packaging of the new range. Once the design has been finalised, the plush will go into production and be available for pre-order ahead of delivery in time for Christmas 2022.

Alice Bernardi, Director of International Brand Licensing, Banijay Brands, says: “This is a really unique venture that connects fans with upcoming products like never before. We are already seeing strong engagement and interactivity for the project, with the first poll last month generating over 20,000 votes.”

Simon’s Cat (part of Banijay UK) is one of the biggest YouTube sensations in the world. From a single free-to-air, two-minute cartoon, it is now a major global success, with over 3bn online views and nearly 20m fans across TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The Simon’s Cat brand also enjoys international success across multiple categories including gaming, publishing and apparel. There have been more than 90 million digital sticker downloads, in excess of 20 million mobile gaming downloads and over 2 million books sold across 30 countries.

Banijay unveils slate for Licensing Expo

Posted on by

Banijay Brands, in collaboration with Endemol Shine North America, will be attending Licensing Expo on 24-26 May in Las Vegas, showcasing its diverse portfolio of IP, including the worldwide smash-hit cookery show MasterChef; the multi-award-winning cult drama Peaky Blinders; the Netflix hit anthology series Black Mirror; internationally-loved digital animation Simon’s Cat, and British icon Mr Bean.

Banijay Brands is co-sponsor of this year’s Licensing Expo opening party, which will feature a Peaky Blinders branded bar. It is also sponsoring the show badge, which incorporates a competition for attendees to win a case of MasterChef wine.

In addition, MasterChef and Peaky Blinders have been shortlisted in the 2022 Licensing International Excellence Awards for Best Live Action Entertainment Brand, and Best Product – Appliances, Electronics or Housewares for an Entertainment Property respectively.

Owain Walbyoff, Chief Commercial Officer, Banijay, says: “We are keenly exploring new opportunities and emerging technologies as we continue to drive consumer engagement with our brands. Banijay’s world-class portfolio provides endless opportunities for authentic products and experiences, and we look forward to forging new partnerships across multiple categories.”

Banijay Brands controls the brand licensing rights to some of the most high-profile and creative IP in the world across multiple genres, from scripted to entertainment.

Award-winning anthology Black Mirror explores themes of contemporary techno-paranoia. Available on Netflix globally, the series, created by Charlie Brooker, boasts a stellar fanbase with numerous industry accolades including Emmys, International Emmys, BAFTA Craft Awards and a Rose d’Or.

Peaky Blinders is the award-winning crime drama that is sold to more than 180 countries, airing on BBC One in the U.K. and widely available internationally on Netflix. The final season will be launching in the U.S. and other international markets from 10 June. The recently aired season six was the UK’s number-one drama of the year for young adults, with over 17 million views on BBC iPlayer to date. Brand-owner and series producer Caryn Mandabach Productions recently announced an immersive theatre show and a first-of-its-kind dance theatre show which will run through to 2023.

Simon’s Cat is one of the biggest YouTube sensations of recent years. From a single free-to-air, two-minute cartoon, it has gone on to become a major global success, with not only 1.3bn views and 5.7 million subscribers on YouTube but also over 15m followers and over 1bn views across social media too.

MasterChef is the most travelled food format, last year celebrating 500 seasons airing globally since its 2005 reboot. With more than 65 local versions aired in over 200 countries, the MasterChef brand is respected and recognised all around the world.

Adventure-reality stalwart Survivor was last year ranked #1 Best Reality Show of All Time by Variety magazine. One of the most watched formats around the world, last year was its most successful to-date with 24 productions.

The global game show phenomenon Deal or No Deal has been commissioned in 83 territories worldwide with 324 productions internationally. A ground-breaking show known all around the world, contestants play and deal for a top cash prize in a contest of nerves, luck and raw intuition. 

Action-packed family entertainment brand Wipeout has won the world over with its zany crashes, smashes and hilarious mud splashes. Following the success of the recent U.S. reboot, which was the #1 unscripted series on cable, the John Cena and Nicole Byer fronted version has been renewed for a new season. Wipeout continues to grow a substantial digital audience with over 10 million active followers worldwide across Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Banijay is home to a raft of homes and interiors titles including the award-winning Your Home Made Perfect, Your Garden Made Perfect and the Alan Carr-hosted Interior Design Masters. From the use of cutting-edge technology and VR to the competitive world of interior design, these increasingly popular brands are synonymous with innovative and stylish transformations.

Mr. Bean is a globally loved animation that has been in continual distribution for over 30 years. A pioneer for Banijay, the brand recently became the company’s first activation in the Metaverse with a Mr Bean NFT drop. The brand has amassed a huge digital following across a number of platforms with over 129 million followers on Facebook, making it the biggest TV brand on the platform; nearly 50 million subscribers and 15 billion lifetime views across official YouTube channels; 8.7 million followers on Instagram; and 8.3 million likes on TikTok.

Banijay Brands will be attending Licensing Expo, 24-26 May, in Las Vegas.

Simon’s Cat expands global paw print with ZenWorks and lands raft of new licensing partners

Posted on by

Banijay Brands has detailed a raft of new licensing deals for its digital content sensation, Simon’s Cat, spanning fashion, crafting, puzzles, and accessories, as well as securing new developments for the brand across the Japanese market through its new agent, ZenWorks.

Kicking off with the latest additions to the licensing programme, Simon’s Cat is continuing to expand across categories with partners including Fashion UK on board for ladies’, mens’, and kids’ apparel, accessories, and essentials for the UK market, and Wulydermy who will be launching a selection of craft kits for UK release this year.

Meanwhile, the global online retailer and manufacturer, Ecell, will launch Simon’s Cat phone covers in Q3, while Heye has just sold out of the first print run of its 1,000-piece Simon’s Cat puzzle. Pinfinity will be releasing a range of augmented reality Simon’s Cat branded metal pins, and the Australian medical wear specialist, Dr. Woof, has signed a deal which covers branded medical and clinical apparel.

This all sits alongside the official Simon’s Cat webshop refresh, managed by key e-commerce partner, Star Editions, which also released a collectable limited edition branded coin to coincide with the new store look.

Following the success of its previous Simon’s Cat releases, leading social commerce platform, Spring, is extending its partnership with the brand to deliver an extensive range of products this year for worldwide distribution, which will include a collaboration with Rubik’s Cube, bespoke apparel drops, and a limited edition ‘Kitten Care Kit’ collection of pet products.

Further global developments for the brand sees Banijay Brands appoint the licensing agent ZenWorks Licensing to represent the Simon’s Cat in Japan. On top of this, and following the success of its initial partnership, apparel specialists Quanshang in China has renewed its deal for a second year.

Jane Smith, group director, brand licensing at Banijay, said: “Simon’s Cat is such a lovable brand that resonates with fans all around the world. The extensive licensing programme, that continues to expand, is testament to its enduring popularity.”

Simon Tofield, creator of Simon’s Cat, added: “I am always amazed that there are so many Simon’s Cat fans all over the world. Our audiences are incredibly passionate about Simon’s Cat and it is wonderful to be able to offer them such a brilliant array of products.”

The Simon’s Cat brand enjoys international success across multiple categories including gaming, publishing and apparel. There have been more than 90 million digital sticker downloads, in excess of 20 million mobile gaming downloads and over 2 million books sold across 30 countries.

Simon’s Cat has over 18 million fans and subscribers across social platforms, with the iconic films totalling more than 2 billion views. Recent successes include the brand-new match-3 mobile game, Simon’s Cat Story Time, from developer Tactile Games, which launched last month, exclusively on Apple Arcade, Apple’s award-winning game subscription service.

Banijay Brands partners with Tactile Games to launch latest Simon’s Cat title, Simon’s Cat: Story Time

Posted on by

Banijay Brands has teamed with Tactile Games to launch a new mobile app game based on the popular animated property, Simon’s Cat. Launched on Apple Arcade, the new title Simon’s Cat: Story Time follows the success that the IP has seen in the mobile gaming space to date.

Simon’s Cat: Story Time sees Simon and his cat face down the threat to the tranquility of their suburban life in the shape of a huge building site. Together, they mobilise their neighbours to help restore the mysterious wasteland before the diggers can destroy it all.

The game will challenge p[layers to solve match-three puzzles to help the community rebuild the gardens under the critical eye of the curmedgeonly next door neighbour, Mr Potts. This is the gaming adaptation for the Simon’s Cat IP, following the success of the previous app games such as Simon’s Cat: Crunch Time, and Simon’s Cat: Pop Time.

The Simon’s Cat brand enjoys international success across multiple categories including gaming, publishing and apparel. Simon’s Cat mobile games have in excess of 20 million downloads, more than 90 million digital sticker downloads and over 2 million books sold across 30 countries.

Simon’s Cat has over 18 million fans and subscribers across social platforms, with the iconic films totalling more than 2 billion views.

The property is one from a library of globally revered IP under the Banijay Brands umbrella, joined by the likes of MasterChef, Temptation Island, Peaky Blinders, Survivor, Deal or No Deal, The Inbetweeners, Big Brother, Mister Maker, and more.

Endemol Shine taps Sagoo for Simon’s Cat. MasterChef, and Peaky Blinders in France

Posted on by

The independent licensing agency, Sagoo has struck up a partnership with Endemol Shine Group to represent the popular Simon’s Cat, MasterChef, and Peaky Blinders brands across select categories in France.

The brands join Sagoo’s impressive portfolio, which includes Rilakkuma, Care Bears, Miffy, Emily the Strange and a number of music brands, including The Beatles, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, The Police, Led Zeppelin and more.

The popular animation, Simon’s Cat, made its debut ten years ago in viral video Cat Man Do, by illustrator and animator, Simon Tofield. The charming yet mischievous cat now stars in 100 short black and white shorts, which are watched worldwide in over 100 countries, with 7 million fans on Facebook, 2 million followers on Instagram, and more than 1 billion views on YouTube.

MasterChef, meanwhile, aired for five successful series on TF1 in France and the show has been produced in 63 countries worldwide, broadcasting in more than 200 territories. MasterChef has become a number one rated show from the UK to Australia, Italy to Israel, U to Brazil and beyond. Created by Franc Roddam, the culinary talent show is watched globally by over 250 million viewers, transforming over 100 amateur chefs into professionals. 

Peaky Blinders is an award-winning series for BBC One and Netflix produced by official brand owner Caryn Mandabach Productions and by Endemol Shine Group’s Tiger Aspect Productions. Distributed by Endemol Shine International, five series have aired on the BBC and Netflix with a stellar cast of actors including Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory and Paul Anderson.

Endemol Shine Group represent a range of global ancillary rights for Peaky Blinders and already has an emerging licensing programme in France, attracting a loyal fan base on Arte where it airs alongside Netflix. Endemol Shine already partner with Larousse in France with retail book and gifting ranges. 

Sagoo will now be working across select categories for the three brands and the team will first focus on apparel, accessories, homewares, gifting, promotions and publishing.

Veronique Pichon, president of Sagoo, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Endemol Shine Group on such prestigious brands across a wide audience and we’re looking forward to presenting them to potential licensees to get the consumer products programme up and running in France.”

Jane Smith, director, brand licensing and strategy at Endemol Shine Group, added: “Sagoo has a fantastic reputation of extending brands with consumer products in France and we are thrilled they will represent the three premium titles of Peaky Blinders, MasterChef and Simon’s Cat. France is a key market to strengthen the growth of our brand licensing business and this partnership proves our ambitions for the territory.”

In July 2020, Endemol Shine Group was acquired by Banijay, creating the world’s largest international content producer and distributor spanning 22 territories with over 120 production companies and a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 88,000 hours of original programming.

Simon’s Cat sets first paws down in Brazil with Chico Rei partnerships

Posted on by

Simon’s Cat is soaking up some of that Brazilian culture thanks to a new partnership with Chico Rei, the region’s leading e-commerce platform for creative and personalised products that will see the launch of a special line of t-shirts, mugs, notebooks, phone cases and posters. The new range will feature exclusive prints of the world-renowned cat.

In a deal brokered by Endemol Shine Brazil, the entire Chico Rei collection will be handcrafted using 100 per cent natural and sustainable materials. It is also vegan certified with a PETA seal, which guarantees that the products in the clothing do not employ any type of animal exploitation.

“We are thrilled to be the first brand to license Simon’s Cat in Brazil. It is a pleasure to take this kitten from the screen to products and we are sure that the charisma of this character will win the hearts of the Brazilian public,” Bruno Imbrizi CEO of Chico Rei.

Simon’s Cat is a worldwide phenomenon, seen in over 100 countries, with 7 million fans on Facebook, 2 million followers on Instagram, and more than 1 billion views on YouTube. It features the antics of a cheeky white cat and his long-suffering owner Simon. The brand was created by award-winning illustrator, animator and director Simon Tofield.

First seen on YouTube in 2008, the Simon’s Cat brand enjoys international success across multiple categories including gaming, publishing and apparel. There have been more than 80 million digital sticker downloads and in excess of 18 million mobile gaming downloads with further titles in development.

“The expertise of Endemol Shine Brazil is to deliver complete experiences to the public and customers, engaging the audience beyond the television screen. Simon’s Cat is already a global phenomenon with millions of fans around the world, many of whom are Brazilian, and we couldn’t be happier to deliver exclusive and original products to our audience with Chico Rei,” said Fernanda Abreu, head of licensing of Endemol Shine Brazil.

Simon’s Cat slinks into Lidl with new pet product range

Posted on by

The hit animated brand Simon’s Cat has partnered with the leading European retailer, Lidl, for a branded range of pet products, including scratchers and beds for cats. Owned by the global content creator, Endemol Shine Group, the Simon’s Cat brand boasts a fanbase of some 7 million Facebook fans, 2 million Instagram followers, and more than 1 billion views on YouTube.

The latest partnership sees Simon’s Cat branded products launch in Lidl stores this summer in the US and across 16 territories in Europe. Products include a scratcher and bed for cats, each in three different colours. The deal also features a bespoke piece of animation created by the Simon’s Cat team exclusively for Lidl.

The deal was negotiated by Simon’s Cat’s German licensing agent Lizenzweft.

Jane Smith, group director, brand licensing and gaming, Endemol Shine Group, said: “Lidl has a fantastic reach across Europe and in the US and we expect Simon’s Cat merchandise to be a very popular with their customers. These products are the ideal way for fans to bring their love for the cheeky cat into their own home and share the joy with their own pet.”

Simon’s Cat features the antics of a mischievous white cat and his long-suffering owner Simon and was created by award-winning illustrator, animator and director Simon Tofield. First seen on YouTube in 2008, the Simon’s Cat brand enjoys international success across multiple categories including gaming, publishing and apparel. There have been more than 80 million digital sticker downloads and in excess of 18 million mobile gaming downloads with further titles in development.

The last year alone saw the launch of the Baby Simon’s Cat campaign and the sell-out success with its first range of Teespring plushies; a brand new book Simon’s Cat It’s a Dog’s Life which brings everyone’s favourite feline back to the page, with a canine twist; the rollout of the hit mobile game Simon’s Cat Dash in China; and continued international growth with further agent appointments in the Nordics and CEE, and Southeast Asia.

Simon’s Cat lands new board game, card games, and puzzles deals

Posted on by

Simon’s Cat is slinking into the card games, board games, and puzzles sector thanks to a trio of new partnerships to have been signed by the global content creator, producer, and distributor, Endemol Shine.

Inspired by the hit animated series, Simon’s Cat, the popular moggy will be making its debut among leading names in the tabletop gaming space, including with the like of Alley Cat Games – who will develop a new board game for the IP.

Simon’s Cat will also receive its own series of family card games courtesy of MDR Games, available through Amazon in the UK, Germany, and in stores in Poland, and a puzzle deal with the publisher Athesia Kalenderverlag.

Simon’s Cat follows the antics of a mischievous white cat and his long-suffering owner Simon. It was created by the award-winning illustrator, animator and director Simon Tofield and was first seen on YouTube in 2008.

The series is now a worldwide phenomenon, entertaining audiences in over 100 countries.

These latest deals build on the hugely successful extensions of the Simon’s Cat brand in the mobile games space, with titles such as Simon’s Cat Pop Time, Simon’s Cat Crunch Time and Simon’s Cat Dash, which have generated in excess of 16 million mobile gaming downloads.

Jane Smith, group director, brand licensing and gaming, Endemol Shine Group, commented: “These new deals build on an already successful licensing programme for Simon’s Cat across Europe. The humour and warmth of the brand appeals to a broad fan base of cat lovers around the world who can relate to these charming and cheeky characters, and expanding our digital business into physical products is testament to this.”

The Simon’s Cat brand enjoys success across multiple categories including gaming, publishing and apparel. Last year alone saw sell-out success with Teespring plushies; a brand new book Simon’s Cat It’s a Dog’s Life which brings everyone’s favourite feline back to the page, with a canine twist; the rollout of the hit mobile game Simon’s Cat Dashin China; and continued international growth with further agent appointments in the Nordics and CEE, and Southeast Asia.

Nearly two million Simon’s Cat books have been sold, and there are more than 80 million digital sticker downloads.

The brand has over 6.5 million fans on Facebook, two million followers on Instagram, and more than one billion views on YouTube.