The Tom Gates kids’ book series taps back to school market with Sainsbury’s campaign

The first range of products based on the popular Tom Gates children’s books, and The Brilliant World of Tom Gates TV series are landing in store at Sainsbury’s and Argos this month, with a back-to-school promotion supported by a month-long POS campaign and a national competition.

Developed by The Point.1888, the retail promotion will form part of the UK licensing agent’s wider brand programme to encourage kids to get creative through doodling, music, and crafting. A total of 275 Sainsbury’s stores across the UK – as well as online across Sainsbury’s and Argos – will be selling the exclusive back-to-school range, which includes gel pens, backpacks, doodle books, lunchbags, sipper bottles, and more.

The line will be tied together with a range of the popular Tom Gates books, while the launch will also be supported by a ‘summer doodle’ competition in Sainsbury’s stores run by Tom Gates Entertainment with a range of prizes including an exclusive doodle by creator Liz Pichon.

A writer and illustrator, Pichon has produced 19 award-winning, multi-million-copy-bestselling Tom Gates books to date. Translated into 45 languages, the stories are written to be warm and funny, full of family, friends and treats, and ‘bursting with creativity and music.’

The books are published by Scholastic in the UK and have won over 25 awards and sold more than 11m copies worldwide.  The 19th book in the series, Random Acts of Fun is published in October.

Meanwhile, the TV series, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (produced by TG Entertainment) launched first on Sky Kids in the UK and Ireland and is now being enthusiastically received by Tom Gates fans around the globe. A range of Tom Gates licensed products have launched in the UK in summer 2021 and roll out internationally in 2022.

Tessa Moore, head of marketing at Tom Gates Entertainment, said: “The Tom Gates brand is warm and funny, bursting with creativity, and much loved by families across the globe. We are excited to launch this exclusive new range with Sainsbury’s supported by a fantastic competition encouraging children to get creative in their summer holidays and win some special prizes.”

Janine Richmond, head of product and brand at The Point.1888, said: “School has been disrupted over the last two years and we hope this new Tom Gates range will help young fans across the country get excited about being back and having fun in the classroom.”

The Tom Gates kids’ book series taps back to school market with Sainsbury’s campaign

The first range of products based on the popular Tom Gates children’s books, and The Brilliant World of Tom Gates TV series are landing in store at Sainsbury’s and Argos this month, with a back-to-school promotion supported by a month-long POS campaign and a national competition.

Developed by The Point.1888, the retail promotion will form part of the UK licensing agent’s wider brand programme to encourage kids to get creative through doodling, music, and crafting. A total of 275 Sainsbury’s stores across the UK – as well as online across Sainsbury’s and Argos – will be selling the exclusive back-to-school range, which includes gel pens, backpacks, doodle books, lunchbags, sipper bottles, and more.

The line will be tied together with a range of the popular Tom Gates books, while the launch will also be supported by a ‘summer doodle’ competition in Sainsbury’s stores run by Tom Gates Entertainment with a range of prizes including an exclusive doodle by creator Liz Pichon.

A writer and illustrator, Pichon has produced 19 award-winning, multi-million-copy-bestselling Tom Gates books to date. Translated into 45 languages, the stories are written to be warm and funny, full of family, friends and treats, and ‘bursting with creativity and music.’

The books are published by Scholastic in the UK and have won over 25 awards and sold more than 11m copies worldwide.  The 19th book in the series, Random Acts of Fun is published in October.

Meanwhile, the TV series, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (produced by TG Entertainment) launched first on Sky Kids in the UK and Ireland and is now being enthusiastically received by Tom Gates fans around the globe. A range of Tom Gates licensed products have launched in the UK in summer 2021 and roll out internationally in 2022.

Tessa Moore, head of marketing at Tom Gates Entertainment, said: “The Tom Gates brand is warm and funny, bursting with creativity, and much loved by families across the globe. We are excited to launch this exclusive new range with Sainsbury’s supported by a fantastic competition encouraging children to get creative in their summer holidays and win some special prizes.”

Janine Richmond, head of product and brand at The Point.1888, said: “School has been disrupted over the last two years and we hope this new Tom Gates range will help young fans across the country get excited about being back and having fun in the classroom.”

The Point. 1888 named UK licensing agent for The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

The Point. 1888 has been named the UK licensing agent for The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, a popular book series that has just been commissioned for its first Sky Originals children’s TV series.

Written and illustrated by Liz Pichon, the Tom Gates series of books is published by Scholastic and has sold more than 11 million copies in 44 languages across the world to date. The series features doodles, pictures, and handwritten font throughout, all of which documents Tom’s adventures at home and school.

The new 2D, stop-motion and live action TV series presented by Pichon herself will follow a modular, mixed-media magazine format, bringing TOm’s antics to life for six to 12 year olds. In support of the recent Sky Originals commission, TG Entertainment has appointed The Point. 1888 to handle its UK licensing programme.

Making its debut on Sky Kids UK in the UK and ROI in early 2021, the launch of the TV series will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the first book and the publication of the 18th book in the series – Tom Gates Ten Tremendous Tales.

 The Tom Gates’ brand licensing will focus on encouraging children to get creative through illustration, music and doodling.

Pichon, said: “I am delighted that The Point.1888 has been appointed as brand licensing agent and I can’t wait to start working with them on ideas to take Tom’s world off the page and inspire even more children to pick up pens, pencils and paintbrushes and explore their own creativity.”

Janine Richmond, senior commercial manager at The Point.1888, added: “We’re thrilled to be working with Liz and TG Entertainment Ltd on this exciting brand licensing programme. Liz puts so much focus and energy into bringing the World of Tom Gates to life as evidenced by her incredible creativity during events, signings, festivals and more.  It’s time to bring a bit more fun into children’s lives and we can’t wait for Tom Gates to do just that.”

Liz Keynes, commercial director, TG Entertainment Ltd, concluded: “All the activity around Tom Gates in early 2021, means the launch of a licensing programme couldn’t be more timely.  Centered around everyday life, this fun and funny unisex brand connects ’brilliantly’ with children and offers stand-out opportunities for partnering on unique and creative brand activations.”

The Point.1888 has already begun its brand immersion phase, which will then be followed by further research and competitor analysis, before the team dive in to engage with their vast network of retail and licensee contacts.