Tag Archives: WildBrain CPLG

Global soy sauce brand Kikkoman looks to tantalise tastebuds in lifestyle licensing

Posted on by

The popular soy sauce brand, Kikkoman is looking to tantalise tastebuds across the apparel, accessories, kitchenware, and food gifting markets, thanks to a new partnership between the brand’s master global agent Tact Communications and WildBrain CPLG. Under the deal, WildBrain CPLG will build the Kikkoman name as a lifestyle brand.

The partnership has been facilitated by ZenWorks, the Tokyo-based firm now acting as on-board consultant.

Victoria Whellans, group brands director at WildBrain CPLG Lifestyle, said: “Soy sauce is a staple condiment in households and restaurants across Europe, with Kikkoman’s iconic brand being instantly recognisable and celebrated for its quality. We look forward to working closely with Kikkoman Corporation and Tact Communications to assemble an engaging lifestyle consumer products programme which captures the rich heritage of Kikkoman.”

Shunsuke Tamura, president of Tact Communications, commented: “We are pleased to partner with WildBrain CPLG Lifestyle and look forward to building a strong licensing programme for Kikkoman in Europe with them.”

As a global soy sauce brand, Kikkoman has been supporting the development of Japanese food culture since the 1600s. Since its establishment in 1917, Kikkoman has held a management policy to blend its deep-seated traditions with a sense of innovation that is both responsive and perceptive.

Kikkoman’s motto is to promote the international exchange of food culture. Whether introducing Japanese food culture to the world, or bringing Japan in contact with the food cultures of other countries, Kikkoman is committed to the ongoing fulfillment of this goal.

Kikkoman Soy Sauce is shipped to over 100 countries from its seven overseas factories, located in the US, Asia and Europe. Kikkoman also distributes Asian foods through its global wholesale network, serving up Japanese and other Asian foods worldwide to enrich eating styles and satisfy any taste.

WildBrain CPLG signs raft of UK and European partners for Line Friends’ Brown & Friends

Posted on by

WildBrain CPLG has secured a raft of new European deals on behalf of the Line Friends brand’s Brown & Friends, an off-shoot IP that features the brand’s signature characters Brown, Choco, Cony, Sally, and others.

Blueprint Collections has signed up with the IP for a stationery range, Gund will develop new plush lines, Kokomo is working on a health and beauty collection, Misirli is developing its signature socks, and Poetic Brands is readying a collection of daywear and nightwear.

WildBrain CPLG – which represents Line Friends across Europe and in the UK – has also struck up partnerships with Portico Design for calendars, and Zak Designs for melamine. For France, WildBrain CPLG has secured a deal with Undiz for an underwear and nightwear range, and in Switzerland with Confiland for confectionery.

The new products have already started to roll out at retail and will continue to launch throughout the year, joining Line Friends’ existing global deals with Funko and Uniqlo.

Additionally, Atomic10 has been appointed as the PR agency for Line Friends in the UK. The agency will work with influencers and media partners to support licensees’ product launches and expand Line Friends’ fan base in the market.

John Taylor, VP Northern Europe and managing director UK and France at WildBrain CPLG, said: “Instantly recognisable, the Line Friends and Brown & Friends characters have quickly become part of Gen Z and Millennials’ daily lives internationally.

“We’re excited to be expanding the brand’s European licensee base with bold new products which are ideal for fashion conscious fans, and having Atomic10 on board in the UK will provide invaluable support as we get the word out to tweens, teens and young adults in the market.”

These new partnerships follow Line Friends’ recent win at the Licensing International Excellence Awards 2020, where Brown & Friends was named the Best Digital / App / Video Game Brand.

Polish streetwear brand PLNY LALA marks 70 years of Peanuts with new collection

Posted on by

WildBrain CPLG is marking the 70th anniversary of the Peanuts brand through a new partnership with the Polish streetwear brand, PLNY LALA. Brokered on behalf of Peanuts Worldwide, the deal will see the launch of a range of sweatshirts, t-shirts, dresses, tops, and socks all inspired by Snoopy and the Peanuts gang.

The collection has been launched in anticipation of October 2, the official 70th anniversary of the date that Charles M. Schulz first introduced the world to the Peanuts characters when the comic strip made its debut in seven American newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang have gone on to leave an indelible mark on pop culture.

The new PLNY LALA range is part of a global campaign with licensors that will be rolling out from Peanuts Worldwide this autumn.

Tara Botwick, senior director, international territory management, EMEA at Peanuts Worldwide, said: “With a focus on empowering its customer base and taking a fresh, playful approach to its influential collections, we knew that PLNY LALA would be an ideal fashion partner as well as a tentpole licensee as we look to ramp up a wide programme for Peanuts worldwide and across the CEE territories specifically. It’s an exciting collaboration that we feel sets the tone for our ambitions in the region and globally.”

Elisa Minetti, creative director and designer at PLNY LALA, added: “I’m excited to be teaming up with WildBrain CPLG again and this time working with Snoopy and the Peanuts squad. Our collaboration emphasises the global trends that PLNY LALA is at the forefront of in the local Polish market.

“My creative process for the range has involved combining iconic Peanuts cartoon artwork, with streetwear for women who carry an inner girl flame, which has resulted in a collection that is ideal for a feisty LALA girl. This autumn, Peanuts celebrates its 70th anniversary of the first comic strip’s debut. Let’s continue this inspiring journey together.”

Now available to purchase exclusively in PLNY LALA’s stores and online at www.plnylala.pl, the launch is being supported by in-store POS, a dedicated website landing page, social media and influencer product seeding, a look book, and a pop-up store in Warsaw. Items in the collection are priced between 39.00 – 599.00 PLN and are offered in a range of sizes.

The new partnership bolsters existing Peanuts fashion offerings secured by WildBrain CPLG in Central and Eastern Europe, which include: Polish retailer Smyk for a DTR range which is now launching; LPP for teen and adult collections available at Reserved, Reserved Kids, House, Sinsay and Sinsay Kids; and a range from E Plus M which is being focused towards teens and adults.

Beyond fashion, Carbotex will soon launch its first range of Peanuts homewares, and ERT launched a range of mobile accessories earlier this year.

Studio 100 names Joachim Knödler its new head of licensing as company veteran Gerd Russwurm announces retirement

Posted on by

Studio 100 has named the former WildBrain CPLG Central Europe managing director, Joachim Knödler its new head of licensing, taking over the role from Gerd Russwurm who is retiring at the end of the year after more than 24 years with the company.

In his new role, Knödler will be responsible for the international licensing of the Studio 100 Group and will report to Martin Krieger, CEO of Studio 100 Media. He was most recently the managing director at Wildbrain CPLG Central Europe. Under his leadership, the business in Central Europe was restructured and during his 17 years there, he gained extensive experience in brand licensing, entertainment and the launch of private label brands including the implementation of DTR licensing.

Knödler developed fundamental licensing strategies with all major Hollywood Studios for a successful introduction of the company’s portfolio in GSA and Europe. Another focus of Knödler’s work is the development of Master Toy lines.

Previous positions at Hasbro and Simon Marketing / The Marketing Store have given him extensive experience in the toy sector. In various roles, he was responsible for the relaunch of the Star Wars Toy Line together with the launch of E1 and the roll-out of the Pokémon Master Toy Line and the Nerf Toy Line in the German-speaking territories.

He also supervised the development of the Happy Meal Toys for McDonald’s Germany and was accountable for the first McDonald’s Monopoly, which was rewarded with significant sales growth. In addition, Knödler was responsible for initiating the success of Sesame Street and Minions in the German-speaking world.

Joachim Knödler said: “I very much look forward to bringing my experience and expertise to such a fantastic licensor as the Studio 100 Group. In my new role, it is important for me to drive a coherent licensing strategy that fits the target group and that includes the right choice of licensing partners.

“My goal is to have a wide range of consumer products on the market. I know that I’m following and stepping into really big footsteps when I take over from Gerd – and that’s precisely why I’m extremely grateful for the trust that is placed in me and look forward to this new challenge.”

Martin Krieger, CEO at Studio 100 Media, added: “Joachim’s reputation and achievements speak for themselves. I am confident that as head of our licensing team together with the entire Studio 100 Group, he will help us grow and continue to meet and exceed the needs of our partners worldwide.

“Moreover, I look forward to working with him, and to the many new products and collaborations, it will bring under his management. At this point I would like to take the opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Gerd: It was not easy to find a successor. Gerd’s dedication and commitment, his experience in the industry and his personality have shaped our company and the brands: In December, an era will come to an end.”

Gerd Russwurm will remain at Knödler’s side over the next few months and will pass the baton on at the end of the year.  After more than 24 years with the company and countless successes in the industry, including thousands of licensed products for Maya the Bee, Vik the Viking, Mia and me, the World Cup and Mickey Mouse with nine working for Disney Russwurm will then retire.

Hasbro extends representation deal with WildBrain CPLG to cover CEE and Turkey

Posted on by

Hasbro has extended its agreement with the sport, lifestyle, and entertainment licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG to cover both CEE and Turkey. The move is an extension of the deal it had with the firm, naming it the Hasbro sub-representative in the Nordics and Benelux regions as of January 1st this year.

Under the agreement, WildBrain CPLG will now represent Hasbro’s merchandise, publishing, promotions, and short-term location based entertainment business across Benelux, Nordic, CEE, and Turkey regions.

“We are moving our direct business to an agent model in CEE and Turkey as both regions have tremendous growth potential for our consumer products business,” said Marianne James, vice president of Hasbro Consumer Products in EMEA. “We believe that the strength of WildBrain CPLG to cover Benelux, Nordic, CEE and Turkey will allow us to scale our efforts in a meaningful way.

“WildBrain CPLG will develop our strong portfolio of brands such as Nerf, Monopoly, Play-Doh, and My Little Pony.”

Maarten Weck, executive vice president and managing director at WildBrain CPLG, added: “We are very pleased to extend our geographical footprint to represent Hasbro in CEE and Turkey, where we see tremendous opportunity for their leading family brands.

“The addition of these new markets to our remit strengthens our strategic relationship with Hasbro and gives us even more opportunity to synergise our European efforts, without losing the local touch.”

WildBrain CPLG and Star Trek warp into digital wall art with BeArty

Posted on by

The entertainment, sport, and brand licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG has secured a deal with the tech company BeArty to launch a new digital wall art range inspired by the iconic sci-fi franchise, Star Trek. The deal was brokered by WildBrain CPLG on behalf of ViacomCBS Consumer Products.

The new partnership will witness the launch of a collection of digital wall art that fans can display on their Smart TVs. Through BeArty’s Vizzio Art software, consumers can navigate thousands of artwork options through its mobile app. The new Star Trek offering will feature hundreds of images from the franchise. It will be available to subscribers from this month.

John Taylor, VP Northern Europe and MD UK, Eire and France at WildBrain CPLG, said: “Star Trek has a hugely loyal and wide fan-base and this innovative new partnership with BeArty gives those fans an exciting opportunity to access their favourite artwork in an affordable and accessible way.

“We look forward to seeing fans around the world replacing their blank TV screens with eye-catching Star Trek ships in their homes and offices.”

Patrick Ashworth, founder and CEO of BeArty Ltd, added: “BeArty is excited to launch this new platform, which will allow fans to experience Star Trek all day long. With the large and growing wall decoration market, and the widespread use of smart phones and Smart TVs, it is finally time to make a real impact in the market and make art available to everyone and empower them to change their wall décor in just a couple of clicks.”

Winners of the 2020 Licensing International Excellence Awards revealed in virtual awards ceremony

Posted on by

The winners of the 2020 Licensing International Excellence Awards have been revealed in the industry’s first virtual awards ceremony that brought together nearly 1,000 executives from around the world for the celebrations.

Hosted by Handcraft VP and stand-up comic Marshall Mizrahi, the event saw licensing powerhouse Martha Stewart inducted into the Licensing Hall of Fame.

It also played host to a showcase of this year’s six international Rising Stars in Krystyna Braxton (NFL Players Inc.); Allison Cimino (RockLove); Carolina Garcia Souza (Cinecolor Colombia, representative of The Walt Disney Company); Gao Qiang (Tencent); Hannah Stevens (The Point.1888); and Louis Yenik (Crunchyroll). 

Newly redesigned trophies for both the main Awards and the Hall of Fame were also unveiled at the event, designed by Alternatives and PowerStation Studios, respectively. 

The 23 Awards winners hail from around the globe, including companies from Brazil, France, Germany, Korea, the UK and the US, and were unveiled by 10 leading licensing executives who each brought their own special flair to the event.

The Coca-Cola Company and Sesame Workshop each “took home” multiple trophies – Coca-Cola swept the Food & Beverage categories, winning Best Product for its Coca-Cola-flavoured Tic Tacs in partnership with Ferrero, and picking up the prize for Best Food & Beverage Brand of the Year. Sesame Workshop’s “Sesame Street” was named Best Live-Action Entertainment or Character Brand and also won for its “A Cautionary Tale” promotion with Squarespace. Meanwhile, Wildbrain CPLG was crowned as the first winner in the newly added Best Licensing Agency category. 

A number of companies supported the Licensing International Small Business Global Grants Fund by taking space in the Awards Program, which was made available digitally Monday. Thanks to their contributions, the Grants Fund has raised more than $110,000 to help small businesses in the licensing community impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. 

“This year marks the 35th anniversary of the International Licensing Awards, and while we had of course looked forward to celebrating in person, this virtual gathering was an amazing event,” said Maura Regan, president, Licensing International.

“Perhaps more than ever it was important to celebrate the incredible creativity and innovation of our industry. Seeing the very best work of this industry on display, alongside some of the dynamic executives who drive it, was a powerful reminder that, in the wake of uncertainty, the power of trusted brands and well-known licenses is more critical than ever before.”

The 23 2020 Licensing International Excellence Awards winners are:

Best Licensed Products

  • Apparel/Footwear/Accessories – Vans for David Bowie Apparel & Footwear Range
  • Appliance/Automotive/Housewares/Electronics – Pro-Ject Audio Systems for The Beatles Turntable
  • Toys/Games/Novelties for ages 0 to 8 – WowWee for Pinkfong Baby Shark Song Puppets
  • Apps/Software/Video games – Story Toys / Touch Press for LEGO Duplo World App
  • Food/Beverage – The Coca-Cola Company / Ferrero for Coca-Cola Tic Tac
  • Health and Beauty Aids – Lipsmacker for Crayola Lip Care Line
  • Home Decor – Dreamtex Ltd for National Geographic Recycled Bedding
  • Publishing/Back-to-School – Party City – Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year Partygoods & Tableware
  • Toys/Games/Novelties for ages 8+ – LEGO for Stranger Things Lego Set

Best Licensed Brands

  • Art/Designs/Celebrity/Fashion Brand – V&A by Victoria & Albert Museum 
  • Digital/ App/ Video Game Brand – Brown & Friends by LINE Friends
  • Corporate Brand – Cat by Caterpillar  
  • Entertainment/Character Brand: Animated – Peppa Pig by eOne / Hasbro
  • Entertainment/Character Brand: Live Action – Sesame Street by Sesame Workshop
  • Food/Beverage/Restaurant Brand – Coca-Cola by The Coca-Cola Company
  • Sports/Collegiate Brand – Rugby World Cup by World Rugby / IMG

Other Awards

  • Best Licensed Promotion – Squarespace & Sesame Street “A Cautionary Tale”
  • Best Licensed Collaboration – SpongeBob Squarepants x Nike x Kyrie Irving
  • Best Experiential or Location-Based Initiative – The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Best Retailer for a Character/Entertainment Initiative – Galeries Lafayette for Batman 
  • Best Retailer for a Corporate/Lifestyle/Sports Initiative – NBA Stores Brazil 
  • Best Licensing Agency – Wildbrain CPLG
  • The Newcomer Award – Harrogate Tipple Ltd for Downton Abbey Gin & Whisky

 

WildBrain CPLG partners leading Italian design school to celebrate 65 years of Miffy

Posted on by

The entertainment, sport, and brand licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG has teamed with the Italian design school Istituto Europeo di Design for a new fashion project that celebrates the 65th anniversary of Mercis BV’s character brand Miffy.

The project has seen students from award-winning design schools in the UK, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, and the Netherlands create limited edition Miffy plush, which are now on display in an exhibition titled ‘Miffy: 65 Years a Source of Inspiration’ at Centraal Museum in Utrecht.

Massimo Giacon, tutor and professor at IED, said: “I was delighted to oversee this design project – the Miffy character is known and loved all over the world, and it was an invigorating creative challenge. My priority was to demonstrate the story behind Miffy, and emphasise the character’s innocence and magic – harnessing the youthful energy and hope of our students as a lens for the project.

“Even if in our contemporary world there seems to be no space for simplicity and goodness, actually there is a great need for beauty. The final results created by IED students were so amazing they inspired me to create my own Miffy designs, and I’m sure all visitors to the exhibition will feel the same type of magic from this adorable character.”

Maria Gurrieri, managing director at WildBrain CPLG Southern Europe, added: “It has been a real pleasure to collaborate with Mercis BV and IED Milano on this project to celebrate young artists and design excellence as part of Miffy’s 65th anniversary. Creative partnerships such as these are an integral part of our strategy for Miffy in Italy as we look to build upon the brand’s legacy while also introducing Dick Bruna’s iconic creation to a new generation.

“We are delighted to see all the fantastic designs the students have created, which are testament to the inspiration Miffy has provided for designers over the last 65 years.”

In total, 86 Miffy plush designs were created by the international design students and are now on display at Centraal Museum Utrecht. This includes 20 designs from the 15 students involved at IED, across the institution’s Visual Arts, Fashion, Design and Communication courses.

The designs selected for the exhibition include Miffy in a space suit inspired by the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Miffy in an haute couture dress. The ten best designs have been selected by a jury of prominent fashion designers.

A compilation of ten designs from all participating academies will form the limited edition collectible collection which will be made available later this year.

WildBrain CPLG and cycle brand Milltag launch Twin Peaks capsule collection

Posted on by

WildBrain CPLG has secured a deal with the London-based cyclewear brand Milltag for a new capsule collection celebrating the 30th anniversary of the original TV series, Twin Peaks.

Brokered by WildBrain CPLG on behalf of ViacomCBS Consumer Products, the Twin Peaks x Milltag collection features a full range of cycle clothing, including a jersey, shorts, mitts, snood and cap, and will be available for a limited time in the UK this summer.

The range combines cutting-edge garment technology, high-performance fabrics and a slim fit. The collection’s earthy green and brown tone colourway is inspired by the natural surroundings depicted in Twin Peaks, and is adorned with the logos of iconic local businesses from the series including Double R diner, and the Packard Sawmill.

Laura Quinn, category manager UK at WildBrain CPLG, said: “Twin Peaks has an avid and highly engaged following thanks to its bold, original and genre-bending approach which remains influential to this day. With the show now celebrating its 30th anniversary, we’re very excited to be collaborating with Milltag and translating the brand into a dynamic and high-quality cyclewear range, which we’re sure will be a huge hit with fans across the UK.”

Ed Cowburn, owner at Milltag, added: “Milltag’s favourite projects are ones that hold emotions for people. Whether it be producing products based around someone’s favourite film, album, band or in this case, television show. We like to think that these products mean more to people than a regular off the rack design. Hopefully that means they’ll treasure and look after them, leading to a more sustainable model of consumption as clothing is worn to the very end of its usage cycle.

“We’re incredibly proud of this project as fans of the show. The chance to add to the rich world created by Mark Frost and David Lynch in 1990 is a dream come true and we like to think we’ve designed something true to the essence of Twin Peaks.”

 Created by Mark Frost and David Lynch, Twin Peaks debuted on ABC in April 1990 with an original two seasons and has become one of the most iconic television shows of all time.

In 2017, a third season of Twin Peaks launched on Sky Atlantic. Set in a sleepy Washington town which is rocked by the murder of a young girl, Twin Peaks explores crime, loss, grief and life in small-town America.

Sensory baby lifestyle brand Etta Loves launches new Peanuts collection

Posted on by

The entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG has secured a new partnership with the sensory baby lifestyle brand, Etta Loves, for a new collection of products inspired by the iconic Peanuts brand.

The deal has been brokered by WildBrain CPLG on behalf of Peanuts Worldwide and will see the launch of a new, unique, science-based collection to the UK from today (July 9th). The range includes a reversible playmat, comforter, teether and muslins, along with Etta Love’s latest addition, the Sensory Strip.

Tara Botwick, senior director, territory management EMEA at Peanuts Worldwide, said: “Building the Peanuts infant consumer products programme has been key to our strategy over the last few years and this new collaboration with Etta Loves offers an innovative new avenue in this sector.

“By combining beautiful patterns which encourage early sensory development, with high-quality and versatile products, we’re confident this new range will be hugely popular with parents and their little ones across the UK.”

Using the knowledge of what a baby can and can’t see during their first year, Etta Loves designs precise sensory prints, in partnership with a Consultant Orthoptist, to support eye and brain development.

This new Peanuts collection will introduce two brand new prints to the portfolio: ‘Hide & Seek’ features the Peanuts gang hidden amongst a black and white chequerboard design, supporting visual development from birth to four months; and ‘Love & Hugs’ is a colourful XO design with the much-loved Peanuts characters Snoopy, Woodstock and Charlie Brown, supporting babies from five months onwards.

The Etta Loves x Peanuts collection is available in the UK at www.ettaloves.com and selected retailers.