Another Bulldog brand that needs little introduction is Monkey – the star of the classic advertisements for ITV Digital and PG Tips. The little knitted primate has become an established cultural icon and one of the most saleable brands in Britain for the 16-34 year old consumer. A strong merchandising programme has enjoyed huge pick-up across the retail spectrum and includes apparel from BCI, plush from Posh Paws, posters from GB Eye and greetings cards and calendars from Danilo, whilst Bluebird Brands is producing a wide range of products including fashion bags, laptop bags, plush bags and purses as well as a homewares line that will include aprons, hot water bottles, mugs and tea towels. Licensor for the Monkey brand is Comic Relief, meaning that all licensed products sold will help the charity.

 

Another hugely successful property appearing on the Bulldog stand will be Goochicoo – the hit design-led brand that is going from strength to strength. Created by The Backland Studio, the property features a range of fantastic little characters accompanied by slogans such as ‘Give Peas a Chance‘ and ‘The Piddler’. Licensing partners include Poetic Gem for apparel, publisher Little Star, Izziwotnot for bedding, MV Sports and Leisure for talking plush toys and doll accessories, and Bluebird Brands for a range of merchandise that includes mugs, luggage, and travel and car accessories. Goochicoo greeting cards are also a huge hit on Moonpig.com and Father’s Day 2011 saw the property come in as top seller for the retailer.

 

Also making an appearance at BLE will be LIFE – the world’s most respected source of photojournalism. LIFE magazine is the legendary publication that continues to enthral millions of people with special issue books and the LIFE photographic library is a vast stock of pictures, many made famous by the magazine itself, that includes some of the world’s most recognisable photographs, including historical pictures dating back to the Crimean war, snaps of legends such as the Kennedys and Winston Churchill, world-famous landmarks like the Empire State Building, and incredible images of the world around us - ranging from shots taken in outer space to nature at its most powerful and beautiful. In total, around 10 million pictures are available to license and combining these with the iconic LIFE logo presents a fantastic merchandising opportunity. A burgeoning licensing programme includes an apparel range from Poetic Gem that is currently available in Next and River Island, and a range of greetings cards and postcards from Is It Art that is set to be presented to major retailers soon.  

 

Bulldog will also be showcasing iconic football brand Shoot, which has been attracting huge amounts of interest since first being presented to the licensing sector last year. Shoot has captivated successive generations of football fans with sharp, incisive writing and contributions from the stars of the game, before moving into the digital era by becoming the first football magazine to be made available around the world on the Web. Shoot’s enormous Web presence at www.shoot.co.uk has been viewed by millions since it launched in 2009 and the web audience continues to grow at an incredible rate. Bulldog has also brokered a deal with top digital content specialist The Magazine Cloner that allows football fans to access Shoot magazine through an app on mobile devices such as the iPad, iPhone and Android, and available on Mac and PC downloads. A thriving licensing programme includes Portico for greetings cards and gifts, Samuel Eden for socks, Poetic Gem for adult apparel, and Iron Gut for framed wall art and includes an online shop in development courtesy of the Official Web Shop, which will offer a full range of Shoot-branded merchandise

 

Bulldog has also been working with Build-A-Bear Workshop – a familiar high street presence with 45 company-owned stores in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The stores are a hit with parents and children alike and allow guests to choose a furry friend and then specially personalise it at eight different stations. The retailer also offers a range of fantastic clothing and accessories to outfit stuffed animals. Bulldog has received an enormous response to the licensing programme for a brand which is one of the most-talked about brands in the UK amongst the target demographic of girls age six through 12 and announcements will be made soon regarding key partners. 

 

Classic animation property Roobarb and Custard is also part of the Bulldog portfolio. The property is proving to be a real hit with consumers with Mogzilla on board for publishing, Poetic Gem for apparel, Museums and Galleries for greetings, PMS for amusement plush, and Riviera for canvas wall art. The property has also attracted the attention of leading animal charity the PDSA, which has appointed Roobarb and Custard as brand ambassadors – the duo are helping the charity raise £1m through a range of activities across retail and online, as well as a text campaign that will see mobile users receive a free Roobarb and Custard screensaver in return for donations. Images of Roobarb and Custard are also set to appear on the PDSA’s fleet of vehicles and across a raft of activities currently in development.

 

Two other classic brands on the Bulldog books are Batfink and Roland Rat. TV legend, hunky superstar and self-appointed knight of the realm Sir Roland Rat is proving a big hit in the licensing sector; apparel from Poetic Gem is selling well whilst Posh Paws has launched a new Roland plush range featuring plush, talking plush, keychains and ceramics, which has already been snapped up by Play.com, Forbidden Planet, Past Times and Harrods. Batfink is also proving to be a retro gem, with tens of thousands of branded T-shirts selling each quarter.

 

Another huge brand in the Bulldog stable is Monster Jam – the family entertainment brand that features stadium and arena based racing and freestyle stunts from some of the world’s premier monster trucks. The Monster Jam European tour is currently packing stadiums as it roars through the UK and Benelux, and is watched by millions of television viewers through Bravo in the UK and RTL in Benelux. The brand even has its own YouTube channel, which is proving a massive hit with fans, with over 14m viewings recorded for some of the most popular videos. Monster Jam’s licensing presence is equally impressive, with the property represented across categories including card games, toys, video games and construction toys through top licensees such as Mattel, Activision, K’NEX and Lanoo. 

 

“We have strengthened our portfolio considerably over the last twelve months and all our brand are experiencing positive growth in terms of both sales and profile,” says Bulldog MD Rob Corney, “we will be looking to build on this success by exploring further opportunities for all our brands at BLE.” 

 

 

 

Rocket continues mission with classic brands. New campaigns, iconic brands and big announcements at an action-packed stand F005

With special announcements, new signings, recent launches and strong business from established brands, Rocket Licensing expects activity on stand F005 at BLE 2011 to surpass even last year’s hectic schedule.

The Rocket portfolio ranges from classic names loved by children of all ages, such as Dr Seuss, Scalextric and Airfix, to iconic brands such as Bruce Lee, Atari and Rocky. Rocket is also launching the cheeky, off-the-wall BBC One comedy Mrs Brown’s Boys and not one but three forthcoming blockbuster films in the shape of Real Steel from DreamWorks Studio and Madagascar 3 and Puss in Boots from DreamWorks Animation. 

 

Dr Seuss. In the run-up to BLE 2011 Rocket Licensing has launched a major new European licensing campaign for the legendary and perennially popular Dr Seuss, whose books and characters have been a hit with readers of all ages for over half a century. The brand’s classic status has been reinforced by the continuing television and publishing success of The Cat in the Hat, Fox in Socks and many others. Deals are already being finalised across a number of categories, with an eye to building a strong retail presence in 2012, backed by promotional campaigns emphasising both the fun and learning aspects of the brand.

 

Madagascar 3. Released in October 2012, Madagascar 3 will be the latest movie in the hugely successful animation franchise from DreamWorks Animation. Rocket is looking to create a UK licensing programme that complements and reflects the success to date of this tremendous movie franchise and its continuing popularity with children and families.

 

Mrs Brown’s Boys. Rocket has launched a global licensing campaign that will take the staggeringly popular BBC One comedy — series one audience figures hit an astonishing 4.1 million — and in particular its hilariously tactless and ribald central character, Mrs Brown, into a number of highly appropriate categories. With repeats, a second series and a live tour, all planned or under way, not to mention a half-million-selling DVD, licensing and consumer interest is expected to be strong right through to 2012 — and beyond.

 

Bruce Lee. Another major launch for BLE is Bruce Lee, the original — and greatest — Kung Fu legend. Groovy UK has already been signed up for bathrobes and Trademark Clothing for t-shirts. Rocket sees a strong market for the Bruce Lee brand in fashion, apparel, gift and numerous other categories inspired by the iconic Kung Fu master.

 

Airfix, Corgi, Hornby and Scalextric. The licensing programme for the Hornby Hobbies ‘superbrands’ — Airfix, Corgi, Hornby and Scalextric — has been making major inroads into both kids’ and adult markets since its launch in 2009. Last year’s official Scalextric game app was a massive iPhone and Android hit, and has recently been followed by the new Airfix iPhone game. Cakes, apparel, dress-up, t-shirts, coin-operated rides and melamine homeware have all been eagerly taken up by the 4-12-year-old range, while apparel, jigsaws, hip flasks, playing cards, mugs and wash bags have found a market among adult males of all ages.

 

Real Steel. The eagerly awaited film Real Steel, a boxing drama set in the near future where 2,000-pound robots do battle, opens only days before BLE. A number of key licenses are already signed up for the UK campaign, including toys, cards, posters and calendars, and Rocket is expecting the growing buzz around the product and promotional opportunities offered by this Hugh Jackman-starring movie event to be reflected in strong interest at stand F005.

 

Happy birthday Atari! Classic retro design-and-fashion-led brand Atari has scored at retail in t-shirts, headphones and a number of other categories since the licensing campaign was launched. Rocket is now looking forward to extending its licensing programme for the video game pioneer’s 40th anniversary in 2012.

 

The Dangerous Book for Boys. Rocket’s long-running licensing campaign for another classic, The Dangerous Book for Boys, with over 30 partners worldwide, has successfully transferred the values and appeal of the book to a carefully selected and designed range of products.

 

Rocky. A classic film name with a recognition factor that spans multiple generations, Rocky was a success from the moment it hit retail and still remains a strong seller among males from teens and tweens up, through Rocky-branded t-shirts, posters, arcade machines and — of course — robes.

 

Rocket is also the UK licensing agent for the popular new MGM/MTV co-production of Teen Wolf. The show follows the story of Scott McCalll, who has to fight to control his new and disturbing self after an attack from a creature in the darkness. The hour-long 12-episode series debuted in the UK on Sky Living in July. The first phase of the campaign will focus on apparel, accessories and stationery, focusing on a large target demographic of tweens, teens and young adults of both sexes.

 

Rocket has also been chosen to license Princess Pearl, a new series of books from Emma Thomson, one of the most successful names in children’s publishing. A range of cards from Woodmansterne is already selling well at retail in department stores and independents, a series of storybooks is to be published by Hodder Children’s Books in spring 2012, and Rocket is progressing opportunities across a range of products for the 4 to 9 year-old girls’ market.

 

Charlie Donaldson, Joint Managing Director of Rocket Licensing, says: “We’re proud that our reputation for a diverse, high quality and exciting roster of brands is being underlined at this year’s show. BLE is perfectly timed to coincide with a lot of major announcements and updates, so keeping visitors up-to-date with all the news and activity surrounding all our clients and brands is going to be a bit of a challenge — but we’re really looking forward to it!”

 

 

 

CPLG To Showcase Strong Selection Of Properties At BLE 2011. CPLG, Europe’s leading licensing agency, will be presenting an outstanding portfolio of entertainment, sports and design properties at Brand Licensing Europe 2011 from clients including Fox, Dreamworks, Universal, Sesame Street, Peanuts, Ubisoft and sports brands the RFU, West Ham and St Andrews Links. CPLG has a strong presence across the world, with offices in the UK, the US, Canada, Benelux, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, and can provide outstanding service for global clients.

Storming back into kid’s consciousness is Power Rangers. First launched in 1993, this hugely popular show featured the adventures of a group of ordinary young people who ‘morphed’ into superheroes and it enjoyed unprecedented success as a children’s entertainment, consumer products and kids’ lifestyle brand. Power Rangers is now back with an explosive new series – Power Rangers Samurai. The show premiered on Nickelodeon UK in May and became the channel’s No.1 show in just its first week of broadcast, whilst a toyline from Bandai has just been released and will be followed by a range of Samurai themed consumer products including publishing from Parragon, apparel from Blues and TDP Aykroyd and confectionery from Kinnerton. Costume appearances are also taking place across the UK and the brand is being promoted across publications including The Sun, the Mirror and popular boys’ magazine Toxic.

 

Red-hot TV property The Only Way Is Essex, known as TOWIE by its legions of fans, is the hit show that has taken the UK by storm, winning multiple awards and pulling in a million viewers an episode on ITV2, who are enthralled by the exploits of stars such as Mark, Kirk, Sam and Joey. After two hugely successful series, the show is set to hit screens again at the end of September, and a fourth series has already been commissioned. The buzz surrounding TOWIE has also translated into the licensing sector and partners include Sommerbond for nightwear and underwear, FB Beauty for cosmetics and fragrance, Fashion UK for t-shirts and tops, and The Beauty Works for beauty electricals including hair straighteners and tongs. 

 

Another massive TV property at the CPLG stand will be Downton Abbey – the hit ITV1 show from Carnival Films that charts the fortunes of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in Downton Abbey. The eagerly anticipated second season airs from September and will be followed by a Christmas special, whilst a third series is currently in development. CPLG have recently announced a direct to retail agreement that will see a host of Downton Abbey products appearing in Past Times stores across the UK and Ireland in time for Christmas.

 

For nearly thirty years, the Care Bears have appealed to both pre-schoolers and parents by teaching valuable lessons in a fun and friendly way. Hasbro and licensor American Greetings are now collaborating on a new Care Bears show for 2012 and more news will be announced at BLE. Meanwhile existing licensees in the UK, including Sert MST for toiletries, Whitehouse Leisure for amusement plush, and Aykroyds TDP and Poetic Gem for apparel, are enjoying ongoing success with the brand.

 

Where’s Wally is one of the world’s best-loved brands, which CPLG represents across Germany, Benelux, Iberia and Italy. The book of the same name launched in 1987 and challenged readers to find Wally amongst the crowd in a series of colourful and humorous illustrations. A host of other titles have followed over the years, with worldwide sales now totalling over 50million, and the books have been published in 38 countries and translated into 27 languages, with new titles introduced each year. This popularity has made Where’s Wally? into a huge merchandising and promotional success story and the brand has also developed a significant digital presence, with millions of fans looking out for Wally on his Facebook page and via iPhone and iPad apps. The Where’s Wally? 25th anniversary next year is set to boost the property’s popularity even further. 

This summer saw the release of the first Horrid Henry film, which went to number four in the UK Top Ten box office films in its first week despite incredible competition.  Based on one of the most popular book franchises in the world, with titles available in over 27 countries and loved by boys and girls alike, Horrid Henry has generated a hit television series and a strong and varied licensing programme.  

 

CPLG Sport will be showcasing a range of top sporting properties at BLE 2011 in the shape of the RFU, West Ham United, Fulham FC, St Andrews Links and Engage Super League.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the governing body of Rugby Union in England and is responsible for the England Rugby brand. In a Rugby World Cup year the brand’s profile is huge - the tournament is attracting more interest than ever before and is by far the biggest sporting event of 2011, with a projected TV audience of over 4 billion. The team also competes in the annual RBS 6 Nations tournament as well as regular test matches against the southern hemisphere giants and has a massive following – the iconic 82,000-capacity Twickenham Stadium invariably sells out for England games, with millions more watching on television. The huge interest surrounding the team has enabled CPLG Sport to put together an extensive licensing programme, which currently includes over 30 licensees and covers a wide range of categories, including apparel, publishing, gift, toys & games, interactive, and food and drink. This ongoing success has led the RFU to renew CPLG Sport’s representation agreement beyond the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which will take place in the UK. CPLG Sport is currently seeking partners that will be able to exploit and maximise the significant commercial opportunity that hosting this massive event on home ground represents.

 

West Ham United is one of the UK’s best supported football clubs - renowned for fast, attractive football the club also has an international reputation for nurturing young talent through the West Ham United Academy. The team has a huge following with over 800,000 fans registered on the club’s database and a 35,000 capacity stadium at the Boleyn Ground at Upton Park, which is regularly sold out. This support base was instrumental in West Ham United being selected as the preferred club to move into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 London Games, offering an increased capacity of 60,000. CPLG Sport has represented the club since 2006 and in that period has increased the number of licensees from nine to over thirty, with sales of licensed goods increasing ten-fold. A wide range of categories are covered and licensees include Aykroyds/TDP, Danilo, Home Win, Bafiz, Scoredraw and Grange. Product ranges recently added include personalised stationery and birthday product, souvenir seed gift sets and toiletries. 

 

Fulham FC is another football club with a proud history and strong support; the club is based at one of the game’s most iconic venues – Craven Cottage next to the Thames – and has enjoyed an unbroken tenure in the top flight of English football that stretches back to 2001. CPLG Sport has been able to use the club’s prestige and popularity to build up an impressive programme, with several licensees already on board, including BrandCo for apparel, Refuel for headwear, Home Win for a core supporter range and DB Publishing in publishing. New deals are also in the pipeline for DVD’s, photographic prints and personalised birthday products. 

 

St Andrews Links is acknowledged around the world as the Home of Golf – a venue where the game has been played for over 600 years and a brand unparalleled in the history of the game. CPLG Sport has developed an impressive commercial programme, which takes the brand to golfers across the world through official partner, supplier and licensee relationships. Licensed product categories currently include men’s and women’s apparel, timepieces, writing equipment, golf accessories, video games, golf simulators and mobile phone apps, with licensees including prestigious names such as Montegrappa & Elmo, Brooks Brothers and EA Sports.

The latest partner to join the programme is CMC Golf Europe Ltd, which has secured worldwide rights to produce a range of St Andrews Links-branded golf accessories. 

 

Engage Super League is the elite division for Rugby League in Europe and features fourteen teams battling it out over the course of a 27-round summer season of fixtures to reach the eight-team play-off series. Attendances across the board have risen year on year since 2001 and with two games each week broadcast live on Sky Sports, the game reaches huge television audiences The play-offs culminate in the Grand Final, which is held every year at Old Trafford and is one of the most eagerly anticipated annual events in European sport. From a traditional power base in Northern England, Engage Super League is now strengthening its position through successful clubs in London and France and with the Rugby League World Cup being played in England and Wales in 2013, the licensing community is increasingly looking to tap into the competition’s popularity. CPLG Sport has worked with Super League to create a dynamic new licensing style guide and product already licensed has included gifts, celebration cakes and annuals. 

CPLG Sport is proud to also represent the World Rally Championship, the Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, French Football Federation, UK Sport, Scotland Football and the Fédération Equestre Internationale.

“We are bringing some real sporting energy to BLE 2011 and will be looking to talk with potential partners interested in taking advantage of commercial opportunities with our fantastic range of properties,” says Nicola Lord, Senior Commercial Manager, CPLG Sport.

 

 

 

Space Enterprises will be presenting a diverse range of top brands at this year’s Brand Licensing Europe show. 

Among the properties being showcased will be The Sooty Show - the latest TV series to feature the hugely popular puppet team of Sooty, Sweep and Soo. Set to hit UK screens from early September, the 26-part series has been commissioned by ITV and will premiere on weekdays on the CiTV digital channel, with ITV Breakfast (ITV1) on weekend mornings from the beginning of 2012. The new series brings the brand bang up to date, with the UK’s most famous puppets getting to grips with modern technology and staying connected through laptops and iPads. It’s also no longer a case of ‘jobs for the boys’ as Soo has ditched her traditional pinny, duster and household chores and now pitches in with her male friends. The show’s plot revolves around the puppets and long-suffering companion Richard helping out at a coastal holiday park and the series will feature Sooty’s trademark mixture of music, magical effects, strong visual comedy and charming storylines. There are also special guests – including Paul Daniels, who thankfully has recovered from his pizza-bashing at the hands our furry friends.  Intricate sets and props have been specially constructed for the series and the show even has a dedicated website at www.thesootyshow.com where fans can play games and watch videos of Sooty and his friends.

 

A brand new kids’ favourite – The Hive - is also part of the Space line-up. This CGI series from The Hive Enterprises Ltd is produced by Monumental Productions, Lupus Films and DQ Entertainment, follows the fortunes of the happy, friendly and extremely cute Bee family, who live together in Honeybee Hive. Storylines explore the themes of family, working together to solve problems, being part of a diverse community, and caring for the environment. The series is showing on ITV1 and Disney Junior in the UK, with BARB figures showing that it is regularly topping the Disney Junior ratings. The Walt Disney Company have also taken satellite rights across EMEA, South-east Asia, Korea, Japan, India and Latin America. This global presence has been extended through Bejuba!, which holds worldwide rights for both TV, DVD and digital distribution on behalf of The Hive Enterprises and has secured new broadcasting deals with ABC TV Australia, YLE in Finland, and Hop in Israel. New  DVD deals by Bejuba! will see a Russian language version distributed by Noviy Disk in Russia, Georgia and CIS, whilst Magna Home Entertainment will undertake distribution of the English version across Australia and New Zealand. A burgeoning licensing programme is in place for the brand, with Aykroyds TDP on board for nightwear/underwear, Blues Clothing for children’s apparel, EMI for music publishing, and ITV for DVDs. A major Plush deal is also soon to be announced. 

 

Another red-hot property being presented at the Space stand is the evergreen Monty Python, one of the biggest comedy brands in the world. The original series’ and the string of hit films that followed have never been more popular - DVDs are selling in huge volumes, whilst the launch of the entire catalogue in HD on iTunes and the creation of an official Python channel on YouTube has led to millions of new fans discovering the classic comedy. The brand has proved equally popular with licensees and partners include Pyramid for posters, Danilo for sound cards, Underground Toys Ltd for voice key chains, and Moonpig.com for greetings, whilst re:creation is on board as master toy licensee. A strong digital presence is also in place – Zattikka has developed a new Facebook game, The Ministry of Silly Games, and Zed is on board for mobile content. Space has also launched an official Monty Python ecommerce site at www.deadparrotshop.com, where fans can find Python merchandise - including products not yet available at retail – and follow links to all Python licensees.

 

Closely connected to the Python brand is Spamalot – the smash-hit musical ‘lovingly ripped off’ from classic comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The original 2005 Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Director, and the show has since transferred to theatres across the world. In the UK, after an incredibly successful run in the West End, the show recently completed a 400-date nationwide tour, and that is set to resume for a further 200-dates from December. Space has designed T-Shirts and other merchandise connected to the show and is responsible for running concession stands at the venues. 

 

Another huge comic property represented by Space is Little Britain; created by David Walliams and Matt Lucas, the show introduced a range of hilarious characters, such as Lou and Andy, Vicky Pollard and Marjorie Dawes, that gained huge popularity and have ensured the brand is firmly imprinted on the national consciousness. Space also represents Lucas and Walliams’ latest creation – Come Fly With Me – the new airport-set show which proved a big hit when first screened on BBC1 at Christmas-time, recording viewing figures so large that it became the highest rated new comedy launch for ten years. A second batch of episodes was quickly commissioned and the show is expected to return later this year. A string of licensing deals have been signed for the property, with re:creation on board for gifts, mugs, fridge magnets, bottle openers and dolls, Danilo for cards and calendars, Smiffy’s for dress-up, and Zattikka for smartphone apps.

 

“We will be presenting a very strong selection of properties at BLE 2011,” says Space Director of Licensing Mark Hurry, “with everything from hit pre-school brands to comedy classics we have a lot to offer to the licensing community and are looking forward to meeting up with potential partners across a range of different categories.”  

 

 

 

JELC presents something for everyone at BLE 2011: fun, action, magic, fashion icons and some very British humour on show at stand E010

At BLE 2011 JELC will underline its reputation in the industry for successfully lending its extensive experience to any licensing challenge with a strong line-up that offers something for everyone. There’s the explosive Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) with its worldwide fan-base. Then there’s the cheeky and very popular humour of the Bamforth Collection and Grumpy Old Gits, the laid-back appeal of Plain Lazy to teens and young adults, and the fashion and fun of Barry M. Add the magical appeal to young girls of Gem Fairies, launching at BLE, and with further exciting properties yet to be announced E010 is a stand with across-the-board appeal. 

 

Ultimate Fighting Championship® Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest-growing sport in the world and a hit in studios and gyms worldwide. It is also becoming somewhat of a licensing phenomenon through the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) who stage wildly popular live Events around the world - as British fans will no doubt confirm when the big names of UFC® come to the UK on 5th November to battle it out at the LG Arena in Birmingham. Retail support is already guaranteed in anticipation of strong demand in the run-up to what is always a spectacular event.

 

The Bamforth  Collection of thousands of memorable (and memorably naughty) postcards, has become a licensing success in a number of categories — all the more impressive considering that its launch was at last year’s BLE. Licences have already been awarded in such diverse categories as gift confectionery, metal signs, greetings cards — including print-on-demand — men’s t-shirts and boxers and beer glasses — an impressive haul after only 12 months. Many more deals are on the way and now the brand’s enormous potential is starting to take it overseas to the huge markets of both Brits abroad and overseas territories that appreciate quirky, saucy British humour.

 

After years of sell-out card and gift sales, it’s hardly surprising that Grumpy Old Gits has made a successful transition from best-selling gift line to a whole range of new categories. Images and one-liners perfectly suited for the lovable old (or not so old) male grump in everyone’s life have made a successful appearance on Father’s Day socks and pants sold through in Tesco — so successful, in fact, that they'll be back for Christmas. A new confectionery line, previewed at Autumn Fair International, will be on show at BLE. And the core category of cards has marched triumphantly on with a very well received new range from International Greetings for Asda and other major retailers.

 

Barry M is a byword for affordable, high quality, and, most importantly, fun cosmetics for teen and young women. For many of its fans, however, it’s also a genuinely loved brand with a devoted following. That’s why Barry M and JELC feel the time is right to take the next step and build on the brand loyalty and enormous popularity of this most British of cosmetics companies. Plans are already advanced to take the Barry M name into such categories as stationery, accessories, electricals, apparel, beach products, eyewear and phone accessories, with a view to product launching around Spring Fair 2012.

 

 

New to BLE is the Gemma International creation Gem Fairies. Princesses who touch their gem necklaces and transform into Gem Fairies, they were designed in the classic fairytale mould for the 2-6-year-old girls’ greetings card market. The Fairies were so well received that the range is now being developed into a licensing programme. A comprehensive style guide has been developed and early licences are expected in toys, publishing and apparel, with gifts and, of course, bedding to follow shortly after.

 

JELC is also working alongside Plain Lazy (stand B078), the hit lifestyle brand inspired by surf, street, skating, music, fashion and leisure that has established a strong licensing programme in areas as varied as bed linen and backpacks. Now licensees will have an opportunity to share in the brand’s success in the apparel market as the brand looks to move beyond its core outlets of independent and department stores, as well as Plain Lazy’s own stores, by allying with selected licensing and major retail partners.

 

The RSPCA is taking space on the JELC stand to promote the biggest licensing programme in its history. The Society and JELC, which is working with the RSPCA campaign on a consultancy basis, are looking at deals in such areas as apparel, giftware, housewares, stationery, publishing, pet food, wild animal food and pet accessories.

 

Jane Evans, MD of JELC, says: “We represent many different clients from very different disciplines and backgrounds and, as our exciting, varied and popular BLE line-up shows, we have formulated successful licensing programmes for each of them. We are looking forward to meeting the wide range of retail and licensing decision-makers that BLE attracts and inviting them to share in that success.”

 

 

 

AT New Media To Present Top Digital Brands At BLE 2011 (Stand C076b). Digital licensing agent and consultant AT New Media is making a return to full BLE exhibitor status at this year’s event and will be presenting two of the world’s hottest digital brands to the licensing community – Worms™ and Gummy Bear.

Worms™ is the hugely successful, award-winning video game franchise that boasts millions of fans and players worldwide. Since the first incarnation of the hilarious strategy game was unleashed onto the video-gaming world in 1995, the intrepid invertebrates have appeared on over 20 gaming platforms in an ever-increasing number of titles, with approximately 30 million retail copies having been sold to date. The Worms™ brand has also been at the forefront of modern distribution trends and has seen sales in excess of 10 million on mobile phone handsets, as well as enjoying huge success on the new digital video-game platforms, with Number 1 hits on Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation® Network, Apple’s App Store, and Steam for PC. The brand’s popularity is set to rise even further this year through new releases from developer Team 17. Two expansion packs have just been launched, whilst a souped-up reimagining of existing games Worms 3D and Worms 4: Mayhem is set for release later this year, as well as a completely new game in the shape of Worms™ Crazy Golf, which mixes classic 2D Worms™ with hilarious eighteen-hole high jinks.

 

Gummy Bear (aka Gummibär) is the all-singing, all-dancing character that has been one of the stand-out digital hits of recent years. His multi-lingual crooning abilities mean he is able to sing in eleven different languages and this has led to a monumental international following. Gummy Bear is a huge superstar on the Web – with fans accessing sites such as YouTube and MySpace and a dedicated web presence at www.gummibar.net to watch Gummy Bear content. Breakthrough hit The Gummy Bear Song has been downloaded an astonishing one billion times and Gummy Bear videos are a consistent presence in the top 5 of the iTunes Dance Music Video Chart. The brand is already well established in southern, central and eastern Europe, where licensed merchandise is flying off the shelves, and established licensees such as Ifantis, a major food brand in Greece, are seeing huge increases in their sales through associating with Gummy Bear.

 

Representing these hit brands is just part of what AT Media has to offer and the team will be on hand to speak to potential partners at BLE about a range of other possible projects. Everything AT Media does is linked to the digital space and the company also offers consultancy and representation services for brand owners looking to exploit digital potential through moving properties into sectors such as gaming, social media and mobile content. AT Media also provides a license acquisition service for content developers and publishers who wish to obtain rights to use successful digital brands under license to produce and sell interactive content.

“Our primary role at BLE 2011 will be to present Worms™ and Gummy Bear to the licensing community,” says Simon Kay from AT Media, “these properties are enormous and from a licensing perspective their potential is absolutely huge. We will also be looking to talk to interested parties about the range of opportunities that exist for the licensing sector within the digital space, which is rapidly replacing traditional mediums such as TV and publishing as a breeding ground for the hottest new brands. We firmly believe that digital is the next big licensing medium - it is something we have an inherent understanding of and we are here to help the licensing community exploit this vast potential.”

 

 

 

Popcorn The Bear: after making its debut at last year’s event, hit design property Popcorn the Bear is set to appear again at BLE 2011.

Popcorn the Bear is a kind and gentle soul and everybody’s best friend - he is always ready to help and has a special ‘magic heart’ in his ear that he can press once a day to be granted a wish. He usually uses this wish to help one of his many friends, such as Candyfloss the Ragdoll, Soufflé the Duck, Biscuit the Dog, Fudge the Cat and Barley the Mouse.

A large styleguide is in place for the brand that features all the characters and their home in the little country village of Berryville – the beautiful artwork is cute, sentimental and quintessentially English, with all the characters having that special ‘aah’ factor that means the property appeals to everyone from toddlers to grandparents.

European licensing agent for the property is KJG Ltd and an extensive programme is already in place across sectors such as greetings, apparel, calendars, plush, craft, jigsaws, rubber stamps, quilting and fabrics and baby accessories. Licensees include Danilo, Funky Pigeon, Xpressions Gifts, Bobo, Cranston and Dino Toys.

“Since launching at BLE 2010 we have been dealing with huge amounts of interest in Popcorn the Bear, which has led to a large and growing licensing presence,” says Kirsty Guthrie, from KJG Ltd, “we will be looking to capitalise on the property’s ongoing success at BLE 2011 and if the last twelve months are anything to go by that will make us very busy indeed!”

 

 

 

Award-winning brand Pip the Cat (Stand C125) will once again be appearing at Brand Licensing Europe this year, courtesy of top design company Over the Moon Design Ltd.

Pip the Cat is the design sensation that started life on greetings cards and is still a huge presence in that sector. The brand won ‘Best Cute Range’ at The Henries Awards 2010 and appears regularly in the ‘What’s Hot’ section of Progressive Greetings, with retailers praising the brand’s ability to appeal to adults and kids alike. The cards are currently available in a vast range of outlets across the UK, including Fenwicks and Harrods, as well as on the Web via Moonpig.com and through a dedicated website at www.pipthecat.com, where cards and branded stationery are available. It’s not just the UK where Pip the Cat is proving popular, with massive sales being reported in Russia, France, Germany, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia.

Pip the Cat’s popularity has enabled licensing agent KJG Ltd to put together a strong and diverse licensing programme. Licensees include Bluebird Brands, which has launched a range of mugs, coasters, purses, wallets and umbrellas that are set to go on sale through TK Maxx stores nationwide, whilst Alligator has a license for gift bags and boxes and Raiseprint is producing fridge magnets, metal signs, metal wall clocks and metal calendars. Shreds is also on board for a variety of products aimed at 2 to 4 year olds, such as aprons, mini tote bags, giftpack melamine sets and lunchbags, which are selling well through outlets including Amazon and Harrods. The latest partner to join the programme is WW Group, which is set to launch an apparel range that will feature nightwear, outerwear, underwear and accessories for 2-8 year olds boys and girls, as well as ladies nightwear.

Pip the Cat has also proved to be a huge hit in the publishing sector, with the character featured regularly in both Sparkle World, the UK’s No. 1 multi-character magazine for Primary school aged girls, and Easy Peazy magazine, another popular publication for young girls.

“We are very much looking forward to presenting what is an increasingly successful brand at BLE 2011,” says Kirsty Guthrie, from KJG Ltd, “Pip the Cat is proving to be successful across a wide range of sectors and it will be great to present the property to other potential partners at the show.”

 

 

 

Visitors to stand B085 at BLE 2011 can share in a little Moomin magic. They won’t be alone. The past year has seen the brand’s already strong presence in the market further boosted in such areas as plush, greetings cards and fashion accessories. There has also been a strong promotional push, both online and at public events.

In the past 12 months, not only has Aurora expanded its successful Moomin plush range but Hype Associates has made the friendly trolls the stars of a stunning new range of greetings cards, and Disaster Designs — an award winner for its Moomin fashion bags — has developed a ten-piece Moomin-branded lifestyle collection for young women.

Supporting activity for the brand has been brisk too, firstly with the successful relaunch of the Moomin Facebook fan site in June. In July, the Moomins were a highlight of Pop Up, a new free, public festival in London celebrating literature and stories. Puffin, publisher of Moomin picture, sticker, activity, board and novelty books, supplied stories and helped out with colouring sheets, pencils, badges and postcards. There was also a very popular Moomin picnic, supported by the Embassy of Finland in London, for which Self-Made Hero, publisher of the Moomins Cookbook, supplied food. And Moomintroll himself made an appearance!

The Moomins have been stars of books, cartoon strips, stage and screen for over half a century. Caroline Mickler Ltd is Licensing Agent for the brand in the UK. Its strategy for the Moomin brand has brought a wide range of licensed product, including plush, stationery, cards, books, apparel, accessories, tableware, and fashion and lifestyle products to two target markets for whom the lovable, carefree trolls have a massive and enduring appeal: children and young adult women. Among the campaign’s biggest licensing successes so far has been Disaster Designs, which won best branded/character section in the GA 2010 Gift of the Year Awards for its Moomin fashion bags.

Caroline Mickler says: “The irresistible charm, humour and unique style of Moomin are all part of the enduring appeal of the brand and the reason that the licensing campaign has made such extraordinary progress in the short time since it was launched. Moomin is, quite simply, a magical brand — and I am sure Moomin will continue to cast its wonderful spell at BLE 2011.”

 

 

 

 

After debuting at BLE 2010, hit children’s brand Hari’s World (Stand E122) will once again be making an appearance at Brand Licensing Europe.

Hari’s World is an exciting and imaginative property that features Hari the Elephant and a cast of other loveable characters. A Hari’s World book series is available and the beautifully illustrated stories are all about having fun and enjoying life, but are also particularly innovative as subtle safety messages are woven into every adventure. The success of the books has led to extension into the licensing sector and Dowman Soft Touch is on board with an adorable plush range based on the characters.

The books have proved a big hit with children, who love the brightly coloured illustrations and the fun, exciting and imaginative storylines, whilst parents and grandparents have embraced the subtle safety messages that teach children about safety awareness in all areas of life. The latest title in the series - Hari at the Park – has just launched and the publishing programme is set to feature ten books in total. 

The Hari’s World Series and the plush range are currently available in retail outlets across the UK, including gift shops and garden centres; the brand is also proving to be a huge hit in major zoos and animal attractions and product is currently listed in ZSL London Zoo, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Bristol Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, Drummond Safari Park and The Deep aquarium in Hull. This presence has been bolstered by special ‘Hari Days’, which have seen Hari and friends make appearances to promote the Play Safe message. Two Hari Days have already taken place at Drummond Safari Park, whilst The Deep played host to Hari and friends on August Bank Holiday and further events are planned for later on in the year.

Discussions are well under way with major high street retailers who are interested in stocking the products, whilst Dowman is currently presenting Hari’s World to markets across Western Europe. New licensing opportunities are now being explored in categories such as interactive toys, collectables, board games, musical products, and interactive games and applications. 

The Hari’s World SafetySack® was also launched earlier this year and is proving a big hit at Nursery and Primary level. Available through catalogue groups such as Findel, ESPO, Demco, Early Years Resources and more, it is designed to address the needs of the Schools curriculum through ‘Every Child Matters’ and ‘Be Safe’ and allows teachers to engage children in a fun, exciting and imaginative way with books, hand puppets, games, puzzles and more - a concept that is allowing Hari’s World to be considered beyond traditional retail routes.

The growing awareness of Hari’s World has also led to a joint initiative with the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) promoting child safety in and around water. The teams have already started work together as part of a schools programme, working alongside Olympic and Commonwealth swimmers, and recently came together on the British Gas Great Swim Series both in the North and in London, with a number of further events set to follow including the Great Scottish Swim in September.

“We are very excited about presenting Hari’s World at BLE 2011 and are looking forward to meeting with potential licensing, promotional and retail partners who are interested in becoming part of the Hari’s World story,” says Tris McGee, Managing Director of Hari’s World. “The brand has had a big impact and awareness is growing all the time through a burgeoning retail presence and immensely popular promotional activity schedule. With books and merchandise performing well we are also looking at the brand’s potential in terms of broadcasting and are busy presenting all characters and scenes for conversion to screen animation.”

 

 

 

RSPCA comes to BLE with “exciting, enhanced and expanded” campaign. The Campaign will boost fundraising and harness licensing potential of trusted brand

Leading animal welfare charity and popular consumer brand RSPCA (within JELC stand E010) is making its first appearance as an exhibitor at BLE, where it will promote its enhanced and expanded licensing campaign — the biggest licensing programme in RSPCA history.

The campaign is building on enormous brand awareness — the RSPCA brand is recognised by 98 per cent of the public* — supported by a comprehensive new style guide.

Visitors to the RSPCA stand will be able to hear more about the guide and the Society’s big investment in licensing literature, support and promotion, as well as find out more about the partners that have already joined the campaign. These include soft toy designer and distributor Aurora, with a range of plush animals, BrownTrout Publishers with a range of 2012 calendar and diary titles, and pet products specialist Happy Pet with toys and grooming products for dogs.

The coming months will also see new product launches from trusted partners to which the RSPCA brand has been licensed for many years. They include CP Designs Asia, Rayware (through its Mason Cash range), UK Greetings — Special Editions, John Lewis Partnership and the Noel Tatt Group.

The RSPCA, alongside licensing company JELC Ltd, which is working with the RSPCA campaign on a consultancy basis, is now looking at further deals in such areas as apparel, giftware, housewares, stationery, publishing, pet food, wild animal food and pet accessories.

Expanding the reach of the RSPCA brand is not just a strategic initiative for a high quality and trusted brand; it will also play an important part in supporting the Society’s work. A successful licensing campaign will help to boost funds for preventing cruelty, promoting kindness to and alleviating the suffering of animals. This is always an urgent need — even more so at a time when services are being stretched by a rising number of animals in need of help, care or rescue.

RSPCA trading manager Cathy Snow said, “This exciting, enhanced and expanded campaign aims to harness the full potential of the RSPCA brand. The Society’s first-ever appearance as an exhibitor at BLE will help enormously in achieving that aim and, by enabling us to reach many more potential high-quality partners, will help to boost funds that allow us to continue helping animals in England and Wales.”

 

 

 

Hakan Canta (Stand C085), one of Europe’s leading producers of licensed goods, is set to return to Brand Licensing Europe after making a hugely successful debut at BLE 2010. 

Based in Istanbul, Hakan Canta has been producing quality merchandise since 1955 across sectors including back to school (BTS), fashion, travel and sport. Today the company is the market leader for BTS in Turkey, reaching over 2200 points of sale including all hyper/supermarkets, and its merchandise is also distributed across more than fifty countries in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Hakan Canta’s products are based on a strong range of over 30 licenses including some of the hottest properties in the world, such as Angel & Friends, Barbie, Bakugan, The Amazing Spiderman movie, Dora the Explorer, High School Musical, SpongeBob SquarePants, Roary the Racing Car, Tron and Hello Kitty. 

Hakan Canta also has a strong presence in the sports sector, with licenses for Manchester United and major Turkish clubs Galatasaray, Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Turanspor. The company is also enjoying great success with a line of merchandise based around NBA – the world’s best and most exciting basketball league. Hakan Canta has a longstanding relationship with the brand and has released a fantastic NBA range for 2011 that features a variety of BTS products based on many different designs, as well as the new NBA 4 Her line, which combines basketball and fashion and taps into basketball’s status as the most popular female team sport in the world. The innovative and striking NBA 4 Her designs recently led to Hakan Canta winning NBA Turkey’s ‘Best Design 2010 award’. 

“We are very much looking forward to making a return to Brand Licensing Europe,” says Hakan Hacisoyu of Hakan Canta, “our product ranges are selling well across EMEA and BLE will give us a chance to liaise with existing and potential partners and identify hot new brands that could prove equally successful for us.”