Starbright Licensing announces a new agreement with TF1 Licensing for the management of the Italian licensing rights to Barbapapa, one of the longest-running and best-loved family properties worldwide.
Born in 1970 in Paris from the imagination of Annette Tison and Talus Taylor, Barbapapa follows the adventures of a family of multicoloured creatures able to shape-shift their bodies into any form. For more than fifty years, the brand has combined entertainment, humour and values centred on nature, inclusion and ecology. The bond with Italian audiences runs deep: the first animated series aired on Rai as early as 1976, accompanying generations of viewers, while the latest series, “Barbapapa – A Happy Big Family“, produced by Normaal Animation with TF1 and Nickelodeon, continues the family’s adventures today through the Barbababies.
In recent years the brand has enjoyed a genuine international resurgence, resonating with preschool audiences and nostalgic adults alike: from toy lines, apparel, decoration, to high-profile fashion collaborations, to institutional partnerships such as the one with GrandPalaisRMN and the Louvre Museum in Paris, Barbapapa has continually renewed its relevance while staying true to its founding values.
With this agreement on behalf of TF1 Licensing, Starbright Licensing aims to build a structured licensing programme in Italy around an evergreen brand with strong cross-generational potential, further expanding a portfolio that spans major anime and manga properties as well as leading international family entertainment brands.
“Barbapapa is a property that speaks to different generations around timeless values such as inclusion, creativity and respect for the environment. We are proud to join forces with TF1 Licensing to build a structured licensing programme for Italy, one that can fully unlock the potential of an evergreen brand Italian audiences have loved since 1976”, said Giada Paterlini, CEO of Starbright Licensing.
Céline Georges, Marketing Director of Licensing, comments: “For over 50 years, Barbapapa has been a beloved brand for families – and now for young adults too – thanks to its unique look, kindness, optimism, and creativity. The brand is gaining momentum, with a third season currently in production, iconic collaborations (including with GrandPalaisRMN and the Louvre Museum), and trendy fashion collections. Italy is a key market for these iconic characters, who have been part of families’ lives since the 1970s. We are thrilled to partner with Starbright’s expertise in Italy to develop groundbreaking projects and introduce exciting new product ranges for fans. The Barbamania lives on!
