State of the Nation: Corporate

Inset: Erve UK & Ireland says that its mission is to ‘increase value without compromise’.

Back in business

The licensing industry is off and running in 2022, with new commitments to the UK, high profile job moves, major movie collaborations and fresh product launches already being confirmed. LSB takes a look at some of the most recent happenings.

Erve Group sets up in the UK

Erve Group has revealed the official launch of a new UKbased company, Erve UK & Ireland, bringing over 35 years of licensing and brand experience directly to the UK and Ireland. The company offers licensed and branded fashion and apparel to UK and Irish consumers of all ages across daywear, nightwear, underwear, socks/hosiery, swimwear and accessories. Tom Rossi, md, said: “Our mission at Erve UK & Ireland is to increase value without compromise. Increase retailer value through maximising their margins and volumes with highquality products from reliable sources, and brand owner value through improved market coverage in line with their brand and business expectations. “Our team has a vast amount of hands-on experience in the UK and Ireland apparel markets and a deep knowledge of the retail sector and end consumer, having held senior roles at market-leading organisations as brand owners, licensees and suppliers with a strong UK retail foothold.” In addition to its burgeoning brand and licensing business, the company also produces private label apparel for large retailers.

Below: French fashion house, Lanvin is among the high profile collaborations for The Batman.

Biggest Batman film line in over a decade

With The Batman due to hit cinemas in March, WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences has revealed the largest collection of Batman licensed merchandise in over a decade. A raft of products will be launching across categories including fashion, accessories, beauty products, toys and collectables. Highlights include a dedicated collection from French fashion house, Lanvin, plus an in-store initiative from New York store, Saks including a pop-up and custom window displays. Other key partners include Carhartt, Venus Williams’ lifestyle and activewear brand

EleVen by Venus

Williams, PUMA, Fossil, Funko, McFarlane, Spin Master, LEGO, Hot Wheels, Rubies and Oreo to name just a few. "WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences’ mission is to engage fans with our iconic characters and stories and excite them for new content releases,” commented Pam Lifford, president of

WarnerMedia Global Brands and

Experiences. "This is the first solo Batman theatrical release in more than a decade, and this powerful new story inspired even more ways for fans to engage and celebrate this iconic DC Super Hero."

Caroline High opens own consultancy

Former Boat Rocker Studios, Fremantle and Warner Bros. executive, Caroline High has confirmed the launch of her own consultancy. Caroline High Consultancy will specialise in the launch, development and management of licensing programmes and retail strategy directly in the UK and Eire. Caroline has worked in the licensing business for some 20 years, gathering vast experience across the preschool, lifestyle, movie, entertainment and toy categories. Art and cultural IP licensee, ARTiSTORY is already on board, with Caroline set to play a key role in the UK team to secure licensing deals using its latest designs, inspired by artwork and artefacts from the archives of its partners. Caroline commented: “Having recently set up my own consultancy I am delighted to work with Natasha and the team at ARTiSTORY and I am looking forward to working on the licensing strategy for their engaging portfolio and bringing their designs to market in new categories.”

Above: Caroline has confirmed that she will be working with art and cultural IP licensee, ARTiSTORY.

Fanatics welcomes Matthew Primack

Ambitious digital sports platform, Fanatics has appointed former IMG executive, Matthew Primack as svp international business development. Matthew will be responsible for building on Fanatics’ strong international growth through the acquisition of new rights and commercial routes to market. He was previously long-term svp at IMG Licensing. “This is an incredibly exciting time to be joining Fanatics and there is a huge opportunity to grow the International business on an already well-established base,” commented Matthew. “Our ability to deliver a comprehensive range of fan experiences, merchandise, memorabilia and on-demand items designed and manufactured through the company’s vertical commerce business model will help partners across the world better serve their fans, and I am excited to get started and represent the business.

Below: Matthew will be looking to build on Fanatics’ strong international growth.

Danilo scores with Liverpool

Danilo Promotions

has revealed what is ‘top of the pops’ on the calendar front, with its 11 bestselling licensed calendars for 2022 being topped by Liverpool Football Club, taking first place for the third year in succession. The company was on track to sell more than three million calendars by Christmas, from its vast portfolio of officially licensed titles Above: Liverpool FC was the top selling calendar for Danilo. which reflect popular culture. The Top 11 (with last year’s position shown in brackets) is as follows: 1. Liverpool Football Club (1) 2. Manchester United Football Club (3) 3. Friends (4) 4. Sir Cliff Richard (2) 5. Minecraft (new entry) 6. BTS (new entry) 7. Pokémon (new entry) 8. Star Wars (5) 9. BBC Landscapes (new entry) 10. Kelly Brook (10) 11. Squid Game (new entry) As well as the overall list of best sellers, Danilo also drilled down on its sporting titles, with Liverpool once again coming out on top, followed by Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs.

B&LLAs 2022 open for entries

The Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards are back for 2022, and are now open for entries. The event – now in its seventh year – will take place on Wednesday 27 April, at a lavish afternoon event at the Hilton Park Lane, London. The deadline for nominations and entries across all categories is Tuesday 8 March, 2022. The B&LLAs 2022 will look to reward brand and lifestyle licensing activity which has taken place in the UK between 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021, across Product, Retail and Property categories. In addition, the Brand Ambassador Award will also be presented to a special individual (brand owner, licensor, retailer, licensee or supplier), acknowledging their contribution to the brand licensing sector. The entry and nomination process for all categories is free and via online submission – all the forms can be accessed from the dedicated B&LLAs website: www.brandlicensingawards.com.

The Point.1888 adds to its palette

The Point.1888 is starting 2022 with some new colour, pattern and impact thanks to the signing of three new artists to its roster: Ben Eine, Emily Burningham and Real Hackney Dave. Known for his use of type, Ben Eine is a famous graffiti artist who has previously collaborated with Banksy; Dave Buonaguidi (Real Hackney Dave) is a London-based artist who combines the visual and verbal language of advertising and propaganda with unique imagery and materials of found objects and ephemera; while Emily has a passion for pattern and colour and has featured in Liberty, House & Garden and Ideal Home among others. They will join The Point.1888’s existing book of artists and designers which includes British interior design brand, MissPrint, plus Rachel Ellen, Jimbobart and I Like Birds.

Above: The Point.1888 has welcomed a trio of new artists and designers.

Growth for Golden Bear

Toy licensee, Golden Bear reported a growth in sales of 9.5% to £25.1 million in the 15-month period ending 31 March 2021. Operating profit grew to £2.3 million compared to the previous figure of £1.2 million in the calendar year 2019. In the UK market, the company saw dynamic growth with the Bing, Hey Duggee and Smart Ball brands. The strategy to increase international sales also bore fruit with increased sales of 33% to international distributors. This was driven by Bing which is now the number one preschool licence in Italy. Alongside licences, the company also invested in its own IP (such as Curlimals and Squirty Gertie) and its sales and marketing capabilities. Its sustainability push also continued with investment in solar panels and electric car charge points at its Telford office. “Everyone at Golden Bear is rightly proud of the company’s performance in 2020/21 and a massive thanks must go to all our staff and retail and licence partners who delivered great results despite all the challenges,” said Barry Hughes, md at Golden Bear.

Above: Hey Duggee was one of the key licensed performers for Golden Bear.

Rainbow’s CBeebies scoop

Italy’s Rainbow Group has inked an exclusive agreement with CBeebies for its new CGI animated series, Pinocchio and Friends. The show ranks as the most watched and top rated show on Italian channel Rai Yoyo. It aims to retain the original values from the classic story, while also giving it a contemporary twist for a modern audience. “My new Pinocchio brings out the essence of what makes this story so inspirational while speaking to children in a lighthearted, educational show that empowers their dreams with key life values and exciting dynamics,” said Iginio Straffi, founder and ceo at Rainbow. “I couldn’t be more delighted that we’ve partnered with top quality broadcaster BBC to air on CBeebies for British children this year, and we look forward to seeing the series thrive.”

Retail Monster enters 2022 on a high

Licensing agency, Retail Monster has begun 2022 in a positive frame of mind, having continued on a robust growth trajectory throughout last year. 2021 saw the company expand outside of traditional licensing, setting up two new divisions. The first offers ecommerce and digital marketing services, an area of Retail Monster’s business which has experienced significant growth this year. Meanwhile, the second is full franchise management, integrating full marketing services, PR management and content management. The expansion has been supported with new hires, with the company doubling the size of its UK team, as well as extending its footprint into France and Japan. Retail Monster also welcomed six new partners in 2021, as well as receiving its second nomination in as many years for Best Licensing Agent at the Licensing International Excellence Awards.

Usain Bolt races in with Mr Men

The world’s fastest man and Olympic champion, Usain Bolt, has collaborated with Mr Men Little Miss to create a new character. A new mash-up storybook – entitled Mr Bolt and written and illustrated by Adam Hargreaves – has been published by Opus, with the hope being that it will inspire children to use their talents, however big or small, to bring a smile to everyone they meet along their journey. To celebrate the release, six Golden Tickets were randomly hidden inside six copies of Mr Bolt. The finders of the tickets will have the chance to meet Usain in person this year. Alastair McHarrie, licensing director at Sanrio, commented: “What a way to finish our 50th anniversary celebrations, a mash-up with the greatest sprinter of all time. It was an honour to see him live at the 2012 London Olympics as it is to partner with him on this truly inspirational Mr. Men collaboration.”

Above: The release of the book rounded off the 50th anniversary celebrations for Mr Men.

Marvel rocks out

Iron Maiden and Marvel have collaborated to create a unique collection of merchandise. Fans of both the rock band and Marvel will be dealt a wide assortment of apparel and accessories, highlighting iconic Marvel characters and Iron Maiden’s mascot, Eddie. Designs will pay tribute to Wolverine, Venom, Thanos and Deadpool in unique variations of iconic album and single artwork such as Fear of the Dark, The Trooper and Killers. The deal was confirmed by Global Merchandising Services.

Rolling Stones get licked

The Royal Mail has revealed a new set of 12 stamps as a tribute to the Rolling Stones. Eight of the stamps feature images of some of the band’s legendary performances over the years – including Hyde Park in 1969, Rotterdam in 1995 and Knebworth in 1976 – while a further four stamps are presented as a Miniature Sheet, featuring two shots of the band together and two of their vintage worldwide tour posters. The Rolling Stones are only the fourth music group to feature in a dedicated stamp issue, with the others being The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Queen.

“Few bands in the history of rock have managed to carve out a career as rich and expansive as that of the Rolling Stones,” commented David Gold, director of public affairs and policy at Royal Mail. “They have created some of modern music’s most iconic and inspirational albums, with ground-breaking live performances to match.” The collaboration was secured by Bravado, Universal Music Group’s brand management and lifestyle division.