State of the Nation: Services

From PR to logistics, design to software, services and suppliers are vital cogs in the industry machine, helping to smooth the way to successful licensing campaigns, products and retail executions. LSB rounds up some of the latest news from this important and highly valued sector.

At your service

Fabacus expands its community of partners

2022 was a year of big wins for global technology and data service provider Fabacus. New partnerships include world-leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency WildBrain CPLG, global digital sports platform and leader in licensed sports merchandise Fanatics, and Activision, for an exclusive campaign in conjunction with the hotly anticipated release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. The company has also extended its existing partnerships with Ubisoft, UFC, Rovio, Epic Games and IMG. Fabacus’ Xelacore platform enables brands to develop a digital product catalogue of their licensing portfolio, providing key data and actionable insights, additionally offering a digitalised, interactive experience to consumers of licensed products. Founder and ceo Andrew Xeni said: “We have always known how powerful this technology can be for brand owners and their licensee partners alike, to maximise the value of a brand. It is brilliant to be working with such forward-thinking partners.”

New clients for Kilogrammedia

Kilogrammedia, the licensing specialist PR and marketing agency, continues to work across a number of territories both in Europe and further afield in Asia.

The agency has recently expanded with the addition of writer Fran Bromage, while new partnerships include children’s animation Inset: Art agency company Toon2Tango, costume character company Rainbow Snowtap was one of the new signings for Kilogrammedia last year. Productions, and art agencies Snowtap and The London Studio. These companies join a roster of loyal clients that includes Bulldog Licensing and Rocket Licensing, which have been with Kilogrammedia since its inception, and the RHS, Mondo TV and Italian agency MDL, which have worked with the agency for many years.

Kilogrammedia was delighted to provide (free of charge) PR services for The Light Fund’s epic Channel Swim last summer, which raised an amazing amount of money for the Fund’s charity beneficiaries and the RNLI.

“Our goal for 2023 is to continue to do our best to help existing clients build their businesses, while bringing on new ones,” says the agency’s Jane Garner.

New horizons for Grapevine PR

“2022 was a great year for us,” said Grapevine PR owner Kirsty Barr (below right). “Our big client wins included Maxx Group and working across all their B2B communications for YuMe Toys and Licensing Matters Global. We were thrilled to start work with Immersive Everywhere, and seeing them win Best Licensed Live Event at September’s Licensing Awards for Doctor Who: Time Fracture was fantastic. We also welcomed a new account executive, Andi Bowler.

“While we’d be right to be cautious as we head into 2023, there’s much to look forward to. A new Grapevine PR website will go live in early spring, followed by our first apprenticeship placement in July. Client launches for Disney100 include Ravensburger and YuMe Toys, while Tetris is kicking off a year-long 40th anniversary in summer.”

Dependable Solutions invests in client services

Dependable Solutions’ software supports licensing professionals in the management of approvals, royalty reporting and asset sharing, and the team pride themselves on delivering expert-led training and support to accompany these vital operational tools. The company has added two experienced client services account managers to its growing team. Brian Kasman joins from licensing agency Jewel Branding & Licensing. Brian’s licensing industry knowledge is further supported through experience gained at Earthbound and Major League Soccer. An expert in statistics, he is looking forward to helping clients utilise their licensing data and turn it into meaningful insights to help them achieve their goals. Steven Dreszer, a bilingual operations expert who spent five years working with Genius Brands on their licensing programme, will support Dependable Solutions’ global roster of clients from the East Coast of the US. Steven will support a broad range of clients from different industries and is excited to help them work faster and wiser.

Asgard Media reps Northern Monk

Asgard Media has been busy building its position as an introductory licensing consultant, helping connect manufacturers to the world’s biggest brands. “We know that 2023 will be a great year for manufacturers to prove their resilience and agility, and by partnering with leading brands to build their profile, elevate their market position and improve sales,” said Robyn Cowling, head of strategic partnerships at Asgard Media. The company is now representing multi-awardwinning independent craft brewery Northern Monk. Staffed by a passionate and ambitious team, Northern Monk has grown in scale and stature in recent years, despite the challenging landscape, and is looking to connect with a brand new audience through licensing. “We are delighted to reveal our new partnership with Northern Monk,” added Robyn. “The brewery’s bold style and collaborative nature presents a fantastic opportunity to bring cool, flavourful licensed beer to consumers and spread the Northern Monk brand further afield.”

Left: Robyn Cowling.

Rainbow Productions shakes up production processes

Rainbow Productions enjoyed several high profile commissions in 2022. These included the manufacture of the LEGO costume characters for LEGOLAND Resorts worldwide, Haven’s redesigned Seaside Squad and the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 mascots – Ashley, Kai and Robyn – who cheered the Lionesses on to win the tournament.

Rainbow now owns numerous PLA and resin 3D printers. The adoption of these new technologies allows for high-speed prototyping, increased durability of printed parts and the printing of solid components such as buttons, eyes, teeth and tusks.

The firm has also invested in the infrastructure of its South London premises to increase production capacity and in turn decrease production lead times.

Further developments at Rainbow Productions include a trio of new appointments: Magdalena Foulkes as licensing director, James Barlow as sales and marketing director and Laura Shellum as production manager, heads and props.

Inset: Magdalena Foulkes and James Barlow from Rainbow Productions.