State of the Nation: Corporate

Deal Inset: The new trend packs will allow TfL to move into new categories. makers

The great British summer is in full swing and the licensing business is embracing the second half of 2021. LSB takes a look at some of the latest activity.

BBC Studios reorganises licensing team

BBC Studios has confirmed several changes within its licensing team following the departure of Rikesh Desai, the company’s licensing director for UK & EMEA. Mandy Thwaites, director of magazines, will take on additional responsibility for the merchandising team, and Mat

Way, global director of live

entertainment will now also lead the gaming and interactive team. Both will continue to report to Stephen Davies, BBC Studios’ managing director of consumer products and licensing. “Rikesh has been a driving force behind our merchandise and gaming licensing activity for the last few years and he generated a significant amount of new business and growth for the company, the recent ground-breaking Doctor Who game releases and the tidal wave of Bluey merchandise deals to name a few,” commented Stephen. “It’s fair to say that he has left those businesses in terrific shape.” “I am delighted that Mandy and Mat have agreed to take on additional responsibilities. [They] both bring passion, energy and commercial nous to carry on the excellent work taking place across the consumer products and licensing division here at BBC Studios.”

TfL drives ahead

Transport for London has launched an updated core style guide and four new trend packs as part of its continued engagement with the licensing industry.

The new creative was launched at a special TfL London Lines event, which showcased the many ways TfL and global licensing agent TSBA have worked with licensing partners to take TfL’s rich archive and use it across product categories, showing how brands and licensees can be part of TfL’s future.

The new trend packs draw on assets taken from TfL’s more than 150-year history. While the Underground roundels and tube map continue to be prominent, moquette seat patterns and station architecture also take centre stage. The new packs are named New Iconic, Fashion Forward, New Classic and On the Move.

TfL is keen to see new brand partners blend its heritage with the brand’s future, using the colours and themes to inspire new takes on classic iconography and designs.

“TSBA developed a licensing strategy for the brand which these new trend packs support, allowing the brand to move into new sectors of the market including homewares and home décor, and products for cycling, walking and wellbeing,” said Jo Edwards, head of global licensing at TSBA Group.

Above: Mat Way and Mandy Thwaites have both taken on additional responsibilities.

Below: A collection of lighting products with NBCUniversal are among Fizz’s new launches.

Fizzing with opportunity

Ambitious Fizz Creations has launched 12 new licensed ranges so far in 2021, which has seen it take a huge leap forward with its licensing ambitions. Among the new additions is a collection of lighting products with NBCUniversal for films including Minions, Trolls, Back to the Future, E.T and JAWS. A summer gifting range for Where’s Wally? includes a 500ml double-walled metal water bottle, a heat changing mug and a three-piece dinner set, plus a trio of games and puzzles. In addition, the licensee is helping Sonic the Hedgehog celebrate his 30th anniversary this year with a new range of gifting and lighting which is due to arrive in the autumn. “Each and every one of our team has pulled together in a phenomenal manner to bring together our biggest launch of licensed product to date,” said Lawrence Boon, md of

Fizz Creations.

DPI eyes further growth

Drew Pearson International is aiming to become the one-stop-shop for all types of licensed headwear and accessories.

The company’s sales director, Michael Ball, told LSB that, despite the pandemic, it has been an exciting year at DPI. “We have taken on some great new, talented people in design, sales management and administration, all with a wealth of experience in the headwear and accessories business,” he said. “We have added three new factories to our existing manufacturing base as well as new customers, exciting new licences and new product categories.”

DPI has partnered with Hasbro in the headwear and accessories category, while it has also signed with Xbox for headwear and from spring 2022 it will be the exclusive licensee for sports and lifestyle brand Patrick. Other new signings include Hey Duggee, CoComelon, Blippi, Team GB and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

Michael continued: “We are known for our expertise in headwear, but we also have sunglasses and bag factories and a wealth of design experience for all categories that we hope to introduce to our key retail partners in the very near future.

“We want licensors to think of Drew Pearson International first when they are considering the right partner to work with on new licences - a trusted partner who will not only be able to develop exciting and innovative new products and ideas, but will reliably deliver them to retail and accommodate every buying team’s requirements.”

Above: It’s been a strong 2021 for DPI so far.

Recycle to Read boosted

HarperCollins has joined forces with Wastebuster on its toy and tech recycling programme, Recycle to Read.

The campaign aims to develop a UK wide infrastructure for the recycling of hard to recycle plastics and engage children in environmental education by showing them the value of their old and unwanted toys.

Phase one of the programme, which is currently in the pilot stage, will see toy and tech take back collections organised in schools throughout the UK. HarperCollins will be rewarding participating schools with a hand-picked list of fiction and non-fiction selected for the Recycle to Read campaign. Books from the Collins, Farshore and HarperCollins Children’s Books imprints are included, all available at 30% less than RRP for all schools collecting old toys and tech in exchange for vouchers to pay for books.

“It’s fantastic to be able to announce that the Recycle to Read campaign will be working with HarperCollins to reward schools with books for their participation in the scheme,” said Katy Newnham, founder of Wastebuster. “We are now looking forward to inviting the toy industry to join us on the next phase of this exciting journey, to help give children the tools and mindset to work towards a more sustainable future.”

Below: HarperCollins is rewarding schools taking part in toy and tech take back collections.

Inset: Nivo Management will operate as a standalone business.

Nivo Management debuts

MDR Brand Management has launched a global esports and interactive entertainment division, NIVO Management.

Operating as a standalone business, NIVO Management is currently working on three strategic platforms: representing elite professionals in contract negotiations; developing bespoke strategies to maximise brand opportunities, including sponsorship and endorsement deals; and providing holistic management support utilising an extensive network of specialist advisors – from nutritionists and performance coaches to private client and legal expertise.

The business has been set up in response to the growing demand for player centric management that is transparent, and free from conflicts of interest. NIVO represents players across a wide portfolio of games including Valorant and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), who will have access to MDR Brand Management’s global network of brands and commercial relationships. NIVO also consults for brands looking to enter the strategic esports market.

NIVO is headed by Tom Murray, a lawyer within the Sports Group and Esports Group at Mishcon de Reya, working closely with MDR Brand Management ceo, Daniel Avener.

Inset: New designs feature Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The RHS has revealed a new partnership with British fashion brand Oasis, with the exclusive limited edition 27-piece collection of contemporary women’s apparel celebrating the joys of nature and horticulture. Using imagery from the RHS Lindley Collections, the Oasis design team worked closely with the RHS to select and adapt a handful of the most striking drawings. The team then re-sketched the chosen images by hand, incorporating these prints into a new collection that it describes as ‘full of romance and timeless appeal’.

The 27-piece collection includes 11 prints in all. The styles include maxi dresses featuring classic magnolias or bold multi-coloured blooms; corseted midi dresses and tailored separates featuring unique bird prints; and bohoinspired pieces.

Inset: The new collection is ‘full of romance’.

Bing is London Zoo bound

Acamar Films is teaming up with ZSL London Zoo, further growing the presence of its Bing brand in the live events and experiential sector.

ZSL London Zoo will host a variety of themed activities, free to its visitors, from 20 September to 31 October 2021. These include interactive storytime sessions throughout the day where young children can join Bing and Flop in learning about animals, with fun actions for them to join in with.

There will also be a themed self-led Activity Trail around the zoo which features a series of clues and interactive activities at each station, plus a character photo opportunity at the end.

Inset: The ZSL London Zoo partnership includes an activity trail.

Roald Dahl back at M&S

The Roald Dahl Story Company is continuing its successful collaboration on childrenswear with Marks & Spencer.

A new collection features popular characters from Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with items including sweatshirts, t-shirts, jeans, dresses and pyjamas.

“Whether wondering what to read next like Matilda or dreaming of winning a golden ticket like Charlie – we know how much children enjoy immersing themselves in the worlds of Roald Dahl stories, and we’re delighted that now they can wear their favourite characters too,” commented Rebecca French, senior licensing manager at The Roald Dahl Story Company.

The Point.1888 expansion continues

Above and below: The Point.1888 has welcomed a raft of recent new hires.

The Point.1888 has completed the expansion of its marketing division, while also welcoming new hires across its commercial, retail, product development and finance teams.

The ambitious agency has appointed Chris Brinkworth as marketing manager, who will be supporting director of marketing, Sarah Crimes. In addition, Andrea Inglis (account manager) and Sophie Loader (junior marketing executive) are also on board, joining Sarah, plus head of partnerships Martin McLaughlin and marketing executive, Ellen Fazakerley.

Meanwhile Rosanna Cousins brings with her several years’ of buyer experience at John Lewis and Harrods as the agency’s newest retail manager, reporting to head of retail and sport, Hannah Stevens. Sophie Fennessy joins as senior PD executive; Naomi Serradimigni will focus on the health and beauty categories as the company’s new senior commercial executive; Max Pilcher joins from ViacomCBS as commercial executive, reporting to senior commercial manager of soft goods, Becky Langer; while Mia

Wakeling

joins as finance assistant.

All dressed up

WildBrain CPLG

has secured a deal for British contemporary artist, Charlotte Posner with UK fashion brand,

Never Fully

Dressed. The summer collection features Charlotte’s hand drawn illustrations – including peace and love signs – across classic satin style dresses, a wrap top, Jaspre skirt and an organic t-shirt. “With their use of vibrant colours and versatile styles, Never Fully Dressed is the ideal partner to kick off our design-led licensing programme for Charlotte Posner,” said Jennifer Gould, brand and

retail manager at WildBrain CPLG.

Lucy Aylen, founder of Never Fully Dressed, added: “The Never Fully Dressed x Charlotte Posner collaboration was born in 2020, a year where we were in some lights starved of creativity, fashion and fun. Charlotte’s fun prints offer escapism featuring extravagant, glamorous scenes showcased through her beautiful art.”

Above: The range features Charlotte’s hand drawn illustrations.

Pokémon heads to Harrods

The Pokémon Company International has taken over Harrods’ toy floor for a month of activity, as part of its 25th anniversary.

The branded area is in the toy department on the store’s fourth floor, featuring digital screens and displays themed with 24 first partner Pokémon from all eight Pokémon regions, along with the iconic Pikachu.

A variety of themed activities will further enhance the experience. The monthlong pop-up features a wide range of Pokémon product across toys, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), stationery and accessories. Alongside toys from Jazwares distributed by Character Options, there are lamps from Teknofun, bespoke prints from GB eye, collectables from Wand Company and bags, backpacks and wallets from Difuzed.

As well as the latest Pokémon TCG expansion, Shining Fates, fans can discover the unique board game Pokémon TCG Battle Academy.

“As consumers return to shops, we wanted to provide an uplifting Pokémon experience to thrill and excite Pokémon’s many fans of all ages, so we are delighted to be returning to Harrods’ iconic store for a special 25th anniversary pop-up,” said Mathieu Galante, licensing director EMEA at The Pokémon Company International.