072-073_Vegas LSB_Summer 2022.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 27/04/2022 11:37 Page 72
15 YEARS OF ROCKET LICENSING
From Beano to Vikings, Rocket Licensing has built a packed portfolio of brands over its 15 years in business – a milestone it is marking this year. LSB catches up with joint managing directors, Charlie Donaldson and Rob Wijeratna, to find out more.
Rocket men rriving on the scene in 2007, Rocket Licensing is marking 15 years in business this year… and joint managing directors, Charlie Donaldson and Rob Wijeratna are certainly proud to be among the independent licensing agencies currently successfully operating in the UK market. Even more so considering the challenges of the last couple of years. “[2021] was a challenging year for us, as it was for many,” begins Rob, “but we were able to be fast and flexible, adapting some new practices and pivoting slightly in some areas.” Highlights included the agency acquiring the rights to represent the European Space Agency, plus its first experiential tie-up with Kew Gardens and Wakehurst for the Easter Beano Dennis & Gnasher’s Birthday Bonanza trail – which was nominated for a Licensing Award. It also developed new licensing relationships for its brand portfolio, notably
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Inset: The tie-up between Deliveroo and The Very Hungry Caterpillar was award nominated.
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LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2022
Above: Rocket Licensing’s joint managing directors, Rob Wijeratna (left) and Charlie Donaldson.
another award nominated tie-up between Deliveroo and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 2021 also saw the first Fuzzballs product launch in the UK market – a brand which Rocket is predicting will make a big impact at retail this year. So, what does the agency look for in a brand? Rob continues: “Brands need to have lots of elements to be licensable. Desirability, they need to be compelling enough to make fans really love them; a platform to give them good exposure and keep them front of mind; and of course elements that can be translated into great product. We look
