In Safe Hands

In Safe Hands With Trusted Brands

At the time of going to print, one particular celebrity was making headlines – and not in a way some of his brand partners might want. At the same time as announcing his run to be US President, Kanye West went on a series of bizarre rallies and Twitter rants that left many of his fans and detractors confused and rather concerned for his mental health and stability. Last year, Forbes dedicated an article to his ‘second-coming’; this year, demonstrating the fickle nature of working with celebrity brands, his brand seems to be facing what might optimistically be labelled a ‘wobble’. This, of course, is the very risk of working with celebrity brands – you are relying on a popular personality to match the ethos of your products. And anybody can be unpredictable. Given the precarious nature of the world at the moment, with uncertainty rife and more

and more people turning to trusted brands and partnerships which look to have longevity, in this article we lay out some recent deals that have been signed and that demonstrate some really creative partnerships. And who knows... we could be looking at President West come November!

TCL, one of the fastest growing consumer electronics companies in the world and a global brand for television and mobile devices, has announced its partnership with England’s Football Captain, Harry Kane, as their Brand Ambassador. Following the highly anticipated restart of the football season, the esteemed international footballer and TCL will join forces with the collaborative goal of providing consumers the best possible experience and technological innovations. Through this partnership with Harry Kane, TCL demonstrates a long-standing passion and commitment to excellence through sport. TCL selected Harry Kane as brand ambassador for not only being a game changer on the field, but also because of his strong commitment and leadership within his team. As one of the fastest growing consumer electronics companies in the world, TCL is vertically integrated which allows the company to have a broad view and control over the entire production process, resulting in the latest technology and the highest quality products for the absolute best value. By embodying the company’s philosophy to “Display Greatness”, both Harry Kane and TCL strive to inspire people by distinguishing themselves as leaders in their fields.

Speaking on the partnership, Kane stated: “I am thrilled to be working alongside the TCL EU team. During these uncertain times, it’s great to be working with a brand that is committed to quality, excellence and in delivering great, positive experiences for fans.”

WildBrain CPLG has been tapped by Plaster Partners LLC to represent the iconic 1980s fitness expert Richard Simmons worldwide. WildBrain CPLG is now developing a cross-category licensing program for Richard Simmons targeting adults across key categories, including accessories, food and beverage, footwear, fitness and sporting goods, publishing, health and beauty, social stationery, and digital applications. WildBrain CPLG has secured its first wave of partners for Richard Simmons in North America, brokered on behalf of Plaster Partners LLC, the brand marketing venture from Richard Simmons’ long-time manager Michael Catalano and licensing executive Brittany Straede. Kicking off the licensing program are: NECA for games, toys, action figures and boxes; Funko for figurines; Mad Engine for apparel and sleepwear; Pyramid for posters and stationery; TF Publishing for calendars; Fun.com for dress-up; and Super Impulse for novelty gifts. The first products are scheduled to launch in the market for holiday season 2020. Richard Simmons pioneered the home-fitness video revolution of the 1980s, bringing inspiration and fun to the masses through his aerobic dance and exercise programs.

America’s child-star turned entrepreneur and

leading home furnishing brand, Christopher Knight, announces the debut of Christopher Knight Collection on HSN. Building on the success of his Christopher Knight Home indoor and outdoor furniture line, the new Christopher Knight Collection includes bedding, pillows, throws, plates and dishware as well as wall art and other fashion-forward décor. HSN will debut quilt and sheet sets manufactured by licensee Melange Home, that will feature an exuberant line of contemporary and retro designs heavily influenced by the 70’s. The Bicycle brand has announced the signing

of actor, writer, and board game enthusiast Wil Wheaton as its first global board game ambassador. In his role, Wil supports the new “Games By Bicycle” line of board and card games. Bicycle is proud to be partnering with Wil, who for years has been an advocate for expanding the board game hobby to new audiences. As the creator, producer, and host of the successful web series Tabletop, Wil is credited with reigniting an interest in board games. Wil’s career highlights include roles on the hit TV Series Star Trek: The Next Generation and more recently, as a fictionalized version of himself on CBS’s The Big Bang Theory, one of the most highly rated and watched sitcoms of the last decade. The Royal Mint has announced that Elton John, one of the most successful and enduring artists of all time is being celebrated on a new commemorative coin. The design is the latest addition to The Royal Mint’s new Music Legends series. With a career spanning more than 50 years, the new coin to celebrate Elton John’s legacy has been designed by artist Bradley Morgan Johnson. Featuring unmistakable Elton John iconography, Bradley has used musical notes to create an image of glasses and a straw boater’s hat, inspired by one of Elton John’s most iconic looks, and a Union Jack flag background punctuates the design. Elton John said of the design: “It really is a fabulous honour to be recognised in this way. The last few years have contained some of the most memorable moments of my career, and this is another truly humbling milestone on my journey.”

Art Ask Agency has announced the latest collaborations on the increasingly popular Frida Kahlo program. These celebrations include two worldwide product launches by UK licensees Spectrum Collections and The Vampire’s Wife. Spectrum Collections are launching a range of make-up brushes and accessories which give Frida fans the opportunity to make themselves up surrounded by Frida Kahlo products. The range includes make-up bags, a collection of brushes and a special Frida Kahlo head brush, characterizing Frida Kahlo with flowers in her hair as the bristles. In parallel, The Vampire’s Wife has launched a special edition Frida Kahlo T-shirt with a creative graphic designed by Eri Wakiyama. The Vampire’s Wife are also known for the Villanelle Dress, worn by style icon Villanelle (Jodie Comer) in the 3rd series of the successful Killing Eve. The Frida Kahlo T-shirt sold out within 1 hour of launching. “Launching with a partner like Spectrum Collections really helps solidify the Frida Kahlo licensing program in the UK & Europe and The Vampire’s Wife collaboration is delightful. We are mega fans of Villanelle and are sure Frida would be too,” commentd Maria Strid, Owner at Art Ask Agency.