Black Lives Matter

on a Bear Hunt, Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram’s Guess How Much I Love You and Lucy Cousin’s Maisy has never been greater, and their messages of adventure, nature, fun and love have never been more important Walker Books has solidified and expanded partnerships with licensees and international agents throughout 2022 and into 2023 to maintain and develop the global reach of these brands proving their lasting appeal and making them an enticing option for prospective licensees.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s (MGM)

continues to expand and evolve the licensing strategy for its roster of iconic entertainment properties. At BLE MGM is set to unveil exciting plans and initiatives, along with special sneak peaks for Pink Panther, Wednesday, Killer Klowns, Vikings: Valhalla and more. Over the years, MGM has built a large roster of licensees and other strategic partnerships in the apparel, accessories, gaming, home and collectibles categories, as well as live events and location-based experiences, and is continuing to expand programs for its broad portfolio. MGM will focus on showcasing licensing programs for

Saphia Maxamed, Founder, Black Lives Matter Licensing, talks candidly to Total Licensing about the support for the BLM movement at the show.

You introduced Black Lives Matter to lots of people for the first time at BLE 21 and you also had a stand on the show floor. What did that presence achieve for you?

Being able to talk about the Black Lives Matter movement at BLE was so impactful. On its own, that support was incredibly profound, thanks to BLE and the Informa team who threw all their weight into it. On a personal level, it’s still very emotional. All of a sudden, we’re having to speak with conviction about everything we’ve been through. We have to be, “Oh, yeah, it’s all good now.” And that’s hard. It is really emotionally charged for anyone to go through, not just me. It’s an awkward, uncomfortable and painful conversation to have, but it’s a conversation that needed/and still needs to happen. Having a platform like BLE meant I could speak with conviction and be vulnerable and share the message to join us on the journey. During the show, we had so many people coming to us asking for help. Those kinds of conversations give us a whole new way of planning our movement. We started thinking, ’if somebody can’t take the license, maybe they can do consultation with us’ – it’s still supporting the movement and allowing us to move forward positively together. We’ve been in conversations with almost every retailer we saw at BLE, including about seven buyers from ASOS who put us in touch with their D&I team. We’re also having conversations with Tesco and Primark and HMV. In fact, HMV wanted everything immediately, they are thinking of an impactful activation.

That’s so good, because sometimes you find people are full of conviction in the moment, but many don’t follow up with an action.

We know it’s not overnight. We understand that. We’re in it for the long haul. We want these to be conscious, deep and meaningful actions. It absolutely can’t be a logo slapping job. And, since BLE, everyone wants to have those deeper conversations.

Where is the licensing industry when it comes to D&I? Are we progressive? Are we behind other industries? How much more needs to be done?

I would say it’s behind. Progress is slow. I am not going to sugar-coat it. I keep hearing people saying, ‘we need to do things properly,’ ‘it takes time’, and I get that it’s not easy to figure out a proper, credible product offering. But, can I also say, you don’t need the full shebang, you can just start with one thing – that’s still progress. For example, Black people are discriminated against for our hair because nobody understands it. So that could be something you focus on. Or our body shape. We get labelled as plus size when we’re not. We’re just different. We don’t fit into jeans in this country because technologist don’t know how to work with our body. I have seen incredible examples of businesses getting D&I right and doing it authentically, where they’ve partnered with Black licensees on a brand featuring Black characters, and that result is a credible licensing programme. This is progress. And, yes, there is progression from where we started to where we are now, and I think the more people start seeing products created in this way out in retail, the more it will happen.

You’re back at BLE this year, and you have a stand, but you’re also planning the Culture & Unity catwalk…

Yes, it is super exciting. BLE are putting so much thought and effort into this – they want it to be done correctly. So, this partnership is an incredible chance not only to showcase what Black Lives Matter can look like in an M&S store, for example, but we can also showcase these amazing Black designers who can give retailers an idea of what product from a Black owned brand can do in terms of consumer products. So, the four brands include three incredible designers in their own right. We have Anita Quansah, an accessories designer whose pieces combine African tradition with a westernised mind. She’s part of the Africa Show at the V&A. Her designs are very high end. Then we have Sibu, a founder of Jaded Life fashion label, he is a Black designer but also comes from LGBT+ community. He has been creating amazing fashion pieces out of Levi’s waste denim - he brings value to Levi’s waste whilst helping to save the planet. His brand ethos is all about sustainability. He’s actually showcasing his collection at London Fashion Week and then it’s coming straight onto the BLE runway. The last designer is Bunmi, who is a bridal and haute couture designer, her pieces are beautiful, she loves to design pieces in bold colours. And the fourth brand is, of course, Black Lives Matter, and we will see the Fashion UK collection on the catwalk. In addition, we have incredible performances from beautiful African drummers, contemporary dancers from the LGBT+ community, and Cardi B and Idris Elba’s DJ, DJ Longers. It is definitely not to be missed.

Why do you want people to visit you on the stand?

To have a conversation with us. It’s as simple as that. Let’s talk about how you can make a difference, and we’ll support you, whichever level you want to come into the movement.

their deep portfolio of iconic films, including Pink Panther’s 60th anniversary launching late next year and the debut of Wednesday, a series based on Wednesday Addams, on Netflix later this year. MGM is also putting the spotlight on the second season of Vikings: Valhalla on Netflix and its classic horror portfolio with films like Killer Klowns. The Point.1888 matches brands with retailers and manufacturers to create powerful new products with purpose that boost revenue and brand affiliation. The brand agency creates products and partnerships that do what’s best for brands, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers across every category. The client list includes: Abbey Road, Barratt, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Ben Eine, Blippi, British & Irish Lions, Clean Kitchen Club, Cocomelon, Cozmo & Friends, Emily Burningham, Flip Out, Hackney Dave, I Like Birds, Jimbobart, Little Angel, MissPrint, Moomin, Moonbug Entertainment, Moulin Rouge, Mumsnet, Official Charts Company, Percy The Park Keeper, Rachel Ellen Design, Samaritans, Sindy, St Andrews Links, Star Stable, Super Sema, Team GB, The Raccoons, The Repair Shop, Toad & Friends, Tom Gates & Williams Racing. Story.1888 also offers creative & marketing services, whilst Spotlight.1888 offers retail services & consultancy within the licensing industry, creating a true full service offering under True Purpose Enterprises. Rainbow is back at BLE having had a fantastic year across all the brands it will be showcasing at this year’s market. Italy’s leading provider of original children’s content and third-party IP management of aspirational brands, Rainbow has spent the past year securing best in class broadcast and IP partners for its properties, delivering events for consumers to enjoy and be directly enriched by live experiences and see licensing agreements deliver outstanding results at retail. This year’s Rainbow stand will focus on the eighteen-year children’s animated success brand Winx Club, the spin-off Netflix teenage drama Fate: The Winx Saga, artists Lucia Heffernan and Jack Ottanio, environmental animated series Summer & Todd: Happy Farmers and the latest pre-school hit currently airing on both RAI Italy and CBeebies, Pinocchio and Friends. Iginio Straffi’s reimagining of one of the greatest children’s novels of all time, Pinocchio, burst onto TV screens in Italy last Autumn and onto CBeebies earlier this year in May. Pinocchio and Friends is comical, light-hearted and wholesome with new characters, locations and storylines, brought bang up to date for today’s young audiences. The licensing programme is off to a great start with two strong master toy partners in Giochi Preziosi and Flair GP already onboarded, with more partners to be announced during September; this bright series is already a Rainbow success story thanks to its global appeal and strong brand heritage. Since its premiere on Netflix in Spring 2021, Fate: The Winx Saga live-action drama, became an overnight Netflix global ratings winner. For Winx Club there is a dual licensing strategy which targets the core audience of young children, plus an additional one for young adults who were the original fans and grew up with the animated series.

Rainbow’s Summer and Todd: Happy Farmers, brings entertaining storylines to young audiences. Rainbow manages the European licensing programme for internationally acclaimed artist Lucia Heffernan Lisle Licensing is back at BLE 2022 with a client portfolio which will showcase its successes in IP sectors for which it is already renowned such as gaming and preschool brands, but also its growth in lifestyle, art & design, as well as family brands. Tetris, the original gaming brand which will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024 is a key focus in creating aspirational licensing opportunities. The leading lifestyle duo, Style Sisters, will be at BLE promoting their new licensing ranges and Lisle will be looking to expand this into new categories for 2023 that build upon the continued brand growth of the last 18months including kitchenware, wallpaper & paints. Art-design brand Kate Smith Company will be heading to the UK and attending BLE for the first time following their sell-out success at retail in 2021 and so far in 2022; the very personable Kate Smith is excited to engage with potential licensees alongside Francesca Lisle and build upon the successes with Moonpig, Hallmark and Carousel. In children’s entertainment, Lisle are meeting with potential new partners for Milkshake! hit, Milo, as well as the CBeebies recent ratings success Pinocchio and friends from Rainbow Group, as well as long-standing preschool favourite, Masha and the Bear. Newcomers to the portfolio: artist Lucia Heffernan, Happy Nappers, EX GB Olympian surfer Laura Crane and mumpreneur Lillie Farrow who will launch her brand Lil’s Kitchen are also a strong focus at BLE. Dr. Seuss Enterprises, which has been a leading global children’s entertainment company since 1993, is focused on promoting literacy, education, self-confidence, and the wonderful possibilities of a child’s imagination through the works of Dr. Seuss. The creative, whimsical world of Dr. Seuss and its characters have inspired generations of readers and continues to be a true pop culture and entertainment phenomenon, with major successes both on the page and on the screen. Over the past two and a half decades, Dr. Seuss Enterprises has built a formidable reputation by inking hundreds of licensing deals in virtually every category and ramped up its global entertainment presence with several projects in development at the world’s most respected studios and publishers. At the 2022 Brand Licensing Europe, Dr. Seuss Enterprises will continue to celebrate the importance of literacy and creativity with the roll out of new product lines, programs, and initiatives, as well as growth of their entertainment and content portfolio. Campaigns will include Dr. Seuss’ Birthday; The Lorax; and there are new partnerships with Hershey’s, Tonies and more. In addition to the growing CP program, the Dr. Seuss brand is continuing to grow its digital, publishing and experiential portfolio. Hasbro continuously looks for new ways to innovate and expand its extensive portfolio of brands across all licensing categories. And BLE 2022 is no exception, with an impressive lineup of announcements and displays at the booth showcasing several exciting new ventures for the diverse set of brands including a fully realized Peppa’s Clubhouse come to life for an immersive experience. Transformers will spotlight the allnew animated kids’ series, Transformers: Earthspark, launching this fall, the highly-anticipated feature film premiering June 2023, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and the first Transformers and My Little Pony hotel in Shanghai coming soon. With My Little Pony, the brand’s 40th anniversary kicks off in 2023 complemented by a slate of content continuing to drop on YouTube and Netflix throughout the year. Following this summer’s reveal of the first-ever Dungeons & Dragons toy line, the brand will highlight what fans can expect to see as we approach the March 2023 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves theatrical release. Everyone’s favorite cheeky pig also has a big anniversary coming up in 2024 with Peppa Pig celebrating 20 years following this year’s successes - from content releases like Peppa’s Club, to the opening of the first U.S. Peppa Pig theme park in Florida and several other activations and partnerships, including a Jubileethemed clothing range in Tesco, special treats from B Bakery and publishing titles from Penguin. NERF continues to make headlines with “Murph,” the brand’s first-ever mascot introduction, alongside major LBE openings with the NERF Action Xperience centers and first-ever NERF theme park land. Monopoly has some thrilling brand collaborations in store following the award-winning Monopoly Lifesized Experience in London and another winning McDonald’s promotional program.

Bulldog Licensing is readying its hand-picked portfolio of brands as the industry prepares to return Excel. Consisting of iconic evergreen properties such as Care Bears, Popeye and Sesame Street, as well as British institution, the Royal Astronomical Society, new and exciting brands like Odo, Magic Mixies and Gus the Itsy Bitsy Knight, and key lifestyle names such as ROUTE 66 and Guide Dogs, the Bulldog Licensing portfolio reaches every demographic with products covering all categories. The loveable bears of Care-a-Lot are celebrating their 40th Anniversary in 2022, and the brand remains as popular as ever, with a 98% awareness among adults and children. New and making a huge entrance to the consumer products scene is Moose Toys’ toy sensation, Magic Mixies. The magical cauldron exploded onto toy shelves last Christmas, catching the attention of the nation, and selling so quickly that it became the highest grossing SKU in Moose Toys’ history, with stock selling through as soon as it hit stores. Since launch, Moose Toys has expanded the brand with the introduction of Magic Mixies Mixlings, with a playset to follow this year, along with a range of games. Bulldog has so far announced a partnership with Aykroyds TDP, who will create a range of children’s nightwear, underwear and swimwear based on the magical property. Superheroes are the order of the day for the globally popular hit brand, Miraculous - Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. The series, which airs daily on Pop in the UK and is available for streaming on Disney+ and Netflix, follows the adventures of two Parisian teenagers, Marinette and Adrien, who magically transform into superheroes to save their city from evil. ZAG will launch the fifth season of the series later this year, with an animated US$100+ million feature film to follow. Sesame Street is still a favourite among adults and children alike. Sesame Street-branded content still airs daily on Tiny Pop with Elmo’s World, Super Grover 2.0 and Smart Cookies, and continues to attract new fans with its messages of love, respect, and kindness. Just Play are launching a new master toy range in 2023 and sales continue to be very strong across softlines for all ages. A newcomer is Gus – The Itsy Bitsy Knight which airs daily on Tiny Pop and is produced by Technicolor Animation Productions and co-produced by PGS Entertainment, with toys from Mattel launching this Autumn. Bulldog will develop a licensing programme based on apparel, accessories, stationery and gift, and publishing. The instantly recognisable ROUTE 66 is a US lifestyle property boasting a wide range of licensees, with more than 750 products, available in multiple countries. The brand has a strong UK fashion presence with partners Brand Alliance and Bulldog and is now extending the licensing campaign with partners in ancillary categories for the legendary highway which once linked Chicago to the American West. ROUTE 66 is recognised around the world and offers its licensing partners a wealth of resources. Designs include over 360 original, iconic artworks, and over 125 photos under the ROUTE 66 Style Guide, giving the vintage, adventurous feel that the brand inspires. A brand which embodies inclusivity, support and strength, is Guide Dogs. Bulldog is building a consumer products programme for the charity which helps people living with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well. The campaign is aimed at owners, supporters, dog lovers and families, and focuses on a wide range of products including pet products, apparel, accessories, travel, homeware, gifting, collectibles and stationery. Rocket Licensing will present brands such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Beano, The Elf on the Shelf and Little People, Big Dreams, along with pop culture kawaii brand Fuzzballs, blockbuster entertainment brands Dune, Godzilla, Vikings Valhalla, Rocky and ESA (The European Space Agency), which unlocks the growing excitement around the new age of space exploration. Rocket was recently appointed UK licensing agent for the iconic rabbit, Miffy. Celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2023, the world’s longest running comic, Beano, is set for a nationwide 360 campaign. The Elf on the Shelf brand has become a global phenom-

enon which millions of families now enjoy every year. Slated for 2024 is the latest entry in the Monsterverse/Godzilla vs. Kong franchise form Legendary Entertainment. More details on production and licensing programs will be announced in the coming months approaching the March 15, 2024, release of the film. Kirsty Guthrie of KJG Ltd, and Maggy Harris of BlueSkye Licensing, who operate as a hybrid licensing sales agency, are readying for their return to the show. The BLE spotlight for the duo showcases their wide portfolio of wellestablished and successful brands covering a range of categories from preschool to food, movie icons to Kawaii, and authors to art. On behalf of Pink Key Licensing, the pair will be focusing on iconic food and drink brands, including Kellogg’s, Pringles, SLUSH PUPPiE, Peperami, Quorn, Vimto, Bel Brands (including Laughing Cow and Babybel), and Pan Am’s vintage archive. For personality brands, the stand will play host to movie icon Charlie Chaplin, as well as celebrated genius, Einstein, both on behalf of Ben Group Inc. From the small screen, and for a younger audience, will be popular preschool property, True and the Rainbow Kingdom, specified categories for dino lovers with Gigantosaurus, and brand new superhero animation, Petronix Defenders, on behalf of bRand-Ward. On behalf of Sagoo Brands, the pair will be showcasing gen Z favourite Kawaii brand, Rilakkuma, as well as the iconic Emily the Strange brand from Rob Reger. The globally renowned cultural institution of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, focuses on developing the Frank Lloyd Wright design legacy, and will join Kirsty and Maggie’s stand at BLE. Frank’s century old inspiration for living sustainably through truly brilliant architecture, home and garden design, is as relevant today as it was during his lifetime. Joining the stand fresh from its shortlisted nomination in the prestigious Henries awards, is Snowtap, a beautiful and witty artwork brand, which draws inspiration from the natural world and features animals with quirky captions in a perfect partnership. Last but by no means least, the bestelling international book brand by author Tim Marshall, is Prisoners of Geography, published by Elliott & Thompson. Armed with an impressive roster of over 200 catalog titles, comprised of notable films from STUDIOCANAL, Revolution Studios, Compass International, and more, Creative Licensing connects fans to films through a diverse assortment of licensed consumer product offerings. From video games to makeup palettes, Creative Licensing’s ongoing partnerships with best-in-class licensees continues to excite customers for classic film IP such as The Terminator, Rambo, Halloween, Total Recall, Bill and Ted, Evil Dead 2, and Re-Animator. Caroline Mickler Limited will bring a range of brands that underline the diversity and originality of its portfolio. They include The Beatles, Yellow Submarine, Stanley Kubrick’s iconic films The Shining, A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, and 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Masked Singer™ and The Masked Dancer, Fifty Shades of Grey, Horrid Henry, Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy and the latest Caroline Mickler Limited signing, Molang, the kawaii digital sensation – and a brand very much for our time. In six years Chefclub has established itself as a leading food entertainment brand and content creator for families, generating a whopping 2.5 billion monthly views, and 100 million subscribers. With half of its followers in the US and UK - Chefclub is thrilled to exhibit at BLE for the first time! Since founders Thomas, Axel and Jonathan Lang made Chefclub’s first croque-monsieur video in their kitchen – they have come a long way: three Digital Brand of the Year Awards (France, Germany); partnerships with PLUTO TV (US, LatAm, Spain, UK, France) and Samsung TV France; animation series in development; content on proprietary, FAST and Social platforms worldwide; 700,000+ cookbooks and 250,000 cooking kits sold; and a 50-piece TEFAL cookery range. Chefclub’s mission is to bring families together in the kitchen, empower children to cook at a much earlier age, promote the nutritional and mental

health benefits of good eating habits, and provide new and unique platforms for the universal enjoyment of food. At BLE, Chefclub is excited to meet new partners to share the incredible success it has had in France in markets where fans are already poised and waiting to further enjoy this unique brand. El Ocho, as a licensing agency with almost 20 years working in the Iberian market, specialises in preschool brands and has managed to position them at the top of children’s programming with the fundamental help of Clan tv. Los Lunnis, an animated series created by RTVE in 2003 and broadcast on Clan in 2005, was the number one children’s brand in Spain for many years. The main Spanish manufacturers in all sectors of licensing (toys, publishing, textiles, cosmetics, household goods, etc.) acquired the rights to the Lunnis and obtained very important sales figures. BBC has appointed us El Ocho as agents for Bluey. This Christmas there will be Bluey toys in Spain as well as other categories that the agency are already negotiating. The goal is for Bluey to be the favourite series of children in Iberia. And Boat Rocker has entrusted El Ocho to manage Dino Ranch, a children’s series that will premiere on Clan in September. Dinosaurs continue to be children’s favourite animals and Dino Ranch tells the adventures of the cowboy kids with their dinosaurs. Boat Rocker’s distinctive portfolio of kids and family properties is supported by robust licensing plans, ensuring that great storytelling can transcend television and engage with its audiences in as many creative ways as possible. Stomping to success internationally, Dino Ranch is a unique and imaginative combination of two pre-schooler passions – dinosaurs and cowboys. A hit on Disney Jr US since launch in Jan 2021 and sold to over 170 countries and available in 15+ languages including SuperRTL Germany, Gulli France, Boing Italy and Tiny Pop UK; the latest to come on board in April this year and already proving to be a huge hit. Internationally, all new content will roll-out from Q1 2023 Master toy partner, Jazwares, has added acres of imaginative play to the ranch, with an exciting line that spans figures, vehicles, plush and playsets. Roarsome retail roll-out continues in the US with strong inline statements at Target and Walmart this Fall, alongside other major stores and ecommerce retail. Across EMEA and in the UK, the line hit shelves this summer across all major retailers. The launch is supported by an integrated marketing campaign encompassing TV and VOD advertising, digital and social advertising, influencer marketing and PR activations, as well as meet and greet retail events where little ‘rancheroos’ can meet Jon and Blitz in real life. Love Monster, The Next Step and Daniel Spellbound will have a strong presence on the Boat Rocker stand. Independent licensing agency Start Licensing will be showcasing its portfolio of rights which includes Aardman and their brands such as Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run and Morph. Start also work with leading US based Art & Design agency Jewel Branding representing a number of their artists in the UK and Ireland. These include Kendra Dandy and her eyecatching Bouffants and Brokenhearts brand. Licensees for this brand include Cooneen, Blueprint Collections, UK Greetings, Surface View and an exclusive gift product range for Boots. Other artists are Etta Vee and Nikki Chu. Start also represent Nadiya Hussain and Jane Devonshire. Nadiya has a fast growing licensing programme

whilst Jane’s Hassle Free Gluten Free brand has been a publishing success. Start’s portfolio also includes iconic comic character Asterix. Start also represent The Ashmolean Museum which has a fabulous collection of art and artefacts. The Ashmolean is the world’s first public museum. Start also represent Britvic Soft Drinks portfolio for licensing which includes Tango, Robinson’s and R Whites. Start’s representation also includes Club and Mi Wadi leading soft drinks brands in Ireland. Start have also developed a very successful collectibles programme for the Spirit of Concorde design brand. Santoro will be showcasing a wide portfolio of brands at this year’s show with particular focus on evergreen brand Gorjuss. All new Gorjuss collections will feature heavily including Fairground and Through The Looking Glass - an extension of the popular Wonderland range. Gorjuss continues to perform as one of the top girls’ brands across Europe with Italy and Greece remaining strongholds while the Balkans emerge as an impressive new market with collectible campaigns insight for 2023 and beyond. Leading licensees include Benneton, Panini, Deagostini, El CorteIngles, Nakas, AznarInnova, Safta, MarMar, Graffiti, Balocco and Joumma. Alongside Gorjuss, Santoro will launch a ‘first look’ at noughties brands JeliDeli and Tutti-Cuti. Edutainment Licensing has announced new licensees for the NSPCC’s Pantosaurus licensing programme. Specialist apparel licensee, Poetic Brands have partnered for a wide variety of clothing, including kids daywear, nightwear and swimwear. Cause-related marketing pioneers Louis Kennedy have partnered for Pantosaurus plush with sound chip featuring the PANTS theme song for the promotional category.In the digital category the Pantosaurus and the Power of Pants ebook can now be found on Pickatale, a leading mobile audiobook and storybook app for children aged 0–12. The new Read Aloud video featuring Actor and NSPCC Ambassador for Childline Natalie Dormer, has been licensed by digital content agency Little Dot Studios for their own YouTube channel Wizz. The NSPCC’s Talk PANTS campaign, featuring friendly dinosaur Pantosaurus, helps parents have simple conversations with their children to help keep them safe. Plus Licens is one of Europe’s leading independent licensing agencies with headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. With over 40 years of experience in the licensing business Plus Licens has acquired top industry know-how by introducing and building some of the world’s leading brands for its various markets. Plus Licens’ stand will be located in the Brands & Lifestyle section, where they will be showcasing several properties including the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), both the number one research university and the most applied-to university in the United States. This comes as no surprise with UCLA’s diverse campus, competitive athletics teams, and renowned California lifestyle that creates an enviable, optimistic, and creative environment. Paul Frank is the beloved Southern California brand founded in Huntington Beach in 1995 by the American cartoonist, artist, and fashion designer of the same name. Perhaps Paul Frank’s best-known character is Julius the Monkey, the modern pop culture icon whose face has adorned products worldwide. Julius and his many friends, such as Clancy and Skurvy, all come

from the idyllic community of Planned Pines, and nowadays they can be seen appearing in new, exciting collaborations. Recent such collaborations include shoes by Unlimited Footwear Group and Julius collectibles from Danish design company Boyhood. The University of Cambridge, steeped in its rich 800-year history with its spectacular University Museums and list of alumni including over 110 Nobel Prize winners makes it an institution that’s known worldwide. In creating products, a licensee can use specific works of art or themes from the collections displayed at the museums, including renowned paintings, objects, photographs, and more. The newest addition to Plus Licens’ portfolio are the famous apes from Bored of Directors, a collection of 11 Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs that can be licensed across multiple product categories. Bored of Directors is a great spin-off of the Bored Ape brand, with vibrant and unique images, personalities, and graphics. The NFT space is a lucrative market, and Plus Licens see this as a rare opportunity to offer licensees the chance to license the NFT phenom spurned on by the original Bored Apes. ITV Studios controls the brand licensing rights to some of the most beloved IP in the world. From scripted, to reality and game shows, the diverse portfolio offers commercial opportunities in multiple categories. The key brands that they are focussing on are established titles like The Voice Franchise, Hell’s Kitchen, Love Island, I Am a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!, The Chase, A Year on Planet Earth and Schitt’s Creek. But they are also actively exploring opportunities for new IP like Ten Year Old Tom and Physical that are available via Apple TV. Lifestyle and motoring brand Motul has announced that, for the second year running, the brand will be the sponsor of the Motul Café at the Brands & Lifestyle Bar during Brand Licensing Europe. This promises to be a busy BLE for the Motul campaign. Since the campaign formally launched just over a year ago, it has attracted a number of major licensees across a range of categories. They include Sunrich Toys & Hobby, which designs and manufactures the highest-quality scale model cars for the global hobby market; Fire Design for fire extinguishers; and, most recently, Depancel, the celebrated watchmaking brand for the Pista 24 MOTUL Edition, a feature-rich motorsport-themed watch. Motul has also appointed a global licensing agent, ASPIRE by WildBrain CPLG, as well as agents for Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. At BLE Motul will be highlighting its impressive first year as a lifestyle brand and discussing plans to build on this success with growth throughout 2023. Aardman report that The Shaun the Sheep brand continues to flourish through much-loved content and successful licensing programs that bring Shaun’s adventures to a whole new generation of international fans. The brand is further supported by an ever-growing portfolio of exciting attractions and live experiences around the world. The team have been developing ‘Shaun the Sheep One Farm’ – an initiative that brings Shaun’s charm to the themes of food, farming and the environment – offering a fun approach to exploring and understanding where food comes from. New collaborations include a partnership with fashion-forward apparel company Erve. The brand team are also focussing on a special licensing programme for classic characters Wallace & Gromit celebrating 30th anniversary of Nick Park’s Academy Award-winning film Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers. Product is already in devleopment with current licensing partners Hornby, Olympia Le Tan, The Bradford Exchange and Danilo. They will be looking for further partners across all categories at BLE. Currently in production is the eagerly anticipated sequel, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, coming to Netflix in 2023. The team is developing a strong licensing and promotional programme for the film, with Macmillan Children’s Books confirmed as global master publishing partner. The film sees Ginger and all the chickens living the dream in their peaceful island sanctuary, far from the dangers of the human world. When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete. But back on the mainland the whole of chicken-kind faces a new and terrible threat. For Ginger and her team - even if it means putting their own hard-won freedom at risk – this time, they’re breaking in! Alongside their known franchises, the studio will be pushing their brand new CGI/2D comedy series Lloyd of the Flies (52 x 11’), which launched on CITV on 19th September 2022. The show, which is aimed at 7-11 year olds, shines a light on the weird, wonderful, and sometimes bizarre world of insects and their behaviour. The series follows the adventures of Lloyd B Fly, a housefly and the middle child of 451. Lloyd lives with his parents, his little sister PB and their 224 maggot siblings inside a compost bin they call home. In the series, Lloyd is always accompanied by his best and only friend, Abacus Woodlouse, PB, and eccentric tagalong, Cornea Butterfly. Together they explore the strange world beyond the compost bin, where there is no shortage of lessons for Lloyd to very nearly learn. Aardman also represents animated content from a select number of third party producers, including LoveLove Films’ Pop Paper City, a preschool adventure craft show aimed at 4-6 year olds. The team are developing a licensing and retail programme for the show which launches on Milkshake! later this year.