Focus on
The Nordics
Astrid Lindgren, Sweden’s most famous writer, wrote 34 chapter books and 41 picture books.All together, they have sold 170 million copies and have been translated into more than 100 languages. In addition, Astrid’s wellknown characters – Pippi Longstocking, Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, Emil in Lönneberga and The Brothers Lionheart – have also been turned into 49 feature films, 22 TV-productions and countless stage performances. The Astrid Lindgren Company’s mission is to spread and protect Astrid’s stories worldwide. Several major new projects are lined up, the first one being Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter. Produced by NENT Group and Filmlance, this live action tv-series will premiere exclusively on NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service in 2023 with 12 episodes across two seasons. The original novel about Ronja is published in Norway by Cappelen Damm,
in Finland by WSOY, in Denmark by Gyldendal and in Iceland by Forlagid. The licensing program based on the original Ronja illustrations by Ilon Wikland is represented in the Nordics by Rights & Brands). The Astrid Lindgren Company represents all other licensing for the Ronja brand. An international Pippi Longstocking live action movie produced by acclaimed producer David Heyman and Studiocanal is in development, planned to premiere in 2024. Björn Ulvaeus and Pophouse in cooperation with circus company Cirkus Cirkör, Krall Entertainment and The Astrid Lindgren Company are celebrating Pippi Longstocking with the circus musical Pippi at the Circus, at the 19th century Cirkus arena in the Royal Djurgården district of Stockholm. The musical features song lyrics by Björn Ulvaeus and music by Benny Andersson and others, performed live
by a flying circus orchestra! The show will premiere in 2022. 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the first published Pippi Longstocking book. To commemorate this jubilee, The Astrid Lindgren Company and Save the Children launched the global campaign Pippi of Today, a collaboration to create awareness and raise money for Save the Children’s work for girls. In the Nordics, The Astrid Lindgren Company has partners including H&M, Micki & Friends, Happy Socks, Panduro, Martinex, Muurla, Åhléns, Egmont Publishing, Kavat Shoes, Adexi, Primus, Sjöö Sandström, Design House Stockholm. The Astrid Lindgren Company offers licensing programs for most of the famous Astrid Lindgren characters in various product categories. Another popular character, Emil in Lönneberga, will celebrate 60 years in 2023 with a new jubilee concept, ‘Mischief’s good’, with the message that being allowed to live like Emil, discovering the world in your own way, will make children wiser and happier.
Whilst often grouped together, there are five Nordic countries each with strong local licensees and retailers. On the following pages, we take a look at the activities of some of the key companies working in the region.
Plus Licens is an independent licensing agency with HQ in Stockholm, Sweden that represents entertainment, lifestyle and design brands in Europe, the Nordics, and Central Eastern Europe, with Nordic brands being represented on a global basis. The portfolio includes entertainment brands from major studios, global icons, lifestyle, and design brands.
51
