The Copyrights Group reveals new ranges ahead of anniversary year.
This year sees The Copyrights Group marking 60 years since the launch of the first Paddington book.
A Bear Called Paddington – written by Michael Bond and illustrated by Peggy Fortnum – was first published in 1958.
The milestone anniversary will be marked with a specially designed logo, a worldwide commemorative partnership, limited edition and collectable products, new and refreshed classic lines, retail activity and special anniversary activities.
The activity kicked off earlier this month, with Great Western Railway naming one of the first of its new Intercity Express trains after Paddington Bear author Michael Bond.
In February, the first of the exhibitions celebrating the anniversary will launch in Museum ‘Eki’ Kyoto, Japan. The exhibition will host over 300 pieces of original Paddington artwork and will travel across six venues finishing in 2020.
The Eric Carle Museum in Massachusetts, US will also be celebrating the anniversary with an exhibition running from April to November.
Meanwhile, the classic title Paddington Turns Detective and Other Funny Stories will join the line-up of books for World Book Day on March 1. In addition, HarperCollins will release the final Paddington Bear story in June, a year after the passing of Michael Bond.
Classic lines to launch this year include a new limited edition range of plush from Steiff in celebration of the anniversary. Launching from spring, the Paddington Steiff plush will be available in three sizes with a full range of gift boxing. Rainbow Designs will also be bolstering its Paddington plush range by introducing a special anniversary classic plush, launching this summer for general retail.
Further classic lines to launch this year include paper products from Museums and Galleries from spring including cards, magnetic notepads, bookmark and wrapping paper, with further seasonal lines launching in winter. Also launching in spring are cushions and jewellery lines from MBI, while Avec’s range of crafting products hit retail in May.
The range is supported by further anniversary products across personalised invites/cards, crackers, prints, apparel and artworks.
In addition, there will be new movie lines from Beechdean for marmalade flavoured ice cream, an Easter Egg range from Kinnerton, refreshed Shrinkles from Keycraft and dress-up from VMC.
Further promotional activity will also be taking place for the DVD release of Paddington 2 – which launches on March 12 – as well as key celebration timings and activities continuing throughout the year.
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