The Source takes a look at some of the big licensing stories of the year.
2015 has been another bumper year in the UK licensing industry – from Force Friday to emerging new brands, from The Licensing Awards to The Light Fund challenges and another strong Brand Licensing Europe.
We round up some of the stories from the year, focusing today on July and August.
July
Sega appoints CPLG as the licensing agent for its Sonic the Hedgehog franchise in a number of territories. The company will be handling the CP programme in Benelux, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Nordics, Denmark, CEE, Greece and Turkey.
Fyodor Golan’s AW15 ready-to-wear collection inspired by Hasbro’s My Little Pony brand launches in Selfridges.
Minions becomes the top selling licence in the UK toy market – overtaking Disney’s Frozen which had held the top spot since July 2014. The new figures from NPD showed that Star Wars was the third best selling licence, followed by Peppa Pig at four and Marvel at five.
The Light Fund Summer Treasure Hunt raises £8,000 for the industry charity. Over 300 people from the industry followed a route around London’s Mayfair, with Rainbow Productions retaining its crown as the champions.
The FA’s Matthew Glynn wins the second annual LIMA UK Rising Star Award.
August
The first trailer for the new-look Bob the Builder is revealed. Hit Entertainment confirms the new series will air on Channel 5’s Milkshake from September 1.
eOne details its latest marketing initiative for its Peppa Pig brand, which includes storytelling sessions at the Children’s Bath Literary Festival, in partnership with master publishing partner, Ladybird Books. The event ties in with the Imagine with Peppa marketing campaign, which aims to highlight the importance of fun and imaginative play in a child’s early years development.
Tim Collins leaves his role as head of brands at DC Thomson.
Rovio confirms plans to restructure and streamline its work force. The company says it will cut 260 staff – over a third of its 700-person workforce – to become “leaner and more agile”, according to CEO Pekka Rantala.
