“BLE is always a highlight of our calendar”

LicensingSource.net chats to Lisa Macdonald, svp commercial and franchise development at Silvergate Media, about the company’s return to BLE next week.

How you feel about returning to BLE?

BLE is always a highlight of our calendar; we missed it hugely during the pandemic. There’s nowhere else like it for taking the temperature of the European industry as a whole, and it’s also a great opportunity to catch up with industry friends and colleagues in person rather than via a computer screen. Walking the hall, you see so much colour and so many fun, inventive ideas, it’s a reminder of why licensing is such a fantastic industry to work in.

This year, Silvergate is making its debut as part of the Sony Interactive Entertainment stand (C211), which is hugely exciting for us, so we’re looking forward to meeting our brand partners and also making new connections.

What you are hoping to achieve?

We’ll be showcasing some of our best-loved and upcoming children’s properties, including Peter Rabbit the animated series, The Creature Cases, Hilda and, as well as Octonauts: Above & Beyond; the second series launched globally on Netflix in May, and has helped pave the way for the refreshed retail launch this year. Moose Toys released a new global Octonauts toy line this summer, Blues Clothing Group have recently signed on for apparel and new publishing lines will follow in 2023. Immersive experiences, such as our global partnership with Merlin’s SEA LIFE centres, remain a huge part of the Octonauts licensing programme, and we’re looking forward to discussing new opportunities in that sphere.

Another huge focus for us at BLE will be The Creature Cases – our new preschool IP about a detective duo who solve animal mysteries. It’s produced by the same team behind Octonauts, who have worked with a wonderful French animation studio called TeamTO, known for PJ Masks. We’re already experiencing high consumer demand for products based on the strong Netflix ratings. It’s a fun mix of mystery-solving, facts about animals and their habitats, and inventive gadgetry (including a talking jet called RON), which makes it really interesting from a licensing perspective – there are multiple routes to explore and we’re now seeking partners across key categories.

Any ideas for favourite restaurants or fun discoveries in this out-of-the-mainstream area?

When the show’s over we might pop over to the Sundown bar of the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, but if we’re feeling energetic, we’ve been known to walk a bit further to the Nakhon Thai on Dock Road for a curry and a cocktail.

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