Including Magic Light Pictures teaming with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for a Gruffalo Adventures trail.
Source rounds up more news from the licensing industry across the globe from the week.
Magic Light Pictures has teamed up with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to launch a new Gruffalo Adventures trail in Kew Gardens’ Arboretum this October. The Arboretum – which is home to 14,000 trees – will play host to the characters during the half term holidays from Saturday October 17 to Sunday November 1 on a specially curated, interactive trail on which families can track down The Gruffalo. Families will be invited to play the tole of ‘little brown mouse’ – as they encounter more characters from the best selling books, they can enjoy interactive activities, learn about different habitats and the marks we leave behind as humans in a woodland ecosystem, as well as enjoy autumn horticultural highlights. There will also be timed appearances from a Gruffalo costume character throughout the festival.
Aardman has teamed up with Britain’s largest organic brand, Yeo Valley Organic, with a new collaboration on its children’s range Little Yeos and the re-launched preschool brand, Timmy Time. This marks the fourth time that Aardman has teamed up with Little Yeos. The partnership on Little Yeos Fruity Favourites four-pack will support children’s education in learning more about the environment, healthy lifestyle and taking care of the planet supporting Yeo Valley Organic’s latest campaign to encourage consumers to Put Nature First. The campaign – which is set to run for two years – will allow Yeo Vally to feature Timmy Time on its channels, sharing content about the environment and healthy lifestyles.
Poetic Brands has secured a new deal for Europe with Fender, creating a new apparel range for adults. The range will launch in AW20 across nightwear, tees, sweatshirts and tracksuits. The new property expands the licensee’s music portfolio which already includes AC/DC, Def Leppard, Pink Floyd, Woodstock and MTV.
GB eye is to launch a new eco-range in collaboration with a local Sheffield manufacturer to offer a more sustainable gifting solution to customers. Launching in mid-October, the range will initially include a stainless steel water bottle and tote bags, with further products planned for 2021. The range focuses on reducing the carbon footprint from the design conception through to the end product. The strategy to source local and reduce international manufacture and import is at the heart of the range positioning.
Rock N’ Roll Colouring has launched officially endorsed colouring books from two of rock’s greatest bands – Motörhead and Judas Priest. The books feature iconic artwork from classic albums and other instantly recognisable images and will be published on November 2. The deal was secured by Global Merchandising Services.
Smiffys has launched its dazzling new range of licensed wigs in partnership with creative hair colour and cosmetics specialist, Manic Panic. The brainchild of two NYC rock and roll sisters, Manic Panic launched in 1977 as America’s first punk boutique. Smiffys has created six styles in 15 colourways, coloured using the techniques and styles which epitomise Manic Panic.
Banijay Brands has appointed WP Brands to represent Peaky Blinders and Simon’s Cat in Australia and New Zealand.
Haven has added Blippi to its portfolio, rounding out its partnership with Moonbug Entertainment. The agency will handle the brand across Australia and New Zealand.
Panini has launched a new online B2B platform – Panini Brand Licensing – showcasing all of its licensed products and main collaborations.
The creators of Flossy and Jim – Lynette and James – have been helping to boost children’s mental health and resilience by teaching online. Commissioned by the National Collaborative Outreach Programme, the duo have been busy creating bright and colourful online educational resources and videos for school children during lockdown.
King Features Syndicate and its local agent, Caravanserai, have launched a variety of new fashion-focused licensing deals for Popeye and Betty Boop in Iberia throughout 2020. Pull & Bear and Zara have launched new collections for Popeye worldwide, while the sailorman also extends his influence on fashion through new men’s and women’s apparel and accessories from licensees Padma Textiles and Europrosem, as well as men’s apparel from Topisatex. Pull & Bear has also launched new Betty Boop lones.
Animaccord’s Masha and the Bear characters will become the first to endorse Kinder Mix. The new collaboration with Ferrero marks ten years of the companies working together. The licensed versions of Kinder Mix will launch in store across Russia this winter. To support the launch, Animaccord has produced a special 3D animated Christmas advert story for Ferrero’s Kinder.
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