Deal signed with Copyrights Asia at this week’s Licensing Expo.
The National Gallery and JELC have secured the museum’s first international agency agreement – with Copyrights Asia coming on board to handle the Japanese market.
The deal was signed at Licensing Expo this week and signifies the beginning of the Gallery’s global licensing programme.
Copyrights Asia’s long experience in Japan will enable the National Gallery to develop its licensing programme in a market that is highly receptive to much of its national collection of Western European art, including iconic paintings such as Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and Monet’s The Water-Lily Pond.
The UK licensing portfolio now boasts almost 40 licensees.
Judith Mather, director of buying and brand licensing at the National Gallery, said: “After months of work following our trip to Japan last July, we are delighted to be working with Copyrights Asia and look forward to building a very successful programme in Japan.”
Jane Evans, md of JELC, the Gallery’s global licensing agent, added: “Japan is a market with vast potential for the Gallery’s licensing programme, but we needed to work with a local organisation that is both respected and experienced. Copyrights Asia is just such an organisation.”
David Buckley, president of Copyrights Asia, continued: “Japanese travelling to London have long made the National Gallery one of their top choices to visit.
“We now have the opportunity to bring that experience to Japan as we work with local partners to create and import products inspired by the National Gallery’s vast collections of masterpieces.”
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