102-103-104-105-106-107 SOTN Preschool_v8_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 20/09/2015 09:52 Page 104
STATE OF THE NATION: PRESCHOOLERS
Wussywat begins licensing push
Inset: Baby Cow is looking to appoint a licensing agent for Wussywat. Below: Fisher-Price is on board as global master toy for Go Jetters.
Baby Cow, the team behind CBeebies hit Wussywat the Clumsy Cat, is heading to Brand Licensing Europe with the aim of kicking off the licensing drive for the property. Airing since June, the show had 600,000 downloads on iPlayer in the first four weeks and has consistently been getting high viewing figures, with 25% of the two to five year old audience share. A further 26 five-minute episodes are due to be delivered in October, bringing the total to 52. A games partner is already on board, with Player Three having released an app of five games, which featured in the iTunes top ten shortly after release. More games and add-ons are planned, while the company also believes Wussywat lends itself well to books, toys and apparel. To this end, it is looking to appoint a licensing agent to handle the brand. Distributor Aardman Animations will also be taking the show to Mipcom Jr to build on the existing sales success. BBC Worldwide, meanwhile, is taking Wussywat to over 50 territories on its CBeebies Global Channels in South Africa, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Latin America. Wussywat’s producer, Simon Quinn, said: “We think we have a unique product in our brand. The writing is genuinely groundbreaking with its classic cartoon irreverence and pre-school educative tone. Coupled with the charming design and loveable characters we think this makes Wussywat an extremely engaging and viable evergreen brand.”
Amscan flying high Amscan has added to its preschool line-up, introducing Paw Patrol and
BBC readies Go Jetters
Bubble Guppies ranges. There are 30 items in the Paw Patrol
Go Jetters is making the move from the CBeebies website
collection including tableware,
onto TV screens this autumn, with Fisher-Price already on
decorations, party accessories and
board as global master toy partner.
favours, as well as latex and foil balloons
First launched on the CBeebies website last year, the
to complete the theme. Hero product is
new series will follow the four plucky heroes, Xuli, Kyan,
the new Chase AirWalker balloon which
Lars and Foz as they travel the world with Ubercorn, a
measures 137cm
funky disco-grooving unicorn.
high. It also
The Fisher-Price line will debut in AW2016 in the UK,
includes
with roll-out in other markets (including the US) expected
weights,
to follow. Products will include toys, vehicles, play-sets,
attached to
feature and standard plush among others.
enable the balloon
“Given the strong international appetite for animation, as well as working with a world-class partner such as FisherPrice, we expect the Go Jetters brand and programme to
to move around freely. Meanwhile, the
do well around the world,” said Clare Piggott, head of
Bubble Guppies
merchandising at BBC Worldwide. “We will be ensuring
range includes 20
that all the adventure and fun in this action packed series
products, with the
is fully realised in the toy range.
designs featuring
“The unique geographical element offered by Go Jetters
main characters Gil and Molly, plus Bubble Puppy and
means that we will work with all our licensing partners to
friends. The line includes the likes of an add-on age letter
create engaging product ranges that really do put the
banner, to fun favour pack
disco into discovery.”
and tableware.
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LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2015
Above: The Chase AirWalker balloon is part of Amscan’s Paw Patrol line.