p200-201 Roy of the Rovers_muk.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 13/09/2018 15:03 Page 201
REBELLION’S SUPERSUB PLANS
illustrated fiction novel by character through children’s author Tom Palmer. publishing for the Scouted is followed in November children’s market and bring by Kick-Off, a 64-page graphic classic Roy of the Rovers novel by Rob Williams (Suicide material back for fans of Squad, Action Comics). Four more the original comics. While titles, two fiction and two graphic the reboot will appeal to novels, will be published over the 8-12 year old children, the course of the 2018-19 football classic programme will be season and will be followed by a targeting adult males similar schedule for the 2019-20 aged 35 years+ with season. ranges of retro, higher end While the publishing reboot to and collectable product. children gets underway, the classic “Licensing the classic licensing programme begins in material first makes September with the launch of perfect sense, given the replica Melchester Rovers shirts, brand recognition and continuing with a Roy of the Rovers enormous amount of calendar. The first licensed affection the artwork and products to arrive will be a retro storylines generate,” says 80s shirt, produced with COPA, and Rob. Rebellion will also run a Launching in October. a brand new 2018-19 season Melchester licensing programme focused Above: Below: Classic Roy will appeal to Rovers shirt, produced in association with on the rebooted character and original fans. Hummel. Both shirts will be storyline once available by September and will established in the be available through online marketplace. retailers, as well as direct from In a competitive both manufacturers and the Roy market, Rob of the Rovers online shop. Rob firmly believes points out that 2019 is an that Roy can important year for Roy. Activity compete with around the character will build today’s superhero throughout the year to coincide and app obsessed with the 65th anniversary of the children. “The Roy of the Rovers’ debut in Tiger. reboot comes Rob points out that Rebellion is from a similar keen to build on the intrinsic appeal of Roy. “We’re place, but with a twist. Melchester Rovers are the working very hard to enmesh Roy of the Rovers in great non-partisan club, and can be everybody’s the world of real football – we’ve signed up favourite second team. We have the opportunity leading football podcast The Totally Football to explore storylines relevant to modern football Show as Melchester Rovers shirt sponsor and are and contemporary society, and perhaps most working closely with Match of the Day magazine.” importantly help football-obsessed kids discover Rebellion is also in talks with people all over the joy of reading,” he says. Rebellion has football, from organisational bodies and clubs commissioned extensive market research that has through to all sorts of media outlets. indicated that readers respond well to characters “The news that Roy of the Rovers is back has they can identify with or aspire to be like. “Our been met with enthusiasm all over and we’re new Roy Race is a bit of both, a 16 year old delighted with the reaction,” concludes Rob. footballing prodigy with a heart of gold trying to “We’re confident that a new generation will grow make it in the world of modern sports,” adds Rob. to love Racey just as much as their parents and In terms of the licensing programme itself, the grandparents did before them.” reboot kicks off in October 2018 with Scouted, an LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2018
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