24-25_27 LSB Feedback.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 20/09/2018 15:56 Page 27
LICENSEE FEEDBACK
Helen Cottrill, director of marketing, Enesco
“Exciting – it’s all about Q4 in our industry, everything ramps up, there is just a buzz in the air here at Enesco. It is my favourite time of year. Food – Q4 is literally all about the food, we have office buffets, lots of planning meetings (with lunch) and of course the company Christmas lunch, it is what keeps us going. Pressure – the pressure is on, large sales targets, so lots of marketing activity to support that, not to mention the planning of the spring shows across the UK and Europe and the January launch.” Right: Q4 is a favourite time of year for Helen from Enesco.
Andy Downie, commercial director, Dreamtex “Opportunity – Q4 is a huge quarter for Dreamtex in terms of sales. The run up to Christmas represents a great opportunity for us to drive sales at retail via marketing and sales led promotional activity. As a stock led business we have confidence in our brands and we intend to maximise this opportunity both in the UK and in new territories where we have signed European deals. Teamwork – we have launched some fantastic new licences and we are expecting them to fly off the shelves. Q4 is the culmination of all the hard work and effort our amazing team have put in to get all our products and licences to market in time for Christmas. Turkey - when we moved into new premises earlier this year we invested in a company BBQ for Friday lunch times. On every BBQ Friday in December we will be cooking turkey for hot festive sandwiches, feel free to call in for one!” Left: Dreamtex’s Andy is promising turkey sandwiches for visitors to the showroom in December.
Rachel Wyatt, brand and licensing director, Kinnerton “Spirit (not the drinking type) - tis the Season… to stay optimistic, keep the festive spirit alive, focus on winning with focused ranges. Countdown – who doesn’t like an Advent Calendar; Christmas is still on December 25 but shopping patterns are changing, more online, buying later, more shopping around, keep counting down and stay in stock. Magic – we all need a little luck, but we make our own luck.” Above: Stay optimistic and keep the festive spirit alive says Kinnerton’s Rachel.
Katie Price, licensing director, Hachette Children’s Group
“Christmassy, Enid Blyton, gift books – more than three words, but I do work in publishing. We have two Enid Blyton gift books launching this autumn which I can’t wait to see on shelf – they include stories chosen and introduced by famous people such as Danny Baker, Mel Giedroyc and Nicola Sturgeon.” Above: Hachette’s Katie is keen to see the new Enid Blyton gift set launches.
Kat Whittingham, trade marketing manager, Signature Gifts
“Round the clock! We all know that, in retail, Q4 trading means only one thing: Christmas sales. With Christmas accounting for the majority of our annual revenue, we at Signature always pull out all the stops when it comes to fulfilling orders. Our licensed products are all popular children’s gifts (especially at Christmas time), and we keep our lead-times for producing each bespoke gift as short as possible, which means more shifts in our factory to keep it running round the clock. Every festive season we ensure that our despatch timescale goes right up to the deadlines set by Royal Mail for guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve, and we often upgrade customer’s delivery methods to safeguard this guarantee and assure gifts are there on time. Once the last few packages are out the door, we will all breathe a sigh of relief, share a Christmas drink (or five) before enjoying the holidays. On December 27, however, our factory will be back up and running to see out the last few days of the quarter. It’s non-stop for Signature Gifts, but we’d have it no other way.” Above: Q4 means only one thing for Signature’s Kat… Christmas sales.
LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2018
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