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Q4 HIGHLIGHTS
Preschool perfection
Right on Time Time Lord Victorious marks the first time that BBC Studios has brought together licensees to tell a new Doctor Who story on multiple platforms. Penguin Random House, Doctor Who Magazine, Titan Comics, Escape Above: A host of licensees are Hunt, Big Finish Productions, involved with Time Lord Victorious. Eaglemoss Hero Collector, Immersive Everywhere, Escape Hunt, Maze Theory, BBC Books and BBC Audio all unite to tell an epic adventure. Hey Duggee was the most watched children’s show on iPlayer during lockdown, while toy sales are up 148%. Existing partner TDP and Aykroyd recently signed daywear rights and Amscan International partnered for dress up and partyware. A new deal was inked with Fiddes Payne for cake mixes, and Finsbury is launching a new Hey Duggee cake in Q4. A carbon neutral BBC Earth bathroom range, inspired by Blue Planet II, will debut in Boots this Q4. BBC Earth: Animals, an interactive family board game that features clips from the TV Series’ narrated by Sir David Attenborough, also launches at retail in Q4.
Magic moments
Acamar Films’ Bing is now broadcast in 130 territories worldwide and the property also continues to build on its CP success. Master toy licensee Golden Bear enjoyed a sell-out success last year Above: Bing is in the top in all launch markets (including ten fastest growing toy the UK, Italy, Poland and Benelux). licences according to UK NPD data. Bing is in the top ten fastest growing toy licences according to UK NPD data (YTD June 2020 vs 2019) and key toy retailers have doubled their listing support for AW20. With seven new UK partners in 2020, category expansions include both wooden and wheeled toys from 8th Wonder and MV Sports respectively – and within home, The Beautiful Game with stickers for children’s bedrooms. This autumn will see the introduction of playsets to the Golden Bear toy range and apparel partners will continue to widen Bing’s retail footprint across both toddler boys and girls. Bing was the only licensed character selected by the World Book Day organisation for 2020, driving Bing’s Splashy Story to number three in the overall UK Book Chart in March. Recently released publishing has benefited, including musical book and new monthly magazine from Redan.
Right: Pip and Posy is based on the million-selling books from Axel Scheffler.
Since bringing its licensing operation in-house last year, Magic Light Pictures has secured a raft of new deals for The Gruffalo. Wow Stuff has signed as master toy partner, with an imaginative range of figures and play-sets due in January. Other new licensees include Micro-Scooters (scooters/helmets); Asmodee (a Gruffalo version of Dobble, the UK’s best-selling card game); Visage (craft printed fabrics), Robert Fredrick (stationery, gifts and games); and Playpress (buildable eco friendly playsets). There have also been renewals for two of the Gruffalo’s biggest, longest-established partners, Aurora and Sainsbury’s and multiple licensees in Italy, Germany and Australia. The pandemic also inspired a large push to social, with the company refocusing attention online, creating new activities to engage fans at home via @MagicLightPics – resulting in a 30% increase in its following to date. Zog and the Flying Doctors will premiere on BBC One this Christmas, while Pip and Posy – a new 52 x sevenminute series based on the million-selling books from Axel Scheffler – is in production for summer 2021.
On the River
Above: ZURU Rainbocorns has gone from
strength to strength. Busy Riverside Brands has spent much of 2020 steadily building its portfolio. ZURU Rainbocorns has gone from strength to strength in recent months, with the core toy offer supported across all major mass market retailers and initial licensed product sales being positive. Over ten licensees in EMEA will bring product to market this autumn/winter. Cyber Studios’ Gigantosaurus is already a hit at retail with books and video games, while master toy partner Jakks is due to launch trade wide in spring/summer 2021, supported by key categories such as apparel. Brand awareness will also rise by the end of this year thanks to a broadcast platform across Disney Jr, Tiny Pop, Disney+, Netflix and YouTube. Hurrah for Gin also continues to make parents laugh during these turbulent times, with products in the gift category due to launch in 2021. In addition, Riverside Brands is also busy building programmes for Rugby League World Cup 2021 (see page 108) and the Early Learning Centre (see pages 42-43).
LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2020
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