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Q4 HIGHLIGHTS
Publishing winners
Right: Guess How Much I Love You has sold over 50 million books in 57 different languages.
Walker Books is currently marking its 40th anniversary with the focus for Q4 being on Guess How Much I Love You, We’re Going On A Bear Hunt and Maisy. Guess How Much I Love You has now sold over 50 million books in 57 different languages, with the licensing programme also continuing to grow. Rainbow Designs will be launching a range of wooden toys in the UK in Q4, while Next will be ranging product for the first time including apparel (Paul Dennicci), bedding (Character World), greeting cards (Danilo) and toys. In addition, the eagerly anticipated sequel is due to launch globally in September, introducing a new friend for Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare in the shape of snow hare, Tipps. The launch will be backed with a global marketing PR campaign including media coverage, press ads, social media activity, digital marketing, a schools and libraries advertising drive and display material for retail. Meanwhile, We’re Going On A Bear Hunt inspired children across the world during lockdown to place teddy bears in their street facing windows, allowing children to ‘hunt’ for bears in their neighbourhoods. Babywear is also due to launch in Asda for Q4. The animation has been aired during key holiday periods on Channel 4 every year since it launched in 2016 and is regularly seen in the Christmas schedule. Finally, Walker Books is celebrating 30 years of Maisy, having sold over 38 million copies across hundreds of titles. The company has partnered with Uniqlo and will be releasing apparel lines globally in Q4. Below: Warhammer has a swathe of product launches across categories this autumn.
War games The first Warhammer Marvel Comic series will be launching in October. The series is about the iconic Space Marine hero, Marneus Calgar and delves into his never before told back story and origins. Warhammer will also be launching its first range of action figures with McFarlane Toys, while it has partnered with The Koyo Store on a line of collectable pin badges. It will also launch a Paint Your Own Space Marine pin which ties closely with the ‘Paint’ aspect at the foundations of the Warhammer hobby. New partner Abysse will launch a range of housewares and accessories, while Warhammer 40,000 will come together with family strategy game Risk, launching with The OP in the US and Canada. The brand’s first action figure with Bandai sold out in two days in 2019, and the second wave is due to launch this autumn, while online geek merchandise retailer Merchoid.com will have Christmas jumpers and faux leather jackets for fans. The brand’s first escape room with Escapologic is also opening at the end of September. Finally, in the video games space, Warhammer: Chaosbane is coming to Xbox Series X and PS5, while Necromunda: Underhive Wars is available on PC and console. The company will be talking about all the above and more at Festival of Licensing.
An eclectic offer Start Licensing was among the first raft of companies to confirm involvement with Festival of Licensing and will be showcasing its eclectic mix of properties. There are over 50 licensees in the UK for Aardman with newcomers including Anthem Publishing (colouring magazines) and Dean’s of Huntly (shortbread biscuits in gift tins). New initiatives for the brands include the launch of an Augmented Reality trail, The Big Fix Up featuring Wallace & Gromit. Funko will also be launching Wallace, Gromit and Shaun Pop! vinyl figures this autumn. The agency has also created a range of new design assets for Above: Kendra Dandy’s Bouffants and the Ashmolean Museum Brokenhearts brand is continuing to which feature key works grow with Start Licensing. from the world’s oldest public museum. Meanwhile Britvic soft drinks across brands such as Tango, Fruit Shoot, Robinson’s and R Whites remain key for the agency. Licensees Rose Marketing and Brand of Brothers have seen strong sales across the summer with products including R Whites ice lollies and Fruit Shoot freeze pops. Within the art space, Kendra Dandy and her Bouffants and Brokenhearts brand recently launched a line of personalised cards with Moonpig, while British artisan designer Julie Dodsworth has a strong collection of art inspired by the British countryside. Finally, gift company Puckator is now on board with Asterix and is developing a full gift range using classic comic art from the albums.
LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2020
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