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THE BIG INTERVIEW: WILDBRAIN CPLG
a great development and indicator that our EMEA and Russia, and extended its licensees are not just waiting for better EMEA agreement with Spin days; they are actively investing in a Master to include additional IP brighter future and we are very such as Toca Boca and Bakugan. supportive of that,” says Maarten. In addition, it secured a multiThe overarching aim for WildBrain CPLG territory renewal for Perfetti van in 2020 and into 2021 remains to maintain Melle’s confectionary brands its growth path. Chupa Chups and Mentos, as Maarten also has a message for the well as having Smint added to wider industry: “I am hoping that its remit for Europe. everybody is safe and Additionally, it has been appointed healthy and I really to represent Sanrio’s character believe our industry will brands including Hello Kitty for come out of this COVID Iberia and Germany and secured a period stronger than new deal with Plaster Partners to before. If we support each represent the iconic 1980s fitness other as best as we can, I am confident that, in the expert Richard Simmons worldwide. long run, the vast majority of the industry will “I am very excited to announce that we have survive. While it will never be truly the same, signed a deal with The Metropolitan Museum of Art innovative thinking and a quick, flexible adaptation to exclusively represent the iconic New York to the changes will be crucial. As long institution in EMEA,” Maarten as we approach this as a joint and adds enthusiastically. collaborative effort in which we can all WildBrain CPLG has also depend on and support one another, focused on making sure it we will achieve a brighter future.” balances its portfolio with local rights. Maarten says: “For example, in the UK we The WildBrain family now represent Banijay’s popular TV brands, such as Within WildBrain, there are the following business units: The Inbetweeners and The Crystal Maze, and also WildBrain Spark, the digital kids network and studio; HarperCollins Children’s Books’ classic The Tiger WildBrain Studios based in Vancouver where animation is Who Came to Tea. And in our Lifestyle portfolio for realised, and in Toronto where the company’s development team and a live action production team are Europe, we’ve recently added cleaning-technology based; a global Distribution arm which sells first and thirdbrand Kärcher. We also are currently in final party content worldwide; and WildBrain Television, which negotiations on several other IP.” owns and operates a number of Canadian TV channels. The business hasn’t been unaffected by the In addition, WildBrain also owns a majority stake in the Peanuts franchise, based out of New York. pandemic, however. Maarten explains that the “The breadth of WildBrain’s offering gives us company’s primary focus has been making sure deep experience and a unique, global view staff are safe and able to work from home, and across the entertainment IP market,” says it has remained fully operational. Keeping in Maarten. “This extends from the seed of a content idea, through to its production and close contact with licensors, licensees and distribution across the world, to having our own retailers has been key, and Maarten says it has linear channels, and also being able to activate been great to see the resilience of the and advertise digitally via WildBrain Spark, which averages over 3.5 billion views industry during this time. per month on YouTube. And we “After the initial shock, our complete the circle by business has bounced creating consumer back. Of course we product programmes. We do all of this not only expect to feel some for our own brands, but impact of the closure of also for numerous thirdretail in our Q2 royalties and we party brands. This gives brand owners a unique set of options to all know that soft lines have been strategically partner with one, hit especially hard. However, we’re Inset: Above: 1980’s several, or all of the above business fitness expert Richard also seeing a very high level of new units to enhance their brand offering.” Simmons is a new addition to the business and not only in classic brands, WildBrain CPLG roster. but in some newer brands too. For us this is LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2020
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