The Point.1888 LSB Supplement

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Who we are

Founded in 2014, The Point.1888 has spent the past six years steadily building up an enviable portfolio, with a laser focus on retail-led, long-term sustainable partnerships between retailers and brand owners.

ABOVE: Will’s great great grandfather Joseph Thomas Miller set up his company in October 1888.

The Point.1888origins

Way before The Point.1888 came into being, there was a family business from where its roots originate, as Will explains: “My great great grandfather Joseph Thomas Miller set up his company in October 1888, the same year the football league was founded, the first year the British & Irish Lions went on tour, snakes and ladders was invented and Jack the Ripper was running around east London.

“The company was based in The Borough and manufactured PPE for the millions of factory workers at the time. Through four generations, the company supplied film studios, the IOD and brought millions of products to market.”

Will continues: “The Point.1888 was founded in 2014 based on the original principles of fairness, honesty, loyalty and respect that have been in the company for 132 years.”

“W

e feel we can identify the true diamond in every brand we take on,” begins Will Stewart, founder and md of The Point.1888, “and can see the vision for consumer products - even if the brand owner may not be able to see that themselves from the first few meetings!”

The Point.1888’s focus is on building retailled, long-term, sustainable partnerships between retailers and brand owners. “We believe in the opportunities so strongly that we are prepared to wait until the timing is right for all of our partners. We are kind and honest at all times,” Will continues.

It’s an ethos which has stood the company in good stead since it was founded in 2014. As you will see over the following pages, Will and his team have built up an enviable portfolio of brands across all genres.

The company strives to make a positive impact in everything that it does. “We were founded with a principal of making the world a better place and giving the team true purpose,” explains Will. “What we do isn’t a case of life or death, but by giving a minimum of 11% of our profits to charity we are able to provide true purpose and save lives, e.g. we donated to Essex Air Ambulance meaning we know we saved lives. Every member of my team have a hand in the charity element to the business yearly – they each get to nominate their charities at the end of the year, a real passion project for all so something we highlight even in interviews, our legends have a purpose in everything they do.”

The breadth of brands in its roster and industries represented is also something which The Point.1888 is incredibly proud of, as Bethan Garton, commercial director, explains.

“From food to publishing, design and legacy, entertainment and sport - every single one of these categories

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Right: (Top to bottom) Will Stewart, Bethan Garton and Hannah Stevens.

are represented in our family of brands, something we have always strived to achieve,” she says. “Some launches this year have included the Barratt Sweets Ice Cream (which you can read more about later on), our new division Story.1888 and over the coming months we will see incredibly exciting new products from Battersea and River Cottage which we are all very excited about.”

The agency’s ‘retail first’ approach came about from Will’s experience as a former buyer, with the approach to licensing basically reversing the traditional model.

Hannah Stevens, head of retail, comments: “We spend time with buyers, explaining gaps in their ranges, trends they are missing, problems they have and then we work backwards to solve their problems by partnering with brands and licensees.

“We seek ambitious brands with purpose.

We want to work in every industry, but we want to ensure we are making a positive impact in everything we do. We are selective with the brands we sign to ensure there are shared values, morals and ethics.”

2020 has undoubtedly been an unprecedented year but, going forward, Will is confident that the licensing industry will continue to thrive. “We need to be brave, embrace opportunities, be flexible, adaptable and kind to each other,” he says.

And as for The Point.1888? “International expansion was part of our strategy for 2020 that got squashed by COVID, so we are very much focused on that currently, plus also building Story.1888 so that we can offer more services to our clients,” Will concludes.

“We’ve recently finished our new five-year plan and one of the longer term goals is our Phuket office…”

We’re looking forward to those meetings with beach views already.

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Meet the team

Our team draws on broad industry experience and networks to create powerful outcomes for our clients. From buying to manufacturing, publishing to advertising, and business management to retail, we’ve got every angle covered.

Will Stewart, Founder and Managing Director

Bethan Garton, Commercial Director

Hannah Stevens, Head of Retail

Carrie Sharland, Product Development Manager

Lynne Chappel, Contracts Manager

Anita Mir, Senior Finance Manager

Becky Langer, Senior Commercial Manager (Softlines)

Rachel Steele, Talent Director

David Howlett, Designer

Favourite app? “LinkedIn of course (because I’m a loser like that) or eBay is a current favourite.”

Favourite app? “Instagram, the perfect stalking app.”

Favourite app? “I’m ashamed to say TikTok… I can lose hours on it.”

What’s scarier - spiders, caves or presenting? “Spiders, 100%. You can’t see their eyes therefore you never know which way they are heading.”

Perfect pizza? “Classic for me Pepperoni, or double Pepperoni if I’m feeling adventurous.”

Perfect pizza? “The vegetarian pizza my dad used to make still holds the trophy for best ever.”

Perfect pizza? “It has to be Hawaiian… controversial, but I like Marmite, too so I’m just one of those people!”

Favourite app? “My finance tab all day long! Banking apps, spreadsheets… I love them all. Never not accounting…”

What’s scarier - spiders, caves or presenting? “Presenting. In design you have the chance to revise, revise and revise your work. In presenting you have one shot, no thanks!”

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Sarah Crimes, Head of Marketing

Perfect pizza? “Thinnest base possible, anchovies, rocket, cheese and Nduja (the pizza topping champion!)”

Hannah Brice, PR Director

Favourite app? “Todoist. I put everything I need to do on there and it keeps me organised (and sane.)”

Martin McLaughlin, Head of Partnerships & Publishing

What’s scarier - spiders, caves or presenting? “Nick Cave to be specific.

He is clearly Dracula.”

Louise Williamson, Head of Specialist Brand (Food, Drink, Pet & Garden)

Janine Richmond, Senior Commercial Manager (Home & Health & Beauty)

Gabbi Langdorf, Senior Commercial Manager (Hardlines)

Emma Cox, Client Marketing Manager

Olivia Wiggett, Senior Commercial Exec (Retail)

Saul Segalov, Commercial Executive

Sunday afternoon film? “Anything black and white. I’m an oldies fan. On the sofa, with Quality Street, wine and tissues.

Favourite app? “Strava, I’m sports obsessed with a competitive side!”

Sunday afternoon film of choice? “Has to be Mary Poppins, the 1960’s original or the recent one. ”

Sunday afternoon film of choice?

“Shrek or Titanic, depending on my mood!”

What’s scarier - spiders, caves or presenting? “Cows are even scarier than presenting in a cave covered in spiders.”

What’s scarier- spiders, caves or presenting? “Being a Spurs fan, what scares me is if Arsenal finish above them, especially after the FA Cup win!”

To contact us it’s pretty easy firstname.surname@thepoint1888.com.

It’s as simple as that, or just email hello@thepoint1888.com if that’s too confusing! We love to chat so get in touch.

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2020 news highlights From new client wins and new team members, through to agency recognition on the global stage, it’s been a busy year so far.

WE MOVED INTO OUR NEW HOME - THE FUNGALOW!

We secured the Moonbug Entertainment master agent rights across EMEA. The biggest global kids content provider!

LAUNCHED A MARK ET LEADING ICE CREAM RANGE for Barrat t Sweets exclusively with Icelan d Foods, selling 1.3 million in the first 10 weeks .

OUR HEAD OF RETAIL, HANNAH STEVENS, WAS AWARDED THE 2020 RISING STAR AWARD BY LICENSING INTERNATIONAL

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WE EXPANDED OUR TEAM (HUGE WELCOME TO EMMA COX AND BECKY LANGER!) We introduced a new division into our business, Story.1888 (find out more on page 12-13).

Received a nomination for Best Global Agent at the Licensing International Awards

Our family of brands grew even further, adding eight brands to our portfolio including The British and Irish Lions, Moomin and Tom Gates.

OH, AND WE SURVIVED A GLOBAL PANDEMIC!

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OUR FAMILY OF BRANDS

Entertainment

MOONBUG OPERATES THE LARGEST NETWORK OF KIDS CHANNELS ON YOUTUBE, ENCOMPASSING 235 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS AND GENERATING MORE THAN SEVEN BILLION VIEWS A MONTH

THE WORLD’S MOST-VIEWED YOUTUBE CHANNEL ®

PUBLISHING PROGRAMME LAUNCHING IN 2021

ONE OF THE TOP 20 LICENSED BRANDS IN THE WORLD

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Sport UNITING THE WHOLE COUNTRY AND REACHING RETAILERS IN EVERY CORNER OF OUR LAND

RARING TO GO WITH MULTI RETAILER ACTIVATION AHEAD OF THE SUMMER OF SPORT

Publishing ESTABLISHED 30 YEARS AGO, MORE THAN NINE MILLION BOOKS SOLD IN 50 COUNTRIES

BRINGING THE WORLD OF TOM GATES TO LIFE! A BESTSELLING CHILDREN’S PROPERTY CELEBRATING CREATIVITY AND FUN, FOR 6-12 YEAR OLDS

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OUR FAMILY OF BRANDS Legacy KEEPING LONDON SAFE FOR EVERYONE SINCE 1829

A COLLECTION OF MUSEUMS AND WORLD LEADING FACILITIES FOUNDED IN 1209 8.2 MILLION UNIQUE USERS PER MONTH AND BRAND NEW CREATIVE TO BOLSTER LICENSING PROGRAMME IN 2021

LAUNCHING DEBUT GIFT RANGE WITH A MAJOR UK RETAILER FOR CHRISTMAS 2020

Food

COLLECTIONS LAUNCHING IN 2020 AND 2021 WITH UNDERPINNING ETHOS OF SUSTAINABILITY, RESPONSIBLE SOURCING AND FOODS TO INSPIRE CHANGE.

A MUCH LOVED RETRO BRAND THAT CONTINUES TO BRING JOY TO THE NATION WITH 28.3% YOY GROWTH

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Design ESTABLISHED ILLUSTRATOR SUCCESSFULLY MAKING PEOPLE SMILE AND KEEPING ANIMALS IN PANTS SINCE 2009

A BRAND TO BRING TO LIFE PRODUCTS FOR THE UK’S SIX MILLION BIRD WATCHERS

MULTI CATEGORY LICENSING PARTNERSHIPS GROWING AT 95%

UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFULLY BOLD COLLECTION OF HAND-ILLUSTRATED DESIGNS, FROM LEADING INTERIORS BRAND

LEADER IN CHILDREN’S CARDS AND GIFTS, FOUND IN MORE THAN 40 COUNTRIES

ICONIC BRITISH DESIGNER WITH OVER 10 COLLECTIONS TO HER NAME AND 10 YEARS IN MAJOR RETAIL

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What’s the Story?

The marketing arm of the company, Story.1888 aims to disrupt the way brands market their products by creating retail-led consumer inspired stories to find their path and create meaningful moments.

A

importantly, what they need. This frames the way we work with brands strategically developing their path and creatively bringing their brand to life. We tell their story with compelling communications and we make meaningful moments with unique product activations and event experiences.”

Story.1888 was a natural development for the business, as Martin explains: “We increasingly found our licensors and licensees needed our support to communicate their ‘why’ and tell their story, develop their visual identity or to deliver product campaigns and launches. As the requirement for our services increased, we wanted to develop Story.1888 into its own identity and expand our team to support the need of our current licensors and future potential clients.”

It means that The Point.1888 can now provide its clients with a full 360 service – from supporting licensors to develop their brand proposition, through to creating retail partnerships and developing product lines right up to launch and beyond.

“We are excited about working with

STORY

new string to the company’s bow, Story.1888 is the creative arm of The Point.1888.

Headed up by Sarah Crimes, head of marketing, working alongside Emma Cox (client marketing manager), Martin McLaughlin (head of partnerships and publishing) and David Howlett (designer), Story.1888 is centred around developing and bringing brand stories to life in order to connect with consumers and retailers in a meaningful way.

“The way we work is retail led, consumer inspired,” begins Sarah. “We are constantly talking and working with leading retailers, understanding what they want - and more

Case study success: Barratts Sweets

Story.1888’s most recent success story is for Barratts Sweets’ ice cream launch with IceFresh Foods for Iceland. The team co-ordinated a product launch with the brand, licensee and retailer.

“This collaborative approach is exactly how we like to work in everything we do at The Point.1888,” says Sarah. “The launch was incredibly successful, reaching sales truly unexpected by the retailer and licensee, all with the backdrop of COVID. Thanks to a one-voice approach across consumer, trade influencer and in-store activation we have achieved all-year listings, increased brand awareness, new retailers and an extended product range. A real achievement for 2020.”

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brands on a deeper level and building longterm relationships,” adds Emma.

One of the key plus points to Story.1888 for clients, is that the team already has an indepth knowledge of their brands. Sarah says: “From our own experience working brand side, we know the challenges that can come with managing multiple agencies. We want to remove this barrier for our existing family of brands to bring the added advantage that we already know their brand in-depth.

For new brands, we will bring the retail and marketing expertise hand in hand.”

Looking ahead, there are some major projects in the pipeline. Martin continues: “We already have some exciting projects coming

ABOVE: (Clockwise from top left) The Story.1888 team: Sarah Crimes, Martin McLaughlin, David Howlett and Emma Cox.

up with Team GB, Mumsnet and Moomin and we cannot wait for these to launch in 20/21.

But in terms of achievements, to quote one of our values ‘ambition and bravery - we’re going for gold. Otherwise, what’s the point?’”

Emma concludes: “We want to redefine how agencies work with brands, ensuring they focus on their ‘why’, not their ‘what’ and supporting them to create meaningful connections with retailers and consumers.

We want to support them to develop the tools, and gain the knowledge and expertise to take their brands to the next level.”

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“And finally…

THANK YOU!

Despite the $#!+ show of pain and uncertainty the pandemic has forced upon the entire global economy so far this year, The Point.1888 team can ecstatically shout from the rooftops that our business is thriving once again and that is because of the support, trust and commitment we’ve received from so many of our entire family of clients, partners and colleagues.

We must give a special mention to a select few, without whom our situation would be very different…

Thank you to Daniel and Genevieve (Equinox Kombucha), Andy (Captivate Brands), Maxine and Julia (Comfort Home), Phil (51 Percent), Andrea (8th Wonder), Wilson (Loftbergs), Greg (Stroud Brewery), Fran (Beeswax Wraps), Warren and Jenn (Wax Lyrical), Richard (Bioworld), Iain (Half Moon Bay), James and Lucy (Elite Tins), Nikki (My Gifts Trade), Emily (Portico Design), Jamie (Ohh Dear), Mike and Lucy (IceFresh Foods) and the entire team at Hachette.

“You are all superheroes and we love you.”

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