Our entertainment mission 2020 saw The Point.1888 significantly grow its entertainment portfolio from one brand to six, but it’s not stopping there. This year will be even busier, with a packed calendar of product launches and retail activations. “2020 was a rollercoaster of a year,” begins Bethan Garton, commercial director at The Point.1888. “When COVID-19 hit, many people may have thought that this would have really hindered our plans, but how wrong they were!” In just 12 months, The Point.1888 grew its entertainment portfolio from one brand to six, and there are plenty more in the pipeline for 2021. Key signings included Moomin, Tom Gates and Moon and Me, as well as the major partnership with Moonbug on properties such as Blippi and CoComelon.
2 #two
“2021 will be a jam packed year of product launches and retail activations,” Bethan continues. “Our portfolio of entertainment brands could not have weathered 2020 any better; they all have a fantastic breadth of ways to reach kids whether that be on platforms such as YouTube, Netflix, Sky Kids or CBeebies, or via an extremely robust and top performing publishing programme. Parents have been seeking out content and properties with meaning, educational learning, fun and, more importantly, that their kids will love. Our portfolio has all of this covered and the viewing and sales figures have proven their worth in what was an incredibly tough year for many parents and kids.” The success of brands like CoComelon and Morphle has also proven there is still room for new properties to break through – although there are many elements which need to come together, says Bethan. “Social
BELOW (l-r): Bethan Garton, commercial director; Becky Langer, senior commercial manager (softlines); and Gabbi Langdorf, senior commercial manager (hardlines)
Trend spotting
“The biggest trend to come out of lockdown is that children are consuming content in a new way,” says Gabbi Langdorf, senior commercial manager (hardlines). “The rise of streaming means that our previous reliance on television is not what it used to be, thereby eliminating the need for that once coveted prime time slot. “During the first lockdown in particular when the working from home/home schooling battles were raging, children’s screen time rose, and they found brands and content on social media and streaming platforms. Our brands definitely made the most of this - Moominvalley was the second most downloaded box set on Sky during the first lockdown, and Cocomelon hit over 97 million YouTube views in the UK when the second lockdown hit in November, and is the first programme to have been in Netflix’s top 10 for over 100 days.” Becky also points out that we can’t ignore the strong trend and demand coming through for brands with socially responsible values and support for global issues like sustainability. “Consumers don’t just want the next hot brand, they want to feel that they are buying products that are socially responsible with important values,” she says. “Children’s brands in particular should have education and kindness at their core.” media, digital channels, direct to consumer retail - making it as easy as possible for kids and parents to find the brand in any way they wish and at anytime is key,” she explains. “Gone are the days where a brand could be launched on a traditional TV channel and nothing else. A brand has to have a robust and thoroughly thought through content launch to enable it to be successful in licensing. It then has to ensure it keeps evolving and growing its audience and footprint in all areas over the years to come.” Becky Langer, senior commercial manager (softlines), says that The Point.1888 is always looking out for new clients which will complement and enhance its portfolio. “We love brands that make a difference and add value and it’s something we look for in all potential entertainment clients,” she says. “As with all brands, entertainment properties will be challenged by cautious buying resulting from the pandemic and Brexit. On top of this there is ever increasing competition from non-traditional entertainment brands like apps, gaming and influencers who are encroaching on shelf space and making the
fight for consumer spend that bit harder.” When it comes to aims for the entertainment portfolio in 2021, Bethan is very clear: “We believe in ensuring that every single one of the brands we represent gets the best service we can give, so 2021 will see the team at The Point expand. I will not let any brand owner feel disappointed in our service which is why we spend a lot of time listening to and learning from our clients and vice versa; we share our expertise and knowledge. We are honest about what is achievable and what should be achieved. We want our portfolio of current brands to still be with us in five years, long-term sustainable partnerships is our mantra.” Bethan would also personally like to see the agency add some brands which target the older age range or adults. “Having managed the Star Wars UK licensing programme, I loved the fact that it appealed to kids and adults of all ages. Those type of brands don’t come along every day, but I am sure there are some real gems out there,” she concludes.
3
#three
Meet Moonbug Entertainment Find out more about the digital media company that’s behind some of today’s biggest kids’ brands. Moonbug Entertainment may only be two years old, but it has already made a major impact on the children’s entertainment space. Co-founded by CEO René Rechtman, ex-Disney and Maker Studios, and COO John Robson, ex-WildBrain and Paramount Pictures, Moonbug has built a portfolio of some of the most exciting kids’ shows in the world and is investing its resources to grow them into global franchises.
Above: Dan’l Hewitt, head of commercial at Moonbug.
The company has the largest inventory of kids’ programming with 550 hours of content available in 26 languages and has landed partnerships with more than 100 platforms globally including YouTube, Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Sky, Joyn, Roku and Virgin Media. On YouTube alone, Moonbug collectively garners over seven billion views per month and now operates the largest network of kids’ channels, encompassing more than 250 million subscribers.
4 #four
It has acquired 18 IPs including global sensation CoComelon, Blippi, Little Baby Bum, My Magic Pet Morphle, Supa Strikers and ARPO – all of which have originated from a pool of incredibly talented creators who have built a strong digital following. Notably, CoComelon just reached an impressive milestone surpassing more than 100 million YouTube subscribers. Additionally, since its debut on Netflix, CoComelon has made over 100 consecutive appearances in the Top 10 in the US, making it the most popular show on the Netflix platform at the moment. “Historically, there was a focus on exclusive content on individual streaming platforms. Our strategy from the beginning has been our 360, platform agnostic approach to maximise audience engagement,” explains Dan’l Hewitt, head of commercial at Moonbug. “It has been validating to see how viewing patterns, like co-viewing, are impacting what, when and where families watch their favourite programmes, as well as how the licensing world is now turning its attention to something we are proud to have been pioneers in – drawing on the power of digital brands. Both have been huge drivers in the growth of our portfolio.” Dan’l continues: “Our thesis, which now has been proven, was simple: empower our creative team to build on our portfolio, increase the speed of production and then amplify the reach of the IPs across our vast distribution network. “This seemed like an obvious opportunity to offer kids and families new and engaging content, while growing these brands into global franchises. Over time, our creative, data and distribution teams are always looking at what works, what doesn’t and
Moonbug Entertainment is an award winning global entertainment company providing values-based educational programming for children. Its popular kids’ line-up includes global sensations CoComelon, Blippi, Little Baby Bum and My Magic Pet Morphle. Moonbug’s content is available in 26 languages. In just two years, it has become a kids’ programming powerhouse with a library of more than 550 hours of content, which is distributed on more than 100 platforms globally including YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Joyn, Sky and Roku. In May 2020, Tubular Labs named Moonbug one of the leading kids’ entertainment companies in the world based on the total number of minutes watched worldwide.
EMOTION AL
ITIVE COGN
ITY
IL TACT
ING AK
G THINKIN CREATIVE
SOLV ING
-M BLEM
Y
TY
PRO
RAC
RE
CIS ION
LITE
TU NA
INTEL LIGEN CE
SYSTEMS
SOCIE
DE
BEING PART OF SOCIETY
LIFE SKILLS KN OW LED GE
PHYSICAL
SENSING
EMP ATH Y
SELF
L NA SO S PER NSHIP R E INT LATIO RE TIVE N EFFEC UNICATIO COMM
ERS OTH
GROSS BODY MOVEMENT
COPIN G W IT H ST TRAUM RESS, A, LOSS
ASSERTIVENESS
ESS PREC ISION MOV EMEN T
MOTOR
• Compassion • Empathy • Resilience
EN
Y NIMIT
EQUA
Every decision we make is through the lens of our core values:
F-A WA R
NCE ILIE RES
SEL
CRITICAL THINKING
how to deliver more of what kids and families want.” As you’ll see over the following pages, the licensing programmes for Blippi, CoComelon and more are fast gaining traction – with The Point.1888 coming on board adding further impetus. “A large number of licensees have signed to launch across a number of the Moonbug brands ranging from a partnership with Crayola, Jazwares and Bandai to name just a few,” says Dan’l. “Sales of toys in the UK in 2020 have been phenomenal and demand outstripped supply significantly, so we have high hopes for sales across all licensed products in 2021. “We also plan to launch toys in many of the EMEA countries in partnership with Jazwares, its distributors and sub-agents which have been signed to represent Moonbug across EMEA. While this has been a very big year for us, it is only the beginning. Families can expect more of the engaging shows that kids know and love next year, along with many more original products.”
5 #five
Meet CoComelon Welcome to the world of CoComelon! Join Baby JJ and his siblings as they take on relatable everyday activities through nursery rhymes and play. The beautiful 3D animation and toe-tapping songs create a world that centres on the everyday experiences of young children. In addition to helping preschoolers learn letters, numbers, animals sounds, colours and more, the videos impart prosocial life lessons, providing parents with an opportunity to teach and play with their children as they watch together.
6 #six
■ #1 Kids Channel worldwide ■# 1 Kids YouTube channel in the world ■O ver 100 consecutive days on the Netflix top 10, making it the biggest Netflix show of 2020 and the secondbiggest show ever ■ Over 100 million subscribers on YouTube ■4 billion+ monthly views views on YouTube ■ Platforms: YouTube, Amazon Prime, Netflix and Roku ■ Music platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Google Play, Deezer, Tencent, Pandora, Tidal, Boomplay, iTunes, iHeartRadio, 7Digital, KKBox ■C oComelon is set for EMEA rollout in 2021
Meet Blippi Come and learn about our wonderous world with the playful and curious Blippi! How does a recycling truck work? What does a baker do? What is the best playground around? Blippi empowers children to explore the world around them. He loves visiting new places, singing, dancing and playing, and his contagious curiosity engages young viewers in learning adventures that help them both grow and develop.
★ 27M+ subscribers on combined channels ★ Over 450 videos in 5 different languages ★ 750M views per month ★ 19B+ views in total
And Coming Soon… ★ Blippi is set for EMEA rollout in 2021
7
#seven
★ 18 channels ★ O ver 8,000 videos uploaded ★ 360 million views per month on average ★ 2 .5 billion minutes watched each month ★ O ver 18 million subscribers across all channels
Meet Mila and her magical pet Morphle! Morphle is an energetic little red creature who can morph into anything: a sweet puppy, a giant truck, a cool dinosaur, or anything that Mila’s playful mind and imagine… Mila loves to take care of Morphle. She shows him everything she knows about the world, and in particular how to have fun. With Morphle’s morphing powers and Mila’s boundless imagination every day is the most exciting playdate.
8
#eight
★ Platforms: Apple TV, Netflix, Prime Video, Youtube
And Coming Soon… ★ More categories ★ EMEA roll out
There are several up-and-coming brands in its portfolio:
The Sharksons – An adorable family of sharks living in Splashy Reef who love to sing, explore, dance and play.
Mia’s Magic Playground – Playtime is the best time of day for Mia and her two best friends Oskar and Tilde. No matter what’s happening in the real world, adventure always awaits them in their imagination (The Magic Playground).
ARPO – Join ARPO, the commando robot-turned-nanny, as he cares for trouble-magnet baby Daniel and his meddling brother Joey.
Supa Strikas – Packed with adventure, comedy and heartstopping football action, follow Shakes, Rasta and the rest of the Supa Strikas on their quest to become the World’s Greatest Football Team.
9 #nine
I love doodling and inventing MONSTERS and bugs. I’m in a band called DOGZOMBIES with Norman Watson and my best friend Derek who lives next door. Sometimes I get distracted in class if I’m hungry for snacks which is most of the time. My mum and dad keep me busy and say things like, “Get some FRESH air Tom.” My grandparents or THE FOSSILS as I call them – often come to visit, which is fun. Though sometimes Granny Mavis brings very odd food. My FAVOURITE treat is a caramel wafer. I love music, making things and hanging out with my friends. I don’t like spelling (much) or tuna sandwiches. That’s all… BYE !
From page to STAGE to SCREEN and merchandise
Over 11 MILLION books sold (Scholastic)
Unique DOODLING style of author & illustrator Liz Pichon
s Endles Y IT V CREATI kids g inspirin ere h w y r e ev Fun and FUNNY, engaging boys and girls 6-12+ years
10 #ten
Tom Gates © & TM Liz Pichon Ltd. Licensed by TG Entertainment Ltd.
Tom Gates 10TH anniversary year Spring & Autumn, new Tom Gates books Live action/animation TV SERIES on Sky Kids from January YouTube channel LAUNCHING with market leader Retail launch; on shelf for BACK-TO-SCHOOL (stationery, bags, apparel) LICENSEES to be announced very soon
For Liz Keynes, Commercial Director at TG Entertainment, starting and delivering the TV series despite the challenges of the pandemic was a definite highlight of 2020, as well as producing an EPIC style guide (with Liz Pichon) and then entering conversations with a ‘major retailer’ within days of announcing The Point.1888’s representation. “The Point deliver fantastic commercial success, and they are also a great team; collaborative, well connected and ambitious as they have seen first hand the incredible connection Tom Gates has with
his young fans.” Liz and The Point have high hopes for 2021, with a back to school retail launch aiming to surprise and delight children and families who either discovered the brand through the wonderful Scholastic books or more recently have been introduced to Tom Gates and his world through the new SKY Kids TV series. And as for the dream licence, Tom Gates creator Liz Pichon would love to see a party range to get kids involved in making and doodling. Liz K adds, “Tom Gates encourages children to explore their own creativity, and it is truly amazing what they can do.”
11
#eleven
Welcome to the wonderful world of the Moomins The characters have been sharing their adventures for 75 years, from their home in Moominvalley, focusing on brand values including family, love, friendship, tolerance, respect for nature and braveness.
12 #twelve
What’s to come in 2021?
Needed more so now than ever… With our world a bit divided and at times a little deflating, the lessons of the Moomins stand tall: love, tolerance and adventure. Current UK licensees: Portico Designs, Skinnydip, Park Agency, People Tree, TruffleShuffle, Petit Jour Paris, Hype Cards, Aurora, Fyl, House of Disaster, Star Editions, Half Moon Bay, Rainbow Productions, Louis Kennedy, Cribstar, Muurla, Flame Tree, Tatty Devine, UK Greetings, The Great British Card Company, Collins, Dennicci. ©Moomin Characters™
A word from Moomin Characters For Thomas Zambra, director of business development at Moomin Characters, The Point.1888’s retail first approach was a key attraction in working together. “We knew that our storytelling, our values and the brand in general were very well received by fans in the UK, but we lacked serious retail presence,” he says. “That’s why The Point.1888’s expertise in this area was so attractive.” Thomas says that a current focus for the brand is on sparking a joy of reading and writing. “Being able to read
and write well means you can express yourself, communicate your hopes and dreams, relate to others, engage with the big issues of our times and create change,” he explains. “We’re already doing a number of things in this area – we are the lead sponsor of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition and of Finland’s biggest literacy initiative, Read Hour – but there’s much more in the pipeline that we’re excited to be announcing this year.” 2021 will also see new episodes of Moominvalley which has recently been recommissioned for a third series by Sky in the UK, with favourite characters Stinky and Snork due to make their debut.
13 #thirteen
Meet Moon and Me Moon and Me is the story of the bond between two friends from completely different worlds. When Pepi Nana invites Moon Baby to visit her Toy House, he awakens the other toys and takes them on a magical journey to Storyland. Here, they learn about friendship, playing together and being kind.
Where are we now? ★ Created by the hugely successful Andy Davenport ★ Top rated show on CBeebies ★ 45 best in class UK licensees ★ Scholastic master publisher
14 #fourteen
What’s To Come For 2021 ★ Heavy investment ★ New toy partner ★ New style guide ★ Dedicated You Tube channel ★ App releases ★ New website ★ Engaging social platforms ★ Marketing toolkits ★ Digital advertising and PR for maximum exposure
A Word From Sutikki
TM & ©2020 TTL & MMPL
“ThePoint.1888 is the perfect partner for Sutikki in our new phase of growth”, says Hannah Mungo, CEO of Sutikki. “They have robust industry experience, great relationships with our existing licensees and will help us to find new and innovative ways for brand connectivity and engagement. The retail focussed nature of their strategy and brand first approach is very much aligned to Sutikki’s vision.” “Over the course of 2020, Sutikki has been investing time and budget into building and delivering a concrete global brand expansion strategy for Moon and Me, ensuring we have the right content, delivered through the right channels in the right format. Every brand touchpoint must be an engaging experience for children and as we know strong brand affinity leads to commercial success”, says Hannah. “We look forward to driving exposure in 2021 in all key markets, ready for a successful consumer products rollout in 2022”.
15 #fifteen
RETAIL FIRST
Ever since it was first founded, The Point.1888 puts retail completely at the forefront of its actions. Hannah Stevens, head of retail, explains further.
“I couldn’t wait to join a business with retail at the centre of everything,” says Hannah Stevens, head of retail at The Point.1888. “We pride ourselves on centralising every move we make with retail in mind.” Since it was established in 2014, The Point.1888 has made a name for itself in the licensing business with its retail first strategy. It listens to its retail partners, across the whole landscape, to find out the new brands and products which they want in their ranges, before strategically signing brands which adhere to those ideas – ensuring trend, customer and brand ethics are a perfect match. 2020 saw it launch a number of retail campaigns including a toy, games, homeware and gift product range with M&S for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home; sell out product launches of British and Irish Lions product; a Moomins launch with RETAIL CHATTER
“It has always been a joy working with The Point – such a committed, talented and enthusiastic team of people. In my experience the earlier in the process you get retail involvement - in the development of product and the signing of preferred suppliers - the better. This is key to the way The Point.1888 does things and I look forward to working together again soon.”
Julia Redman, Buyers Eye, buying and sourcing consultancy
16 #sixteen
ABOVE LEFT: The Moomin gifting range stocked in Waterstones. ABOVE RIGHT: CoComelon and Blippi product as seen in Smyths Toys Superstore.
HMV; and a sell out success for a Barratt x Iceland collaboration in the summer. And, while Hannah can’t yet share full details, she does hint that 2021 is set to be The Point.1888’s “busiest year yet”. “We are so proud to have a real 360 offering of brands for retail this year – from charity, sports, publishing and kids’ YouTube entertainment brands, through to design brands all with committed retail placement,” says Hannah. Since joining The Point.1888 in May 2018, Hannah says she has learnt a “huge amount from Will [Stewart, md and founder] on truly thinking like a buyer. They have the hardest, busiest jobs – and if I can make their job any easier from a licensed product perspective I’ll go for it.” However, she acknowledges that space at retail is shrinking more than ever: “There are so many brands competing for that space. Online is crazy busy – so how do licensed products cut through? Retailers are also very sadly disappearing, so a huge challenge is where can all our brands go? All of which are all
challenges we need to be mindful of. “Customers want something that means something to them,” Hannah continues. “Gone are the days of throwaway purchases – in this day and age customers want brands to truly contribute to their lives, and if they are going to spend their hard earned money on licensed product it has to be special. So when thinking of licensed product we all need to be asking – is this relevant, is this meaningful, is there a true customer, how can we make this special for the customer?” Hannah – who was a recipient of Licensing International’s Global Rising Star Award last year - adds that if 2020 taught us anything, it was how important it is to look after each other. Heading through 2021, she’s looking forward to making further gains at The Point.1888: “I’m proud
RETAIL CHATTER
“Hannah is a confident and approachable contact who we have previously worked with on a number of up and coming brands so she clearly has an eye for the next big trend and how to roll-out a solid licensing portfolio. She is enthusiastic and passionate about the brands she represents which goes a long way when discussing potential partnerships.”
Lianne Barber, senior marketing and licensing manager, The Entertainer
to have stepped into a broader leadership position with the most amazing team last year,” she says. “This year I look forward to working with more incredible retailers in taking our brands to the next level, and look forward to growing our existing partnerships into new product areas. I’m also looking forward to expanding my team of legends to bring in more amazing people to work together to create beautiful products for retail.” LEFT: Tom Gates publishing in WH Smith. BELOW: The Point.1888’s head of retail, Hannah Stevens.
RETAIL CHATTER
“Every retailer wants to be one step ahead of the competition, therefore the early collaboration at retail means it’s possible to find the best partners to interpret the brand’s USP in an unexpected and surprising way that will entice and delight its customer.”
Andrea Yorston, independent consultant for brands and former retail buyer
17
#seventeen
Introducing the new creative agency from The Point.1888
Where the next generation of licensing BRINGS BRAND STORIES TO LIFE
We are NOT just another #Disrupter
We want to change how brands market their products by creating retail-led, consumer-inspired stories to help them find their path and create meaningful moments.
18
#eighteen
Retail-led.
We are in contact with leading retailers, learning what they want and more importantly, what they need. We develop brand identities, products and communications, taking them to market. We understand what performs at retail and how to stand out in a busy marketplace.
Consumer-inspired.
We keep consumers at the heart of everything we do. Purchasing behaviours have shifted with consumers seeking out brands and products that align with their ethos and values. We lead with strategy, building brand equity to drive successful outcomes. We can story tell with impact, bring your product to life and build meaningful connections with your audiences.
OUR SERVICES.
Our Services.
Z
COMPELLING CREATIVE.
Capturing your audience and bringing your brand to life with visually compelling creative.
FINDING YOUR PATH.
All good stories are underpinned by a strong plot. All marketing should be underpinned by a robust strategy.
TELLING STORIES.
Stop thinking content and start thinking what's your brand story? Turning brand communications into stories that last generations.
MEANINGFUL MOMENTS. Connecting your brand and products with audiences in meaningful ways to drive successful outcomes.
We’d love to tell you more and find out how we can tell your story: sarah.crimes@ thepoint1888.com
19 #nineteen