News from the Art World

Following the continued success of the Beryl Cook licensing program in the UK, Art Licensing Agency, This is Iris announce their new partnership with leading German agents Euro Lizenzen and leading Jigsaw Puzzle partner Schmidt Spiele. Following a face to face meeting at BLE all three companies have come together to build a new licensing plan that celebrates the work of this beloved UK artist. Beryl’s family have been instrumental in the success of the current UK program with her granddaughter Sophie and her husband Olly being responsible for creating a new portfolio of collage based artwork using the existing themes originally painted by Beryl. “Beryl’s artwork never fails to raise a smile and we are so pleased that this collection is as popular as ever. This evergreen collection continues to grow year on year, with us seeing sales for certain product categories overtake those of celebrity based lines. We’ve received more and more licensing enquiries for Beryls work over the past 12 months and we are thrilled to be working with our good friends at Euro Lizenzen partners Schmidt Spiele. We’ve known each other for nearly 20 years, we know that Beryl’s work is in good hands and we’re excited to see what happens next,” Sarah Lawrence, This is Iris commented. “We are delighted to become a part of the Beryl Cook licensing team and represent the highly reputable agency This is Iris ltd. , for this amazing property, in the territories of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux and Scandinavia.” In these very challenging days of social distancing, we feel lucky to be surrounded by Beryl Cook’s beautiful art, featuring people at pubs, in the shower, in the garden, sunbathing, dancing and having good times with friends, which give us hope for brighter days soon to come. The strong messages in Beryl Cook’s art is what we really need in these days to keep us going day by day. We would like to spread these glorious images to all kind of merchandise to make people instantly feel happy,” says Nesli Karamuftuoglu, International Licensing Director of Munich-based licensing agency Euro Lizenzen.

Ravensburger Transforms Ailsa Black’s Work into Puzzle

Ailsa Black’s unique artwork was transformed into a series of jigsaw puzzles for the first time at the beginning of this year. Following an agreement with the UK’s leading adult puzzle manufacturer, Ravensburger. The agreement brokered by licensing agent This is Iris, saw the development of a 1000 piece puzzle based on the Scotland-based artist’s work, titled ‘No Ball Games’. It is Ailsas joy of coastal life that caught the eye of Ravensburger’s adult puzzle development manager, Sarah Stevens. “Ailsa totally captures the charm of seaside village life in No Ball Games,” said Sarah Stevens. “Ailsa’s style is very distinctive, with her beautiful use of colour, interesting shapes and quirky details all make this puzzle such fun to put together. It makes me smile and I know others will too. Her joyful art complements our portfolio perfectly and No Ball Games has been extremely well received by retailers.” Launched at London Toy Fair in January, No Ball Games by Ailsa Black has gone on to be highlighted by several retailers with The Independent newspaper highlighting it as one of the Top 9 Puzzles to do during Lockdown.

After the promising success of the Brigitte Bardot lingerie developed by V2D, the renowned actress is now entrusting her master license agreement to the family-owned group. A partnership with wide-ranging potential, since it covers numerous types of products including ready to wear, beachwear, eyewear and jewellery, will expand the Brigitte Bardot brand through France and across the world. The previous rights holder, Légende Events, welcomes the transition, which consolidates the partnership between Brigitte Bardot and the northern group V2D. “Our work on the Brigitte Bardot brand, expanding it to a global master license, bears witness to a mutual trust. Our aim is to recreate the world of Brigitte Bardot with a huge range of fashionable and accessible products” commented Tanguy Toulemonde, CEO of V2D. His brother Quentin Toulemonde, co-director of the company, explains: “The Brigitte Bardot brand is inspired by her years in public life (fifties, sixties, seventies). B.B embodies the strong, still very relevant values of those times: her joyous sensuality and ultra-femininity, at once natural and daring, are resolutely modern. BB was and remains a fascinating icon of French beauty.” The northern group V2D is specialised in developing underwear brands; it has been successfully operating under this license for 6 years (lingerie, bath and homewear) as well as its own brands Steffy, Pomm’Poire and another licensed line, Morgan. It created the Family Trademark company TLM to accommodate this new development.

Frida Kahlo Corporation Sharing Messages of Hope

Art Ask Agency reports that The Frida Kahlo licensing program continues to grow and Frida Kahlo Corporation also shares messages of hope and resilience in these challenging times. The latest is the licensed apparel launch in French clothing retailer Camaïeu via licensee Sahinler. The line includes fresh designs evoking the popular female icon appealing to a wide range of consumers. “It’s in times like these that we make sure to keep our beloved Frida Kahlo front of mind. Regardless of the trials and tragedies that life threw her way, Frida Kahlo remained determined to create a life for herself full of vibrant expression, strength, and passion. While we might find ourselves alone, uncertain, and concerned for what will come next, it’s important to march forward as bravely and confidently as Frida Kahlo.” said Beatriz Alvarado, International Affairs, Frida Kahlo Corporation.

Astrid Lindgren Co Focusing on Long-Term Strategy

For the first time, Astrid Lindgren’s children and grandchildren – the owners of The Astrid Lindgren Company – are recruiting a new CEO from outside the family. This change is part of an overall strategy to transfer from an owner-managed organisation to owner-governed with the owners primarily focusing on long-term strategy and policy issues. Olle Nyman will be stepping in as the elected Chairman of the family’s Owner’s Council and Group Legal Director, after leaving his role as CEO. The new CEO of The Astrid Lindgren Company is Cilla Nergårdh, who up until now has worked as the Head of Communications. “We are very happy to have recruited Cilla Nergårdh. She knows our business well and has won both the owners’ and the staff’s trust. Her intuition and visionary leadership will ensure the company a continued success. My primary role will be to support the CEO in all the exciting opportunities that lie ahead of us,” says Nils Nyman, Chairman of the Board of The Astrid Lindgren Company.

Anastasia Radzinskaya, the six-year old YouTube sensation who vlogs under the name ‘Like Nastya’, has partnered with IMG to develop a line of licensed consumer products for her global fanbase. Ranked third on Forbes’ list of the highest grossing YouTube channels with more than 3.3 billion monthly views and almost $20 million in annual advertising revenue, the internet star is managed by Eyal Baumel from Yoola, and represented by WME, part of the Endeavor network alongside IMG. Born in Russia in 2014, Anastasia was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. In 2016, her parents started sharing YouTube posts of her engaging in regular activities to show loved ones the progress she was making. With several videos going viral and her condition improving significantly, she now vlogs with her Dad and has 120 million subscribers across several YouTube channels: Like Nastya, Like Nastya Show, Like Nastya Vlog, and Like Nastya PRT. As her first exclusive global licensing representative, IMG will work with Anastasia and her family to explore licensed product opportunities including toys, apparel, accessories, homeware, food and beverage and more. Eyal Baumel, CEO at Yoola commented: “We are pleased to be working with IMG to develop products that will provide new ways for Anastasia’s millions of viewers around the world to engage with her vibrant personality, stories and content. IMG has an established reputation for its best-in-class work with many of the world’s most-recognized brands and personalities, and we see this partnership as an integral step in taking ‘Like Nastya’ to the next level.” Gary Krakower, Vice President of Licensing, IMG, added: “‘Like Nastya’ has become a worldwide phenomenon with fan bases in the US, Germany, Brazil, Russia and India, just to name a few. Our focus will be on products that highlight and embody the spirit of her educational, playful and colourful YouTube content, which we hope will inspire children to embrace their curiosity and explore the world around them. We can’t wait to bring the ‘Like Nastya’ brand to her millions of fans in engaging new ways.” Anastasia speaks four languages (Russian, English, Spanish and Mandarin) and produces local language content across all her channels.

ELEVENPARIS Steps Up Licensing Game

IMC Licensing has announced its representation of the Parisian Fashion brand ELEVENPARIS. Since launching in 2003, ELEVENPARIS has become a global fashion brand with a long list of celebrity ambassadors. IMC Licensing will develop brand extensions for the ELEVENPARIS brand with best in class partners for the U.S. According to Emily Wickerham Randles, IMC President, “IMC is thrilled to be partnering with the ELEVENPARIS team. We believe this partnership will create meaningful brand extensions that will engage new consumers while bringing the ELEVENPARIS brand into various new categories.” ELEVENPARIS is recognized for its street, subversive and spontaneous style. The brand’s urban spirit, pop references and sporty looks come together to create must-have apparel lines. With women’s, men’s and children’s collections, the brand appeals to consumers who see fashion as a means of expression. ELEVENPARIS has 7 stores in France and is sold at premium department stores and specialty retailers across Europe, Canada and the United States. IMC will bring their expertise in the fashion industry and network of partners to build out an extensive licensing program for the ELEVENPARIS brand. Categories for brand extension include: Footwear, Cosmetics, Fragrance, Bags & Accessories, Intimates, Sleepwear, Kids & Jr’s apparel and more.