NEWS
Celebrating 50 Years of Smiley and Beyond
In 2022 SmileyWorld will celebrate 50 years of Smiley. In addition to celebrating the heritage and everything the company and its partners have achieved in that time, they also take the opportunity to focus as a brand on how they can positively impact the world for the next 50 years. There is a strong program of activations and experiences that play on Smiley’s 50-year heritage and provide unique ways for partners to get involved and help make the world a more creative and positive place. This includes: Limited edition brand identity with celebration logo, an exclusive POS tool kit with collectible packaging and an Instagrammable retail concept that will allow all partners to connect with fun and positivity; Exclusive anniversary style guides will evoke nostalgia and give a sense of Smiley’s heritage, with five-decade specific style guides (the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s). These will inspire and showcase the unique trends, graphic directions and artistic interpretations that have shaped Smiley’s adoption as one of the leading cultural icons of the last century; selection of highly prestigious & visible activations, events & experiences, this includes your chance to be part of 50 memorable limited-edition products independently curated by fashion icon Sarah Andelman. The special ‘50 for 50’ range will feature in concept shops in the world’s leading department stores, a prestigious coffee table book published by Maison Assouline and at a selection of international
ARTiSTORY Brings Unique Business Offering ARTiSTORY is a new venture with a unique business offering with storytelling at its core. Focused on developing content in the art, culture and science sectors by translating objects into usable assets for consumers of today. We’ll do this through our 3 key areas of business: IP asset development, IP licensing and content development. Founded by industry specialists Dave Collins (Co-Founder & Commercial Director), Tamara Dixon (Co-Founder & Creative Director) and Natasha Dyson (Co-Founder & Licensing Director) to provide retailers, licensees and IP Owners an innovative solution to licensing. By tapping into treasured collections at world’s top museums and heritage institutions, ARTiSTORY creates annually refreshed trends, themes and original design assets including illustrations, prints & patterns, which in turn, can be applied onto product and packaging design. ARTiSTORY licenses these design assets to consumer brands and retailers and assist them to introduce compelling products, engage shoppers via digital marketing and offer immersive shopping experiences. Each
TOTAL BRAND LICENSING
launch events; guerilla projection campaign at key landmarks across the world on the 31st December 2021. This high visibility project will see Smiley and our original message of “Take The Time To Smile’ projected onto: the Houses of Parliament, Tate Modern (London). Broadway/ Times Square, Carnegie Hall, Empire State (NYC), Champs Elysees, l’Arc de Triomphe (Paris); and an Inspiring 2-week guerilla poster campaign from 3-17 January 2022 at key consumer lifestyle touchpoints across nine major cities. With more than 75,000 posters and billboards in over 150 leading consumer lifestyle touchpoint destinations. The campaign will raise positivity during the hardest 2-weeks of the year. The entire campaign will be supported for 12 months by Global PR and Influencer program. product comes with a unique story that consumer brands and retailers can attract more shoppers by leveraging the power of storytelling. By working with ARTiSTORY, consumer brands, manufacturers and retailers will acquire new customers more effectively, both through their online and offline stores, turning shoppers into your loyal fans while providing them with unique shopping experience. The team at ARTiSTORY are pioneers in art and culture IP licensing with track records working with the Natural History Museum, British Museum, the MET, V&A and many world’s top retailers and consumer brands such as Uniqlo, Amazon, Max Factors and Nestle etc.
Mark-it Smart & Authentic Brands Launch Marilyn Monroe and Thomasville Collections
Mark-it Smart has entered into a new partnership with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), owner of the Thomasville home furnishings brand and the Estate of Marilyn Monroe, to develop branded product lines for the casino gaming industry. The line will feature a range of items including tabletop, cookware, and small appliances. The Marilyn Monroe collection will include one-of-a-kind bedding, handbags, luxury towels, and beauty accessories that honor Marilyn’s iconic and beloved spirit. All merchandise will be gifted to casino patrons when they come into select locations to play. PAGE 7
