Hot Properties Blue Zoo 0207 434 4111 | www.blue-zoo.co.uk
Imperial War Museum 0207 416 5314 | www.iwm.org.uk IWM (Imperial War Museums) is a family of five museums, including the IWM London, IWM North, IWM Duxford, the Churchill War Rooms, and the historic ship HMS Belfast. Together, these branches attract over two million visitors a year, offering activities and experiences to families and adults of all ages. 2016 saw new partnerships with The Monster Factory, who is producing a range of inflatable spitfires plus tank and spitfire rubbers, and The Lagoon Group who produce jigsaws and wooden models. IWM’s recent signing with Smart Fox, a Koch Media company, received great attention as new products were launched at Spring Fair 2017. The range of children’s construction sets features HMS Belfast, that led the fleet at D-Day. It also features the Lancaster Bomber, Sherman Tank, Willys MB Jeep and the Hawker Hurricane, all of which are held in the collections of IWM Duxford, the European centre of aviation history. The sets are designed to offer younger age groups an introduction to history. IWM is set to continue developing products in the toys and games market in categories such as kids crafts, construction sets and models, outdoor play, costumes and dress up and puzzles and games, but welcomes ideas from all areas. Licensees are encouraged to look at the collections creatively as demonstrated by the Spitfire Collection, developed in collaboration with Hemingway Design. This suite of patterns and prints, based on the iconic plane, is currently being used by The Lagoon Group as well as IWM’s latest licensee, Shruti, in a contemporary male gifting range. The Spitfire Collection also includes patterns developed for the children’s market, with designs featuring bold primary colours and a graphic print. As well as access to IWM’s collections including posters, artworks, photos, textiles, vehicles and more, IWM offers licensees curatorial expertise, design collaboration, dedicated research support and use of its renowned brand. IWM’s annual programme of public events, exhibitions and air shows provide marketing and promotional opportunities for commercial partners as well as ensuring the brand is always relevant. 2018 will mark the centenary of the end of the First World War with national and international events planned. IWM is commemorating the centenary in a number of ways, including through the First World War Centenary Partnership which is leading a five year programme of cultural events across the world. A regeneration project is also underway to expand the Second World War galleries.
Licensing World 48
Digby Dragon is a nature-inspired comedy animation for younger children. Set in the colourful and enchanted Applecross Woods, the animation follows Digby, a fledging dragon learning to fly. With his best friend, fairy Fizzy Izzy, Digby takes on adventures in the woods, encountering characters including train driver Grumpy Goblin and Chips the scatter-brained squirrel. Digby was created and based on original work from Sally Hunter, creator of the celebrated pre-school property, Humphrey’s Corner. Digby Dragon is being produced by Blue Zoo Animation Studio entirely at its central London studio. The series launched in July 2016 on Nick Jr. (UK) as the top weekday premiere of all time for live viewing and was the top weekday show on Nick Jr. for that month. Aardman Animations has acquired international TV, DVD, and digital sales rights with Nickelodeon UK, commissioning 52 episodes x 11 minutes of the programme. Digby Dragon is currently available on Nick Jr. and Milkshake in the UK and Nick Jr in the USA, ZDF in Germany and will be rolled out across the following territories in the next few months; Nick Jr. in Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand, MBC3 across MENA, Tele Quebec in Canada, MTVA in Hungary, Canal Panda in Portugal, Disney Asia across Pan Asia, YLE in Finland, and SVT in Sweden. Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products has acquired Consumer Products rights in the UK and Ireland. Nickelodeon believes that ranges such as forest playsets, vehicle, and plush would work well with the property. Dress up and role-play would lend themselves well, along with sleepwear and select apparel. Blue Zoo is renowned for developing, creating, and producing stylish animations, sold across the globe including; Alphablocks, Numberblocks, Tree Fu Tom, Q Pootle 5, Olive the Ostrich, Go Jetters, and Miffy.