Brand Licensing Preview
Cartoon Network 0207 693 1124 | www.cartoonnetwork.co.uk Stand D50 Cartoon Network will present a growing portfolio of brands at BLE 2017. Anchoring this year’s line-up will be two of the company’s original IPs - Ben 10 and The Powerpuff Girls. The fresh take on Ben 10 sees adventure-loving Ben Tennyson return in his original and favourite form, as a 10-year-old boy who transforms into aliens. This latest iteration made its debut on TV screens across EMEA in October 2016. The merchandise roll-out is now well underway and a strong range of toys from global master toy partner Playmates is already exceeding expectations at retail both in the US and Europe. Contributing to the success is a bespoke array of in-store and online trade activations, including an augmented reality Ben 10 hero experience touring across key European markets. April 2016 saw The Powerpuff Girls return to TV screens across the globe. A comprehensive marketing strategy is driving engagement, and awareness has been boosted through a raft of recent free-to-air broadcast launches. Targeting girls aged 4-12, with strong appeal to teens and adults too, the EMEA merchandise roll-out is underway following the first wave of toys from Spin Master. Fashion is core to the licensing programme and Cartoon Network has secured an array of partners delivering multi-channel fashion offerings for girls, teens and millennial women. These ranges are now available alongside launches in accessories, gifting, homewares, publishing, and Back to School. Adventure Time continues to attract fans, reaching 77m individuals in Q2 2017 around the world. Supporting the pipeline of multi-platform content, Cartoon Network is driving the property forward with a growing licensing programme, fan-experiences and marketing activations. Partnerships include Lego, Minecraft, Dr. Martens, McDonalds and Desigual. Cartoon Network is looking to take The Amazing World of Gumball into Back to School, toys, apparel, publishing and FMCG. Meanwhile, We Bare Bears continues to entertain fans, with season three about to hit TV screens. Beyond the target audience of kids aged 6-12, the prime-time rating show also has teen and adult appeal. Over 53m individuals worldwide have tuned in to watch the adventures of The Happos Family and season two has been greenlit. From Turner’s Adult Swim brand, Rick and Morty, targeted at ages 16-35, has a growing licensing programme stateside, and Cartoon Network is looking to build upon this success across EMEA.
ITV Studios Global Entertainment 0207 157 3693 | www.itvstudios.com Stand C20 Robozuna, a Netflix Original animated series, will have its official brand launch at BLE. In this kids’ adventure series, 14-year-old Ariston and his homemade robot sidekick Mangle attempt to free their oppressed nation from an evil empire. This original IP will launch across multiple platforms simultaneously, including traditional linear broadcast, VOD around the globe through Netflix, YouTube with short-form content, and in apps and gaming. The content on each platform will create a seamless 360 degree user experience, making it an attractive proposition for licensees. To celebrate the launch of Robozuna, ITVS GE will be hosting private screenings of new episodes by invitation only. Alternatively, viewers can catch Robozuna when it debuts in the UK on CITV in 2018. Consumer products rollout will follow the broadcast. ITVS GE adds another new property with the new interpretation of Watership Down. The four-part CGI animated mini-series is a reimagining of Richard Adams’ classic 1972 novel and is a co-production between the BBC and Netflix. Licensing opportunities will be available for the series in multiple categories, with some deals already underway. The action TV series Thunderbirds Are Go has now been aired in over 40 markets. The recent range of adventure-wear for kids from Regatta is in over 40 stores in the UK, and will be available nationwide from October with marketing and experiential support targeting the half term holiday. Other deals include a storytelling game app from Kuato Studios, set to release in early 2018 on iOS and Android. New episodes of Season 2 will launch in September on ITV and CITV, while production of Season 3 is well underway. ITVS GE’s nostalgia brands include the Supermarionation TV shows created by Gerry Anderson, including the original Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. In recognition of this milestone, licensees have developed a range of limited edition anniversary products celebrating the show. This year sees the anniversary of The Last Unicorn, a cult animated film first released 35 years ago which still appeals to dedicated followers and attracts new fans. ITVS GE will be talking to international partners about opportunities to expand the licensing programme for this classic title. In addition, ITVS GE acts as a full-service agency for third party brands including Oddbods - with the latest deals including nightwear recently launched in Primark stores - as well as retro favourite Village People.
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