ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) is set to unveil exciting global licensing opportunities for its growing third party portfolio which will be showcased at this year’s Brand Licensing Europe 2014.
ITVS GE returns to BLE to build on its global reputation as a leading licensing agent and strike deals with new partners for its impressive lineup of third party properties including the breakthrough boys’ brand Matt Hatter Chronicles; the digital game sensation Cut the Rope; the boys’ action brand Digimon; the 1970s music icons Village People; the classic toy property PLAYMOBIL, for which ITVS GE is developing a retro licensing programme, and the new “inspired by PLAYMOBIL” kids’ TV series Super 4.
Trudi Hayward, SVP, Head of Global Merchandising for ITV Studios Global Entertainment said: “BLE will be an exciting platform to showcase our iconic and innovative brands. In addition to presenting the latest opportunities, we will seek partners that can help to build each of our properties so that, together, we can help them unleash their full potential.”
Matt Hatter Chronicles is going from strength to strength following master toy partner Simba Smoby UK’s retail launch of the debut ‘Matt Hatter’ toy range featuring interlocking, Multivision 3D role-play items, action figures and vehicles. Simba Dickie’s roll-out of the toy line in EMEA and India followed in September/October. ITVS GE is now working with its UK licensing partners and Platinum Films to prep 2015 retail launches which target boys aged 5-10 years. Series 3 also kicked off to a strong start and launched on ITV and CITV this September, with impressive viewing figures ranking it as the most watched series amongst all kids and all individuals, peaking with over 290,000 viewers (Source: BARB week 35-38). Products available now in the UK include books from Penguin; boys fashion by Smith and Brooks and puzzles from Tactic Games. Other categories set to launch in 2015 are wheeled toys, posters, stationery, homewares, personal care, bags and fashion accessories, nightwear and underwear and home accessories.
Super 4 is a new series, inspired by PLAYMOBIL and produced in partnership with morgen studios and Method Animation. CITV will air the first 13 x 11 CGI episodes in 2014 and a further 39 in 2015. The series is aimed at 5-9 year olds and follows the adventures of Alex the Knight, Ruby the Pirate, Agent Gene and Twinkle the Fairy as they travel through five different imaginary worlds inspired by the PLAYMOBIL universe. PLAYMOBIL is the toy licensee and will debut its first line of Super 4 heroes and playsets in Q3 2015. ITVS GE is seeking licensing partners in key categories including publishing, periphery toys and games, apparel and accessories, gifting, home entertainment, stationery and FMCG.
Cut the Rope, the app created by Zeptolab and featuring the candy crunching Om Nom, is now a 360-degree entertainment franchise with a presence that extends across digital games, broadcast, consumer products, promotions and social media. ITVS GE holds the pan-European licensing rights. Current partners include Vivid whose line of plush, key chains and collectables has launched across the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Benelux and Portugal, Activision for a Nintendo DS game and apparel with Smith & Brooks and Ackroyd/TDP respectively. McDonalds Europe is currently running a 37 European territory promotion which also sees the launch of ‘Cut the Rope: Hungry for Fruit app.
Digimon is celebrating a re-launch as ITVS GE and property owner Saban Brands create a fully immersive 360 brand licensing strategy encompassing TV, digital and online with some of the best licensees and retailers in the business. Digimon Fusion, launched on CITV and ITV this spring and is the sixth Digimon series based on the powerful anime icon, which first hit screens in 1999. Publishing giant Panini UK is the latest partner to join the fold with a 4 weekly magazine, an annual and collectable sticker set to launch in March 2015. Bandai’s master toy range launched in April and features role-play and action figures that kids and super-fans alike can collect and ‘fuse’ together. ITVS GE is also licensing retro designs from the original seasons for fashion-led adult apparel and accessories targeted to super-fans of the brand.
PLAYMOBIL, launched in 1974, and now loved by parents and kids alike, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2014. ITVS GE is building a consumer products campaign aimed at the adult retro/nostalgic market. It is led by apparel and gift categories, which will celebrate, with humour and iconic imagery, the heritage of an unforgettable toy brand.
The Village People, the biggest disco brand of all time, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2017. ITVS GE represents the brand the UK and leading the apparel-led consumer products campaign are licensees Coneen, Miserli and Trademark. Smiffy’s high-end dress up is already a success. Aimed at teens and young adults the product range will grow to include accessories, gifts, greetings, publishing, home wares, hard lines and back to school. ITVS GE has fast fashion retailers firmly in its sights as retailers and consumers celebrate the party spirit of the 1970s with the brand responsible for some of its most enduring hits – Go West, In the Navy, and Y.M.C.A. The style guide combines original photography with modern styling to offers four distinct new graphic styles for products that will be trendy, offbeat and fun.