We’ll be back on Thursday 2 January 2025… until then, we round up some of the top stories from LicensingSource.net over the past 12 months.
LicensingSource.net would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a wonderful festive break.
We will be taking some time out over the Christmas and New Year period too, returning on Thursday 2 January 2025 to bring you all the latest news.
Here’s a round up of some of the most read stories on LicensingSource.net over the past 12 months.
January
Kidult toys and nostalgia feature during a busy Toy Fair 2024 – kidult toys and nostalgia were among the themes celebrated at Toy Fair 2024, as the toy industry came together over a busy three days to help celebrate the show’s 70th anniversary.
Licensed lines contribute to positive Christmas for Cardfactory – positive momentum, including an expanded gift offer and the introduction of key licensed lines, sees Cardfactory deliver double digit like-for-like sales growth to £476.9million as store revenue climbed by 7.8% in November and December.
Fashion brand Cakeworthy unveils classic Furby collection – Canadian fashion company, Cakeworthy joins forces with Hasbro on the launch of a classic Furby collection. The range is encouraging fans to ‘Free Your Inner Furb’ and takes inspiration from earlier versions of the popular toy.
Primark launches its biggest Stitch collection to date – Primark unveils its latest range in partnership with Disney’s Stitch, featuring over 100 items across loungewear, nightwear, homeware and accessories.
LEGO unveils Peppa Pig Duplo and LBE experiences – The LEGO Group, Hasbro and Merlin Entertainments join forces to create Peppa Pig products and play experiences.
Character World Brands and Moose Toys EMEA confirm home brands partnership – Character World Brands secures a new partnership with Moose Toys EMEA, which will see it acquire four Moose home brands – Ready Bed, Go Glow, Pop ‘N’ Fun and Hello Home across EMEA.
February
Sponsors swift to sign up for National Stationery Week – the plans for National Stationery Week 2024 get off to a fabulous start, with seven leading brands already having pledged their support as sponsors for the weeklong event which will spread the love at both retail and consumer levels about all things stationery.
Dungeons & Dragons live theatrical experience to premiere – Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro team up with Curious Hedgehog and Showpath Entertainment to bring the first ever officially licensed Dungeons & Dragons theatrical production to the stage this spring.
Rebecca Jenkins named vp consumer products for Paramount Global – Rebecca Jenkins is named vice president of consumer products for Paramount Global, in charge of the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Israel.
Sambro and Cloudco Entertainment unveil new Care Bears Baby range – Sambro extends its licensing partnership with Cloudco Entertainment to grow its Care Bears Baby range.
Licensing business ready to make an impact at Spring Fair – the licensing business gets ready to make its presence felt at Spring Fair, with not only a host of new product across the show floor, but also a masterclass session from Hasbro and celebrations for Peppa Pig’s 20th anniversary, plus two key sessions from Products of Change.
March
Aykroyds strengthens team with new heads of licensing and sales – apparel licensee Aykroyds welcomes two major new hires to its team, Robyn Cowling and Craig Moore.
Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2024: The finalists – the finalists in the Product, Property, Retail and Rising Star categories for the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2024 are officially revealed.
Northern Light Fund Quiz raises over £13,000 for industry charity – the popular Northern Light Fund Quiz returns to Manchester’s Hotel Football, with the evening raising over £13,000 for the industry charity.
Second Licensing for Retail Day attracts record retail numbers – the second Licensing for Retail Day, organised by Brand Licensing Europe and License Global in partnership with trade association Licensing International, attracts record retail numbers. Held at Convene London, more than 240 licensing professionals were in attendance, including brand owners, licensees and a record 114 retailers.
April
Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2024: The Winners – the winners of The B&LLAs 2024 are announced at a glittering awards event, held at the Royal Lancaster London.
Pokémon, Barbie, Gabby’s Dollhouse among Bologna Licensing Awards winners – the winners of the Bologna Licensing Awards are crowned during the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids.
Pokémon debuts new brand expression for babies and kids, monpoké – The Pokémon Company International launches monpoké – an expression from the Pokémon brand featuring curated, Pokémon-branded baby and toddler offerings – for the first time outside of Asia.
Character Exchange pays tribute to a “genuinely people-orientated industry” – “It is often said that licensing is a people business,” began Richard Hollis, licensing manager of HTI as he addressed a roomful of licensors and licensee members of the Character Exchange group who attended the annual lunch event, which took place at The Ivy.
Heinz and Mattel team on ‘Barbiecue’ limited edition sauce – your (real) world is officially turned pink as Heinz teams up with Mattel to launch a limited edition Heinz Classic ‘Barbiecue’ Sauce.
May
Tributes made following sad death of Jane Garner – the licensing industry PR guru sadly passes away after a short illness.
Netflix bolsters Bridgerton licensing – with season three now streaming on Netflix, the Regency era of Bridgerton has been inspiring a number of licensees across some key categories.
Over 150 exhibitors confirmed for Brand Licensing Europe 2024 with five months to go – as we entered the five-month countdown to Brand Licensing Europe 2024, 157 companies were already been confirmed to exhibit, including six first timers – 24h Le Mans, The British Museum, Animaj, Cardio Bunny, Merchantwise Group and Unicast.
June
New era for Redan Publishing following management buy out – Redan Publishing is ready for a ‘new and exciting’ era, having finalised a change in ownership through a management buy out earlier this year.
Remembering Dolph Zahid – it was with much sadness that LicensingSource.net reported the passing of Dolph Zahid, owner of the WITHIT brand.
Rights & Brands expands network with new London office and first UK brand signing – the Nordic licensing agency, Rights & Brands expands its international footprint opening the doors of a new office in London, as well as signing its first independent brand representation for the cult British TV brand, Roobarb & Custard.
Bravado confirms new leadership structure – Universal Music Group’s merchandise and brand management company, Bravado, confirms a new leadership appointments across all departments. The new leadership structure aims to ‘super serve’ Bravado’s roster of artists and brands and to continue to support the ever-growing company.
Libby Grant takes on new role at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group is significantly ramping up its licensing ambitions – welcoming experienced consumer products executive, Libby Grant to the role of chief commercial officer.
July
Blues Group unveils new dressing up division – Blues Group adds another arm to its existing portfolio, creating a new dressing up division. The Blues Dressing up division will complement its successful babywear, children’s and adult apparel business and has been a number of months in the planning.
The Licensing Awards 2024: The finalists in full – The countdown to The Licensing Awards 2024 in September is officially on, with the finalists across all categories having been announced.
Industry raises over £8,000 at The Light Fund Summer Treasure Hunt – over 270 industry executives take to the streets around Embankment and Westminster for the popular summer treasure hunt in aid of The Light Fund, raising more than £8,000 in the process.
Future of Amscan International secured following sale to Baaj Capital – the future of Amscan International and associated companies including Ginger Ray and Christy’s by Design is secured following a sale of the business and assets to Baaj Capital.
August
Hunter Price International announces acquisition of BargainMax.co.uk – Hunter Price International confirms its acquisition of an online toy retailer, BargainMax.co.uk. The transformative deal accelerates Hunter Price’s growth and expansion strategy, building on the business’ most successful trading year to date in 2023.
Neverland takes flight with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity – GOSH Charity is looking to develop Neverland as a literary and entertainment brand which will further build on the enduring and popular tale, as well as continuing its ambition of ensuring that no childhood is lost to serious illness.
Jason Rice opens the doors of Peak Licensing Solutions – popular licensing industry executive, Jason Rice, launches a new licensing consultancy business, Peak Licensing Solutions.
Anya Hindmarch reveals new stationery concept in collaboration with Peanuts – luxury brand Anya Hindmarch reveals its stationery store and new collection in collaboration with Peanuts. The collaboration took up residence for September in the Village Hall – the brand’s evolving space in London which plays host to a series of dynamic stores.
Smiffys II to become official sales agent for Rubies UK – drawing on many years of experience and expertise in the independent sales area of the industry, the Smiffys team is appointed as official sales agents for Rubies UK.
The FA expands Fanatics partnership following global merchandise growth – The Football Association (FA) and Fanatics ink a long-term renewal and expansion to their wide-ranging retail, ecommerce and merchandising partnership, following Euro 2024 having broken records for England merchandise sales.
September
The Licensing Awards 2024: The Winners – the winners of this year’s Licensing Awards are crowned in a glittering ceremony, with over 1,200 industry executives filling The Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel for an evening of celebration.
Brand Licensing Europe 2024 officially the biggest in its history – Brand Licensing Europe is the biggest ever, breaking previous record levels of attendee and retailer visitor numbers; a fitting way to celebrate the event’s 25th anniversary.
Products of Change strengthens team with two key appointments – Products of Change, the platform dedicated to promoting sustainability across the consumer products industry, makes two strategic new hires as part of its ongoing growth and evolution. Kathryn Brand is appointed as editor and content manager, while Nicola Webster takes on the newly created role of social media and community manager.
The National Gallery reveals first M&S collaboration in its 200th year – The National Gallery secures its first collaboration with Marks & Spencer, bringing two heritage brands together steeped in history and curation during the Gallery’s Bicentenary year.
Global Merchandising Services ready to roll with new Oasis deal – they’ve not been short of headlines this year, and Oasis has now welcomed a new worldwide licensing agent to develop consumer products programmes for retail, ecommerce – including the official webstore – and licensing (outside touring).
October
Peter Rabbit and Cath Kidston brands pick up accolades at The Henries – the winners of this year’s Henries greeting cards awards are crowned, with Peter Rabbit and Cath Kidston triumphing in the licensing categories.
Crisis x Mr Men Little Miss collaboration stars for UNIQLO at White City re-opening – the UNIQLO store in White City Westfield officially re-opens – and there is a starring role for Mr Men Little Miss and its campaign with Crisis. The store – located in one of London’s busiest shopping destinations – is newly renovated, expanded and embellished, following a 10 month upgrade programme.
Abysse Corp clarifies position – Abysse Corp issues a statement clarifying the position of the business. As of 1 October, Abysse Corp SAS entered into a voluntary process called ‘redressement judiciaire’. This is a process offered by the French government which helps companies to regroup during difficult periods.
Universal Pictures and Liberty team for a Wicked Christmas makeover – Liberty partners with Universal Pictures and the highly anticipated movie, Wicked for a special Christmas makeover. Starting from 7 November, the luxury department store will commemorate the festive season with a ‘celebration of Wicked’s epic tale of friendship, empowerment and defiance’.
Eleanor Bowmer triumphs at the Excellence in Housewares Awards – the winners of this year’s Excellence in Housewares Awards are crowned, with Eleanor Bowmer and Pure Tabletop picking up the hotly contested Licensing Award.
November
Licensing International responds on Labour’s Budget – industry trade body, Licensing International responds to Labour’s Budget, saying that moving forward ‘beloved brands’ will be more important than ever before.
Spring Fair 2025 launches Licensing Lab with Fabacus and Licensing International – Spring Fair is to host the Licensing Lab in partnership with Fabacus and Licensing International at the 2025 event, which is taking place from 2-5 February at the Birmingham NEC. The Licensing Lab will look to offer an exclusive, purpose-built space designed by Llewelyn-Bowen Design dedicated to ‘fostering the growth, collaboration and celebration’ of the UK’s vibrant licensing industry, presenting a dynamic platform for licensors, licensees and retailers alike.
Honorary Achievement and Brand Ambassador winners gather for first ever celebratory lunch – the first ever celebratory lunch for the Honorary Achievement winners from The Licensing Awards and the Brand Licensing Ambassadors from the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards takes place.
World’s first standalone Peppa Pig and Transformers stores open in London’s Battersea Power Station – located side by side on the ground floor of Battersea Power Station and covering a total 4,700 sq ft of retail space, the flagship stores – designed and built by Event Merchandising – offer a unique immersive shopping experience combined with exclusive merchandise.
December
The Light Fund greenlights £92,000 for good causes – industry charity The Light Fund has raised £92,000 this year which is to be put to very good use funding 19 different charity projects in 2025, helping men, women and children across the world.
Taylor Swift loses out to football favourites in the calendar charts – football proves its resilience in the world of calendars by kicking global pop favourite Taylor Swift off the top spot and turn the Danilo top 10 red, with coverage of these calendar-centric consumer buying habits appearing in national media.
Wallace & Gromit bring Christmas cheer to London’s Battersea Power Station – until New Year’s Eve, visitors to London’s Battersea Power Station can watch Wallace & Gromit decorate giant Christmas trees in a stop-motion installation shot on iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Gavin & Stacey merchandise range launches ahead of Christmas Day finale – BBC Studios launches an official Gavin & Stacey merchandise collection to coincide with the hit sitcom’s Christmas Day finale, developed in collaboration with series creators Ruth Jones and James Corden.
