Shortlist for the prestigious product categories confirmed for September’s big night.
The finalists in the Licensing Awards Product categories have been confirmed.
The judging for the category took place for first time at the Emirates Stadium recently. Some 5,000 licensed products were entered into the awards this year and all were put on display in their relevant categories.
A record number of 130 retail buyers judged the entries, by individually selecting which five products they considered the best in each category.
Reflecting the broad retail base of licensed products, the judging panel this year included buyers from right across the retail spectrum, including those from Argos, Asda, B&M, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Debenhams, The Entertainer Forbidden Planet, Game, GameStop, Halfords, House of Cards, John Lewis, M&Co, M&S, Matalan, Mothercare, Next, Paperchase, Paultons Park, Photobox, Primark, Sainsbury’s Shop Direct, Smyths, Specsavers, Stanfords, Tesco, Toymaster, Truffleshuffle and WHSmith.
Ian Hyder, joint md of Max Publishing, which owns the Licensing Awards said: “The judges definitely had their work cut out for them this year, but they rose to the challenge wonderfully.
“Not only did we receive more entries than ever before, but the product innovation and diversity of licensed properties featured was off the scale.”
Adding to this Laura Freedman-Dagg, brand manager of Brand Licensing Europe – headline sponsor of the Licensing Awards, said: “We’re excited to see these finalists announced today, especially having witnessed the huge array of diverse products on show at judging. I know that the retailers who attended as part of our Retail Mentoring Programme had a tough time choosing between some of them. A big well done from us to all of the finalists.”
The Licensing Awards 2016 Product category finalists are:
Best Licensed Toy or Game Range
- My Little Pony Role Play from HTI
- PAW Patrol Range from Spin Master
- Peppa Baby Range from Rainbow Designs
- Shopkins Play-sets from Flair
- Star Wars POP! Vinyl Figurines from Underground Toys
- Star Wars Remote Control Inflatables from Bladez
Best Licensed Dress-Up or Partyware Range
- DC Super Heroes Range for Sainsbury’s from Rubie’s Masquerade
- Happy Jackson Partyware from Wild & Wolf
- Marvel Captain America and Iron Man from Rubie’s Masquerade
- Marvel Dress-Up for George@Asda from Christys by Design
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens Range from Rubie’s Masquerade
- Thunderbirds Partyware from Unique Party
Best Licensed Preschool Apparel Range (0-5 years)
- Finding Dory Collection from Travis Designs
- Guess How Much I Love You for TU Sainsbury’s from Paul Dennicci
- DC Superhero Swimwear and Accessories from Aykroyd & Sons
- Peter Rabbit 150 Collection for Mothercare from Paul Dennicci
- Star Wars Babywear for Tesco from Paul Dennicci
- Toy Story Baby Collection for George@Asda from Paul Dennicci
Best Licensed Children’s Apparel Range
- Adventure Time from Desigual
- Alice in Wonderland Collection from Courage & Kind
- Angry Birds Girls Range for M&Co from Fashion UK
- My Little Pony Older Girls Range for George@Asda from Smith & Brooks
- Star Wars Essentials Onesies for F&F Tesco from Aykroyd & Sons
- Superman v Batman Swimwear for Sainsbury’s from Aykroyd & Sons
Best Licensed Adult Apparel Range
- Adventure Time Boots from Dr Marten
- Barbie Collection from Truffle Shuffle
- The Beatles Yellow Submarine Scarf Collection from Lily & Lionel
- Star Wars Footwear from Irregular Choice
- Wall’s Twister Heels and Sequin Clutch from ASOS
- Zelda Women’s Range from Bioworld Europe
Best Licensed Written, Listening or Learning Range
- Bing Books Collection from Harper Collins
- The Minions Movie Books from Centum Books
- PAW Patrol Range from Sambro
- Star Wars Book Collection from Dorling Kindersley
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Illustrated Alphabet For Schools from Demco
- Winnie the Pooh 90th Anniversary Books from Egmont
Best Licensed Paper Products Or Stationery Range
- Disney Originals Greeting Cards from UK Greetings
- Matthew Williamson Greeting Card and Stationery Collection from Museums & Galleries
- PAW Patrol Greeting Cards and Wrappings from Danilo
- Star Wars Premium Stationery from Pyramid International
- Star Wars Stamp Range from Royal Mail
- Wedgwood Arris Stationery Collection from Portico Designs
Best Licensed Giftware Range
- The Gruffalo Gift Range from Kimm & Miller
- Guess How Much I Love You Gift Range from Rainbow Designs
- Minions Range for Claire’s from VMC Accessories
- Peter Rabbit Organic Dinner Set from Enesco
- The Simpsons x Skinny Dip Krusty the Clown range
- Ted Baker Tour de Space and Time Collection from Wild & Wolf
Best Licensed Home Décor, Tableware or Housewares Range
- DC Comics Doormats from Pyramid International
- The Great British Bake Off Range from Wow! Stuff
- Peter Rabbit 150 Nursery Range for Mothercare from Suncrest
- Star Wars X-Wing Bed from World’s Apart
- Star Wars Homewares from Underground Toys
- Vintage Kellogg’s Sunrise Collection from Portmeirion
Best Licensed Food or Drink Range
- Batman v Superman Cakes from Finsbury Food Group
- Guinness Potato Crisps from Burts Chips
- J20 Frozen Smoothies from Brand of Brothers
- Minions Banana Tic Tacs from Ferrero
- Paul Hollywood Ready to Bake Rolls from Carrs Food International
- Vimto Range from Rose Confectionery
The Innovation Award
- Science Museum Virtual Reality Viewers from Wow! Stuff
- Scrabble Toybox Lights from Paladone
- Spiderman Reverse Sequin T-shirt from M&S
- Star Wars Bluetooth Speakers from AC Worldwide
- Star Wars Firefly Lightsaber Toothbrush from Grosvenor Consumer Products
- Star Wars Millennium Falcon Inside Print Umbrella from BB Designs
The winners of the categories will be revealed – alongside the winners of the Retail and Property awards – at The Licensing Awards on Tuesday September 13, which will take place in The Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
The finalists in the Retail categories can be found by clicking here.
The finalists in the Licensed Marketing Communications category can be found by clicking here.
The finalists in the inaugural Best Licensed Retail Execution category can be found by clicking here.
The finalists in the Property category will be announced shortly.
Almost 1,300 tickets have already been sold for The Licensing Awards. Tickets are available from Createvents – simply call 0118 334 0085 or email Clare Davies.
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