Including French urban design label Elevenparis revealing new Rick and Morty collaboration.
The Source rounds up more news from the licensing industry across the globe from the week.
Turner is partnering with French urban design label Elevenparis for a new apparel collection inspired by Rick and Morty. The collection focuses on the wardrobe staples of t-shirts and hoodies, with choice character graphics communicating the irreverent humour of the characters from the series. Slogans and catchphrases will also appear in a large type face and a more delicate hand drawn illustration style.
Riverside Brands has added popular kid’s cartoon Larva to its growing roster of clients. Created by South Korea’s TUBA, Larva follows the comic capers of Red and Yellow, two cheeky larvae who live beneath a city storm drain. Since launch, it has garnered over two billion views on YouTube, with Netflix commissioning an exclusive series – Larva Island – last year and a second season airing earlier this month. There are 300 episodes with new content in development and a feature movie slated for 2021. Riverside Brands will be managing and implementing deals across all categories in the UK, working closely with UK master toy distributor, Re:creation. The toy range has debuted in The Entertainer, with more retailers launching shortly, as well as further categories expected from spring 2020. A large marketing campaign, kicking off imminently, will further bolster the brand’s presence in the UK.
As part of its 100th anniversary celebration this year, Felix the Cat has inked a collaboration with US hair pomade brand Suavecito for a range of men’s grooming products, accessories and t-shirts. The deal was brokered by CPLG on behalf of Universal Brand Development.
Bulldog Licensing has added to the licensing programme for the LIFE brand, with Park Agencies signing a new deal for apparel and nightwear for children and adults.
National Geographic has confirmed that its first menswear collection will launch in Europe this September. The partnership with Hong Kong-based fashion sourcing company, Omnibrand Group, marks the brand’s first premium range of urban fashion apparel. The range will consist of 67 designs including jackets, shirts, t-shirts, polo shirts and knitwear aimed at the ‘Urban Explorer’ and will be created by Omnibrand’s licensing arm – Corem Licensing. In line with National Geographic’s commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness, the garments will be made from materials such as sustainable cotton, recycled plastic bottles and recycled down feather.
The Tyne & Wear Metro – the UK’s second largest metro system – is to be the headline partner for Elmer’s Great North Parade. The parade will see giant sculptures of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant appear across the region for families to find and explore. Metro bosses are encouraging businesses to follow its lead and sponsor the sculptures that will make up the trail, which starts in August and runs through to October this year. Metro’s cube has also been transformed into a bright patchwork design to celebrate the parade, which is being delivered by St Oswald’s Hospice.
The Smiley Company – the master licensee for Rubik’s Cube – has revealed a new deal for SmileyWorld-branded Rubik’s toys to feature in a McDonald’s Happy Meal promotion. In a deal brokered with The Marketing Store, the promotion kicks off this month in restaurants across France. It will be in-store for five weeks through May, also rolling out to additional territories during 2019.
Entertainment merchandise specialist The Koyo Store has secured the EMEA rights to create officially licensed Street Fighter collectable pin badges based around popular fighters from the game and coins.
eOne has added new broadcast platforms for Ricky Zoom as it gears up for launch. Super RTL (Germany), Clan TV (Spain) and Youku (China) have signed up and will be broadcasting series one from the autumn.
CPLG has bolstered its teams in Benelux and the UK with two new appointments. Meike de Vaere has joined the Benelux team as retail director for the region, reporting to Brenda Draaisma who was recently named general manager of Benelux. Meanwhile, in the UK, Jennifer Gould has joined from Global Icons to take on the role of brand and retail manager, reporting to Stacy Scimia, category and retail director.
Brandgenuity is to serve as the US licensing agent for kids’ YouTube channel, ChuChu TV.
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