Including Rocket Licensing, Penguin Kids and Joester Loria Group leading industry tributes to Eric Carle after he sadly passed away on 23 May.
Source rounds up more news from the licensing industry across the globe from the week.
Rocket Licensing, Penguin Kids and Joester Loria Group have been among those paying tribute to artist, illustrator and writer Eric Carle, who sadly passed away on 23 May, aged 91. Creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar – which has been translated into over 70 languages and has a successful licensing and merchandise programme – Eric’s prolific career began by chance in 1967 when author Bill Martin Jr, while in a doctor’s office waiting room, saw a medical ad for antihistamines with an illustration Eric had done of a big red lobster. Bill invited Eric to illustrate Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and the experience sparked his interest in creating his own stories. His first original – 1,2,3 to the Zoo – was published the same year. In 2018, Penguin Young Readers established The World of Eric Carle, an imprint dedicated to Eric’s work. In 2020, the World of Eric Carle was the number one bestselling literary preschool brand, led by The Very Hungry Caterpillar which was 2020’s 16th bestselling book of the year and the number one bestselling board book.
Aardman has been busy diversifying its licensing slate, developing partnerships with a number of new licensees to introduce Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep to fresh audiences. New deals for Wallace & Gromit include a cheese box from online cheese retailer, Pong Cheese – containing a selection of the duo’s favourite cheeses – and on-trend dog items from Urban Pop, featuring luxury patterns inspired by the specials. Shaun the Sheep and the Scout Store have created a range of apparel and accessories to be sold via the Scout Shop network this summer. Also in development is an Aardman arts and crafts magazine from Signature Publishing – launching in August, it will include pens, modelling clay, crafting activities and colouring pages.
TOIKIDO has partnered with Winning Moves and Top Trumps USA to bring Among Us puzzles to the global fanbase. The games specialist will initially be launching four puzzle designs, with fans able to choose their difficulty level as the puzzles are released in 100, 250, 500 and 1,000-piece formats. The puzzles are due to launch in autumn/winter 2021 globally, with Top Trumps USA exclusively distributing for the US market.
The Copyrights Group has revealed a new retail partnership for a bespoke Paddington clothing, accessories and golf line in South Korea with luxury retailer, HAZZYS. The deal will see a dedicated range of co-branded Paddington x HAZZYS apparel and accessories launch across all 35 stores in South Korea.
RHS Garden Bridgewater – the RHS’ fifth garden – opened on 18 May and, as part of the celebrations, the RHS has revealed two new collections of limited edition art pottery from Moorcroft. One collection is inspired by the new garden itself, while the second – the RHS Fiori Bottan Collection – is inspired by 45 17th century Italian watercolours that are part of the 25,000 images in the RHS Lindley Collections of botanical art.
Since launching on its free to air home in the UK last month, Bluey has become the top programme on CBeebies in April. It was the number one show in its time slot for 0-6s, while its episodes constitute the top five most requested CBeebies episodes on iPlayer. So far throughout May, Bluey represents nine of the top ten most requested episodes on CBeebies.
Jazwares has secured a long-term deal with Anjar & Becker Associates and Wham-O to produce a new line of pet toys inspired by the likes of Frisbee and Superball.
Precious Moments has confirmed the renewal of its licensing agreement with publisher Thomas Nelson. It will continue to work as publisher of Precious Moments’ Bibles, Bible storybooks and children’s storybooks with religious content.
Mexico’s largest TV network, Televisa has strengthened its long-term partnership with Animaccord, signing a deal for Masha and the Bear. In addition to seasons one to three, spin-offs Masha’s Tales, Masha’s Spooky Stories and Masha’s Songs, the broadcaster has picked up new classical season five, plus Animaccord’s new educational musical project, Nursery Rhymes.
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