With the Fair due to take place from 8-11 April, the shortlist for the Bologna Licensing Awards 2024 has been revealed.
The awards, which are in their seventh year, are a key component of the 17th Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids (BLTF/K), which will run at the heart of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
This year’s awards have 13 categories including new accolades for Best Sustainable Licensing Project and Best New Licensing Stars 2023. They attracted no less than 182 applications from various European countries (among others Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Scandinavia), as well as other regions of the world including the UK, the US, Colombia and China.
Five prestigious jurors met in Bologna’s magnificent Salaborsa Library to select the finalists: Philippe Guinaudeau (founder, The BrandTrends Group, France); Ian Hyder (ceo at Max Publishing, UK); Helena Mansell-Stopher (founder, Products of Change, UK); Cristiana Paesani (art and fashion expert, Italy); and Astrid Specht (editor of TOYS and 1st Steps, Germany).
The shortlist, which includes three finalists in each category, is as follows:
BEST PRE-SCHOOL (0-6) LICENSING PROJECT
- Acamar Films with the book Growing up… it’s a Bing thing! by Pon Pon Edizioni
- Andersen Press for the Elmer the Patchwork Elephant licensing programme
- Universal Products & Experiences in partnership with Spin Master for Gabby’s Dollhouse
BEST KIDS (6-10) LICENSING PROJECT
- TutoToons for the mobile game L.O.L. Surprise! OMG Fashion Club together with MGA Entertainment
- Beijing Everafter Culture Development for The Kingdom of Our Feelings gift box, with Wydawnictwo DWIE SIOSTRY
- The Pokémon Company International for the Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum project with the Van Gogh Museum
BEST TEEN (11-16) LICENSING PROJECT
- The Pokémon Company International, Clarks x Pokémon with Clarks
- Sanrio with Hello Kitty & Bad Badtz-Marut fashion project, in partnership with Alcott
- Rai Com for the Mare Fuori (The Sea Beyond) licensing programme (various partners)
BEST YOUNG ADULT (18+) LICENSING PROJECT
- Sanrio for the Chloè x My Melody fashion project with Chloè
- Maurizio Di Stefano Licensing for the Baileys x Caffè Borbone project
- Rai Com for the Mare Fuori (The Sea Beyond) licensing programme (various partners)
BEST RETAIL PROJECT
- Universal Products & Experiences with the project Jurassic Park 30th anniversary (JP30) with LEGO, Mattel e PRG
- Sanrio for the TK Maxx, Homesense and Comic Relief x Mr. Men Little Miss project together with Homesense and TK Maxx
- Mattel Europe with the Barbie x Zara project in collaboration with Zara
BEST FASHION PROJECT
- Studio 100 Media for the Heidi x Bavarian Caps collection with Bavarian Caps
- ZAG and Mediawan Kids & Family with Riva Kids x Miraculous, in collaboration with Riva Kids
- The Pokémon Company International and Dolly Noire for the Dolly Noire x Pokémon project
BEST LICENSED PUBLISHING PROJECT
- Faba with the book PAW Patrol – I cuccioli salvano la festa dell’amicizia, together with Paramount – Viacom
- Andersen Press with the illustrated books Goodnight Elmer and Elmer, search and find numbers
- Beijing Everafter Culture Development for The Kingdom of Our Feelings gift box, with Wydawnictwo DWIE SIOSTRY
BEST LICENSED TOY PROJECT
- Sanrio for Mr. Men Little Miss x Monopoly by Winning Moves
- Universal Products & Experiences in partnership with Spin Master for the play-set Gabby’s Dollhouse
- Faba for Hot Wheels: Dinosauri all’attacco, together with Mattel
BEST PROMOTION/LOYALTY CAMPAIGN
- Studio 100 Media with the Vegesaurs x Lidl campaign, in collaboration with Lidl
- Nerd Agency with Foundland Pictures (FILM.UA Group) for the project Mavka. The Forest Song x Lviv Croissants, in collaboration with Lviv Croissants
- Maurizio Di Stefano Licensing with Acamar Films for the Bing Junior Benegum project, by Perfetti Van Melle and Pea & Promoplast
PROMOTION: BEST LICENSED KIOSK PRODUCT
- Mondadori Media with the Peanuts 3D collection, together with CPLG WildBrain and Peanuts Worldwide
- Starbright Licensing for Dragon Ball – Diramix Monsterflex, with Toei Animation
- Sanrio with the Hello Kitty Hand Bag collection, in partnership with Sbabam
BEST LICENSED SUSTAINABLE PROJECT
- Studio 100 Media for the project Maya – License Factory in Natural Dye, in partnership with License Factory
- Rights & Brands for the Moomin Baby Diapers by Delipap
BEST LICENSING STARS
- Maravillarte with the Tailored Stories project, in collaboration with Kreaktiva Lab
- Nerd Agency (FILM.UA Group) for Mavka. The Forest song
- Beijing Everafter Culture Development for The Kingdom of Our Feelings, in partnership with Wydawnictwo DWIE SIOSTRY
BEST PROPERTY OF THE YEAR
- Mattel with Barbie
- The Pokémon Company International with Pokémon
- ZAG and Mediawan Kids & Family with Miraculous
The products of all the finalist projects will be on display throughout the fair at the BLTF/K Awards showcases located in the BLTF/K zone of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Hall 29 – Mall 2.
The winners will be announced at the BLTF/K Awards Ceremony to be held in the Licensing Conference Room on 8 April at 4.30pm (Hall 29 – Mall 2). The event is open to all industry professionals.
For further information on the awards and the fair, email licensing@bolognafiere.it.
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