We take a closer look at the 11 big winners in the hotly contested category.
The winners of the 11 product categories at the Licensing Awards covered a variety of big names – from Spin Master to a VW Retro Special Edition fridge.
The first award in the category was for Best Licensed Toys or Games Range (sponsored by BBC Worldwide). PJ Masks toy range from Flair was victorious with marketing manager, Kirsty MacKenzie, and Joanna Richards collecting the award.
Kirsty commented: “We’ve worked closely with eOne to build this into an evergreen range and we’re so pleased. It’s great product from Just Play.”
Moving on, and Best Licensed Dress-up or Partyware Range (sponsored by Beano Studios) was won by Disney Princess Dress-up for Sainsbury’s from Rubie’s.
Rubie’s head of licensing and marketing, Tracey Devine, commented: “I cannot begin to tell you just how much work goes into a range like this; this is very well deserved and it’s great recognition for the whole team.”
The Peter Rabbit Collection for Mothercare from Paul Dennicci was victorious in the Best Licensed Preschool Apparel Range (sponsored by Nickelodeon Consumer Products).
Andrew Farrow, md of Paul Dennicci, said: “We’re really delighted; it’s all down to the hard work of the team at Paul Dennicci.”
Best Licensed Children’s Apparel Range (sponsored by Saban Brands) went to the Pokémon Apparel Range for Next from Fashion UK.
Laura Clowes, Fashion UK’s licensing manager, told The Source: “I’m so excited. This was a lot of hard work; Next did a brilliant job of merchandising the range and it was great work by all the teams involved.”
Best Licensed Adult Apparel Range (sponsored by Fox Consumer Products) was won by My Little Pony Collection for Primark from Bravado.
David Boyne, md of Bravado, said: “This is the first time in seven years of attending that we’ve won an award. It was a real joint effort by all the teams.”
Doctor Who Mr Men Books from Penguin Random House was the winner of the Best Licensed Written, Listening or Learning Range (sponsored by Carte Blanche).
Penguin Random House’s editor, Gabby De Matteis – who collected the award with other PRH team members, plus execs from Sanrio and BBC Worldwide – told The Source: “This was a great collaboration between Penguin Random House, BBC Worldwide and Sanrio.”
Moving on, and Best Licensed Paper Products or Stationery Range (sponsored by TSBA Group) was awarded to Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups Greeting Cards from Danilo.
Martin Carter, Danilo’s creative director and Dan Grant, licensing director, collected the award, with Martin commenting: “I’m kind of a bit shocked – I wasn’t expecting it!”
Best Licensed Giftware Range (sponsored by Penguin Ventures) was awarded to a delighted Half Moon Bay for its Harry Potter Giftware Range.
Commercial director Sally Thompson said: “Wow! This is amazing. We are so proud of the range.”
There were also celebrations for Fizz Creations which scooped the Best Licensed Home Décor, Tableware or Housewares Range (sponsored by Spring Fair) for its Slush Puppie Range.
“This is hopefully the first of many awards for the team,” said Matthew Scrase, commercial director. “It’s been six years of hard work and we have come a long way. We are absolutely delighted.”
The penultimate award in the category, Best Licensed Food or Drink Range (sponsored by Rainbow Productions) was awarded to Bakedin for its Candy Crush Baking Kits.
Joanne Lewis, licensing and merchandising manager at King, said: “This was our first nomination and our first win; so happy. The baking kits really embrace what Candy Crush is all about.”
The final accolade in the category was The Innovation Award (sponsored by Cartoon Network). The VW Retro Special Edition Fridge from Gorenje was victorious, with UK md Iztok Krulc saying: “I am extremely happy; this is completely unexpected.”
You can view all the Product category winners in the gallery below:
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