The Licensing Awards 2024: The finalists in full

The countdown to The Licensing Awards 2024 in September is officially on, with the finalists across all categories having been announced.

Once again, The Licensing Awards attracted a phenomenal number of entries and nominations this year across all the categories.

Some 3,000 products were entered across the 12 awards categories, with the finalists being arrived at by retail buyers across the whole gamut of licensed and consumer products.

The judges included buyers from retailers such as Asda, Bargain Max, Calendar Club, Cardfactory, Character.com, DFS, Dobbies Garden Centre, Dunelm, Fat Face, Forbidden Planet, HMV, Homebase, Iceland, John Lewis, JoJo Maman Bébé, Lipsy, Longleat, LUSH, Marks and Spencer, Matalan, Moonpig, My 1st Years, New Look, Next, Paultons Park, Primark, Sainsbury’s, Selfridges, Studio, T.J Morris, Tesco, The Hut Group, The Very Group, The Works, TruffleShuffle, Vanilla Underground and WHSmith.

Various validation panels have also convened to discuss, debate and validate all the other categories to arrive at the worthy finalists.

“The innovation, talent, tenacity and passion of the UK licensing industry is on full display in this year’s list of finalists,” commented Ian Hyder, ceo at Max Publishing, which owns and organises The Licensing Awards. “From the talented young professionals which make up the UK Rising Star shortlist, through to the evergreen properties in the running for the Classic Licensed Property award, this year’s finalists are shining examples of what makes this industry so amazing.

“Congratulations to all of the 2024 finalists – we can’t wait to celebrate with you on 10 September.”

Anna Knight, svp Global Licensing Group, Informa Markets – the headline sponsor of The Licensing Awards – commented: “As the proud headline sponsor of The Licensing Awards 2024, we’re thrilled to be part of this celebration of talent. These awards are an endorsement of excellence that resonates throughout our dynamic industry. This year’s event promises to be an extravaganza, bringing everyone together in a celebratory atmosphere, showcasing the best and brightest right before we gather together again at BLE. We look forward to recognising the creative and innovative talent this industry is renowned for.”

The finalists in The Licensing Awards 2024 are (all categories are for licensing activity over the period between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024):

THE UK RISING STAR AWARD FINALISTS
This is a Licensing International UK award. The award is designed to recognise excellence among junior industry professionals in the United Kingdom under the age of 35.

• Lauren Bath, marketing director, Exquisite Gaming
• Corinne Duckworth, commercial executive, Dreamtex
• Emily Farrugia, head of product development, WildBrain CPLG
• Elizabeth Layte, buying manager, Character.com
• Lauren McHale, retail and licensing manager UK, Netflix
• Gianluca Rossi, brand licensing manager, Tottenham Hotspur
• Naomi Serradimigni, category manager, Paramount
• Olivia Wiggett, licensing manager, Jazwares
• Sadie Wright, brand and product development manager, The Point.1888

THE RETAIL CATEGORY FINALISTS

BEST RETAILER OF PRESCHOOL LICENSED PRODUCTS (AGE GROUP 0-5)

• Asda
• Character.com
• The Entertainer
• Marks and Spencer
• Primark
• Smyths Toys
• Tesco

BEST RETAILER OF KIDS’ LICENSED PRODUCTS (AGE GROUP 5-16)

• Aldi
• Asda
• Character.com
• Claire’s
• The Entertainer
• LUSH
• Primark
• Smyths Toys

BEST RETAILER OF ADULT LICENSED PRODUCTS

• Amazon
• Asda
• Forbidden Planet
• Game
• HMV
• Primark
• Tesco
• TruffleShuffle

THE RADAR AWARD (This award is for retailers which have come on the radar on the licensing front as they have considerably upped their licensing activities in the last year (between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024).

• BargainMax
• Bromilow & Wood Retail UK
• Cardfactory
• Characterville
• Dunelm
• Get Trend
• MINISO
• Selfridges
• The Works

BEST OVERSEAS RETAILER (This award is for retailers of any discipline selling licensed products whose main retailing activity is overseas (ie not in the UK), but which also has a physical or online presence in the UK. The award is for the retailer’s activity on the licensing front over the last year (between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024).

• Aldi Europe
• H&M
• Lidl
• Pepco Group
• TJX Europe
• Uniqlo
• Zara

BEST LICENSED RETAIL MARKETING INITIATIVE

• Barbie The Movie Campaign with Zara
• Brandalised x Artistry A New Brand On The Block Campaign with B&M
• Comic Relief and Aardman Red Nose Day Campaign with TK Maxx/Homesense
• The Grinch Christmas Campaign with Primark
• LEGO Star Wars May the 4th Campaign with Asda
• Shrek In-store Product Takeover with LUSH
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Tour with Smyths Toys
• The World of Peter Rabbit Initiative with JoJo Maman Bébé

BEST LICENSED PROMOTIONS CAMPAIGN

• Bing’s Nature Explorers with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT)
• Care Bears at One Stop Campaign with Young Lives vs Cancer
• Cluedo Cooking Sauces Promotion with Premier Foods
• Crayola Mini Minds Campaign with MINI Electric Car
• Peppa Pig 20th Anniversary Campaign with The Royal Mail
• Persona 3 Reload Campaign at Ramen Yokocho from Japan Centre Group
• Shaun the Sheep Countryside Code Campaign with Natural England

BEST LICENSED LIVE EVENT

• Batman Unmasked Immersive Event from Warner Bros. Discovery
• Beano Goes Wild with ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
• Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea Immersive Dining Experience from One Aldwych
• F1 Arcade in Birmingham from Kindred Concepts
• Paddington in Concert from RG Live
• The Paddington Bear Experience at County Hall London from The Path Entertainment Group
• Peppa Pig Fun Day Out! Touring Live Show from FieryLight
• Sarah & Duck’s Big Top Birthday Live Tour from MEI Theatrical
• The Snowman Afternoon Tea from JW Marriott Grosvenor House London
• Stranger Things: The First Shadow Theatrical Production from Sonia Freidman Productions
• Teletubbies Store Takeover from The Knot Churros
• We’re Going On A Bear Hunt Multi-sensory Trail with Kew Gardens and Wakehurst

THE PRODUCT CATEGORY FINALISTS

BEST LICENSED TOYS OR GAMES RANGE

• The Adventures of Paddington Toy Range from Rainbow Designs
• Batwheels Toy Range from Mattel
• Bluey Toy Range from Moose Toys
• Care Bears Collection from MINISO
• Dobby the House Elf Brick Model from LEGO
• Harry Potter Squishmallows from Jazwares
• PAW Patrol Jungle Pups Range from Spin Master
• Peter Rabbit Games and Jigsaws from Orchard Toys
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem Toy Range from Character Options
• Toomies Bluey Bath Range from TOMY
• Traitors The Official Board Game from Vivid Goliath
• Wednesday Collection from Wow! Stuff

BEST LICENSED HEALTH AND BEAUTY RANGE

• The Adventures of Paddington Bubble Bath & Sandwich Duo from Kokomo Studio
• Care Bears Collection from Sheglam
• Fortnite Collection from Revolution Beauty
• The Gruffalo and Friends Toiletries Collection from Good Bubble
• Harry Potter Kids Health & Beauty Collection from Marks and Spencer
• Harry Potter Ladies Gifting Range from Boots
• Kellogg’s Shower Gel Collection from Bubble T Cosmetics
• The Nightmare Before Christmas Collection from Mad Beauty
• SpongeBob SquarePants Bath and Body Collection from LUSH
• Squishmallows Lip Balms and Bath Fizzers from Crackerjack
• Super Mario Collection from H&A
• The World of Peter Rabbit Collection from Toasted Crumpet

BEST LICENSED PRESCHOOL APPAREL OR ACCESSORIES RANGE (0-5 YEARS)

• Bluey Collection for Character.com from Blues Group
• The Gruffalo TU Baby AW23 Collection from Sainsbury’s
• LEGO DUPLO Collection from H&M
• Miffy Easter Moment for Next from Fashion UK
• Paddington Out and About Collection from Blade & Rose
• PAW Patrol Footwear and Accessories Summer 24 Collection from Brand
  International Group
• PAW Patrol Swimwear Range for Character.com from TDP Textiles
• Peppa Pig Collection from Mori
• Peppa Pig x Natural History Museum Collection for F&F at Tesco from Blues Group
• Peppa Pig Personalised Christmas Sweatshirts from Roy Lowe
• Peter Rabbit Babywear for George at ASDA from Blues Group
• The World of Peter Rabbit Collection from JoJo Maman Bébé

BEST LICENSED CHILDREN’S APPAREL OR ACCESSORIES RANGE

• Barbie Collection for Harrods from Erve
• Barbie Hair Accessories Collection for B&M from Hunter Price
• England FA Women’s Euros Range for George at Asda
• Harry Potter Kids Fashion Range from Joules
• Hot Wheels Collection from Zara
• Mickey & Friends Range for John Lewis from Cooneen
• Minecraft Ender Range for Primark from Fashion UK
• Mr. Men Little Miss Collection from Petit Bateau
• SmileyWorld Future Positive Collection from Small World Accessories
• Squishmallows Collection for Next from Aykroyds
• Squishmallows Collection from H&M
• Stitch Summer F+F Collection from Aykroyds

BEST LICENSED ADULT APPAREL OR ACCESSORIES RANGE

• Barbie & Ken Summer Range from Somerbond
• Barbie Movie Collection for Primark from Bioworld
• Beano Minnie the Minx Collection from Radley
• The Grinch Collection from Adidas
• Hello Kitty Collection for Primark from Brand Alliance
• Hello Kitty 50 Years Collection from The Cambridge Satchel Company
• Hot Wheels Collection from Sidemen Clothing
• NFL Collection for Boohoo from Poetic Brands
• Squid Games Collection from ASOS
• Transformers Footwear and Accessories Collection from Design Asylum
• Yellowstone Don’t Make Us Take You To The Train Station Range from Vanilla Underground
• Where’s Wally Collection from Eastpak

BEST LICENSED DRESS-UP OR PARTYWARE RANGE

• Barbie Party and Balloons from Amscan
• Barbie The Movie Cowgirl Costume from Rubies Masquerade
• Bluey Collection for TU (Sainsbury’s) from Christy’s By Design
• Care Bears Adult Range from Rubies Masquerade
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid Costume from Amscan
• Elmer the Elephant Tabard from Christy’s By Design
• Minecraft Vanilla Partyware from Procos
• Peter Rabbit Classic Easter Range for Asda from Smiffys
• Princess Peach and Super Mario Bros. Range from Disguise
• Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures Dress-up Range from Rubies Masquerade
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar Butterfly Dress for George from Christy’s By Design
• Wednesday Dress-up Range from Rubies Masquerade

BEST LICENSED WRITTEN, LISTENING OR LEARNING RANGE

• Bluey Ladybird Books from Penguin Random House Children’s
• Dungeons and Dragons Adventurer Series from Hachette Partworks
• Horrible Histories Rotten Romans Tonie from Tonies
• LEGO Ideas from DK
• Minecraft Book Publishing from Farshore & Expanse, HarperCollins
• Mr. Men Little Miss Books from Farshore, HarperCollins
• Numberblocks Let’s Learn Numbers Wipe-Clean Activity Set from Sweet Cherry Publishing
• Peppa Pig Magazine from Story House Egmont
• Peter Rabbit Cross Stitch Magazine from Hachette Partworks
• Roald Dahl Sleep Stories from Calm
• Spidey and Friends Reward and Emotion Chart from IG Design Group
• The World of Eric Carle Ladybird Readers from Penguin Random House Children’s

BEST LICENSED PAPER PRODUCTS OR STATIONERY RANGE

• Bluey Greeting Card Range from Moonpig
• Crayola Kraft Range from Hunter Price
• Elmer the Elephant Greeting Cards from Tache Crafts
• Marvel Characters Breakout Collection from Pyramid International
• Me to You Crystal Art Card Kit from Craft Buddy
• Paddington Classic Arts & Craft Collection from Robert Frederick
• Peter Rabbit Greeting Card and Wrappings from Hallmark Cards
• Squishmallows Collection from Blueprint Collections
• Squishmallows Greeting Card, Calendar and Giftwrap Collection from Danilo Promotions
• Stitch Greeting Card Collection for Asda from UK Greetings
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Stationery Collection from BlueSky Designs
• The World of Peter Rabbit Collection from Toasted Crumpet

BEST LICENSED GIFTWARE RANGE, HOME DÉCOR, TABLEWARE OR HOUSEWARES RANGE

• The Beatles Collection from Half Moon Bay
• Bluey BCI Cotton Duvet Set for Next from Dreamtex
• Bridgerton Fabrics Collection from Liberty
• Chapter B Kids Club by Billie Faiers Debut Nursery Collection from Tesco
• Harry Potter Collection from Abysse Corp
• Hello Kitty 50 Year Collection from Primark
• Miffy x Cath Kidston Collection from Cath Kidston
• Moomin Needle Felting and Embroidery Kits from The Crafty Kit Company
• PAW Patrol Collection from Widdop and Co
• Peanuts Home & Gifting Range from House of Disaster
• Prestige Disney Bake with Mickey Collection from Meyer Group
• Wednesday Gifting Collection from Pyramid International

BEST LICENSED FOOD OR DRINK RANGE

• Barbiecue Sauce from Heinz
• Bridgerton Season 3 Collection from Biscuiteers
• CoComelon Snacking Range from Piccolo
• Elf Doughnut Collection from Krispy Kreme
• The Godfather Pasta Sauce from Heinz
• Hello Kitty Coffee Collection from Grind
• Mickey Mouse Baking and Food Gift Range from Kimm & Miller
• PAW Patrol Frozen Potato Shapes and Chicken Shapes from Iceland Foods
• Peppa Pig Cereals from Whatever Brands
• Squishmallows Marshmallows Bars from Lightbody Ventures
• The Tiger Who Came To Tea Tiger Loaf from Jacksons of Yorkshire
• Wallace and Gromit More Tea Gromit? Teabags from Bird Blend Tea Co

THE INNOVATION AWARD

• Avatar Loungefly Range from Funko
• Barbie Towel Pegs and Drinks Clips from Character World Brands
• Barbiecue Sauce from Heinz
• Crayola ImagiPals Surprise Balls Collection from Hunter Price
• Disney Home Collection from Sanderson
• Harry Potter Potions Advent Calendar from The Carat Shop
• Hasbro Game Night Family Pyjamas for Character.com from Fashion UK
• Lilo & Stitch Holdems from EXG Pro
• Pokémon Poké Ball and Mini Poké Ball from The Wand Company
• Real FX Disney Stitch Puppet from WOW! Stuff
• Space Invaders Watch Collection from Nubeo Watches
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Quarter Arcade from Rubber Road

BEST SUSTAINABLE LICENSED PRODUCT

• Barbie Bath and Body Collection from LUSH
• Grand Designs Sofas – Huxham Range from The Branded Furniture Company
• Grateful Dead Football Range from Forest Green Rovers
• Happy Place by Fearne Cotton AW/23 Collection with Fabacus from Nobody’s Child
• Laura Ashley Vintage Apparel Collection from Joanie
• Natural History Museum Treasures SS24 Collection from Dunelm
• RSPB Needle Felt Picture Kit Collection from The Makerss
• Shaun the Sheep Laundry Collection from Little Beau Sheep
• Shaun the Sheep Plantable Children’s Book from Willsow
• SpongeBob SquarePants Bath and Body Collection from LUSH

THE PROPERTY CATEGORY FINALISTS

BEST PRESCHOOL LICENSED PROPERTY (AGE GROUP 0-5)

• The Adventures of Paddington
• Batwheels
• Bing
• Bluey
• CoComelon
• Gabby’s Dollhouse
• Numberblocks
• PAW Patrol
• Peppa Pig
• Pip and Posy
• Peter Rabbit
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar

BEST CHILDREN’S OR TWEEN LICENSED PROPERTY (AGE GROUP 5-12)

• Barbie
• Care Bears
• emoji
• The Grinch
• Harry Potter
• Lilo & Stitch
• L.O.L. Surprise!
• Magic Mixies Mixlings
• Marvel Universe
• Piñata Smashlings
• Squishmallows
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

BEST TEEN OR ADULT LICENSED PROPERTY

• Barbie
• Bridgerton
• The Grinch
• Harry Potter
• Hello Kitty
• Hot Wheels
• Peanuts
• Squishmallows
• Stranger Things
• The Traitors
• Transformers
• Wednesday

BEST GAMING LICENSED PROPERTY

• Call of Duty
• Fall Guys
• Fallout
• Fortnite
• Minecraft
• Pokémon
• Roblox
• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Super Mario
• Warhammer

BEST FILM LICENSED PROPERTY

• Barbie The Movie
• Five Nights at Freddy’s
• PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
• Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
• Trolls Band Together
• Wish
• Wonka

BEST MUSIC OR CELEBRITY LICENSED PROPERTY

• The Beatles
• Billie Faiers
• Ed Sheeran
• Gorillaz
• Grateful Dead
• Iron Maiden
• The Rolling Stones
• Style Sisters

BEST SPORTS LICENSED PROPERTY

• Arsenal Football Club
• Chelsea Football Club
• England Cricket
• England Rugby
• The Football Association
• Liverpool Football Club
• Manchester City Football Club
• NFL Players Association
• Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
• West Ham United Football Club

THE CLASSIC LICENSED PROPERTY AWARD
This award is for properties that have stood the test of time (with at least a decade of licensing activity). The winner will join previous winners in The Licensing Classics Hall of Fame. Previous year’s winners are Barbie, The Beano, Harry Potter, Paddington, Peppa Pig, Peter Rabbit, Pokémon, Mickey Mouse, Miffy, The Snowman, Star Wars, Thomas & Friends and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

This year’s finalists are:

• Batman
• Care Bears
• Elmer The Elephant
• The Gruffalo
• Hello Kitty
• Me to You
• Moomin
• Mr. Men and Little Miss
• The Roald Dahl Story Company
• Sesame Street
• Smiley
• Teletubbies

THE WHAT KIDS LOVE AWARD

• Bluey
• Horrid Henry
• Mr Bean (Animated Series)
• PAW Patrol
• Peppa Pig
• Pokémon
• Scooby-Doo
• Sonic The Hedgehog
• SpongeBob SquarePants
• Spider-Man
• Stranger Things
• The Simpsons

HONORARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
There are no finalists announced for this prestigious award. It will be given to someone in recognition of their contribution to the industry.

The Licensing Awards 2024 takes place on Tuesday 10 September at Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Tickets and tables can be reserved quickly and securely online by visiting Max-Tickets.net or by contacting Clare Hollick at Create Events: clare@createvents.co.uk or phone +44 (0)1183 340085.

For sponsorship or general questions regarding The Licensing Awards, please contact Ian Hyder, Jakki Brown, Rob Willis or Samantha Loveday.