Category Archives: Lifestyle

ARTiSTORY appoints Markettcom to cover UAE and Saudi Arabia

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Specialist in art and cultural licensing ARTiSTORY is continuing to expand its global operation with the appointment of Markettcom agency.

Capitalising on the growing appetite for Western museums in the UAE following the opening of the Louvre in Abu Dhabi and the forthcoming Guggenheim opening in Abu Dhabi, which is scheduled for 2025,  Markettcom will represent ARTiSTORY in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to work across licensing, LBE and estate development, to gain early entry into this expanding market.

The addition of Markettcom gives ARTiSTORY representation in this new territory as well as in the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Benelux, Russia, North America, China, Singapore, S. Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.

Markettcom is a media and licensing agency headquartered in Dubai with offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey, working closely with their partners and clients to grow their brand awareness and licensing business in the MENA region.

“I’m excited about the new partnership with ARTiSTORY,” Amer Bitar, CEO at Markettcom Limited comments. “We are very pleased with our new licensing partnership with ARTiSTORY, and we are confident we can grow the art licensing market in the Middle East. ARTiSTORY is an artistic content creator, and we will be able to utilise our strong expertise and relationships within the licensing and retail industry in the Middle East to introduce great innovative designs in that growing market.”

“We’re thrilled to be working with Markettcom,” says Natasha Dyson, co-founder and licensing director at ARTiSTORY. “It’s the perfect time for us to be expanding ARTiSTORY’s business in UAE and Saudi Arabia and with Amer’s background in art history, and extensive licensing experience, we couldn’t have found a better partner.”

TSBA Group secures adidas and Arsenal collaboration with Transport for London

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adidas and Arsenal have today launched a collection in collaboration with Transport for London (TfL) to celebrate the historic connection between the football club and the London Underground. The collaboration was brokered by TSBA Group, TfL’s global licensing agent.

Available from today, the range celebrates Arsenal station – the only Underground station to be named after a football club, following its change from Gillespie Road in 1932.

The collection is inspired by the seat pattern or “moquette” that appears on the Piccadilly line trains that run through Arsenal Tube station and the bold and disruptive all-over print is seen on the prematch jersey and warm top, which the players will wear to warm up in ahead of games between now and the end of the season.

There are five pieces in the range, which also includes a youth jersey – matching the adult shirts – as well as a reversible padded vest and pant, both of which have navy base colour and subtle Arsenal Tube station sign-off.

Julie Dixon, Head of Customer Information, Design & Partnerships at Transport for London (TfL), says: “It’s been great to collaborate with adidas and Arsenal on this new pre-match range, which reflects our iconic Piccadilly line moquette. Arsenal Tube station has had a deep relationship with the football club for almost 90 years and for staff and fans alike – there is nothing quite like the atmosphere and excitement on a match day. We look forward to seeing fans around the world wearing this eye-catching new pre-match range.”

As part of the campaign, adidas has also teamed up with London-based artist and Arsenal fan Reuben Dangoor to create and design a special, limited-edition Oyster card.

Consumers can have the chance of claiming the card, which is pre-loaded with £15, by purchasing an article in the range via the adidas app. There is also a chance to win one via a first-come-first-served free to enter opportunity to adidas Creator Club members.

The range will be available across adidas.com, in store as well as at Arsenal official club stores and selected retailers.

For the chance to claim a bespoke Reuben Dangoor designed Oyster Card, visit adidas.co.uk/adidasapp.

For further information on the TfL brand, contact enquiries@tsbagroup.com

Cath Kidston partners with Beanstalk to extend the brand into new categories

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Cath Kidston, the British lifestyle brand known for its playful nostalgic prints, has appointed global brand extension licensing agency Beanstalk to extend its brand into new categories in home, fashion and gifting areas internationally.

Beanstalk will extend Cath Kidston’s footprint into new areas for all the family to enjoy, with a focus on key geographic markets, developed through Beanstalk’s extensive partnership network.     

Melinda Paraie, CEO of Cath Kidston, says: “We are thrilled with the new partnership, which leverages the licensing expertise of Beanstalk to create opportunities for our customers to experience Cath Kidston in new ways.  The expansion of our iconic print narrative into additional product categories and key global markets supports our long-term growth plan. Through licensed extensions, the brand vision will continue to bring nostalgic meaning and joy to everyday life.”

Louise French, Senior Vice President, Business Development and Operations at Beanstalk, adds: “We are delighted to be working with Cath Kidston, one of Britain’s best-loved brands, to extend the brand into new and creative spaces.

“The quintessentially British nature of the brand and distinctive print handwriting offer significant opportunities to create beautiful new products that offer additional touchpoints for consumers. We are looking forward to working alongside the Cath Kidston team to deliver a successful international licensing programme.”

Laurence King Publishing to produce two new gifts for the forthcoming The Amazing Maurice film

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Philip Contos, Commissioning Editor for Gift at Laurence King Publishing, part of The Orion Publishing Group, has acquired rights to produce a 250-piece jigsaw puzzle and children’s matching card game to accompany the release on Sky Cinema of The Amazing Maurice later this year.

The film – produced by Cantilever Media and Ulysses Filmproduktion in co-production with Sky – is based on Terry Pratchett’s novel The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (2001), the first Discworld novel for children, which won the Carnegie Medal in 2001.

The forthcoming Sky Original production features Maurice, a streetwise tom cat who comes up with a money-making scam by befriending a group of talking rats. When Maurice and the rodents reach the stricken town of Bad Blintz, they meet a bookworm called Malicia and their scheme soon goes down the drain.

The film features the voices of Hugh Laurie, Emilia Clarke, David Thewlis, Himesh Patel and Gemma Arterton, among others.

Philip Contos says: “I’m thrilled to be working on these games to help kids enjoy the world of the The Amazing Maurice, Bad Blintz, and the rat king. It’s the first-ever animated feature film based on a novel by Terry Pratchett and it’s a fantastic way of introducing younger audiences to his work.

“I watched the rough cut with my 7-year-old and he loved it, in spite of the fact that it was only a third finished. It’s like a cross between Ratatouille and Robin Hood, with the spirited Malicia as narrator giving lots of hilarious asides direct to camera. I can’t wait to see the finished film and it’s going to be so much fun exploring the world of the novel further in the jigsaw puzzle and matching game.”

The jigsaw and game will both be priced at £12.99 and are suitable for children aged 6+ and their families.

 

Vilebrequin appoints IMG for product and brand collaborations

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Vilebrequin, the French luxury brand specialising in swimwear, has appointed IMG to extend its brand globally through product and brand licensing partnerships, in a multi-year global deal.

Vilebrequin, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021, will work with IMG to creatively extend the brand into wider lifestyle categories consistent with the brand’s cultivation of a sun-kissed “joie de vivre” spirit. Categories targeted include sunglasses, headwear, footwear, jewellery, resort and beach furniture and sun-care, featuring the brand’s distinctive fabric patterns and St. Tropez-rooted European flair.

Roland Herlory, Vilebrequin CEO, commented: “We are pleased to partner with IMG to help us identify the best product and brand collaborations for Vilebrequin. We plan to extend our ‘art of living at the beach’ philosophy to new categories, which will expand the reach and grow our brand. In doing so, we will bring luxury holiday wear to the next level, while always staying true to our St. Tropez heritage, without making any compromises on quality, comfort and style.”

Bruno Maglione, President of Licensing at IMG, added: “Vilebrequin has mastered the art of creating swimsuits that are not only instantly identifiable, but also evoke a free-spirited mindset inspired by the sun, sand and sea that nourishes the imagination. Its French Riviera heritage and bright colours are married to a lifestyle of freedom and relaxation that is equal parts glamorous and aspirational. This uniquely rich brand heritage will enable us to bring to life new products consistent with the brand’s DNA.”

Founded in 1971, Vilebrequin was created in Saint Tropez by Fred Prysquel, a photographer and sports automobile journalist and Yvette, a fashion designer. Currently, Vilebrequin’s swim collections are developed from 50% recycled or recyclable materials and are expected to expand to approximately 80% by 2023. Additionally, Vilebrequin’s packaging is sourced from sustainably managed forests, contain 40% recycled materials and are fully biodegradable.

For more information on licensing opportunities, visit www.imglicensing.com.

Bachelors partners with Pokémon to roll out exclusive promotion

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Batchelors is kicking off 2022 with an exclusive partnership with Pokémon, offering shoppers a raft of prizes through an on-pack promotion and campaign. Rolling out in stores nationwide from 27 January, the promotion is launching in the same week as the highly anticipated Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

The on-pack promotion will see Pokémon characters feature across packaging for Batchelors Super Noodles and Pasta ’n’ Sauce ranges, with shoppers able to win 100 prizes each week such as Nintendo Switch Consoles, Pokémon plush, copies of the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl games, and cards from the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Naomi Shooman, brand director for quick meals, soups and snacks at Premier Foods, comments: “Following on from the previous success of gaming partnerships for Batchelors, we are delighted to be joining forces this year with Pokémon, the highest media grossing franchise in the world. Our on-pack promotion will give shoppers the chance to win a range of prizes and Pokémon products, and is set to attract new shoppers to the category and encourage existing Batchelors fans to grab a pot or pack of Super Noodles or Pasta ’n’ Sauce more often. We know that Batchelors is particularly popular with those aged 35-44, and coupled with Pokémon’s wide-ranging appeal to younger adults, we see the partnership as a real recipe for success.”

The Batchelors and Pokémon promotion will be rolling out across retailers from 27 January, and will be supported through in-store activation in grocery and convenience.

 

Poetic Brands adds Schitt’s Creek to its portfolio

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Apparel manufacturer Poetic Brands has partnered with ITV Studios to create a range of adult apparel based on the hugely popular riches-to-rags comedy drama Schitt’s Creek.

The new range is set to include men’s and women’s T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and nightwear for distribution across Europe.

Schitt’s Creek made a record-breaking sweep of the 2020 Emmy awards with nine wins, including Outstanding Comedy Series, and has also won a plethora of other awards in its six-year run, including ACTRA awards, Canadian Screen Awards, a Critics’ Choice Television Award, Screen Actors Guild Awards and many more.

ITV Studios has secured a number of international broadcasters for the series, taking the total count to 197 territories. When the sixth and final series launched on Netflix in September 2020, users in the US watched 968 million minutes (Nielsen Streaming Rankings, September 2020), moving the show to the most-watched on the platform.

Elliott Matthews, Executive Director at Poetic Brands, commented: “Schitt’s Creek is one of those series that will go down in history and despite there being no more production, it will continue to be popular with its army of fans. We’re really excited to be launching this apparel range – the brand is part of adult pop culture in the UK and we’re sure it will be a big hit.”

Christina Lima, VP Global Franchise Management and Creative Services at ITV Studios, added: “Schitt’s Creek is one of those brands that everyone wishes to have in their portfolio. After the huge success with the licensing programme in North America, it is time to bring it to Europe. We are very pleased to welcome Poetic Brands as one of our first signed partners in the UK.”

Schitt’s Creek is produced by Not A Real Company Productions Inc. for CBC and Pop TV.

Spread Group links with Peanuts Worldwide for print-on-demand babywear

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Spread Group and Peanuts Worldwide are kicking off the new year with a range of baby products and designs. The collection will be offered across the whole of the EU and the UK, and will feature the lovable beagle Snoopy on baby-grows, tiny t-shirts and warm hats.

Sven Burscher, Spread Group’s Head of Licensing, says: “This partnership expands Spread Group’s offering with lovely designs for the Peanuts baby demographics. It gives the brand and its fans the option of print-on-demand, which offers a range of designs in a style, size and colour to suit them. Peanuts has positivity associated with the brand we are very excited to have Snoopy and the gang in our portfolio!”

Tara Botwick, Vice President of Territory Management, EMEA for Peanuts Worldwide, adds: “We are looking forward to growing our baby offerings in Europe, as we know that parents and grandparents want to share their love of Peanuts with the next generation. Expanding our print-on-demand business is important as we continue to reach new audiences and Spread Group is a key licensee in that category.”

Spreadshirt’s Marketplace will also host a showroom of the designs featuring Charles M. Schulz’s classic characters. More designs will be added as they come on-stream, and the collection will also include apparel for teenagers and adults.

 

Call of Duty collectibles incoming from Koyo and Activision

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Games and pop culture merchandise specialist Koyo and video game publisher Activision have partnered to launch officially licensed Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Warzone collectibles.

The new and upcoming products build on Koyo’s existing games offering, which encompasses a range of collectibles based on popular characters and iconic items from some of the world’s biggest game developers and publishers.

Koyo’s latest range for fans of Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Warzone includes logo pin badges, logo keyrings, bar blade bottle openers, patch sets, DIY pin badge sets and Tomogunchi pin badge sets.

More items in Koyo’s Call of Duty collectibles range will be revealed in the coming months.

The Call of Duty: Vanguard collectibles will be available for fans to buy direct from www.thekoyostore.com or through retail stores globally from 22 January 2022, with Call of Duty: Warzone collectibles following in February.

“We’re so excited to be working with Activision to create some truly unique Call of Duty collectibles,” says Koyo COO Helen Garlick. “Our aim is always to deliver what our fan communities want, and Call of Duty has been on many wish lists for a long time, including ours! We’re sure Vanguard and Warzone players everywhere will love these items – and we have more planned for the coming months.”

 

McVitie’s launches biggest-ever marketing initiative with sponsorship of Britain’s Got Talent

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McVitie’s is undertaking its biggest ever marketing initiative to date by joining forces with Britain’s Got Talent as the new headline sponsor of the entertainment talent show for 2022.

The partnership marks the coming together of two of the UK’s favourite, and most quintessentially British brands, promising “Golden Moments of absolute fun for families to share together”.

The new McVitie’s sponsorship of Britain’s Got Talent will be activated across the major UK grocery chains.

The brand has collaborated closely with Britain’s Got Talent to roll out a fully-fledged 360-degree marketing plan across TV, digital and social media comms, bespoke packaging and in-store displays, competitions as well as a host of PR initiatives that will run throughout the course of the season.

Through the new partnership, fans of McVitie’s and Britain’s Got Talent will have the chance to win top prizes through the new Golden Moments campaign that will offer exclusive money-can’t-buy experiences including VIP tickets to the live BGT Final at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London.

The Golden Moments campaign aims to spread stories of positivity and fun across the nation. Competition details will be available across special Britain’s Got Talent branded packs including McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives, Hobnobs and Jaffa Cakes in retailers across the UK from 7 March, 2022.

The new partnership was announced in with a surprise red-carpet performance from the winners of Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions, Twist and Pulse (aka Ashley Glazebrook and Glen Murphy).

The packed crowd were delighted to see the pioneers of ‘Streetomedy’ – a mix of street dance and comedy, a phrase coined by the two – perform their latest routine which had them dunking their McVitie’s biscuits into mugs of tea.

During the performance, Twist and Pulse handed out a range of McVitie’s treats and cups of tea to warm up the crowd in the chilly January weather.

Caroline Hipperson, UK&I CMO of McVities’ parent company pladis, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be the new headline sponsor of Britain’s Got Talent. Two of Britain’s most loved brands, who share in the same message of positivity, fun and indulgence, best enjoyed in the company of others – it’s a perfect fit. As our biggest ever sponsorship to date we wanted to go big and we have some brilliant surprises planned throughout the season, so we welcome everyone to sit back, enjoy their favourite McVitie’s biscuit and watch the show!”