Category Archives: Lifestyle

Brands for Fans launches two Def Leppard gins

Posted on by

Rock legends Def Leppard are celebrating their 45th anniversary in 2022, and to commemorate the occasion, award-winning Swedish liquor producer Brands For Fans is releasing two premium gin products.

The Brands for Fans gins are named after two songs on Def Leppard’s iconic album Hysteria: “Animal” and “Rocket.” Expertly created by globally recognised in-house master blender Daniel Henriksson, the gins aim to deliver a rock ’n’ roll lifestyle into the homes of both life-long fans and spirits connoisseurs.

Brands for Fans worked with Epic Rights, a licensing agency of Def Leppard, to develop the products.

Def Leppard ‘Animal’ is a classic London Dry Gin with a high intensity of flavours. The grain-based distillate is heavy with juniper, lemon, and botanicals. It is spicy, big, and bold and has all the classic gin characters you should expect in a London Dry Gin. This gin’s label design is inspired by the hit single “Animal” from the album Hysteria.

Def Leppard ‘Rocket’ is a premium distilled gin with a high intensity of flavours. Also, with this gin, the grain-based distillate is bold with juniper and herbaceous tones. Taking inspiration from the lavender labyrinths in Sheffield (Manor Lodge), and to get an even more developed experience of botanical character, additional flavors of lavender and lemon are macerated and blended with the distillate. There are no added sweeteners, ensuring the purest quality of liquid. The label design is based on the hit single “Rocket” from the album Hysteria.

The products launched on June 10 in the UK, mainland Europe, Sweden, the Nordics, and the USA, and are available to order here: https://brandsforfans.com/

Osan and Sockshop acquire Caroline Gardner licence

Posted on by

Leading sock retailers Osan and Sockshop have acquired the licence for Caroline Gardner socks to be sold in the UK.

Launching for SS22, the Caroline Gardner sock collection incorporates the distinctive patterns and colour palette that the boutique brand is renowned for. The collection features fun floral and dainty love heart motifs that are instantly recognisable and consistent with Caroline Gardner’s wider product offering, in wearable tones of grey, black and blush pink. Designs are available in classic anklet and trainer styles.

A spokesperson for Osan commented: “We are delighted to announce our licensing agreement with such an iconic and much-loved brand. We’re really proud of the Caroline Gardner collection and we hope the designs bring as much joy to our customers as they will comfort.”

Angus Gardner, Director at Caroline Gardner, adds: “We are delighted to be partnering with Osan and Sockshop. Their professionalism and commitment to quality have been our own keystones whilst building our business over the last 30 years. We see such relationships as long-term partnerships and very much look forward to working with the team for many years to come.”

Discover the collection at sockshop.co.uk here. Styles are available in sizes 4-8 and retail from £6.99.

Motul appoints IAM as licensing agent for South Korea

Posted on by

The global lifestyle brand Motul has appointed IAM Allrights as its agent for South Korea.

Offering a wide range of licensing and consulting services, IAM (an abbreviation of Intangible Assets Management) is a leading name in the Korean licensing business with a strong portfolio of clients that includes diverse overseas brands such as Police, Baldessarini, BeeDees and Galian, along with a number of major domestic brands.

As well as identifying potential licensees, retail and marketing strategies that convey the personality and spirit of the Motul brand, IAM will be actively engaged in maximising brand values by looking beyond traditional merchandise licensing and by capitalising on various business opportunities.

This has an obvious appeal for Motul, a brand with strong potential within and beyond the automotive space in which it originally made its name. IAM will therefore develop a licensing programme targeting motorcycle and car enthusiasts, automotive professionals, motor-caravan owners and a growing outdoor and leisure market for families. Key categories will include workwear, maintenance tools and equipment alongside lifestyle categories such as apparel, accessories and gifting.

Motul is a world-renowned company specialising in the formulation, production and global distribution of high-tech engine lubricants. For many decades it has also been a dedicated technical partner and official supplier to some of the finest motor racing teams and manufacturers in history. Its presence today extends to over 160 countries, and numerous event partnerships including the Dakar Rally, Le Mans and Goodwood Revival.

The Motul brand is now bringing its 100-year heritage, and its associations with speed, style, adventure, performance, elegance and above all winning, to a major lifestyle branding campaign. It will be targeting a wide range of categories, ranging from apparel, stationery, houseware and apparel to backpacks, phone covers and car accessories.

IAM is the newest addition to a fast-growing Motul agency network which now includes global licensing agent Aspire for WildBrain CPLG, as well as recently appointed agents for Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

KS Kim, President of IAM, says: “Motul is a world-class brand whose rich heritage and global reputation will be the perfect inspiration for a varied licensing programme that will maximise the brand’s presence and profitability in the Korean market. We fully intend to provide many opportunities for Korean consumers to enjoy a new and wider experience of the Motul brand.”

Managing the Motul campaign is Laurent Taieb, a licensing specialist with over 25 years’ experience. He says: “With its extensive marketing networks in Korea and Asia, exclusive access to the Korean market and expertise in understanding and bridging cultural and market barriers, IAM is the perfect partner to build the presence of the Motul brand in Korea. We’re delighted to be working with such a respected and expert partner in this key market.”

 

Introducing Haus Labs by Lady Gaga

Posted on by

Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, an all-new clean, prestige makeup brand, has debuted exclusively at Sephora and hauslabs.com.

The makeup collection – comprising 90 SKUS in seven key categories – promises “no-compromise colour backed with HausTech Powered skin-loving, futuristic formulas”. The June assortment includes all-over paints for eyes, lips and cheeks; gel-powder bronzers; highlighters; hydrating lip oils, and more. All products are clean, cruelty-free and vegan.

Haus Labs is sold only at hauslabs.com (including international), Sephora.com, Sephora.ca, and, since 9 June, in 25 select Sephora stores in California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Texas and Toronto, Canada. This autumn, Haus Labs will continue the momentum, rolling out 500 Sephora stores by year end (with launch products plus three new categories, 145+ SKUS).

“I’m extremely excited to announce that we are bringing brand-new, supercharged, clean artistry makeup to the world, through a place that has inspired me for years, Sephora,” says Lady Gaga, the founder of Haus Labs. “At Haus Labs, artistry is for everyone, and no one should have to damage their skin or sacrifice their principles and values to be self-expressive with high-performance makeup.”

Ben Jones, CEO of Haus Labs, adds: “Great consumer products take time, testing, learning and a commitment to innovation. I’m very proud of the brand’s new era, and our incredible team. Together with Haus of Gaga, we have built something truly unique and special. We have had incredible support from our investors and our exclusive retail partner, Sephora. We can’t wait for consumers to experience Haus Labs first-hand.”

All products have “futuristic formulas” that are high-tech, high-performance and high-pigment as well as life- and lab-stress-tested. The brand’s first-to-market, patent-pending and/or proprietary ingredients include extra-potent Fermented Arnica for reducing redness and inflammation, sparked by Gaga’s long-standing use of arnica to help counteract her chronic pain.

Haus Labs’ commitment to clean beauty goes beyond banning over 2700 questionable ingredients, prioritising safety, quality, performance and sustainability to optimise performance with skincare, science and innovation. The brand is also certified clean at Sephora. Further, Haus Labs will be 100% carbon neutral by 2027. The company is actively committed to using glass, aluminum, cellulose and post-consumer recycled materials when possible and FSC-certified paper, sourced from sustainably harvested forests, to reduce its climate impact.

 

Maurizio Distefano Licensing announces the arrival of Bluey toys in Italy

Posted on by

Maurizio Distefano Licensing, Italian agent for BBC Studios’ property Bluey, has announced the arrival at retail of new Bluey toys from Giochi Preziosi, the Italian distributor of master toy licensee Moose Toys.

Bluey toys are now available in large-scale retail shops and major toy shop chains across Italy.

Bluey has been a massive success in Italy on Disney+, Rai YoYo and YouTube, and this timely collection of toys inspired by the colourful world of the little blue heeler is a real treat for fans of Bluey, her family and friends.

The line includes 20cm plush toys of Bluey and sister Bingo and six sets of action figures, four of which consist of two characters from the animated series (Grannies, Cousins, Pool Time, Skateboard) and two of which highlight four characters (Bluey’s Family, Bluey’s Friends). There will also be two mini playsets (Bingo’s Playroom and Bluey’s Playground) and, of course, the Heeler 4WD Family Vehicle.

The promotion and launch of the collection have left nothing to chance – inside 70 Toys Center shops there is a dedicated shelf, with an eye-catching layout and logo and a luminous sign. Supporting the launch, the rich media plan will include commercials on all preschool target TV stations. There will also be an integrated launch plan on the social channels of both Bluey and Giochi Preziosi.

Bluey has enjoyed excellent results in terms of views, registering an incredible 10.38% share on RaiYoYo in the 4-7-year-old range, taking second place on the podium on RaiYoYo for total time spent and occupying third place for the most viewed series by children on demand on Rai Play.

Further confirmation of the extraordinary success of the little Aussie dog in Italy comes in the form of the many licensing agreements already secured by Maurizio Distefano Licensing. Several products will be launched in the market in the coming months. Multiprint will produce a collection of stamp sets inspired by the series, Dulcop will offer a range of soap bubbles dedicated to the characters and Diramix plans a sticker album. Grabo meanwhile will bring Bluey to its inflatable balloons, Halantex will bring out Bluey bedding, and finally Dolfin, looking to 2023, will sweeten the Epiphany with a dedicated selection of Epiphany stockings.

Maurizio Distefano says: “As soon as I saw Bluey, I knew that it had strong potential in the Italian market but even this may be an understatement. The success of the animated series in Italy has encouraged many Italian licensees to partner with the property already and this success looks like continuing for some while.”

 

24 Hours of Le Mans and The Outlierman team for luxury driving accessories

Posted on by

The Outlierman, maker of handcrafted luxury driving accessories, has announced a new three-year collaboration with the iconic endurance sportscar race 24 Hours of Le Mans, lasting until 2025, in a deal brokered by IMG.

The Outlierman will design and produce multiple limited-edition capsule licensed collections inspired by the most emblematic moments and symbols of 24 Hours of Le Mans, including luxury driving gloves, ties, pocket squares, silk and cashmere scarves, leather helmet bags, wallets and swim shorts.

24 hours of Le Mans is the world’s oldest active endurance race event and has been running since 1923. Held annually on the Circuit de la Sarthe, this year’s event will take place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June.

Andrea Mazzuca, Founder of The Outlierman, says: “We at The Outlierman are incredibly proud to be partnering with the historic and renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans. This new collaboration fills us with immense pride and marks a huge milestone for the brand.

“Each design we create will be a chapter of a great story to remember and to collect, and will reflect the moments that make the 24 Hours of Le Mans the most unique race in the world and in history. We also can’t wait to be part of the 24 Hours of Le Mans centenary celebrations next year and have big plans in place for the occasion.”

The 24 Hours of Le Mans collections will be designed by The Outlierman’s Bologna-based designers, and crafted by the company’s  master craftspeople in their workshops between Naples and Como.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans license sits alongside The Outlierman’s current and past collaborations, including the likes of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Pagani and MINI John Cooper Works.

The latest Outlierman products can be found here.

 

Ravensburger debuts Minecraft jigsaw puzzles

Posted on by

Ravensburger, a leading publisher of puzzles, board games and toys, is partnering with Minecraft to translate the much-loved online universe into jigsaw puzzle form for the first time ever. The new line features both adult and kids puzzles and is now available for pre-order in the U.S. on Amazon.

“Ravensburger is proud to have been selected as Minecraft’s global puzzle partner,” says Thomas Kaeppeler, President of Ravensburger North America. “It was important for us to ensure the puzzles had authentic landscapes that capture what people love about Minecraft to help invoke an immersive feeling of being in the game.”

The Minecraft puzzles allow fans to piece together some of their favourite scenes from the Overworld, visiting different biomes, exploring structures and encountering familiar foes such as mobs. The line includes 3 x 49-pc, 100-pc, 300-pc, 1000-pc and 1500-pc counts and will be officially on-sale starting July 1, 2022. (Ages 5 – 14+ / $14.99 – $34.99 MSRP)

Dan Dee partners with Afro Unicorn for plush and décor products

Posted on by

Dan Dee International and its affiliate, Animal Adventure, has announced a multi-year licensing deal with Afro Unicorn – a lifestyle brand representing women and children of colour. Through this agreement, Dan Dee will create plush and décor products based on Afro Unicorn characters and designs, set to launch at retail in 2023.

“Dan Dee is delighted to have been selected as a key licensing partner by Afro Unicorn,” says Mark Matheny, Head of Licensing. “This is an exciting opportunity to help promote the brand’s mission of inspiring children of colour through products that represent their uniqueness. We are proud to be partnering with the team at Afro Unicorn and look forward to playing a pivotal role in delivering their message through our broad retail distribution.”

“I created Afro Unicorn to remind women and children of colour how unique, divine and magical they truly are,” says April Showers, Afro Unicorn’s Founder. “My goal from the beginning was to help normalise black beauty; to give black and brown girls a unicorn that represents them and encourages them to love the skin that they are in and embrace the crown on their heads, [to remind them that] you are unique, you are divine, and you are magical.

“When choosing a company to partner with it’s important for us that they understand the under-representation for children of colour in the market and want to fill that void in a major way to not only change the trajectory on how little brown and black girls see themselves but also how the world views them as well. Dan Dee and Animal Adventure not only understand it, they are committed to carrying out the vision of Afro Unicorn globally. Looking forward to all the unique, divine and magical unicorns that will come out of this partnership.”

HIPPEAS launches Minion-themed snacks

Posted on by

HIPPEAS is spreading The Peas & Love with the launch of its Minions-themed snacks for the summer. The Chickpeas Puffs snacks brand has replaced its iconic chickpea smile graphic on-pack with a Minion character for each flavour.

The new HIPPEAS products, in support of the new Illumination film Minions: The Rise of Gru (in cinemas 1 July), will be available in limited-edition packs of HIPPEAS Chickpea Puffs in three far-out flavours and a variety of sizes – perfect for on-the-go travel and summer entertaining. HIPPEAS limited-edition Minions-themed snacks will be available nationwide at UK.HIPPEAS.com and select e-commerce channels as well as in-store at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Whole Foods, Planet Organic, Booths, Ocado, Getir and Gorillas from May through August 2022.

“Minions are a global pop-culture phenomenon, and we could not be more thrilled to collaborate with Illumination on this limited-edition release of our HIPPEAS Chickpea Puffs,” says Paul Nardone, HIPPEAS CEO. “The combination of these two iconic and colourful brands – HIPPEAS, known for its bright yellow bag, and Minions, the beloved mischievous yellow scene-stealers – feels so joyful and fun. We can’t wait to share these snacks with consumers of all ages this summer.”

HIPPEAS Chickpea Puffs have an average of 1.3 grams of fibre, 3.5  grams  of plant-protein and only 90 kcals per 22g serving. HIPPEAS Chickpea Puffs are also totally vegan, gluten-free, palm-oil free as well as free from MSG.

Flavour offerings include Take it Cheesy, Salt & Vinegar Vibes and Sweet and Smokin’. The Minions-themed pack sizes include a 78g bag and multipacks containing five 15g packs. For more information, visit UK.HIPPEAS.com.

Spread Group signs up five iconic Paramount properties

Posted on by

Spread Group has signed a deal with Paramount Consumer Products to produce print-on-demand products for the European market for five iconic properties: Flashdance, Top Gun, Star Trek, Garfield and SpongeBob SquarePants.

Sustainability is at the heart of the partnership. The Spread Group’s print-on-demand offering means an item is only printed after it has been ordered. This limits waste because there’s no over-stocking and leftover sizes.

The first designs will include I Feel the Need for Speed Top Gun t-shirts, Flashdance logo and What a Feeling! hoodies, Garfield LASAGNA lunchboxes and Saturday Night Fever posters. The designs will be a mixture of classic images and newly created designs produced by Spread Group.

Customisation is also made easy with print-on-demand. Fans have the freedom to add a design to a product in a size, colour, and style of their choice.

Sven Burscher, Spread Group’s Head of Licensing, says: “This partnership means Spread Group can offer a huge variety of themes to a wide audience. The Paramount Global brands cover iconic movies and cartoons for a large demographic. There’s a coming-of-age moment for everyone!

“Our print-on-demand offering means the brands and their fans can customise their creations to suit them, whilst retaining brand integrity. It also limits waste, which is better for the planet.”

Fans will be able to add images and quotes to t-shirts, hoodies, caps, bags, aprons, mugs, water bottles, lunchboxes, pillowcases, posters and stickers, depending on the brand. Designs will also be localised – for example, Garfield quotes in German, French and English.

The licence covers Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and the UK.