Category Archives: Lifestyle

The British & Irish Lions signs new deal with mouthguard specialist OPRO

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The British & Irish Lions has signed a new licensing partnership with the world’s largest mouthguard manufacturer, OPRO, marking one of a number new licensing deals secured for the brand by The Point. 1888.

A product licensing programme for the British & Irish Lions is now well underway, created to tap into the demand for the sport ahead of the Castle Lager Lions Series in South Africa against the Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks.

The new partnership grants OPRO the rights to produce Lions-branded mouthguards available for purchase through its network of global retailers.

The relationship also sees all players selected in the Lions squad provided with OPRO’s, award winning, custom-fit mouthguards. OPRO is the official mouthguard partner of more than 85 teams and associations across the world, including England Rugby, Rugby Australia, New Zealand Rugby and 11 Gallagher Premiership clubs.

“We are delighted to welcome OPRO to our family of licensees,” said Tom Halsey, British & Irish Lions commercial director.

“OPRO’s pioneering approach to mouthguard technology and player welfare sets it apart from any competitor. We look forward to another successful partnership with them.”

Daniel Lovat, sports marketing director for OPRO, added: “It’s a huge privilege to once again be partnered with the Lions and we also thanks The Point. 1888 for their fantastic support.

“We’re excited to launch the range of Lions-branded mouthguards alongside our retail partners and also support the squad during the Tour, ensuring they’ve the very best protection for their teeth.”

OPRO is the latest in a list of recent Lions’ license deals secured by The Point.1888, which include Reach Publishing for a Lions pre-Tour magazine, Tour guide, and bookazine, Super Socks for a range of Lions-branded personalised socks and cushions, and Disrupt Sport who will create a portfolio of print on demand Lions products includng posters, stickers, puzzles, wallets, phone cases and bumbags.

“We are delighted to be working with these new partners to support what is set to be an incredible few months for the Lions in South Africa. With some very varied partners on board, we are thrilled to be appealing to so many fans across the entire family, as well as supporting the team whilst they play,” said Hannah Stevens, head of retail at The Point. 1888.

WildBrain CPLG tapped as Motul eyes lifestyle brand extension across apparel, toys, and more

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WildBrain CPLG has been tapped as the global agent for the engine oil brand, Motul in an agreement that will mark its first expansion into licensed products. Under the partnership, WildBrain CPLG’s dedicated lifestyle division will target categories including workwear, tool, car and bike maintenance goods, and garage equipment.

Plans will also encompass lifestyle categories such as apparel, accessories, gifting, construction toys and kits, and retail loyalty promotions.

Originated in the USA in 1853, with the Swan & Finch Oil Corporation, Motul has specialised in the formulation, production and worldwide distribution of high-tech engine lubricants, aimed at the end consumer. Motorsports has been Motul’s primary laboratory for creativity and innovation since it first stepped into racing in the 1950s, with the brand using racetracks and international motorsports events to develop, refine and test its products to the limits.

As a result, the company has been a technical partner and official supplier to some of the the finest teams and manufacturers in history. Motul is now present in over 160 countries, and recent event partnerships for the brand include the Dakar Rally, MotoGP, World WSBK, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, IMSA, Le Mans Classic and Goodwood Revival.

Victoria Whellans, group brands director at WildBrain CPLG Lifestyle, said: “With Motul’s rich heritage and reputation as one of motorsports’ most notable players, the brand has excellent licensing potential in a diverse range of categories. We’re already working closely with Motul to build a best-in-class consumer products offering, which will be closely aligned with the brand’s core values – premium, specialist, ingenious, brotherly, passionate and authentic.”

Romain Grabowski, head of brand at Motul, said: “It’s with great pride that we announce our collaboration with WildBrain CPLG, as we both share the same ambition and they were immediately an obvious choice to us. The WildBrain CPLG team has an extensive network and impressive experience within the licensing world and we’re confident they will carefully identify licensees that are matched with our primary focus on quality as well as with our unique spirit, which is a considered blend of authenticity, innovation, passion for racing and taste for adventure.

“The official Motul licensed products offering will soon be available across different markets and will give Motul fans, petrol-heads, drivers, riders, DIYers and mechanics the opportunity to enjoy a wider experience with the Motul brand.”

Motul joins WildBrain CPLG’s growing lifestyle portfolio, which also includes Absolut Vodka, Charlotte Posner, Karcher, Kikkoman, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Osprey London, Parental Advisory, Chupa Chups, Mentos, Smint, Yale University and Harvard University.

Royal Horticultural Society plants major kids’ clothing deal with George

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The Royal Horticultural Society has secured a new partnership with the award-winning George brand to produce a collection of children’s clothing and accessories to be made available in Asda stores across the UK from April 1st this year.

The new range will be aimed at kids aged one to seven years old and will span shirts, t-shirts, hoodies, dresses, shorts, boots, backpacks, and rainhats. It will include a selected mix of apparel for wearing in the garden, at picnics, during outings to the park, and more. With the British weather in mind, there will be items for both sunny and rainy days, too.

The collection is the result of a collaboration between the RHS and George who came together to create a unique print direction featuring hand-drawn illustrations of smiling vegetables, bright garden tools and colourful tractors. There are also slogans encouraging kids to connect with nature and grow plants and veg such as ‘I’m growing every day’, ‘You can find me in the back garden’, and ‘Let’s go and grow.’

To further underline the joys of gardening, swing tags have been designed in the shape of flower pots, while the RHS branding, highlighting the RHS tree and shield, is clearly visible on the sew-in tags and packaging.

The range launches on the 1st of April in Asda stores where it will be supported by a marketing campaign that will include consumer press releases, product placement and influencer support.

Launched in 1990, George is now sold in over 580 stores and through George.com with over two million customer transactions per week combined. George is a household name and has built up a reputation for quality, style and value, leading the changing face of British fashion over the past decades and making Asda one of the largest fashion retailers in Britain.

Estella Arroyo, product design profession lead at George, said: “This collaboration between George and the RHS is aimed at producing a collection of products that are beautiful to look at, great to wear and support a worthwhile message in a fun way. We are very proud to be collaborating with the RHS on this wonderful range which has been worked through by two companies who have the same values in mind. We‘re delighted with the final product which displays both quality and style and encourages children to get outside and grow.”

Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, added: “This is our very first collaboration on children’s clothing and the results, in terms of products, packaging and design, have exceeded our expectations. And, of course, the whole range brilliantly supports our key message – to encourage everyone, no matter their age or ability, to ’get growing’. This line has been a joy to work on and I think it will delight its young target market as much as it has delighted us.”

The Laughing Cow partners with Korean street brand MARKM for apparel and accessories

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The French premium cheese brand turned lifestyle icon, The Laughing Cow has partnered with the Korean street casual brand, MARKM to launch a new range of laughing licenses apparel and accessories.

In a deal brokered by Infiniss, the non-food licensing agent for The Laughing Cow, Kiri, and Belcube brands in Korea, the range will consist of short sleeved t-shirts, bucket hats, umbrellas, eco-bags, and socks.

The Laughing Cow has earmarked 2021 as the year of particular note for the brand, being not only the 100th anniversary of the IP, but also the Year of the Ox. The launch of the MARKM range will take place on April 1st this year.

The range will land exclusively on the Kakao Talk platform, a popular platform among MZ generation. It will then launch at three brick and mortar MARKM stores.

“We hope that this collaboration product will help consumers get the healing power of laughter for a while,” said professor Noh Soo-seop, the project director of the collaboration.

“Thanks to this brand new MARKM x The Laughing Cow collaboration, The Laughing Cow licensing programme is reaching a new step in Asia and asserting the Laughing Cow as a lifestyle brand,” added Patrick Tamburlin, Bel Licensing director.

US jeweller Martin Katz taps Prominent Brand + Talent to lead lifestyle brand plans

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The American jewellery designer, Martin Katz has appointed Prominent Brand + Talent as the exclusive global brand representative for a new venture into the lifestyle brand space.

For over three decades, Katz has been recognised for creating international experiences spanning the famed Victoria’s Secret Black Diamond Fantasy Bra and Donna Karan’s million-dollar Golden Delicious frangrance bottle, to the Ray Ban sunglasses collaboration and more.

The new collaboration, however, will take Katz into the lifestyle space for the first time with the development of products across a range of categories including apparel, accessories, beauty, bridal, giftware, home decor, bedding, bath, electronics, spirits and wine, gourmet foods, and stationery.

Martin Katz retail stores will also launch to select cities around the world and hotel boutiques.

“I have enjoyed translating my vision for creating rare gemstones into a globally successful high jewelry business and have appreciated the opportunity to work with so many talented people over the years from the world of entertainment to heads of state and prominent business professionals,” said Katz.

“I look forward to working with Prominent Brand + Talent to share my aesthetic and artistic style with the launch of my new collection of affordable luxury products.”

 Prominent Brand + Talent’s Dan Levin and Steve Doctrow, added: “Martin’s new collection will embody his authentic style with products reflecting his mastery of both dazzling whimsy and elevated elegance, and we are thrilled to collaborate with him to build a lifestyle brand with best-in-class licensing and retail partners worldwide.”

“Over the course of his illustrious career, Martin has achieved literally billions of impressions globally with his celebrated jewelry worn by some of the most famous clientele, and we have no doubt his new line of lifestyle products will now be embraced by consumers who desire the unique MK style.”

 For more than 25 years on the Hollywood Red Carpet, Katz has bejeweled A-List celebrities, including Sharon Stone, Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Nicole Kidman to name a few.

Las Vegas fitness brand Suddora teams up with Emoji for new headband range

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The Las Vegas-based Suddora has partnered with the Emoji – The Iconic Brand for the launch of a range of Emoji branded headbands. The deal was brokered by Retail Monster LLC, the Emoji company’s North American licensing agent.

Suddora has built a reputation for providing a wide variety of high end athletic gear, including wristbands and accessories, as well as a recent expansion into headbands, arm sleeves, towels, hand warmers, and custom designs.

With the Emoji partnership now signed, Suddora believes the company will take to new heights.

Paul Serra of Suddora said: “We are so excited to launch Emoji brand themed headbands. The designs are so fun – our customers will love wearing them both for fitness and fashion.”

Marco Huesges, CEO and founder of The Emoji Company, added: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to team up with Suddora to launch a collection of headbands full of expression. Their headbands are high-quality and specifically designed for an active lifestyle – We’re proud to partner with such a respected company.”

The athleisure wear market has helped fuel a boost to the health and fitness market in recent years. In the space, Suddora has built a reputation for delivering considered lifestyle products that can be worn in the gym or to the grocery store. 

Animaccord and Crocs partner to launch Masha and the Bear Clogs and Jibbitz

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Animaccord has snapped up a new collaboration with the footwear company, Crocs, to produce and launch an exclusive range of Masha and the Bear branded footwear for various markets around the world.

The new partnership will see Crocs launch the collection of licensed clogs and Jibbitz to both ecommerce and Crocs original stores in key markets across the globe. The range will land in time for those casual long days this summer.

 “We are extremely excited about our partnership with Crocs that will be distributing a licensed Masha and the Bear footwear collection around the world,” said Alexey Merkulov, CCO of Animaccord.

“Together we’ll brighten up the days of kids and their parents everywhere with unique style and creativity. Our cartoon shares lots in common with Crocs – everything from a “colorful” mood to a real fan base. Therefore, we cannot wait to see little ones wearing their legendary clogs with their lovable characters and adults with branded jibbitz on their footwear, uniting families all over the world in the original Crocs and a matching Masha and the Bear style.”

Louisiana’s iconic Popeyes to open 350 restaurants across the UK in the next ten years

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The US fried chicken restaurant, Popeyes, has detailed its plans to open 350 restaurants across the UK over the next ten years, as its ambitious European expansion starts to take shape over the course of 2021.

Founded in New Orleans in Louisiana in 1972, Popeyes is a global player in the fried chicken market with 3,400 restaurants across 29 countries to its name. The announcement of the restaurant’s plans to expand across the European market follows successful roll-outs in Spain in 2019 and in Switzerland last year.

Popeyes will enter the UK market as part of an agreement between PLK Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International, Ring International Holdings, and the industry veteran, Elias Diaz Sese. The first Popeyes restaurant is expected to open in the UK by the end of the year and will represent the brand’s 11th country in EMEA.

Today’s news means that UK guests can soon look forward to enjoying Popeyes’ world-famous products, such as the brand’s signature Chicken Sandwich, which was the subject of one of the most successful launches in Quick Service Restaurant history when it was released in the USA in August 2019.

Popeyes launch into the UK market is expected to lead to major investment in market-leading talent and digital innovation. Popeyes UK will create a number of new jobs, spanning critical operational roles in construction, supply chain and distribution as well as provide a direct boost to the UK hospitality sector by hiring talent to prepare and serve Popeyes world-famous products to UK guests.

David Shear, president international of RBI, said: “We are excited to announce that we are going to be bringing the Popeyes brand to the UK. Popeyes has established itself as an international brand, famed for the creation of authentic, Louisiana-inspired fried chicken products.

“Our UK launch will build on other successful international expansions in Spain, Switzerland, China, the Philippines and most recently in Sri Lanka. We are confident that our UK guests will love their fried chicken from Popeyes and we look forward to offering an alternative product in a major international market that we believe is ripe for disruption. We can’t wait to get started.”

Elias Diaz Sese, co-founder of Popeyes UK, added: “We are very pleased to launch Popeyes, a brand that has brought moments of celebration to guests globally, something we believe is important more now than ever. It allows us to contribute in hardship moments for the country by creating hundreds of career opportunities.

“We truly aspire to become an employer of reference for big-hearted talent through care, service and supporting the neighbourhoods in which we operate.”

Louisiana’s iconic Popeyes to open 350 restaurants across the UK in the next ten years

Posted on by

The US fried chicken restaurant, Popeyes, has detailed its plans to open 350 restaurants across the UK over the next ten years, as its ambitious European expansion starts to take shape over the course of 2021.

Founded in New Orleans in Louisiana in 1972, Popeyes is a global player in the fried chicken market with 3,400 restaurants across 29 countries to its name. The announcement of the restaurant’s plans to expand across the European market follows successful roll-outs in Spain in 2019 and in Switzerland last year.

Popeyes will enter the UK market as part of an agreement between PLK Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International, Ring International Holdings, and the industry veteran, Elias Diaz Sese. The first Popeyes restaurant is expected to open in the UK by the end of the year and will represent the brand’s 11th country in EMEA.

Today’s news means that UK guests can soon look forward to enjoying Popeyes’ world-famous products, such as the brand’s signature Chicken Sandwich, which was the subject of one of the most successful launches in Quick Service Restaurant history when it was released in the USA in August 2019.

Popeyes launch into the UK market is expected to lead to major investment in market-leading talent and digital innovation. Popeyes UK will create a number of new jobs, spanning critical operational roles in construction, supply chain and distribution as well as provide a direct boost to the UK hospitality sector by hiring talent to prepare and serve Popeyes world-famous products to UK guests.

David Shear, president international of RBI, said: “We are excited to announce that we are going to be bringing the Popeyes brand to the UK. Popeyes has established itself as an international brand, famed for the creation of authentic, Louisiana-inspired fried chicken products.

“Our UK launch will build on other successful international expansions in Spain, Switzerland, China, the Philippines and most recently in Sri Lanka. We are confident that our UK guests will love their fried chicken from Popeyes and we look forward to offering an alternative product in a major international market that we believe is ripe for disruption. We can’t wait to get started.”

Elias Diaz Sese, co-founder of Popeyes UK, added: “We are very pleased to launch Popeyes, a brand that has brought moments of celebration to guests globally, something we believe is important more now than ever. It allows us to contribute in hardship moments for the country by creating hundreds of career opportunities.

“We truly aspire to become an employer of reference for big-hearted talent through care, service and supporting the neighbourhoods in which we operate.”

Argentinian character brand Mafalda lands Zara, Pull & Bear in latest global apparel and fashion deal

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The Argentinian character brand, Mafalda, has struck up a series of licensed fashion partnerships with some of the biggest names in the global industry, including Zara, Zara Kids, Pull & Bear, and Women’s Secret.

Brokered by the brand’s global licensing agency, El Ocho Licencias y Promociones, Mafalda has also secured partnerships with key retailers in Europe, including Carrefour, Alcampo, and El Corte Ingles which have each launched DTR collection for 2020 and 2021.

First published in 1964 in Primera Plana Newspapaer in Buenos Aires by Joaquin Salvador Lavado Tejon, Mafalda has grown an audience over the past 56 years that has, within the last two decades, seen books translated into 20 languages and sold in over 50 countries. To date, more than 1.5 million books have sold across the globe.

Mafalda is recognised as one of the leading classic licensed brands in Iberia and in all of Europe and Mafalda’s shirts and sweaters are among the best sellers for Pull & Bear as of March 2021.

“Mafalda is the little who hates soup and worries excessively about everything that happens in the world, always with the hope that one day, everything will be fixed and world peace will be achieved,” read a statement from El Ocho. “The [recent sales] results prove that Mafalda is completely timeless, as the philosophy of the main characters is still relevant in the crazy world we live on.”

El Ocho’s strategy for licensing the character brand is to preserve the work of its creator, Tejon, while developing partnerships across product categories including gifting, back to school, plush, footwear, apparel, and more.