Endemol Shine taps Sagoo for Simon’s Cat. MasterChef, and Peaky Blinders in France

The independent licensing agency, Sagoo has struck up a partnership with Endemol Shine Group to represent the popular Simon’s Cat, MasterChef, and Peaky Blinders brands across select categories in France.

The brands join Sagoo’s impressive portfolio, which includes Rilakkuma, Care Bears, Miffy, Emily the Strange and a number of music brands, including The Beatles, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, The Police, Led Zeppelin and more.

The popular animation, Simon’s Cat, made its debut ten years ago in viral video Cat Man Do, by illustrator and animator, Simon Tofield. The charming yet mischievous cat now stars in 100 short black and white shorts, which are watched worldwide in over 100 countries, with 7 million fans on Facebook, 2 million followers on Instagram, and more than 1 billion views on YouTube.

MasterChef, meanwhile, aired for five successful series on TF1 in France and the show has been produced in 63 countries worldwide, broadcasting in more than 200 territories. MasterChef has become a number one rated show from the UK to Australia, Italy to Israel, U to Brazil and beyond. Created by Franc Roddam, the culinary talent show is watched globally by over 250 million viewers, transforming over 100 amateur chefs into professionals. 

Peaky Blinders is an award-winning series for BBC One and Netflix produced by official brand owner Caryn Mandabach Productions and by Endemol Shine Group’s Tiger Aspect Productions. Distributed by Endemol Shine International, five series have aired on the BBC and Netflix with a stellar cast of actors including Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory and Paul Anderson.

Endemol Shine Group represent a range of global ancillary rights for Peaky Blinders and already has an emerging licensing programme in France, attracting a loyal fan base on Arte where it airs alongside Netflix. Endemol Shine already partner with Larousse in France with retail book and gifting ranges. 

Sagoo will now be working across select categories for the three brands and the team will first focus on apparel, accessories, homewares, gifting, promotions and publishing.

Veronique Pichon, president of Sagoo, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Endemol Shine Group on such prestigious brands across a wide audience and we’re looking forward to presenting them to potential licensees to get the consumer products programme up and running in France.”

Jane Smith, director, brand licensing and strategy at Endemol Shine Group, added: “Sagoo has a fantastic reputation of extending brands with consumer products in France and we are thrilled they will represent the three premium titles of Peaky Blinders, MasterChef and Simon’s Cat. France is a key market to strengthen the growth of our brand licensing business and this partnership proves our ambitions for the territory.”

In July 2020, Endemol Shine Group was acquired by Banijay, creating the world’s largest international content producer and distributor spanning 22 territories with over 120 production companies and a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 88,000 hours of original programming.

Six new licensing deals takes Peaky Blinders into new categories for Q4 ‘retail boost’

Endemol Shine Group, alongside the brand owner and production company Caryn Mandabach Productions, has detailed a suite of six new licensees – spanning a new and varied product range –  inspired by the multi-award-winning hit series Peaky Blinders.

It’s believed by the licensing unit that the new products across multiple consumer categories will provide a ‘much-needed boost to the retail industry for Q4’ and have been billed as perfect additions to any Peaky Blinders fan’s Christmas lists.

Already an existing licensee, Half Moon Bay, who have a successful range of glassware, will be launching a premium range of mugs, shot glasses, whiskey stones and hip flasks inspired by the property.

Meanwhile, Kimm and Miller is launching a range of crafted, bespoke gift sets which will include tea and ceramic mug gift set and a whiskey fudge tin gift set. Both ranges will be available in major retailers in AW20.

The boutique bedding specialist Dreamtex Ltd will be launching bedlinen, flannel blankets and a towel, all featuring the Shelby Company branding in a simple black and white design. Reversible bedding sets will be available in single, double and king sizes to cater for all ages.

In the entertainment space, Steamforged Games is bringing Peaky Blinders to table tops with an official card game, Peaky BlindersTM: The Card Game featuring the iconic characters that fans know and love. In the true spirit of the award winning TV drama, the game centres on bluffing and tricking your opponents and will be suitable for three to six players.

Following on from the success of the board game which sold out across multiple retailers, Just Media has developed a Peaky Blinders travel game which will incorporate elements of the current strategic board game, slated for release next year.

Fans will be finally able to host the ultimate Peaky Blinders themed party thanks to a range of party accessories that Smiffy’s will launch in time for Halloween, together with fancy dress outfits inspired by the main characters.

Funiglobal has also come on board as the international e-commerce destination for the Peaky Blinders fancy dress costumes for both Men and Ladies, available for our fans to buy in time for Halloween.

Other forthcoming products include the first licensed videogame, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind from Curve Digital which will launch on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC later this summer.

Jane Smith, group director, brand licensing and gaming, Endemol Shine Group said: “Landing deals with six new licensees demonstrates the strength of Peaky Blinders and its place in the market, and I am thrilled this popular brand shows no signs of slowing down. These latest products are for very different retail areas and without a doubt will bring something for every fan out there.”

Susan Waddell, commercial director, Caryn Mandabach Productions, added: “We are delighted that the fans of the show will now have an even broader range of officially licensed Peaky Blinders inspired products.”

Created and written by Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises and Locke), the multi-award-winning BBC One series is produced by Peaky Blinders official brand owner Caryn Mandabach Productions and Endemol Shine Group’s Tiger Aspect Productions.

Endemol Shine Group represent a range of global ancillary rights for Peaky Blinders which is distributed by Endemol Shine International across more than 183 countries and airs widely on Netflix internationally including the USA.

In July 2020 Endemol Shine Group was acquired by Banijay, creating the world’s largest international content producer and distributor spanning 22 territories with over 120 production companies and a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 88,000 hours of original standout programming.

Simon’s Cat slinks into Lidl with new pet product range

The hit animated brand Simon’s Cat has partnered with the leading European retailer, Lidl, for a branded range of pet products, including scratchers and beds for cats. Owned by the global content creator, Endemol Shine Group, the Simon’s Cat brand boasts a fanbase of some 7 million Facebook fans, 2 million Instagram followers, and more than 1 billion views on YouTube.

The latest partnership sees Simon’s Cat branded products launch in Lidl stores this summer in the US and across 16 territories in Europe. Products include a scratcher and bed for cats, each in three different colours. The deal also features a bespoke piece of animation created by the Simon’s Cat team exclusively for Lidl.

The deal was negotiated by Simon’s Cat’s German licensing agent Lizenzweft.

Jane Smith, group director, brand licensing and gaming, Endemol Shine Group, said: “Lidl has a fantastic reach across Europe and in the US and we expect Simon’s Cat merchandise to be a very popular with their customers. These products are the ideal way for fans to bring their love for the cheeky cat into their own home and share the joy with their own pet.”

Simon’s Cat features the antics of a mischievous white cat and his long-suffering owner Simon and was created by award-winning illustrator, animator and director Simon Tofield. First seen on YouTube in 2008, the Simon’s Cat brand enjoys international success across multiple categories including gaming, publishing and apparel. There have been more than 80 million digital sticker downloads and in excess of 18 million mobile gaming downloads with further titles in development.

The last year alone saw the launch of the Baby Simon’s Cat campaign and the sell-out success with its first range of Teespring plushies; a brand new book Simon’s Cat It’s a Dog’s Life which brings everyone’s favourite feline back to the page, with a canine twist; the rollout of the hit mobile game Simon’s Cat Dash in China; and continued international growth with further agent appointments in the Nordics and CEE, and Southeast Asia.

Peaky Blinders lands its first official beer with Thornbridge Brewery

Endemol Shine Group has turned to Thornbridge Brewery to develop the first official beer brand for its hit TV series, Peaky Blinders.

Inspired by the hit series, and developed in partnership with the show’s creator, producer, and official brand owner Caryn Mandabach Productions, Thornbridge Brewery kicks off with the launch of the Shelby, A 5% India Pale Ale.

Thornbridge took its inspiration from the kind of beer styles that would have been around in 1919, at the time of the Peaky Blinders, and has created something it feels The Garrison would be proud to serve.

The official launch of Shelby will be at the new Thornbridge and Co. Pub – The Colmore, in the heart of Birmingham on February 20th. Thornbridge will also be bottling Shelby which will be available next month.

Steve Knight, creator and writer of Peaky Blinders commented: “Shelby beer is the first and only legitimate Peaky endorsed beer. It has been crafted to be the same brew the Peaky boys would have drunk in the pubs of Small Heath. It really is the authentic taste of the Peaky Blinders world. Cheers.”

Jane Smith, group director, brand licensing and gaming, Endemol Shine Group, added: “We have always wanted to find the right partner for a legitimate beer inspired by the Peaky Blinders series.

“Thornbridge is that partner as it is truly passionate about the product it is creating which is an authentic beer capturing the essence of the world of Peaky Blinders. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

Simon Webster, CEO of Thornbridge added: “We’re incredibly proud to be working alongside the creators ofPeaky Blinders, it’s an honour to have been asked to collaborate with such a legendary show.

“We wanted to ensure we created something that thePeaky Blinders would have found on the bar at The Garrison and we think we’ve done just that. We hope Shelby will bring pleasure to many.”

India Pale Ale was developed in England in the late 19th Century and became popular among the East India Trading Co. It was soon discovered that the sulphate rich water in Burton upon Trent created a cleaner, crisp and bitter beer which continued to grow in popularity in the local area.

Thornbridge has worked to create a version of the original India Pale Ale style that the Peaky Blinders would have indulged in. Shelby, named after the infamous brothers, is brewed with Fuggles and Bramling Cross hops. It pours golden amber in colour with a nose of stone fruit and red berries, a gentle maltiness on the palate and a wonderful citrus, lemon-pith bitterness.

The award-winning BBC One and Netflix series Peaky Blinders is produced by official brand owner Caryn Mandabach Productions and by Endemol Shine Group’s Tiger Aspect Productions.

Endemol Shine Group represent a range of global ancillary rights for Peaky Blinders which is distributed by Endemol Shine International across more than 180 countries.

Thornbridge’s beer is the latest in an extensive licensing programme developed by Endemol Shine Group for the BAFTA winning series over the last year, joining recent successes such as the inaugural Legitimate Peaky Blinders Festival; the sell-out officialPeaky Blinders book from publisher Michael O’Mara; and the A/W’19 tailored menswear capsule collection from David Beckham’s menswear label Kent & Curwen.

Five series have aired on BBC and the latest series launched in October on Netflix in the US and in international markets where Netflix hold premier rights.