Blu Goblin to launch replica Bullseye trophy in support of the Stroke Association

The next drop from Blu Goblin will be a limited-edition replica of the Bronze Bully Trophy from popular TV game show Bullseye. The launch is to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the show and to support the Stroke Association.

Bullseye fans, darts enthusiasts and trophy collectors from around the world can order their limited-edition replica Bronze Bully from later this month at www.blugoblin.com. Crafted from polystone resin and painted, each replica comes with an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity, and is delivered in a bespoke presentation box.

A Louis Kennedy innovation, Blu Goblin creates limited-edition, exclusively licensed collectible models, replicas, figures and art, from nostalgia to modern day, across the worlds of entertainment, sport and gaming. Proceeds from every single transaction raise money for good causes.

In the early days of developing Blu Goblin, Louis Kennedy approached Bulldog Licensing to discuss opportunities from the portfolio of brands it represents, including Bullseye.

Vicky Miller, Licensing Director at Bulldog Licensing, says: “We loved the Blu Goblin model as soon as we saw it. Creating high-quality, limited-edition products for fans and supporting incredibly important causes at the same time is a winning combination. We are thrilled to be working with the team to launch this very special Bronze Bully, a super, smashing, great way for fans to celebrate 40 years of their favourite gameshow!”

A key feature of the partnership is to raise funds and awareness for the Stroke Association, a charity working across the UK to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. For each Bronze Bully sold, Blu Goblin will donate 10% of the sales to the Stroke Association.

Saul Heselden, Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Stroke Association, says: “Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and it changes lives in an instant. Our much-needed specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the generosity of our supporters.

“We’re thrilled that Bulldog Licensing and the Blu Goblin team have worked together to support the Stroke Association through the sale of limited-edition replicas of Bronze Bully. The funds raised will go a long way in supporting our work to rebuild even more lives after stroke.”

Tracey Richardson, Licensing and Partnerships Director at Louis Kennedy, adds: “I recommend all Bullseye fans, darts enthusiasts and Stroke Association supporters visit www.blugoblin.com now, where they can sign up for our Newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, to ensure they are the first to know when the limited-edition replica Bronze Bully trophy is available to order.”

Blu Goblin launched on 2 March with framed limited edition prints inspired by the recent Tokyo Art and Photography exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum. Future campaigns include a Beano Chess Set, Dennis 70th anniversary statuette and Danger Mouse 40th anniversary figurine collection.

Louis Kennedy launches DTC platform to raise money for good causes

Louis Kennedy launches DTC platform to raise money for good causes

Louis Kennedy has launched a direct-to-consumer online platform for ethically produced licensed collectables, with proceeds going to good causes.

Blu Goblin will offer premium limited-edition, exclusively licensed collectible models, replicas, figures and art across the worlds of entertainment, sport and gaming, with each collection having been created to celebrate a specific event, anniversary, launch or major milestone.

The first collection, now live, is a range of five framed prints inspired by the highly successful 2021/2 exhibition, Tokyo: Art and Photography, supporting the work of the Ashmolean Museum.

The selection of prints covers a wide range of Japanese themes from classic cherry blossom and Geishas to architecture, transport and caricature. Limited to just 250 per design, they are printed on the world’s first acid-free digital fine art paper made from 90% bamboo and 10% cotton fibres, a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional paper. The handmade gallery frames are FSC certified and made from solid wood from sustainable sources, with no veneers, MDF, or any other type of reconstituted materials.

Declan McCarthy, Head of Publishing and Licensing at the Ashmolean, says: “The Ashmolean is delighted to be working with Start Licensing and Blu Goblin, to be part of the launch of this exciting initiative. We are very proud of these limited edition prints, not only because they are beautifully crafted and ethically sourced, but that they will help to support our work and mission.”

Blu Goblin was born as a direct result of two pilot programmes instigated by Louis Kennedy during the lockdown in 2020, the first being Thank You Baked Potato. Sold exclusively online from a dedicated eCommerce page with a three-week pre-sale window, and with promotion via Matt Lucas’ own PR channels and Twitter feed, proceeds went to Feed NHS.

The second programme was a collaboration with BBC Children in Need and BBC Studios. A collection of seven limited-edition Pudsey bears sold exclusively direct-to-consumer on BBC CiN’s website, with promotion via BBC CiN Digital Channels. All proceeds went to BBC Children in Need.

Grant Morgan, CEO of Louis Kennedy, says: “The world has changed dramatically, as have consumer habits. Brands must now demonstrate that they care and stand for more than just profit. Consumers want the brands they love to commit to positive social and environmental impact, to make a meaningful contribution to the quality of their lives, while also helping others. Charitable causes benefit from perfectly matched brand partnerships which bring PR, donor acquisition and most importantly funds to deliver their services.”

Tracey Richardson, Director of Partnerships and Licensing at Louis Kennedy, adds: “The Licensing Industry has been extremely enthusiastic and supportive of Blu Goblin, especially considering that when I first started discussions back in the spring, the platform didn’t even have a name! The opportunity to create new products which add another dimension to the planned celebrations and demonstrate support for a cause close to the heart of the brand, were all reasons we’ve been able to deliver such a wonderful range of campaigns.”

Aiming to create a vibrant social following while building a rich user database, Blu Goblin will segment and deliver relevant messaging to a growing community of committed collectable enthusiasts, a plethora of fans of licensed brands, as well as an increasing base of existing Blu Goblin fans. Dynamic remarketing to these audiences, with information about current and future cross-sell collectable campaigns, will make Blu Goblin the ‘go to’ platform for limited edition, framed art, models, figures and figurines.

Coming Soon campaigns include the Beano and Dennis, Bullseye and Danger Mouse. Every Blu Goblin drop will be unique and availability will be strictly limited, through www.blugoblin.com.

 

 

Louis Kennedy celebrates 30 years of it sustainability drive and joins Products of Change

Compounding a 30 year history in driving partnerships centered on sustainability and strong ethics, Louis Kennedy has joined the Products of Change initiative as it looks to ‘share ethos with organisations across the licensing space’ and encourage fundamental change across businesses.

Founded in 1991, Louis Kennedy set out its own goals of striving to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability, as well as be an ethical partner and only associate with highly audited manufacturers who promote high standards of fairness and safety.

Over the course of its 30 years, Louise Kennedy has been building a UK-based supply chain that only uses recycled raw materials to produce recyclable items.

Grant Morgan, CEO of Louis Kennedy has said that while the firm has “not been so vocal in assessing its contribution in the past” it was “joining in the trend” to speak out about its successes going forward. 

“Becoming a member of Products of Change is an important step in this strategy,” said Morgan.

 The firm has said that it has been following the developments of Products of Change and has recognised its exciting potential to help drive and support the initiative.

As a membership organisation, Products of  Change is designed to support, encourage and perpetuate companies and brands in meeting their sustainability goals through educating to inform change and peer-to-peer networking.  

“The ability to connect with other members, which share the same ethos, irrespective of the size of  the organisation, the opportunity to share best practice, learn from experts and develop  partnerships are among the major benefits of membership,” said the company.  

“Louis Kennedy has been connecting the brand and licensing industry to charities and NGOs  for decades; bringing brands with purpose to the forefront of their ethos and driving real social  impact,” added Helena Mansell-Stopher, founder of Products of Change. “It’s an honour to have Louis Kennedy be part of Products of Change and I look forward to what we can achieve together as a group.”

Louis Kennedy supports FareShare this festive season with Christmas ecard send out

With Christmas 2020 rapidly approaching, sending a greeting to colleagues and friends feels even more essential than ever before. Louis Kennedy wanted to mark this festive season by do something extra special which would have the widest possible impact; on recipients, the communities we live in and the planet. 

Which is why, this week, inboxes across the country will receive a very special delivery via DontSendMeACard.com with a heartfelt message from Louis Kennedy. Instead of sending a paper card and a box of chocolates, Louis Kennedy has made a donation to FareShare, the charity distributing food that would otherwise go to waste, and sent Christmas ecards, which contributes to reducing its carbon emissions.

Grant Morgan, CEO said: “We are delighted with this excellent alternative to traditional greetings and from initial feedback it seems our business partners appreciate our decision too.”

Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO Products of Change, commented: “It was a lovely surprise to receive an ecard from the Louis Kennedy team for Christmas this year, 2020 more than any other year has really highlighted the need to review the amount we buy, receiving the digital card was a nice reminder that though we like to send physical cards, there are different ways to spread Christmas cheer and give to charity at the same time.”

DontSendMeACard.com is a unique alternative to traditional greetings cards. Over 1,000 charities across a broad range of causes and of every size have joined the site. Individuals, companies and organisations can choose which charity to support when sending an ecard for any occasion and the donation made in lieu of a traditional card, goes straight to the charity, with no fees at all.

Charities have enthusiastically designed and uploaded a fabulous variety of cards, including in partnership with licensed characters and official photography, to reflect the cause they champion.

Alex Furness, creator of DontSendMeACard, concluded: “We’re seeing an incredible increase in usage of our system for 2020. When reputable companies like Louis Kennedy get behind the idea like this and give a very generous amount to FareShare, it makes it all possible.”