Tag Archives: pets

He’ll have a Caninety Nine, please! Battersea launches a new ice cream range just for dogs

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The UK’s 160 year old animal charity, Battersea is demonstrating its flair for canine cuisine with the launch of an ice cream range specially made for dogs.

Surprisingly not called Caninety Nine, the range is made using real fruit puress and includes Strawberry and Apple & Banana flavours, and has been produced by Jude’s, Britain’s first Carbon Negative ice cream and desserts specialist. The deal was brokered by Battersea’s brand licensing agent, The Point. 1888.

Under the partner, five per cent of the sale proceeds of the range will be invested back into the animal charity.

Chow Mezger, MD of Jude’s, said: “As a family of dog-lovers we are delighted to launch Ice Cream for Dogs so now the whole family, including the pooch, can enjoy our utterly delicious ice cream. Our family Jack Russell Tinker loved being chief taste tester and we’re pleased to say that Ice Cream for Dogs has her full approval.

“Working with Battersea has also been fantastic, and we couldn’t be more proud to support their vital work to help dogs and cats everywhere.”

Sarah Van Kirk, licensing manager at Battersea, added: “Battersea is delighted to be working with an innovative and environmentally conscious UK based company like Jude’s. We’re really excited about this collaboration with royalties from each product going directly towards the care of dogs and cats.”

The Point.1888 looks to create new products based on the gaps it sees at retail; rather than what it thinks the brand’s target demographic might like. This supports a higher chance of retailer buy-in and a better sales performance. In 2020, it delivered record-breaking sales using this approach in Iceland for an ice cream range inspired by the iconic sweet brands of its client Barratts.

Gabbi Langdorf, senior international and brand manager at The Point.1888, said: “We love working with brands with purpose and are thrilled that such an innovative product will be raising funds to help support Battersea’s important work. The timing of the launch couldn’t be better – long may this great weather continue.”

The ice cream range is now available to buy from Ocado.

Fred & Ginger pack Popeye punch into pet products portfolio

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The design-led pet product specialist, Fred & Ginger has signed up to create a range of pet treats and accessories based on the classic animation brand, Popeye. The deal was brokered by Bulldog Licensing, the European licensing agency for the property as it continues to grow its consumer products portfolio in the UK.

Fred & Ginger is set to create a full collection of feeding mats and bowls, pet beds, toys, accessories, collars and leads, along with a range of treats, including Easter eggs and advent calendars, as well as pet snacks inspired by the iconic strong man.

Having recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, Popeye remains a popular brand in the UK and the world, with a social presence of 9.8 million fans. The TV show is broadcast on Pluto TV (Theatrical Cartoons, YouTube Shorts, additional Popeye Cartoons). 

The latest deal joins an expanding licensing programme, with two new deals announced at the end of last year, Ecell and Ideal Home Shopping for tech accessories and crafting lines respectively. Additionally, both Fashion UK and Bro Global have renewed their deals for the iconic character.

The offering now spans a range of categories including apparel, accessories, dress-up, and Bulldog plans to further strengthen the portfolio in the near future.

Rob Corney, MD, Bulldog Licensing, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Fred & Ginger on board. The team has a robust experience in creating excellent licensed ranges for pet owners, and we’re excited to see their new creations for Popeye as the brand continues to delight fans throughout the UK.”

MDL brings Italian fashion brand Premoli + Di Bella into the pets market

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Maurizio Distefano Licensing, the licensing manager for the fashion brand Premoli + Di Bella, has detailed the launch of a new retail collection Premoli + Di Bella Pet Design, produced under a licensing agreement with Ferribiella Spa.

Available in Italy’s leading pet stores since late 2020, the first collection from Premoli + Di Bella Pet Design launches with an ‘Iconic’ theme, underlining the creativity of Giovanni Premoli and Dario Di Bella. The range includes velvet beds for dogs and cats, soft blankets for home pet use, raincoat ponchos, gym-style suits and more.

Several other releases are on the way, each one offering a specific new theme created by the two young designers whose bold creativity has seen them dubbed ‘the Stylists of the Third Millennium’.

All will bring together products that aim to combine the innovative and the functional for their target audience of animals and their owners. 

Ben & Jerry’s enters pets market with Doggie Desserts and branded accessories

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The globally renowned ice cream company, Ben & Jerry’s is taking a new leap into the pets market with the unveiling of two new flavours designed exclusively for canines.

Called Doggie Desserts, the new launch is a range of frozen treats billed by Ben & Jerry’s as ‘paws-itively perfect for your pet,’ specifically formulated for dogs with a sunflower butter base. The two flavours: Pontch’s Mix (with peanut butter and pretzel swirls) and Rosie’s Batch (with pumpkin  and mini cookies) are sold as ‘just what a good dog needs after a long wal with their human.’

“We know our fans love their dogs and treat them like family,” said Lindsay Bumps, a Ben & Jerry’s global marketing specialist who also happens to be a certified veterinary technician. “We created this product line so pups can enjoy something even better than belly rubs. Doggie Desserts are the sweetest treat they’ll ever put their paws on.”

Pontch’s Mix and Rosie’s Batch were named after two real dogs in the Ben & Jerry’s office – an affectionate Frenchie and a rescue mutt of mixed heritage. As a dog-friendly workplace, the Ben & Jerry’s headquarters in Vermont often has up to 40 pups curled up under desks, keeping employees company.

In addition to the two new Doggie Desserts, Ben & Jerry’s has partnered with like-minded suppliers to offer must-have pet accessories like a 6′ custom tie dye leash made from recycled water bottles and a plush cone toy stuffed with recycled fill.

Trends UK launches range of PAW Patrol pet accessories

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Trends UK has launched a new line of fully licensed PAW Patrol pet accessories spanning high-sided beds, pillows, adjustable mesh harnesses, and dog bowls. The launch has been designed to appeal to the 3.3 million pet owning families in the UK.

Further additions to the range are planned for coming months.

Designed by Trends UK and manufactured by Bunty Pet Products, the new PAW Patrol Accessories range incorporates key features to help make the products resistant to the daily rigours of normal pet usage, using experience drawn from many years in the pet and toy accessory industry.

The PAW Patrol Accessories launch will be promoted with marketing, PR and social media campaigns, engaging with media, families and influencers showcasing how practical and fun this new range is for pet lovers.

Trends UK’s Graham Spark, said: “We are delighted to launch the new PAW Patrol Pet Accessories range. Our extensive experience working with family audiences and being pet owners ourselves, told us that kid approval rates high when making purchase decisions.

“Our launch range of quality pet supplies featuring the number one PAW Patrol brand, is fun and useful for kids, adults and pets alike.”

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

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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.