Spread Group links with Peanuts Worldwide for print-on-demand babywear

Posted on 24th January 2022 by Sam Giltrow

Spread Group and Peanuts Worldwide are kicking off the new year with a range of baby products and designs. The collection will be offered across the whole of the EU and the UK, and will feature the lovable beagle Snoopy on baby-grows, tiny t-shirts and warm hats.

Sven Burscher, Spread Group’s Head of Licensing, says: “This partnership expands Spread Group’s offering with lovely designs for the Peanuts baby demographics. It gives the brand and its fans the option of print-on-demand, which offers a range of designs in a style, size and colour to suit them. Peanuts has positivity associated with the brand we are very excited to have Snoopy and the gang in our portfolio!”

Tara Botwick, Vice President of Territory Management, EMEA for Peanuts Worldwide, adds: “We are looking forward to growing our baby offerings in Europe, as we know that parents and grandparents want to share their love of Peanuts with the next generation. Expanding our print-on-demand business is important as we continue to reach new audiences and Spread Group is a key licensee in that category.”

Spreadshirt’s Marketplace will also host a showroom of the designs featuring Charles M. Schulz’s classic characters. More designs will be added as they come on-stream, and the collection will also include apparel for teenagers and adults.

Peanuts Worldwide taps brand executive and licensing expert Tim Erickson as Executive Vice President of Brand

Posted on 20th July 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Peanuts Worldwide has appointed the consumer products and brand executive, Tim Erickson as its Executive Vice President of Brand, Peanuts Worldwide, a role in which he will oversee the team managing the brand’s global licensing business.

Working alongside the family of Peanuts creator, Charles M. Schulz as well as WildBrain’s content and management teams and the brand’s co-owners, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), Erickson will help sustain a global licensing approach that remains true to the heritage of the Peanuts brand.

Within his remit, Erickson will over the opening of new licensing, partnership, and retail opportunities, as well as support brand marketing and leverage new content launches. The plan is to expand the global presence of the Peanuts brand as it approaches its 75th anniversary in 2025.

Based in New York, Erickson reports to Eric Ellenbogen, CEO of WildBrain, the majority owner of Peanuts.

Ellenbogen said: “I’m delighted that Tim has joined the team at this important moment for the Peanuts brand. The response to our original series The Snoopy Show and Snoopy in Space on Apple TV+ and to our ‘Take Care With Peanuts’ initiative has been nothing short of fantastic.

“With lots more new content rolling out worldwide in the coming years in partnership with Apple TV+, the Peanuts gang has never been more popular. Working in tandem with our Peanuts content team, Tim will bring a breadth of experience at the intersection of family entertainment and consumer products that makes him the ideal person to lead the evergreen Peanuts licensing business.”

Erickson brings more than 20 years’ experience in consumer products and brand building to the role, having worked for global leaders in the space including Twentieth Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, and LEGO. He most recently held the position of Chief Operating Officer at the media company GoldieBlox, creating innovative STEM-focused brand experiences for girls through consumer products, retail and storytelling, as well as overseeing the company’s business development and operations.

Erickson said: “As a lifelong Peanuts fan, I’m elated to join Peanuts Worldwide. I’ve long admired Charles Schulz’s storytelling, both personally and professionally, so I look forward to engaging with the team and our partners to continue telling meaningful Peanuts stories through content, products and experiences that will engage fans for generations to come. I’m so excited about the opportunity to connect the Peanuts content pipeline with fan engagement around the world.”

Dan Dee International grows classic character plush range with Peanuts and Garfield

Posted on 6th May 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Dan Dee International and its Animal Adventure subsidiary, leading names in plush, pet, baby, and home decor products, have enhanced their line-up of classic characters through partnerships with ViacomCBS and Peanuts Worldwide.

Under the new deals, Dan Dee has secured the North American license for an extensive range of plush, soft seating, and baby products based on the iconic Peanuts characters, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang. In its deal with ViacomCBS, it has also secured the global plush license for the iconic Garfield IP.

“We are thrilled to announce this agreement and join forces with Peanuts Worldwide,” said Peter Gainsley, president, Animal Adventure. “The team at Peanuts offers world-class creative and sales support to their licensing partners, and paired with the design capabilities at Animal Adventure, we are excited to bring a dynamic line of Peanuts products to market.”

The Peanuts deal cements the existing long-standing licensing agreement held by Dan Dee for Peanuts seasonal product lines.

“Together, Dan Dee and Peanuts Worldwide have built hugely successful seasonal programs so we are delighted to offer a new line of everyday products to our customers under our Animal Adventure banner,” added Mark Matheny, head of licensing, Dan Dee.

“Dan Dee has been a great collaborator for our seasonal programs over the years,” said Lindsay Martinez, senior vice president, North American Licensing and Partnerships, Peanuts Worldwide. “Peanuts is excited to expand upon this relationship working with Animal Adventure to develop a unique, everyday range that fans of all ages will love.”

Meanwhile, both Garfield and Odie will be moseying into the plush aisles of retailers across the globe as Dan Dee International introduces a range spanning everyday, seasonal, and animatronic plush through its partnership with ViacomCBS Consumer Products.

“Garfield is a great fit with the broad capabilities and retailer relationships that Dan Dee has built over many years. We look forward to working closely with the world-class team at ViacomCBS to grow Garfield’s presence at retail in the coming years,” said Dan Dee’s Matheny.

Dion Vlachos, executive vice president, hardlines and retail, ViacomCBS, added: “Garfield is beloved by so many people around the world. Dan Dee’s dedication to quality and retail expertise is invaluable. They have tapped into the fans’ enthusiasm and created a new range of products that fans will love.”

Dan Dee’s Garfield products will be available from autumn 2021.

Peanuts Worldwide teams with PUMA for footwear, apparel, and accessories

Posted on 18th January 2021 by Sam Giltrow

Peanuts Worldwide is teaming with the sports company PUMA for the launch of a new line of footwear, apparel, and accessories aimed at kids and adults, all featuring the classic characters from creator Charles M. Schulz.

In a deal that has been brokered by WildBrain CPLG’s German team, the PUMA x Peanuts adult offering will witness the launch of classic PUMA styles adorned with members of the Peanuts gang, including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock in basketball inspired scenes.

The clothing will bring a collection of tees, hoodies, and sweatpants for both men and women. The footwear includes the Future Rider and classic basketball style, the Ralph Sampson. Rounding out the adult items in the range are beanies and a backpack.

Meanwhile, the kids’ Peanuts collection encompasses visuals of the characters playing sports including baseball, football and more. In a variety of items for girls and boys, the collection features hats, backpacks, and classic T7 track suits. Key PUMA footwear styles including the Mirage Mox and Ralph Sampson will also be available in junior, preschool, and infant sizing.

Tara Botwick, senior director, territory management EMEA for Peanuts Worldwide, said: “The PUMA x Peanuts collaboration brings together two iconic and internationally loved brands. We’re confident both kids and adults will love the sportswear and accessories that mix PUMA’s distinctive styles with eye-catching Peanuts art in a line full of character, imagination and nostalgia.”

The PUMA x Peanuts collection is now available at PUMA.com and at PUMA stores and select retailers.

Domestic appliance brand Smeg celebrates 70 years of Peanuts with limited edition model

Posted on 27th October 2020 by Sam Giltrow

The Italian domestic appliance brand, Smeg, is marking the 70th anniversary of the world-loved Peanuts brand with the launch of a limited edition refrigerator. In a deal brokered by WildBrain CPLG, Smeg will now produce 70 Peanuts commemorative refrigerators, one for each year of the brand’s existence.

The limited edition model will take the form of Smeg’s own popular 1950s family mini fridge FAB10, which will feature an illustration taken from the Peanuts comic strip. It will depict Snoopy alongside his cherished doghouse along with his friend, Woodstock.

Each fridge in the series will be decorated with a silver plaque showing its unique product number.

The Peanuts refrigerator will be available at Smeg’s stores and subsidiaries across Europe from November, with a retail price of €1299. Smeg will support the launch through window displays, social media and influencer activity.

Tara Botwick, senior director territory management for Peanuts Worldwide, said: “With Smeg known as one of the most popular names in home appliances thanks to the brand’s iconic retro style, colourful designs and reputation for quality, they are an excellent company to create a memorable product for Peanuts’ 70^th anniversary milestone.

“We look forward to seeing this eye-catching refrigerator take pride of place in the homes of Peanuts fans across Europe.”

Polish streetwear brand PLNY LALA marks 70 years of Peanuts with new collection

Posted on 3rd September 2020 by Sam Giltrow

WildBrain CPLG is marking the 70th anniversary of the Peanuts brand through a new partnership with the Polish streetwear brand, PLNY LALA. Brokered on behalf of Peanuts Worldwide, the deal will see the launch of a range of sweatshirts, t-shirts, dresses, tops, and socks all inspired by Snoopy and the Peanuts gang.

The collection has been launched in anticipation of October 2, the official 70th anniversary of the date that Charles M. Schulz first introduced the world to the Peanuts characters when the comic strip made its debut in seven American newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang have gone on to leave an indelible mark on pop culture.

The new PLNY LALA range is part of a global campaign with licensors that will be rolling out from Peanuts Worldwide this autumn.

Tara Botwick, senior director, international territory management, EMEA at Peanuts Worldwide, said: “With a focus on empowering its customer base and taking a fresh, playful approach to its influential collections, we knew that PLNY LALA would be an ideal fashion partner as well as a tentpole licensee as we look to ramp up a wide programme for Peanuts worldwide and across the CEE territories specifically. It’s an exciting collaboration that we feel sets the tone for our ambitions in the region and globally.”

Elisa Minetti, creative director and designer at PLNY LALA, added: “I’m excited to be teaming up with WildBrain CPLG again and this time working with Snoopy and the Peanuts squad. Our collaboration emphasises the global trends that PLNY LALA is at the forefront of in the local Polish market.

“My creative process for the range has involved combining iconic Peanuts cartoon artwork, with streetwear for women who carry an inner girl flame, which has resulted in a collection that is ideal for a feisty LALA girl. This autumn, Peanuts celebrates its 70th anniversary of the first comic strip’s debut. Let’s continue this inspiring journey together.”

Now available to purchase exclusively in PLNY LALA’s stores and online at www.plnylala.pl, the launch is being supported by in-store POS, a dedicated website landing page, social media and influencer product seeding, a look book, and a pop-up store in Warsaw. Items in the collection are priced between 39.00 – 599.00 PLN and are offered in a range of sizes.

The new partnership bolsters existing Peanuts fashion offerings secured by WildBrain CPLG in Central and Eastern Europe, which include: Polish retailer Smyk for a DTR range which is now launching; LPP for teen and adult collections available at Reserved, Reserved Kids, House, Sinsay and Sinsay Kids; and a range from E Plus M which is being focused towards teens and adults.

Beyond fashion, Carbotex will soon launch its first range of Peanuts homewares, and ERT launched a range of mobile accessories earlier this year.

Sensory baby lifestyle brand Etta Loves launches new Peanuts collection

Posted on 9th July 2020 by Sam Giltrow

The entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG has secured a new partnership with the sensory baby lifestyle brand, Etta Loves, for a new collection of products inspired by the iconic Peanuts brand.

The deal has been brokered by WildBrain CPLG on behalf of Peanuts Worldwide and will see the launch of a new, unique, science-based collection to the UK from today (July 9th). The range includes a reversible playmat, comforter, teether and muslins, along with Etta Love’s latest addition, the Sensory Strip.

Tara Botwick, senior director, territory management EMEA at Peanuts Worldwide, said: “Building the Peanuts infant consumer products programme has been key to our strategy over the last few years and this new collaboration with Etta Loves offers an innovative new avenue in this sector.

“By combining beautiful patterns which encourage early sensory development, with high-quality and versatile products, we’re confident this new range will be hugely popular with parents and their little ones across the UK.”

Using the knowledge of what a baby can and can’t see during their first year, Etta Loves designs precise sensory prints, in partnership with a Consultant Orthoptist, to support eye and brain development.

This new Peanuts collection will introduce two brand new prints to the portfolio: ‘Hide & Seek’ features the Peanuts gang hidden amongst a black and white chequerboard design, supporting visual development from birth to four months; and ‘Love & Hugs’ is a colourful XO design with the much-loved Peanuts characters Snoopy, Woodstock and Charlie Brown, supporting babies from five months onwards.

The Etta Loves x Peanuts collection is available in the UK at www.ettaloves.com and selected retailers.

Rainbow Designs celebrates 70 years of Snoopy with new Peanuts collections

Posted on 14th January 2020 by Sam Giltrow

WildBrain CPLG has appointed Rainbow Designs its new plush partner for two distinctive collections starring Charles M Schulz’s iconic Snoopy and Woodstock characters.

The Everyone Loves Snoopy plush gift collection presents Snoopy and Woodstock in their traditional formats and is billed as ‘perfect for fans of all ages’. Meanwhile, the My First Snoopy collection has been created for babies and young children to encourage early developmental skills.

The infant collection features multiple variations of Peanuts plush toys, ranging from rattles and comfort blankets to 25cm baby soft cuddly toys.

The collaboration is perfectly timed, as the new show Snoopy in Space launched on Apple TV+ in November of last year. The STEM-based series celebrates the long history between Peanuts and NASA and brings Snoopy and the gang to the fore for a new generation as the brand gears up for its 70^th anniversary in 2020.

“Plush has always been a key category for the Peanuts brand, with Snoopy plush often serving as children’s introduction to the brand,” said Tara Botwick, senior director, territory management EMEA for Peanuts Worldwide. “Rainbow Designs understands the importance of this connection and has a legacy of working with classic characters, which makes them an excellent fit for Peanuts.”

MD of Rainbow Designs, Anthony Temple, is delighted to have Snoopy and friends back home. “Snoopy has been an important character at Rainbow over the years,” said Temple.