Tag Archives: The Ashmolean Museum

Louis Kennedy launches DTC platform to raise money for good causes

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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.

 

 

Luxury pen maker Conway Stewart inks partnership with Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum

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The ink is still drying on a new deal between the luxury pen maker, Conway Stewart and the famous Oxford institution, the Ashmolean Museum, that will see the development of a series of Ashmolean Pens.

The partnership – brokered by Ian Downes and Start Licensing – will see the pen sold in a limited edition of 200, retailing at £595. The first Ashmolean Pen is based on the Conway Stewart iconic Churchill pen and has been produced in the Oxford University Blue with nine carat gold trim with English hallmarks.

WA2001.18; Ruskin bust with the “John Ruskin Pen”

The theme of the first pen in the series is John Ruskin. Closely connected with Oxford and the Ashmolean, Ruskin studied as an undergraduate at Christ Church, and remained connected with Oxford for most of his life. He went on to establish his drawing school at Oxford in 1871.

Ruskin was well known for his writing and also sketching. The Ashmolean Museum houses a significant amount of Ruskin’s work including detailed sketches and paintings of rocks, plants, birds, landscapes, architectural structures and ornamentation. The release of the pen dovetails with the opening of The Ashmolean Museum’s latest exhibition “Pre-Raphaelites Drawings and Watercolours” which will include a number of Ruskin’s works.

The Ashmolean Pen will also feature the Ashmolean’s founder Elias Ashmole’s hand-written ‘Statutes Orders & Rules’ heading on the barrel of each pen as a further link to the Museum and its history. The Ashmolean Museum is the world’s first public museum and the world’s first university museum. The Museum first opened its doors in 1683.

The pen will be sold in a presentation box and will include a bottle of ink plus a specially developed booklet that sets out the history of the Ashmolean Museum and gives an insight into John Ruskin’s life. The booklet was written by The Ashmolean Museum adding a further layer of authenticity to the partnership.

Conway Stewart, meanwhile, was founded in 1905. Conway Stewart’s pens were famous for their vibrant coloured and stylish pens in the 1920s. In the 1940s, the innovation designed into each made them Winston’s Churchill’s pen of choice. Its pens, including the Ashmolean pen, are designed and manufactured in the UK.

Ian Downes from Start Licensing said: “We are delighted to see The Ashmolean Museum and Conway Stewart working together. The Ashmolean pen is a unique and original product that makes great use of the Ashmolean’s collection and highlights their unique place in the Museum world.

“Conway Stewart is an expert in its field and has developed a fantastic product. We believe the Limited Edition will prove extremely popular and we hope the John Ruskin pen will be the first in a series of pens from the Ashmolean. Conway Stewart also delivers a strong marketing platform for the product and have access to a global community of pen collectors. It is a consumer group who we think will respond well to the Ashmolean’s collection.”

Dec McCarthy from the Ashmolean Museum, added: “This is a wonderful collaboration for the Ashmolean, and we are delighted to be associated with such an iconic brand as Conway Stewart.”

Alastair Adams MD of Conway Stewart, said: “I have loved working with the team at the Ashmolean Museum to produce this pen, doing the research and learning about the amazing collection on display in Oxford. I would urge all readers to visit this wonderful museum.”

The Ashmolean Museum taps Start Licensing as it looks to build its UK licensing programme

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The Ashmolean Museum has tapped the award-winning licensing agency, Start Licensing, to represent the brand across all categories as it looks to build out an extensive licensing programme.

Based on Oxford and established in 1683, The Ashmolean is recognised both as the world’s first public museum and  the world’s first university museum. Over the course of its almost 350 year history, it has developed from a cabinet of curiosities into a university museum of art and archaeology adored throughout the world.

A favourite of the travel writer Bill Bryson, who has called it ‘just about the most beguiling museum there is,’ the Ashmolean is a celebrated treasure house with rich and diverse collections. One of its greatest strengths is that these collections encompass worldwide art and archaeology across millennia from prehistory to the present day.

It is the home of collections spanning Old Master drawings and musical instruments; Dutch Still-Life and continental silver; textiles, ceramics and paintings from the Islamic Middle East, China, Japan, South East Asia, India and the Himalayas.

Dec McCarthy, head of publishing and licensing at the Ashmolean Museum, said: “The Ashmolean is delighted to announce the appointment of Start Licensing as our exclusive agent, and hope that this will help to raise the awareness of the possible opportunities for licensing.

“Licensees working with the Ashmolean have unprecedented access to our curatorial departments, study rooms and collections, much of which is not on general public view. The Ashmolean’s licensing team can help licensees make full use of the resources available and work with licensees to develop product which is inspired by the Ashmolean and in turn will inspire consumers.

“We would also love to host product launches, photo shoots and staff training within the museum.”

Existing licensees of The Ashmolean include Woodmansterne Publications, PJ Studio Accessories, Flametree Publishing, and Fox & Chave. The greetings card company Woodmansterne even featured artwork from the Ashmolean in prime position on its tradeshow stand at the Spring Fair recently.

Ian Downes from Start Licensing Limited said: “We are delighted to be working with The Ashmolean Museum. It is a great time to work with a heritage brand and the Ashmolean has a real ‘can do’ attitude. We are looking forward to engaging with licensees and retailers to add momentum to the existing programme.

“We have identified a number of opportunities including working with retailers and brand owners to create capsule collections. We have developed some product concepts to inspire partners and would love to share these with potential partners.

“The Ashmolean Museum represents a great opportunity for licensees to work in an original way and to add value to their businesses. There is scope for licensees and retailers to identify specific design themes and build product ranges accordingly.

“The Ashmolean Museum is a fantastic creative resource and one that should inspire creative thinking.”

The Ashmolean Museum is situated in Oxford and attracts a broad base of visitors including a significant percentage from outside the UK including visitors from countries such as China and Japan. It also hosts a number of exhibitions each year. Next to be housed at the museum is Young Rembrandt, opening on February 27th, followed by Tokyo Art and Photography from July 16 2020.