Hit animated series inspires apparel ranges due at retail in early 2027

Independent licensing company Bulldog Licensing, which manages licensing and merchandising in the UK and Ireland for the new preschool 52 x 11’ animated TV show BeddyByes, has announced the first two licenses for the visually rich and uniquely tactile series that supports positive sleep routines to help young children get ready for sleep.

Aykroyds & TDP Licensing and Blues Group Limited will both be supplying apparel – daywear, underwear and, of course, nightwear – for young fans of the show. Designs will be inspired by the colourful but soothing landscape and delightful characters that have entranced young viewers since the show’s launch on CBeebies in June and BBC iPlayer in late May 2025.

Both ranges will arrive in SS27 at supermarkets and major stores, as well as online. Availability will follow the launch of plush toys from master toy licensee Moose Toys.

The deal was made on behalf of Blue Ant Rights, the show’s global media distributor and consumer products brand manager.

Both TDP and Aykroyd and Sons are leading names in character licensing in the UK apparel market, supplying globally recognised licensed clothing to all of the UK’s best-known retailers.

Blues Group are a well-established UK apparel supplier across baby, daywear and nightwear for kids/adults. Their business designs and manufactures garments across all age demographics to deliver innovative cross category ranges.

Designed to soothe and calm children during the crucial pre-naptime and bedtime periods, BeddyByes is one of the few shows in recent years that directly addresses the challenges of getting little ones to settle down. The series underscores the importance of establishing a routine for children to wind down, from PlayTime, YummyTime, BrushyTime, and BathTime to StoryTime and, finally, BeddyByes.

The series is the creation of JAM Media, the successful Dublin-based, multi-award-winning producers of animated and live action content for preschool and children’s audiences. Each episode features a different theme, with an engaging but gently paced storyline.

The series follows the charming characters MeMo and BaBa through their own daily routine on Planet BeddyByes. They interact with welcoming friends in a colourful but soothing landscape on their calming journey towards sleep, preceded, of course, by a bedtime story from show narrator Gramma Leeba (voiced by the iconic Dawn French).

BeddyByes was commissioned by BBC Children’s and education and quickly secured a prime slot during the CBeebies Bedtime Block, where it can be seen every day at 6.10pm, as well as being available on BBC iPlayer. Ireland’s RTE (the show’s co-producer) and public broadcasters DR of Denmark, YLE Finland, and SVT Sweden have already signed up to broadcast the series alongside Disney who will carry the brand on their channels globally outside the UK. Other linear TV platforms to be announced shortly.

Blue Ant Rights, part of Toronto-based Blue Ant Media, a global award-winning, full-service multiplatform production, distribution and rights management company, is maximising the licensing potential of the series, with global toy and publishing opportunities.

For the UK and Ireland markets, Bulldog is expecting strong demand from children, parents, grandparents and caregivers. Early categories targeted will include toys and publishing, bedding, bathtime products, personal care, sleep aids. and, of course, apparel.

Richard Goldsmith, Executive Vice President of Kids & Family Sales and Brands at Blue Ant Media, says: “BeddyByes is all about heart, humour and fun, supported by memorable imagery and superb design. These elements have inspired some of the UK’s best-known licensed apparel companies to design some marvellous, and very desirable, apparel ranges that catch the spirit and message of the show – and that are also, of course, delightful to wear.”

Laury Howat, Retail Licensing Manager at Bulldog Licensing, says: “It’s entirely appropriate that BeddyByes has made a strong early impact in the apparel market. Its gorgeous design, colourful and likeable characters, and charming stories have inspired engaging and memorable apparel designs perfect for MeMo and BaBa’s very young fans. With the show already a TV and streaming hit, we anticipate a strong consumer response to these wonderful offerings.”

Lucy Sowamber joins team; Rocio Fernandez is new Creative Project Manager

Bulldog Licensing, one of the leading agencies in Europe, working with many of the world’s leading brand owners to develop merchandise programmes ready for the international and domestic licensing markets, has announced an important new appointment and a major internal promotion.

These significant improvements to the Bulldog team’s structure are designed to help position the company to address the needs of a fast-changing licensing market even more effectively.

Lucy Sowamber has joined Bulldog as Licensing Approvals Co-ordinator. In her new role she will be supporting product approvals, creative asset management, trade shows and administrative functions.

Lucy studied animation at De Montfort University, where she not only developed a creative background in 3D, motion and visual design but became a 3D animation specialist whose animation work was featured at two film festivals. She also gained experience in restaurant operations while at university and as a graphic design intern immediately after graduating.

She is now bringing this creative mindset and keen eye for detail to supporting presentation visuals, marketing materials, and trade show artwork in the fast-paced, dynamic environment of modern licensing in which Bulldog is a recognised leader.

Rocio Fernandez has been promoted to the key role of Creative Project Manager at Bulldog, where she now leads product development approvals, oversees creative execution, and manages cross-functional teams to deliver licensed product launches.

An important member of the Bulldog team for over four years, Rocio works closely with stakeholders and internal teams to ensure alignment across design, compliance and timelines. She was nominated as a Rising Star at the 2022 Brands Untapped 100 Creatives and the 2025 UK Licensing Awards. Her educational background includes a degree in journalism with a focus on digital marketing.

Both the appointment and the promotion, effective from the start of 2026, will support Bulldog’s continuing growth and portfolio diversification in a highly competitive market.

Lucy Sowamber says: “Bulldog’s excellent reputation and contacts throughout the world of retailing and licensing makes it the perfect place to build a career in an industry in which it is known and respected. It is both a delight and a privilege to get my introduction to licensing with such a highly regarded company.”

Rocio says: “Bulldog has given me an amazing grounding in licensing and has been a wonderful place to work and learn. This promotion gives me the opportunity to use my experience to make Bulldog an even more prominent force in the licensing industry. I’m looking forward to it immensely.”

Bulldog MD Rob Corney adds: “Bulldog’s continuing strength in a highly competitive market has always been down to the skills of its staff – and that means choosing the right people. Lucy’s passion for storytelling and visual design, along with her proven creativity, will be major assets to this company; we’re already delighted with her work. Rocio has established herself as a key player not just in Bulldog but in the licensing world where she is well known and highly respected. Her promotion is well deserved.”

Leading agency showcases brands enjoying success across diverse media

Bulldog Licensing, one of the licensing industry’s leading agencies, has announced its plans for the Las Vegas Licensing Expo 2026*.

Bulldog will again be promoting an amazing selection of brands that have enjoyed success across diverse media. They include the globally renowned property Care BearsÔ, the much-loved entertainment and education property Sesame Street, preschool favourite BeddyByes, legendary darts brand Bullseye, the iconic comedy character Mr Bean, the much-loved kids’ crime-fighting show Totally Spies, the UK’s legendary Beano comic, enduringly successful children’s publishing brand That’s Not My… and trading card hit Match Attax.

Care Bears first won hearts as a greeting card phenomenon. Now it has a presence across multiple formats – TV, streaming, publishing, live shows, branded cafes, meet and greets and more, not to mention one of the most successful licensing programmes of all time.

The property’s clear, relatable identity and universally appealing messages of kindness and caring have allowed the Care Bears brand to enjoy UK retail success in the children’s market across multiple categories – from toys, gaming, confectionery, tableware, puzzles, apparel and accessories to homewares and collectibles and, of course, plush. It also enjoys sales in apparel, gifts, accessories and more from a growing adult market. With 2025 global retail sales in excess of half a billion dollars Care Bears is a must-have multi-generational brand with exceptional strength in the UK market.

Awareness of Care Bears continues to grow through social media efforts, marketing initiatives, and the success of the Care Bears: Unlock the Magic TV series, which recently expanded distribution for select seasons through leading platforms, including Netflix worldwide. 2026 will also see more collaborations and retail placements ahead of the brand’s 45th anniversary in 2027.

Sesame Street, which has been engaging and educating children and families around the world for more than 55 years, is a key focus for Bulldog in the UK. Working on behalf of Sesame Workshop, the global organisation behind the iconic show, the agency has announced numerous licences for the much-loved brand as it continues to grow its presence at UK retail.

Recent licence awards, including gifts, novelties, arts and crafts and stationery, join Just Play’s master toy programme and a rapidly growing pre-school licensed product range at all major retailers. Sesame Street uniquely blends nostalgia with contemporary pop‑culture relevance, inspiring successful ranges of apparel, badges, embroidered patches and more.

This activity builds on the strength of Sesame Street programming, which is enjoying standout success across broadcast and digital platforms.

BeddyByes is a 52×11 CG-animated series that helps young preschoolers from 18 months to four years wind down for sleep and establish a daily routine. Each episode features a unique story-driven theme and follows a consistent daily routine in the company of lovable characters MeMo and BaBa as they explore a whimsical, tactile world filled with curiosity and connection. As each story unfolds, lighting dims, music softens, and pacing slows, creating a built-in sensory wind-down that supports getting ready for sleep.

BeddyByes is more than a show – it is a tool for parents that blends storytelling and a predictable daily routine that supports emotional regulation and sleep readiness, positioning the brand as both entertainment and a functional parenting resource. Each episode follows a consistent daily cadence (PlayTime → YummyTime → BrushyTime → BathTime → StoryTime →BedTime), mirroring real-life routines and reinforcing emotional readiness for rest. Unlike high-energy preschool properties, BeddyByes is intentionally designed to reduce overstimulation and promote self-regulation.

Commissioned by the BBC, created and produced by JAM Media, Dublin and made in association with RTÉ with the participation of Screen Ireland, it is consistently one of the most-watched properties on both CBeebies and iPlayer.

BeddyByes is also uniquely positioned for licensing across multiple categories that naturally align with a preschooler’s daily routines. Each episode mirrors real-life situations, creating rich opportunities for product development that supports both kids and caregivers. Moose Toys will be launching initial ranges from its master toy collection in Autumn 2026 and announcements are imminent for a host of additional category licensees.

Many licence announcements have been issued in the past 18 months and many more are imminent for Bullseye after what has been an amazing year for the iconic darts brand created by Andrew Wood that first aired on ITV in the 1980s. A revival on Sky Challenge, regular repeat showings, guest appearances, celebrity specials and a social media launch maintained a high level of brand awareness throughout the 2000s before its recent return to primetime.

Following the massive success of the 2024 Bullseye Christmas special, hosted by Freddie Flintoff and featuring teenage darts phenomenon Luke Littler, which reached over 8.8 million people, Bullseye returned in 2025 in a brand-new series along with the show’s mascot for over 40 years, the instantly recognisable, friendly darts-playing bull, Bully.

This unique show, synonymous with fun, celebrity players and its many catchphrases, in which contestants consisting of one amateur darts player and one trivia or quizzing expert play to win Bully’s special prizes, is now building on a growing youth market for darts and darts-related products. In fact Bullseye was recently announced as a sponsor of the Blackburn Youth Darts Academy and products perfect for younger audiences are hitting stores through 2026.

Apparel, themed events, food, publishing, Bully Beer, interactive games, costume characters, calendars, and – of course – darts games are delivering huge sales right across UK retail, building on the TV success and the popularity of darts in general.

Beano, the world’s longest-running weekly comic, this year celebrates the 75th anniversary of Britain’s most iconic mischief-maker, Dennis the Menace, a celebration that includes activities at the Tower of London for February half term, and Hampton Court Palace and Hillsborough Castle in the summer holidays.

Beano has performed strongly in the themed experiences market, and this year is inspiring games, comic workshops and events at UK museums, shops, schools, parks and stately homes, reinforcing its unique role in entertaining generations of children for over 87 years. Indeed, this market is expected to be a major focus when the brand celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2028.

A Beano comic is sold every eight seconds, and Beano also reaches millions of fans and audiences across a range of touchpoints, which include YouTube, FAST TV channel, an animated TV show on the BBC, and an ever-expanding range of fiction titles and activity books. For every generation, Beano is a gateway into reading for fun, sparking creativity and imagination across all platforms and channels.

A strong licensing list ranges from publishing, apparel, toys and games, greetings cards, and dress-up to recent licences that include Fashion UK for daywear, nightwear, underwear, footwear, accessories and bedding, Gibsons Games for puzzles, games and card games, Woodle Designs for pet harnesses, collars and leads for dogs and Ecell for phone and tech accessories.

Published by Usborne, That’s Not My… is the bestselling touchy-feely book series for babies and toddlers and a gifting favourite for new-borns as their first book. The books are designed to develop sensory and language awareness, with recent new formats including activity and buggy books.

The humour, bright colours and distinctive That’s Not My… illustrations have inspired top selling babywear, kidswear, accessories, apparel, footwear, bags and a gift range. Recent signings include University Games for puzzles and games. That’s Not My… has strong experiential appeal, having inspired a number of family-oriented collaborations based on the books, with more on the way.

Produced by Banijay Kids & Family label Zodiak Kids & Family France, the animated spy-fi series Totally Spies! originally ran from 2001 for six seasons, hooking a generation of young fans with its iconic aesthetic and powerful female leads. A new, seventh series launched in multiple territories last year across Europe, Latin America and the US, with an eighth season coming soon. With a broad cross-generation audience, the licensing focus for Bulldog is targeting a strong millennials and Gen Z nostalgia market alongside brand-new fans attracted by the show’s humour, excitement and confident female leads.

Further boosted by this year’s 25th anniversary, the brand has won a number of important recent licensing deals including a new wave of fashion and beauty collaborations spanning a BonBonWhims’ jewellery and accessories line, Deco Beauty’s themed nail stickers and a capsule clothing and merchandise collection from New York label Tyler McGillivary. Standout experiential and food activations include a partnership with Buffalo Grill, iced fruit from Idalia, an ice cream activation with Tsun Scoops and a new confectionery range from Bubblegum Kids, while partners Osan Optics, Youtooz, Chaks and Hachette Heroes have extended the brand into sunglasses, collectibles, dress‑up and publishing.

Bulldog Licensing is also UK licensing agent for Mr Bean on behalf of leading children’s entertainment powerhouse Banijay Kids & Family. The iconic comedy character has been wildly popular for over 35 years in both live-action and animated formats, on TV and in films as well as on multiple social media platforms where he is globally popular, engaging with audiences of all ages.

Mr Bean tries to solve apparently minor problems presented by everyday tasks and often causes major, and hilarious, disruption in the process. The visual and often non-verbal comedy that drives the character has ensured there have been no language barriers to a success that has brought Mr Bean high awareness and enormous popularity in TV, films and online in over 200 countries.

Imagery from both live and animated formats (series four of the Tiger Aspect Kids & Family produced animated series premiered in 2025) informs a licensing campaign which targets both kids and adults, in categories ranging from homeware, stationery, t-shirts, toys and collectables to bags, plush, greetings cards and experiential licensing. Retailers across multiple channels are seeing product top their sales charts for this rapidly growing consumer proposition.

Bulldog also represents Match Attax, the leading football trading card game from Topps. Match Attax has achieved significant penetration among young football fans across the UK, establishing itself as a prominent playground phenomenon, with live swapping events held across the country and strong support from parents.

Over recent seasons, Match Attax has been widely distributed across the UK and Ireland, achieving substantial retail sales through an extensive footprint spanning major retail channels. The brand also maintains a strong online presence and partnerships with some of the world’s leading football properties. Licensed products include publishing from Farshore and the Match Attax-themed Football Billionaire board game, with multiple new product lines launching this year, including apparel, stationery and toys.

Bulldog MD Rob Corney says: “Las Vegas Licensing Expo is not only a chance to meet both established and would-be licensing partners, but to underline the diversity of the household names in the Bulldog portfolio. With some of the biggest brands in both the UK – and the world – and a reach that extends to multiple ages and demographics, we’re looking forward to presenting our varied and exciting brand portfolio to an international audience.”

Games, costumes, calendars and more on the way

Iconic darts game show and brand Bullseye has won another four licensing deals in the year of its triumphant return to its original home on ITV.

Bulldog Licensing, which licenses the brand in the UK on behalf of Bullseye Group, has announced Bullseye partnerships in interactive games, costume characters, calendars, and – of course – darts games.

Currently in development is a new offering from Barnstorm Games. The company is a specialist in high-quality, family-friendly games for handheld devices, and develops and publishes apps for top TV production companies and world famous brands. It’s very first Bullseye offering will capture the combination of skill and general knowledge that makes the game so appealing via specially designed apps playable on mobiles. The Bullseye game will be available on the Apple App Store, Google Play and the Amazon Appstore.

Of course Bullseye is not just famous for its games. Its mascot for over 40 years has been the instantly recognisable friendly darts-playing bull Bully – and Bully is now available for hire as a costume character from Rainbow Productions.

This is an important partnership with a global leader in manufacturing bespoke mascot costumes and organising licensed character events. Rainbow Productions is unique in offering a complete mascot manufacture, wardrobe and costume character events management service, one that includes purposely designed units, support staff, costume makers and trained mascot artistes. It’s also a 2025 King’s Award for Enterprise winner.

And speaking of Bully, he will also appear on a new offering from Portico Designs, an independent publisher and wholesaler of design-led gifts. Portico will launch its 2027 Bullseye Calendar at multiple UK retail outlets in 2026.

Design concepts are still under wraps, but expect to see the TV show’s stars, logos and catchphrases, and, of course, Bully highlighted in this, the first ever Bullseye calendar.

For anyone who likes creative new takes on the game of darts itself, look no further than Dartskins – Games with Darts, specially designed robust, tear-resistant, long lasting fabric game skins that fit to any standard dartboard, transforming it into a games arena for all to play a variety of games, like golf, cricket, poker and 8 ball, all adapted for darts. And now it’s the turn of the legendary quiz show that first brought together darts and general knowledge!

The latest Dartskins launch brings Bullseye into homes on an ingeniously designed skin that gives dartboards a touch of Bullseye magic along with a digital question and answer system. The new Bullseye Dartskins will be available online and at specialist outlets from early ’26.

These partnerships join the many major licence awards built on the enduring popularity of the show. They include gifting, dress-up, wall art, books, coin-pusher machines, apparel, bingo, publishing and food and drink, as well as Bullseye-themed darts, flights, shirts, cases, mats, dartboards and apps. There’s also a Bullseye online store, and formats adapted for holiday resorts and homes.

And many more licence announcements are imminent in 2026 after what proved to be an amazing year for the iconic darts brand created by writer Andrew Wood that first aired on ITV in the 1980s. It spent 14 years on ITV, after which a revival on Sky Challenge, regular repeat showings, guest appearances, celebrity specials and a social media launch maintained a high level of brand awareness throughout the 2000s.

Andrew passed away last year at the age of 91, but not before he saw the triumphant return of his creation to ITV. Following the massive success of the 2024 Bullseye Christmas special, hosted by Freddie Flintoff and featuring teenage darts phenomenon Luke Littler, Freddie and official scorer Richard Ashdown returned in a brand-new series. Millions of fans old and new tuned in, placing the show at the top of ITV’s ratings charts and enjoying this unique show, synonymous with fun, celebrity players and its many catchphrases in which contestants consisting of one amateur darts player and one trivia or quizzing expert, play to win Bully’s special prizes.

Led by Luke Littler’s success, the brand is also building on a growing youth market for darts and darts-related products. Bullseye was recently announced as a sponsor of the Blackburn Youth Darts Academy and products perfect for the younger audience are set to hit stores through 2026.

Laura Wood, Managing Director, Bullseye Group, says: “The Bullseye brand has always enjoyed strong awareness and appeal but its return to ITV has taken its popularity to another level. These four best-in-class licensees will bring the fun, skill, unmistakable imagery of the show, along with much-loved mascot Bully, to superb calendars, mascot costumes, and both virtual and real games. And there’s much more to come very soon!”

Bulldog MD Rob Corney adds: “It’s a great honour to work with Laura, continuing her dad’s legacy in delivering the iconic brand he created in new ways, to excite fans of all ages. These deals once again show the wide appeal of the Bullseye name and associations across a widening selection of licensing categories. With awareness still growing we are already expecting many further additions to the campaign in 2026 after a stunning 2025. The turn of the year gives us all a chance to raise a glass to Andrew Wood, a great man and the creator of one of the best-loved brands in entertainment.”

Top football trading card game wins apparel and stationery deals

Bulldog Licensing, the independent licensing agency representing top football trading card game Match Attax®, has announced two new licensing agreements for the brand.

Blues Group, a leading name in licensed kids’ apparel is planning a range of children’s daywear and nightwear. RMS, a leading supplier of toys, games and arts and crafts products, is planning a range of kids’ stationery and accessories.

Aimed at the older primary boys’ age group, the Blues Group range will include a t-shirt, a football outfit and pyjamas, all illustrated with the instantly recognisable Match Attax logo and its popular football and striker images. The first products will be available from spring/summer 2026, perfect timing for the summer of football ahead.

The RMS core range will include a pen set, a stationery set, a football diary set, a water bottle, a keychain and much more, again making strong use of the Match Attax logo and football and striker images but using striking and powerful black and white images and silhouettes alongside colourful lettering, also launching in time for the big footballing event of 2026. RMS are also developing an exclusive novelty range including fidget spinner, LED bouncy ball, water game and pinball game, plus more.

Match Attax from trading cards giant Topps® is a best-selling sport trading card game series and the UK’s top children’s football brand. Nearly half of all boys in the UK collect Match Attax and it is a massive playground craze, with live swapping events held across the country and strong support from the many parents who buy Match Attax cards for their kids.

Over recent seasons in the UK, Match Attax has been widely distributed across the UK and Ireland, with sales reaching hundreds of millions of packets through a large retail footprint. The brand also has a massive online presence, including over 400,000 followers on Topps Social channels, and partnerships with the biggest and most prestigious names in world football, including the UEFA Champions League and the Bundesliga, as well as many of the biggest names in world football.

“With tremendous sales, Match Attax has the kind of reach and awareness that even some of the world’s biggest football clubs would find impressive,” says Bulldog MD Rob Corney. “That massive appeal and its association with the world’s most popular sport also make it ideal for multi-category Iicensing, a fact that has clearly made the brand a winner for Blues Group and RMS – two leading names in their fields.”

Sarah Salmon, Sales & Design Manager, Blues Group, says: “The appeal of the Match Attax brand is hard to overestimate, with strong visibility across multiple channels and continuing trading card strength in the market, not to mention a highly recognisable name and associations that makes the brand ideal for licensing to its devoted fanbase. We’re delighted to be working with Bulldog and Topps on this wonderful new range of daywear and nightwear.”

Rebecca Law, Head of Licensed Product, RMS, says: “At a time when football has a vast – and growing – following, working with a leader in the trading card market whose imagery and name are known by millions is an opportunity we don’t want to miss. We’re sure this new stationery and accessories range will be a winner with Match Attax fans everywhere.”

Collection developed by Aykroyd and Sons

Launch coincides with new KIDZ BOP album ‘KIDZ BOP 52’ Out 9 January

KIDZ BOP, the number one music brand for kids, and Bulldog Licensing, the brand’s European licensing partner, announced the launch of KIDZ BOP’s first UK fashion line, exclusively with Character.com, UK’s biggest retailer of licensed kids’ clothing. The kids collection will consist of KIDZ BOP t-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets for every little fan ready to live their pop star dreams.

The line, developed by apparel licensee Aykroyd and Sons, will launch in stores and online at Character.com in January 2026, to coincide with the release of the KIDZ BOP’s new album ‘KIDZ BOP 52’ on 9 January. The collection will be featured in KIDZ BOP “Tears” music videos and album video content. Fans can celebrate the launch in select stores with guest appearances by the KIDZ BOP Kids early this year. Shop the KIDZ BOP collection at Character.com Collection Page.

The collection comes on the heels of KIDZ BOP’s first theatrical release, KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie and follows their massively successful global concert tour performing to hundreds of thousands of kids and families. KIDZ BOP has more than 12 billion streams and more than six billion YouTube views globally. KIDZ BOP is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year.

In the UK, the brand has achieved sustained national visibility through appearances on Good Morning Britain, the BAFTA Children’s Awards, CBBC Blue Peter, Saturday Mash-Up, BBC Children in Need, and Loose Women. The KIDZ BOP Kids have also attended film premieres and served as red carpet correspondents, interviewing A list talent. The KIDZ BOP Kids have performed at Wembley Arena and set the Guinness World Record for the youngest music ensemble to headline an arena show.

Jackie Turner, Marketing SVP, KIDZ BOP says, “KIDZ BOP is all about confidence, self-expression and fun. These new styles let kids bring that pop star feeling into their everyday lives.”

Emma Wilkins, Brand Manager, Character.com, says: ‘KIDZ BOP is a brand bursting with fun, confidence and energy—qualities we know our customers love. We’re incredibly excited to be the exclusive home of this fun new apparel range and to help bring the launch of KIDZ BOP’s latest album release to life with our in-store events and bespoke digital content. At Character.com, we’re all about celebrating the things kids are passionate about, and this partnership is the perfect match.’

Robyn Cowling, Head of Licensing, Aykroyds, says: “The continuing success of the KIDZ BOP brand has made awareness higher than ever across multiple markets and, of course, the UK is one of the biggest. That’s why we’re thrilled to be taking the brand to market on a fabulous new clothing range alongside a major name in Character apparel retail as the buzz builds around the new album.”

Laury Howat, Retail Licensing Manager, Bulldog Licensing, says: “This exclusive range of distinctive, high-quality KIDZ BOP t-shirts, hoodies and jackets promises to be wildly popular – not least as part of the showcase for KIDZ BOP’s new album. From our first meeting in Swansea, it was clear that the Character.com team were as excited about this opportunity as we are, and they have backed it to the hilt. We’re thrilled to have market leaders Aykroyds and Character.com on board to bring the magic of KIDZ BOP into UK children’s wardrobes. This isn’t just an apparel launch – it’s an event!”

Building on the brand’s success, Bulldog is targeting a wide range of categories for the brand in the UK, including apparel, video games, gifts, toys and accessories, with a target market of both girls and boys aged from five upwards.

Hachette Children’s Group to develop multi-format books for iconic character

In a highly significant new addition to the fast-growing licensing campaign, independent licensing agency Bulldog Licensing, which has been appointed by Banijay Kids & Family as UK and Ireland licensing agent for Mr Bean, has announced a major new licensee for the iconic comedy character.

Hachette Children’s Group has been appointed as master publisher for both the live action and animated versions of Mr Bean.

Plans for the publishing programme are already well advanced, with the first titles expected next year – a search and find book in which readers look for the legendary character in some very busy and crowded situations, a joke book, and a range of comic books.

The planned comic books will take their inspiration from the wildly successful animated adventures of Mr Bean. The fourth and latest, Mr Bean: The Animated Series (produced by Tiger Aspect Kids & Family) launched in Q2 2025. Executive produced and voiced by Rowan Atkinson, it airs on multiple platforms including ITVX and Boomerang in the UK. The first two comic books will be available from April 2026, with two more coming in August 2026.

Search and find titles have rocketed in popularity in recent years with Hachette boasting many bestselling titles, all of which focus on popular themes among children and parents with beautiful, full colour illustrations. The Mr Bean Search and Find book will arrive at bookshops in September 2026.

Further books planned by Hachette include joke books, colouring and activity and sticker books. All have a target audience of seven years and up.

Hachette was founded in 1846 and today is a globally known name in publishing, containing multiple divisions, each with its own distinctive personality.  Hachette Children’s Group is one of the largest children’s publishers in the UK, with an excellent track record in creating bestselling and award-winning books for children. The Group aims to cater for every child and inspire a lifelong love of reading.

Mr Bean tries to solve apparently minor problems presented by everyday tasks and usually causes major, and hilarious, disruption in the process. The visual and often non-verbal comedy that has driven the character since his debut 35 years ago has ensured there have been no language barriers to a success that has brought Mr Bean high awareness and enormous popularity in more than 200 countries.

He has starred in a live action show, four animated series and two movies and has a vast online presence that has attracted nearly 250 million subscribers across social media platforms and includes the biggest Facebook page in the world for a film and television character.

Bulldog Licensing is pursuing new and expanded opportunities for the property in kids’ and adults’ markets, focusing on both the iconic original series and the highly popular animated series.

Imagery from both live and animated formats informs a licensing campaign which targets multiple categories including (to name only a few) homewares, stationery, t-shirts, toys, collectables, bags, greetings cards, food gifting and amusement plush.

Leah James, Publishing Director, Hachette Children’s Group, says: “The highly visual, very colourful Mr Bean is an obvious fit for children’s publishing. He’s also one of the most recognisable characters in the world, with a strong and enduring fanbase. We are looking forward immensely to bringing his unique comedy to what we are sure will be a massively successful range of books.”

Roubina Tchoboian, Head of Global Licensing, Banijay Kids & Family, says: “Mr Bean had an exceptional 2025 as a leading licensed entertainment brand and this new partnership

exemplifies the brand’s strength and enduring appeal. Working with Hachette Children’s Group is a significant evolution for this much-loved property, as we continue to diversify the franchise with premium  brand extensions.”

Bulldog MD Rob Corney adds: “Mr Bean first appeared 35 years ago and remains as popular as ever, inspiring both a new animated series and incredible sales across the merchandising programme. The publishing category is always important and we’re delighted to be working with one of the most respected names in the business to bring this iconic character to multiple book formats.”

Continued growth in key territories inspires expanded regional representation

Bulldog Licensing, licensing agent for the Carte Blanche Greetings Me to You brand and its signature characters Tatty Teddy and Tiny Tatty Teddy, has announced the appointment of two sub-agents to address the brand’s growth in some key territories.

They are MJA Licensing – for France, Belgium and Luxembourg – and WP Brands, which will manage Australia and New Zealand.

Founded in 2005, MJA Licensing is a global agency that represents a growing number of European and international clients and helps them to license their brands. Under the leadership of Françoise Bouvet, an experienced professional whose background includes management posts in the consumer goods, telecommunications and leisure sectors, the company works with a wide range of brands and categories, boasting experience in both licensee and licensor roles, mastery of many different distribution channels, a strong sensitivity to merchandising techniques and international experience in sales and management.

WP Brands is a leading independent brand marketing and licensing agency based in Melbourne, Australia. The WP business creates brand marketing and licensed product partnerships for all types of entertainment and lifestyle properties – from major movie releases to leading video game franchises, platforms and apps.  MD John Vasta is a strategic consumer products and marketing executive with over 25 years’ experience in growing business for the world’s leading consumer brands.

Both of these respected companies will be working with a property that is enjoying a growing international presence more than three decades since it burst on the scene to become a hit in the greetings card market, quickly expanding into licensing.

In fact since 2001 Me to You brand owner Carte Blanche has partnered with best-in-class licensees to bring to market many best-selling Me to You products, led by its signature character Tatty Teddy, the cute grey bear with a blue nose.

More than thirty years since the character first arrived, the appeal of Tatty Teddy now extends well beyond its original incarnation as a greeting card illustration to make it a staple part of the UK brand landscape, achieving around $1.7 million in retail sales value every week. Among the many licensing categories that have embraced Tatty Teddy are daywear and nightwear, accessories, gifting, pins and patches and crafting kits.

Françoise Bouvet says: “For many years Me to You has been the go-to brand for love, friendship, and sharing the moments in life that really matter. Its values – including celebration, kindness and affection – are universal. We see it as a brand with enormous potential across the territories we manage, and we’re thrilled that Bulldog and Carte Blanche have appointed us to boost its fast-growing presence in those areas.”

John Vasta says: “When customers have something to say, whether to a friend or loved one, a Me to You product helps them express the emotion they want to convey. The sentimental nature of the brand continues to resonate with and connect fans worldwide. It’s already making major inroads into the Australia and New Zealand markets and we’re looking forward to taking this wonderful brand to the next level.”

Bulldog Brand Manager Sophie Yates says: “Tatty Teddy is already one of the most popular character brands on the market, with a strong and enduring family appeal that is extending into many new markets and growing in established ones. Managing this growth has meant expanding the brand’s representation – and we’re thrilled to have the skill and expertise of MJA Licensing and WP Brands to support brand growth in two key territories.”

Darts merchandise, arcade games and gifts join growing programme

Bullseye licensing activity has continued to ramp up – further boosted by the recent return of the iconic game show to TV screens. Bullseye licensing agent Bulldog Licensing has announced three more licenses for the Bullseye brand to add to recent major wins in gifting, dress-up, wall art and books.

This time the wildly popular brand is welcoming licensees games, gaming and gifts: Darts Corner for darts, dart flights, dartboards and other darts merchandise; Harry Levy Amusements for coin pushers and novelty redemption games; and PMS International for a wide range of gift products.

Darts Corner is a perfect partner for Bullseye-branded items. It’s the world’s number one online retailer for darts and associated products and is, as it says, “passionate about every aspect of this fantastic sport”.

The Darts Corner Bullseye range, including the highest-quality darts, flights, shirts, cases, mats, dartboards and more, is adorned with classic designs from the famous show including the instantly recognisable Bully cartoon and the famous Bullseye logo. Now available, it’s a must for anyone who loves darts or the TV show.

Harry Levy Amusements, formed in 1980, is a leading manufacturer of amusement machines in the UK. Its Bullseye range will include the company’s universally popular coin pushers along with redemptions machines that offer prizes for winning games of skill. All the machines will feature illustrations of Bully and the Bullseye logo as well as the many catchphrases of the show such as “Bully’s special prize”, and “Nothing in this game for two in a bed”. Available next year, the machines will be sold to arcades throughout the UK.

PMS International Group, the UK’s leading manufacturer and distributor of value-driven gifts and plush, draws on over 50 years of innovation and expertise to create an exciting new range of Bullseye products. Launching in Spring 2026, the collection will feature eye-catching neon bar signs, stylish drinkware, bottle openers, BBQ sets and car accessories — alongside a standout articulated “Bully” figure complete with proximity-activated movement and authentic sound effects.

And many more licence announcements are imminent in what is proving to be an amazing year for the iconic darts brand that first aired on ITV in the 1980s, spending 14 years on ITV. A revival on Sky Challenge, regular repeat showings, guest appearances, celebrity specials and a social media launch maintained brand awareness throughout the 2000s.

And now Bullseye has returned to ITV! Following the massive success of the 2024 Bullseye Christmas special, hosted by Freddie Flintoff and featuring teenage darts phenomenon Luke Littler, Freddie and official scorer Richard Ashdown are back in a brand new series on ITV. More than two million fans old and new are now enjoying this unique show in which contestants consisting of one amateur darts player and one trivia or quizzing expert, play to win Bully’s special prizes.

The show is synonymous with fun, celebrity players and its many catchphrases. The licensing programme has built on the enduring popularity of the show, with Bullseye-branded apparel, bingo, games, publishing, and food and drink, a specially created Bullseye online store, and formats adapted for holiday resorts and homes.

Led by Luke Littler’s success, the brand is also building on a growing youth interest. Bullseye was recently announced as a sponsor of the Blackburn Youth Darts Academy.

Laura Wood, Managing Director, Bullseye Group, says: “Bullseye has attracted numerous partners across all categories over the years, but the core games, gaming and gift categories have always been popular and are expected to enjoy strong growth with the widely welcomed return to ITV of the show. That is why we are delighted to be able to announce such strong partnerships in areas where the Bullseye name and associations are especially appropriate.”

Bulldog MD Rob Corney adds: “There’s a lot of excitement from everyone involved with Bullseye as brand awareness, always strong, reaches new heights after the announcement of its return to TV. These three best-in-class licensees will bring the fun, skill and unmistakable imagery of the show to arcades, handheld devices and homes across the UK. And there’s much more to come very soon!”

New appointment helps agency manage growth and address new opportunities

Award-winning licensing agency Bulldog Licensing has announced the appointment of Joel Banks as its new Licensing Coordinator. This post has been created to help manage portfolio growth along with the ongoing evolution of service demands for the agency.

Joel’s responsibilities will include supporting the team as a whole across the contract process and product approvals and general administrative tasks – an essential role as business continues to ramp up for this award-winning agency.

This is Joel’s first job in licensing and one to which he brings diverse abilities and experience. Prior to joining Bulldog he worked a chef and a mechanic. But his first love was sport – indeed he pursued academic studies in this field leading to a National Diploma and employment as a sports coach. All three roles allowed him developed creativity, people skills and excellent organisational abilities.

He is now applying these skills to a new field, but one in which he has already hit the ground running. As he says: “Licensing is a diverse and fast-moving field, offering many exciting challenges and opportunities that appealed to me from the start – and working with one of the most respected names in the field is a clear bonus. I am already greatly enjoying my new role, which I hope will be the start of a long career in this amazing industry.”

Sophie Yates, Brand Manager with Bulldog, says: “For this role we needed someone who could work with diverse projects and adapt quickly. Joel’s enthusiasm, intelligence and energy impressed us from the start; they were just what we were looking for. In fact he is already a valued member of the team.”