New role will enhance approvals and creative process for multiple brands

Bulldog Licensing, one of the licensing industry’s leading agencies, has announced the promotion of Licensing Approvals Coordinator Rocio Fernandez to a new role. With immediate effect she is taking on the key post of Creative Executive reporting to Senior Creative Manager Sole Slater.

In her new role Rocio will be taking on a higher share of approvals in the Bulldog portfolio, including Care Bears, Magic Mixies and Totally Spies. She will now work across their internal marketing and be actively involved in the creative processes.

After only two years with Bulldog, in her first job in licensing, Rocio has quickly established herself as a hard-working member of the Bulldog team with a clear vision of the creative needs of clients. As Sole Slater says: “Rocio has made a strong impression at Bulldog as a helpful and proactive member of staff with a strong understanding of the licensing business. Having no prior industry experience, she has come so far and has become an integral part of the team. This promotion is both good for the continuing growth of Bulldog Licensing and well deserved.” 

Rocio Fernandez adds: “I’ve enormously enjoyed my first two years with Bulldog and am greatly looking forward to being able to expand the skills I can offer this innovative and exciting agency in my new role.”

Bored Ape NFT Collective: Bored of Directors awards licences to Poetic Brands and Ecell

Bulldog Licensing, one of the licensing industry’s leading agencies, was recently appointed to represent the Bored of Directors, the premier Bored Ape Yacht Club (“BAYC”) NFT Collective, in the UK and Ireland on behalf of brand owner NFIP Holdings, LLC. Bulldog Licensing has announced the first licenses it has inked for the brand, consisting of licensed clothing specialist Poetic Brands and consumer electronic products supplier Ecell Global.

Both licensees will be using imagery that is both original and inspired by the 12 BAYC NFTs that make up the collective, a grouping of owners of animated blue-chip ape NFTs. However, these are more than just cartoons; they are Ethereum-based nonfungible tokens: unique, collectible artworks digitally certified as the property of one paying owner per illustration, which have been sold for over $3,000,000 at Sotheby’s. Bored of Directors brings together 12 diverse BAYC Apes, owned by like-minded and respected individual NFT owners and featuring a variety of aesthetics and personalities under one roof. The aim is to bring more BAYC owners on board as the brand grows.

Poetic Brands will be producing a range of kids’ and adults’ apparel including day and nightwear, as well as a gifting range with figurines, mugs, stationery and key chains. The designs will feature the iconic apes that are part of the Bored of Directors collective.

Ecell Global, which designs, manufactures and distributes unique and artistic cell phone back cases to the global market, will be producing a range of phone, tablet, laptop and game console cases and accessories. The range will be available online from autumn 2022.

The Bored of Directors licensing campaign has taken off in a meteoric fashion, inspired by the high level of awareness of the Bored Apes, which have been bought by many well-known personalities and publicised in books, TV shows, articles and social media. Not surprisingly Brand Central, the exclusive global licensing agency for Bored of Directors, recently announced it had appointed seven leading international sub-agents for the Bored Ape NFT collective, including Bulldog.

Many categories are now being targeted by Bulldog for this unique brand, taking advantage of a full style guide featuring on-trend images, personalities and graphics. They include food, beverages, beer and spirits, interactive, gaming, homewares, publishing, toys and social stationery.

NFIP Holdings, says: “We have been monitoring the demand for BAYC apes both by end consumers and the licensing community alike and knew that a well-structured packaged offering would be appealing to jumpstart the metaverse apes’ plunge into the world of consumer goods. We have been careful to appoint companies that have a reputation for originality and creativity to work with the brand – and that describes Bulldog. We’re delighted to be working with them.”

Rob Corney, MD of Bulldog Licensing, commented: “We like to think that our success with diverse, distinctive, and highly original properties was a major factor in this appointment. We certainly see very strong opportunities for the Bored of Directors across multiple categories. We’re looking forward enormously to working on this exciting brand.”

Bulldog adds a brace of new licensees for Care Bears

Bulldog signs up MoYou and The Hut Group to create a raft of new products based on the heritage brand. With an army of fans, both young and old, Care Bears is the perfect brand for consumer products ranges and the licensing programme, managed in the UK by Bulldog Licensing, already boasts a wealth of innovative lines. This offering is now set to expand as two new licensees come on board to create offerings based on the fluffy, kind characters.

MoYou will be creating a collection of Care Bears nail products, including children’s and adult nail art stencil plates, a nail art scraper, nail art stamper and nail polish, ensuring that pamper days for all fans feature some Care Bears glam.

Meanwhile, The Hut Group has signed up to design a wide range of products inspired by Funshine Bear, Bedtime Bear, Love-a-Lot Bear and their friends. The offering will span apparel, homewares, accessories, electronics, collectibles and furniture with collections already live on the likes of  www.Zavvi.co.uk

Sophie Yates, Licensing Executive at Bulldog Licensing, commented: “The strong values at the heart of Care Bears of kindness and caring, are what ensures the brand remains relevant throughout generations of children and adults. The two new partners will expand the products on offer for the many fans with a plethora of innovative designs. We look forward to seeing the new collections on shelf very soon.”

Icon Wall Stickers and Widdop partner with the bestselling publishing brand to offer a wide range of products

With over 64 titles in its library, and more than 25 million books sold worldwide over its 23-year history, it’s easy to see why THAT’S NOT MY® is an attractive prospect for licensees. In 2020, the brand was second to Peppa Pig in sales ranking for Children’s pre school book brands and overall the brand was ranked 7th in Children’s book brands. THAT’S NOT MY® also appeared in the charts 25 times of the 36 weeks that Usborne had EPOS data last year

Bulldog Licensing is growing an award-winning consumer products line-up for the heritage property and has recently expanded its programme with two new partners.

Firstly, Icon Wall Stickers is on board to create a collection of wall stickers based on the bright, colourful and instantly recognisable characters from the books, allowing families to bring their favourite titles to life in nurseries and children’s bedrooms.

Home and giftware manufacturer, Widdop, has also signed up to partner with the popular publishing property and launched its first range this month, which includes a melamine dinner set, cushions, money boxes, wall clocks and an art frame. The company will be rolling out a Christmas range in AW21, using the seasonal titles such as That’s not my elf and That’s not my snowman for inspiration.

Since 1998, Author Fiona Watt and Illustrator Rachel Wells have created 64 titles including Easter and Christmas titles in the touchy feely series. The books are designed to foster sensory awareness and language development in babies and toddlers and have become an intrinsic part of childhood in families throughout the world.

Sole Slater, Senior Creative Manager at Bulldog Licensing, which manages the rights for the brand in the UK and Eire, commented: “That’s not my…has become one of the most popular baby gifting products in the UK, so it makes total sense to create a range of gifting and homewares for the brand to extend that opportunity for retailers.

“The licensing programme consists of apparel, toys, games and puzzles and homewares and has gone from strength to strength, and we’re thrilled to have these two leading licensees on board to further grow the range.”

Bulldog inks a new deal with DNC for homewares based on the preschool sensation

As part of its growing consumer products programme, Bulldog Licensing has signed DNC as partner for the hit preschool doll and YouTube hit, Kindi Kids.

The deal will see DNC creating a range of products based on the bobble-headed dolls, including lunch bags and coolers, drinkware, food storage boxes and tableware sets.

Since its launch in 2019, Moose Toys’ colourful and cute property has taken YouTube and the large doll market by storm. The YouTube channel now has over 59,000 subscribers and has racked up an enormous 97 million views. The doll range has consistently been the number 1 large doll item and property in the UK NPD and has earned a myriad of awards and places on Christmas toy lists from retailers.

DNC is proud to have been creating high quality, reusable housewares and insulated food and drink products for over 20 years. The company is known for its Polar Gear and Clic-tite brands as well as its Licensed lunchware ranges.

Bulldog Licensing, which manages the rights for Kindi Kids in the UK and Eire, has been building a consumer products range for the preschool property and has already signed up Blueprint for stationery, MV Sports for sporting goods, Kennedy Publishing for magazines and Texco for bedding and home textiles.

Vicky Miller, Licensing Director, Bulldog Licensing, commented: “The Kindi Kids brand is going from strength to strength in the UK and worldwide and the strong themes of discovery and friendship continue to strike a chord with the preschool market. We have a portfolio of best-in-class licensees on board and are excited to add DNC’s products to this offering.”

Fans of the evergreen brand will be head-to-toe in their favourite Care Bears with ranges from two new licensees

First introduced to the world in 1982, Care Bears™ have never gone out of fashion, and remain as loved and relevant today as they were when they first launched nearly 40 years ago. All fans of the heritage brand will be delighted at the wide range of apparel and footwear set to hit shelves under two new partnerships for the brand.

Bulldog Licensing, which manages the UK and Eire rights for the beloved property, has announced deals with Brand International for footwear and Aykroyds TDP for a collection of underwear and nightwear.

Brand International is set to design an extensive range of footwear for all ages and occasions, based on the loveable, huggable bears. Product categories include slippers, footlets, flip flops, sliders, jellies, aqua shoes, trainers, wellies, fashion shoes, and back-to-school shoes.

Meanwhile, Aykroyds TDP’s range of underwear and nightwear, inspired by the inhabitants of the clouds of Care-A-Lot, will feature pyjamas, onesies, and dressing gowns.

The latest 2D animated series, Care Bears: Unlock the Magic, features an all-new look and mission for the bears and is viewable on Tiny Pop in the UK, while home entertainment is available to watch on demand via Netflix and Lionsgate.

Sophie Yates, Licensing Executive at Bulldog Licensing, commented: “Care Bears has such a huge fanbase across all ages and lends itself equally well to both adults and children. We’re excited to have these two new licensees on board and are sure their ranges will be popular amongst all fans.”

Leading European agency to represent the Canadian children’s design brand featuring a colourful animal line-up

Initially created as a range of infant feeding products, Marcus & Marcus’ fun, bright designs have struck a chord with parents and the nursery industry, winning multiple awards, and the brand is now ready to expand into new areas through licensing. And that’s where the experts at Bulldog Licensing come in.

Bulldog will represent Marcus & Marcus in Europe and is looking to translate the popular characters, including Marcus the lion cub, Lola the giraffe, Ollie the elephant, Lucas the hippo, Willo the whale, and Pokey the piglet into a wide range of licensed products. The team will be looking to partner with licensees across toys and gift, nursery products, apparel, publishing, homewares and more.

The founders of Marcus & Marcus are parents themselves with a love of unique, modern designs. Marcus & Marcus’ delivers simple, effective designs with quality, safe and sustainable products to keep children entertained and engaged.

The feeding products are featured in a dedicated Marcus & Marcus Amazon store and include plates, cups, bottles, cutlery, bibs and much more.

Rob Corney, MD, Bulldog Licensing, commented: “We’re really excited to be working with Marcus & Marcus. Their fun, bold designs offer a great opportunity for licensees to develop quality, smart and functional products in a wide range of categories to build on the existing, award-winning range using the instantly recognizable artwork.”

Bulldog signs up the leading apparel licensee to create day and nightwear ranges

Brand Alliance has signed a deal with Bulldog Licensing, which represents the licensing rights for LIFE throughout Europe, to create a range of adult apparel based on the brand.

The LIFE brand combines the iconic LIFE logo – made famous by the legendary eponymous magazine – with pictures from the brand’s extensive photographic library. LIFE magazine photojournalists captured some of the 20th century’s most defining events, historic figures, and nature, making up an enormous 10 million images.

With such a vast resource available for licensing, the LIFE collection has enjoyed a key presence across UK fashion retailers with strong sales in the categories of greetings cards, calendars and wall art, as well.

Brand Alliance is a creative, fashion focused designer and manufacturer with over 20 years’ experience in apparel. The company has been licensing properties for its ranges for over ten years and boasts a portfolio of global brands including Coca Cola, VW, Polaroid, UFC, Jeep, and many more.

The new range will consist of both day wear and night wear based on the iconic brand, and Brand Alliance will work with its network of key retailers.

Rob Corney, MD, Bulldog Licensing, commented: “Brand Alliance is a perfect fit for LIFE, its fashion forward, high quality ranges have a great synergy with the brand, and we’re looking forward to seeing the first designs. The LIFE brand offers a wealth of material for licensing partners, giving them a free rein with creative direction, while also offering immediate recognition with consumers throughout Europe.”

Leading sock manufacturer on board to create adult and children’s socks for the evergreen brand

Bulldog Licensing, the leading European agency which manages the rights for the Care Bears brand in the UK & Eire, has signed a deal with the experts in licensed socks – Roy Lowe & Sons.

The company will be developing a range of socks based on the loveable Care Bears from Care-A-Lot for both adults, who have grown up with the much-loved property, and the children, who are being introduced to the brand through its newly launched toys line, televised show, and popular Care Bears: Unlock the Music music videos.

Launched in 1982, the sweet and huggable Care Bears are nearing their 40^th anniversary. The sharing and caring  theme of the property has remained popular and the Care Bears: Unlock the Magic television series currently airs weekly in the UK on Pop and Tiny Pop.

Roy Lowe & Sons has been creating licensed and unlicensed quality socks since 1996. The company boasts an array of licences, including blockbuster movies, children’s entertainment brands, lifestyle properties, sports licences, and more.

“Care bears offers the adult side of our customer base a fresh, nostalgic feel with a real throwback brand, whilst also appealing to kids. It fits in perfectly from the fashion end, to the more novelty side of socks. Working with the Bulldog and Care Bears’ teams has been a pleasure and we can’t wait to bring these new concepts to people’s feet,” comments Ben Lowe, Account Manager at Roy Lowe.

Rob Corney, MD, Bulldog Licensing, commented: “We are really excited to be working with the team at Roy Lowe who are developing lovely designs to appeal to Care Bears fans of all ages. Care Bears continues to be a much-loved brand and consumer appetite for heritage properties is at an all-time high at the moment, so it’s great to get some new Care Bears’ products into their hands.”

Roy Lowe & Sons are also set to include Care Bears in their Roy’s Boys cosys and matching adult and kids cosy socks launching late 2021.

Bulldog secures deals with Somerbond for the evergreen children’s property

Leading European agency, Bulldog Licensing, has announced a new licensing partner for CloudCo’s heritage children’s animation, Care Bears. Somerbond is on board to create a range of ladies nightwear.

Care Bears has seen strong sales across its adult offering recently, following fashion collaborations with Dolls Kill, Irregular Choice, Tikiboo and Bershka. Bulldog licensing continues to roll out a cross-category programme for the much-loved brand, featuring apparel, accessories and home.

The children’s programme is underpinned by strong ratings for the Unlock the Magic show, airing on Pop. This content will soon be bolstered by new music videos being released by digital partner, Moonbug.

The new licensees join a robust licensing programme, including a newly launched range from Master Toy partner, Basic Fun, which has seen a strong launch in the UK, along with a number of other best in class licensees including Dennicci, Bioworld and Park Agencies.

Rob Corney, MD, Bulldog Licensing, commented: “Care Bears may be nearly 40 years old, but it remains as popular as ever among generations of fans. The original fans are still embracing the brand and we’re looking forward to adding new lines with these two new partners to expand the offering for them.”