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27
Aug, 2024
Bulldog announces dress-up and energy drinks deals for Popeye brand

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UK licensing programme for iconic character continues to enjoy strong support

Bulldog Licensing, the leading licensing agency which represents Popeye in the UK on behalf of brand owner King Features Syndicate, has announced two more major deals for the iconic brand, with leading fancy dress, Halloween and carnival manufacturing company Smiffys and with Player Ammo, which produces a healthier alternative to sugary energy drinks.

Smiffys will produce a range of costumes and accessories for adults and kids based on Popeye, his girlfriend Olive Oyl and other friends and foes of the popular sailor man. They will be available at Smiffys stores as well as online from early 2025.

Player Ammo proudly presents a limited Popeye 95th Anniversary Edition, powdered energy drink and shaker bundle. This special bundle features a Mango & Guava flavour with vibrant designs showcasing the legendary sailor man squaring up to Brutus. Having debuted at London MCM comic convention at ExCel in May, it’s now available for purchase via www.playerammo.com and marketplaces.

RH Smith – universally known as Smiffys – has been in the business of fancy dress since 1894, becoming a global organisation with offices and showrooms worldwide. As the leading fancy dress, Halloween and Carnival manufacturing company in the UK, the company distributes nearly 7,500 products to over 2,000 stockists around the world, with over 26 million items shipped every year.

Player Ammo produces energy supplements with a difference. Not fans of sugary or fizzy drinks, the team behind the company aimed for something that was tasty, affordable and healthy. A supplement created to boost cognitive energy and focus that is a healthier, vegan-friendly alternative to sugary energy drinks. Infused with potent nootropics, Player Ammo delivers the sustained energy and mental clarity necessary for peak performance in gaming, sports, and is utilised by professionals ranging from nurses to engineers.

Popeye is one of the world’s best-known brands, with a strong appeal to people of all ages for nearly a century. His signature muscle-enhancing diet of spinach and his catchphrases “I Yam What I Yam” and “Well Blow Me Down!“ have inspired thousands of comic strips, hundreds of books, and over 600 episodes of cartoon content, not to mention songs, posters, films and much more.

Popeye is not only ingrained in pop culture he has become one of the most recognisable and beloved characters in the world. Now, with his 95th birthday in 2024, Bulldog Licensing is building on the already strong Popeye licensing programme within the UK, most recently through a deal with Skinnydip for phone cases apparel, accessories, and much more.

Bulldog’s Licensing Director Vicky Miller says: “The appeal of Popeye remains powerful after nearly a century, and it is no surprise that he is an inspiration for dress-up and energy drinks from two companies that are admired for quality and innovation. The UK licensing programme for this iconic character continues to enjoy strong support – and it’s still growing; we look forward to making more announcements soon!”

Dominique Peckett, Director at Smiffys, says: “Popeye is one of the most identifiable and popular characters on the planet, with a look and style perfectly suited to fancy dress. We’re thrilled to be working with a brand that enjoys such incredible levels of awareness and popularity – and that has been around almost as long as we have!”

Mohammed Javed at Player Ammo, says: “Popeye’s active, can-do image and confident, upbeat attitude have made him a hit for decades and are perfect for a product range that emphasises energy and positivity. It’s a real thrill to be working on this legendary property.”

23
Aug, 2024
Bulldog Licensing to manage licensing for attitude magazine

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Bulldog brings world’s biggest LGBTQ+ media brand to licensing for the first time

Independent licensing agency Bulldog Licensing has been appointed by brand owner Stream Publishing Limited as licensing agent for the UK and Ireland for attitude, the definitive gay magazine.

Bulldog Licensing will be building on the strong awareness and positive associations of the brand and pursuing new and expanded opportunities in the adult market as attitude comes to licensed products for the very first time.

Key initial categories will including apparel, accessories, gifts, wall art, houseware and health and beauty. The magazine’s design assets also support numerous opportunities that embrace famous magazine covers and features as well, of course, as the iconic attitude logo.

Launched in March 1994, attitude is the best-selling gay magazine in the UK and Europe and the world’s biggest LGBTQ+ media brand. It combines a reputation for major exclusives news on serious issues affecting LGBTQ+ people all over the world with blockbuster celebrity interviews, hot men, the latest fitness tips, cutting-edge fashion and profiles of the best travel destinations.

The print title is sold in 31 countries worldwide, many in translation, while in digital form subscriptions are downloaded in more than 120 countries. It has a massive social media following, in the millions across multiple platforms, and has inspired the establishing of the Attitude Magazine Foundation, a registered charity which has raised and distributed more than £500,000 for LGBTQ+ causes since its founding in summer 2018.

Darren Styles, MD of Stream Publishing, says: “We have long believed that, as the world’s biggest LGBTQ+ media brand, attitude has a lot to offer in the realms of licensing and branding with the help of the right partner: in Bulldog we have undoubtedly found that partner. Its understanding, expertise and vast network of contacts across the industry, as well as its skill in managing diverse brands and target groups, will help us to build on the enormous success and strong awareness that attitude has attracted over more than 30 years.”

Bulldog MD Rob Corney says: ““attitude is a byword for excellence in writing, design and campaigning that stands out not just among gay magazines, but as an iconic brand in its own right. Popular, admired and culturally significant from day one, attitude offers numerous design assets and fantastic opportunities for licensing that demonstrably unique – for licensees to address a discerning audience across many categories.”

12
Aug, 2024
Bulldog and Skinnydip bring Totally Spies! to clothing, accessories and more

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Multi-category deal for classic show launches with apparel and phone cases
as new season is announced

Bulldog Licensing, the leading licensing agency which represents much-loved, classic crime-fighting franchise Totally Spies! in the UK on behalf of brand owner Banijay Kids & Family, part of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, has announced a new deal for the iconic brand with Skinnydip, a renowned supplier of fun and quirky accessories, clothing and lifestyle product.

Recently launched on the Skinnydip site is the first product in the Totally Spies! x Skinnydip London collab, a series of phone cases featuring colourful, action-packed illustrations starring Sam, Clover and Alex, three teenage girls from Beverly Hills, who live a double life as undercover agents fighting crime while trying, not always successfully, to live normal lives as students.

Much more is on the way; this agreement extends to tech accessories, apparel, accessories, beauty and bathing, gifting and travel and homeware.

Produced by Banijay Kids & Family label Zodiak Kids & Family France, Totally Spies! originally ran from 2001 for six seasons, hooking a generation of fans with its iconic aesthetic and powerful female leads.Totally Spies! has sold to 220 territories and is available in 60 languages, with an impressive 1.63 million subscribers, 2.1 billion views and 362 million hours streamed on YouTube alone. The show also has 1.4 million Facebook followers worldwide.

A seventh season was announced in 2022 and has launched in France on Gulli (M6) and will air around the world on Discovery Kids LatAm, and Warner Bros. Discovery across EMEA and the US. Last month Gulli and Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA confirmed season 8, plus Amazon has unveiled development on a young adult live-action adaptation of Totally Spies! with Amazon MGM Studios, Banijay Kids & Family, and Jessica Elbaum  and Will Ferrell’s Gloria Sanchez Productions.

The licensing campaign for the brand launched late last year and licensing industry interest is already strong. The initial focus for Bulldog is on a strong adult nostalgia market keen to revisit an entertainment classic. Some of the early categories targeted will be apparel (daywear and nightwear), fashion accessories, tech products, health & beauty and stationery.

Skinnydip launched its first phone case design in 2011. Since then, it has evolved to become a go-to destination for female Gen-Z clothing and accessories. Today it serves up unique, witty and stand-out products to an ever-growing community of customers, influencers and celebrities around the globe through Skinnydiplondon.com, its two standalone stores and over 200 stockists worldwide The company has also collaborated with a wide range of household-name entertainment brands.

Bulldog’s Licensing Director Vicky Miller says: “It’s no surprise Totally Spies! is attracting such a positive licensing industry response. The show enjoys enduring appeal among adults who fell in love with the original action, gadgets and missions, alongside young audiences who also enjoy the show’s wit, invention, and positive messages about friendship and teamwork. It’s ideal for many categories, which is why we’re thrilled to be working with Skinnydip, a company with a strong offering that appeals to multiple age groups.”

Lewis Blitz, Managing Director at Skinnydip, says: “Totally Spies! ticks so many boxes for our customer base in terms of humour, excitement, style and of course female empowerment, all combined with powerful and arresting imagery. Sam, Clover and Alex are a welcome addition to our accessories, clothing and lifestyle ranges.”

Roubina Tchoboian, Head of Global Licensing at Banijay Kids & Family adds: “With the season 7 launch, confirmation of an 8th series and the development of a live-action version, there is significant momentum for Totally Spies!. Skinnydip, with its fun and fresh approach to accessories and lifestyle products, is a great partner for the brand, and the perfect fit for our sizeable millennial and Gen Z fans,”

31
Jul, 2024
Mr Bean plush and novelties kick off new licensing campaign in style

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Bulldog Licensing, appointed to manage UK licensing for Mr Bean, announces first deal

Independent licensing agency Bulldog Licensing, which has been appointed by brand owner Banijay Kids & Family as UK and Ireland licensing agent for Mr Bean, has announced a major new licensee signing for the iconic comedy character.

Whitehouse Leisure International and its sister company Posh Paws International, will be producing Mr Bean plush for both the retail and amusement/leisure sectors, as well as designing and producing a range of Mr Bean novelty key chains and mugs.

Both ranges will be inspired by a character that has been wildly popular for nearly 35 years in live action and animated formats, both on TV and in films.

Available from spring 2025, across online, toy & gift stores, amusement, leisure and entertainment destinations, the Mr Bean plush and novelty items will be aimed at all ages, reflecting the appeal of the character to all generations.

Whitehouse Leisure is the leading manufacturer and distributor of amusement and redemption products across UK, Europe and the Middle East, renowned for its impressive product catalogue of licensed and trending own-brand products for the amusement and leisure sector. Posh Paws is a leading manufacturer and distributor of licensed and own-brand plush toys and gifts across the UK, with a wide distribution base ranging from local toy and gift shops to high street and online retailers.

Co-created by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis, Atkinson describes the character as “a child in a grown man’s body”, 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 close to 200 countries and a staggering online presence that has attracted more than 19 billion lifetime views on YouTube and made it the biggest Facebook page in the world for a film and television character.

Bulldog Licensing will be building on Mr Bean’s existing licensing presence and pursuing new and expanded opportunities 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 will inform a licensing campaign which will target multiple categories including (to name only a few) homeware, stationery, t-shirts, toys, collectables, bags and greeting cards.

Since 1990 the show has gone from 14 live action episodes to a globally renowned brand with over 30 years of continuous distribution. The Mr Bean live action show launched in 1990 to great acclaim, winning a number of international awards. By 1995 it had inspired the first of two movies. The animated series launched in 2002. Today the brand needs little introduction, boasting fans of all ages.

The latest animated series (produced by Tiger Aspect Kids & Family), series 4, launches in 2025, executive produced and voiced by Rowan Atkinson and will air on ITVX and Warner Brothers Discovery in the UK.

Lauren Shipman, Group Brand & Marketing Director, says: “We are excited to work with an internationally known, instantly recognisable character with cross-generational appeal. The humour and imagery that is associated with Mr Bean is also ideal for toys, gifts and novelties that we are certain will be popular with both our retail and leisure customers”.

Roubina Tchoboian, Head of Global Licensing, Banijay Kids & Family says: “Mr Bean is a global phenomenon which is instantly recognisable just about everywhere and with a new animated series on the way, the brand continues to go from strength to strength. Bringing in the expertise of Bulldog, we have an ambitious licensing programme that is perfectly timed for our existing fanbase and a whole new generation of fans – and we’re thrilled to welcome these deals with two leaders in their fields”.

Bulldog MD Rob Corney adds: “Mr Bean has been enormously popular from his very first appearance in 1990 to the present day and this high level of awareness will drive an expanded licensing campaign that will be very popular with consumers of all ages. Whitehouse Leisure and Posh Paws International have been quick to build on the brand’s massive appeal and many other potential licensees are already showing a strong interest in this unique brand. We’re thrilled to be working with these leading names in toys and gifts and looking forward to bringing this classic character to many new categories”.