Start Licensing Grows Jacqueline Wilson Licensing Programme With New Licensee

BRANDORA Editorial Staff - August 2011
 

Start Licensing (www.startlicensing.co.uk) expands the Jacqueline Wilson licensee portfolio with the appointment of GB eye Ltd, leading supplier of posters, prints and associated merchandise.

GB eye have developed a range of posters based on the Jacqueline Wilson book covers which will retail initially via their own website (www.GBeye.com). The poster designs are based on the newly created style guide which features cover art created by illustrator Nick Sharratt and featuring artwork from Jacqueline’s books. The style is very distinct and each cover is created to reflect the subject matter of the book. Portico, the a leading producer of greeting cards, stationary and calendars, have also recently finalised their 2012 calendar based again on the book cover art.

Additional new licensees include ‘That Company Called If ‘ who are launching a range of Tracy Beaker bookmarks. The bookmarks tie in with the broadcast of the television series Tracy Beaker Returns and its predecessor The Story of Tracy Beaker which has been the No 1 programme in the Children’s TV ratings charts for the majority of its broadcast run (source : BARB/Broadcast Magazine ).

Top That Publishing have repeated their friendship bracelet kit this year which will be sold again exclusively in Marks & Spencer stores building on its successful appearance last year. P2 Games have taken a license to develop a Tracy Beaker i-Phone application, which is now in development with direct involvement from Jacqueline and Nick. They have previously the developed a Tracy Beaker Nintendo DS game.

These licensees are part of a growing programme, which also includes a monthly magazine by D.C. Thomson and Summer annual by Parragon.

The brand also continues to grow with regular book releases from Jacqueline with her books continuing to become best sellers along with a very healthy backlist. There are dedicated Jacqueline Wilson areas in a number of bookstores and the books are promoted by in store display material, a popular website (www.jacquelinewilson.co.uk) and a fan club run by publisher’s Random House.

Seven Stories, the national centre for children’s book based in Newcastle will be hosting a dedicated Jacqueline Wilson Exhibition, 'Daydreams and Diaries' later in the year. For the first time many of Jacqueline’s personal belongings will be on display including her notebooks and typescripts, along with her childhood toys, school reports and diaries.

Ian Downes, Director, Start Licensing comments; “With characters like Tracy Beaker Jacqueline Wilson has a strong offering built on great book sales but also characters that have translated well to other media notably television and stage. Tracy Beaker Returns has been a great success on television and is a genuine number one show. With new style guide material we feel the Jacqueline Wilson licensing programme offers licensees a great way of reaching a substantial audience who have a real loyalty to the brand. We are keen to develop some new licenses over the next few months.”