Space Enterprises Bringing Star-studded Line-up To Brand Licensing Europe 2011

Brand Licensing Europe - September 2011

 
Space Enterprises will be presenting a diverse range of top brands at this year’s Brand Licensing Europe show.

Among the properties being showcased will be The Sooty Show - the latest TV series to feature the hugely popular puppet team of Sooty, Sweep and Soo. Set to hit UK screens from early September, the 26-part series has been commissioned by ITV and will premiere on weekdays on the CiTV digital channel, with ITV Breakfast (ITV1) on weekend mornings from the beginning of 2012. The new series brings the brand bang up to date, with the UK’s most famous puppets getting to grips with modern technology and staying connected through laptops and iPads. It’s also no longer a case of ‘jobs for the boys’ as Soo has ditched her traditional pinny, duster and household chores and now pitches in with her male friends. The show’s plot revolves around the puppets and long-suffering companion Richard helping out at a coastal holiday park and the series will feature Sooty’s trademark mixture of music, magical effects, strong visual comedy and charming storylines. There are also special guests – including Paul Daniels, who thankfully has recovered from his pizza-bashing at the hands our furry friends. Intricate sets and props have been specially constructed for the series and the show even has a dedicated website at www.thesootyshow.com where fans can play games and watch videos of Sooty and his friends.

A brand new kids’ favourite – The Hive - is also part of the Space line-up. This CGI series from The Hive Enterprises Ltd is produced by Monumental Productions, Lupus Films and DQ Entertainment, follows the fortunes of the happy, friendly and extremely cute Bee family, who live together in Honeybee Hive. Storylines explore the themes of family, working together to solve problems, being part of a diverse community, and caring for the environment. The series is showing on ITV1 and Disney Junior in the UK, with BARB figures showing that it is regularly topping the Disney Junior ratings. The Walt Disney Company have also taken satellite rights across EMEA, South-east Asia, Korea, Japan, India and Latin America. This global presence has been extended through Bejuba!, which holds worldwide rights for both TV, DVD and digital distribution on behalf of The Hive Enterprises and has secured new broadcasting deals with ABC TV Australia, YLE in Finland, and Hop in Israel. New DVD deals by Bejuba! will see a Russian language version distributed by Noviy Disk in Russia, Georgia and CIS, whilst Magna Home Entertainment will undertake distribution of the English version across Australia and New Zealand. A burgeoning licensing programme is in place for the brand, with Aykroyds TDP on board for nightwear/underwear, Blues Clothing for children’s apparel, EMI for music publishing, and ITV for DVDs. A major Plush deal is also soon to be announced.

Another red-hot property being presented at the Space stand is the evergreen Monty Python, one of the biggest comedy brands in the world. The original series’ and the string of hit films that followed have never been more popular - DVDs are selling in huge volumes, whilst the launch of the entire catalogue in HD on iTunes and the creation of an official Python channel on YouTube has led to millions of new fans discovering the classic comedy. The brand has proved equally popular with licensees and partners include Pyramid for posters, Danilo for sound cards, Underground Toys Ltd for voice key chains, and Moonpig.com for greetings, whilst re:creation is on board as master toy licensee. A strong digital presence is also in place – Zattikka has developed a new Facebook game, The Ministry of Silly Games, and Zed is on board for mobile content. Space has also launched an official Monty Python ecommerce site at www.deadparrotshop.com, where fans can find Python merchandise - including products not yet available at retail – and follow links to all Python licensees.

Closely connected to the Python brand is Spamalot – the smash-hit musical ‘lovingly ripped off’ from classic comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The original 2005 Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Director, and the show has since transferred to theatres across the world. In the UK, after an incredibly successful run in the West End, the show recently completed a 400-date nationwide tour, and that is set to resume for a further 200-dates from December. Space has designed T-Shirts and other merchandise connected to the show and is responsible for running concession stands at the venues.

Another huge comic property represented by Space is Little Britain; created by David Walliams and Matt Lucas, the show introduced a range of hilarious characters, such as Lou and Andy, Vicky Pollard and Marjorie Dawes, that gained huge popularity and have ensured the brand is firmly imprinted on the national consciousness. Space also represents Lucas and Walliams’ latest creation – Come Fly With Me – the new airport-set show which proved a big hit when first screened on BBC1 at Christmas-time, recording viewing figures so large that it became the highest rated new comedy launch for ten years. A second batch of episodes was quickly commissioned and the show is expected to return later this year. A string of licensing deals have been signed for the property, with re:creation on board for gifts, mugs, fridge magnets, bottle openers and dolls, Danilo for cards and calendars, Smiffy’s for dress-up, and Zattikka for smartphone apps.

“We will be presenting a very strong selection of properties at BLE 2011,” says Space Director of Licensing Mark Hurry, “with everything from hit pre-school brands to comedy classics we have a lot to offer to the licensing community and are looking forward to meeting up with potential partners across a range of different categories.”