BRANDORA Overview of the German Licensing Market

“Open up – close the zipper - worries gone!” That’s the motto of the little SORGENFRESSER (Worry Eaters) by Gerd Hahn that keep watch at your bedside during the night, wait for better marks in your school bag, or greet your boss from your office desk. Just write down or draw your problem, feed the piece of paper into the mouth of your SORGENFRESSER (Worry Eaters) and pull up the zipper!

Since summer 2012 they are part of the KIDDINX Media licensing portfolio; in 2013 they won several national and international awards; now the SORGENFRESSER (Worry Eaters) set off to conquer the international market.

Thomas Puchert, Senior Sales Director Licensing KIDDINX Media, took up the challenge of establishing a new property on the international market for children’s brands. – And the SORGENFRESSER (Worry Eaters) were an immediate success! The remarkably simple idea with strong effect is easily comprehensible to children. Great product realizations by selected licensing partners embrace the SORGENFRESSER (Worry Eaters) philosophy and underline the brand’s originality.

Studio 100 Media is looking forward to a promising year 2015! After the theatrical release of "Maya the Bee Movie” in September 2014 the TV and production company will launch the DVD to the German market just in time for Easter 2015. The DVD launch will be accompanied and supported by several retail activities in cooperation with licensing partners. In addition, Studio 100 Media presents a range of in-house merchandise, including wooden toys, books, games, plush, ‘home & living’ as well as ‘arts & crafts’ items.

New Vicky the Viking CGI products are already in the pipeline and scheduled for release in the fourth quarter 2014. Even at the end of his big “TV launch year” the #1 children’s programme* remains ever present: On a large tour of Germany the CGI series is exclusively screened in 14 major cities from October till December; a large Christmas promotion will follow. In 2015 Vicky takes up speed: Numerous dedicated Studio 100 Media products, a stage show at Plopsa Park, summer and movie tour and promotion in cooperation with licensing partners will guarantee a Viking-strong year!

Also new in 2015: The new ‘Heidi’ CGI production will make its TV debut. At the same time Bauer Verlag will release a brand new Heidi magazine. Studio 100 Media will support “their” Heidi with a comprehensive product portfolio, consisting of more than 50 items from toys to plush through to ‘home & living’ products and dedicated promotion activities.

_{*AGF Gfk TV Research, 5 May-1 June 2014, 7.00 -7.30 p.m. on KiKA}

Paule, the official mascot of the Deutscher Fußball-Bund has a new comic character look and enters the pitch in “a new coat”.

Ever since the Summer’s Fairytale of 2006 the popular mascot of the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB) has accompanied the German national team wherever they go and – together with their fans - urged them on in all matches and tournaments. He experienced slight changes over the years and now appears in a “new coat”. Seit dem Sommermärchen 2006 begleitet das beliebte Maskottchen des Deutschen Fußball-Bundes (DFB) jedes Spiel der Nationalmannschaften und feuert diese gemeinsam mit den Fans an. In den letzten Jahren hat er sich weiterentwickelt und erscheint nun in einem "neuen Federkleid".

What is more, the DFB mascot is no longer alone, but enjoys solid support from six new friends. Take the frog Henri Hüpfer for example; he is a super athlete and a really nice guy. However, he often comes to poor decisions – on and off the pitch. Fortunately, Katy Karniggl, the clever she-rabbit, always helps him out. Learn more about the other four new friends from the official DFB magazine for kids that was first released by Panini Verlags GmbH on 13 May 2014. The new comic concept revolves around playing football and the values of team sports. Children readily identify with Paule and his friends and discover the wonderful world of football.

The DFB also adapt their life-sized character to the new comic look so that the mascot Paule may continue to support the national team(s) as usually.

Nano and his classmate Lilly have an exciting adventure waiting for them: They have to rush to the rescue of Nano’s Grandpa. Evil Professor Schlotter injected Grandfather with a Gobot, a tiny robot that helps to operate victims like puppets by remote control. Nano asks scientist Doctor X for help and strange things start to happen in his laboratory: Together with fellow-scientist Micro Minitex and the pink talking rabbit Rappel the Professor micromizes Nano and Lilly and sends them in a tiny submarine on an exciting medical expedition of the human body. Will they be able to save his Grandpa in the end?

The theatrical release is timed to coincide with a re-launch of the successful “The Little Medic” brand – with a new logo and fresh-modern design. The three main characters, the bodynauts Nano, Lilly and Rappel, serve as key visuals, complemented by the new logo and numerous patterns, elements and artwork from the film.

In addition to the movie “Der Kleinen Medicus – Geheimnisvolle Mission im Körper” Entertainment Friends also introduced the animated 3D movie “Ooops! Noah is gone...” (scheduled for release in summer 2015, Senator Film) and Italian neo-pop-artist Willow at this year’s Day of Licenses in Cologne.

She caused a big stir on the red carpet in New York; and in Japan she is commonplace on TV and the retail market: the orange-coloured main character of “The Show with the Mouse”. And yet the popular TV character is just an example of the high quality programme that WDRmediagroup (WDRmg) has been offering to the international market since early 2014. Additional highlights: "The Show with the Elephant ”, “Captain Blue Bear”, “The Mole ”, and the new WDRmg co-production “Bobo Siebenschläfer”.

In the future, WDRmediagroup will concentrate on operating as co-production partner and thus securing international TV rights. This complies with their strategy to expand their portfolio of appealing children’s brands while retaining the entire licensing rights.

Recently, the Mouse has once more demonstrated the international potential of children’s programmes with her successful appearance at the International Emmy Kids Awards. In Japan she has been regularly on screen for almost ten years with her country-specific TV show. – And thanks to the recent extension of the agency agreement with Copyrights Asia Ltd. she will at least continue her merchandise presence for the next five years.

Smiley continues to expand their apparel, FMCG and accessories collections on the German market by adding new designs for the upcoming season. Doing so, the new range is inspired by Smiley Emoticons and their proximity to the world of dance music.

Smiley continues to establish itself as an independent fashion and lifestyle brand while geographical reach and brand awareness are increasing steadily. The Smiley Company is happy about this global trend and promotes the development by entering into licensing agreements with high profile design labels like Moschino and Anya Hindmarch in summer 2015. They continue their successful “Back to School” range with Herlitz; additional licensing deals and collaborations are already in the pipeline.

The upcoming season is set to be strong for Smiley.