Rocket announces first licensees for new interactive CBeebies show — with more on way

BRANDORA Editorial Staff - June 2015

Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave come to plush, beanies and magazines!

Rocket Licensing, which is managing the licensing campaign for Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave on behalf of Collingwood and Co, has announced the first licensees for the interactive pre-school TV show that everyone’s talking about. They are Posh Paws, the UK’s leading supplier of licensed plush, and Immediate Media, the UK’s leading kids’ magazine publisher.

Posh Paws will be producing plush, talking plush and beanies of Ruff-Ruff, Tweet, Dave and their friend Hatty the Hamster for launch at retail in spring 2016. Immediate Media has been licensed to include features based on the show in its multi-character magazines CBeebies Weekly and ToyBox. The first issues featuring Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave came out in late May.

Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave is a popular, charming and engaging pre-school TV programme — but it’s also a lot more. It’s about interacting with the show’s funny, charming and loveable characters and learning through fun. Ruff-Ruff is an excitable puppy, Tweet a cute little chick and Dave a quirky blue panda. They learn as they play in a themed adventure story that inspires a series of fun multiple-choice questions. Hatty pulls the questions from his hat and the show’s stars each offer a different answer — but who’s right? Is it Ruff-Ruff, Tweet or Dave? Viewers take part by shouting the name of the character they think is right — or pointing or waving a picture if they don't want to shout!

The idea for the creation of the show was based on the simple multiple-choice work sheets that children get at kindergarten. In fact pre-schoolers helped with the development of the show — and even the choosing of the characters’ names!

Produced by the award-winning team at Collingwood and Co in association with Bejuba! Entertainment, Sparky Animation and US broadcaster Sprout, the new 52 x 11 minute CGI show came to CBeebies in mid-April in the 11.00am and 3pm weekday slots. Early TV ratings have been very positive — both on screen where in April it had three transmissions in the top ten by kids share (%) and on iPlayer — beating a number of its key pre-school competitors.

The strength of the concept and the quality of the show, which have caused a real buzz among parents as well as kids, are the key to Rocket’s licensing campaign, which has already secured two key licences and will next focus on publishing, nightwear and underwear, apparel and accessories.

Barry Groves, Managing Partner of Posh Paws says: “Ruff-Ruff, Tweet, Dave and Hatty are delightful characters that fans really identify with as they go on adventures and find answers to interesting questions. They're also charming and beautifully designed — perfect for plush that kids can use to invent their very own Ruff-Ruff, Tweet, Dave and Hatty adventures.”

Tony Collingwood, Writer and Director, Collingwood and Co, says, “The response to Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave has been a positive one right from the start, not just from viewers but from educators, parents and now licensees. We’re delighted that the fun and interactive learning that the show offers have struck such a chord with so many people.”

Rob Wijeratna, Joint Managing Director, Rocket Licensing, adds: “After only a few weeks Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave, with its lovable, funny characters and clever and very engaging interactive element, is firmly established as a popular kids’ show. No wonder it’s already proving to have strong licensing appeal and looking like a very promising prospect for the retail market.”