National Geographic is highlighting continuing growth for its EMEA consumer products business on stand E30 at BLE.

The strength of the National Geographic brand across multiple media, a powerful reach among children and families, and the strong National Geographic focus on sustainability are just a few of the factors behind an impressive number of licensing agreements National Geographic Partners (NGP) has announced in recent months.

Reflecting a core value of the brand, the campaign also emphasises environmental awareness and sustainability. Key to this is the new Planet or Plastics campaign, a new multiyear initiative aimed at raising awareness about the global plastic crisis and reducing the amount of plastic in the world’s oceans.

For growth in children’s consumer products, this has meant agreements in areas as diverse as STEM toys, sticker albums, animal plush, sustainable bedding, sustainable footwear and sustainable fashion. This success is a measure of the vast reach the company enjoys with children and families. In addition, 80% of adults read the NatGeo kids’ magazine with children. NGP also works directly with 3,500 UK schools through its UK kids’ web site.

The kids’ business has been further boosted by a creative vision developed in association with creative agency Blue Kangaroo that uses assets available across three core themes: Amazing Animals, Stem and Space, and Explorers in Training.

In the wider consumer products business, t-shirts created from recycled materials, no-plastic water bottles, no-plastic straws, utensils and cups, reusable shopping bags, and sustainably sourced health and beauty ranges are just a few of the many products already at retail or expected in-store in 2019.

A number of deals specific to the UK underline the sustainability theme. Teemil is launching fashion product to market for January 2019. Its factory is run from 100% sustainable energy, and all fashion products are created from 100% organic cotton. NGP is also launching a gender-neutral kids’ fashion collection in March 2019. The company will ethically source its materials. Dreamtex has signed up to create both kids’ and adults’ products, all using material from 100% organic cottons and recycled materials.

Also of special significance to the EMEA market is a range of key appointments extending the consumer products teams in Europe and building on National Geographic’s commitment to expand its reach across all areas of its brand, including its publishing, broadcasting, travel, and licensing businesses.

This is a brand unlike any other, with a powerful portfolio of media assets, including television channels, magazines, kids’ media, travel, books, video, events, and digital and social platforms unparalleled in the world. Every asset and every story entertains, enlightens, and enables people to better understand the world and their own place in it.

And this is a brand campaign that gives something back too: we return 27% of our proceeds to the non-profit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation, and education. This unique partnership creates a virtuous cycle of storytelling and exploration that inspires people to act, enlightens their perspective, and often provides the spark to new ideas and innovation.

As Maria Maranesi, VP EMEA, National Geographic Partners, says: “The strengths of the brand – with its reach, storytelling, stunning visuals and a strong focus on sustainability – have made it popular with tens of millions of consumers of all ages. These strengths, and our focus on enhancing our consumer business across the EMEA region, are driving a fast-growing and distinctive consumer programme in EMEA, as visitors – and prospective partners – can find out at stand E30.”