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Peppa, of course, is not just a leading pre-school property for Contender but one of the UK’s leading pre-school properties. Peppa and her family and friends enjoy consistently high ratings on Five’s Milkshake! block and Nick Jr in the UK, and can boast DVD sales of over a million in only three years and a growing retail presence at home and abroad. In fact, since Peppa Pig’s launch in 2004, Contender Merchandising has secured over 46 licensing agreements in the UK alone. And with two series on air and a third now in production, both awareness and retail opportunities are likely to remain strong for some time to come. Contender will also be highlighting a strong group of established properties at the show. They include the iconic publishing brand Janet and John and Contender’s very first intellectual property, Tractor Tom, which has been sold for broadcast in excess of 85 territories. Contender will also be highlighting a forthcoming Christmas special, Lost and Found, and its representation of It’s A Big Big World, a hit preschool show from the Americas with a strong environmental message. This year’, however, not only will Contender be celebrating the continuing success of its established properties but it will be launching two forthcoming pre-school properties that are already attracting a lot of interest. Humf, a charming and funny series about the adventures of a determined but not always successful purple furry thing, is an animated pre-school series for both television and books aimed at three-to-five-year-olds. Currently in production, a merchandising launch is planned for Spring 2010. 
Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom comes armed with an enviable pedigree. The story of a fairy princess and her best friend who live in a tiny land where flowers and grass rise above the tallest towers, it comes from the creators of Peppa Pig. It has already secured an international television launch through Nickelodeon for 2009 and a merchandising launch is planned for Spring 2010. Andrew Carley, Head of Licensing and Merchandising at Contender Entertainment Group, says: “It’s been a very good year for Contender and we have a lot to talk about: the continuing success or Peppa, our growing list of representations, our established brands and two very exciting new properties. Brand Licensing Europe is the perfect place to let people know about our success and the exciting opportunities our properties represent.” Contender Entertainment Group will be one of more than 200 European exhibitors showcasing thousands of exciting new licenses at Brand Licensing Europe in London, 1-2 October. For more information, please click here. |
