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Animaru, a graphic design property with Japanese influence from UK artist Sophie Hinton today won the final of the inaugural License This! The Next Big Thing challenge at Brand Licensing Europe 2010. BLE is the only pan-European event dedicated to licensing and brand extension. Aimed at licensing entrepreneurs, the challenge was the highlight of the final day at Olympia, as the show comes to a close after three exciting days, 28-30 September. Animaru was presented to an esteemed panel of licensing industry judges alongside three other global finalists, including Bondiband, a boys' action animation, starring a superhero rock band with very special musical instruments; Gombby, an animated pre-school television series about a boy baker, made in Portugal; and Made in Me, a web-based concept for young children, centred on story telling and imaginative play. Animaru has won a fully-furnished fully-furnished stand at Brand Licensing Europe 2011, worth around £4,500, and the chance to showcase their property to over 5,000 retailers, manufacturers and sales professionals who attend from around the globe.
The License This! The Next Big Thing challenge is an opportunity for those with a brand new creative concept to break into the licensing industry. Brand extension is a global business worth $191 billion at retail through merchandise such as clothing, stationary, toys, games, books, DVDs and collectables. The finalists are all owners of a new property looking for partners to help create new revenue streams for their brand.
Sophie Hinton, the creative mind behind the design said: “I can’t believe we won! I watched the other three finalists present and they were so brilliant, I was convinced we could not win. In the end, we are a brother-sister team from Norfolk, working on a shoestring. I can’t wait to see what we can do with the brand over the next year leading up to our first time as an exhibitor at Brand Licensing Europe 2011!” The four entrepreneurs pitched to the judges in front of a live audience. The judging panel included Helen McAleer, managing director of Walker Books; Sandra Vauthier-Cellier, managing director of 4Kids Entertainment Industries; Gary Pope, managing director of Kids Industries; and David Todd, managing director of Dissero Brands. Helen McAleer, MD of Walker Books and chairperson of the judging panel, said, “This was an unbelievably difficult decision to make, as the judging panel were in agreement that all four finalists have a great chance of succeeding commercially in what is a very tough market. We chose Animaru for its modern, relevant appeal and we could easily see the licensing opportunities, from toys to apparel to collectables.” Jessica Blue, event director of Brand Licensing Europe 2010 said: “License This! The Next Big Thing is an exciting new addition to Brand Licensing Europe 2010. We are committed to helping develop creativity in the licensing industry and are delighted with the quality of the finalists and the interest the event has generated with our attendees. We will definitely repeat this initiative in 2011. ” |
