Licences awarded in publishing, nightwear and puzzle categories months ahead of TV launch

Coolabi’s brand new property Poppy Cat is already proving to be a licensing hit even before making its UK debut on Nick Jr in the spring, followed by its international roll out. Four deals with respected licensees - a book publishing tie-in with Macmillan, a regular feature in two Redan magazines, a nightwear and underwear licence for Aykroyd and TDP Licensing Ltd, and a licence for games and puzzles with Jumbo - have already been signed. Macmillan is no stranger to the lovable and adventurous Poppy Cat. Their Campbell Books list already includes more than 30 of the original books that have made Poppy Cat a lasting favourite with millions of pre-school children from 2003 to this day. And now the award-winning children’s books publisher is bringing out a specially written and designed series of books to tie in with the eagerly awaited television series. The new Poppy Cat books will be published in Autumn 2011. Redan Publishing is the name behind many popular and respected children’s magazines with an editorial emphasis on learning through fun. Two of the best-known Redan magazines - Fun to Learn Friends and Fun to Learn Favourites - will be home to regular Poppy Cat stories and fun activities next year. Her debut appearance in the magazines will coincide with the first broadcast of Poppy Cat on Nick Jr UK in May 2011.

Character nightwear supplier Aykroyd and TDP Licensing Ltd, long established as a major player in the field of children’s licensed character merchandise, is bringing out a range of nightwear and underwear for the pre-school market featuring designs inspired by the Poppy Cat TV series. The collection will launch at retail in spring 2012 across most retail channels.

Jumbo Games, one of the leading puzzle and game manufacturers in Europe, will produce a range of Poppy Cat jigsaws, puzzles and games for the preschool market, launching in 2012.

Poppy Cat, co-produced by King Rollo and Coolabi’s television production arm Coolabi Productions, brings to animated life the wonderful world of the pre-school children’s character created by Lara Jones in the Macmillan book series that has sold over two million copies. As well as launching on Nick Jr UK in May, the series has also already been presold to a number of international territories, including Nick Jr Australia, RTE Ireland, YLE Finland, TV2 Norway, and TVO, SCN and Knowledge Network in Canada.

Emma Hopkin, MD of Macmillan Children’s Books, says: “Poppy Cat is already a proven and durable publishing success. With her arrival on television we expect her to gain many more young fans - and we are thrilled to be able to bring those fans some wonderful new books inspired by the delightful TV series.”

Anna Hewitt, Coolabi’s Head of Licensing, adds: “These four agreements with some of the best-known companies in their fields underline the enormous market awareness of both the Poppy Cat name and the forthcoming Poppy Cat television series. We confidently expect this strong licensee interest to continue both in the run-up to the television series and well beyond.”