ITV Studios Unveils BLE 2015 Presentation Slate

LONDON -- ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) will return to Brand Licensing Europe this week to showcase its expanding portfolio of ITV owned and third party brands. The hugely successful new boys’ property, Thunderbirds Are Go, will spearhead the firm’s presentation slate alongside Classic Thunderbirds. Iconic toy property PLAYMOBIL, the PLAYMOBIL inspired kids’ TV series Super 4, digital game sensation Cut the Rope and ‘70s music brand Village People, as well as historical TV drama Poldark and the licensor’s newest licensing property; kids’ sketch-comedy series, Oddbods.

“We’ve had a tremendous year at ITVS GE so far with the high-profile launch of Thunderbirds Are Go, the 50^th anniversary of Classic Thunderbirds and the strengthening of our third party portfolio,” commented Trudi Hayward, SVP, Head of Global Merchandising for ITV Studios Global Entertainment comments. “Now we’re delighted to once again be heading to BLE with a strong and varied portfolio and will be looking to build upon this success and harness the global potential of our brands.”

‘Thunderbirds Are Go’

The new boys’ action adventure TV series Thunderbirds Are Go is gaining strength around the world and is successfully enticing a new generation of fans to the Thunderbirds franchise. Following the broadcast debut of the series in April, ITVS GE continues to accelerate the international foothold of the property.  Current key markets for the brand include the UK and Eire, Australia, New Zealand and Japan and the ITVS GE is currently gearing up to the show’s debut in the Middle East, Israel, Europe, Brazil and Canada during 2015 and 2016.

Consumer products have begun rolling out led by master toy licensee Vivid Imagination. ITVS GE has signed over 60 licensees for the brand across the globe with initial sales figures for the first products already looking strong. With the second series set to hit TV screens from 2016, the licensor will be presenting opportunities for the show’s next instalment at BLE.

‘Classic Thunderbirds’

Last month marked 50 years since Classic Thunderbirds first launched on TV screens. Demonstrating the high levels of consumer interest and long-standing affection for the brand, on its anniversary the brand became a trending topic on social media platform Twitter and garnered significant national media attention.

To commemorate the significant milestone, ITVS GE is working closely with its partners to launch an array of limited edition and collectible merchandise. Launching from AW15 in high-end retail channels, the new product lines span DVDs, model kits, publishing, gifts and games, marketing and retail promotions to support the anniversary celebrations.

‘Oddbods’

ITVS GE has recently acquired the UK licensing rights for Oddbods, the animated kids’ comedy series that’s viewership continues to proliferate around the globe. Created and produced by CG animation studio One Animation, Oddbods follows the everyday adventures of seven characters each with distinctive colors, characteristics and personalities with its non-dialogue slapstick comedy to appealing directly to its core target audience. ITVS GE is currently readying a dedicated UK consumer products program for the property and is seeking licensing partners in categories including apparel and accessories, homewares, gifting and stationery.

‘Poldark’

At BLE, ITVS GE will showcase opportunities for its new TV property, Poldark. The British period drama is an adaption of Winston Graham’s popular book series and ITVS GE is harnessing consumer demand from the show’s huge UK fan-base to assemble a dedicated consumer products programme. ITVS GE is currently seeking licensing partners in key categories including apparel and accessories, homewares, gifting, stationery and personal care.

The Village People

Village People, hailed the biggest disco group of all time, is building up to its 40^th anniversary in 2017. ITVS GE represents the brand in the UK and is currently assembling a retro consumer products programme inspired by the disco icons. Launching at retail from Q2 2016, the new ranges will be led by homewares and gifting categories.

‘Super 4’

The kids’ comedy TV show, inspired by the iconic PLAYMOBIL universe, consistently beats its slot average during its prime time slot on CITV and the series has recently become available on leading video on demand platform, Netflix. New content will be delivered to broadcasters from this year, with new episodes debuting the third quarter of 2015 ahead of the launch of the second series in 2016. ITVS GE represents Super 4 in the UK and is building the consumer products campaign on the foundations of toys, games, publishing and digital. Master toy licensee PLAYMOBIL’S new range hit retailer in September and features 16 SKUs that each capture the Super 4’s key themes of adventure, imagination and friendship. Further partners signed to the Super 4 licensing program include Kinnerton, Bonnier and Amscan.

PLAYMOBIL

With 30 different play themes across 80 different countries the evergreen heritage brand, PLAYMOBIL continues to see retail sales climb. For PLAYMOBIL Retro, ITVS GE licensing programme for the brand is aimed at the adult retro and nostalgic market. Launching at retail from AW15, the new range will celebrate the humor and iconic imagery of the unforgettable toy property. While targeting the current PLAYMOBIL generation of children aged 3-10 years, ITVS GE are assembling a broad line-up of merchandise for PLAYMOBIL Blue across toys, publishing, apparel, promotions and events. Current partners on board include Trademark Products, Aykroyd & Sons, Hallmark, Redan and Schmidt Spiele.

Cut the Rope

Cut the Rope, the app created by Zeptolab and featuring the candy crunching Om Nom, is now a 360-degree entertainment franchise with a presence that extends across digital games, broadcast, consumer products, promotions and social media. The global game sensation is played in 150 countries and has been downloaded more than 650 million times. New content will be added to this Cut the Rope game collection throughout 2015-16 and current licensing partners include Poetic Gem, Smith & Brooks, Brand Media, Simon & Schuster, Paper Projects and Vivid Imaginations.

Source: ITV Studios Global Entertainment

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.