Consumer Products
October 15, 2012
Warner Bros. Consumer Products Returns to Brand Licensing Europe with a Spectacular Lineup Anchored by New Film Titles, New Animation and New Partners
Warner Bros. Consumer Products Returns to Brand Licensing Europe with a Spectacular Lineup Anchored by New Film Titles, New Animation and New Partners
(October 15, 2012 – London, U.K.) Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) returns to Brand Licensing Europe 2012 with a showcase of some of today’s hottest properties, including tentpole films, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” (December 2012) and “Man of Steel” (June 2013).
WBCP will share its licensing plans with guests during the screening suite presentations which will take place on Tuesday, October 16 and Wednesday, October 17. The key property focus for the presentations will include: “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the first film from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson in the highly anticipated “The Hobbit” Trilogy and a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM); and the ground-breaking new Superman film “Man of Steel,” directed by Zack Snyder and produced by Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas and Deborah Snyder. In addition, WBCP will offer details about all-new Batman content coming in 2013, including the new artwork programme from “DC Super Friends,” the pre-school brand offering a child’s first super hero experience.
As part of the presentation, guests will also see new content from the classic animated properties “Looney Tunes,” “Tom and Jerry” and “Scooby-Doo”; as well as many of the DC Comics properties. Additionally, WBCP is excited to share information about a number of new deals that will support many of the licensing and merchandising programs, including world-class master toy partnerships that are now in place for all key properties.
Pilar Zulueta, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Warner Bros. Consumer Products EMEA, said, “This is a very special year for WBCP as the combination of fresh deals, master toy partnerships and new content, puts our classic animation properties right at the top of the agenda for anyone wanting must-have brands to drive their business. Adding the tentpole films, “Man of Steel” and “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” positions Warner Bros. Consumer Products as Europe’s ‘go to’ licensor replete with a powerful portfolio that offers long-term commercial growth for retail, licensing and promotional partners.”
WBCP will support “Man of Steel” with a retail launch across Europe beginning spring 2013 and feature ground breaking toy lines, multi-demo soft lines and sophisticated food and promotion programmes. “Man of Steel” is a film unlike any other in the franchise and is expected to inject more energy into what is currently a powerhouse franchise for WBCP and its partners. EMEA apparel licensee TV Mania and children’s nightwear firm Aykroyd and Sons in the UK are the latest licensees to join this evergreen franchise. Further, licensees already on board for the film include global toy partner Mattel; Rubie’s Costumes for dress up; HarperCollinsPublishers as the worldwide English language publishing partner; and apparel partner Bioworld; among many other global and regional licensees.
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” releases in December 2012, the first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien. Anticipating another blockbuster trilogy, WBCP continues to enlist leading licensees and retail partners that understand the opportunities the franchise presents. Co-master toy partner for “The Hobbit” Trilogy is Vivid Group, along with The Bridge Direct; and HarperCollinsPublishers will publish the official film tie-in books. LEGO is producing a range of incredible build-and-play construction sets, Ravensburger is on board for puzzles and card games, Rubie’s is developing a dress-up line, and Eaglemoss' “The Hobbit” chess set launches worldwide early next year.
In addition to the huge opportunities in support of its tentpole films, WBCP is committed to continually investing and developing its outstanding portfolio of classic properties.
DC Comics continues to be recognised as a rich seam of new content and as the Batman and Superman franchises expand their strength and brand, partners are provided with ever-inspiring visuals. Additionally, Warner Bros. Animation is producing two animated series, “Young Justice: Invasion” and the upcoming “Teen Titans Go!,” which follow the adventures of the teenaged super heroes, as well as the forthcoming “Beware The Batman.”
Bursting its way back onto the licensing scene is the fan-favourite classic “Batman Classic TV Series.” WBCP is bringing all the favourite characters back, featuring the likenesses of the actors from the television series as part of the “Batman Classic TV Series” licensing program. The program will also showcase the vintage styles of the classic series and be highlighted by captured photography from the live-action series, as well as the illustrated character art inspired by the series’ animated opening sequence, and will incorporate the vehicles, gadgets and catchphrases that made the show the cultural phenomenon it is today.
“Looney Tunes,” a cornerstone of the Warner Bros. portfolio, remains a favourite with food and apparel partners across EMEA and will be supported by a second season of “The Looney Tunes Show,” which just launched in the U.S. In a new pan-European deal, Eleven Paris will join the Dolce & Gabbana, Braccialini, ICE Iceberg and Primark by producing “Looney Tunes”-themed products, as well as DC Comics apparel launching in December. Also, for the first time in nearly a decade, WBCP has signed a master toy partner for “Looney Tunes” which will be announced at the show. On a local country level, the “Looney Tunes” brand continues to excel with France celebrating an innovative partnership with EMTEC which has sold one million “Looney Tunes”-inspired USB flash drives in less than a year and is set to launch a new range of USBs and a “Looney Tunes” MP3 player later this month.
And “Looney Tunes “isn’t the only classic animation brand celebrating new content and new toy deals. WBCP is excited to showcase the recently announced new animated series “The Tom and Jerry Show,” from Warner Bros. Animation. Additionally, Giochi Preziosi, the master toy partner for the property across Western Europe and Turkey, will launch its first “Tom and Jerry” toy line this year and hero products will include “Classic Chaos” and “Tag Team” figurine assortments, “Madness Mayhem” playsets and “Whack and Win” action games.
WBCP continues to keep the “Scooby-Doo” brand fresh, relevant and exciting, and has announced a deal with Character Options which will move Scooby, Shaggy, Fred, Velma and Daphne into the construction toy category for the first time next year. “Scooby-Doo” continues to enjoy success across the region and remains a highly successful Halloween partner for retailers such as Sainsbury’s.
Zulueta concluded, “Our commitment to new content, our innovative approach to new products and our collection of the hottest new and classic entertainment brands will come together at BLE this year and clearly demonstrate why WBCP is Europe’s leading entertainment licensor.”
The Warner Bros. Consumer Products Brand Licensing Europe diary is now open. To book an appointment with a WBCP representative or enquire about Screening Suite invitations, please contact Louise Ilyas, Louise.Ilyas@warnerbros.com. WBCP will be located at booth #D125.
About “The Hobbit” Trilogy:
A production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is the first of three films from filmmaker Peter Jackson, the Academy Award-winning director of “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy. The screenplay for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro. Jackson is also producing the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and the second and third films of the trilogy are productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” will be released on December 14, 2012, with the second film, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” releasing December 13, 2013, and the third film, “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” slated for July 18, 2014. About “Man of Steel”:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes “Man of Steel,” starring Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Superman, under the direction of Zack Snyder. “Man of Steel” is produced by Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer from a story by Goyer and Nolan, based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and published by DC Entertainment. Thomas Tull, Lloyd Phillips and Jon Peters are serving as executive producers. The film is slated for release beginning June 14, 2013 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. About Warner Bros. Consumer Products:
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.###
A production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is the first of three films from filmmaker Peter Jackson, the Academy Award-winning director of “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy. The screenplay for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro. Jackson is also producing the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and the second and third films of the trilogy are productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” will be released on December 14, 2012, with the second film, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” releasing December 13, 2013, and the third film, “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” slated for July 18, 2014. About “Man of Steel”:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes “Man of Steel,” starring Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Superman, under the direction of Zack Snyder. “Man of Steel” is produced by Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer from a story by Goyer and Nolan, based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and published by DC Entertainment. Thomas Tull, Lloyd Phillips and Jon Peters are serving as executive producers. The film is slated for release beginning June 14, 2013 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. About Warner Bros. Consumer Products:
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.