Rainbow Designs and Pyramid International were among the companies to be feted in yesterday evening’s (September 11) Licensing Awards.
Rainbow Designs won the Best Licensed Giftware Range with its Classic Winnie the Pooh plush collection.
Anthony Temple, managing director of the London-based gift company took to the stage with colleagues to collect the award at the glittering ceremony, which took place The Grosvenor House Hotel, attended by 1,400 retailers, licensors, licensees and industry executives and hosted by impressionist extraordinaire, Rory Bremner.
Rainbow’s Winnie the Pooh collection was up against some tough competition in the category, with other finalists being Disney Enchanting Bamboo Range from Enesco; Harry Potter Gift Range from Half Moon Bay; Peter Rabbit Classic Gift Range from Paperchase; Peter Rabbit Classic Jewellery Collection from Rhona Sutton and Wizarding World Gift Collection from WOW! Stuff.
It was a night for celebration too for Pyramid International, as the company’s Classic Mickey Art Collection won the Best Licensed Home Décor, Tableware or Housewares Range. The other finalists in this category were The Beatles Yellow Submarine Outdoor Leisure Collection from Field Candy; National Trust Mini Beasts Houses Range from Wildlife World; Peppa Pig Furniture Range from Worlds Apart; Rick and Morty Drinkware from GB eye and Roald Dahl Tableware Collection from Creative Tops.
Over 5,000 products were entered into the Licensing Awards 2018, which were judged by over 100 retail buyers from right across the retailing spectrum, including from John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Debenhams, JoJo Maman Bébé, House of Cards, Sainsbury’s, Hamleys, The Entertainer and Amazon.
Welcoming everyone to the event Jakki Brown, joint md of Max Publishing, which owns The Licensing Awards (as well as Progressive Gifts & Home), commented: “These awards exist only because of you, whether you are retailer, a licensor, licensee or a supplier.
“Licensing, to be successful, needs everyone to work together. This event is testament to your collective flair, commitment and passion.”
The winners of The Licensing Awards 2018 are:
LIMA UK Rising Star Award Tasmyn Knight, licensing associate UK, Cartoon Network Enterprises
BEST RETAILER OF PRESCHOOL LICENSED PRODUCTS (AGE GROUP 0-5) Tesco
BEST RETAILER OF KIDS’ LICENSED PRODUCTS (AGE GROUP 5-16) Primark
BEST RETAILER OF ADULT LICENSED PRODUCTS HMV Retail
THE RADAR AWARD Selfridges
BEST LICENSED RETAIL EXECUTION AWARD Paddington at Marks and Spencer
TOP RETAILER AWARD Tesco
BEST LICENSED TOYS OR GAMES RANGE Jurassic World Range from Mattel
BEST LICENSED FOOD OR DRINK RANGE Thomas and Friends Collection from Kinnerton
BEST LICENSED DRESS-UP OR PARTYWARE Roald Dahl Collection for F&F at Tesco from R H Smith & Sons (Smiffys)
BEST LICENSED PRESCHOOL APPAREL RANGE (0-5 YEARS) Tiny Tatty Teddy Baby Range for Primark from Paul Dennicci
BEST LICENSED CHILDREN’S APPAREL RANGE Mickey Mouse Teen Collection for M&Co from Fashion UK
BEST LICENSED ADULT APPAREL RANGE Rick and Morty Collection for HMV from CID
BEST LICENSED WRITTEN, LISTENING OR LEARNING RANGE PAW Patrol Treasure Cove Stories from Centum Books
BEST LICENSED GIFTWARE RANGE Classic Winnie the Pooh Collection from Rainbow Designs
BEST LICENSED HOME DÉCOR, TABLEWARE OR HOUSEWARES RANGE Classic Mickey Art Collection from Pyramid International
BEST LICENSED PAPER PRODUCTS OR STATIONERY RANGE Mr. Men and Little Miss Range from Moonpig
THE INNOVATION AWARD DC Superheroes Foundmi Range from Bioworld International
BEST PRESCHOOL LICENSED PROPERTY (AGE GROUP 0-5) PAW Patrol
BEST CHILDREN’S OR TWEEN LICENSED PROPERTY (AGE GROUP 5-12) L.O.L. Surprise!
BEST TEEN OR ADULT LICENSED PROPERTY Harry Potter
BEST LITERARY OR DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION LICENSED PROPERTY The Roald Dahl Story Company
BEST FILM LICENSED PROPERTY Marvel Avengers: Infinity War
BEST MUSIC OR CELEBRITY LICENSED PROPERTY The Beatles
BEST SPORTS LICENSED PROPERTY Liverpool Football Club
THE CLASSIC LICENSED PROPERTY AWARD Peppa Pig
BEST LICENSING MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS AWARD 2018 Roald Dahl’s Halloweden with The Eden Project
HONORARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Keith Chapman
