The finalists in the Retail, Product, Property and Licensed Promotion categories at The Licensing Awards 2019 have been confirmed.
The winners will be crowned at a glittering ceremony on Tuesday 10thSeptember, held in The Great Room of The Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
2019 has marked another bumper year of entries across the board for The Licensing Awards. Over 4,000 products were on display at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium earlier this month, with some 150 retail buyers from the likes of The Entertainer, Tesco, Character.com, Sainsbury’s, Next, Asda, River Island, Debenhams, FatFace, M&S, Matalan, M&Co and Morrisons among others, judging the prestigious product categories. This year also saw a record number of entries in the apparel category.
“This year’s product judging day was a true reflection of the diversity and innovation in the licensed product arena,” said Jakki Brown, joint MD of Max Publishing, which owns and organises The Licensing Awards. “It was not only the sheer number of buyers who were fully engaged in the task at hand, but how collectively they spanned the entire retailing spectrum. From leading grocers to specialist multiples, department stores to online and fast-fashion high street chains.”
Meanwhile, the Retail category finalists were decided as a result of an extensive nomination process, followed by validation by a panel of over 20 industry experts, made up of both leading licensors and licensees. Collectively their experience meant that input was provided across the whole spectrum of demographics and specialisms.
Best Licensed Promotions Campaign was judged by a panel of marketing and licensing experts, chaired by Richard Pink from Pink Key Licensing, following a strong roster of self-nominations from the industry.
Nominations for Licensing International UK’s Rising Star Award - which is presented as part of The Licensing Awards - are due to be announced shortly.
The Licensing Awards 2019 Finalists
Retail Category Finalists
Best retailer of preschool licensed products (age group 0-5)
Character.com
The Entertainer
JoJo Maman Bébé
Sainsbury’s/Argos
Smyths
Tesco
Best retailer of kids licensed products (age group 5-16)
Aldi
The Entertainer
Primark
Sainsbury’s/Argos
Smyths
Tesco
Best retailer of adult licensed products
ASOS
Boohoo
Forbidden Planet
Hawkin’s Bazaar
Primark
Selfridges
The Radar Award – for retailers who have come on the radar on the licensing front as they have considerably upped their licensing activities in the last year
B&M
Card Factory
FatFace
Home Bargains
Missguided
The Range
Top Retailer Award
To be announced on the night. All winners of the main retail categories are contenders for this award.
Best Licensed Retail Marketing Initiative
Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas at Primark
National Geographic Photo Ark Collection at Clarks
Queen Bohemian Rhapsody Pop-Up at Carnaby Street
Pokémonat Selfridges
Retro Gaming Arcade Campaign at Primark
The Snowman 40thAnniversary at Waterstones
Best Licensed promotions campaign
Bruce Lee Learn To Control Your Power with Boost
(Agency: Born Licensing)
The Gruffalo and Big Milk Fuelling Big Adventures with Arla Big Milk
(Agency: Magic Light Pictures)
Incredibles 2 Campaign with Plenty
(Agency: Blue Chip Marketing)
Roald Dahl and Mr Kipling’s Splendiferous Summer with Premier
(Agency: The Roald Dahl Story Company)
The Snowman Maybe Just Maybe Campaign with Barbour
(Agency: Penguin Ventures)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Family Weekend with Eden Project
(Agency: Rocket Licensing)
The Product Awards Categories
Best Licensed Toys or Games Range
BBC Earth Plush from Posh Paws
Fortnite Collection from Jazwares
Harry Potter Sorting Hat from Maxx Marketing
Harry Potter Wizarding World from LEGO
PAW Patrol Ultimate Rescuefrom Spin Master
Peppa Pig Collection from Character Options
Spirit Riding Free Master Toy Collection from Flair/Just Play
Toy Story Summer Collection from Sambro
Best Licensed dress-up or partyware
Barbie 60thAnniversary Set from RH Smith & Sons
Elmer Collection from Amscan International
L.O.L Surprise! Partyware from Unique Party
Marvel: Avengers Endgame Dress-Up from Rubie’s Masquerade
Nerf Party Range from Amscan International
Roald Dahl World Book Day Collection for Tesco (F+F) from RH Smith & Sons
Toy Storyfor George @ Asda from Christy’s by Design
Best Licensed preschool apparel range (0 – 5 years)
Dumbo Baby Fashion Range from Matalan
Harry Potter Kids Nightwear from TDP Textiles for Character.com
Peter Rabbit Collection for M&Co from Paul Dennicci
Miffy Babywear Collection from Tobias & the Bear
Moomin Collection for Primark from Smith & Brooks
Peppa Pig Nightwear from Misirli
Toy Story Collection for Nutmeg @ Morrisons from Blues
Best Licensed Children’s Apparel Range
Harry Potter Collection for Character.com from Smith & Brooks
Nerf Collection for Tesco (F+F) from Smith & Brooks
NASA Collection from Bioworld International
National Geographic Footwear Collection from Clarks