Classic science, fact and entertainment brands partner for full-colour 192-page book
Brand extension and strategy agency Licensing Link Europe, which manages licensing in the UK and Ireland for IFL Science, the world’s leading digital science channel, has announced a major cross-brand collaboration agreement for the property.
IFL Science and Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, the legendary media franchise inspired by strange and unusual facts, are to collaborate on the publication of a hardback, full-colour 192-page book.
The book, which will be published in May 2020, will be available in all territories, selling at major book chains and independents as well as online.
Both IFL Science and Ripley’s are famous for communicating science and science-related topics in fun and interesting ways that appeal to casual readers. This new publication is ideally positioned to leverage the popularity and accessibility of both brands for a global audience.
The Ripley’s TV and publishing franchise was built on the extraordinary global success of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! cartoon, which first appeared in 1918 and focused on incredible facts and amazing-but-true stories.
Ripley Publishing launched in 2004, with the bestselling Ripley’s Believe It or Not! book. The title now appears annually with all-new content. Many more titles aimed at readers of all ages – including board books, picture books and levelled readers – have followed. To date, Ripley Publishing has sold over 10 million books in dozens of languages.
IFL Science began life as a Facebook blog, started by founder Elise Andrew in March 2012 to share her passion for science and making science accessible to everyone. IFL Science is today the number one science platform, with a mix of science and irreverence that has gained it a global reach across its different channels of more than 120 million people.
This popularity is now being translated into a licensing programme that will adapt the science and humour of the site for products that highlight the site’s focus on space, the environment, and plants and animals using witty IFL Science-inspired messages and illustrations. Recent IFL Science licensing agreements include a series of IFL Science-branded gift books, along with a gifting range that will include ceramics, kitchenware, glassware and bags. The books and gifts will be launched by Half Moon Bay in mid-to-late 2020.
Michele Kuprewicz, Head of Retail & Licensing, IFL Science, says: “These two major brands have a global reputation built on science, facts and fun that makes them together a force to be reckoned with. This collaboration between IFL Science and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is a publishing dream come true.”
Amanda Joiner, Vice President of Licensing & Publishing, Ripley Entertainment says: “We are thrilled to be partnering with IFL Science. We’re bringing the best of both the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and IFL Science brands together to create amazing content that appeals to fans of both companies.”
Chris Taday, Director of Licensing Link Europe, adds: “The combination of the irreverence, wit and factual basis of IFL Science with the jaw-dropping stories and facts that have made Ripley’s successful for an incredible 100 years are a winning combination. I’m sure I’m not alone in looking forward to the arrival of what will be an amazing publication.”
