Rights & Brands has been appointed master licensing agent for the best-selling Norweigan book series Bukkene Bruse (The Brothers Gruff), authored by Bjørn F. Rørvik and illustrated by Gry Moursund.
Published by Cappelen Damm, the illustrated Bukkene Bruse books for young children have been a huge hit in Norway, selling over 750,000 copies and the best-selling children’s book series for 11 years straight (2009-2020). The rights have been sold to 9 other countries so far, including Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, Japan, and South Korea. Adding to the excitement, December 25, 2023, will witness the premiere of the animated film, The Brothers Gruff Go To Splash World.
Bukkene Bruse is a modern interpretation of the timeless Norwegian folk tale The Three Goats Bruse originally recorded by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen in 1842. Bjørn F. Rørvik and Gry Moursund’s humorous stories reflect the essence of Norwegian culture, and few cultural works resonate as deeply with the Norwegian folk spirit as these beloved folk tales.
Furthermore, the books have been brought to life in a new animated film premiering this Christmas: The Brothers Gruff Go To Splash World (Bukkene Bruse på Badeland) by renowned companies Qvisten Animation and Nordisk Film. This summer, the film’s soundtrack soared to success even before the film’s release, with the song Badebussen by DJ MøMø featuring Kjartan Lauritzen topping the Norwegian charts in July. The animation company Qvisten Animation is also one of the co-founders of Rights & Brands Norway.
“We are pleased that our partnership with Rights & Brands continues to pave the way for what Qvisten brings to film and TV, making them not only accessible and visible to an even wider demographic but also ensuring their strength as stories worth sharing for generations to come. The Brothers Gruff Go To Splash World is a very good example of how we collaborate on our common IPs,” Fredrik Kiøsterud, CEO of Qvisten Animation
“Bukkene Bruse is a phenomenon in Norway, crafting a captivating universe that resonates with children’s daily lives,” says Anja Aarnes Breder, Commercial Manager at Rights & Brands Norway. “We very much look forward to collaborating with this brand and developing a high-quality licensing program, both within Scandinavia and internationally.”
“We are so looking forward to establishing a new brand from Norway. This is a part of Rights & Brand’s vision to bring Scandinavian brands to a global arena and to grow our business and local branch in Norway”, says Kristin Tjulander, Nordic Commercial Director at Rights & Brands.
Author Bjørn F. Rørvik comments “We have always wanted to expand the Bukkene Bruse universe with licensed products, and now it is finally happening!”
Rights & Brands will represent The Brothers Gruff/Bukkene Bruse for licensing rights worldwide.
