In anticipation of the upcoming Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) event, Licensing Magazine, in collaboration with BLE, has conducted an exclusive interview with Lucy Arguile, Licensing Executive at Reemsborko, and Max Arguile, Owner at Reemsborko.
Tell me about your business and the brands you work with.
Reemsborko is a dynamic licensing agency at the forefront of pop culture, representing the most interesting niche properties across multiple categories and regions. Dedicated to bringing these exciting and commercially viable properties to life, Reemsborko matches them with top-tier licensees who can create and distribute high-quality products that thrill fans worldwide.
You’re returning to exhibit at BLE! Tell me about all the lovely reasons you’re coming back.
We have attended BLE and many other global licensing events for years, enjoying the chance to connect with both familiar and new faces. Since BLE is held in the UK, we have the wonderful opportunity to exhibit, now for the third year in a row. This has given us greater exposure and opened exciting licensing opportunities for our company.
What can licensees and retailers expect to see on your stand?
Our stand, the Independents Lounge, is unique at the show and is a collaboration of like-minded independent UK licensing agents, co-hosting a space, and exhibiting their businesses. The energy on our stand is evident, ensuring we are always busy, which in turn attracts a lot more visitors, fostering a sense of innovation and productivity.
Are you launching new brands, products and announcing any news at BLE?
We most certainly are – our beloved client Octas has a bunch of new Japanese and Far East properties up their proverbial sleeves, of which the crown jewel is Unico: Awakening.
If so, what is it, who is it for why should licensees and retailers be excited by it?
Unico: Awakening , is a new iteration of the classic animé from Tezuka (creators of Astro Boy). It launched as a book from Scholastic in August. The US licensors are starting discussions now. There will be a Unico: Awakening animated series or film. Discussions have started with a few different partners for the animation, including some big names but this likely 2-3 years out.
There are already four Unico films by Tezuka, three of which released in the 80’s, which can now be viewed on Amazon Prime, Crunchyroll, Roku, Retro Crush, Freevee, Tubi, and Youtube.
- Unico: Black Cloud, White Feather (pilot film, 1979)
- The Fantastic Adventures of Unico (1981)
- Unico in the Island of Magic (1983)
- Saving Our Fragile Earth: Unico Special (2000)
Licensees and retailers should be excited as this is an update of a classic and well-loved property that is beloved of all ages.
What is your favourite memory of BLE?
I liked taking photos in the Barbie display on the Mattel stand with Vickie O’Malley. Licensing always guarantees good point of sale and this didn’t disappoint (Lucy).
I enjoyed talking all the way through Jonathan Ross’s younger brother’s ineffectual presentation at the awards at the BLE about 25 years ago. Shoved into a small room in a London hotel, most people wanted to chat rather than pay attention to the awards (plus ça change…). Paul Ross eventually resorted to loud wolf whistles to make us quieten down. Didn’t work! (Max)
What are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the licensing industry in your territory?
UK retail is in a tough spot and Europe feels only slightly better. The trick is finding your audience (sounds obvious, we know) rather than just taking a license because it is well-known. Like the difference between turnover and profit, the difference between sell-in and sell-through can be huge. You can’t always trust what the licensors and agents tell you – licensees need to talk to each other to see what is working, and to challenge the retailers to take more risks
Amazon isn’t the whole of the online story (although they may see this differently) and licensees need to develop their own sites or find other sites that have presence.
We have some licensees that are performing out of their skin with some pretty unkown and lowkey IPs because they know how to find the people that love that thing. Everyone is a fan of something so think about what the fans want and make them some nice product. Hatsune Miku, Dragon Ball, Naruto, Junji Itô, and even Dario Argento’s filmography – these IPs may not be familiar to you, but so what? We have licensees on them all that are doing killer business
The Independents Lounge, located at stand B233, is the place to find fantastic companies like Licensing Link, Rockpool, and The Bright Agency – we have a such a wide selection and variety of IPs that there is something for everyone. Stop by and say hello!
