Caroline Mickler Licensing, which builds licensing programmes for a number of major properties, will return to stand A180 at BLE 2024 with a portfolio that once again underlines the diversity and originality of the brands represented by this award-winning, independent licensing agency.
The properties highlighted at BLE include The Beatles, Yellow Submarine, Stanley Kubrick’s iconic films The Shining, A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, and 2001: A Space Odyssey, Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy, Horrid Henry, Fifty Shades of Grey, Deddy Bears and the latest Caroline Mickler Licensing signing, Polaroid.
The Beatles influenced fashion and popular culture from the very start of their careers – and still do. This is a major licensing property with long-term appeal and present-day relevance, one that stands out in the market for its ability to inspire both high-profile fashion collaborations and popular mass-market retail ranges.
The licensee list is a long one that includes apparel from Rock Off, Bravado, Fashions UK and Spike, giftware from Half Moon Bay and House of Disaster, games from University Games and Winning Moves, and much, much more!
This is also an award-winning brand with no fewer than three Best Celebrity Brand Licensing Awards in just over a decade and Licensing Awards honours for Half Moon Bay in the Best Licensed Giftware category, and the Home Décor, Tableware or Housewares category. In fact The Beatles has collected many award nominations and garnered strong press coverage for an exciting and varied range of products that is still growing today.
Yellow Submarine Is a classic British animated fantasy film based on the music of The Beatles, a hit in its own era and still popular today. When it was released in 1968, it was quickly recognised as a unique film, mirroring the zeitgeist of the 60s – celebrating peace, love, hope and music. Today Yellow Submarine’s extraordinary imagery and instantly recognisable characters still resonate with all ages and have inspired a strong market presence for Yellow Submarine as a licensed property. Among numerous exciting products Yellow Submarine merchandise at retail includes musical instruments from John Hornby Skewes, stationery & gifts from Puckator, Half Moon Bay’s gift range and House of Disaster’s and Loungefly’s accessory lines, to name only a few of an astonishing variety of licences.
Stanley Kubrick’s films have inspired artists, writers, directors and a devoted following that grows with every generation that discovers his visionary work. Four films in particular have proved iconic and Caroline Mickler, together with sub-agents Surge Licensing and Lucci, continues to build on the success of the global licensing programme for The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and of course the dystopian masterpiece A Clockwork Orange.
Among the highlights of the programme are Jacques Marie Mage’s Full Metal Jacket sunglasses & eyewear, Jimmy Lion’s mind-bending socks and t-shirts highlighting all four films, and Rubber Road, a leader in video game, movie, TV and music merchandise, with Kubrick-inspired gifts and novelties. There’s also a dedicated and very popular Stanley Kubrick e-commerce site managed by Event Merchandising, a company that works in partnership with some of the world’s most recognised brands and events.
E L James’s adult romance trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed is, quite simply, a global literary sensation and Caroline Mickler Limited is delighted to announce that sexual wellness market leader Lovehoney is renewing its licence, as the demand for its Fifty Shades of Grey line shows no sign of slowing down in this, the range’s second decade at retail.
Horrid Henry is a phenomenon. The star of his own movie, stage show, festival, YouTube channel, 250 amazing animated adventures and three TV specials, as well as millions of books, he’s the number one children’s character on Nickelodeon, star of the most viewed Netflix children’s show in the UK and enjoying a growing international reach. Nominated for The What Kids Love Award, in The Licensing Awards, he is also popular with licensees, the latest of which is the celebrations powerhouse Wonder, whose award-winning costume design team have brought the TV star to the dress-up market.
Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy is a range of super-sour sweets launched in 2004 by US company Candy Dynamics and distributed by Newbridge Confectionery in Europe. It’s also a fast-growing brand with extensive retail distribution and phenomenal social media engagement.
The iconic Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy 42gm Yellow Drum has helped the brand establish itself as the number one sour novelty brand in the UK marketplace. It is also the focus of a highly successful licensing programme thanks to popular ice pops and carbonated drinks from South East Traders, slush pouches from Manchester Drinks and the US 4 Slush range of slush machines for B2B markets.
There’s also a range of fun, innovative and novelty products on the way from Fizz Creations. And that’s not all. Caroline Mickler Licensing has also overseen international growth for Toxic Waste, most recently with the signing of Licenco for carbonated drinks for the Scandinavian market.
Fans can’t get enough of Deddy Bears, the collectible toy line from creator Gavin Lawler of Innov8 represented by Caroline Mickler in collaboration with Surge Licensing. It’s no surprise. These edgy but lovable toy bears, part adorable and part creepy cool, are completely unique and have sold hundreds of thousands of units across seven countries to date. Now the Deddy Bears brand is taking US licensing by storm, with the UK and Europe set to follow. The first wave of signings includes branded apparel from Fashion UK and Heroes Inc, Jay Franco for bedding and home décor and Just Toys for pet toys.
Of course, Caroline Mickler Licensing, like the licensing industry itself, doesn’t stand still and this BLE will see a brand-new addition to the Caroline Mickler portfolio: Polaroid, the universally known pioneer of instant photography and iconic visual imagining. Polaroid is instantly recognisable – a true legend of the 20th century that has established itself as a cultural icon, aligned with current trends and industries – from fashion to art and design. Polaroid’s mission – “to create products and experiences that bring meaning, joy and beauty to the moments that matter” – is one that Caroline Mickler Licensing plans to emulate for its Polaroid licensing programme.
Caroline Mickler says: “We’ve always been proud of the diversity of our portfolio and it doesn’t get much more diverse than giants of modern film, collectible toys, sour candy, adult romance, and of course, the world’s most famous band. And that’s far from all! Come and find out what we do for these hit brands – and what we can do for you – at stand A180!”
