The Licensing Awards 2020: The Finalists

Top brands, products and retailers ready for glory at this year’s special virtual extravaganza.

Today (Monday September 28), we have the great pleasure of unveiling the finalists for The Licensing Awards 2020.

As announced last week, this year’s winners will be unveiled at an event to be held digitally on the evening of Wednesday December 16, and is likely to attract a huge global audience.

“Despite the inherent challenges the ongoing period has presented, the character and entertainment licensing industry has done itself proud on the product, retailing and promotional front and as such it is imperative that we honour this excellence,” said Jakki Brown, joint md of Max Publishing, which owns and organises The Licensing Awards. “This may not be a ‘normal’ year, but all the more important to mark the positives, and being a finalist in The Licensing Awards is certainly a good reason to smile.”

The finalists in The Licensing Awards 2020 are:

THE UK RISING STAR AWARD

This is a Licensing International UK award. The award is designed to recognise excellence among junior industry professionals in the United Kingdom under the age of 35.

  • Archie Harris-Eva, licensing executive of TSBA Group
  • Lauren Hilliard, licensing executive of Warner Bros
  • Anna McArdle, licensing executive of Historic Royal Palaces
  • Jessica Nioncel, licensing manager of The Pokémon Company International
  • Naomi Smith, licensing associate of Mattel UK
  • Sarah Sullivan, retail development coordinator of Forbidden Planet

RETAIL CATEGORY FINALISTS

BEST RETAILER OF PRESCHOOL LICENSED PRODUCTS (AGE GROUP 0-5)

  • Character.com
  • The Entertainer
  • George@Asda
  • John Lewis
  • Sainsbury’s Argos
  • Smyths

 

BEST RETAILER OF KIDS’ LICENSED PRODUCTS (AGE GROUP 5-16)

  • Aldi
  • Amazon
  • Character.com
  • Next
  • Primark
  • Sainsbury’s Argos

 

BEST RETAILER OF ADULT LICENSED PRODUCTS

  • Amazon
  • Forbidden Planet
  • Game
  • HMV
  • Primark
  • Selfridges

THE RADAR AWARD

This award is 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
  • Get Trend
  • The Hut
  • Menkind
  • Nutmeg at Morrisons
  • The Range

BEST OVERSEAS RETAILER

This award is for retailers of any discipline selling licensed products whose main retailing activity is overseas (ie not in the UK), but which also has a physical or online presence in the UK.

  • H&M
  • Lidl
  • Pull & Bear
  • Uniqlo
  • Urban Outfitters
  • Zara

BEST LICENSED RETAIL MARKETING INITIATIVE

This award is for the most creative and effective marketing campaign run in a UK retailer to support a licensed brand or range of licensed products or individual product.

  • Friends Central Perk Cafe Launch at Primark Manchester
  • Natural History Museum Colour by Nature Campaign at Farrow & Ball
  • Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas Thanks Mrs C Campaign at Barbour
  • The Roald Dahl Story Company x Natural History Museum Extraordinary Explorers Campaign at M&S
  • Stranger Things x Primark
  • Wallace & Gromit ‘Christmas at the Click of a Button’ Campaign at Joules

BEST LICENSED PROMOTIONS CAMPAIGN

This award is for a creative and effective use of a licence in the promotion of another brand or service.

  • Beano Time Travellers! exhibition at Mottisfont (Agency: Rocket Licensing)
  • Emoji Kindness Takes the Crown Anti-bullying Campaign with Burger King (Agency: The Emoji Company)
  • Peter Rabbit Afternoon Tea at Le Méridien Hotel (Agency: Penguin Ventures)
  • Roald Dahl’s Splendiferous Summer Campaign with Mr Kipling
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar RHS Summer Partnership (Agency: Rocket Licensing)
  • ‘We’re On It’ Advertising Campaign with Direct Line (Agency: Born Licensing)

BEST LICENSED LIVE EVENT

This award is for a licensed live event where the public needs to pay to participate, either by paying to enter a venue where the licensed event takes place or to participate directly in the licensed event itself. Free-to-consumer experiential marketing events are covered by the Licensed Promotions Campaign award.

  • FriendsFest and FriendsFestive UK Tour from Comedy Central and Luna Cinema
  • Mr. Men & Little Miss On Stage Theatre Show from Rockefeller Productions
  • Paddington On Ice from Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
  • Peaky Blinders The Live Escape Game Experience from Escape Live
  • The Next Step Themed Workshops from Pineapple Studios London
  • Shaun the Sheep Farmageddon Glow Trails Events from Forestry England
  • Wallace & Gromit’s Musical Marvels Show from Carrot Productions

PRODUCT CATEGORY FINALISTS

BEST LICENSED TOYS OR GAMES RANGE

  • Formula E Panasonic Jaguar Racing GEN@ Car and eTrophy from LEGO System
  • Friends Central Perk LEGO Ideas from LEGO
  • Horrible Science Kits and Board Game from James Galt & Co
  • How To Train Your Dragon Interactive Hatching Toothless from Spin Master
  • Hey Duggee Wooden Toys Range from 8th Wonder
  • Peppa Pig Play-sets from Character Options
  • Star Wars The Child Pop! From Funko
  • That’s Not My… Soft Toys and Comforters from Rainbow Designs
  • Trolls World Tour Role Play Range from Flair Just Play

 

BEST LICENSED DRESS-UP OR PARTYWARE

  • The Addams Family Dress-up from RH Smith & Son
  • Disney Princesses Dress-up for George@Asda from Christys By Design
  • Harry Potter Party Range for Primark from Amscan
  • The Joker Suit from OppoSuits
  • Miraculous Dress-up from Rubies
  • Peter Rabbit TV Dress-up Range for George@Asda from RH Smith & Son
  • Trolls 2 Dress-up from Amscan International
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Butterfly Dress-up for George@Asda from Christys By Design
  • The World of David Walliams Dress-up from RH Smith & Son

 

BEST LICENSED PRESCHOOL APPAREL RANGE (0-5 YEARS)

  • Gruffalo Collection from Cribstar
  • Miffy Collection for Next from Dennicci
  • Mr. Men Little Miss Collection from Lil Cubs
  • Paddington Collection for Nutmeg from Dennicci
  • Peanuts Collection from Cribstar
  • SpongeBob Collection from H&M
  • Toy Story Baby Sleepsuit Range for Character.com from TDP Textiles
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar Range for TU Clothing from Dennicci
  • Winnie the Pooh Baby Range from Tesco

 

BEST LICENSED CHILDREN’S APPAREL RANGE

  • Barbie Girls’ Apparel from River Island
  • Frozen 2 Range from Marks & Spencer
  • Harry Potter Mini Boden Collection from Boden
  • Hello Kitty x Liverpool FC from Liverpool FC
  • Peanuts Girls Collection for Next from BM Fashion
  • Peanuts Nightwear from Aykroyd & Sons
  • PlayStation Collection for Next from Global Licensing
  • Snail and the Whale from FatFace
  • Toy Story 4 Range from Primark

 

BEST LICENSED ADULT APPAREL RANGE

  • Barbie Collection from Somerbond
  • Coca-Cola The (Re)Collection from Diesel
  • Friends Collection from Primark
  • The Grinch Collection from Primark
  • Harry Potter Jewellery from Pandora
  • Looney Tunes Space Jam Collection for PrettyLittleThing from Brands In
  • Natural History Museum Collection from Finisterre
  • Peanuts Collection from Lazy Oaf
  • Stranger Things Collection from Primark

 

BEST LICENSED WRITTEN, LISTENING OR LEARNING RANGE

  • Aardman Colouring Heaven Range from Anthem Publishing
  • Baby Shark My First Calendar from Danilo Promotions
  • Baby Shark Range from Centum Books
  • Build-a-Bear How We First Met Personalised Book from Signature Gifts
  • Hey Duggee Electronic Learning Toys from Trends UK
  • Mr. Men Little Miss At Work from Egmont
  • Paddington – The Adventure Series from HarperCollins Children’s Books
  • Peppa Pig Range from Penguin Random House
  • Rainbow Hand Puppet Fun from Sweet Cherry Publishing

 

BEST LICENSED PAPER PRODUCTS OR STATIONERY RANGE

  • BBC Earth Calendar and Diary Range from Danilo Promotions
  • Emma Bridgewater Greeting Card Range from Woodmansterne Publications
  • Friends Collection from Danilo Promotions
  • Harry Potter Collection from Moleskine
  • Harry Potter Pop-Up Cards from Cardology
  • Mickey Mouse Disney Pride from Moonpig
  • Peter Rabbit Wrap and Gift Bags from UK Greetings
  • The Tiger Who Came To Tea Range from Museums & Galleries
  • Trolls World Tour Colour Burst Collection from Pyramid International

 

BEST LICENSED GIFTWARE RANGE, HOME DÉCOR, TABLEWARE OR HOUSEWARES RANGE

  • BBC Earth Bottle Collection from S’well
  • Disney Desert Rose Home Textiles Range for Primark from Character World
  • The Elf on the Shelf Food Gifting Range from Kimm & Miller
  • Friends Toiletries Collection from Mad Beauty
  • May The Thoughts Be With You Giftware Range from Half Moon Bay
  • Natural History Museum Colour by Nature Paints Range from Farrow & Ball
  • Peaky Blinders Drinkware from GB eye
  • Peter Rabbit Signature Collection from Rainbow Designs
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar Gardening Range for the RHS from Robert Frederick

 

BEST LICENSED FOOD OR DRINK RANGE

  • Barratt Dip Dab Ice Lollies from Icefresh Foods
  • Coca-Cola Tic Tacs from The Ferrero Group
  • Downtown Abbey Gin and Whiskey from Harrogate Tipple
  • Gruffalo Snack Range from Organix
  • Original Stormtrooper Chocolate Helmet from Kinnerton
  • Peanuts Confectionery from Asvina
  • Peter Rabbit Chocolate Advent Calendar from Charbonnel & Walker
  • Pokémon Pikachu Party Cake from Finsbury Foods
  • Scooby-Doo Pet Snacks from Fred & Ginger

 

THE INNOVATION AWARD

  • Aardman Armatures Kit and Accessories from Animation Tool Kit
  • Doctor Who Range Build a Bear from Build-A-Bear Workshop
  • Harry Potter Funkoverse from Funko
  • Harry Potter Wizarding World Lumos Book Lamp from BB Designs
  • Jena Frumes Loves PS Vegan Cosmetics for Primark from Bravado
  • IT Liquid-reactive Umbrella from Bioworld International
  • Peaky Blinders Premium Men’s Grooming Range from Murdock London
  • Peppa Pig Pancake Day Bundle from Groupe Seb
  • Toy Story Interactive Range from Thinkway Toys

 

BEST SUSTAINABLE LICENSED PRODUCT

This special new product award is for one licensed item or range of any discipline and will recognise and reward a licensed product’s/range’s credentials on a sustainability front.

  • BBC Earth T Shirt Collection from Teemill
  • Gruffalo Organic Clothing Collection from MORI
  • National Geographic Repreve Recycled Bedding Collection from Dreamtex
  • Natural History Museum Clothing Range from Finisterre
  • Rebel Girls Jigsaws from Gibsons
  • WWF Baby and Kids Clothing from F&F Tesco

PROPERTY CATEGORY FINALISTS

BEST PRESCHOOL LICENSED PROPERTY (AGE GROUP 0-5)

  • Baby Shark
  • Bing
  • The Gruffalo
  • Hey Duggee
  • Mr. Men Little Miss
  • PAW Patrol
  • Peppa Pig
  • Ryan’s World
  • Thomas and Friends
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar

 

BEST CHILDREN’S OR TWEEN LICENSED PROPERTY (AGE GROUP 5-12)

  • Barbie
  • Elf on the Shelf
  • L.O.L. Surprise!
  • Miraculous
  • Peanuts
  • Pokémon
  • Pusheen
  • Wizarding World
  • The World of David Walliams

 

BEST TEEN OR ADULT LICENSED PROPERTY

  • Barbie
  • Emoji
  • Friends
  • LINE FRIENDS
  • The Mandalorian
  • Marvel Universe
  • Peaky Blinders
  • Rick and Morty
  • Smiley Originals
  • Stranger Things
  • Wizarding World

 

BEST GAMING LICENSED PROPERTY

  • Animal Crossing
  • Call of Duty
  • Crash Bandicoot
  • Destiny
  • Fortnite
  • Minecraft
  • Pokémon
  • Roblox
  • Warhammer

 

BEST FILM LICENSED PROPERTY

  • Frozen 2
  • IT 2
  • The Lion King
  • Shaun The Sheep Farmageddon
  • Trolls World Tour

 

BEST MUSIC OR CELEBRITY LICENSED PROPERTY

  • The Beatles
  • Billie Eilish
  • BTS
  • Hearts by Tiana
  • Little Mix
  • Queen
  • The Rolling Stones

 

BEST SPORTS LICENSED PROPERTY

  • Arsenal Football Club
  • Chelsea Football Club
  • England Rugby
  • Liverpool Football Club
  • Manchester City Football Club
  • Manchester United Football Club
  • NFL
  • NFL Players Association
  • Rugby World Cup 2019
  • Tottenham Hotspur Football Club

THE CLASSIC LICENSED PROPERTY AWARD

This award is for properties that have stood the test of time (with at least a decade of licensing activity). The winner joins previous winners in The Licensing Classics Hall of Fame. Previous year’s winners are Barbie, The Beano, Peppa Pig, Peter Rabbit, Pokémon, Mickey Mouse, The Snowman, Star Wars and Thomas & Friends.

This year’s finalists are:

  • Batman
  • Fireman Sam
  • In the Night Garden
  • Me to You
  • Miffy
  • Paddington
  • Roald Dahl
  • Sesame Street
  • SpongeBob SquarePants
  • Wallace & Gromit

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