Warner Bros.Consumer Products(WBCP)returns to Brand Licensing Europe 2012 with a showcase of some of today's hottest properties,including tentpole films,"The Hobbit:An Unexpected Journey"(December 2012)and"Man of Steel"(June 2013).
WBCP will support"Man of Steel"with a retail launch across Europe beginning spring 2013 and feature ground breaking toy lines,multi-demo soft lines and sophisticated food and promotion programmes."Man of Steel"is a film unlike any other in the franchise and is expected to inject more energy into what is currently a powerhouse franchise for WBCP and its partners.
EMEA apparel licensee TV Mania and children's nightwear firm Aykroyd and Sons in the UK are the latest licensees to join this evergreen franchise.Further,licensees already on board for the film include global toy partner Mattel;Rubie's Costumes for dress up;HarperCollinsPublishers as the worldwide English language publishing partner;and apparel partner Bioworld;among many other global and regional licensees.
"The Hobbit:An Unexpected Journey"releases in December 2012,the first of a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece"The Hobbit,"by J.R.R.Tolkien.Anticipating another blockbuster trilogy,WBCP continues to enlist leading licensees and retail partners that understand the opportunities the franchise presents.
Co-master toy partner for"The Hobbit"Trilogy is Vivid Group,along with The Bridge Direct;and HarperCollinsPublishers will publish the official film tie-in books.LEGO is producing a range of incredible build-and-play construction sets,Ravensburger is on board for puzzles and card games,Rubie's is developing a dress-up line,and Eaglemoss'"The Hobbit"chess set launches worldwide early next year.
In addition to the huge opportunities in support of its tentpole films,WBCP is committed to continually investing and developing its outstanding portfolio of classic properties.
DC Comics continues to be recognised as a rich seam of new content and as the Batman and Superman franchises expand their strength and brand,partners are provided with ever-inspiring visuals.Additionally,Warner Bros.Animation is producing two animated series,"Young Justice:Invasion"and the upcoming"Teen Titans Go!,"which follow the adventures of the teenaged super heroes,as well as the forthcoming"Beware The Batman."
Bursting its way back onto the licensing scene is the fan-favourite classic"Batman Classic TV Series."WBCP is bringing all the favourite characters back,featuring the likenesses of the actors from the television series as part of the"Batman Classic TV Series"licensing program.The program will also showcase the vintage styles of the classic series and be highlighted by captured photography from the live-action series,as well as the illustrated character art inspired by the series'animated opening sequence,and will incorporate the vehicles,gadgets and catchphrases that made the show the cultural phenomenon it is today.
