Character Options appointed UK & Eire Master Toy Licensee for 'Bob the Builder'
New signing tops wealth of activity for one of pre-school’s most loved brands
HIT Entertainment, one of the world’s leading independent children’s entertainment producers and rights owners, has today announced the appointment of Character Options as the UK and Eire master toy licensee for ‘Bob the Builder’, one of its most successful and popular pre-school brands.
Under the multi-year agreement, Character Options obtains the rights to develop all new toy products based on ‘Bob the Builder’ and his ‘can do’ crew and will be launching new ranges across vehicles, figurines, plush and role play. The first line of products will be available in Autumn/Winter 2011.
Jon Owen, Senior Vice President HIT Brands – Global, says: “We are delighted to sign this multi-year licensing agreement with Character Options for ‘Bob the Builder’, which follows the fantastic successes Character Options has delivered over the past year for Fireman Sam. The company never fail to astound us with their creative, innovative ranges and so we very much look forward to seeing the newly developed lines.”
Jon Diver, Joint Managing Director of The Character Group plc, added: “’Bob the Builder’ is one of HIT Entertainment’s most successful brands and has enjoyed incredible success over its eleven years. We are very excited about the new CG animated television series and believe that Character’s focus on developing good quality, attractively priced toys can only benefit the brand further in the future.”
‘Bob the Builder’ is one of HIT Entertainment’s most successful brands and has continued to thrive in 2010. Highlights include:
• TV ratings for the new CG-animated series 17 of ‘Bob the Builder’: ‘Ready, Steady Build’ are up 35% year-on-year on CBeebies*.
• Success in Asia where CCTV China launched series 1-16 in April 2010 and is currently airing two episodes per day.
• An increase in sales of the ‘Bob the Builder’ monthly magazine, published by BBC Worldwide, from 35,000 to 48,000 during 2010.
Looking ahead, the brand is poised for even more success over the coming months. Planned activity includes:
• The much anticipated CG-animated series 18 of ‘Bob the Builder: Ready, Steady, Build!’ which is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2011.
• The tent-pole release of DVD special ‘The Big Dino Dig’ set for release in April 2011.
• A live stage show fronted by Bob starting in July 2011.
• Over a dozen new publishing titles planned from Egmont during 2011.
• New ‘Bob the Builder’ CG-animated style guides set for release this Autumn 2010.
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