4sight licensing solutions, part of 4 Kids Entertainment International, licensing agent for the Kennel Club and Crufts, has signed an agreement with top publisher Frances Lincoln that will see the launch of a high class Kennel Club-branded dog record book.

The Kennel Club is the largest organisation in the UK that is specifically dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs, with a broad remit to protect and promote their general wellbeing. At its heart are programmes and investments in education and health initiatives to ensure that dogs are healthy, happy and long-lived. The Kennel Club also organises and hosts Crufts, which is attended by dog lovers from the UK and overseas who come together to experience the competitions and events that celebrate the diverse role dogs play in society. The event is hugely popular and Crufts 2011 was no exception, with 138,000 people attending the 120th anniversary show in March. Televised on More4, the broadcaster increased TV coverage by three hours over previous years, following requests from enthusiastic viewers, and the 2011 viewing figures have been hugely impressive - the Sunday broadcast surpassed the average More 4 audience at transmission time by a significant 159%, with the channel’s viewer share up 173% on the Sunday average. This popularity has also translated onto the web, with 339,767 unique users accessing the Crufts website in March 2011, up from 273,932 in 2010.

Frances Lincoln are currently developing layouts for the new record book and the line is due to launch at retail in March 2012. The book is designed to hold information such as photos, mementos, insurance documents, Kennel Club certificates and vet details.

This latest agreement adds to a strong licensing programme for the Kennel Club brand – other partners include Scruffs for a range of dog bedding, dog accessories and puppy starter packs, Bow Wow Meow for branded pet tags that are engraved with owners’ contact information, and Country Cards for an eye catching range of Kennel Club greeting cards.

A Crufts licensing programme is also running that covers general merchandise, collectibles and publishing, whilst mobile content specialist Revel Mob has developed an iPhone app that allows users to download vintage photos from the show’s archives, as well as a new trading card style game app called Crufts Top Dogs that is set to launch this summer.

“This is a fantastic addition to the Kennel Club licensing programme,” said Sandra Vauthier-Cellier, Managing Director of 4sight licensing solutions and 4Kids Entertainment International, “Frances Lincoln is well renowned in the publishing world and the quality and class of this new product fits in perfectly with the prestige of the brand. I am sure dog owners will really welcome the opportunity to keep essential records and happy memories in one very special place.”