BRANDORA Overview of latest developments on the German licensing market

Smiley on the rise
A smile conquers Germany. Sweets, back-to-school products, stickers and even skateboards – wherever the happy yellow face appears, it spreads smiles and a positive attitude. Smiley sets out to conquer the German licensing market. German-based skateboarding company ‘Fun4U’ launches an extensive range of sporting goods in Spring 2012. The range will include skateboards, longboards, rollerblades, bikes, scooters, helmets and yo-yos all donning the irresistible Smiley face. For those who burnt off their calories on the board, FantasTick provides a rich diet of Smiley sweets. Chocolate, biscuits, fruit gums or candies – the happy face adorns almost everything. And for those who need a little smile support at work or school, Herlitz offers the ideal product range: Crayons, pens, pads, files, and ring-binders featuring Smiley’s graphical prints.

Daniela Katzenberger and RTL interactive
After countless appearances on TV, including the famous VOX docu soap formats “Goodbye Deutschland – Die Auswanderer” and “auf und davon – mein Auslandstagebuch”, the blonde 24-year-old and her big mouth finally have their own successful docu soap on VOX: “Daniela Katzenberger – natürlich blond” (new shows started airing on 22 March 2011 on VOX, Tuesdays at 8.15 pm). In addition to her regular appearance in the media, she is the owner of a coffee bar in Majorca, model, singer, advertising star, and self-proclaimed “Kampfkatze” (Attack Cat) with more than 300,000 followers on Facebook.
Henry K. Textilhandel Company in co-operation with “Die Katze” (The Cat) will now launch a licensed fashion line to the German market. Daniela Katzenberger associates herself with the classy fashion collection: “I have observed a high demand for the clothes I had on in my shows. So I would be utterly stupid, if I did not launch a collection of my own. That’s what I have always wanted to do and I am absolutely thrilled by the opportunity to work with Henry K. However, for me it’s most important to incorporate my style and my own taste. I faithfully promise that not a single piece enters the market that I have not approved of, that I do not find good and – most importantly – not a single piece that I would not wear myself.”

Snow White, Bambi and co. adorn the upcoming Fall/Winter 2011 Collection
Star designer PHILIPP PLEIN and The Walt Disney Company continue their successful co-operation of their last Fall/Winter 2010 collection. Prints and embroideries of classic characters adorn cool leather jackets, traditional polo shirts, and hot t-shirts, sweaters, or sweatpants. Male fashionistas may choose from popular Marvel characters including Spider Man, the Fantastic Four and other Avengers. Those ageless images are the absolute “Must Have” in Fall/Winter 2011.

Laura’s Star invites everyone for her birthday!
In 2011 Laura’s Star celebrates her 15th birthday. Her 3rd feature film enters the silver screen just in time for the anniversary while Ki.Ka airs Season 3 of her popular animated series. Countless themed activities top off her special anniversary year and we would like to introduce the top two: Firstly, there is “Lauras musikalische Sternenstunde” (Laura’s Musical Stellar Moments). School and preschool children are invited to present their own interpretation of a song from the Laura’s Star Musical. Parents, teachers or educators just download the music, let their children re-enact the musical, sing the songs or stage a show of their own design and send the pictures or videos to MMedia GmbH. Winners have the unique opportunity to present their work at the opening night of the Laura’s Star Musical in Berlin this November.
The “Sternepass” (Star Pass) offers a Special Weekend for Four at the Heide-Park or 2x2 tickets for the film premiere of the new movie. To win the prizes, children visit the “Lauras Stern” website, search five special stars, click on them, and save them to their Star Pass. Children have to print the completed Star Pass, fill in their dates and send it to MMedia GmbH (closing date: 31 August 2011). The special treat: All children that send their completed Star Pass receive a ticket for the Heide-Park free of charge.

House of Anubis – The TV hit finally on big screen
Germany’s hit show “Das Haus Anubis” (House of Anubis) will see its theatrical release in Spring 2012. Studio 100 Media GmbH already produce the popular daily mystery soap for Nickelodeon and now create a full-length feature film for the silver screen – in co-operation with Central Film. The film not only revolves around the famous characters from the TV show, but also presents famous guest stars. Smudo (singer, writer, and rapper of the German hip hop group “Die Fantastischen Vier”), Collien Fernandes (well-known TV presenter and actress), and Bert Tischendorf (another young famous German actor) join the cast. As an absolute first, the group of students will leave familiar grounds, set off from House of Anubis and embark on new mysterious adventures.

This year, the annual Licensing Market, Germany’s Marketplace of Licenses, will take place at the glamorous hotel “Bayerischer Hof” in Munich on 9 November 2011. LIMA Germany once more invite licensors and licensing agencies, manufacturers and retail partners, advertisers and promoters as well as everyone involved in licensing. Last year more than 1000 visitors came to discover the vast scope of licensing business in Germany. And, of course, the association will again present the coveted LIMA Germany Awards as part of the annual LIMA Gala. Closing date for nominations is mid-August, followed by the member’s vote and the solemn declaration on 9 November 2011: “And the winner is ....“! Naturally you will find details on all categories, awards and winners at www.lizenzbranche.de/www.brand-licensing.com.