From fire salamander to brightly coloured gummy bears through to a cowboy that shoots faster than his shadow … the world of licensing provides the perfect property for every age group. Here BRANDORA once more tells about new products that could hardly be more different. Welcome to the world of licensed products in Germany:

Lurchi – a salamander sets off to conquer the world of Hama Is there anyone in Germany who doesn’t recognize him – Lurchi – THE brand label of Salamander Company. Generations of children have been growing up with stories of the little fire salamander and his friends. Now Hama manufacturers and distributes preschool bags and backpacks adorned with the funny little character. All models are made of sturdy waterproof Polytex. The easy-to-close main compartment with zip fastener, a hanger, and adjustable straps make these bags perfect companions. Some bags come with an additional pocket for water bottles inside the main compartment. For carry comfort and additional safety all backpacks have an adjustable chest strap.

Der kleine Medicus – Mysterious mission to your body

In December the new licensing agency Entertainment Friends entered the German market. The agency is a sister company of movie marketing agency Ad.Affairs from Munich, Germany, and places their focus on entertainment brands. A 3D animated film to the hit book “Der kleine Medicus” (2005) by Prof. Dr. Dietrich H. W. Grönemeyer (2005) is already in the pipeline and will definitely meet international standards. Responsible for project realization are WunderWerk, one of the leading animation production companies in Germany; Freebird Pictures, a company specialized in production and marketing of branded children and family films; and Senator Film, partner in production and distribution of movies and home entertainment films in Germany. Theatrical release in Germany is scheduled for 30 October 2014. The film tells about Nano, a little boy who loves skateboarding. Together with his friend Lilly he sets off to save Grandpa Erwin: Evil scientist Prof. Schlotter infected him with a microscopic robot, the Gobot, that makes Grandpa Erwin a mere puppet with no will of his own. Nano and Lilly become Bodynauts and have to face an exciting adventure in the fascinating world of the human body to overcome the tiny Gobot.

Our Sandman cements his reputation as ageless property THE highlight of every child’s early evening: Our Little Sandman. For more than 50 years, the adventures of Sandman’s countless friends and companions have been a very special event before children are sent to bed. As of now the Little Sandman presents his own cake mixtures. SchapfenMühle offers Sandman Muffins, Traumsandkuchen (Sleepy Dust Cake) and much more. And there’s a little extra for all Sandman fans: Each package contains a great little surprise gift! What is more, Sandman and his friends have also garnered the attention of mantiburi. Their creative designers strive to fulfil children’s dreams about their child rooms. Almost any child’s wish can be granted within 48 hours, thanks to an unparalleled variety of products: from photo wall papers to wall stickers, through to acryl or wall pictures. Also heunec Company from Coburg present new products. In addition to a broad range of soft toys they also launch a Sandman licensed trolley. The highlight: The trolley can be carried like a rucksack and is even machine-washable! However, also food is suitable for successful licensing: Fleisch- und Wurstwaren Schmalkalden GmbH and Rotstern produce food (cheese and sausages as well as chocolate and fruit gum) to the Little Sandman and his friends.

Lucky Luke: The cult cowboy is back

S.Oliver plans to launch t-shirts adorned by the cult cowboy to the German market in August 2013. T-shirts will be sold at a price of 19.99 € in stores while stocks last. The collection is comprised of eight different t-shirt designs featuring the popular characters from Lucky Luke’s adventures including – of course - the “lonesome cowboy” Lucky Luke himself and his loyal companion Jolly Jumper. The most stupid dog in the Wild West, Rantanplan, and the legendary Dalton brothers Joe, William, Jack, and Averell, adorn the t-shirts, too. In 2012, the Sparkassen Finanzgruppe initiated a Lucky Luke advertising campaign to introduce their new »girogo« payment procedure. Thanks to a special feature of the SparkassenCard small sums of up to 20 Euros can be charged contactless (without pin or signature) over short distances. In spring 2013, the campaign is expanded by adding new images and an animated commercial spot.

KIDDINX Media starts marketing the popular Gelini The Gelinis created by Jörg Zahradnicek have now found a new home at KIDDINX Media. The actual brand came into life back in 1998. Everything begun with Zickzak – called Zick. Today there are thirteen individual Gelini Bears. Each of them is easily distinguishable by their own colour and their equally distinctive character. There is more to the little Gelini bears than meets the eyes. They are no nameless gummy bears, but full-fledged individuals with loveable faults and congenial unmistakable character traits. The Gelini following hardly falls into a certain age category. They include children, teenagers, as well as young and not-so-young adults. In addition to popular jigsaws by Ravensburger, licensed wall tattoos, canvas pictures, trims and much more from K&L Wall Art hit the German market in May 2013.

Euro Lizenzen and the little hare stay firmly on the road to success

“Weißt du eigentlich, wie lieb ich dich hab? – Die Abenteuer des kleinen braunen Hasen“ (Guess how much I love you – The adventures of the little nutbrown hare) enter the TV screen. The new TV series is co-produced by Australia’s leading producer of children’s entertainment, Emmy award-winning SLR Productions, and the German children’s channel KiKA. Starting in October 2013, the series is broadcast prime time at 6:40 pm on KiKA. The series is comprised of 52 x 11-minutes episodes. The first-ever TV adaptation of the world-famous classic book tells about the adventures of the nutbrown hares and their friends, demonstrating the same dedication and simplicity that made the book an ageless classic. The producers took great care to maintain the unique character of the book so that the two hares and the world around them always go hand in hand with the original story. Euro Lizenzen has already announced many notable licensees, including Jansen Textil, Global Labels, p:os, Könitz, Dumont Kalenderverlag, Schmidt Spiele, and Küchle for cake mixes.

Major business event this autumn – LIMA Licensing Market in Munich This year, the annual Licensing Market, Germany’s Marketplace of Licenses, will once more take place at the glamorous hotel “Bayerischer Hof” in Munich. On 5 November 2013 LIMA Germany invites licensors and licensing agencies, manufacturers and retail partner, advertisers and promoters as well as everyone involved in licensing. And, of course, the association will again present the coveted LIMA Germany Awards as part of the annual LIMA Gala in the evening. You will find details on all categories, awards, and winners in due time at www.lizenzbranche.de / www.brand-licensing.com.

News in a brief:

New licensees for the Gruffalo and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Active Merchandising have been able to win the following licensees for The Very Hungry Caterpillar: AV Tour for wall stickers (under the Beiwanda label), and Smitty Fashion for terry cloth items. Herding (bed linen), Püttmann (apparel), and Mantiburi (decorative items) signed for the Gruffalo.

The Licensing Company Germany (TLC Germany in short) bring a true longterm classic back to the theatres. The Smurfs 2 enters the silver screen in August – of course, in 3D!

The Walt Disney Company Germany is happy to present a new princess. Frozen is scheduled for theatrical release in November. Disney dedicates the year 2013 to their princesses. Every month children are invited to vote for their “Princess of the Months” on Disney.de. Doing so, they have the chance to win fabulous prizes.

ZDF Enterprises has launched another life action-animation series for preschool children: Löwenzähnchen (Little Dandelion). The new show provides answers for all those who always wanted to know what Keks, the dog of Fritz Fuchs, is doing, when his master is away. Children learn interesting facts about local pets and animals. Each episode Keks strikes up a friendship with a new pet or animal.