JELC appointed to build on success of design brand I Like Birds

BRANDORA Editorial Staff - October 2016

Commercial potential of BLE competition finalist attracts respected global licensing group

Following another successful appearance at Brand Licensing Europe for her company, Jane Evans, founder and MD of global licensing group JELC, is delighted to announce JELC’s appointment as exclusive licensing agent worldwide for the innovative and stylish design brand I Like Birds.

Having already made an impact on the greeting cards and paperware market, artists and company co-founders Stuart Cox and Alison Blair, decided to bring their ideas to a wider audience — which is how a small company based in Moray in Scotland became a finalist in License This! — the annual BLE competition which offers new creative concepts the chance to break into the global licensing industry.

Jane Evans, who was on the License This! judging panel, was immediately struck by the commercial potential of the design work submitted by Stuart and Alison, which takes the simple concept of bird-themed greeting cards and gifts and distils it into something unique and beautiful. In fact she liked it so much so that she offered to put her branding and licensing expertise behind the pair’s work.

Even before License This! the brand had enjoyed some success in a number of categories. I Like Birds is an established member of the Greeting Card Association and The Giftware Association with excellent sales of a range of greeting cards through Paperchase and independent retailers. JELC will work closely with Stuart and Alison to roll out their artwork across many more categories, both in the UK and internationally.

The exceptional quality of the pair’s design work has already been admired by many respected figures in a number of the industries they serve. Sarah Ward, Chief Executive of The Giftware Association, has said: ”It is exciting to hear that I Like Birds is expanding into licensing. I would urge our gift companies to take a look at their portfolio and take the time to meet with them as I truly believe a great business partnership could be formed.”

Jane Evans adds: “Stuart and Alison have already made vast strides with very modest resources. We believe I Like Birds has the originality, quality and commercial potential make it to a whole new level and we very much want to be part of that process.”

Stuart Cox adds: “Thanks to License This! and Jane Evans we have the chance to bring something we love doing to a wider audience than we dreamed possible. We’re amazed and delighted to have gained the support and guidance of a respected name like JELC.”