MUMBAI: Banijay Brands has announced a range of new licensing agreements Mr Bean, MasterChef and Simon’s Cat in Asia, ahead of the region’s week at the festival of licensing.
This year British comedy star Mr Bean celebrates 30 years of continual distribution and to mark the occasion, Banijay Brands has partnered with Bzmedia to open licensed bubble tea stores in China, where up 22 stores have launched across various cities and further expansion is expected. The company is joining forces with Hong Kong-based manufacturer and distributor, Toyeast, and partnering with BMW to produce a die cast model of Mr Bean’s classic Mini and plush products based on the iconic character have been renewed with Kin Hsing in Taiwan. Mr Bean is represented by four agencies, Asiana, Black White Orange, MediaLink and Empire in Asia.
For global culinary hit MasterChef, a new cookware, tableware and kitchenware range will be available in Indonesia on online retail store for household products, dusdusan.com in 2021, in a deal with Indonesian company PT Homeco. This news follows the recent launch of MasterChef hand blenders in South Korea with SJ Trend.
Other existing business in this key region includes continued growth for animated hit Simon’s Cat through three agencies CLICK!, Block 12 and Enpop. South Korean agency Enpop are growing awareness for the brand through a partnership with Samsung for licensed digital accessories such as wallpaper designs for Samsung handset users worldwide.
This follows recent deals in south Korea including Simon’s Cat plush toys with Nooritoys and mobile phone case accessories with OGA Prince, as well as an apparel deal in China with Quanshang. The mischievous cat will feature across various locations of 9 Lives Cat Clinic in Hong Kong in a partnership across three years.
Banijay Brands brand licensing GD Jane Smith said, “These extensions for Mr Bean, MasterChef and Simon’s Cat are great examples of how we can offer fans a variety of ways to enjoy their favourite brands beyond the screen. This region continues to be a significant market for our growth and it’s brilliant to announce these deals at the festival of licensing’s Asia week.”
The Banijay Brands portfolio includes MasterChef, Temptation Island, Peaky Blinders, Survivor, Deal or No Deal, The Inbetweeners, Big Brother, Mister Maker, Operation Triunfo, Eat Well for Less, Simon’s Cat, Mr Bean, Don’t, Sunday Brunch, Tipping Point, The Biggest Loser, Ready Steady Cook, Black Mirror, Miss France, Maddie’s Do You Know?, Wipeout and Crystal Maze.
