As the clock counts down to the 2014 Licensing Awards, the finalists in the UK-based competition for product, retail and marketing communication categories have been announced. Leading the pack are licensees and retailers for the popular brands Peppa Pig and Wallace and Gromit, with Disney and Marvel getting honorable mention.
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony taking place on September 16 in London.
More than 1,400 retailers, licensees, licensors and industry suppliers are expected to attend the awards, organised by The Licensing Source Book Europe and supported by industry org LIMA.
This year saw close to 5,000 licensed products entered for awards consideration. The judging panel included just under 100 retail buyers, including those from Toys ‘R’ Us, Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Next and The Entertainer.
The finalists for the Property Awards categories are set to be announced before the end of July.
Product Awards
Best Licensed Toys or Games Range
Despicable Me Remote Control Inflatable (Bladez Toys)
Disney Princess My First Toddler Dolls (Jakks Pacific)
Doc McStuffins Role Play Range (Flair)
Fisher Price ‘Classics’ Range (Basic Fun)
The Gruffalo Wooden Toys (Bajo)
Peppa Pig Weebles (Character Options)
Best Licensed Dress-Up or Partyware Range
Despicable Me Dress-Up (Rubies)
Disney Frozen Dress-Up (Rubies)
Fisher Price Partyware (Amscan)
Marvel Dress-Up For George@Asda (Christys’)
Tetris Dress-up (Morphcostumes)
Wall’s Partyware (Talking Tables)
Best Licensed Preschool Apparel Range
Finding Nemo Swim Range (Matalan)
Guess How Much I Love You Collection for Tu@Sainsbury’s (Paul Dennicci)
Paddington Babywear (Baby Gap)
The Royal Ballet Collection for M&S (Watermelon)
Marvel Spiderman Preschool Range (Fabric Flavours)
Peppa Pig Tutu Pyjamas for George@Asda ( Cooneen By Design
Best Licensed Children or Adult Apparel Range
Beano Footwear Range (Dr Martens)
The Gruffalo Eyewear (Specsavers)
Lego The Movie Range (TV Mania)
Monster High Essentials for Tesco (Aykroyds/TDP/Roy Lowe)
Peanuts Ladies Wear for ASOS (Knitmania)
Where’s Wally? Flip Flops (Haivaianas)
Best Written, Listening or Learning Range
Fifa World Cup Stickers And Sticker Book (Panini)
Game Of Thrones ‘A Pop-Up Guide To Westeros’ (Inside Editions)
Great British Bake Off Books (Random House)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Arts & Crafts Range (Copywrite Designs Ltd)
Minecraft Book Range (Egmont)
Peppa Pig Electronic Learning range from KD UK (InspirationWorks)
Best Licensed Brand Range
Animal Planet Cycle Safety Equipment (Oxford Products)
Jamie Oliver Kitchenware (Merison Retail)
Lego Adult Watch Collection (Clic Time)
Pizza Express Range (Eddingtons)
Roald Dahl Bedroom Range (Ashley Wilde)
V&A, Garden Of Love Bedroom Range (Bedeck)
The Innovation Award
Downton Abbey Board Game (She Who Dares)
Iron Man Digital Morphsuit (Morph Costumes)
Mickey Mouse Augmented Reality Duvet Set (Character World)
Minnie Mouse Ears for ASOS (Icon)
Peppa Pig Vitamin Gummies (DTP Europe)
Star Wars Homewares (Bluwstuff)
Best Licensed Marketing Communication Campaign Award
Guinness World Records ‘Largest Shaving Lesson’ with Gillette (P&G) for Movember
Gromit Unleashed for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Giant Wiggle for Action For Children
Peppa Pig Splashathon for Tommy’s
Shaun the Sheep’s Pompom Parade Campaign for Wool
Wallace & Gromit’s Holidays at Home are Great for Visit England
Retailer Awards
Best Preschool Retailer of Licensed Products
Argos
Asda (including George@Asda)
The Entertainer
Sainsbury’s (including TU)
Smyths
Toys R Us (including Babies R Us)
Best Kids Retailer of Licensed Products
Argos
Asda (includes George@Asda)
Next
Primark
Smyths
Tesco