Appy News - Bulldog Signs Talking Tom and Friends Deal BRANDORA Editorial Staff - May 2014

 
US arm of Bulldog Licensing set to represent hit digital property

Bulldog Licensing Inc has signed a new agreement for the United States and Canada to represent Talking Tom and Friends – the entertainment phenomenon that has infiltrated popular culture with hundreds of millions of fans engaging with the brand across the world.

Talking Tom and Friends is the work of global entertainment company Outfit7 and is a massive presence in the digital space, having recorded over 1.7 billion downloads since its launch on the second screen in 2010 and boasts over 230 million monthly active users. The property features six characters – Talking Tom, Talking Angela, Talking Ginger, Talking Ben, Talking Pierre and Talking Gina – who star in a total of fourteen apps. However, apps are just the start – music videos featuring the characters have been a huge hit on YouTube, as have a series of web shorts produced in conjunction with Disney Interactive, underlining the brand’s incredible licensing potential. On top of the brand’s sizable reach through existing channels, the Licensor recently confirmed development on an all-new 3D animated television series, scheduled for release in 2015.

The property has already extended into toys and games, stationery, apparel and accessories to name a few, and Bulldog will be looking to build on the huge level of brand awareness by introducing Talking Tom and Friends into a wide range of sectors in the US and Canada.

“Talking Tom and Friends is an absolute phenomenon so we are very excited to be representing the brand,” says Bulldog Licensing Inc MD, Laurie Windrow. “We are looking forward to utilizing our expertize to further developing the property’s licensing success.”

“As our licensing business becomes an ever more integral aspect of the future growth of the company, we are engaging with experts to manage the licensing rights for our flagship brand,” adds Alessandro Traverso, COO of Outfit7. “Bulldog Licensing shares our vision for Talking Tom and Friends and is perfectly placed to expand our licensing business in the US and Canada.”

The Bulldog Licensing team will be debuting Talking Tom and Friends, alongside all brands represented by the US division, at the forthcoming Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas on booth V181.