Greetings brands make shortlist for 27 April’s glittering ceremony hosted by Ed Gamble
Cardology’s Battersea Pop-Up Cards are among the finalists in the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2022 (B&LLAs), with other greeting card names also making the contenders’ list.
“We’re absolutely stoked by the further recognition for this bestselling range,” says delighted Cardology director David Falkner as the collection was placed among the top 10 in the Best Brand Licensed Gifting Product or Range category.
As David adds: “For us, it represents further validation that, even when economic headwinds loom, the market for premium card offerings remains strong, particularly when such products are aligned to brands consumers love. Equally, great products don’t occur in a vacuum, and the range has only been possible because of the fantastic support we’ve received from both Battersea and licensing agents Thepoint.1888.”
Those with affiliations to the greeting card scene took a further three spots in the same category with IG Designs’ National Gallery Delicious Art Range for Boots, Toasted Crumpet’s National Trust Explore & Treasure range and Portico Designs’ Sara Miller Orchard Gift Collection also making the grade.
Sara Miller – known for her card and wrap collections for The Art File and Portfolio, as well as having started out as a designer for Woodmansterne – features in three other categories too, while artist, illustrator and publisher Meg Hawkins appears in one category, with both also being finalists in the Best Licensed Fashion Or Talent Brand category.
Meg told PG Buzz: “Absolutely delighted to be finalist in two categories, we’ve had such an amazing start to the year with the launch of the new Widdop And Co licensed range. Among other launches of our own and new partnerships, it shows our love and determination for our brand. This recognition is everything and more as it showcases what we have achieved so far as a SME. Since we started this adventure the B&LLAs have been a really big goal for us – to be even nominated is awesome, so there was a definite happy dance that day with our little team.”
Meanwhile Carousel Calendars’ Marine Conservation Society Sea Change 2022 Calendar is among the Sustainability Brand Licensed Product Or Range finalists and the company’s product, licensing and export lead Martin Rees-Davies shared their delight in reaching the finals: “It has been such a team effort to develop our Plastic Free Packaged (PFP) product. It has been three years in the making, involving design, sales, production and printers to arrive at something we are really happy with for all sectors of the market and quite a challenge.
“We are also delighted to have been able to share our work with other calendar publishers in order to reduce plastic on all calendars sold and for the calendar industry to be as environmentally friendly as it can. This nomination really helps to endorse that work and our drive for a greener planet.”
Popular stand-up comedian and Great British Menu judge Ed Gamble will be wielding the microphone on Wednesday, 27 April, as the winners are crowned in a glittering afternoon ceremony at The Hilton Park Lane, London.
The B&LLAs attracted a strong number of entries, from companies large and small, which were judged by a panel of retail buyers from across the spectrum, including Moonpig, Liberty London, Waterstones, John Lewis, Tesco, Selfridges, TJ Morris, The Entertainer, The Very Group, Asda, TruffleShuffle, Character.com, Matalan, BM Stores, and Morrisons.
“Our judges were certainly faced with a tricky task when it came to choosing this year’s finalists. The quality of entries was superb and we have ended up with an absolutely stellar shortlist,” said Ian Hyder, ceo of Max Publishing, which owns and organises the B&LLAs. “The brand and lifestyle licensing industry is going from strength to strength and we cannot wait to celebrate with everyone on 27 April.”
For tables and tickets for the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2022, please contact Clare at Createvents on clare@createvents.co.uk or call 0118 334 0085, or you can reserve and pay online at the Max Publishing Digital Box Office.
The full list of B&LLAS 2022 finalists is:
PRODUCT AWARD CATEGORIES
Best Brand Licensed Fashion Accessories or Lifestyle Product or Range
- Coca-Cola Gel-Quantum 90 Footwear from Asics
- Farah Smart Watch from Peers Hardy
- Jelly Belly Sneakers from Reebok
- Joules Luggage from Pelham Group
- Joules Optical Eyewear from Mondottica
- Osprey London Footwear from 33 Joints
- Penn Footwear from Vans
- Royal Air Force Red Arrows Chronomat Watch from Breitling
- V&A Alice In Wonderland Bag Collection from Olympia Le-Tan
Best Brand Licensed Food or Beverage Product Or Range
- Del Monte Frozen Fruit Range from Iceland
- English Heritage Potato Crisps from Made for Drink
- Gordon Ramsay Italian Collection from Benchmark Drinks
- Guinness & Smoky Steak Slice from Ginsters
- Harry Ramsden’s Frozen Range from Iceland
- Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Crème Frozen Desserts and Cup Cakes from Iceland
- Hotel Chocolat x MyProtein Layered Bars from The Hut Group
- Slush Puppie Confectionery & Freezables Range from Rose Marketing
- TfL The Spirit Of The Underground Single Malt Whisky Collection from Bimber Distillery
- TGI Fridays Frozen Appetizers and Desserts from Iceland
Best Brand Licensed Health & Beauty Product Or Range
- Alice Scott Health and Beauty Gift Range for Tesco from H&A
- Amy Winehouse Frankly Amy Beauty Box from Illamasqua
- Chupa Chups Personal Care Range for Boots from Corsair
- Hawaiian Tropic Pearlescent Fragrance Mists from Designer Parfums
- Kellogg’s Lip Balms from CrackerJack
- RHS Home Grown Range from Heathcote & Ivory
- Sara Miller Underwater Spa Collection from Heathcote & Ivory
- Superdry Gifting Collections for Superdrug from SLG Brands
- Van Gogh Museum Sunflower Pop from Floral Street Fragrances
Best Brand Licensed Adult Apparel Product Or Range
- Amnesia Ibiza for ASOS from Poetic Brands
- Charlotte Posner Collection from Never Fully Dressed
- Haribo Collection from Puma
- Morris & Co. Apparel Collection from Next
- Natural History Museum The Epic Dinosaur Collection from Desmond & Dempsey
- Playboy x Tezenis Collection from Calzedonia
- RHS Collection from Oasis
- Scion Living Apparel and Nightwear from Next
- Smiley SS21 Collection from Ellesse
Best Brand Licensed Gifting Product Or Range
- Battersea Pop Up Cards from Cardology
- Bouffants and Broken Hearts by Kendra Dandy Gifting Collection for Boots from SLG Brands
- Frida Kahlo Homeware Accessories from Sass & Belle
- Heinz Gift Range from Kimm & Miller
- Hershey’s Gift Range from Kimm & Miller
- Joules Crafting Range from A2V
- National Gallery Delicious Art Range for Boots from IG Designs
- National Trust Explore & Treasure from Toasted Crumpet
- Sara Miller Orchard Gift Collection from Portico Designs
- Sophie La Girafe Crochet Baby Collection Kits from Stitch & Story
Best Brand Licensed Homewares, Kitchen & Tabletop Product Or Range
- Eleanor Bowmer Collection from Captivate Brands
- Emma Bridgewater Rainbow Toast Collection from Elite
- Joules Country Cottage Collection from Pure Tabletop
- House Beautiful Islington and Camberwell Kitchens from Homebase
- House Beautiful Tableware Collection from Homebase
- Laura Ashley Collection from Blueprint Collectables
- Meg Hawkins Tableware from Widdop And Co
- Morris & Co. Tea Collection from Spode
- Sara Miller Orchard Collection from Elite
- V&A Reflect Series from Richard Brendon
Best Brand Licensed Children’s Product Or Range
- Barbie Kidswear Collection from River Island
- Laura Ashley Childrenswear Range from Next
- National Geographic Stem Kits from Bandai
- Natural History Museum Childrenswear Collection for John Lewis from Bro Global Group
- Natural History Museum Dinosaur Childrenswear Collection from Marks and Spencer
- Nerf Collection for Tesco from Blues Clothing
- RHS Collection from George@Asda
- Team GB Scooters and Helmets from Microscooter
- TfL London Underground Electric Train Set from The London Toy Company
Best Brand Licensed Electrical And/Or DIY Products Or Range
- Braun Pulse Oximeter from Helen of Troy
- Coca-Cola The Unity Collection from Casetify
- Goodyear Dash Cam from Avron
- Goodyear Digital Compressor from ABC Parts
- National Trust Lighting Collection from Anglepoise
- Royal Observatory Greenwich Firstscope 76 from Celestron
- Tetris Tetrimino Waffle Maker from Fizz Creations
Best Brand Licensed Home Décor Product Or Range
- Good Housekeeping Sofa Collection from DFS Trading
- Joules SS 21 Collection from Bedeck
- LEGO Wooden Collection from Nordic Houseware Group
- Mrs Hinch Homewares from Tesco
- National Trust Tile Collection from Sarsen Stone Group
- RHS Decoupage Papers Collection from Annie Sloan Interiors
- Sara Miller 2021 Collection from Ashley Wilde Group
- Scion Living Collection from Next
- V&A Brompton Collection from Sofas And Stuff
Inspired Innovation Brand Licensed Product Or Range
- Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Dog Ice Cream from Jude’s Ice Cream
- Bob Marley x AFC Ajax from Adidas
- Country Living Outdoor Buildings from Homebase
- Eve Sleep CBD Oil from Sana Lifestyle by Sana Life Science
- Goodyear G9 E-scooter from Clickerland
- Joules Pet Sofas from DFS Trading
- National Trust Camping Collection by Vango from AMG Group
- Tetris Tetrimino Waffle Maker from Fizz Creations
- William Morris at Home Canine Companion Dog Walkers Kit from Heathcote & Ivory
Sustainability Brand Licensed Product Or Range
- Discovery Animal Planet Magazine from DC Thomson Media
- DuraOcean Furniture from LifestyleGarden
- Eden Project Canopy Collection from LSA
- Eden Project Nespresso Compatible Coffee Pods from Fresh Coffee Shop
- Grand Designs Sofas for DFS from DFS Trading
- Marine Conservation Society Sea Change 2022 Calendar from Carousel Calendars
- Natural History Museum The Epic Dinosaur Collection from Desmond & Dempsey
- Van Gogh Museum Sunflower Pop from Floral Street Fragrances
- WWF x F&F Kids and Baby Collection from Tesco
RETAIL AWARDS CATEGORIES
Best Fashion Retailer Of Licensed Brands
- ASOS
- FatFace
- H&M
- Missguided
- Primark
- Pull&Bear
- River Island
- Urban Outfitters
- Zara
Best Department Store Or Mixed Retailer Of Licensed Brands
- Argos
- B&M
- John Lewis
- M&S
- Next
- TK Maxx
- WHSmith
Best Supermarket Of Licensed Brands
- Asda
- Iceland
- Morrisons
- Ocado
- Sainsbury’s
- Tesco
- Waitrose
Best Specialist Retailer Of Licensed Brands
- Boots
- DFS
- Dunelm
- Homebase
- Lakeland
- Superdrug
- Waterstones
PROPERTY AWARD CATEGORIES
Best Licensed Heritage Or Institution Brand
Open to: All licensed heritage or institution brands, including museum, gallery, heritage, charity or visitor attraction brands) that have executed licensing activity (including in the UK) in the period 1 January, 2021, to 31 December, 2021.
- Eden Project
- Historic Royal Palaces
- Morris & Co
- The National Gallery
- Natural History Museum
- National Trust
- Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
- Van Gogh Museum
- Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
Best Licensed Lifestyle Brand
Open to: All licensed FMCG non-food brands, including those brands hailing from automotive/travel, home goods, electricals, DIY, media, toy and sports goods’ brands, that executed licensing activity (including in the UK) in the period 1 January, 2021, to 31 December, 2021.
- Country Living
- Discovery
- Goodyear
- House Beautiful
- NERF
- Playboy
- Team GB
- Transport for London (TfL)
- Xbox
Best Licensed Design-led Lifestyle Brand
Open to: All licensed brands from design-based properties that executed licensing activity (including in the UK) in the period 1 January, 2021, to 31 December, 2021.
- Alice Scott
- Bouffants & Broken Hearts by Kendra Dandy
- Emoji
- Harlequin
- Laura Ashley
- Me to You
- Scion
- Smiley
Best Licensed Food Or Beverage Brand
Open to: All licensed food, confectionery, beverage, restaurant or eating places brands that executed licensing activity (including in the UK) in the period 1 January, 2021, to 31 Decembe,r 2021.
- Barratt
- Chupa Chups
- Coca-Cola
- Guinness
- Hershey’s
- Jelly Belly
- Kellogg’s
- Slush Puppie
- TGI Fridays
Best Licensed Fashion Or Talent Brand
Open to: All licensed fashion or talent brands, including celebrities and name brands from the world of sport, music, cookery, art/design or icons, that executed licensing activity (including in the UK) in the period 1 January, 2021, to 31 December, 2021.
- Amy Winehouse
- Emma Bridgewater
- Frida Kahlo
- Joules
- Meg Hawkins
- Mrs Hinch
- Nadiya Hussain
- Sara Miller London
Top: Gambling on fun – comedian Ed Gamble hosts the B&LLAs on 27 April
