Licensed characters will be making a splash at PG Live – in their ‘minions’.
In the run up to the much anticipated movie release Despicable Me 3, Danilo (Stand 513) will not only be unveiling a whole host of new Despicable Me 3 greeting cards, gift wrap and gift bags this year at PG Live (next Tuesday 6 June and Wednesday 7 June), but will also have some ‘stars’ of the show there too. Retailers will have the chance to meet a duo of Minion characters who will be on the stand at intervals throughout the first day of the show, to add some extra fun and mischief to launch.
The new designs incorporate key elements and characters from the upcoming movie, which launches on the 30 June 2017. Martin Carter Danilo’s creative director says: “There is a strong 80s’ graphic feel to the range, in line with current trends and following the theme of the new movie.”
In addition, Danilo will be showcasing its new Crafty Minions greeting card range, featuring the familiar characters on a matt craft stock tinted with florescent inks and inspirational quotes.
PG Live will also be a great time to wish Danilo’s popular sales director Chris James well as he steps back from the business at the end of June, passing the baton to Brett Smith, who has joined the company as commercial director, bringing with him many years of experience in the trade, including with Pioneer and Clintons.
In addition to Danilo, PG Live will be showcasing a wide spread of popular licensed characters from other exhibitors. Smiley World (Stand 531) and Sanrio, home of Mr. Men Little Miss and Hello Kitty (Stand 336) will both be there in their own right, championing their brands and supporting licensees. Mr Men and Little Miss cards will be on show from Hype Associates (Stand 120), Ohh Deer (Stand 413) and Carte Blanche (Stand 122).
UKG will be showing a selection from its latest Disney, Marvel and Star Wars collections (Stand 240) while Hallmark (Stand 416) is offering a competition whereby retailers will have the chance to win all stock on the stand, including a whole host of its highly collectable licensed Itty Bitty plush.
Gemma International (Stand 400) will be unveiling its new PJ Masks range as the centrepiece of its stand, but it will also be showcasing its Care Bears collection, giving away some cute Care Bears plush. Also on the stand will be an extensive range of emoji product which marketing executive Louise Ellison says is already a bestseller. “It is a really versatile brand, it spans gender and age ranges, there is something for everyone. We’ve enjoyed excellent rates of sale with our launch range, we are now working on some refreshed designs to bring to market.”
Other brands on the Gemma stand will include Num Noms, Animal Jam, Pokemon, Peppa Pig and Thomas and Friends.
Meanwhile, on the non-card front, Pioneer (Stand 236) will be adding to the party with balloons and tableware collections including Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm licences while Mask-arade (Stand 436) continues to ‘change the face of parties’ with its cavalcade of over 400 masks, including many of the hot licences.
