Leading UK licensing agency founded by Charlie Donaldson and Rob Wijeratna has successfully generated hundreds of millions in retail sales for a diverse roster of brands spanning entertainment, preschool and lifestyle properties.
LONDON -- Rocket Licensing, one of the UK’s leading licensing agents, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2017. During its decade in business, the agent has successfully generated hundreds of millions in retail sales and licensed thousands of individual product SKUs.
“2017 is a milestone year for Rocket Licensing. We began in January 2007 with two laptops, two mobile phones and an enormous desire to create a new type of licensing agency,” explained Charlie Donaldson, Joint MD of Rocket Licensing. “We have grown the business year on year and it is now almost unrecognizable from when it first started. As we plan for the year ahead, we look forward to further developing our portfolio and building upon our relationships with both new and long-standing licensor, retail and manufacturing partners.”
Rocket was founded in 2007 by ex-Head of Licensing at ITV, Charlie Donaldson, and Rob Wijeratna, who previously held positions at BBC Worldwide, Harper Collins and Entertainment Rights. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Conn and Hall Iggulden (authors of The Dangerous Book for Boys) were Rocket’s first clients and since then, the agent has gone on to develop strong, tailored licensing program for a diverse roster of brands, spanning entertainment, preschool and lifestyle properties including; Breaking Bad, Mrs Brown’s Boys, Ghostbusters, The Grinch, Rocky, The Smurfs and The World of Eric Carle.
“We’re excited to be entering our second decade in such a strong position and with a fantastic line-up of brands,” commented Rob Wijeratna, Joint MD of Rocket Licensing. “Starting our own licensing agency allowed us to represent the brands we thought were unique, had real commercial potential and that we could focus on 100%. Our brand portfolio has always been varied, but the common thread underpinning them all is that every property we represent is one we can be truly passionate about.”
To mark their 10th anniversary, Rocket has developed a bespoke agency logo that will be used throughout their anniversary year and at Brand Licensing Europe 2017, the agent will host a celebration to thank their partners for their continued support and business over the last 10 years.
In this landmark year, Rocket will continue to strengthen its brand portfolio and long-standing relationships with licensors including Dr. Seuss Enterprises, The Smurfs (I.M.P.S), Sony Pictures, Sony Television and The World of Eric Carle. The agent manages Sony Pictures’ UK licensing programs for its recent major releases including Ghostbusters, Sausage Party and a number of highly-anticipated titles that will hit screens in 2017. Also during this special year, the classic Smurfs brand will receive a huge boost in March with the theatrical release of The Smurfs – The Lost Village.
Over the past 10 years, Rocket has played a pivotal role in building the perennial Christmas tale How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss into a seasonal hit with high-street fashion retailers, including Topshop, Primark and New Look. Other key achievements include launching a UK licensing program for Sony Picture’s new Ghostbusters movie in 2016 and taking the instantly recognizable graphics of A-Z Maps into premium retail through a partnership with British clothing brand Ben Sherman and design led stationer Paperchase.
Rocket has also been representing The World of Eric Carle for several years. Rocket, working together with the brand’s global licensing agent, The Joester Loria Group, has significantly expanded The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s UK retail footprint, grown the licensee base that now boasts over 30 partners and developed new brand marketing initiatives. New The Very Hungry Caterpillar merchandise will roll-out during 2017.
Source: Rocket Licensing
