New Roy of the Rovers merchandise on its way?

A panel of Roy of the Rovers in action by David Sque, running onto a pass from Blackie Grey! Roy of the Rovers © Egmont UK

A panel of Roy of the Rovers in action by David Sque, running onto a pass from Blackie Grey! Roy of the Rovers © Egmont UK

Richard Pink, the Managing Director of Licensing Agent and Brand Licensing company Pink Key Consulting, now handling the licensing of numerous Egmont UK brands including their “Classic Comics”, has big plans for the publishing company’s best-known vintage brand – Roy of the Rovers.

Pink Key Consulting is running the exclusive licensing programme for national treasure Roy of The Rovers, who made his debut in Tiger in 1954 and had his own stand-alone comic launched in 1976 which ran for 853 issues, selling 400,000 copies an issue at its peak. The character is one of a handful of pre-1970 comic characters published by Fleetway Editions owned by Egmont, which include characters from Buster; most are owned by Time Inc UK, previously IPC.

Pink Key have published a number of samples of possible "Roy of the Rovers" licensed items, including these apparel ideas.

Pink Key have published a number of samples of possible “Roy of the Rovers” licensed items, including these apparel ideas.

With a massive archive of stunning vintage artwork available, Pink Key feels there are endless opportunities for merchandising and gifting for a core target of men of all ages who revere Roy and his footballing skills and they’re looking for licensees to bring this iconic brand to life.

“The target [demographic] is principally boys and men who remember and loved Roy’s story as they were growing up,” Richard Pink told LicensingBiz, “however we are also targeting women as the main purchaser of gifts for special occasions.

“We are having initial discussions with a number of licensees in the apparel and accessories, sports equipment and gifting areas – but the main launch of the programme is going to be at Brand Licensing Europe this year.

“We are looking for licensees who understand how to develop a vintage brand, and will take the time to create designs that creatively represent the heritage behind the brand, but are also able to give it a contemporary angle to make sure it stays relevant,” he adds. “Ideally, we are looking for partners who love Roy as much as we do.”

Pink Key Consulting became the exclusive licensing agent for numerous classic Egmont brands  back in April, including Action, Battle, Buster, Cor!!, Crisis, Funtime, Sally, Sandie, Scorcher, Scream!, Seesaw, Shiver’n’Shake, Tammy, Tornado, Whizzer and Chips, Whoopee, and Wow!

The company is licensing an extensive archive of classic material including storylines, comic strips and front cover artwork, both in colour and black and white, but is initially targeting the apparel, gifting and sportswear and equipment categories.

• Read the interview with Richard Pink about Roy of the Rovers here on LicensingBiz

• Pink Key Consulting are at www.pinkkey.co.uk | Follow Pink Key on Twitter @pinkkeyconsult

• Now in its 17th successful year, Brand Licensing Europe is the definitive event for the European licensing industry, BLE 2015 will take place on the 13th – 15th October 2015, at Olympia, London. Web: www.brandlicensing.eu/brand-licensing-europe

 



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