Horrible Histories™ at Retail
May 2006
HORRIBLE HISTORIES DEBUTS AT RETAIL
Officially launched by Copyrights at Brand Licensing last year, the Horrible Histories licensing programme will see its first branded products make their debut to the consumer this month.
Portico will launch a range of gift stationery in WH Smith, which will be available in over 190 of the top-performing stores by June. The range will feature twelve themed items including a ‘Ruthless Romans’ notebook, ‘There’s no place like Rome’ fridge magnet/notepad, sticker-collecting book, ‘Nasty Nobles’ notebook, bookmarks and book labels, make-your-own door hangers and a ‘Terrible Tudors’ activity set including a hangman game.
Later on this month, top mediaeval attraction, Warwick Castle, will launch its Horrible Histories inspired gate-map, which will take fans of Terry Deary’s bestselling wicked, weird and woeful books on a ‘horrible’ trail around the Castle, learning all about the measly Middle Ages. The specially produced kids’ guide has been designed in easy-to-use mini-map written by Terry Deary himself.
Planned for launch early next year, Galt are developing a range of jigsaw puzzles aimed at 8-12 year olds. The four themes selected for the initial phase will be Ruthless Romans, Terrible Tudors, Awful Egyptians and the Measly Middle Ages.
Nicholas Durbridge, CEO of The Copyrights Group said: “The Horrible Histories licence generates enthusiasm and a fantastic creative response from licensees. Both Portico and Warwick Castle have created designs that showcase the tongue-in-cheek humour of the brand, which appeals to both children and parents alike.”
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About Horrible Histories
When the very first Horrible Histories titles were published back in 1993, it became clear that history books for children would never be the same again. The appeal of all things wicked, weird and woeful proved to be huge and the series has gone on to become a worldwide bestseller, translated into 31 different languages.
With over 6 million copies of the books sold in the UK alone, Terry Deary’s irreverent humour and Martin Brown’s cartoon wit are prominent features on children’s bookshelves across the land. Horrible Histories are published by Scholastic Ltd, the UK division of the world’s largest publisher of children’s books.
About The Copyrights Group
The Copyrights Group Ltd was established in 1984 and has its headquarters in the UK with offices in Japan and Australia, and works with independent sales agents in the US and Continental Europe. The Copyrights Group is one of the world’s leading independent licensing companies with a portfolio of classic characters, fine art and lifestyle brands including Peter Rabbit, Paddington Bear, The Snowman, Fungus the Bogeyman, Jacqueline Wilson, Flower Fairies, The Sir Winston Churchill Collection, Marie Claire, MoDA, and Beatrix Potter English Gardens.
Press Enquiries:
For further information, visuals or to set up interviews please contact
Hannah Aspey at Energy PR.
Tel: +44 (0)1993 823011
Email: hannah@energypr.co.uk
The Copyrights Group:
Keith Pashley, Marketing Manager
Email: keithpashley@copyrights.co.uk
Kathleen Caper, Marketing Executive
Email: kathleencaper@copyrights.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1295 672 050
Fax: +44 (0)1295 672 06
Scholastic UK Ltd:
Alyx Price, Group PR Director
Email: alyxprice@scholastic.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 207 756 7777
Fax: +44 (0) 207 756 7795