NEWS
TOTAL LICENSING
Rubik’s Revolution is AWARD-WinninG PRoDuCt
The Sharpe Company has announced that Rubik’s Revolution, the new electronic game from Techno Source has received
The National Parenting Center’s 2007 Seal of Approval. Earlier this year, it was voted Game of the Year at the 2007 Mel-
bourne Toy Fair by the Australian Toy Association.
Through a licensing agreement with Seven Towns Ltd., international developers, agents and licensors for many of the US’s
favorite toys and games, and the manager of the rights to the Rubik’s brand, Techno Source has exclusive worldwide
rights to develop and distribute electronic handheld and tabletop games under the Rubik’s brand name. The agree-
ment was brokered by Seven Towns’ Licensing Agency in North America, The Sharpe Company, Inc.
The Rubik’s Revolution which is the first electronic era follow-up to the number one selling Rubik’s Cube, chal-
lenges both the mind and a player’s dexterity. Available in stores this Summer, the interactive, dynamic cube
features light, sound and voice effects. Designed to complement the original 3x3 cube, it provides a new take on
cubing by offering both individual and multi-player gaming.
“Since its introduction at the American International Toy Fair in New York City earlier this year,
the Rubik’s Revolution has created quite a stir in the industry. The National Parenting Center
Seal affirms that the product appeals to the people that matter most – parents and chil-
dren,” said Eric Levin, EVP of Techno Source.
“Categories still available for licensing include Interactive games, home décor and lifestyle
products as well as a wide variety of consumer electronics,” says Charlie Day, president of
the Sharpe Company. “In addition, Rubik’s Cube offers a multitude of consumer promotional opportunities across all age
groups.”
CoPYRiGHts GRouP sets neW inDustRY stAnDARD
The Copyrights Group has announced that it has joined advising clients on the risks and opportunities associated
Sedex - the Suppliers Ethical Data Exchange – a system with corporate responsibility and sustainable develop-
that enables companies to maintain and share data on ment, and Frederick Warne & Co, all parties involved with
labour practices in the supply chain. The announcement, this initiative need to understand the need for proof and
the first of its kind in the licensing industry, was made at a transparency and Sedex is a first major step for us and
forum in March, which focused on Copyrights’ Corporate the licensing industry in this direction.”
Social Responsibility programme and brand extension, Using the latest technology, Sedex is a secure, web-based
Peter Rabbit Naturally Better. system for companies to input data on labour standards
When Copyrights launched the Peter Rabbit at their production sites. The Sedex system has been de-
Naturally Better brand extension last year, signed to allow companies who are in an existing trad-
Goulds (a licensee of Copyrights’ World ing relationship to share this information, saving time
of Beatrix Potter licensing program for and money lost in duplicated information. As a result,
many years) immediately saw the posi- companies are better able to drive and demonstrate im-
tive impact it could make to their busi- provements. As a member, Copyrights joins major brands
ness and set about developing products and retailers such as Geest, Marks & Spencer, Northern
that would fit with the environmental Foods, RHM, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Uniq and Waitrose.
promises and activity of key grocery des- The Peter Rabbit Naturally Better forum was jointly or-
tinations such as Sainsbury’s. ganised by The Copyrights Group and Frederick Warne
Working with Copyrights and environmental & Co to discuss the CSR programme with licensees and
consultants, Sustain, Goulds sourced new materi- introduce them to other key partners in its development
als for both the product and packaging that would allow such as Sustainability and Sedex. Over 20 licensees at-
them to relaunch the product under the Naturally Better tended the event, which was a mix of keynote speaker
banner. The result is a branded kitchen towel that is made presentations, case studies from Goulds, PR Organics
from recycled tissue using water-soluble inks. The core (formerly Buxton Foods) and The World of Beatrix Pot-
board tube is also sourced from recycled material and the ter Attraction, and a series of highly interactive group
product is packaged in bio-degradable film wrap. At the workshops.
same time, Goulds also developed and re-launched their For the Peter Rabbit Naturally Better brand, PR Organics
Beatrix Potter character tissues that are made with For- are re-formatting all their UK packaging, beginning with
est Stewardship Council (FSC) tissue, printed with water- the Ketchup, which will appear on shelves from June. The
soluble inks and packaged in a FSC box. Ketchup is will display the Naturally Better logo. The
Gill Thomas, Brands Director for the Copyrights Group new packaging design was created by designers in San
commented: “Joining SEDEX is a must when developing a Francisco and will bring a fresh look to the Peter Rabbit
CSR programme like Peter Rabbit Naturally Better. Hav- organic food range. The new look packaging will co-or-
ing laid the foundations for the programme in consulta- dinate with the packaging for the new US range, due for
tion with Sustainability, one of the leading consultancies launch later this year.
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