Plush sales spearhead growth across all categories
Halifax, NS – 22 May 2017 – DHX Brands, the dedicated brand management and consumer products arm of DHX Media (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B; NASDAQ: DHXM), announces strong sales for Teletubbies toys in the UK. The product range launched in January 2016 via master toy licensee Character Options.
In the year to date, results show impressive growth across all categories with overall sales up 36% in value and up 23% in units from the same period last year. The success of the plush lines continues to drive this growth, featuring as four of the top five selling lines across the toy range.
Retail distribution and support for the range has been very strong across all key accounts, grocers, high street and specialist retailers, leading the way for the wider licensing programme.
DHX Brands and licensing agent CPLG are now finalising their own brand marketing plans to support across multiple categories with key grocery and specialist retailers for Autumn/Winter 2017.
Already this year Character Options has introduced Teletubbies Weebles to their product offering with further launches planned for the second half of the year including the adorable 20th anniversary Party Plush characters and Tiddlytubbies toys.
Tom Roe, Commercial Director, said: “Character Options has done a wonderful job with Teletubbies, with fantastic product coupled with strong marketing and promotional support. Alongside the toy range, our focus is to continue to further build the overall licensing programme at retail strengthening the Teletubbies brand in our drive to position it as a full evergreen preschool property.”
Jerry Healy, Group Marketing Director for Character, added: “The Teletubbies range has been very well received by both retailers and consumers alike. We’re delighted with the performance of the brand in its first year and the first quarter of 2017 was very positive; the launch of the exciting new Tiddlytubbies toys in July will deliver incremental sales and drive the brand further.”
For more information, please contact:
Trade Media: Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR
aimee@ddablueprint.com
+44 (0) 20 8985 4708
About DHX Brands
DHX Brands is the dedicated brand management and consumer products arm of DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B; NASDAQ: DHXM), the world’s leading independent, pure-play children’s content company. DHX Brands specializes in creating, building and maintaining high-profile global entertainment brands within the children’s and young adult markets. With expertise in brand development, licensing, marketing and creative, we build and manage brands that captivate and inspire through engaging content, first-class distribution, quality consumer products, immersive live experiences and digital media. DHX Brands’ world-class portfolio includes Teletubbies, Twirlywoos, In the Night Garden, Caillou and Slugterra. DHX Brands has offices in London, Toronto and Los Angeles.
About Character Options
The Character Group plc was founded in 1991 is an AIM listed company. The Group is engaged in the design, development and international distribution of toys and games. In 2003, the Character Group made a strategic decision to develop its own products to market alongside those sourced from our third party distributor partners. Today over 75% of all products marketed by the group are developed in-house. A major benefit of this strategy was the opening of international markets for our product, which is now sold in over 30 countries worldwide. The Group now has offices in London, Manchester, Hong Kong and China, and employs over 230 people.