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• 2019 competition sponsored by Wynne-Jones
• BLE slated for 6-8 October 2020, ExCeL London

The winners of this year’s License This! competition – Carrot & Toast and My Little Opera – were announced at Brand Licensing Europe this afternoon following an hour of pitching and presentations from seven finalists.

Thebrainchild of Drew Bristow who was also a License This! finalist in 2018, Carrot & Toast aretwo best friends: an odd combination who adhere to the chaos/order theory.Carrot is grounded and sensible. Toast is a little haphazard, clumsy and silly.They both feature in a series of mini comics aimed at younger readers and theirfirst adventure ‘Carrot & Toast Are Coming Home’ sees them get into troubleon holiday when Toast loses his passport.

LicenseThis! judge Will Stewart commented: “It really wasn’t an easy decision thisyear, we had quite the battle choosing just two winners. My Little Opera isvisually very beautiful, but what I loved about Carrot & Toast is that Drewhad taken on board everything we said to him in last year’s final and returnedwith characters who have a distinctive identity. I also loved that he sharedthe back story of how his two characters came about – few creatives will sharethat level of vulnerability but I think it’s a a really important thing to do.”

Chair Kelvyn Gardner added: “With over 50 entrants, it’s an achievement in its own right just to make the final.”

My Little Opera isinspired by the world’s greatest operas and ballets and has a fresh visualillustrated narrative.

“Wellknown characters that were part of the contemporary culture a century ago havenow been side-lined, unlike many from classic literature and myths,” said itscreator Rosie Brooks. “I am bringing these characters to a modern audiencethrough this new fun and humorous illustrated brand. The target demographicextends way beyond the ‘opera lovers’: it is a springboard for the creation anew world of characters with limitless global possibilities.”

Thisyear’s License This! winners will receive a free exhibition stand at BLE 2020,one year’s Licensing International membership and PR support. Finalists willalso receive legal consultation from competition sponsor Wynne-Jones. Previousentrants – both winners and finalists – have also signed lucrative agent andlicensing deals off the back of the competition. Last year’s winners – ZaraPicken and Sara Burman Designs – both exhibited at BLE 2019 in the Art, Design& Image zone.

Thefinalists were:

• Adorabubbles
• Carrot & Toast
• Slime Fury (Argentina)
• MINU’ Tiny Little Wonders (Italy)  
• My Little Opera
• Noodoll
• Owlasanas

Thisyear’s judges are:

• Kelvyn Gardner, managing director, Licensing International (chair)
• Sarah Ward, CEO, Giftware Association
• Victor Caddy, partner, Wynne-Jones

Character & Entertainment award                                                                                            

• Dan Grant, director of licensing, Danilo Promotions
• Nikki Samuels, licensing director, Sambro                                
• Clare Piggott, director, Larkshead Media
• Julia Redman, head of buying, M&Co

Brand & Design award                                                                                                             

• Stuart Cox, founder, I Like Birds
• Vicki Thomas, owner, Vicki Thomas Associates                                      
• Sarah Lawrence, owner, This is Iris                                
• Jehane Boden Spiers, founder, Jehane  
• Will Stewart, managing director, The Point 1888

BLE2019 takes place at ExCeL London from 1-3 October 2019. Register for free at www.brandlicensing.eu/register-now