DC Thomson Consumer Products unveils key highlights at Spring Fair 2015

DC Thomson Consumer Products announces new products and partners in the gifting and homewares categories for The Beano and its stars Dennis the Menace and Gnasher as it gears up for this year’s Spring Fair (1st-5th February, NEC Birmingham).
Tim Collins, Head of Brands, DC Thomson says, “Spring Fair is an integral platform to showcase our partners’ ranges. We have clearly differentiated design themes for our kids and adult products, and as such we have developed a segmented approach for our Beano portfolio. Classic artwork is used on high quality products that cater for the adult gift market, whilst the more lively Dennis the Menace and Gnasher ranges target our younger audience who know and love the prankster duo from the leading CBBC TV series, digital apps and recent publishing titles. We are confident that our licensing partners and their key lines will triumph at the show.”
Leading the slate of DC Thomson licensees exhibiting the Dennis the Menace and Gnasher licensing programme at Spring Fair 2015 is Rubies that will present its latest Dennis the Menace dress-up for kids and adults at the show. The line offers children aged three to ten years a chance to dress as their favourite menace and includes a top, shorts and mask, in addition to an adult costume which also features a top, shorts and wig in a variety of sizes. Rubies will also welcome The Beano artist, Kev Sutherland to the stand on Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd February to meet visitors and illustrate signed caricatures.
Confectionery manufacturer and distributor, Rose Confectionery will unveil its innovative line of Dennis the Menace and Gnasher and The Beano treats which features the Pick Or Prank Desktop sweet dispenser, the Old Fashioned Sweet Shop tin complete with sweet jars, the Sweet Selection Tin plus exclusive comic, Winter Warmer Mugs which include quirky mug jerseys and the Pranks Halloween Coffin. Visitors to the stand will also have the chance to tuck in to the giant Pick or Prank sweet dispenser stand.
Meanwhile, party decorations and accessories manufacturer, Neviti will showcase its vibrant Dennis the Menace and Gnasher partyware line for kids including plates, cups, napkins, treat tubs, bowls, lunch boxes, party bags, balloons, bunting, invitations and name stickers, whilst Trademark Collections will be exhibiting its Dennis the Menace and Gnasher accessories range which features a novelty backpack, plain backpack, wallet and lunch bag. Blue Sky will present its innovative selection of Dennis the Menace and Gnasher stationery items such as notebooks, pencil cases, erasers, pencils and rulers which are all set to hit retail from Q4.
Representing the classic The Beano programme is The Lagoon Group that will launch its extensive line of fun retro The Beano games and practical joke products at this year’s show. Targeting loyal fans and kids, the practical joke range features a variety of gifting ideas ideal for pranksters such as Fake Cockroach, Gnasher Poop, Rattlesnack Eggs, Dirty Soap and Relighting Candles, in addition to a range of games including the Spud Gun, Catapult, Jacks, Marbles and Water Pistol. Products are all due to hit UK retail from February 2015.
British gifting manufacturer Castlemelamine will also showcase a selection of The Beano accessories including magnets, badges, tablemats, mouse mats, cushion trays, notepads and coasters. Castlemelamine has also been commended for its latest Classic Beano Set which features a badge set, magnet set and exercise book in the ‘Gift of the Year’ competition where the firm have been shortlisted into the branded/character category.
151 Products will present its range of The Beano Air Fresheners that will be available in a variety of grocers and independent retailers throughout the UK and Ireland. 151 have also recently signed to extend its line with DC Thomson Consumer Products and develop a range of Dennis the Menace and Gnasher toiletries to launch in the near future. Gibson Games will exhibit its popular line of puzzles which feature a Beano 1000pc puzzle with an exclusive Beano comic and the Dennis & Gnasher puzzle, whilst Signature Gifts will be at the show displaying its range of personalised gifting items such as The Beano calendars, books and mugs which are available through leading online retailers. Further licensees at the show include GB Eye for branded posters and Hype for a collection of greeting cards.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The Beano
The Beano is the quintessential British children’s comic, first published by DC Thomson in July 1938 and still printed weekly. It reaches hundreds of thousands* of children every week. The Beano is best known for its famed characters such as Dennis the Menace, Gnasher, The Bash Street Kids and Minnie the Minx. The spin-off animation series, Dennis and Gnasher is exported around the world and is one of the highest rated shows on CBBC.
*TGI Youth Spring 2014, The Beano readership, 528,000.
DC Thomson
DC Thomson & Co Ltd is a private company and one of the leading publishing houses in the UK. The company’s headquarters is in Dundee, Scotland, with a London base in Fleet Street. DC Thomson publishes newspapers, magazines, comics and books. The company also has interests in radio, printing, retailing and online services.