The winners of the 2022 Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition were announced at Brand Licensing Europe today after eight finalists battled it out in three pitches. 

The winners are:  

• Brand & Design Category: The Spookysaurus 

• Character & Animation: Frobelles 

• Product Design: Penny Kyriacou 

The Spookysaurus started as a character in a children’s picture book and is soon to be expanded into the children’s fantasy book, “The Spookysaurus and the Boy with No Fear.”   

“How does it feel to win?” says Crispin Lowrey, creator, The Spookysaurus. “It's spooktacular. I don't know where it's going to take me or what's going to happen, but I'm not going to waste this. After coming to BLE for the last 20 years and seeing the likes of Keith Chapman with Roary the Racing Car, I always thought, ‘it would be nice to be there one day’, so it's amazing.  

“You know, The Spookysaurus was this silly idea I came up with in the middle of the Natural History Museum with my nephew that then spiraled out of control. There have been moments of extreme doubt, but also moments of elation when I sold my first book and when I saw a child reading that book, so to be on the License This! stage and to have the opportunity to grow it as a brand, is amazing. Totally nuts.”  

Related:2022 Kelvyn Gardner License This! Competition: Meet the Finalists

Frobelles is a character and digital toy brand based on sisters Coco, Kelli and Krista. The Frobelles proudly rock their Afro hair and inspire girls to love their natural tresses. Through a gaming app, digital content, a fan club and activity magazine, the brand provides much-needed positive representation for girls with Afro hair, it encourages self-confidence and fosters sisterhood.   

“I’m so excited and so pleased to be able to share this with my daughter – who wanted to be here today and couldn’t,” says Yvonne Ottley, creator, Frobelles. “You know, I was very nervous, but I think when you're passionate about your brand, it shows through, and I was up against some tough competition, too. Winning this will give me so many fresh opportunities – and just having the expertise of the judges is going to really help our brand to shine.” 

The Product Design category was introduced by Mojo Nation’s Billy Langsworthy, who reminded the audience that, “For the first time ever, students are taking part in this category. Lorcan and Phoebe attend Brunel University and Penny starts at Central Saint Martins on Monday.” 

Winner Penny Kyriacou presented her unique ‘Invent-A-Cards,' a card game inspired by Aardman’s Wallace & Gromit that encourages STEM skills among players.  

“Thank you to the finalists for your presentations, efforts and dedication today – it’s a difficult ask at any time, but even more difficult in an environment like this, in front of a live audience and panel of judges,” says Ian Downes, chair of the judges and director, Start Licensing.