Ignite Brand Pitches Revisited

Following a launch at Licensing Expo, Ignite Brand Pitches moved on to Brand Licensing Europe in October. Here, we look back at some of the entrants who took the stage in London.

“Bibi’s World”

“Bibi’s World” is an animated universe crafted for children ages 2-6, which revolves around Bibi, a cheerful nature enthusiast, her curious friend, Bobby, and their alien pets, Zazzy and Zina. The brand has gained popularity in Macedonia, through merchandise, including toys, books and games.

“As a participant at Brand Ignite Pitches, I can say that the experience was transformative and incredibly valuable for me,” says Sanja Gjorgjieva, brand licensing manager, Bibi’s World. “The platform provided an opportunity to showcase our IP, connect with industry experts and engage with a diverse audience. The networking opportunities were abundant, allowing us to forge meaningful connections with potential investors, collaborators and other innovative minds in this industry.”

The brand has successfully expanded its licenses in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia. By partnering with “Talent Show,” “Laguna” and “Dexy-Co” it has secured strong collaborations to ensure the brand reaches its target audience effectively. In addition, it is actively exploring opportunities to expand into other markets.

“Participating in Brand Ignite Pitch not only elevated our brand’s visibility, but also provided us with a unique learning experience,” says Gjorgjieva. “The exposure and recognition gained from this platform have opened doors to new opportunities and expanded our business horizons. The camaraderie among fellow participants was additional inspiration and motivation for me. I’m truly grateful for the experience and the impact it has had on our brand’s journey. I would highly recommend it to any brand looking to propel their business to new heights.”

"Bibi's World"

CwaZyBean Aliens CwaZyLeigh CreaTions

CwaZyLeigh CreaTions used BLE’s Ignite Brand Pitches to showcase its flagship IP, The CwaZyBean Aliens, and provided a glimpse into another in-house IP, CwaZyHog, with the competition marking the relaunch of the brand.

The CwaZyBean Aliens serve as a metaphor for friendship, unity, adaptability, emotional expression, authenticity and above all, the enjoyment of every moment within the journey of life. 

The brand’s aims are to create stories that can be enjoyed by all age groups, while adding more complexity and personality to its characters. It entered the competitions seeking to develop the content and characters further through collaboration with freelancers, customers and their experiences with the characters, by creating educational stories and promoting diversity.

“The whole experience at BLE was nothing short of exhilarating,” says Tamaryn Kraleva-Greener, author, co-founder, CwaZyLeigh CreaTions. “We found the event to be exceptionally informative, providing invaluable insights into the process, all while receiving remarkable support from the organizers. The Ignite Pitch session was flawlessly organized, ensuring we felt well-prepared and fully supported.  

“What set BLE apart for us, as a startup creative brand company, was the unwavering support from the License Global team. Their dedication created a truly inclusive atmosphere, making us feel privileged to be a part of this exceptional event. We'’e profoundly grateful for the opportunity, not only to have been chosen to present but also to be an integral part of such a significant gathering like BLE.”

CwaZyBean Aliens, CwaZyLeigh CreaTions

Nine Mile Babies

Motivated by her childhood experiences, Princess Booker founded the children’s brand, Nine Mile Babies, and authored the storybook collection, “Grandma What’s That?” Nine Mile Babies is dedicated to celebrating diversity and cultural understanding through books and soft plush toy doll characters, inspired by Booker siblings and her beloved late grandmother, Cedella Marley-Booker.  

The brand authentically highlights the beauty in children of color; the characters represent a diverse array of skin tones and feature stunning Afro-hair styles, creating relatable and inspiring figures for young ones to connect with. The brand’s name, Nine Mile Babies, pays homage to the village of Nine Mile in Jamaica, a place Booker calls home.

Booker aims to expand the Nine Mile Babies brand into licensing by collaborating with partners to develop a range of products and experiences.

“Pitching on the stage at BLE was an incredible and memorable experience, especially since it was my first time,” says Booker. “It was a great opportunity to showcase my brand to industry professionals and convey the need for more diverse toys in the market at such a high-profile event. The experience was truly amazing.”

Nine Mile Babies dolls

Wendy Morrison Design  

Wendy Morrison Design is known for premium interior products with an established maximalist and chinoiserie handwriting. It entered the competition looking for new collaborations and licensing partnerships, with a particular interested in home décor, including tableware, fabric, wallpapers, bedding, fashion opportunities and gifting ideas in the form of stationery and home fragrance. The brand’s hero products include hand-knotted and tufted rugs made in India and Nepal by Good Weave accredited partners.

“Being selected to pitch the Wendy Morrison brand at BLE was a great opportunity,” says Abigail Hunter, head of commercial, Wendy Morrison Design. “It provided us with a platform to share our wonderful brand story, showcase our beautiful interior products to potential partners and generally expand our network in the world of licensing. Overall, the experience was very positive, everyone involved was so supportive of one another, which made the event even more fulfilling.”

Arc en ceil, Wendy Morrison Design