Knockout Breeds New ‘Downton’ Deal

Knockout Licensing has added to the roster for ITV’s hit series “Downton Abbey” in a new deal with Weeks Roses to breed hybrid rose varieties inspired by the TV series.

“One of the things that makes the Downton Abbey license special is that it offers so many opportunities to expand into non-traditional product categories,” says Tamra Knepfer, co-president, Knockout Licensing. “In thinking about Downton Abbey, we saw that a rose or breed of roses, would be an ideal representation of the timeless beauty and elegance the brand represents.”

The roses will be sold to nurseries, garden centers and wholesale traders that cater to independent retailers around the world.

“Our Downton Abbey roses will be elegant, beautiful and romantic, but also surprisingly dramatic and tenacious, just like the show and characters that so many have come to love,” says Karen Kemp-Docksteader, sales and marketing manager, Weeks Roses.