Brand licensing company, The Point.1888, has announced the launch of a new business arm, Spotlight.1888, dedicated to helping brands and licensees with retail services, and retailers with licensing strategy.

Based on an extension of its retail-first model, whereby The Point.1888 creates new products for its brands based on the gaps it sees at retail as well as what it thinks the brands’ target demographics might like, Spotlight.1888 will work directly with retailers and brands to help them fill the gaps themselves using the agency’s retail team expertise.

The new business comprises a dedicated account team, with a mix of buyer experience across several retailers (Harrods, John Lewis, Sainsburys and Kingfisher to name a few), along with dedicated licensing retail professionals.

The approach can benefit all parties involved in the licensing process. Retailers gain licensing selection strategy, easier access to the brand licensing industry, recommended cross-category brand licensed programs and insight into key trading events.

Brands and manufacturers can look to Spotlight.1888 for full retail strategies for brands aligned to retail climate and source-appropriate partners, a direct route to retail with multiple models available, brand exposure to both new manufacturers and retailers and full activation support. 

Spotlight.1888 will also act as brand licensing agent for the retailer, working to understand gaps and opportunities, devising an extensive licensing strategy to deliver the program and managing all relationships on their behalf. 

With 32 clients on its books across entertainment, publishing, sports, heritage, children’s and design, The Point.1888 will be able to give retailers a broad range of high-profile brands to choose from. 

Heading up the new business arm will be Hannah Stevens, head of retail, The Point.1888, who alongside Will Stewart, retail expert and managing director, has been working on the idea of Spotlight.1888 for many years. Having invested in bolstering the retail team over the last 12 months, including hiring Rosanna Cousins, an ex-buyer at John Lewis, Spotlight.1888 starts business with significant industry experience, contacts and knowledge.

“We are constantly discussing with retailers, licensees and brand owners the different ways to activate licensed brands at retail and are delighted to finally provide an official channel for this, in the form of Spotlight.1888,” says Stevens. “There couldn’t be a better time to launch, and the full team will be at BLE to discuss our approach with any prospective licensees, retailers or brands.”

Spotlight.1888 is the second new business The Point.1888 has launched this year. Story.1888, which launched in August, provides clients with creative services such as product branding and style guides, product marketing, strategy, content creation and campaign management.

To hear more about Spotlight.1888, visit stand C183 at BLE or contact the team for a 30-minute chemistry meeting at [email protected].