‘Mr Benn’ Celebrates 50 Years with New Licensing Deals

Altrincham-based animation studio and rights owner Factory has announced a range of new deals and licensees for its property “Mr Benn” for the classic show’s 50th anniversary celebrations on Feb. 25.

“We’re really looking forward to a yearlong celebration for ‘Mr Benn’s’ 50th anniversary, with a wide and diverse range of products and collaborations,” says Anya Hollis, head, brand licensing, Factory. “‘Mr Benn’ is an all-time favorite for so many people, and we are delighted to be launching some new and exciting products, which will, as if by magic, bring a smile to everyone’s faces.”

The brand-new licensees include leading distributors of collectable coins and stamps, The Westminster Collection, Coach House Partners for a “Mr Benn” DVD gift set and Tartan Squirrel for a selection of “Mr Benn” pins, badges and keyrings.

Other licensee partnerships include Signature Entertainment for the original “Mr Benn” television series, which is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in the U.K., Ireland and is available to download on digital platforms including iTunes, Google and Xbox.  The program is also available to download in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and Canada on digital platforms.

In addition to these deals, publisher Andersen Press will be releasing four brand-new “Mr Benn” books including Red Knight and Big Game next month and Big Top and 123456789 in July 2021. In addition, a renewed deal has also been signed with The Insurance Emporium for the fifth year in a row, which will showcase the brand across its website, social, events and advertising.

“‘Mr Benn’ endures, I think, because people like the idea of being able to escape to another life, and at their heart, they’re old fashioned stories which last – the elements that make up the films, the voice, the music, the story, all simple elements that endure – good old fashioned stories, with a good rhythm,” says creator and illustrator David McKee. “I’m really pleased that the books are coming back in print. I’ve always liked the mix of color and black and white in them, and I made them long enough ago now to be as if someone else did them – so it feels like a new book to me! I often say your characters are like your children: you potty train them and look after them and point them in a good direction, but they go off do things you don’t expect. ‘Mr Benn’ is living his own life and I’m excited to see what people make of the new products that are coming – and hope a new generation of children enjoy them as much as me!”