By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Global Merchandising Services has been appointed to serve as the exclusive worldwide licensing agency for the Design Museum.
As the museum’s official licensing agent, Global Merchandising will develop a comprehensive licensing program that extends across a range of consumer products and branded experiences.
The agency will seek collaborations that expand the reach of the museum’s exhibitions and collections with themes like sustainable innovation, contemporary design history and emerging creative voices.
Some of the key categories for the licensing program will include home goods, fashion, stationery, textiles, interactive entertainment, experiential activations and more.
“This is an exciting and strategic new chapter for the Design Museum,” said Design Museum chief operating officer, Lycia Lobo. “With Global Merchandising’s expertise in brand building and international retail, we look forward to extending the museum’s reach into new territories and formats—sharing the value of design with broader audiences through imaginative, high-quality products.”
The initial focus for the Design Museum program will be to develop licensed product lines for its new exhibition, Wes Anderson: The Archives.
Wes Anderson: The Archives will offer a detailed retrospective on the acclaimed filmmaker’s work and evolving design style.
Running from November 21, 2025 until July 26, 2026, the exhibition will feature over 600 works and objects from Wes Anderson’s personal archives.
This includes items such as original storyboards, Polaroids, sketches, paintings, handwritten notebooks, puppets, miniature models, character costumes and more.
“We are honored to be collaborating with one of the world’s most dynamic and future-facing cultural institutions,” said Global Merchandising Services new business director, Oli Stanton. “The Design Museum’s innovative programming and influential exhibitions offer extraordinary storytelling and creative licensing potential that will resonate with consumers and design enthusiasts globally.”
Founded in 1989, the Design Museum is a UK registered charity and a global center for design, culture, education and sustainable development.
The museum has previously launched licensing partnerships with global brands such as Barbie, Bombay Sapphire and Harvey Nichols.
Global Merchandising Services is a licensing and merchandising company that specializes in working with music, celebrity and lifestyle brands.
The agency offers a wide range of services to its clients including licensing development, product design, branding, manufacturing, e-commerce, experiential entertainment, direct sales and more.
Image Credit: The Design Museum via Three.Sixty Marketing + Communications (for Global Merchandising Services)