By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
The licensing agency Merchantwise is representing We’re Going on a Bear Hunt across Australia and New Zealand for Walker Productions and Lupus Films.
A part of The Merchantwise Group, Merchantwise is a full-service licensing agency that specializes in representing gaming, digital and entertainment brands.
As the licensing representative for We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Merchantwise is appointing partners for a range of consumer products to launch throughout 2023 and 2024.
Caprice Australia will be the first partner to launch licensed consumer products for the brands’ licensing program in the region. The company’s collection of branded We’re Going on a Bear Hunt infant and toddler apparel is expected to hit the local retail market beginning in July this year.
“We are thrilled to be representing We’re Going on a Bear Hunt across Australia and New Zealand,” said Merchantwise’s, Kerryn McCormack.
“Caprice Australia is already on board with an exciting infant and toddler apparel collection, and we are looking forward to appointing consumer products partners for this beautiful and timeless property.”
Originally published in 1989 by Walker Books, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is a children’s book by Michael Rosen that features illustrations by Helen Oxenbury.
In 2017, Lupus Films and Walker Productions released an animated TV special based on the We’re Going on a Bear Hunt story. The TV special is available on Amazon Prime in the US, ABC in Australia, Canal + in France, SVT in Sweden, and NHK in Japan.
“We are extremely excited to be partnering with Merchantwise for this timeless property,” said Walker Books’ licensing director, Pindy O’Brien. “Their expertise and knowledge of the market will accelerate its success! We are thrilled with Caprice’s appointment.”
The Walker Books Group is an independent publisher of books and content for children. The international group includes Walker Books UK, Candlewick Press, and Walker Books Australia.