PRH brings The Snowman back in-house

Penguin Random House has brought The Snowman brand “back in house” from the Copyrights Group after more than 30 years.

As part of its continued growth strategy, Penguin Ventures will now manage all licensing, consumer products and live events for The Snowman brand across all categories.

Susan Bolsover, head of licensing and consumer products at PRH, said: “The Copyrights Group has done an incredible job as our licensing agent for The Snowman since 1983 and we owe c.e.o. Nicholas Durbridge and the team a debt of thanks for the care and attention they have shown the property."

She added: “Penguin Random House has invested in growing the Ventures team to become a leading licensor of literary brands and as such The Snowman fits perfectly within our portfolio of classic properties. We look forward to implementing an ambitious strategy to ensure the continued growth of this much-loved brand here in the UK and to spreading that magic to overseas markets as well.”

Francesca Dow, m.d of PRH Children’s said Raymond Briggs’ classic picture book, The Snowman, had been an "integral" part of its publishing business since it was first published by Penguin imprint Hamish Hamilton in 1978.

"We are delighted to now be in a position to bring the entire Snowman business back in house and I know the Ventures team will ensure the brand continues to grow and evolve for future generations to enjoy,” she said.

Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the publication of Raymond Briggs’ original picture book The Snowman and PRH plans to celebrate the event through a series of exciting collaborations, limited edition product, live events and bespoke publishing.

Last year, Penguin Ventures teamed up with clothing brand Barbour to create a 60-second Christmas advert based on Briggs’ The Snowman and The Snowdog.

Briggs was awarded the BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award in February and last month he was given a CBE for services to literature.  

The Copyrights Group is a merchandise licensing agency based in London which represents writers, artists, the owners of characters and brand names.