Sweet Cherry signs worldwide licensing deal with Larkshead

Leicester-based children’s publisher Sweet Cherry has signed a worldwide portfolio partnership with Larkshead.

The “wide-ranging” agreement sees Larkshead charged with developing licensing ranges across the Sweet Cherry in-house publishing portfolio. Titles such as Mula and Friends, Maggie Sparks and Crystal Cove will be the first brands from the Sweet Cherry portfolio that Larkshead will showcase at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) this year.

Abdul Thadha, m.d. of Sweet Cherry, said of the deal: “As a publisher we have been fortunate to enjoy phenomenal growth over the past few years and licensing is an area that we now feel is ripe for development.

“Working with Clare [Piggott, director of licensing & merchandising] and her team offers us the reassurance that Larkshead not only shares our values but has also demonstrated a successful track record of igniting children’s IP and fun learning.

“By extending the retail footprint of our authors and their stories, we will be able to offer our fan base engaging and stimulating ways to further enjoy their favourite brands. I am looking forward to seeing the first products take shape and to supporting these commercial endeavours via our sister company Books2Door.”

Piggott commented: “It’s incredibly gratifying that Sweet Cherry have trusted us to pilot their licensing journey across such a wide range of in-house titles. Rarely does a licensee become a licensor and this speaks to our positive working relationship.

“As a team, Sweet Cherry demonstrates daily their inclusive and commercially ethical outlook. It’s going to be a fun and rewarding partnership and I am looking forward to sharing further details with all our licensing friends and colleagues at BLE.”