Spookysaurus, Frobelles and Penny Kyriacou named winners of 2022’s Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition

The winners of the 2022 Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition have been announced at this year’s Brand Licensing Europe show.

In the Brand & Design category, Crispin Lowrey’s Spookysaurus emerged triumphant. The character started life in a picture book and will soon take centre stage in the fantasy book, The Spookysaurus and the Boy with No Fear.

“How does it feel to win? It’s spooktacular!” said Lowrey.

“I don’t know where it’s going to take me or what’s going to happen, but I’m not going to waste this. There have been moments of extreme doubt, but also moments of elation when I sold my first book and when I saw a child reading that book… To be on the License This! stage and to have the opportunity to grow it as a brand, is amazing. Totally nuts.”

Elsewhere, Yvonne Ottley’s Frobelles brand won the Character & Animation category. The brand, based on sisters Coco, Kelli and Krista, follows the Frobelles as they proudly rock their Afro hair and inspire girls to love their natural tresses.

“I was very nervous but I think when you’re passionate about your brand, it shows through, and I was up against some tough competition, too!” said Ottley.

“Winning this will give me so many fresh opportunities and just having the expertise of the judges is going to really help our brand to shine.”

The Product Design category was introduced by Mojo Nation’s Billy Langsworthy, who reminded the audience that: “For the first time ever, students are taking part in this category… Lorcan and Phoebe attend Brunel University and Penny starts at Central St Martins on Monday!”

The brief was set by Aardman, and Penny Kyriacou won the category for her unique ‘Invent-A-Cards’ game, inspired by Wallace & Gromit.

When commenting on the final presentations, Ian Downes – chair of the judges and director of Start Licensing – said: “Thank you to the finalists for your presentations, efforts and dedication today – it’s a difficult ask at any time, but even more difficult in an environment like this in front of a live audience and panel of judges.”