Hippo Blue’s TOY STORY range

Hippo Blue, a small family-run business founded by parents for parents, was inspired to create high-quality, personalised products celebrating every child’s individuality. From name labels to bento boxes, backpacks, and more, each item is fully customisable with a child’s name and favourite design.

When Hippo Blue decided to expand into licensing, they sought our expertise to navigate this unfamiliar territory. They aimed to partner with beloved characters to enhance their appeal but needed guidance to make it happen.

With a strong history of performance and a previous working relationship with Disney properties, we helped Hippo Blue prepare and deliver a compelling pitch. The presentation underscored how Hippo Blue’s custom approach could complement the emotional connection fans have with Toy Story, especially in a milestone year.

We led the negotiation process, advocating for terms that benefited both sides, and worked to simplify the licensing agreement to ensure clarity and alignment before finalize signing. The result: Hippo Blue secured a license to launch a Toy Story–themed product line in honor of the franchise’s 30th anniversary.

Once the license was signed, we gained access to Disney’s style guides and assets. Our team reviewed the materials, guiding Hippo Blue through the options to determine the best fit for their products. With a wide range of characters and an extensive SKUs list, our Head of Product Development ensured timely submissions to meet tight production schedules.

All materials were submitted in stages via the Licensor’s approval platform. We streamlined the process by proactively refining submissions to align with approval standards, minimising delays and ensuring efficiency.

For the product launch, we collaborated with both Licensor and Licensee marketing teams to maximise visibility across all channels, including social media and the Licensee’s website. We also coordinated a press release that was sent to 10+ licensing publications.

With our support, Hippo Blue successfully introduced Disney-themed personalised products, delighting families and expanding their brand into the licensing world.

We continue to oversee reporting obligations, including quarterly royalty reports, ensuring compliance and accuracy. Our commitment to exceptional service means we’re always on hand to support the Licensee with any needs or challenges that arise throughout the licensing process.