ITV STUDIOS GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT APPOINTS KNOCKOUT LICENSING TO MANAGE POLDARK IN NORTH AMERICA  

Knockout to Launch U.S. & Canadian Licensing Programme for Hit TV Drama

 London, UK –November 8th 2015 – ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) today announces that Knockout Licensing has been signed as the licensing agent for the popular historical drama, Poldarkin the U.S. and Canada.
Co-produced by Mammoth Screen and Masterpiece, Poldark made its U.S. broadcast debut on leading drama channel PBS Masterpiece in June 2015, attracting a strong average of 4 million viewers per episode. Now, building on the growing popularity of the series in the market, Knockout Licensing will oversee the development of a dedicated Poldark consumer products programme.
The licensing agent is currently seeking partners in key categories including homewares, gifting, stationery and apparel. Merchandise will target the female adult market, with a secondary audience of gift buyers and men.
“We’re delighted to have Knockout Licensing on board as our licensing partner for Poldark in the U.S.” Trudi Hayward, SVP, Head of Global Merchandise for ITVS GE comments. “The show has already generated a huge amount of interest in the market and Knockout Licensing’s expertise in developing high quality and engaging merchandise programmes makes them the ideal partner to bring products to the show’s growing fan-base across the U.S. and Canada.”
“Poldark is a beautifully filmed historical drama with compelling storylines and a wonderful cast so the licensing potential is excellent across a wide range of not only contemporary fan-based products but also those that authentically capture the look and feel of Poldark’s world,” Carole Postal, President, Knockout Licensing comments. “Knockout knows the PBS Masterpiece audience well and we are looking forward to working with ITV Studios to create a product range that U.S. fans will love.”
Supporting the broadcast, in July PBS Distribution launched the Poldark series one DVD at mass-market retail and online with Amazon. Poldark is the new TV adaption of Winston Graham’s popular book series. The show tells the story of Ross Poldark in the late 18th century as he returns to England having fought in the American Revolutionary War.

-ENDS-

 
MEDIA CONTACT
Diana Veysey / Charlotte Newcombe
E:diana@licensetopr.co.uk / charlotte@licensetopr.co.uk
ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) is one of the world’s leading international TV distribution and consumer products businesses. The consumer products division brings together home entertainment, promotions, licensing and publishing under one umbrella, with the merchandise and publishing operation bringing brands to life off screen, working with licensed partners and retailers to bring quality products to consumers. ITVS GE’s successful and diverse portfolio includes ITV Studios brands like the new, groundbreaking reimagining of Thunderbirds, Thunderbirds Are Go, Classic Thunderbirds, Poldark, Oddbods and properties such as Super 4, Playmobil®, Cut The Rope and Village People for which ITVS GE acts as agent.
Knockout Licensing (www.knockoutlicensing.com) is a dynamic, full-service boutique licensing agency that creates customized, innovative, and strategic merchandise programs for a varied portfolio including entertainment, digital media, fashion/trend, publishing, corporate brands, characters, and children’s properties. In addition to Poldark, notable Knockout Licensing client properties include British television drama Downton Abbey™; best-selling book series turned popular television drama Outlander™; social media canine celebrity Boo, The World’s Cutest Dog™; beloved classic family franchise Little House on the Prairie®; the Smithsonian Institution Library Seed Catalog Collection, The Michelangelo Collection and more. Formed in 2012, Knockout Licensing is a joint-venture headed by CopCorp Licensing’s Carole Postal and TK Brand Group’s Tamra Knepfer, bringing together two of the most well-respected professionals in the industry.
About Knockout Licensing
Part of ITV PLC, which includes the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, ITV Studios Global Entertainment has offices in London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Sydney.
About ITV Studios Global Entertainment 
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