London, UK / Tokyo, Japan – The British Museum and ZIPANG Inc. are delighted to announce a landmark agency agreement that will bring one of the world’s most celebrated cultural institutions to new audiences across Japan through an exciting programme of licensing, merchandising and media partnerships.

The agreement, brokered in partnership with renowned barrister, broadcaster and futurist Andrew Eborn, President of Octopus TV Ltd, grants ZIPANG Inc. agency rights across all media sectors in Japan. The collaboration includes the rights to incorporate the British Museum’s trade marks, imagery and other intellectual property assets, including the Museum’s character IP, “Bastet”, into a wide range of products and commercial initiatives.

Japan represents one of the world’s most sophisticated and dynamic licensing markets, making it a strategically important territory for the continued international growth of the British Museum’s licensing programme.

Craig Bendle, Manager, Product Licensing at the British Museum said:

“Japan is a key territory for us, and we are delighted to be working with ZIPANG Inc. and Andrew Eborn of Octopus TV. Their exceptional experience, relationships and understanding of character IP brand development give us every confidence that together we will create outstanding opportunities for the British Museum and its much-loved intellectual properties in Japan.”

Kiyofumi Kajiwara, Chief Executive Officer of ZIPANG Inc., commented:

“We are honoured to be working with the British Museum on this exciting new chapter. Having collaborated successfully with Andrew Eborn and Octopus TV on numerous international projects, throughout my long career in the entertainment industry, I know first-hand the vision and expertise they bring. We look forward to building on those achievements and creating significant new opportunities for the British Museum throughout Japan.”

Andrew Eborn, President of Octopus TV Ltd added:

“I am delighted to have introduced the British Museum and ZIPANG Inc. This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to further develop the British Museum brand and introduce Bastet to one of the world’s most important and innovative licensing markets. By combining exceptional cultural heritage with creative commercial expertise, I believe this collaboration has enormous potential.”

The agreement marks the beginning of a strategic relationship focused on developing premium licensing programmes, consumer products, media collaborations and brand partnerships that celebrate the British Museum’s unparalleled cultural legacy while engaging new generations of audiences throughout Japan.

About The British Museum
Founded in 1753, the British Museum was the first national public museum in the world. From the outset it was a museum of the world, for the world, and this idea still lies at the heart of the Museum’s mission today. The collection tells the stories of cultures across the world, from the dawn of human history, over two million years ago, to the present. Objects range from the earliest tools made by humans and treasures from the ancient world to more recent acquisitions from Africa, Oceania and the Americas, the Middle East, Asia and Europe, as well as the national collections of prints and drawings, and coins and medals.

The British Museum  [email protected]