Metrostar, licensing agent for Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, is pleased to announce that two new licensees have joined the programme. Danilo will publish calendars, greetings cards, gift wrap and bags and Robert Frederick will create gifts, arts & crafts and stationery.

Existing licensees are also busy working on new Elmer products. Amscan have renewed their dress up licence and Rainbow Designs are adding new lines to their Elmer portfolio. Paul Dennicci has also developed the first Elmer babywear collection for Primark.

New products from all will be launched in 2021.

Claire Potter, Metrostar’s managing director comments,

Elmer is proving to be a very reliable performer in a number of product categories across an increasingly large retail base. Metrostar started working on Elmer in 2016 and in every year since he has gained new licensees and added new retailers to the programme. As well as the addition of Danilo and Robert Frederick, in 2021 we will see new Elmer products in Primark, Sainsbury’s, Matalan, John Lewis and Waterstones.

Paul Black, Andresen Press brand director comments:

We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Danilo and Robert Frederick to our licensing programme.  Both are perfect partners for Elmer and we look forward to working with them to develop and promote new products. We would also like to thank our family of Elmer licensees for working so hard this year. We know how challenging it has been and really appreciate their continued support and enthusiasm for Elmer. 

Elmer

Elmer remains one of the most iconic and widely read children’s book series of all time, selling over 8 million copies worldwide since it was first published by Andersen Press in 1989. Written and illustrated by celebrated children’s author and artist David McKee, the Elmer books have been translated into more than 50 languages with toys and clothing adding to the world of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.

Since the first Elmer title debuted in 1989, Andersen Press has developed an internationally successful Elmer publishing programme which spans over 24 original stories and includes board books, activity books and novelty books. A beloved classic and firm family favourite, David McKee’s iconic and brightly coloured patchwork elephant has also inspired a branded merchandise programme which has proven success at retail and is popular in millions of households across the world.

David McKee

David McKee was born in Devon and studied at Plymouth Art College. In the early part of his career, McKee regularly drew and sold humorous drawings to magazines and newspapers such as The Times Educational Supplement, Punch and the Reader’s Digest. David McKee has written and illustrated over 50 picture books for Andersen Press and has penned a number of children’s classics including King Rollo, Mr Benn, Not Now Bernard and Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. David McKee loves to paint and now lives in the South of France but regularly visits London.

About Elmer Licensing

David McKee’s iconic and brightly coloured patchwork elephant has inspired a vibrant and globally successful consumer products programme.  Working on behalf of Andersen Press to ensure that Elmer has high visibility across all categories are Metrostar, Global Licensing Agent for the brand.