Koko Rose Media has got into a partnership with specialist Japanese brand agency Honmoku File for arts & lifestyle brand DEER Little Forest created by Jo Rose.
The far-ranging agreement will see Honmoku File introduce and establish the brand in Japan as a high-end, long-term property across licensing and publishing.
Established in 1992 by President Nobutaka Nagai, Honmoku File specialises in representing high quality properties derived from the field of design, arts, and traditional crafts.
Its main fields of expertise include: coordination of brand activities and licensing; design planning including textile and art; manufacturing supply chain management; and the wholesaling of textiles, clothing and personal accessories.
Honmoku File forged a singular place in the Japanese market designing and developing original products based on Disneyland and DisneySea characters for an adult target, virtually pioneering the market of selling kids-oriented brands to older demographics.
Honmoku File’s comprehensive, cross-platform campaign to introduce Deer Little Forest to the Japanese market will kick off in 2018 by establishing a publishing strategy to develop locally adapted book concepts (picture book, arts & crafts, activity books, etc); followed by partnerships with department stores, textile companies and apparel companies; and a massive launch of the brand at Japan Licensing Expo 2018.
Nobutaka Nagai, President of Honmoku File said, “I am very proud to introduce DEER Little Forest in Japan jointly with Koko Rose Media. In Japan there have been many merchandized products based on European and US characters, but Deer Little Forest with its refined, elegant and well-rounded look, and “chic” appeal – stands out from all the other characters in the market to date. We are very privileged to help develop Deer Little Forest as an evergreen character brand in Japan.”
Lisa Hryniewicz, managing Director of Koko Rose Media added, “We are truly excited to partner with Mr. Nagai and his team, who have shown a genuine passion for and understanding of our brand. Their dedication to developing properties with aesthetic quality and inherent value is perfectly in line with our brand, and their singular experience in marketing to older demographics, not just kids, is exactly what will make DEER Little Forest a long-term success in Japan.”
DEER Little Forest is a singular Arts & Lifestyle brand created by Jo Rose featuring her signature, instantly recognizable animal designs. Jo’s designs are being developed across a broad range of categories, including publishing, with a new 32-page picture book THE BIG BERRY HUNT under submission in the UK and US. The timeless tale follows a group of friends who learn the importance of offering a helping hand – even if it gets in the way of cake!
It is represented by top agents around the world including THIS IS IRIS (UK, Ireland), Icon Licensing (Russia, CIS) and Empire Multimedia (China, SE Asia). All rights are held by Koko Rose Media, a joint venture between Managing Director Lisa Hryniewicz and Creative Director Jo Rose. Jo’s other creations include Flora of the Forest (52 x 11), a preschool animation series in development with three-time Emmy winning Executive Producer Karen Fowler.
