(1888PressRelease)
March 05, 2009 - Diamond Comics, a pioneer in Indian Comic industry will soon enter into a related tie-up with License India, a division of Franchise India Holdings Limited. Plans for the same will be unveiled on the grounds of Brand Licensing & Merchandising show 2009 in Mumbai.
As per the agreement, the famous Indian characters of Diamond Comics would now be seen in cartoons, animated films, mobile games and would also have licensed merchandise in children’s properties – clothes, toys, stationary, etc.,
According to Mr Gaurav Marya, President- License India, “Animation & Character licensing industry in India has bright prospects due its large population that accounts for a major chunk of the world's population. Also, the vast majority of India’s $75-$100 million in retail sales comes from licensed merchandise in children’s properties. “
The global animation market (demand perspective) was estimated at US $59 billion in 2006 and is expected to reach US $80 billion by 2010. In India, the animation industry value is pegged at Rs.1, 595 crore in the FY 07, registering a growth of 24% over the previous fiscal year, with the entertainment segment contributing nearly 68% of the total market in India. Exports, mostly to US and Europe, accounted for more than 70% of the revenues in 2006.
Giving his view on the tie-up Mr Gulshan Rai, Chairman & MD, Diamond Comics said, “India is a very big country and is manufacturing large number of children oriented products. In the present scenario, our characters can be used in stationary products, Bubble-gums, Candies, Ice-Creams, Shoe Industry, Cycle Industry etc. and also on school children oriented products like school bags, their T-Shirts, Tattoos, Transfer Stickers and so on. We have heard much about Disney cartoons, Disney clothes & Disney stationary; now is the chance for the Indian comic characters to have their visibility worldwide through License India”.
“There has also been a steep increase in the no. of ways to consume animation content than ever before. Increasing number of TV channels, greater accessibility to Internet, proliferation of mobile devices and increasing popularity of mobile, video & computer games, offering humongous potential for the Animation & Character Licensing in India”, adds Mr Gulshan Rai.
According to Ms Anupama Bindra, Business Head, License India, “The Indian animation industry is growing rapidly with about 300 animation companies employing 12,000 people and 3,000 freelancers in India. The potential of Indian character licensing, especially, Diamond Comics characters, is great as people can easily recall these characters. We see tremendous potential in Indian character licensing industry and have aggressive plans to harness the same”.
A slew of players have entered the Indian markets for licensing merchandise and character franchise. Disney Consumer Products occupies the foremost position, with the characters of Mickey and Minnie alone generating 43% of its revenue. Over the last three years, merchandise-licensing business in India has been growing at more than 50 per cent, and total character licensing sales in India are estimated at Rs.500 crore.
About License India
License India, a division of Franchise India Holdings Limited - Asia’s leading integrated Franchise consulting company, are pioneers in the licensing industry in India and have a well established division to provide a conducive platform for the growth of international brands & identities in the country. License India is India’s first complete licensing solution provider and formed with the objective to increase awareness and support the growth of licensing in India.
License India has three verticals – Events, Publication & Advisory, to provide a complete range of services for interested brands/identities/property owners.
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