HOW TO WIN CHRISTMAS: Born Licensing’s Represented Properties with Christmas Specials
Christmas in the UK is like the Super Bowl in the US - it’s BIG. And characters win.
In 2022 we worked with Havas London to negotiate a licensing agreement to use Buddy the Elf for ASDA's 'Have Your Elf a Merry Christmas'. The results were incredible: the campaign was named "the nation's favourite ad of 2022" by ITV and System1, and it was also "one of the most emotionally effective Christmas ads" System1 has ever tested.
In 2023 System1 tested again the emotional response of viewers via its Test Your Ads platform and ranked ads from 1 to 5.9 stars. We were not surprised to see that, once again, characters (both fictional characters and brand characters) have performed extremely well.
You get the point: the public loves fictional characters. They have the power to resonate with multiple generations, they are instantly recognisable, and they are generally less controversial than celebrities, musicians and sport stars.
As licensing agents to the fictional stars, Born Licensing’s portfolio of represented fictional talents includes several properties which are perfect for Christmas campaigns – even if they’re not necessarily centred around the festive season! Many characters we represent are so loved by fans that studios came up with Christmas spin-offs and special Christmas episodes, which are now considered Christmas classics.
Have you already thought about your 2024 Christmas superstar? If not, we have some suggestions for you.
Peppa Pig
Peppa Pig is loved by children (and their parents) all over the world – of course she has a special Christmas episode, titled ‘Peppa’s Christmas’.
On Christmas Eve, Peppa and her little brother George posted letters to Father Christmas, and then started decorating the house with Daddy Pig. They put together a beautiful Christmas tree and, after singing some festive songs, Peppa decides to stay awake to see Father Christmas.
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob lives in Bikini Bottom, which is underwater: nobody has ever heard of Christmas or Santa Claus! This is until Sandy Cheeks lets SpongeBob know about this surface tradition.
When SpongeBob hears about Christmas and Santa from Sandy, he quickly tells everyone in Bikini Bottom. They all stay up on Christmas Eve to see Santa, but he doesn't come. Now they're worried Christmas is ruined. Will they ever get to celebrate Christmas, or is there still a chance for holiday cheer underwater?
Garfield
Jon takes grumpy Garfield to his family’s farm for Christmas. Grandma and Garfield bond, and there’s mischief with spicy gravy. After dinner and tree decorating, Garfield learns about Grandma's late husband. On Christmas morning, he surprises Grandma with love letters, and Odie gives a homemade back scratcher. Garfield discovers the true meaning of Christmas – it’s about love. In a rare moment, he thanks Odie, saying, “It’s not the giving, it's not the getting, it's the loving! There, I said it. Now get outta here”.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Even the tough turtles have a Christmas special, ‘Cowabunga Christmas’!
It's Christmas time in the city. A number of guests have been invited to the lair for a big holiday feast. But where's Michelangelo? Mikey is playing Santa Claus - butt-kicking, hard-driving Santa who's trying to save a truckload of toys destined for an orphanage from some heartless thieves.
Sesame Street
This Christmas special preserves the fun chaos which is typical of Sesame Street’s residents.
The residents throw a cool ice-skating party. Big Bird panics about Santa and chimneys, thanks to Oscar. He, Kermit, and Grover try to solve it with interviews and a failed chimney re-enactment. Bert and Ernie do a funny gift swap, trading prized possessions. Cookie Monster munches on stuff trying to reach Santa but fails. Big Bird reappears, realizing family matters more than chimney mysteries. Oscar teases about the Easter Bunny, but Gordon and Susan shut it down. Fun times on Sesame Street!
Popeye
Popeye had his first Christmas special less than a year into his film career, but we particularly love the 1955 ‘Mister and Mistletoe’. On Christmas Eve at Olive's house, Bluto tries to ruin the celebration by impersonating Santa and causing chaos.
Despite his attempts, Olive eventually realises his true identity. Popeye, fuelled by spinach, defeats Bluto and creates a festive scene with stars forming a garland. In the end, Popeye dons the Santa suit to wake the children, who see through the disguise.
Angry Birds
It's the most wonderful time of the year, but the pigs are up to their usual tricks.
The Blues were helping Red and Bomb transport some presents back to the nest when the sound of a strange carol distracted them. Suddenly a trio of Piggy thieves nabbed the birds' pressies. Red and Bomb gave chase on skis, but could they recover the goodies before the pigs made it back to King Pig's Winter Palace? The Pigs tried to steal Christmas, but they're in for a wild ride!
Miraculous
In the festive atmosphere of Christmas in Paris, Adrien faces a challenging time as he anticipates spending his first holiday without his mom. Feeling neglected by his father, Adrien decides to run away as Cat Noir to express his frustrations in the cold and snow. When news of his disappearance spreads, his friends embark on a search, and Marinette transforms into Ladybug to find the boy she secretly loves. However, the situation takes a darker turn when Ladybug accidentally triggers the akumatization of a man dressed as Santa on Christmas Eve. Now, Ladybug and Cat Noir must unite to stop him from ruining the holiday for everyone.
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