Aardman Rights and Brand Development have today announced a new partnership with licensee Ancestors Group, who will be manufacturing product ranges for Academy Award® winner Nick Park’s new feature film ‘Early Man’ and established classics Wallace & Gromit.

Ancestors specialise in the design, development and manufacture of products for the heritage industry and will be developing a new range of gift wares and collectibles for ‘Early Man’, Nick Park’s new prehistoric comedy adventure which is set for global theatrical release from early next year.  The collection will launch to market later this year to coincide with the movie and will include 3D pewter items, replica coins, collectibles and giftwares.

Alongside this; a Wallace & Gromit “Made in Britain” collection will also be available with a 100% British manufactured range of homewares, giftwares and souvenirs.  Both collections will be targeted at the souvenirs market alongside the heritage and attractions market. The products will also be available to all retail sectors.

Rob Goodchild, Head of Licensing at Aardman, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Ancestors Group, on a collection of products that brings the unique Aardman humour to the heritage sector and beyond.”

Nicholas Humphery-Smith, Managing Director and Designer at Ancestors Group, said “This is a great partnership of what Great Britain is all about, great movies with well-made British product. We at Ancestors are truly excited at opening up new markets with the new Aardman collection which is being crafted mainly in the UK using Good Old Fashioned Values.”

Ancestors Group will be presenting the new collections at Autumn Fair, NEC, in Hall 5 Stand number F10 / G11.

For more information about all of the studio’s brands and for commercial opportunities, get in touch with the team at licensing@aardman.com.

Published on: September 1st, 2017