16 AI-Generated Concepts Inspired by the Licensing Expo

11 mins read

Welcome to our AI exploration into the potential of brand licensing. We had the pleasure of attending the Licensing Expo in London, a hub of creative and commercial promise. For this article, we've used DALLE-3 from OpenAI to generate images that accompany our own 16 product concepts for some iconic brands. While the images are AI-generated, the concepts are purely our own imaginative work. Just to be clear, we are not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned—this exercise is solely for fun and inspiration. If you're a brand owner or potential licensee looking to make a splash in online marketplaces, we are more than open for collaboration. Now, let's explore the limitless possibilities that come with a dash of creativity and the power of AI!

Aardman – Shaun the Sheep Sleeping Toy We love Aardman and all of their creations. But Shaun the Sheep? He’s in a league of his own. Imagine this: a cute, fluffy Shaun the Sheep toy that doubles as a sleeping aid for babies. It would play gentle white noise to help your little one drift into dreamland. There’s incredibly high demand for this product that is not currently met with any licensed IP. A golden opportunity!

Liverpool, Chelsea & AC Milan – Children’s Reward Chart For some children, football is life. So why not turn good behavior into a game too? Our idea is a children’s reward chart featuring top football clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, and AC Milan. Every good deed earns your kid a star—or maybe even a little football. It’s a win-win; your kids learn responsibility while celebrating their favorite team. We have a little experience in this field with the best-selling Jungle/Safari themed reward chart that we’ve also included below.

These charts are incredibly popular with parents, and there aren’t many licensed brands in the space. The problem for the product is finding the broad range of appeal; a Liverpool fan won’t want to play with a Chelsea reward chart, for example. This creates a clear ‘block’ from a large number of customers and makes competing for broad terms on marketplaces difficult, but not impossible.

Acmanr Fans – Bing Sleeping Clock We love Bing; and as parents, we all wish we were a little bit more like Flop (if you know, you know). Bing is a lovable bunny and is a godsend for parents, teaching kids life lessons while keeping them entertained. So what about a Bing-inspired sleep training clock? It changes color to let kids know when it’s okay to get up and start the day or when it’s time to stay in bed. It’s simple, it’s useful, and kids will love it.

BBC Earth – Fossil Discovery Kit Science toys are all the rage, and BBC Earth is a brand parents trust. How about a fossil discovery kit that lets kids play archeologist for a day? Dig up your own fossils and learn about ancient life on Earth. National Geographic has already paved the way with their kits. Our version? Just as educational, twice as fun, and available as an Amazon exclusive.

These charts are incredibly popular with parents; and there aren’t many licensed brands in the space. The problem for the product is finding the broad range of appeal; a Liverpool fan won’t want to play with a Chelsea reward chart for example. This creates a clear ‘block’ from a large number of customers and makes competing for broad terms on marketplaces difficult, but not impossible.

Acmanr Fans – Bing Sleeping Clock

We love Bing; and as parents we all wish we were a little bit more like flop (If you know, you know).

Bing is a lovable bunny and is a godsend for parents, teaching kids life lessons while keeping them entertained.

So what about a Bing-inspired sleep training clock? It changes color to let kids know when it’s okay to get up and start the day, or when it’s time to stay in bed. It’s simple, it’s useful, and kids will love it.

BBC Earth - Fossil Discovery Kit

Science toys are all the rage, and BBC Earth is a brand parents trust. How about a fossil discovery kit that lets kids play archeologist for a day? Dig up your own fossils and learn about ancient life on Earth.

National Geographic has already paved the way with their kits. Our version? Just as educational, twice as fun and available as an Amazon exclusive.

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Hasbro - Transformers Sofa Bed

Hasbro has an astonishing portfolio of brands, from Transformers to Monopoly. We’re going to skip the obvious board games and propose venturing into children’s furniture.

Picture this: a Transformers Sofa Bed that’s as cool as it sounds.

BlueZoo - AlphaBlocks Wheel Spinning Series

Who doesn’t adore the ‘Blocks’ universe? Not only is it vibrant, colorful, and easily recognizable, but it’s also a marketer’s dream. It bridges the gap between ‘my children love it’ and ‘this is good for my children,’ something even bigger IP’s may struggle with.

Given Numberblocks’ success with counting toys, we propose a spinning wheel spelling toy for their Alphablocks series.

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CapCom - Retro Game Emulator and CapCom Arcade

For many of us, the name CapCom instantly conjures up ‘retro gaming.’ Initially, we thought a retro game emulator would be the perfect match, until we discovered a clever team already has one in the works—and yes, we’ve pre-ordered one too!

So, let’s think bigger. How about a CapCom-themed arcade? With the goal of reviving the high street in mind, we took inspiration from our recent trip to Singapore, where we encountered sprawling arcades in high-traffic areas. Imagine a CapCom-themed arcade where £15 grants you unlimited gameplay. Would you visit?

Olympics - Track and Field Mobile Video Game

Inspired by our retro gaming musings about CapCom, we turned our attention to the Olympics—specifically, Paris 2024. What if we merged the Olympics with retro gaming?

Those of us who are 40 and up may remember the original Track and Field game; we had the Commodore 64 version. Although it’s been updated several times, how about one more reboot, branded with Olympics 2024? We’d certainly download it!
When it comes to the Olympics, the opportunities are virtually limitless, covering a broad range of sports. Think gymnastics rings, speed chutes, table tennis paddles, or boxing aids—the list goes on. There’s a vast sea of product possibilities that align perfectly with the Olympics brand.

Guinness World Records - Board & Card Game

Who hasn’t dreamt of holding a Guinness World Record? Imagine a board game that not only entertains but also gives you the chance to actually break a world record. This game would offer a dual experience: first, it has to be fun, and second, it should offer a shot at real-world records with the components in the box.

Quick note: Guinness World Records already has some great games out, so we’re aware we’re not breaking entirely new ground here

For an extra twist, how about a ‘More or Less’ card game with questions like, “The longest a human has ever held their breath is 24 minutes; is this longer or shorter than the average penguin?”

Konami - Metal Gear Solid Escape Room

Konami is a powerhouse in the video game industry, boasting classics like Frogger and modern hits like Metal Gear Solid. To do justice to these immersive worlds, we suggest something equally immersive—a Metal Gear Solid-themed escape room.

The game’s stealth elements translate perfectly into this format.

This might already be available in Japan!

Mattel - "Build it with Bob" monthly STEM kit

Mattel’s recent Barbie movie has been a blockbuster, but we’re focusing on a classic: Bob the Builder. This brand is nostalgic for millennials, who are likely to buy STEM toys for their kids.

Our idea? A subscription service that teaches children about home building and renovation, modeled after KiwiCo’s “Maker Crate.”

This might already be available in Japan!

Natural History Museum - Fossil Kit

The Natural History Museum is iconic for its dino displays, especially that big Diplodocus we all remember. Yep, we know it’s been swapped for a huge Blue Whale, but still.
The Natural History Museum is iconic for its dino displays, especially that big Diplodocus we all remember. Yep, we know it’s been swapped for a huge Blue Whale, but still.

Penguin Books - Peter Rabbit - Rabbit Food

Searching Amazon, we stumbled on this awesome collab between Peter Rabbit and Organic Tree. They’re killing it with food pouches.
But here’s a twist: What if, instead of food for kids, it’s food for rabbits? We present the Peter Rabbit – Rabbit Food pouch! Big brands take most of the cake, but we’re confident a Peter Rabbit line could pull in £100k on Amazon in the first year.

Pokemon - Anatomy Coloring Book

Pokemon has pretty much every angle covered, making it hard for new folks to get in on the action. So, we’re thinking outside the box—like, way out. How about an Anatomy Coloring Book featuring Pokemon organs?

Who wouldn’t want to color in, say, a Bulbasaur’s liver?

RSPB - Camping Gear

Our first thought for RSPB was binoculars, but they’ve already got that on lock.

So let’s branch out—into camping gear. We think RSPB carries an air of quality that can command higher prices. A quick peek at Amazon shows top-selling camping gear brands aren’t exactly household names, leaving an opening for RSPB.

We’re excited to see how an RSPB-branded camping line would perform.

SEGA - Sonic Rollerskates & Rollerblades

Ask any kid, and they’ll tell you Sonic means “Fast.” SEGA’s done an awesome job getting the Sonic brand on bikes and scooters, but we’ve found a gap—rollerskates and rollerblades.
We did find some retro ones on eBay, but that’s about it. Time to roll out some new ones, we say! And just for kicks, how about a dream team-up between Nike and Sega on some killer skates?

In Summary

So there we go, we’ve journeyed through 16 ideas and some AI-generated images that show the the exciting potential of brand licensing. Drawing inspiration from our experience at the Licensing Expo in London, we’ve paired iconic brands with imaginative products, all visually brought to life by DALLE-3 from OpenAI.

While we’re not affiliated with these brands, we hope this article sparks new ideas for brand owners and potential licensees. Thanks for joining us on this fun ride, if you’re interested in turning any of these concepts into reality, we’re all ears!

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