DCD Publishing Signs Trends As First Blast Lab Toy Licensee

DCD Publishing are thrilled to announce that Trends, the leading Oxford-based toy manufacturer, have been appointed as the first toy licensee for Richard Hammond's Blast Lab.

Trends will produce a range of fun science toys and Lee Clowes, Managing Director, Trends said "we're delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside DCD and Richard Hammond. Richard's unquestioned popularity and the outstanding success of the Blast Lab show, coupled with his enthusiasm to work closely with Trends on this project, will ensure that we can deliver something fresh and exciting into the science category. Our strength has been in developing and marketing the 'serious' side of science toys, particularly under the National Geographic banner, and Blast Lab offers a natural extension to our range and the opportunity to use the popularity of this TV property to bring science to life with wacky and fun experiments. A first in science toys for many years!"

The new popular science-based game show on BBC2/CBBC has been a major ratings success for the UK broadcaster which has recently commissioned a second season bringing the format to a total of 52 episodes.

Richard Hammond's Blast Lab has also enjoyed publishing success with 3 best selling books and a further 4 titles to be released in Q4 2009, as well as a DVD release planned in October 09.

Adrian Sington, CEO of DCD Publishing added "we know that Richard Hammond is very keen to make science come alive for children and this deal with Trends is an important part of that process".

"Trends have a reputation for carefully nurturing brands and investing in the product development area and we at DCD Publishing are very pleased to have them as a Blast Lab Licensee", commented Michael Gottlieb Head of Licensing, DCD Publishing.