Blacklist, a leading creative agency specialising in international IP and brand initiatives across all creative solutions, production, themed attractions and gaming, is attending IAAPA Expo 2023 in Orlando, Florida, this week, where the Blacklist Experiences team has made three key announcements.
New IPs revealed
During the trade show, Blacklist Experiences revealed the new intellectual properties (IPs) that it has developed, working in partnership with Simworx, the dynamic media attractions specialist. The Blacklist Experience team created the IPs in-house and collaborated with Simworx to develop the ride concepts, drawing on the firm’s expertise in the design, manufacture and development of 3D/4D-based attractions.
Blacklist has curated an array of diverse and captivating fictional worlds, encompassing distinctive settings, picturesque landscapes, and intricate backstories. Within each of these domains, Blacklist has crafted a multitude of characters and narratives.
These IPs were carefully constructed for LBE, considering how these fictitious universes can be effectively integrated into real-world entertainment venues and attractions. They are ideal for many different venue types, from temporary pop-up escape rooms to permanent installations like theme parks, and have been designed to appeal to varied audiences across all ages and interests.
Titles include Dragongate Kingdom, Galactic Buccaneers, Woodland Walk-in, Prehistoric Pioneers, Twisted Tides and Eerie Acres.
“We are thrilled to partner with Simworx to develop these brands exclusively for the location-based entertainment world,” says Annabel Rochfort, general manager of Blacklist Experiences. ” These fantastic brands now have a fully developed concept and are ready to implement into any attraction being both scalable and adaptable whilst embracing any localised considerations.”
Terry Monkton, CEO of Simworx, adds: “The Simworx Creative Team were delighted to support Blacklist Experiences by creating concepts of a selection of our key attractions fully themed around Blacklist’s newly created branded experiences, for inclusion within their fully scalable offerings.”
Partnerships announced with PMS and IVS
The team also announced its partnership with PMS International Group PLC during the show. Blacklist Experiences will represent the company’s Elves Behavin’ Badly IP for all Christmas installations around the world. PMS is the UK’s leading importer and wholesale distributor of a wide range of everyday value products.
Rochfort says: “PMS ‘Elves Behavin’ Badly is such a fun brand and with their cheeky personalities and extensive merchandise range, it is the perfect 360 holiday season solution for any attraction seeking a multi-demographic brand to increase their footfall during the festive months.”
John Costi-Mouyia, international sales manager at PMS International, says: “As we witness the remarkable expansion of our Elves Behavin’ Badly brand into its ninth Pranksmas season in 2024, we are delighted to be partnering with Annabel Rochfort and the Blacklist team to bring our mischievous Elves to the Global LBE market.
“This move reflects our dedication to expanding the presence of the Elves Behavin’ Badly brand, connecting with families across the globe, and elevating their end-of-year holiday celebrations with unrivalled seasonal enjoyment.”
Additionally, Blacklist Experiences has revealed its partnership with IVS to represent the company’s theme park rights. Blacklist Experiences will represent IVS globally as its appointed theme park agent for merchandising. IVS Group is an independent and dynamic merchandise management company working alongside some of the world’s leading brand owners.
“IVS Group is a leading global merchandise management company, partnering with the biggest names in the live entertainment sector and serving as a trusted merchandise supplier to top location-based entertainment services providers, including Merlin Entertainments, Nickelodeon and DreamWorks,” says Rochfort.
“This dynamic partnership empowers Blacklist Experiences’ strategy to alleviate challenges for our operators through the design and development of fully-approved, high-quality IP product ranges.”
Karan Kapoor, general manager of IVS Group, adds:
“IVS Group are extremely excited to announce our partnership with Blacklist Experiences, as we eagerly set our eyes upon the flourishing location-based entertainment industry. This collaboration is a testament to our continued commitment to delivering quality merchandise solutions and one-of-a-kind customer experiences alongside some of the best brands in the industry. We look forward to taking this journey with Blacklist Experiences and creating some fantastic products.”
Global Leisure & Entertainment partnership
Finally, Blacklist Experiences has announced a partnership with Global Leisure & Entertainment (GLE), a company created in 2021 to meet the growing global demand for leisure and entertainment developments.
Rochfort says the partnership is “an exciting milestone for Blacklist Experiences”. She adds: “From a design perspective we understand how important it is for our partners to have designs that are not only visually brilliant but also takes the operation into consideration.”
Global Leisure & Entertainment’s managing director Lennard Otto says the company “is excited to partner with Blacklist Experiences to expand its global partnerships with leading companies in the leisure and entertainment industry”.
Otto adds: “GLE has developments spanning more than 12 countries in the MENA and Asia-Pacific region and Blacklist Experiences will provide significant further creative and design support for our projects ranging from theme parks, water parks, hotels and FEC developments.
“Our strategic partnership will focus on both development, design and operational cooperations in the leisure and entertainment industry.”
Rochfort will be attending IAAPA Expo 2023 and attendees wishing to meet to discuss any of the above can contact her by email. Blacklist Experiences, in partnership with Simworx, will be launching and showcasing a new bespoke concept during the trade show at 11.30 a.m. on Tuesday 14 November at the Simworx booth, #867.
