Dec 2010

JHS Wins Third Prestigious Award With
SpongeBob SquarePants Real Musical Instruments

John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd., worldwide trade distributors of SpongeBob SquarePants has been awarded the 'Rob Williams Business Enterprise Award' at the recent Music Industries Association Music Awards 2010, held at the Landmark Hotel, London.

Business innovation comes in many guises, and JHS’s success with its SpongeBob SquarePants Real Musical Instrument range has shown what can be achieved with an innovative approach and having serious fun while creating high quality musical instruments based upon one of the world’s most visible licensed properties, then using extensive promotion, and strong multi-channel marketing to drive sales for all resellers across domestic and international markets.

Consumers are enjoying SpongeBob instruments in the United Kingdom and Eire, Europe, Scandinavia, eastern Europe, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, where the range continues to be featured in on-air promotional content on Nickelodeon and marketing activities in those markets.

From a standing start in 2008, the SBSP RMI range now covers some 40 SKUs, ranging from ukes to acoustic and electric guitars, plectrums, drum kits, percussion kits, and the very latest addition, the SpongeBob automatic clip on tuner: yep, your favourite sponge will now help you tune your guitar, or just about any other instrument you can clip it to!

Commenting on this latest award, JHS MD Dennis Drumm said: “Rob Williams was a great innovator, changing the UK MI retail landscape and leaving a lasting legacy, including this annual award. With the selection process being so focused, and managed by a varied panel including CEOs from outside the music products industry, chartered accountants and senior executives from NAMM and other industry trade associations, and competing with very strong other nominees, it was a real honour for SpongeBob to be the winner.”

In addition to this award, SBSP RMI has also won the prestigious the Licensing Awards' 'The Innovation Award 2009', and 1st prize for new product trends at the Toy Fair in Paris 2010 (1er Prix Tendances 2010, Catégorie Produits de l’Enfant Salon du Jouet & du Jeu 2010), with a range of musical products which appeals to all ages, brings pleasure to many, puts a smile on everyone’s face, encourages young people to take up music making, and brings additional, profitable contribution to resellers everywhere.

Ashley Holman, Senior Licensing Manager for Nickelodeon Consumer Products UK, said: “We’re extremely pleased that the SpongeBob SquarePants Real Musical Instrument range continues to be recognised for its unique and innovative design. The ongoing addition of new items to the range is clear indication of the success of the partnership between Nickelodeon and JHS and we look forward to further developing this truly fantastic range of products."

Image (l-r) Jason Tavaria - Dolphin Music managing Director, Jon Gold - President MIA,
Betty Heywood - NAMM's director of international affairs, Dennis Drumm - JHS Managing Director, Dominic Holland - Comedian.

> Click here to visit SpongeBob SquarePants Real Musical Instruments