Blue Kangaroo’s Bristol move
ACREATIVE agency that works with some of the world’s largest character licensing brands from its Tyneside base has expanded into Bristol.
Newcastle’s Blue Kangaroo Design specialises in entertainment industry work and has grown on the back of work with the likes of Universal Studios, Mattel, Disney, Warner Brothers, Marvel, Amazon and Ravensburger.
Now the firm has appointed six new employees alongside the opening of its new South West office, taking its headcount to 20. The base is within Temple Studios – a 1930s building now inhabited by creative and digital firms.
Blue Kangaroo’s head of design Paul Richards, who lives in Bristol, leads the office with four other members of staff Ellie Bacon, Anina Yates and Rachel Chapman and Ben Chick.
The firm was originally set up to work with entertainment character licensing and has gone on to secure high-profile clients from across the world, including names such as Mattel, Disney, Warner Bros and Marvel.
It specialises in design, packaging and hosting experiential events for some of the biggest global names.
Founder Jason Knights launched the company in 2006 after having left the army and worked in another creative industry. He has championed the North East and its skills base throughout the years since.
Now, after an investment of £30,000 in technology and recent work with Universal Studios to design build and install a Jurassic Park retail environment at the Natural History Museum, Mr Knights says “exciting times” are ahead.
He said: “We started out in 2006 and our first big client was Disney Store. Since then we have grown by word of mouth and have built up a great reputation as a creative agency which works with some amazing clients.
“Business is great so it was an easy decision to open a new office in Bristol, take on more talented, skilled creatives and expand both our capacity and operations. We regularly have over 130 projects on the go for our 17 globally known clients, and we have exciting times ahead.
“I’m really proud to be opening our new studio in Bristol – such a bustling city which rivals London and Manchester for its vibrant and existing creative scene. Our Bristol team Together are really excited to be opening a new chapter for Blue Kangaroo Design in the heart of the South West, and it’s fantastic to be contributing to the creative industries in this thriving, vibrant city.”