Ahead of BLE, Products of Change has announced the launch of what it calls ‘a truly sustainable brand champion for the community and planet’.

Sky Kids’ Obki aims to be a ‘leading force’ driving the sustainability agenda on a global platform through a series of worldwide licensing deals via newly signed licensing agency the Radius Group. Launching at The Brand Licensing Europe Show on November 17th, and supported by Products of Change, Obki will bring together a selection of sustainable companies to curate a range of branded lifestyle products, including plush, toys, apparel, food, drink and publishing for children.

The cartoon series Obki follows a loveable alien on his journey to be a force for good on Earth. The show is part of Sky’s campaign to be net zero carbon by 2030 and its commitment to encourage its customers to #GoZero, by using its content and channels to raise awareness of the climate crisis and inspire viewers to adopt measures to protect the planet.

Products of Change, a global educational hub aimed at driving sustainable change across consumer product markets and beyond, will highlight the inroads that Obki is making as a sustainable brand. With growing numbers of shoppers calling on retailers, brands and governments to implement change following COP26, Obki is working with Sky Zero and Products of Change as part of its strategy. Obki was screened at COP26 at a special event called ‘World Leaders Listen Up’ and Obki’s animator Simone Giampaolo was chosen as a UK Government ‘One Step Greener’ Ambassador.

Global licensing expert and CEO of the Radius Group, Damian Hopkins, said: “Obki has a unique ability to command the most sustainable licensing partners, influence what toys, clothes and food consumers buy, and how they use their purchases at home. Obki will lead by example, driving change in the character licensing industry by collaborating with licensees and partners to deliver products with sustainability at their core.”

Obki founder Amanda Evans has coined the term ‘small step sustainability’ – the notion that providing customers with a range of sustainable branded goods they know and trust will make it easier and quicker for them to make sustainable decisions, both in-store and at home.

In 2022, Obki will focus on being the voice of positivity and proactivity in the face of climate change doom and gloom, communicating that small changes can make a big difference. Customers will be able to view Obki on Sky Kids and obtain detailed information about the sustainability credentials of Obki’s food, clothing, toys or homewares they are purchasing.

Amanda commented: “We want to educate consumers about Obki’s sustainability principles and how they can shop more ethically and reach for the product that they know is better for the planet. Retailers will then be able to shift ethically minded consumers towards these products. Obki will become an active ambassador for climate change by inspiring the next generation to be environmentally intuitive in their thinking and decision making.”

Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO and founder of Products of Change, said: “Obki is an example of a brand that embeds sustainability into its thinking and operations. To see the team’s ambition to build a truly sustainable licensed brand from content to product is pretty phenomenal, as well as incorporating a large proportion of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals within its sustainability framework. It is a real honour to be working with such a progressive team to bring this to life, and I am really looking forward to watching Obki’s success around the world.”