TOTAL LICENSING
2010 marks 30 years of Spot
‘MyMy familfamilyy loloveses Spot Spot
he had designed. This led on to Eric a range of products from DVD and
because in Spot’s
creating a story about a small puppy plush toys, to prints and greetings
world learning and
called Spot which then turned into cards. Known by children in over 100
fun go hand in hand.’
the best seller that is loved today. countries, Spot has true international
Jude Law, Actor
The original story Where’s Spot? was appeal. He has many aliases: Dribbel in
quickly followed by a series of the Holland, Tippens in Sweden, Bolinha in
‘My family loves
lift-the-flap books and today the wide Portugal and Spotty in Italy.
Spot because he’s an
range available includes sound books, Recent brand research highlighted
inquisitive, happy little
board books, activity books and nov- the great love and fondness that par-
chappie who loves
elty, published by Frederick Warne. ents of young children today feel for
a good adventure!
In addition to the books, Spot has Spot, many having grown up with him
Long may he reign.’
become a global licensing brand (li- themselves, and the 30
th
anniversary
Melanie Sykes, Spot first appeared in 1980 in Eric
censed by Chorion), and features on in 2010 is the perfect opportunity to
Television Presenter Hill’s award-winning title Where’s
Spot? With its ground-breaking ‘lift-
‘Spot was always a the-flap’ design, simple story and bold
favourite with my illustrations, the book was at the top
children when they of the UK best-seller list within weeks
were younger... I and today over 50 million Spot books
hope that Spot will have been sold worldwide. Eric was
be around for many awarded an O.B.E. for services to
years to come.’ children’s literature in the 2008 New
Gary Rhodes, Year’s Honours List.
Celebrity Chef The book Where’s Spot? originates
from when Eric Hill was with his
young son one evening and noticed
what a positive reaction he got to a
flap hiding a funny picture on a leaflet
About Eric Hill
celebrate the fantastic success story
Eric Hill attended Pooles Park Elementary and Tollington Park
and to have a lot of fun!
Central schools in the UK until the outbreak of World War II. At
To celebrate 30 years of fun with Spot
the age of 12, Eric was evacuated from London to the small village
in style, an exciting series of celebra-
of Bluntisham in Huntingtonshire in 1939. Eric returned to Lon-
tory activities is being put in place
don in early 1940. He left school at 15 to start his first job with a
worldwide, including fabulous new
shipping office in the City. At 16 he joined an art studio as a mes-
publishing, events, and extensive mar-
senger where he was encouraged to draw cartoons in his spare
keting support for all partners. An in-
time. After a stint with the Royal Air Force, Eric returned to the
novative licensing program is planned
studio again and his cartooning work began to be published in
across apparel, gift, homeware and toy
national magazines and newspapers. He started a weekly strip
categories.
for the London magazine Illustrated and did small story sketches
for Lilliput and other national magazines. Eric’s next career move
was in advertising. However he eventually decided to work for
himself, freelancing as an art director, graphic designer and illustrator. In 1976, Eric’s son Christopher was
born. Eric made up a story about a small puppy to read to him at bedtime, when he was 2 years old. In
1980, Where’s Spot? was published and the rest is history.
As well as his son Christopher, Eric also has a daughter, Jane, who now works very closely with her father
on many Spot projects. Eric remains involved in the development of all Spot projects at every stage. He
and his wife Gillian live in France with a varied collection of animals, which provide continual inspiration
for the Spot stories.
Eric was one of the ‘literary ambassadors’ invited to The Children’s Party at the Palace to commemorate
The Queen’s 80th birthday at Buckingham Palace in June 2006. This highlight of Eric’s career was followed
with the award of an O.B.E. for services to children’s literature in the 2008 New Year’s Honours List.
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