Year: 2024

Carousel Worldwide Releases New Notebook Range for International Markets

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Carousel Worldwide Releases New Notebook Range for International Markets

Carousel Worldwide is delighted to announce its debut in the notebook market with the launch of 19 stunning new notebook products. Drawing upon their vast experience with dated printed product, this was a natural extension to their existing array of diaries, and uses many of the famous brands and licences with which they currently have successful partnerships.

The range has been introduced to help with Carousel’s expansion into new international markets, and particularly the US. This is alongside the recent acquisition of Gladstone Media, US publisher of dated products, that further increased Carousel’s reach into the American market.

Seeking to take a different approach to notebooks, Carousel has taken best-selling licences and titles and applied them to a new range of attractive and useful products.  The range includes Emma Bridgewater, RBG Kew, Bree Merryn, New York Botanical Gardens, Kate Smith, Georgia Breeze, Banksy, See America National Parks, Kilted Yoga, Firefighters and more.

The new notebooks will incorporate a rear pocket, elastic closure, an inside ribbon, and over 170 sheets of quality paper, and will finish with retails of E13.99, US$15.99 and £10.99.

A mix of photographic and illustrated styles means there is a design for everyone, with the aim being to build on existing bestselling calendars and further strengthen the brands with notebooks that can be sold all year round.

From an environmental perspective, Carousel will continue to apply their market leading sustainability initiatives from calendars to the new notebooks. This includes using FSC paper and reducing the use of plastic as much as possible. Carousel Worldwide were pleased to be recognised by the Products of Change Licensing Sustainability Awards 2023 for their environmental efforts, which they continue to hone and improve. The range has been developed initially for our international retailers and for the moment is not available within the UK.

Carousel Worldwide Acquires US Calendar Publisher Gladstone Media

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Carousel Worldwide Acquires US Calendar Publisher Gladstone Media

Carousel Worldwide, the UK’s leading calendar publisher, distributor and licensee, is delighted to announce the acquisition of US-based publisher Gladstone Media.

Gladstone Media, under Leonard Phillips and based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, has been a highly regarded publisher since 1995. Specialising in distinctive, high quality and creative calendars, they have always had and will continue to have a unique place within the dated market. 

Carousel Worldwide has been expanding their distribution worldwide, particularly in the US, so welcomed this opportunity to acquire Gladstone Media. Both companies share very similar values with design, spectacular imagery and stunning photography, as well as having environmental and sustainability issues at the heart of all products. This has helped to make the whole process of integration as smooth as possible, to continue delivering the highest quality calendars to all our customers.

This move supports Carousel’s growth within the US and its imminent launch of the Carousel Worldwide brand. 

Carousel Worldwide is in the unrivalled position of being part-owned by Calendar Club US, who, with the Go! Retail and www.calendars.com brands, is the largest US calendar retailer. 

The extensive years of experience within the dated market will ensure Carousel Worldwide’s dominant position within the market, as well as the continuing presence of a highly regarded brand such as Gladstone Media.

Leonard Phillips:

“It’s been a long, strange trip from the single title Gladstone Media began with in 1995, to the scores of titles we now produce. It is difficult to let go, yet I am honored and excited to pass the reins to Carousel Worldwide. Steve has been great throughout the acquisition process, and we at Gladstone Media look forward to the support, scale and worldwide reach that comes with joining the team at Carousel.”

Steve Plackett, Managing Director Carousel Worldwide:

“This is an exciting and significant step in our international growth. Gladstone’s unique range of calendars is very complementary to our own range, and it’s been a pleasure to work with Leonard in order to make this happen.”

Gideon Schlessinger, CEO Calendar Club USA:

“We are delighted to welcome Gladstone to our business and portfolio. Leonard has consistently been one of the industry’s most innovative publishers, always bringing interesting and often fun, fresh content to the Gladstone titles. We have loved Gladstone as a supplier and know we will love the brand as a part of the family.”

New and Updated Carousel Calendar Titles for 2025

Carousel

New and Updated Carousel Calendar Titles for 2025

Royal Ballet – Wall and A5 Dlx Diary – NEW LICENCE
New for 2025 is an exciting new partnership with the internationally renowned Royal Ballet and Opera House, which will produce a photo-led deluxe diary and wall calendar, showcasing visually stunning imagery from the company.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – A3 Family Organiser – NEW LICENCE
This classic award-winning British children’s book written by Michael Rosen is a firm favourite with children and parents and has been for many years. The A3 family organiser it will help and bring joy to all families going on their own “Bear Hunt” throughout the year.

Flower Fairies – Slim – NEW LICENCE
First published in 1923 by Cicely Mary Baker, these images continue to delight both adults and children everywhere. The imagery and its botanically accurate drawings are simply enchanting, with the fairies based on real children.

Pin Ups – Fiona Stephenson – Wall – NEW LICENCE
Carousel’s Pin Up range has grown worldwide over the last few years; as a result we have added the talented Fiona Stephenson to the line up, who has been creating her very own playful pin up girls for many years. The tasteful, clean and fresh approach will add fun and colour to any wall.

Emma Bridgewater – Dates, Dinners and Dog walks – WTV Organiser – NEW TITLE
A new addition to one of our most popular licences is the Dates, Dinners and Dog Walks title. Carousel have combined Emma’s charming dog illustrations, which covers many breeds, with our ever-popular week-to-view wire bound wall format. The title is designed as a very helpful organiser for the entire family – including dogs!

Guinness – Guinness Firsts – Wall – NEW TITLE
Guinness have been achieving ‘firsts’ ever since the world-famous Irish Stout was created in 1759. This beautiful calendar with stunning imagery is testament to all those firsts over the brand’s long history and will appeal to all Guinness lovers and new fans alike.

WWF – Entire Range – NEW LOOK
We have been working with this eminent worldwide organisation for many years and we are delighted to showcase our new look range for 2025. Along with this, we have added a new Pandas title; as the WWF’s logo it was an easy decision. The range refresh will help put the focus even more on animals, birds and wildlife and assist WWF’s efforts in the conservation and the challenges of global warming.

Breathe
Take a deep, cleansing breath with these products from the partnership between Breathe Magazine, the original mindfulness magazine that provides a body-and-soul guide to being happier and healthier, and Carousel Calendars. Combined with colourful, inspirational images, these calendars offer snippets of wisdom to bring mindfulness to daily lives.

English Heritage
Following a successful first year, we are continuing our exciting partnership with English Heritage, who seeks to care for historical and notable locations and foster an appreciation of the country’s past. The range showcases beautiful photographs of the country’s famous landmarks and treasures in a comprehensive array of formats, including walls, minis and diaries.