History

HOW IT ALL STARTED
In 1967, forty-three years ago, Cyril Speijer started the first promotional campaign for the Den Haag/Scheveningen Tourist Information Office and used ‘Popeye the Sailor Man’ in an advertising campaign for Nationale Nederlanden. At that time, character merchandising was virtually unknown in Europe. His idea of using a ‘character’ for promotional purposes was therefore quite innovative.

WAVERY PRODUCTIONS B.V.
The success of these promotions led to more customers and businesses asking us to take care of campaigns for them. We received requests to use ‘characters’ for products in order to boost sales. Wavery Productions B.V., as the company was named, developed from a one-man firm into what is now the largest independent licensing bureau in the Benelux. This market leader in ‘character merchandising’ played an important role in the development of what we now call ‘classic characters’. Examples include the Smurfs, Spike & Suzy, James Bond, The Pink Panther, Garfield, Snoopy, Spiderman, Popeye and Betty Boop.

EM.TV & WAVERY B.V.
In 1998, the management decided to sell the shares of Wavery Productions B.V. to the German media concern EM.TV AG. After the takeover, the name Wavery Productions BV was changed to EM.TV & Wavery BV.

STUDIO 100
At the 18th of june 2008 Studio 100 bought EM.; Entertainment Gmbh and became the owner of EM.TV & Wavery B.V.. Since january 1st 2009 EM. TV & Wavery B.V. will continue it's business under the "old" name Wavery Productions B.V.