Aardman Taps CAA for Shaun the Sheep Expansion Across Asia-Pacific

Aardman appointed CAA Brand Management to handle licensing, partnerships, live experiences and promotions for Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit across five Asia-Pacific markets.

The deal covers Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. CAA will manage brand licensing deals, partnership opportunities, live experience development and promotional campaigns for both properties in the region.

Aardman announced the appointment April 9 via LinkedIn. The Bristol-based animation studio has operated as an independent production company since its 1972 founding, maintaining creative control while producing work for major entertainment brands globally.

Shaun the Sheep launched in 2007 as a spin-off from the Wallace & Gromit franchise. The character has since appeared in two feature films, multiple television series, and brand partnerships spanning retail, digital content and experiential activations. Wallace & Gromit, Aardman's flagship property, has generated four Academy Awards since the characters first appeared in 1989.

The Asia-Pacific expansion represents CAA's growing presence in character licensing beyond North American and European markets. CAA Brand Management operates as the licensing and brand development division within Creative Artists Agency, handling commercial partnerships for entertainment properties, talent estates and corporate brands.

Aardman retains ownership of both properties under the new arrangement. The studio continues to produce animation work independently while licensing character rights through territorial partnerships. The company's model: independent ownership paired with selective commercial partnerships. This mirrors the structure many creative agencies use to scale reach while maintaining control over core IP.

The deal positions Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit for regional brand partnerships, retail licensing and live entertainment opportunities across markets representing a combined population exceeding 1.5 billion people.