Our CEO and Creative Director Vicki Willden-Lebrecht celebrated an “…end of another fantastic year” that felt “especially momentous as this year marked 21 years of Bright.”

Benji Davies, David Litchfield, Yasmeen Ismail, Carys Bexington were just some of the children’s publishing creative icons in attendance at the annual Winter Party event, alongside S&S Managing Director Rachel Denwood, PRH Art Director James Annel and Postwave Design Director Avni Patel.

From left to right: Vicki Willden-Lebrecht, Benji Davies, Rachel Denwood

Guy Chambers, composer of The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland soundtrack raised the roof with a performance of Angels, a song he had written for Robbie Williams.

In her speech, Vicki commented that Bright’s growth in 2024 had seen “90% of our pitch to acquisitions acquired, which was a 50% increase from 2023”, reinforcing that Bright has always been about “creativity, connection and exploration”.

Upon reflection of a successful 2024, Vicki also joked that “our artists have won the Henries, Lollies and the Irish Book Awards - and that’s just this month!” indicating the scope and success that Bright’s represented talent are accustomed to.

Other Bright Agency highlights to close out the year include the release of the full-length animated adaptation of Carys Bexington’s The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland (available to watch here) produced by Lupus for Universal films, and Supertato being commissioned for a second series with the BBC.

From left to right: Vicki Willden-Lebrecht, Guy Chambers, Carys Bexington, Richard Scrivener

As a vocal objector to “AI-Generated, cookie-cutter content” Vicki reinforced the importance of genuine artistic endeavours and the power of creative relationships rooted in “trust, respect and care”.

Discussing what a future of Children’s Publishing could, and should look like, Vicki said: “We all know the statistics of a decline in reading” she began. “In this screen-filled world, we can no longer rely on just selling books. We have to sell reading itself.”

“We are not robots (yet) and until we are we have to respect that we are human.” Vicki continued. “Rest away from screens is key for our kids’ brains to develop. Books, I believe, are the balance and the way to progress within a digital way of life. They’re invitations to calm the nervous system, to dream, to learn and to unite”. There are conversations to be had, and Willden-Lebrecht urged publishers to get on board with books being the counter balance to fizzing screentime and the perfect way to protect our children’s mental health.

Vicki’s speech concluded with a thanks to the artists, authors and clients that had been part of Bright’s journey. “Thank you for your talent, your passion, and your commitment to creating stories and art that truly make a difference”.

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Highlights from the Night