Postman Pat to Air on HBO Family
Entertainment Rights Plc signed a major broadcast deal with Time Warner's HBO
for Postman Pat to appear on HBO Family. The deal marks a significant milestone
in the global rollout of the UK brand. Preschoolers will be able to watch the
series in fall 2005 in both English and Spanish. Entertainment Rights also is
creating a consumer products program due in stores in 2006.
Hasbro Reclaims Digital Gaming Rights
Hasbro, Inc., reacquired the digital gaming rights for its properties from
Infogrames Entertainment SA for $65 million. Infogrames previously held these
rights on an exclusive basis as a result of a license agreement entered into
concurrently with its purchase of Hasbro Interactive and Games.com from Hasbro
in December 2000. As part of the transaction, the duo entered into a new
licensing arrangement that provides Infogrames with the rights for 10 Hasbro
franchises, including Dungeons and Dragons and Monopoly.
DIC Entertainment Scouts New Audience
DIC Entertainment will collaborate with Girl Scouts of the USA on a new online
experience to build their knowledge of design technology and financial literacy
through participation in interactive activities and contests on http://www.trollz.com/. Users will be able to
express their individuality and creativity by designing their own unique Troll,
which can interact in the online world of Trollzopolis. They will learn the
value of money by earning "Trollars," the Trollz currency, through
participating in online and offline activities and promotions. Plans also are
in development for Studio 2B Girl Scouts ages 11 to 17 to be eligible to win a
one-week internship at DIC after creating a letter outlining how they would
like to apply what they learned on www.trollz.com toward an internship.
New Alliance Is a RIOT
RIOT Media, Inc., formed a broad-based strategic alliance with The Robert
Thorne Company. Under the terms of the deal, TRTC will work with RIOT to
develop, manage, and implement licensing, sales, and marketing initiatives
designed to build RIOT's identity as a total lifestyle brand for 'tween boys.
The brand will launch apparel in June, a calendar in July, and, in late summer,
the premiere issues of RIOT magazine and RIOT comic book, as well as RIOT
trading cards, posters, and stickers. Additional content-based and branded
products, including a collectible card game, books, toys, electronic games,
back-to-school items, bags, backpacks, and other accessories are slated for
release in 2006.
Stone America Signs on "Bridal Bootcamp"
Stone America Licensing, LLC, added "Bridal Bootcamp," the new book written by
fitness guru and trainer Cynthia Conde, to its client roster. As part of the
partnership, Stone America will pursue licensing opportunities in categories
including: exercise and fitness equipment (stationary and portable), music and
video, entertainment (TV reality series), publishing, and apparel. "Bridal
Bootcamp" is a complete fitness and nutrition system created especially for
women, focusing on areas of the body most women want to improve, with special
emphasis on looking sensational in a bridal dress.
A Truckin' New Property
MagicDreams awarded Earthworks Entertainment North American broadcast
distribution and merchandise licensing rights to Kiddo The Super-Truck. The
music-driven CGI animated series is set in Sunnyside where the resident cars,
trucks, planes, and trains share in musical and magical adventures that impart
social skills and fun to young and old alike. Earthworks also seeks partners
for all categories including toys, publishing, video/DVDs, music CDs, and
apparel.
Oobi Breaks into International Markets
Created and produced by Little Airplane Productions, Oobi is about to hit the
international airwaves, selling into 23 countries worldwide. Partnering with
Nickelodeon in 18 of the 23 countries, the bare-hand puppet will amuse
audiences in Brunei, India, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, Mauritius, Papua New
Guinea, Philippines, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Tonga
via Nick Asia. With Nick India, Oobi will be shown to kids in Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Marshall Island, Nepal, and Pakistan. Nickelodeon Australia and
Australian Broadcasting air Oobi in Australia. Other broadcast arrangements
include: TV Ontario for Canada, Iceland Broadcasting for Iceland, Baby TV in
Israel, and Armed Forces TV for U.S. servicemen and servicewomen.
New Company Launches TV Series
One Red Room, a new digital animation and production company, kicked off its
official launch with TV series Shane's Kindergarten Countdown for Disney
Channel's Playhouse Disney. The new animated series airs weekday mornings as
part of the new Breakfast With Bear block. One Red Room also produces the
Shanna's Show series, seen in regular rotation throughout Playhouse Disney, and
from which Shane's Kindergarten Countdown is a spin-off series. The company was
created by Matthew Thornton, a former Microsoft production manager and producer
of the Sim City video game.
Toy Play to Helm Xiaolin Showdown Toy Push
Warner Bros. Consumer Products awarded Toy Play the master toy license for
Xiaolin Showdown, currently airing on Kids' WB!. In spring 2006, Toy Play, a
division of The Betesh Group, will launch a new line of action figures,
collectibles, and role-play toys.
Spencer to Helm National Promotions
Susan Spencer was named head of national promotions for DreamWorks Animation
Consumer Products. Spencer will be responsible for the strategic development
and implementation of national promotions for DreamWorks SKG properties
including animation and live-action films, home video, and television, as well
as product placement efforts.
Parente Upped at Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop promoted Carol-Lynn Parente from senior producer to executive
producer, Sesame Street. Parente will be responsible for the overall production
process of the domestic program.
Special Events at Licensing 2005
International
In addition to hundreds of
exhibitors, networking events, and L!censing University- which covers topics
from promotions to art, international licensing, and 'tween and teen
brands-Licensing 2005 International offers some interesting special events.
These include appearances by the Professional Bull Riders outside the Javits
Center; appearances by baseball sluggers Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Ernie
Banks, and Sadaharu Oh at the 500 Home Run Club booth; and fashion shows
created by Sesame Workshop and Mattel. Be sure to visit www.licensingshow.com for additional
information. Registration for the Mobile and Digital Licensing Summit is still
open. To save 10 percent, use promotional code "MDS05" when registering for the
summit. To go directly to registration, visit https://www.showreg.net/LSI2005/.
Are You Prepared for Post-Show Follow-Up?
How are you planning to reach the leads
you generated at Licensing 2005 International? The July 2005 issue of License!
offers the only complete Licensing Show wrap-up-perspective and analysis of the
biggest week in the licensing industry. As licensees, agents, and retailers do
their post-show follow-up, your company will be top of mind, keeping profits
coming your way long after the show is over. Make sure you reserve
your space by June 17 and have your materials in before Licensing 2005
International. To find out more about our
July issue, visit http://www.licensemag.com/
or contact Steven Ekstract at (212) 951-6684 or sekstract@advanstar.com.
Licensing Fact: Did you know that
there's another networking opportunity right around the corner? If you want to
follow up on leads or contacts you made at Licensing 2005 International, you
can continue your networking process at LINK Las Vegas, August 31 to September
1, 2005, at Bellagio.
LINK Las Vegas Announces Keynote: Laura Rowley, author of "On Target: How the
World's Hottest Retailer Hit a Bull's-Eye"
How did Target's history and intense
culture shape the organization's success today? Author Laura Rowley will cover
those issues at LINK Las Vegas and explain how and why licensing has become one
of the retailer's most important strategies. Rowley is just one of many
speakers at LINK Las Vegas, August 31 to September 1, 2005, Bellagio. Running
concurrently with the last 1 1/2 days of MAGIC Marketplace, LINK Las Vegas will
focus on the challenges and opportunities of brand licensing in the fashion,
entertainment, and sports worlds. For information on sponsorship, speaking, and
attending, visit our Website. Registration is now open at http://www.linkconference.com.
Submit Licenses Granted & Available Now Online
License!'s new License! Finder now allows you to submit licenses granted and
available now online, which will be published on the License! Website (http://www.licensemag.com/) on a weekly
basis once approved by an editor. Go to http://www.finder.licensemag.com/
to fill out the verification form and submit your licenses granted or available
now. Highlights from each month's online submissions will be published in
License! magazine. Any questions, contact Alyson Grala at (212) 951-6743 or via
e-mail: mailto:agrala@advanstar.com.
Tripping the Rift with Cin
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