MGA Shows Its Passion for Compassion
MGA Entertainment has more than a passion for fashion, joining forces with theNational Children's Leukemia Foundation on StepOut2HelpOut. The cause campaignempowers young girls to make a difference in the lives of kids who are fightingleukemia. As part of the campaign, every Bratz Step Out doll in the U.S. ispacked with a rubberized bracelet with the words, "StepOut2HelpOut," embossedon one side and the Bratz logo and National Children's Leukemia Foundation logoon the other side. A portion of the proceeds for every doll sold will go to theNational Children's Leukemia Foundation. The two companies will hold a specialevent Friday, October 7, at NY Children's Hospital from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., whereBratz Step Out Dolls and Alien Racers action figures will be donated to thegirls and boys.
Global Icons Acquires Evergreen Concepts
Global Icons acquired Evergreen Concepts, founded in 2003 by Melissa Segal andJeff Fradin. As part of the acquisition, Global Icons will inherit EvergreenConcept's client brand portfolio that includes Build-A-Bear Workshop; BrainyBaby; Lavaggi the "Artist of Hope"; and Pretty Tough, a new lifestyle branddeveloped for female athletes of all ages.
Big Plans Underway for Wallace & Gromit
DreamWorks Animation and Aardman Animation aligned on a promotional andlicensing program for Wallace & Gromit-The Curse of the Were-Rabbit intheaters October 7, 2005. Burger King will create eight premiums, as well as anational television campaign, in-restaurant merchandising, an Internetcomponent, kid-targeted direct mail, and inclusion in a dedicated Kids' Clubnewsletter. Master toy licensee McFarlane Toys will launch a toy program, whilepublishing licensees Chronicle Books, Penguin Books, Titan, and DorlingKindersley will create a calendar, hardcover journal, fold-and-mail stationery,novelization, joke book, graphic novel, an essential guide to the film, and asticker book. Konami also will create a Wallace & Gromit video game,developed in collaboration with Aardman and game developer Frontier, for PS2and Xbox.
Theaters Pony Up New Holiday Movie
My Little Pony made its theatrical debut October 1 as part of an initiativebetween the Hasbro Properties Group and Kidtoon Films. My Little Pony: A VeryMinty Christmas will be screened at weekend matinees through October 23 attheaters across the country. Children will receive a My Little Pony party hatand favor for a before-the-show Pony Party. The 44-minute film from Hasbro andParamount Home Entertainment also will be available on DVD October 25 for$16.99 (VHS $9.95).
FUNimation Launches Digital Network
FUNimation Entertainment brings a full slate of anime programming to U.S.audiences with the launch of the FUNimation Channel. The 24-hour digitalnetwork will feature top-rated brands from Japan and will be joined by aWebsite, http://www.funimationchannel.com/,in a few weeks. OlympuSAT is the exclusive distributor of the channel.
Agent Spotted for New Property
The Copyrights Group appointed RJM Licensing, Inc., to be the licensing agentin the U.S. and Canada for Spot. Initially, RJM Licensing will pursue plush andtoys, feeding items, gift sets, stationery, bedding and accessories, andapparel for the literary property.
Big Dog Fetches New Licensing Opportunities
Earthworks Entertainment was granted domestic and international rights to theBig Dog brand of sportswear, activewear, and accessories in more than 175 BigDog retail locations, as well as in the catalog and Website. Earthworks hasbegun work on developing an animated television series and will handleinternational merchandise licensing representation. Big Dog Sportswear is asubsidiary of Big Dog Holdings Inc.
National Geographic Partners on Adventure Series
Canadian television production companies Cellar Door Productions Inc. andSinking Ship Productions Inc. teamed with National Geographic Television &Film's Kids' Programming and Production on Are We There Yet?, the firstunscripted global travel-adventure series for kids, hosted by kids. The series,aimed at 4- to 7-year-olds, takes viewers on a worldwide field trip through theeyes-and crayon-drawn travel logs-of hosts 7-year-old Molly and her 5-year-oldbrother, Sam. As part of their travels, the duo meets up with local childrenand gets a firsthand look at how they live, the food they eat, and the gamesthey play.
Santoro Firms Up Representative for Brands
Santoro appointed Lisa Marks & Associates, Inc., the North Americanrepresentative for licensing and merchandising for Tutti Cuti and jeli.deli.LMA will work closely with Santoro's London-based design, merchandising, andmarketing team to develop licensing, merchandising, and promotional programsfor the properties. Santoro also signed three new licensing agents for TuttiCuti to cover six new territories. Tycoon Enterprises will represent the brandin Mexico; International Merchandising SRL in Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, andParaguay; and Yooka in Israel.
Teddy Ruxpin Comes to DVD
First National Pictures acquired the North American DVD rights from DLTEntertainment for The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin. The DVD is the first-ever forthe animatronic toy, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this month andreturns to store shelves next year with MP3 technology from BackPack Toys. The1987 series follows Teddy Ruxpin and his best friends, Grubby and NewtonGimmick, through 65 episodes of musical adventures.
HANNspree Tunes Into New Disney Line
HANNspree California, Inc., launched a new line of seven LCD television setsinspired by Disney characters and films. The line (suggested retails, $499 to$549) offers models featuring Mickey Mouse, Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh,102 Dalmatians, and Cinderella, and are available at HANNspree boutique stores,DisneyShopping.com, The Disney Store, and Disney theme parks.
Sesame Street Characters Join Water Babies Line
Playmates Toys aligned with Sesame Workshop on the first Sesame Street-themedWater Babies. The newest additions to the line will be 13 Dress Up Cuddlers(suggested retail, $14.99) in an assortment that includes Elmo, Cookie Monster,Big Bird, and Grover for fall 2005 and Oscar in fall 2006.
Upcoming Industry Events
LINK New York, October 5-7,Roosevelt Hotel, New York, http://www.ny.linkconference.com
MIPCOM Jr., October 15-16, NogaHilton, Cannes, France, http://www.mipcomjunior.com/
MIPCOM, October 17-21, Palaisdes Festivals, Cannes, France, http://www.mipcom.com/
American International Fall Toy Show, October 24-27, Toy District Showrooms, New York, http://www.toy-tia.org/
The L.A. Office RoadShow Europe,October 24-26, London, http://www.laoffice.com/roadshow
Triple Play: Voice, Video, Data, at Telecom '05, October 24, Las Vegas, http://www.ihollywoodforum.com/
Brand Licensing 2005, October25-26, Earls Court, London, http://www.brandlicensingexpo.com/
Submit Licenses Granted & Available Now Online
License!'s License! Finder allows you to submit licenses granted and availablenow online, which will be published on the License! Website (http://www.licensemag.com/) on a weeklybasis once approved by an editor. Go to http://www.finder.licensemag.com/to fill out the verification form and submit your licenses granted or availablenow. Highlights from each month's online submissions will be published inLicense! magazine. Any questions, contact Alyson Grala at (212) 951-6743 or viae-mail: mailto:[email protected].
For more information on licensing news and features, visit License! magazine'sWebsite, http://www.licensemag.com.
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