Weekly E-News, Issue #157, April 18, 2006

Duo Form Global Alliance

Universal Studios and Mattel are working together on a multi-picture, multi-year alliance for worldwide marketing and distribution of feature-length DVDs. Universal will handle global marketing and distribution of future installments for the Barbie Entertainment franchise. The duo's first global joint release will be in fall 2006 with Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses, a princess-themed film that features the motion-capture dance movements of the New York City Ballet. Universal also will handle the worldwide fall release of PollyWorld, the first feature based on the miniature doll.

Hasbro to Support New Children's Series

BBC Worldwide and Ragdoll Ltd. awarded Hasbro, Inc., the master toy and game license for In the Night Garden, a new series for young children commissioned by the BBC and due to air in the UK in 2007. Hasbro, Inc., will create a line of preschool toys, infant and toddler toys, games, jigsaw puzzles, creative play, proprietary interactive formats, and ride-ons. The line is due in the UK in fall 2007, with the rollout to other markets, including the U.S., expected in 2008. The series is targeted at ages 1 to 3 and was created by Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport, the forces behind Teletubbies.

R&R Licensing Leads Efforts for New Fitness Brand R&R Licensing Ltd.

has been retained as the exclusive worldwide licensing agency for America's Best in Class, Inc., a new fitness and media enterprise. The core of the business is an annual contest to find the best workout routines and fitness instructors in the U.S. The contest culminates with finals broadcast nationally on network television in a special starring Olympic champion Bruce Jenner as a precursor to the launch of a line of America's Best in Class fitness DVDs featuring the winning workout routines and a variety of other formats utilizing the best-in-class exercise content from the contest. Licenses will be offered in a range of fitness-related and other product categories, including apparel, footwear, food and beverages, paper goods, sporting goods, and home d