NVCP Signs MEGA Deal with Nick Jr. Brands
MEGA Brands Inc. will create a range of construction toys based on leading Nick
Jr. brands in a multi-year international licensing partnership with Nickelodeon
& Viacom Consumer Products. MEGA Brands will bring products such as
buildable playsets and vehicles featuring properties including Go, Diego, Go!;
The Backyardigans; and Dora the Explorer to market in 2007 beginning with the
U.S. and Canada, with an expansion to additional markets—including the
UK, France, Australia, and Latin America—later in the year, and others in
2008.
4Kids Entertainment Trades Up with New Business Venture
4Kids Entertainment, Inc., has formed two subsidiaries: TC Digital Games, LLC,
a trading card company, and TC Websites, LLC, an online multiplatform game
company. 4Kids will be majority owner of TC Digital, LLC, and a 50 percent
owner of TC Websites, LLC. The deal marks the first time the company is
producing trading cards to be sold at retail. Chaotic, which integrates
traditional trading card game play with unique online game elements, will be
the first property utilized in the new venture. The animated series premieres
on 4Kids TV on Fox January 6. Chaotic, which is owned by 4Kids Entertainment
and Chaotic USA Entertainment, features an alphanumeric code that can be
uploaded for virtual play on the free Chaotic Website. Once online, kids enter
the world of Chaotic, a place where their cards can be stored, traded, or
played against anyone signed onto Chaotic's virtual world. TC Digital Games and
TC Websites are based in San Diego. Bryan C. Gannon will serve as president and
CEO of the new companies.
Hannah Montana Inspires Consumer Products Line
Disney Consumer Products created a new line of products inspired by Hannah
Montana that will play up the themes of music, fashion, and fun with an
assortment of apparel, home décor, stationery, games, electronics, and personal
care. First on-shelf presence will be at Macy's this month with a collection of
apparel, handbags, and accessories for 'tween girls (sizes 7 to 16).
Stationery, posters, bookmarks, greeting cards, gift wrap, and party goods also
are hitting shelves at retailers such as Wal-Mart and Party City this month. A
series of junior novels launched earlier this year and will expand in the
spring. In 2007, girls can doll themselves up with a new line of cosmetics at
Club Libby Lu, as well as find fashion dolls at retailers nationwide. Home
décor, consumer electronics, video games and toys will launch later in the
year, while apparel and accessories will expand to other retailers including
Dillard's.
Sesame Workshop Builds Online Presence
Sesame Workshop launched an online Sesame Store available through a link on the
Sesame Workshop homepage, www.sesameworkshop.org. Users can browse
for products such as DVDs, music, books, apparel, toys, and plush by either
category or characters. More products will be added over time. Advertisements
for the store will not run in the kids' areas of the site.
Cartoon Network Inks Deals for Original Series
Cartoon Network is set to bring Ben 10 to new categories in 2007. New soft
lines deals were signed with Jay Franco and Sons, Inc., for beach towels,
bedding, 3-D character pillows, and sleeping bags, as well as bath accessories.
Accessory Innovations will develop a line of Ben 10 headwear including baseball
caps, hats, rainwear, and cold weather accessories, while AME (American Marketing
Enterprises, Inc.) will create pajamas, lounge pants, and robes. In other news,
Cartoon Network and Warner Home Video will bring the first seasons of Ben 10
and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends to DVD, both on two-disc collectors
sets in February and March, respectively. Both DVDs also will feature animated
menus—a first for Cartoon Network DVD releases.
Kids Dance for Their Dinner
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., and Burger King Corporation are encouraging
kids to get up and move by bringing Dance Dance Revolution to BK's Kids' Meal
program through December 31 or while supplies last. The promotion includes
eight exclusive Dance Dance Revolution toy premiums and is being supported with
an integrated marketing campaign that includes television advertising,
in-restaurant merchandising, custom DDR-themed Kids Meal bags and cups, and an
online micro site at www.bk.com/dance.
"Brainy" New Promotion at Chick-fil-A
The Brainy Baby Company will give kids food for thought with a board book
promotion with Chick-fil-A in February. Four Brainy Baby board books will be
available free to kids under age 3 with the purchase of a Chick-fil-A Kids'
Meal Program. The promotion will be available at all Chick-fil-A stand-alone
and mall locations through early April 2007.
Kids Strut Spidey Sense in Personalized Video
PixFusion LLC will use patented technology to create a photo personalized
Spider-Man video as part of a multi-year licensing deal with Marvel/Spider-Man
Merchandising L.P. The "I Am the Amazing Spider-Man" 25-minute video can be
created using a child's color photo sent by e-mail to the company's Kideo
Website at www.kideo.com/
or by regular mail. The DVD stars the featured child as the "web slinger"
battling many of the legendary villains and also contains educational content
and a music video set to the classic theme song from the 1960s animated
cartoon.
IFL Joins the Retail Fight
The International Fight League makes its retail debut with the support of
BioWorld Merchandising and International Sunprints. BioWorld will focus on
creating caps and bags, while International Sunprints will design, develop, and
merchandise a range of apparel products. The IFL secured the two deals with the
assistance of licensing agent 360ep. The first full IFL season will begin in
first quarter 2007.
Artist Taps into Greeting Card Marketplace
April Cornell expands into greeting cards with a new line exclusively from
Leanin' Tree in early January. The collection includes 33 cards in three
different sizes, each with a color interior and designed envelope.
The Game Factory Inks Two Deals
The Game Factory signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Taffy
Entertainment to market a Pet Alien title for Nintendo DS. The game will have a
2007 simultaneous global release date. The company also will release Cartoon
Network Racing, its first arcade-style racing video game for Nintendo DS and
PlayStation 2 starring characters The Powerpuff Girls; Cow & Chicken; Courage,
the Cowardly Dog; I Am Weasel; Johnny Bravo; and Dexter's Laboratory.
Postman Pat Delivers Yuletide at Hersheypark
Entertainment Rights Plc hopes visitors to Hersheypark give Postman Pat their
seal of approval as part of a new deal with the theme park. Postman Pat will be
on hand at Santa's Stables to ensure that children's letters to Santa reach him
in time for the Christmas holiday. Additional Postman Pat activities designed
to get visitors in the holiday spirit will take place at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane—where
children of all ages also will meet Santa's nine live reindeer.
Execs on the Move
Warner Bros. Consumer Products appointed Richard Goldsmith senior vice
president of new business initiatives and Preston Lewis vice president of
international licensing. Maribeth Towers-Toth was upped to senior vice
president of new business initiatives, and Mike Gibbs broadens his
responsibilities in the new role of vice president, licensing business
development and worldwide brand assurance. Patti Buckner moved into the role of
vice president, apparel and accessories. Shari Pace was named to the newly
created position of vice president of licensing and merchandising, and Robyn
Coward was promoted to director of licensing and merchandising at The Weather
Channel. Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products appointed Jeannine Lafebre
licensing director, Benelux.
Introducing LICENSE's Monthly Survey Question
Give us your opinion! Each month, we'll feature a different survey
question—on subjects ranging from product growth categories and
international expansion to retail trends and consumer preferences—on our
Website. Then, we'll feature the final results in the following month's issue
of LICENSE. December's question: For what licensed category do you foresee the
most growth in 2007? See the choices and vote on www.licensemag.com.
Submit Licenses Granted & Available Now Online
The LICENSE Finder 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: agrala@advanstar.com.
Get Set for Toy Fair: February 11-14, 2007
American International Toy Fair is a must-attend event where you?ll discover
new markets, innovative products, and the latest ways to build business. In
this garden of opportunity, industry flourishes. Chances are the competition
will be here—will you? Register today at www.toyfairny.com/attendees.html.
For more information on licensing news and features, visit LICENSE magazine's Website,
http://www.licensemag.com/.
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