UK Company to Acquire Classic Media
Entertainment Rights Plc will acquire Classic Media Holdings, Inc., for $210million, creating a new company with nearly 8,700 episodes of programming,characters, and brands. Further, the deal will provide Entertainment Rightswith an opportunity to cross-sell Classic's existing properties and programminginto Europe and other key international markets. Classic's strong relationshipswith broadcasters and key retailers in the U.S. present significantopportunities to leverage ER's extensive library of programming and brands inthe U.S. market.
Concept One Buys Drew Pearson Marketing
Concept One Accessories announced plans to acquire the assets of Drew PearsonMarketing Inc. of Texas for $8 million in cash. The merger of the two companieswill create a $90 million headwear and bag firm. Drew Pearson Marketingcurrently is owned by its largest resource, Mainland Headwear Holdings, LTD, apublicly held headwear factory based in Hong Kong. Mainland decided to divestitself of DPM in order to concentrate on building its manufacturing base, andto eliminate competitive issues with its U.S.-based customers. Under the termsof a separate manufacturing agreement, Mainland Headwear will build a dedicated125,000-square-foot factory with 1,500 workers to handle the production ofConcept One and Drew Pearson's woven headwear. Concept One's showroom andheadquarters on 5th Avenue will feature all of the products fromboth companies. The company also will maintain its office in Dallas, and plansto open a sales office in downtown Minnesota across from Target headquarters,and in Bentonville, AK, near Wal-Mart's home office.
UK Strategies for Lost and Desperate Housewives
Walt Disney International appointed CPLG to develop a UK licensing strategy forTV series Lost and Desperate Housewives. Disney will work with CPLG to create arange of products, initially targeting mid- to high-end retail. "We're lookingfor licensees that understand and will perfectly capture the spirit of theshows," says CPLG MD Vickie O'Malley.
New Deal to Widen DIC's Retail Presence
DIC Entertainment inked a distribution deal with Alliance EntertainmentCorporation for the home entertainment and non-exclusive digital rights in theU.S. and Canada for select animated and live-action titles. The three-year,multimillion-dollar agreement gives DIC's properties new first-timedistribution at brick-and-mortar retail outlets while also providing optionsfor delivery on digital platforms. AEC also will have a first-look option todistribute, for home video and in digital formats, shows (including Horseland)from DIC's KOL's Secret Slumber Party programming block on CBS. AEC will havethe option to distribute direct-to-video properties, as well as content fromDIC's extensive library of programming. First products are due first quarter of2007. Additionally, AEC will have the option to deliver DIC content via digitalstreaming and downloads.
Mr. Bean Stars in PS2 Game
Mr. Bean will appear in a new Playstation 2 game next year. Tiger Aspectsagreed to a deal with Blast! Entertainment to develop a game aimed at ages 5 to12. It will be released in fall 2007 to tie in with the increased Mr. Beanretail activity following the release of the Mr. Bean's holiday movie nextspring.
Barbie Is the Real Deal with Girls and Collectors
Mattel partnered with Emerson Radio Corp. on a line of Barbie Real Electronicsdue on shelves in spring. The line will include the Tune Blossom personal CDplayer, the Hour Garden talking alarm clock with nightlight, the Bloomboxportable CD player, and a 13-inch television with digital tuner and a matchingDVD player. Each of the consumer electronics will include a "gemstone" funbutton that reveals special surprises featuring unique Barbie-themed play experiences.In other Barbie news, Mattel inked a deal with Jones Publishing, Inc., for theofficial Barbie Collector Magazine. The quarterly publication will includefeatures on contemporary Barbie Collector dolls and Barbie play line dolls, aswell as extensive coverage of vintage and mod era dolls and collectibles. Themagazine, due at newsstands in April, also will include access to Mattel"behind the scenes," as well as coverage of the collector community doll clubs,doll shows, and more.
Starbury One Brand Sports New Relationship
Stephon Marbury and Steve & Barry's donated a free pair of Starbury Onehigh performance basketball sneakers to every varsity high school boys'basketball player in New York City. Each box of sneakers includes a DVDcontaining a special message from Marbury. The donation of 3,000 pairs ofStarbury Ones is part of a new agreement that makes the Starbury brand aPartner of the Public Schools Athletic League. The PSAL directs all athleticcompetition among the 193 public high schools in the five boroughs.
Pressman Toys to Support Ben 10
Cartoon Network Enterprises signed Pressman Toys to create games and puzzlesfor Ben 10. Under the multi-year agreement that includes the U.S. and Canada,Pressman will create games, puzzles, and card games for spring 2007 withintegrated DVD board games available in fall 2007. In addition to toys andgames, Ben 10 also will expand into a variety of categories in 2007 with dealsin place for spring and summer that will include home furnishings, accessories,sleepwear, apparel, and headgear.
Hasbro Inks Agreement with Reebok
Hasbro, Inc., signed a deal with Reebok International to manufacture theVersaflex Play-Doh collection of toddler footwear withPlay-Doh-compound-inspired gel-cushioning material built into the heel.Targeting toddlers ages 1 to 3, the new Reebok Play-Doh sneaker line isavailable at Kids Footlocker, Sears, and Shoe Show stores nationwide (suggestedretail, $30; the sneakers are available in two styles and six colors and comewith two 1-ounce cans of Play-Doh molding compound).
Two Picture Perfect Deals for Kim Anderson
Big Tent Entertainment inked two new deals for photographic artist KimAnderson. USAopoly will create a line of puzzles packaged in a variety ofspecialty tins and boxes for various occasions. The line will be distributed inspecialty stores, gift stores, mid-tier department stores, card shops,bookstores, and on the Internet. Hi-Look will come to market with a line ofmicrofiber cleansing cloths, including four new products in time for theholiday season.
Companies in Bed Together for First Time
Matouk, a luxury linen company, is licensing the designs of Lulu deKwiatkowski, founder and chief designer of Lulu DK Fabrics, for a beddingcollection. The debut Lulu DK Matouk Collection features six different printsin up to seven different color choices. The collection also includesaccompanying quilts in seven matching hues. Options include shams, pillowcases,fitted sheets, flat sheets, and duvet covers of varying sizes.
Agent Adds New Client; Signs Apparel Deal
Stone America Licensing, LLC, was appointed the North American licensing agentfor Andy Capp (who will celebrate his 50th anniversary in 2007) and Mr.Crabtree by Mirrorpix. The agency will establish a licensing program thatinitially focuses on greeting cards, apparel and accessories, stationery, partypaper, gifts/novelties, and publishing. In other news, the agency signed SherryManufacturing to create a fashion apparel collection based on global hair-carebrand Bed Head TIGI. The line will include tops, pants, caps, and coordinatingtote bags.
InGroup Licensing Adds hummel to Roster
InGroup Licensing added fashion brand hummel to its client roster with an eyeon creating a wholesale, retail, and e-commerce licensing venture. The hummelbrand was established in 1923 and currently has more than 100 retail shopsthroughout Europe and Asia.
Lifestyle Publication Comes to Mobile World
Airborne Entertainment, a subsidiary of Cybird Co., Ltd., and Complex magazineformed a new partnership that brings the lifestyle magazine into the mobilemarket. Airborne Entertainment will create wallpapers, ringtones, ringbacktones, and more that target the interests of the magazine?s diverse urbanreadership.
New CSI Game Headed for PCs
Ubisoft and CBS Consumer Products will develop CSI: Crime Scene Investigation:Hard Evidence, a new video game based on the characters and storylines from theoriginal CSI television series, for the PC in spring 2007.
Upscale Retailers to Foster Character Brand
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends will be making a home at specialty andboutique stores as part of a new agreement between Cartoon Network Enterprisesand Mighty Fine. As part of the multi-year deal, the fashion design studio willcreate a line of knit tops, T-shirts, and fleece tops (suggested retails, $25to $60) for juniors and 'tweens inspired by the show. The deal compliments thepartnership with Logotel for the Foster's property that targets the young men?smarket.
New Agency on Board for Skateboard Park Brand
Brandolution signed on as worldwide licensing agency for Skatelab, a skateboardpark with two locations in Simi Valley, CA, and Atlantic Beach, FL. Theprogram, targeted at 8- to 15-year-old boys, already has brought Jem Sportswearon board to create T-shirts for boys and young men due at retail spring 2007.Licensees also are being sought in the areas of accessories, footwear, homefurnishings, stationery, beverages, interactive games, and sportinggoods/equipment including quality skateboards and gear.
Execs on the Move
Nancy Dubuc was appointed executive vice president and general manager of TheHistory Channel. Twentieth Century Fox named Alison Wallace director oflicensing. Upper Deck tapped Greg Goldstein as vice president of gaming andentertainment. Ty's Toy Box, LLC, hired Lisa Hallond as its new chief operatingofficer. The Talbots, Inc., appointed Hilary Chasin senior vice president andchief marketing officer of the J. Jill Brand. InGroup Licensing appointedLeonard C. Rothschild executive vice president. LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.,named Steve Anderson vice president of software engineering; Jeff Grant vicepresident of Web products; and Hilda West senior vice president of humanresources.
Licensing 2007 International Show Registration Is NowOpen—Book Your Hotel Early and Get a Great Rate
Save time and money by preregistering for the most important licensing event ofthe year taking place June 19- 21 at the Javits Convention Center, NYC.Registering in advance guarantees that you receive your badge in the mail priorto the show to avoid lines. Click hereto register. Our new housing partner, Travel Planners, has put together a listof hotels to meet every budget. Contact Travel Planners at 800.221.3531 (domestic) or 212.532.1660(international).
Introducing LICENSE's Monthly Survey Question
Give us your opinion! Each month, we'll feature a different surveyquestion—on subjects ranging from product growth categories andinternational expansion to retail trends and consumer preferences—on ourWebsite. Then, we'll feature the final results in the following month?s issueof LICENSE. December's question: For what licensed category do you foresee themost 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 nowonline, 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: [email protected].
Get Set for Toy Fair: February 11-14, 2007
American International Toy Fair is a must-attend event where you'll discovernew markets, innovative products, and the latest ways to build business. Inthis garden of opportunity, industry flourishes. Chances are the competitionwill be here—will you? Register today at www.toyfairny.com/attendees.html
LICENSE's weekly e-news will be on hiatus next week. Bestwishes for a happy, healthy holiday and New Year!
For more information on licensing news and features, visit LICENSE magazine'sWebsite, http://www.licensemag.com/.
