Disney Joins the World of Upscale Fashion for Kids
The Disney Branded collection of kids’ apparel, available exclusively at Macy’s, was unveiled last week at Macy’s West Union Square in San Francisco. Featuring imaginative themes from Disney's rich heritage of stories, characters, and art portrayed with subtle treatments, the inaugural spring collection will offer multiple wardrobe opportunities for boys and girls. The initial collections, Mickey and Never Land for boys and Wonderland for girls, bring together understated embroidery, graphics, detailing, and appliqués. The collection will be available at select Macy’s stores across the country.

"Our new Disney Branded apparel line speaks to a consumer who is looking for fashion-forward wardrobe options for their children that preserve the humor and imagination of youth," says Jim Calhoun, executive VP, global apparel, Disney Consumer Products. “When parents see this line, they’ll be struck by the magic and creativity of Disney heritage coming through in an understated, tasteful way.”

The Mickey collection gives a subtle nod to the character that started it all with artfully embroidered Mickey icons on woven shirt pockets and cargo shorts. The essence of Peter Pan’s world comes through in the Never Land collection as Pan’s adventures are incorporated into understated elements like a captain of the seas T-shirt with embroidery and detailing or a five-pocket jean with a pirate logo on the back pocket. The Wonderland collection takes girls inside Alice’s magical journey with delicate mushroom appliqués and tea party prints on denim skimmers, a tea party dress, or a mushroom tee.

The launch of the line kicks off a series of Disney-themed events at Macy’s stores around the country. Macy’s shoppers will receive an authentic sketch of their favorite Disney Character drawn by an on-site Disney Character Artist with each purchase of $25 or more. Additionally, children will be able to attend a 30-minute “Learn to Draw” seminar taught by a Disney Character Artist.

Donna Karan, Liz Claiborne Team for Men’s Sportswear
Liz Claiborne Inc. has entered into a strategic licensing agreement with Donna Karan International to create a new collection of men's sportswear for the "better" market in the United States and Canada. Liz Claiborne currently holds the license to produce, distribute, and market DKNY Jeans and Active apparel for men, women, and juniors in the Western Hemisphere.

DKNY Men's seeks to represent the modern yet timeless sensibility of the DKNY brand. It will offer an array of product from wovens, knits, and trousers to blazers and outerwear. Price points for the line will range from $59.50 to $595. DKNY Men's will debut in department stores for fall 2008.

"We are excited to expand our successful partnership with Donna Karan International,” says William L. McComb, CEO of Liz Claiborne Inc. “The launch of DKNY in the men's better market is a major opportunity to build upon our successes with the men's DKNY Jean's business and continue to establish DKNY as a leading men's lifestyle brand. It shows our commitment to the DKNY brand, as well as our growing appetite for the men's segment in Partnered Brands."

Mark Weber, chairman and CEO of Donna Karan International, adds, "This collaboration with Liz Claiborne Inc. will allow DKNY to further develop its expanding global menswear business. It will enable us to provide our department store customers with product that combines outstanding design and high quality in the better market segment."

Dark Horse Enters Production Deal With Universal
Universal Pictures and Dark Horse Entertainment have signed a three-year production and distribution agreement that establishes a studio home for all of Dark Horse’s creative properties going forward. Under the terms of the deal, Universal would have creative access to all Dark Horse characters and properties, as well as any material that Dark Horse might acquire on its own and want to develop as a motion picture. In addition, Dark Horse would have the opportunity to distribute movies through Universal.

Universal Pictures is opening Hellboy II: The Golden Army, directed by Guillermo del Toro and based on Mike Mignola’s Dark Horse Comics character, on July 11, 2008.

“We’ve worked with many studios and have had several great experiences, but we are particularly happy to be joining forces with Universal Pictures in this deal,” says Dark Horse president and co-founder Mike Richardson. “We feel a real connection with their vision and the energy and creativity they bring to developing our properties. We are also excited by the option that we’ll have to independently produce our own material and distribute it through Universal; their flexibility in this collaboration is what we were looking for, and we’re glad we found it.”

“We are very much looking forward to working with Dark Horse’s talented writers and artists, and to realizing their wealth of creative content onscreen,” added Donna Langley, president of production, Universal Pictures.

Dark Horse Entertainment is represented by Endeavor and The Gotham Group.

Final ‘Harry Potter’ Book to Become Two Films
Call it the franchise that lived. Warner Brothers pictures has announced that the final book in the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be adapted as two separate movies— Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, to be released in November 2010, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, to be released in May 2011. Both films will be directed by David Yates, who directed the last Potter film, The Order of the Phoenix, as well as 2008’s upcoming The Half-Blood Prince.

United Media’s ‘Iron Chef America’ Comes to Video Games
Software publisher Destineer has entered into partnership with licensing and syndication company United Media to publish the video game Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine exclusively for the Nintendo Wii system and Nintendo DS.

Developed by Black Lantern Studios, the game is based on the Food Network’s highly rated “Iron Chef America” program, a spinoff of the worldwide hit “Iron Chef,” produced by Fuji Television. Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine features the voice and likeness of the show’s host, Mark Dacascos, and Destineer will announce the involvement of additional talent from the show shortly.

“’Iron Chef America’ possesses all of the attributes for a successful video game: fast-paced action, intense competition, and a unique gamesmanship that is the hallmark of Kitchen Stadium,” says Jean Sagendorph, licensing director at United Media. “We are excited to partner with Destineer in a surefire recipe for success—Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine.”

In Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine, players square off in Kitchen Stadium and battle through a series of fast-paced and intense culinary challenges. Each victory advances players closer to a final showdown that will determine who will reign supreme as the next Iron Chef America.

LPGA Deems Four New Licensing Partners Up to Par
The Ladies Professional Golf Association has entered into partnerships with four new licensees to distribute LPGA-related apparel and accessories: Gogie Girl, Pacific Golf, Sterling Cut Glass, and Tournament Solutions.

In addition to being available online at the LPGA Pro Shop (lpgaproshop.com), these licensees make LPGA-logo merchandise available for resale to tournaments, pro shops, and other national retailers.

Gogie Girl is a leader in headwear designed exclusively for women and will donate 5 percent of the profits generated by LPGA-branded products to the LPGA Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization, for scholarships for junior golfers. Gogie Girl hats will be worn by several LPGA players in 2008.

Pacific Golf will produce an LPGA line of accessory goods, including divot tools, hat clips, key chains, pin flags, towels, umbrellas, head covers, and ballmarkers. The accessories are produced with the highest-quality brass and some are embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Sterling Cut Glass is a supplier of LPGA glassware, including wine glasses and mugs. A pre-eminent supplier of crystal and glass in the golf industry, Sterling Cut Glass supplies their goods to more than 1,500 country clubs.

Tournament Solutions is the premier supplier of tournament gifts and awards in the United States including lapel pins, money clips, lanyards, and luggage.

“With the successful launch of our new logo, we are excited our licensees will offer something for everyone looking to display the LPGA brand,” says LPGA chief marketing officer Bill Susetka. “These are companies with proven reputations in the golf and finer-good industries. The quality and diversity of products we’ll offer will continue to expand and will be second-to-none.”

Blue and Hello Kitty Celebrate Partnership in Times Square
Two global iconic characters, Blue—the beloved puppy from the landmark Nickelodeon preschool series “Blue’s Clues”—and Sanrio’s Hello Kitty appeared “in person” on March 8 in Sanrio’s New York Times Square flagship store.

The event celebrated the co-licensing deal between Nickelodeon and Sanrio. Both Hello Kitty and Blue’s Clues costumed characters met with fans and were available for photos as the store unveiled a specially designed product line created specifically for tweens and young adults.

Products available in the limited-edition run include stationery items as well as collector items such as chopsticks, mascot straps, rubber key covers, sandals, bandannas, umbrellas, lunch boxes, compact mirrors, handkerchiefs, and face towels.

The merchandise is currently available in New York, San Francisco, and Honolulu, and will be followed by limited-edition product launches in Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando, Miami, and Las Vegas in the coming weeks.

Sharper Image Expands Deal With MerchSource, Signs for Kitchen Utensils With ARG Manufacturing
Sharper Image Corp. has signed a new, expanded multiyear licensing agreement with MerchSource LLC, a leading manufacturer of electronic gifts and other items. Additionally, they have signed a new deal with ARG Manufacturing Inc. for branded kitchen utensils.

Under this new licensing agreement, MerchSource will offer an expanded assortment of Sharper Image branded electronic gift items, which currently includes items such as digital photo keychains and MP3 players. The new product offerings will also include a broader assortment of digital photo viewers, a wider array of radio-controlled replica toys, and new categories of massage and other wellness items, as well as several soft goods gift categories, including memory foam slippers and plush home decor items. The first products will be available in the fall of 2008, many of them premiering at Sharper Image stores, catalog, and Web site.

The deal with ARG will put the Sharper Image brand name on spatulas, spoons, ladles, whisks, barbecue tools, slicers, peelers, and some bakeware. The kitchen utensils will begin to be sold this fall.

FremantleMedia Nabs BBC’s ‘Merlin’
FremantleMedia Enterprises has won the worldwide licensing, distribution, and home entertainment (excluding UK) rights for the BBC’s new Saturday prime time family drama series, “Merlin.”

“Merlin” is produced by Elizabeth Murdoch’s Shine Productions, which is responsible for a string of hits, among them “Sugar Rush” in the UK and “Ugly Betty” in the United States.

FremantleMedia expects to focus licensing products across the product categories on characters and storylines.

Legoland Discovery Center Attraction Coming to Xanadu
Merlin Entertainment will open a Legoland Discovery Centre, an indoor Lego world designed for families and children aged 2 to 12. The New Jersey location at the Meadowlands Xanadu entertainment and retail complex, set to open later this year, will be Legoland’s second and largest location in the United States.

The 44,000-square-foot, interactive virtual city will feature a huge central iconic structure fabricated entirely of the iconic interlocking colored bricks; and activities ranging from hands-on Lego play to life-sized Lego adventures designed to provide hours of family entertainment centered around children.

The attraction will also combine Lego model building and unusual construction challenges with theme park-like attractions such as a dragon ride, adventure trail, and 4D cinema incorporating Lego-based special effects. Other highlights will include a Duplo play area for younger children, birthday party rooms, a Lego cafe, a Lego store, and a special room with rotating exhibitions of work by master Lego builders.

4Kids’ ‘Chaotic’ Cartoon Expands in Europe, Australia, and Asia
4Kids Entertainment Inc. has licensed its animated adventure series, “Chaotic,” to leading broadcasters in Europe, Australia, and Asia. Scheduled to launch in spring 2008, the show has been acquired by TEN Network (Australia), RTBF (Belgium), SIC (Portugal), MNet (South Africa), and Kids Central (Singapore). Produced in high definition, the series chronicles the adventures of two teenage boys who discover a fascinating trading card game that transports them into a multidimensional world of action and adventure.

“The addition of these key broadcasters illustrates the momentum for ‘Chaotic’ in the international marketplace,” says Brian Lacey, executive vice president, international for 4Kids Entertainment. “We are confident that the series will attract a loyal base of fans in these important markets.”

‘Storm Hawks’ to Air on Free TV in the UK
Following a launch in the UK on digital television, Nerd Corps Entertainment’s 3-D animated series “Storm Hawks” is heading over the dial to free-to-air broadcaster GMTV. The series will launch mid-March, starting with back-to-back episodes each weekday morning on GMTV’s Action Stations block and simulcast on CITV.

The series currently airs more than 25 times per week on Cartoon Network UK, where it launched in August 2007. As well as GMTV, the series is slated to launch in more than 40 additional countries this year, and currently sees multiple weekly airings on Cartoon Network in the United States, France, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, as well as YTV and VRAK in Canada and terrestrial broadcasters France 3 and RTL II (Germany).

Master toy partner Spin Master kicked off the show’s retail roll out in the UK in February, launching the toy line at Toys “R” Us. Next in line will be Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s release of the first season of Storm Hawks on DVD, slated for September. Topps Europe has also come on board and will launch Storm Hawks trading card games, collectable stickers and albums at the end of 2008 and early 2009.

Animated ‘Bratz’ Musical Gets One-Day Theatrical Release
Bratz: Girlz Really Rock, the first animated musical starring MGA’s popular Bratz dolls, will be shown in a one-day special event on Sat., April 19 at 10 a.m. local time in select movie theaters across the United States. Lionsgate will release the film on DVD in fall 2008.

Presented by National CineMedia’s Fathom, in partnership with Lionsgate and MGA Entertainment, the Bratz: Girlz Really Rock in-theater event will also showcase a never-before-seen interview with Jasmin Larian, the namesake for the Bratz character “Yasmin” and daughter of MGA Entertainment CEO Isaac Larian, as well as a never-before-seen “Bratz” TV episode.

The Bratz brand launched in 2001 and more than 150 million dolls have been sold to date. Tickets are available at presenting box offices and online, along with a list of participating theaters, at FathomEvents.com.

“The Bratz enjoy an extremely large and loyal following and we wanted to join with NCM to give fans of the property this one-time chance to watch their favorite dolls on the big screen,” says Anne Parducci, executive vice president of marketing for Lionsgate.

NBC’s ‘Law and Order’ Comes to Mobile Gaming
NBC Universal and LimeLife Inc. will launch Law & Order: Celebrity Betrayal, the mobile game extension for NBC's long-running crime drama, "Law & Order," now in its 18th season. Capturing the fast-paced drama and intrigue of the hit series, Law & Order: Celebrity Betrayal will draw players into a complex murder mystery where they will interact with cast members, interrogate witnesses, solve the crime and proceed to trial. Executive producer Dick Wolf and his team were instrumental in developing the game with LimeLife to reflect the signature storytelling and energy of "Law & Order."

"One of the contributors to the show's longevity has been its commitment to evolve with the times and stay fresh which includes allowing our audience to experience 'Law & Order' in different ways and on different screens," says Wolf. "’Law & Order: Celebrity Betrayal' is the closest fans of the show can come to experiencing a day in the life of their favorite 'Law & Order' characters."

Law & Order: Celebrity Betrayal will be available for a one-time download charge of $6.99 or $2.99 monthly subscription fee (where available) on most major U.S. carriers. Consumers should check with their carrier for availability and handset compatibility.

Chorion Signs 40 Licensees for Mr. Men
Chorion has penned 40 new licensee deals for “The Mr. Men Show” across clothing, homewares, games, and food—all secured since the show’s trade launch at Brand Licensing Europe last October.

Among the portfolio, which includes a direct-to-retail deal with Marks & Spencer on clothing, are Aykroyds & TDP Licensing, Blues Clothing, Cohen and Wilks, and Trademark Collections, all on clothing.

Other licensees include Arla Foods, Kinnerton, and Lightbody Cakes, and gifts and stationery licensees include Pyramid Posters. Homeware licensees include Baylis & Harding, Spearmark, and ZAP. On toys and games, deals are signed with Jumbo Games and MV Sports in addition to the master toy licensing deal already in place with Fisher-Price.

The show launched on Five’s Milkshake! in the UK and on Cartoon Network in the United States in February, with extensive trade and consumer marketing and PR campaigns in both markets.

The Web site, mrmen.com, created by agency Digital Outlook, has had almost 100,000 unique users driving 2.5 million page views per month, Chorion said. The site scooped Gold in the Creative category at this year’s 11th Revolution Awards.

Fila Sells EMEA Subsidiaries, Enters Into Licensing Agreements in Region
Fila has completed the sale of the subsidiaries comprising Fila's European, Middle East, African, and Indian businesses to the European-based management team and has entered into a long-term license for the Fila brand in the EMEA region. The management team, led by Stefano di Martino, the current CEO of the EMEA business, was backed by equity investments from Barclays Ventures and the Batra Group.

This transaction culminates the restructuring plan that was developed nearly one year ago when GLBH Holdings S.a.r.l. acquired the Fila business from Cerberus Capital Management. Under the restructuring plan, Fila’s business model has transitioned from direct operations to brand licensing in the major regions of the world, other than Korea and the United States, which will continue to be operated directly by GLBH. With the completion of the EMEA transaction, Fila has repaid all of the indebtedness incurred to acquire the business in 2007.

Yoon Soo (Gene) Yoon, chairman and CEO of GLBH, says, "We are delighted to have concluded the MBO for our EMEA business and are thrilled with the investment group who has backed the management team. With the completion of our restructuring plan and the repayment of the acquisition debt, we are now poised to focus on the growth of the Fila brand worldwide and the turnaround of our United States business, both of which are well underway."

Eidos Reveals New Warner Bros. Licensed Games for Nintendo Systems
Video game publisher Eidos Interactive Ltd. announced two new games, produced under license from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.  Wacky Races: Crash & Dash, an action racing game based on the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon, races onto the Nintendo DS and Wii in June 2008, and the rhythm action game Looney Tunes: Cartoon Concerto will debut on the DS in June.

Wacky Races: Crash & Dash features all the characters and cars from the TV series including old favorites: Turbo Terrific driven by Peter Perfect, the Ant Hill Mob in their Bullet Proof Bomb, Penelope Pitstop, and the Mean Machine driven by Dick Dastardly and his sidekick, Muttley. Players will race across a variety of action-packed and colorful cross-country rallies from the TV series.

In Looney Tunes: Cartoon Concerto, players unleash musical abilities using the DS stylus to conduct the orchestra like a maestro and compose the music to classic Looney Tunes cartoon scenes featuring infamous characters such as Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Sylvester the Cat, and Tweety. Once the famous scenes are successfully recreated, gamers will be rewarded with clips from favorite Looney Tunes cartoon moments.

TeamWorks to Sponsor Bologna Kids Licensing Forum
TeamWorks, a new independent company that aims to develop original brand projects in Italy and overseas, will be the main sponsor of the Kids Licensing Forum at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. The Forum, being held for the first this year, will be held from March 31 to Apr. 3.

“The TeamWorks objective,” says TeamWorks vice president Maria Romanelli, “is in fact to place itself in the Italian licensing business, offering a team service for operative solutions to partners, foster synergies and co-marketing activities among licensees, and optimize proposals to consumers.”

TeamWorks activities will aim at children, teenagers, and young adults, promoting specific projects with extensions to TV, multimedia, and Internet products. The TeamWorks portfolio includes Italian and international brands, including the RAITRE animated series “Little Princess.”

Scientific Games Signs Deal with Hasbro for UK Gaming
Games Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scientific Games, signed a three-year licensing deal with Hasbro for amusement with prize (AWP) and skill with prize (SWP) gaming machines in the UK and Ireland for Monopoly, Cluedo, Yahtzee, Connect 4, Trivial Pursuit, and Battleship.

Michael Fuller, head of digital media and gaming Europe for Hasbro, says, “We are pleased to expand our relationship with Scientific Games in Europe through Games Media. Games Media is the leader for digital development in its sector and has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to showcase Hasbro's premium brands in new ways that resonate with the players.”

Adds Steve Murray, development director of Games Media, “Working together, Hasbro and Games Media can maximize Hasbro’s brand values, creativity, and future ideas in conjunction with Games Media’s game development and marketing skills in the ‘pay per play’ sectors. We are excited about this relationship, especially as the pub sector begins its transformation from stand-alone analog games to digital and downloadable. Content will become even more important, and we look forward to bringing to market the numerous Hasbro licensed games that we now have in the pipeline.”

UK Licensing Awards 2008 Launch New Category
The UK’s Licensing Awards 2008, which take place in London in September, have a new category lineup with the addition of awards for sports, celebrity, and brand-licensed properties and retailers.

The awards cover retailers, properties, and products, and there is also a Lifetime Achievement award.

The closing date for the awards is May 15, and finalists will be announced in July. The event is on Sept. 17 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. Headline sponsor is Spring Fair Birmingham, with Lima UK an official supporter. 

Aardman, Digital Outlook Partner for Bebo Launch
UK animation specialist Aardman and Digital Outlook Studios have partnered to co-produce a set of music-loving characters for teens—the JellyBeats, who launch on social networking site Bebo this month.

The JellyBeats are a collection of jellyfish, each one representing a different musical genre. They dance, talk, and swim in the style of their musical preference.

Alongside the presence on Bebo, JellyBeats also has a Web site (www.JellyBeats.com) featuring JellyBeats film shorts, free downloads including icons for messenger, an iTunes live feed to the top five tunes in each JellyBeats genre, and a gadget that can be placed into online social environments.

Brandolution to Consult for Jarden’s Health o Meter and GrillMaster Brands
Jarden Consumer Solutions named the Los Angeles-based marketing and licensing agency Brandolution to help expand U.S. licensing efforts for two of its premier brands—Health o meter and GrillMaster. Brandolution will explore merchandise opportunities in relevant categories and actively seek new licensees that offer long-term strategic alliances for 2008 and beyond.

“We are thrilled to be working with Jarden Consumer Solutions on these two prominent brands,” says Melissa Segal, founder of Brandolution. “GrillMaster was recently a highly successful vertically manufactured grill brand for Jarden Consumer Solutions. They have now made the strategic decision to license out the brand across a broad range of categories.”

Recent research has shown GrillMaster to have tremendous brand equity and Brandolution will explore licensing opportunities in all major grill and outdoor living categories. Health o meter is a market leader in bathroom and doctor’s scales and is dedicated to achieving proper balance and allowing one to maintain well-being and live an active and healthy lifestyle. Licensed merchandise will expand into strategically relevant categories such as health vitals, weight management, fitness and personal wellness, which are growing categories of business in today’s marketplace.

Hana’s Helpline Signs Kids’ Clothing Deals
A deal for clothing based on the children’s preschool animation series “Hana’s Helpline” has been struck between S4C International and C&M Licensing. Brokered by Ian Downes, managing director of UK licensing agency Start Licensing, the deal covers underwear, nightwear, and socks for children aged 12 months and over.

C&M Licensing is a joint venture between apparel licensees Cooneen and Misirli. The range will hit retail autumn 2008.

Other licensees signed up for “Hana’s Helpline” include Golden Bear as the master toy licensee for the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand; Random House Children’s Books as the publishing partner; 2Entertain for UK DVD; and Redan Publishing, which has a license to use content from “Hana’s Helpline” in its Fun to Learn magazines.

Nick Just Adds ‘Water’
Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) signed a deal with ZDF Enterprises for licensing and merchandising rights to the Australian live-action kids’ TV show, “H20—Just Add Water,” in France and the UK.

The deal covers publishing, interactive (PC and console games), apparel, accessories, toys, games, and paper product. The first phase of a licensing program rolls out in the French market in spring 2009, followed by a larger range of product launches in autumn that year. The ranges target girls aged 7 to 12.

Granada Ventures Gets Commercial with AFC
Granada Ventures signed up as commercial agent for Football Premiership team Sunderland football club, including creating a merchandising and licensing program for UK and international markets.

GV’s Commercial Sports Division, which has represented Liverpool and Arsenal football clubs among its clients, will also represent Sunderland across sponsorship, media, and publishing.

Claire Murphy, commercial sports director, says, “Sunderland AFC has a strong and passionate following and we are really looking forward to working with such a high-profile and well-supported club. There is huge potential for growth here, and we are keen to build on the existing fan base, with a strategy in place that will develop some of the club’s key commercial areas and celebrate its return to the Premiership."

Granada Ventures has already secured a number of licensing deals for Sunderland AFC: GB Eye will produce club posters, prints, postcards, badges, and stickers; Football Mania will be responsible for glassware, car products, clocks, stationery, key rings, and melamine; Home Win will produce ceramics, souvenirs, luggage, pet products, and plush; Pineapple Aroundshot offers a selection of framed and mounted photographs of squad, players, and grounds; Zap Ltd. will be the licensee for all bedding, curtains, towels, rugs, and cushions; Adrenalin Corp will produce a supporters’ arm skin with club crest and tattoo design; World Centre will launch a range of 9-carat gold and sterling silver jewelry including crest rings, pendants, earrings, cufflinks, dog tags, body bars, and name bracelets; and Score Draw will produce a line of retro football shirts and track jackets.

BBC Magazines, ACP Join Up in Australia
Australia’s largest magazine publisher, ACP Magazines, and BBC Magazines have formed a 50/50 joint venture in the Australian market. The new company will operate from ACP Magazines’ Sydney office to develop and publish titles from BBC Magazines’ portfolio.

The first magazine to launch will be the Australian edition of Top Gear, in mid 2008. The new company plans a second major launch before the end of 2008.

Rosiland Solomon Signs With Porterfield’s Fine Art Licensing
Rosiland Solomon has been added to the roster of fine artists under exclusive representation in the field of art licensing by Porterfield’s Fine Art Licensing.

Rosiland Solomon is an award-winning artist and illustrator who has spent most of her adult life as a commercial painter, creating drawings and paintings for fields as diverse as games, puzzles, advertising, greeting cards, magazines, children’s nature books, textbook, and even an astrology calendar and tarot deck.

Her many publishers and licensees include Walt Disney Productions, Carnation, Travelsmith, C&H Sugar, Houghton Mifflin, Clorox, Random House, Scholastic, Golden Books, Harcourt Brace, and many others.

“We’re pleased to welcome an artist of this magnitude and extensive background to Porterfield’s array of successful commercial and fine artists,” says Porterfield’s president Lance J. Klass. “Rosiland has amazing talent and versatility, and we’re delighted that she is focusing her considerable artistic ability on creating lovely images specifically for license onto a broad range of consumer home products, stationery, and related paper products of all kinds, giftware, home decor, and home and bolt fabrics.”

Studio 100 Media Debuts at MipTV With Raft of Shows
Newly formed Studio100 Media, a subsidiary of Studio100 (Belgium), is taking a raft of new children’s shows to MipTV 2008, including the Russian animated series “Balloontoons,” “Butterfly and Beautyfly,” and the puppetry series, “Big & Small.”

Studio100 Media will also present the live-action and CGI preschool animation series “Bumba the Clown,” the live-action teen soap “The House of Anubis,” and the live-action children’s series “Mega Mindy.”

Ripley Publishing Heads for UK
Orlando, Fla.-based Ripley Publishing has set up its UK business, Ripley Publishing Limited. The design and development of the Ripley Believe It or Not! titles, previously outsourced, will now all be handled by the new entity.

“With the tremendous growth of our publishing program, we needed stronger, more immediate control over our product development and the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brand,” says Norm Deska, executive vice president, intellectual property for Ripley Publishing.

Miles Kelly Publishing previously handled the business in the UK.

m4e AG, Premiere Join Forces
German brand management and media company m4e AG and the pay-TV operator Premiere have signed a deal for brand licensing and merchandising, with m4e handling the Premiere brand and Premiere’s own channels.

Crayola Partners With Hamco on Baby Soft Goods
Hamco Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Crown Crafts Inc., has signed a license with Crayola to provide bibs and bath products under the Crayola and Crayola Beginnings brands. The company anticipates that these products will be presented to retailers May 2008.

Hamco will develop bibs, burp cloths, hooded towels, robes, wash cloths, mittens, and layette under these Crayola Beginnings and Crayola brands.

"We are pleased to sign this license and to partner with Crayola," says E. Randall Chestnut, chairman, president, and CEO, Hamco. "This license is a continuation of our efforts to offer differentiated products and to further penetrate the toddler market."

"I am excited about partnering with Hamco; a well-respected, creative, nationally known infant products company," says Kim Charles, associate licensing manager, Crayola.

KidsCo Family-Oriented Channel Launches Across Asia
KidsCo, the joint venture family-oriented channel owned by leading media companies NBC Universal, DIC Entertainment, and Corus Entertainment Inc., goes on air in the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, and Palau on March 20.

The announcement follows the securing of carriage deals with various platform operators in Asia, including SingTel’s mio TV in Singapore, the Philippines’ Sky Cable, Palau’s PNCC, and Korea’s HanaTV. KidsCo has also signed a deal with the Philippines’ Cable Boss to act as its distributor in that market. It is anticipated that KidsCo will be available in up to 40 territories—including Europe and Latin America—within the next 18 months. The channel currently broadcasts in Romania, Ukraine, Hungary, Russia, Turkey, and Poland.

KidsCo, a 24/7 multiplatform channel, will be committed to providing a responsible and entertaining environment for children and families around the world. The unique channel utilizes NBC Universal’s state-of-the-art broadcast distribution facility in the United States and the company’s international network of affiliates.

Natura World Signs SOL Global for Licensing Development
Bedding producer Natura World is working with Michael Pino of SOL Global to assist in the development of the company’s international licensing program.

SOL Global is an international marketing company recently launched by Pino, who formerly headed Therapedic’s international bedding program.

“People around the world are more conscious now than ever before of the benefits of all-natural products and the healthy aspects those products bring to a good night’s sleep,” says Ralph Rossdeutscher, Natura president. “The Natura brand best addresses the natural and organic demand. Michael Pino and SOL Global bring experience and knowledge of the international market and licensing which will be extremely helpful in expanding and supporting our brand outside of North America.”

Natura launched its international program at the International Sleep Products Assn. Expo in Baltimore last week.

‘Bleach’ Anime Spawns Nintendo DS Sequel
Sega of America Inc. will release Bleach: Dark Souls for the Nintendo DS this summer. A sequel to last year’s DS game Bleach: The Blade of Fate,  Dark Souls features an expanded cast of characters voiced by the actors from Viz Media's award-winning “Bleach” animation, rated T for Teens. The second season of “Bleach” the television series began airing in the United States on Adult Swim on March 1.

The Bleach: Dark Souls game for Nintendo DS will mark the expansion of a cast of over 40 playable characters including Rukia, Kon and hero Ichigo. Gamers can unlock individual character stories, all based on an exclusive story arc created for the game.

“We are thrilled to once again partner with Sega for the development of Bleach: Dark Souls on Nintendo DS,” states Linda Espinosa, vice president, content management, Viz Media. “Sega games have enjoyed immense success in North America, ‘Bleach’ is a top seller in both Japan and the United States, and we are expecting great fan response when Bleach: Dark Souls releases with a multitude of new and exclusive features.”

EXECUTIVE MOVES
Marks & Spencer’s chief executive Sir Stuart Rose is to step up to the role of executive chairman of the business in June, and leave it in 2011. The move, which combines the roles of chairman and chief executive, has been criticized by some of the retailer’s major shareholders. However, Rose, speaking at a conference in London last week, justified the move as a way of allowing other senior members of the team to “fly” as they compete for the chief executive’s role after his retirement.

Howard Smith has been promoted to executive vice president, Nickelodeon Recreation. Smith will oversee all aspects of Nickelodeon’s global Recreation business including live tours, theme parks, hotels, cruises, and new opportunities for kids and families to interact with its brand and characters. During Smith’s tenure at Nickelodeon, most recently as senior vice president of Nickelodeon Recreation, he has built its recreation business from scratch to an estimated $200 million annual business at retail.

Classic Media, an Entertainment Rights group company, appointed Colin McLaughlin to the position of licensing manager, effective immediately. As licensing manager at Classic Media, he will be responsible for building partnerships in North America with key licensees and retailers, leveraging the Company’s portfolio of children’s and family properties, including Casper the Friendly Ghost, George of the Jungle, Guess with Jess, Gumby, Underdog, and Where’s Waldo?.
 
Liz Mandracchia and Robin Geisler have joined NexCen Home Studios, owner of the Waverly lifestyle brand. Mandracchia has been named vice president, marketing and public relations; Geisler has been named licensing director. Both positions are newly created.