Alouette S.A. Takes on Greece
Warner Bros. Consumer Products appointed Alouette S.A. its authorized licensed retailer for Greece. In that capacity, the company will open and operate Warner Bros. Studios Stars retail formats throughout the country. There are currently five stores up and running throughout Greece. The first flagship store is set to open in Athens in 2004. Warner Bros. Studios Stars retail outlets are multi-property, multi-category flagship and freestanding stores, store-in-stores, and kiosks.
In other news, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the Bank of China’s BOC Credit partnered on the “y not Looney Tunes MasterCard,” the first Looney Tunes MasterCard and mini Looney Tunes MasterCard in Hong Kong.
Fishman & Tobin Taps Agency
5W Public Relations was named the communications and media relations agency for Fishman & Tobin. The company also will assist the apparel maker on product placement and consumer public relations for boys’ brands such as Sean John Boys, Izod Boys, Claiborne, Van Heusen, and Arrow.
Zorro Productions Readies Movie, Licensing Push
Zorro Productions is planning a licensing program to support its upcoming sequel to The Mask of Zorro, which begins filming July 26 in Mexico. The film is tentatively slated for holiday 2005. Argonaut will design a video game, while author Isabel Allende will publish a never-before-told tale next spring. On the toy front, Europe-based Giochi Preziosi has signed on as master toy licensee for the continent. Silverbirch Studios is creating an action-adventure game, and Threshold Entertainment will develop animated features for the direct-to-video market.
Simmons to Exercise Licensing Muscle
Global Icons adds fitness expert Richard Simmons to its portfolio with plans to create a licensing program focusing on food and beverage, apparel, accessories, housewares, sporting goods, inspirational social expressions, interactive, and music.
In other news, Global Icons was appointed by The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and the City of Beverly Hills to spearhead the merchandising program for the Beverly Hills Shield. The program for the icon will initially focus on select, quality-oriented programs, including apparel and accessories, health and beauty, gifts and collectibles, and home furnishings.
New Program on Tap for Whac-A-Mole
Whac-A-Mole will expand its merchandise presence with five new licensing deals. Hasbro will create a line of board games, electronic board games, handheld games, and plug and play for the $1.5 billion amusement brand. Also on board are Cardinal Industries for card games; Commonwealth Toy and Novelty for plush, beanie babies, and plush pack clips; MDI Entertainment for lottery games; and CHASMA for wireless phone games. Dimensional Branding Group, LLC, brokered the deals.
A Sassy New Line to Debut
Babies’ Alley, a creator of infant accessories, signed a licensing deal with Sassy for a line of blankets, soft carriers, diaper bags, and gift sets. The products will premiere at next month’s Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association show and hit shelves in fall.
A Wave of Hello Kitty Fun
Sanrio is riding the waves with its popular Hello Kitty license through a series of surf-inspired festivals later this year. The three-event series, “Hello Kitty Boardfest Featuring Holly Beck,” will be held at Southern California beach locales in the summer and fall. The festivals will include a Hello Kitty-themed area, a professional women’s surfing competition, and “learn to surf better” clinics.
Beck Targets Children’s Market
Artist Leslie Beck will broaden her licensing program to include a new children’s initiative, Leslie Beck Children’s Corner. The new program launches in the mass market in fall/spring 2004 with newborn and infant activewear and layette sets from Isaac Morris Ltd. and diaper bags, bibs, and gift sets from Pacesetters. The line debuts less than a year after licensing agent The Wildflower Group introduced the folk artist to licensing.
New Deal Is Music to The Romar Group
The Romar Group, Inc., was named the exclusive worldwide apparel and merchandise licensee for Hidden Dreams Entertainment’s roster of artists. The deal also appoints Romar as exclusive designer, producer, and distributor for “The Gordy Collection” private-label apparel. As part of the deal, Romar will create programs for “The Legends of Soul” collection, which features never-before-seen photos of the music industry’s most celebrated artists, and “The African Journey,” featuring former Motown singer-turned-artist Chris Clark and her enhanced art images from her exploration into Africa’s culture, landscape, and wildlife. Categories for licensing include apparel, accessories, leather goods, home furnishings, and artwork of limited- and open-edition prints. Romar is a large African-American-owned apparel manufacturing and promotional marketing company in the U.S. Licensing 2004 International Show
PRE-REGISTRATION has been EXTENDED to May 19. Don’t miss your opportunity for FREE EXHIBIT HALL Admission and SEMINAR DISCOUNTS to L!censing 2004 International, June 8-10, NYC. Make your plans to attend and enjoy this year’s Show’s special features, including:
• Expanded Art & Design Licensing Gallery with more than 200 artists and designers to explore.
• NEW! License To Style: An exciting live event demonstrating how pop culture is reflected in today’s apparel marketplace on Tuesday, June 8, on the Exhibit Floor.
• NEW! The Content Zone: Special exhibit area to meet TV, film, book, and interactive media content and rights owners offering hundreds of sought-after properties.
• NEW! Employment Opportunities: Out of work or looking to make a job change? We’re here to help with a job posting board located in the Registration Area.
• 13 NEW Sessions at L!censing University. Visit www.licensingshow.com/licensingshow/V40/conference/special.cvn?id=26&
p_navID=141 to explore the 27 in-depth, information-packed conference sessions offered this year.
Pre-register by May 19 online at https://www.showreg.net/LSI2004 or call (800) 331-5706 or (218) 723-9130. For complete Show details, visitwww.licensingshow.com
Get in the Spotlight in June!
In the June issue of License!, spotlight your property for 20,000 readers and more than 20,000 Licensing 2004 International attendees—the retailers, licensees, agents, and consultants you want to reach. And Stay in Focus daily by securing your spot in the most sought-after source of show news, the License! Show Daily.
For advertising opportunities, contact your sales rep or Ben Zachariah at (212) 951-6705 or [email protected].
For more licensing news and features, visit www.licensemag.com. For more information on Licensing 2004 International Show, visit www.licensingshow.com.
