Weekly E-news, Issue #62, June 8, 2004

Sponsored by:
The Children’s Place Eyes Disney Stores The Children’s Place is interested in the ailing Disney Store chain and is said to be in talks with Walt Disney Co. about acquiring it under a license agreement. Store count currently stands at 335 stores in the U.S. and Canada. The company’s store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and its locations at the theme parks are excluded from the auction. Disney’s European stores are being sold in a separate deal. Target to Be Fieldcrest Headquarters Target signed on as the exclusive retailer for Fieldcrest with a selection of bed and bath items due in early 2005. “The addition of Fieldcrest allows us to continue surprising our guests with well-respected brands at accessible prices,” says Gregg Steinhafel, president, Target Stores. “Fieldcrest is the perfect complement to our ‘wants and needs’ strategy, offering the linen items our guests need, and also the quality, luxury, and style they desire.” The Fieldcrest brand is licensed from Official Pillowtex, LLC, and managed by Earthbound LLC. Home Depot, Kmart Hammer Out Deal Home Depot made Kmart an offer it couldn’t refuse. The home improvement retailer agreed to acquire up to two dozen of its stores for $365 million. The exact number of stores and their locations will be finalized over the next two months. Wal-Mart Recognized for Educational Outreach Wal-Mart will receive the 2004 SHOPA Foundation Award for Educational Excellence, an award given to a company that strongly supports improving education in the U.S. Wal-Mart will receive the award at the SHOPA Foundation Award for Educational Excellence September 20, in conjunction with SHOPA Industry Week 2004, September 20 to 24 in Orlando, FL. Proceeds from the dinner benefit Kids In Need. Celine Dion Tries Her Hand at Licensing Art Impressions will work in concert with recording artist Celine Dion on an infant/children’s licensing program. The Celine Dion collection will debut at retail in fall 2005. “Celine Dion connects with women all over the world,” says Cindy Bailey, CEO of Art Impressions. “Celine embodies the modern woman, who has achieved balance in her life as a wife, mother, and dedicated professional. She is a great role model to millions of devoted fans and mothers.” Lionel on Track with New Deals Lionel LLC signed a deal with Dan River for a line of toddler and children’s bedding. The collection, due this summer, will feature a different all-over design of popular Lionel trains for each age segment. To complement the bedding, first-time licensee York Wallcoverings will come to market with sidewalls and borders for 2005. For fall 2004, York Wallcoverings will create a men’s retro collection of sidewalls and borders featuring Lionel trains. “We are looking for licensees in other home décor categories such as rugs, lamps, and wall décor,” says Julie Laird, licensing manager at Lionel LLC. Ty Inc., PGA Support Charity Ty Inc. created a ChariTee Beanie Baby that will wear the PGA Tour’s “Giving Back” logo and support the organization’s charitable initiatives through each sale. The brown bear wearing a tartan plaid driving cap hit store shelves June 7. The partnership marks the first time Ty Inc. partnered with a professional sports organization to develop a product exclusively for charity and the first time the PGA Tour has partnered on this type of single product charity licensing arrangement. Haggar Adds Loungewear to Product Portfolio Haggar Clothing Co. signed a licensing deal with Rigo International Inc. for a new line of loungewear. The category is a first for Haggar and is due in all channels of distribution in spring 2005. The line will include boxers, lounge pants, tops, and robes and will retail from $12 to $60. Porchlight Entertainment Adds Agents, Nabs Emmy PorchLight Entertainment, creator of Jay Jay The Jet Plane, signed agents in both Brazil and Mexico with initial licensing deals in publishing, home entertainment, party goods, and preschool plastic toys. In other news, the company’s Tutenstein animated series recently won an Emmy Award in the Outstanding Special Class Animated Program category. The program combines ancient Egyptian mythology with contemporary, urban humor and attitude. French Toasts Belts One On French Toast will give kids another way to accessorize their school uniforms, signing a deal with Madison Belts. French Toast currently markets all of its own apparel and outerwear but licenses out its apparel accessories. Current French Toast licensees include Sockyard for hosiery, Almar Sales for hair accessories, and Braha for footwear. Licensing Show Shuttle The International Toy Center will provide shuttle bus service between the ITC and the Jacob Javits Convention Center during Licensing 2004 International Show, June 8 to 10. This first-time initiative will better accommodate the numerous buyer-tenant appointments that regularly take place at the ITC during the show. The shuttle will run between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. from the ITC’s 23rd Street entrance and the Javits Center. For further information on the shuttle schedule, visit www.thetoycenter.com Licensing 2004 International Show Make your plans to attend Licensing 2004 International Show (June 8 to 10, NYC) and enjoy the 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, 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 http://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. For complete show details, visit http://www.licensingshow.com Thinking About Expanding Your Licensing Business? THINK LINK. Presented by License! magazine, Link (Licensing International Networking Conference) is an executive-level conference that brings together the leaders of today’s licensing industry. Top licensors, licensees, retailers, agents, marketers, and the media will come together in one of the most exciting global markets in the country. Conference sessions will cover a full spectrum of licensing topics including: Promotions and Co-Branding, Marketing to Demographics, The State of Retail, Financial & Legal Licensing Issues, and a special concentration on international markets. For information on becoming a Link sponsor, contact Steven Ekstract at (212) 951-6684 or [email protected] For general information, contact Diane Waltersdorf at (203) 701-0142 or [email protected] or visit www.linkconference.com It’s a Wrap in July Complete the Licensing International show cycle by following up with attendees and securing your ad message in our post-show July issue. Be the act to remember as the curtain closes and reviews are read. Let ad frequency give you the edge as retailers, licensees, agents, and consultants do their post-show follow-up. Call Ben Zachariah at (212) 951-6705 or Pauline Ng at (212) 951-6698 to discuss your post-show message. For more licensing news and features, visit www.licensemag.com. For more information on Licensing 2004 International Show, visit www.licensingshow.com

Sponsored by:

The Children’s Place Eyes Disney Stores

The Children’s Place is interested in the ailing Disney Store chain and is said to be in talks with Walt Disney Co. about acquiring it under a license agreement. Store count currently stands at 335 stores in the U.S. and Canada. The company’s store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and its locations at the theme parks are excluded from the auction. Disney’s European stores are being sold in a separate deal.

Target to Be Fieldcrest Headquarters

Target signed on as the exclusive retailer for Fieldcrest with a selection of bed and bath items due in early 2005. “The addition of Fieldcrest allows us to continue surprising our guests with well-respected brands at accessible prices,” says Gregg Steinhafel, president, Target Stores. “Fieldcrest is the perfect complement to our ‘wants and needs’ strategy, offering the linen items our guests need, and also the quality, luxury, and style they desire.” The Fieldcrest brand is licensed from Official Pillowtex, LLC, and managed by Earthbound LLC.

Home Depot, Kmart Hammer Out Deal

Home Depot made Kmart an offer it couldn’t refuse. The home improvement retailer agreed to acquire up to two dozen of its stores for $365 million. The exact number of stores and their locations will be finalized over the next two months.

Wal-Mart Recognized for Educational Outreach

Wal-Mart will receive the 2004 SHOPA Foundation Award for Educational Excellence, an award given to a company that strongly supports improving education in the U.S. Wal-Mart will receive the award at the SHOPA Foundation Award for Educational Excellence September 20, in conjunction with SHOPA Industry Week 2004, September 20 to 24 in Orlando, FL. Proceeds from the dinner benefit Kids In Need.

Celine Dion Tries Her Hand at Licensing

Art Impressions will work in concert with recording artist Celine Dion on an infant/children’s licensing program. The Celine Dion collection will debut at retail in fall 2005. “Celine Dion connects with women all over the world,” says Cindy Bailey, CEO of Art Impressions. “Celine embodies the modern woman, who has achieved balance in her life as a wife, mother, and dedicated professional. She is a great role model to millions of devoted fans and mothers.”

Lionel on Track with New Deals

Lionel LLC signed a deal with Dan River for a line of toddler and children’s bedding. The collection, due this summer, will feature a different all-over design of popular Lionel trains for each age segment. To complement the bedding, first-time licensee York Wallcoverings will come to market with sidewalls and borders for 2005. For fall 2004, York Wallcoverings will create a men’s retro collection of sidewalls and borders featuring Lionel trains. “We are looking for licensees in other home décor categories such as rugs, lamps, and wall décor,” says Julie Laird, licensing manager at Lionel LLC.

Ty Inc., PGA Support Charity

Ty Inc. created a ChariTee Beanie Baby that will wear the PGA Tour’s “Giving Back” logo and support the organization’s charitable initiatives through each sale. The brown bear wearing a tartan plaid driving cap hit store shelves June 7. The partnership marks the first time Ty Inc. partnered with a professional sports organization to develop a product exclusively for charity and the first time the PGA Tour has partnered on this type of single product charity licensing arrangement.

Haggar Adds Loungewear to Product Portfolio

Haggar Clothing Co. signed a licensing deal with Rigo International Inc. for a new line of loungewear. The category is a first for Haggar and is due in all channels of distribution in spring 2005. The line will include boxers, lounge pants, tops, and robes and will retail from $12 to $60.

Porchlight Entertainment Adds Agents, Nabs Emmy

PorchLight Entertainment, creator of Jay Jay The Jet Plane, signed agents in both Brazil and Mexico with initial licensing deals in publishing, home entertainment, party goods, and preschool plastic toys. In other news, the company’s Tutenstein animated series recently won an Emmy Award in the Outstanding Special Class Animated Program category. The program combines ancient Egyptian mythology with contemporary, urban humor and attitude.

French Toasts Belts One On

French Toast will give kids another way to accessorize their school uniforms, signing a deal with Madison Belts. French Toast currently markets all of its own apparel and outerwear but licenses out its apparel accessories. Current French Toast licensees include Sockyard for hosiery, Almar Sales for hair accessories, and Braha for footwear.

Licensing Show Shuttle

The International Toy Center will provide shuttle bus service between the ITC and the Jacob Javits Convention Center during Licensing 2004 International Show, June 8 to 10. This first-time initiative will better accommodate the numerous buyer-tenant appointments that regularly take place at the ITC during the show. The shuttle will run between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. from the ITC’s 23rd Street entrance and the Javits Center. For further information on the shuttle schedule, visit

www.thetoycenter.com

Licensing 2004 International Show

Make your plans to attend Licensing 2004 International Show (June 8 to 10, NYC) and enjoy the 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, 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

http://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.

For complete show details, visit

http://www.licensingshow.com

Thinking About Expanding Your Licensing Business?

THINK LINK.

Presented by License! magazine, Link (Licensing International Networking Conference) is an executive-level conference that brings together the leaders of today’s licensing industry. Top licensors, licensees, retailers, agents, marketers, and the media will come together in one of the most exciting global markets in the country. Conference sessions will cover a full spectrum of licensing topics including: Promotions and Co-Branding, Marketing to Demographics, The State of Retail, Financial & Legal Licensing Issues, and a special concentration on international markets. For information on becoming a Link sponsor, contact Steven Ekstract at (212) 951-6684 or

[email protected]

For general information, contact Diane Waltersdorf at (203) 701-0142 or

[email protected]

or visit

www.linkconference.com

It’s a Wrap in July

Complete the Licensing International show cycle by following up with attendees and securing your ad message in our post-show July issue. Be the act to remember as the curtain closes and reviews are read. Let ad frequency give you the edge as retailers, licensees, agents, and consultants do their post-show follow-up. Call

Ben Zachariah

at (212) 951-6705 or

Pauline Ng

at (212) 951-6698 to discuss your post-show message.

For more licensing news and features, visit www.licensemag.com. For more information on Licensing 2004 International Show, visit