May Department Stores Get Extra Fancy
The May Department Stores Co. will be the headquarters for Jeffrey Fulvimari extra fancy merchandise after nabbing the exclusive for the brand. A selection of junior sleepwear, watches, bath and body gift sets, and cosmetic gift sets will begin hitting shelves at 360 stores in fall. All products feature the signature illustrations of fashion illustrator Jeffrey Fulvimari. Jeffrey Fulvimari and Nine Trick Pony maintain seven international licensing agents to develop brands Jeffrey Fulvimari extra fancy and bobbypin by Jeffrey Fulvimari around the globe.
DIC Expands Strawberry Shortcake Publishing Push
DIC Entertainment expanded the publishing program for Strawberry Shortcake, adding Scholastic, Leisure Arts Inc., and Meredith Corp. Scholastic plans to release a craft book, “How to Draw Strawberry Shortcake,” and will launch the Strawberry Shortcake and Friends Craft Club continuity program in September. Leisure Arts Inc. is scheduled to debut Cross Stitch, Knit, and Plastic Canvas crafting leaflets with potential additional titles to follow. Meredith Corp. will release two Strawberry Shortcake sound books, “A Berry Picnic Surprize” and “The Sweet Treats Contest,” in October.
Diversity Celebrated in New TV Project
Sesame Workshop and National Geographic Television & Film Kids’ Programming and Production unit formed a first-time partnership for a one-hour TV special due fourth quarter 2005. The adventure stars Sesame Street residents Bert and Ernie in an on-the-road adventure that finds the pair on several continents, celebrating the unique cultures they experience along the way. The special will build on the Sesame Street segment, “Global Grover,” which supports Sesame Workshop’s cultural diversity initiative, and will capitalize on both organizations’ resources and global reach.
Newton’s Law Has Global Appeal
The Wildflower Group signed on new global licensees for Newton’s Law with an aim of “making the property immediately identifiable by consumers in markets around the world,” according to Fred R. Paprin, The Wildflower Group principal. Newton, the world-weary and slightly edgy teddy bear character, now will be available in everything from plush and mobile phone downloads to stationery, scrapbooks, stickers, and automotive accessories.
Binney & Smith in Cool New Deal
Binney & Smith furthered its expansion into the food category, signing a deal with CoolBrands International for a line of frozen novelties due early next year. The line of pops, bar, sandwiches, cups, cones, sundaes, and shakes will have “Better for You” benefits. In addition, CoolBrands will develop Crayola-branded frozen treats in prepackaged containers ranging from pints to gallons. Binney & Smith is represented by Nancy Bailey & Associates.
Have a Cow
CowParade Holdings Corp. granted GoCollect.com the exclusive rights to sell licensed CowParade merchandise on its newest entity, www.ShopCowParade.com The site will feature the collectible cows, as well as books, calendars, pins, mugs, T-shirts, and more. Plans are in development for other categories such as home décor, bed and bath, and kitchen, along with a new line of products under the CowParade Kids, CowParade Baby, and CowParade Cool sub-brands.
Discovery and Meredith Expand Relationship
Discovery Communications and Meredith Corp. formed a strategic alliance to create and publish a portfolio of “house and home” books developed from individual programs on Discovery Channel, TLC, and Discovery Home Channel. The multi-year agreement builds upon the past success between the pair. The 2004-2005 publishing program currently includes two additional Trading Spaces books, as well as books inspired by TLC’s Clean Sweep and While You Were Out. Formats for these and future books will range from fan-based to how-to/instructional depending upon the individual program. In addition, Meredith and Discovery have published two successful Monster Garage books, and have an American Chopper book entitled “American Chopper at Full Throttle” coming in November 2004.
Classic Media Taps Evergreen Concepts
Classic Media retained Evergreen Concepts to further develop licensing and merchandising initiatives for Little Golden Books and pat the bunny. Through the partnership, Evergreen will expand the consumer products programs for both properties across several categories, including home furnishings, apparel, toys, and infant gear. Brand new style guides and design concepts currently are being created.
Brainy Baby Supports Prevent Child Abuse Program
The Brainy Baby Co. partnered with Prevent Child Abuse America with the organization receiving 10 percent from the sale of every buy one, get one free Brainy Baby DVD package until September 30, 2004. To take advantage of the offer, consumers enter a special code, BBPC1, at checkout or when placing an order by phone. Funds generated through this campaign will support PCA America’s child abuse prevention programs, which reach into 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, helping more than 100,000 families annually.
Taffy Entertainment Launches Licensing Division
Taffy Entertainment launched its new licensing division with the hiring of veteran licensing specialist Eric Stein as vice president of licensing. His first priority will be the development and implementation of the licensing strategy for Pet Alien, a 3-D, CGI-animated comedy aimed at ages 6 to 11. Stein is a former licensing executive with Lucasfilm and MGM/United Artists and the founder of consulting firm Eric Stein Entertainment.
Execs Move up the Ranks
Executives are on the move as Jessi Dunne was promoted to executive vice president, global toys, at Disney Consumer Products. Jean Lemmey was appointed director of retail development, promotions, and broadcast relations for HIT Entertainment. Hot Kiss named Ronald Ozur to the new position of chief financial officer. At Target Entertainment Ltd., John Eastaff was appointed to the newly created post of director of marketing and brand licensing and will head up the company’s licensing, home entertainment, and marketing activity. Over at Applejack Art Partners, James Meserve was appointed CEO. Michael A. Prager was named vice president of sales at The Boyds Collection.
Enter the MIPCOM Jr. Licensing Challenge
Organized in partnership with License! magazine, the MIPCOM Jr. Licensing Challenge will take place during MIPCOM Jr., October 2-3 in Cannes, France. If you are a producer or creator of children’s entertainment, we invite you to submit and pitch new properties. Entries must be received by License! and/or MIPCOM Jr. no later than August 31. For more information, guidelines, and an application, visit www.mipcomjunior.com or www.licensemag.com Following preselection (executed by License! editors), five properties will move to the next stage of the challenge. At MIPCOM Jr., in front of a live audience, finalists will have the opportunity to “pitch” their properties (and ultimately learn the potential for their property) to an international jury, chaired by Warren Kornblum, chief marketing officer, Toys “R” Us.
Link—Licensing International Networking Conference, November 2-4, 2004, Miami, FL
Announcing the latest edition to Link’s roster of speakers: Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst of The NPD Group, a major market research firm. Cohen’s keynote address, “Licensing Forward,” will discuss the current state of licensing and where the licensed category is heading. Register now and see the complete program at
www.linkconference.com Early-bird registration ends September 17, 2004. Conference sessions discuss Promotions & Co-Branding, State of Retail, Marketing to Demographics, Financial & Legal Issues, and European and Latin American Licensing. Conference speaker highlights include keynote speaker Todd Kahn, EVP & COO of Sean John; Tom Miller, global managing director of research firm NOP World; and Simon Brown, Woolworths (UK). If you’re thinking about expanding your licensing business, think Link. Register now at www.linkconference.com
October Opportunity
Chock full of retail sales figures, statistics, trends, and property predictions, License!’s October Industry Annual Report provides the perfect editorial environment for your ad message and corporate profile. In addition, License! puts your property front and center with bonus distribution at the American International Fall Toy Show, as well as at Brand Licensing London. Contact your account managers, Ben Zachariah at (212) 951-6705 or Pauline Ng at (212) 951-6698, for more information.
For more licensing news and features, visit www.licensemag.com For more information on DIC Entertainment’s latest licensing efforts, visit www.dicentertainment.com
