Kohl’s Inks Exclusive Deal with Candie’s
Candie’s, Inc., and Kohl’s Corp. signed a deal to bring Candie’s into the junior and girls’ departments in fall 2005 and on kohls.com. The long-term agreement also establishes Kohl’s as the exclusive U.S. headquarters for apparel such as sportswear, accessories, and intimate apparel. Footwear and handbags will be part of the launch but won’t be exclusive until January 2007 when all categories revert to the retailer.
Companies Merge to Create Imagination DVD
Little Lion Studios aligned with Imagination Entertainment to create Imagination DVD. The new company is a leader in CD and DVD authoring, using patented authoring software and techniques including its proprietary software DVD Game Pro that creates the complex authoring code needed for DVD games and the new DVDi format. Imagination DVD will relocate to a new digital media and authoring facility in Burbank, CA, next year. Simultaneously, it will open a similar facility at Imagination’s head office in Adelaide to cater to the Australian market.
DIC Secures International Markets for Strawberry Shortcake
DIC Entertainment inked deals with key international broadcasters for the six all-new animated Strawberry Shortcake specials set to broadcast in major territories around the world in 2005. To date, DIC has finalized deals with international channels, including YTV (Canada), GMTV (UK), Canal J (France), Super RTL (Germany), RTVE (Spain), SIC (Portugal), Televisa (Mexico), Alter Channel (Greece), TV2 (Denmark and Norway), Channel 4 (Finland), Cartoon Network (India and Scandinavia), Club RTL (Belgium), Hop TV (Israel), TV Polska (Poland), and a pan-Latin American deal with Cartoon Network.
Creative Group Teams Up with Stellar Concepts
Creative Group Inc. partnered with Stellar Concepts, the sports marketing company headed by former New York Yankee Rick Cerone and ex-Marketing Director for the Meadowlands Sports Complex Teri Festa. The alliance will allow Creative Group to expand its TV production company into sports and entertainment marketing and sponsorship for its existing programming and for other projects through 2005-2006. Says Cerone, “Creative Group is a leader in the next generation of entertainment, and we hope to bring the same innovative thinking to our sponsors by offering them fully integrated marketing programs unmatched in the industry.”
Science Legend to Experiment in Licensing
The Roger Richman Agency, Inc., will create a licensing and branding campaign for science writer Issac Asimov. In addition to categories such as consumer electronics, the agency will position Asimov’s name and image in a variety of other technological arenas, as well as standard areas of approved advertising and merchandise.
FUNimation Named Master Licensor for Code Lyoko
FUNimation Productions, Ltd., was named master licensor and exclusive home video distributor for Code Lyoko by Moonscope in North America. Moonscope is the international licensing company for Code Lyoko. FUNimation will pursue licensees across all merchandise categories with plans for first products to hit shelves early next year.
Challenging Issues Tackled in New Video Series
The Comical Sense Co. is introducing The Trevor Romain Collection, a video series aimed at elementary-aged school children. The series is based on the books and philosophy of the author and includes three titles: How to Do Homework Without Throwing Up, Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain, and What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? The DVD and VHS are headed to shelves March 8, 2005, and will retail for $14.99. To support the launch, a multiplatform marketing campaign is underway including a personal appearance tour by Trevor Romain, consumer Web promotions on www.TrevorRomain.com showcasing of the three video titles in the Kids First! traveling film festival, and grassroots outreach to schools and community organizations that serve children and families.
Fat Albert Makes DVD Debut
UrbanWorks Entertainment, a division of Ventura Entertainment Enterprises, acquired the North American video and DVD rights for Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids from UK-based Entertainment Rights. The first wave of DVDs hits shelves December 14 and will include Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, a single disc containing five episodes, and Fat Albert’s Greatest Hits—The Ultimate Collection, a four-disc collector’s set with more than seven hours of historic episodes. The first ever live-action Fat Albert movie will be released from Twentieth Century Fox Christmas Day.
CVS to Sell Music Download Cards
Virgin Digital, the digital entertainment platform of the Virgin Group, inked a licensing deal with CellCards of Illinois, LLC, a subsidiary of Coinstar, Inc., to distribute prepaid Virgin Digital cards through its participating retail locations. As part of the agreement, Coinstar, Inc., will have a license to promote, market, distribute, and sell music download cards to consumers through its national retail distribution network. The cards come in increments of $14.85, which is equal to 15 song downloads through the Virgin Digital Megastore. The cards will be available in up to 5,500 CVS/pharmacy drugstores across the U.S. by the end of this month.
Healy to Helm IDT Entertainment Animation
IDT Entertainment appointed Janet Healy president of Animation Production. In her new post, Healy will oversee all budgets, staff, and production schedules for all IDT Entertainment animation projects. In addition, she will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategic plan that will maximize the production effectiveness of all the IDT Entertainment animation studios.
Tommy Bahama Names New Licensing Director
Tommy Bahama named Chrisann Furciato director of licensing. In her new post, Furciato will be responsible for the development of new licensing business, day-to-day licensing operations, as well as overseeing existing licensees.
Sears and Kmart: Retail Deal of the Year
In January, License! profiles an historical milestone in the world of retail. For the first time, a mass merchant and traditional department store have combined talent, power, and resources to form the nation’s third-largest retailer with annual revenues of nearly $55 billion and approximately 3,500 stores. License! takes the lead on detailing how the merger could affect licensees, licensors, licensing agents, and other retailers. Keep your brand or property top-of-mind as the new super-retailer takes shape by advertising in this must-read issue. You also can take advantage of our 3 for 2 offer: Advertise in January and February and receive March as bonus. But you must act now! Contact Steven Ekstract at (212) 951-6684 or your advertising representative today.
For more licensing news and features, visit www.licensemag.com For more information on Licensing 2005 International Show, visit www.licensingshow.com
