Hasbro Licensing Summit Focuses on Fashion and Licensees

Top licensees were honored and a glitzy fashion lifestyle show highlighted character-themed apparel during Hasbro's 9th Annual Licensing Summit this week. The company hosted more than 125 licensees during the two-day event in Providence, R.I., as exclusively reported by License! Global.

Hasbro named its 2010 Spud Award Winners (as pictured) including:

Hasbro kicked off its first fashion show during the Licensing Summit, featuring apparel and accessories inspired by Littlest Pet Shop, Monopoly, Tonka and Transformers.

The company will hold its annual investor day webcast tomorrow, which will include presentations from Brian Goldner, president and chief executive officer; David Hargreaves, chief operating officer; Deborah Thomas, chief financial officer; as well as other senior executives.

Hasbro also announced the appointment of James Walker to vice president of brand licensing in Europe. Walker joins from Walt Disney, where he most recently served as European infant director. He also has experience in buying and merchandise management for large U.K.-based retail chains, including BHS and Marks & Spencer.

Walker reports to Simon Waters, Hasbro's senior vice president of global licensing, and will be based at the company's Stockley Park offices in the U.K.

The Hub, Hasbro's and Discovery Communications' new television network, continues to roll out new original series since its official launch on Oct. 10. "G.I. Joe Renegades" will make its debut during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The network's other property-inspired programming includes "My Little Pony Friendship is Magic," "Pictureka!," "Pound Puppies," "R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour," "The Adventures for Chuck and Friends," "Clue" and "Transformers Prime."

Also during the Licensing Summit, Hasbro discussed licensing initiatives for upcoming theatrical releases including Transformers 3: The Dark of the Moon (July 2011), Battleship (2012), Stretch Armstrong (2012) and Ouija (2012).

(Fashion photos courtesy of Hasbro. Reuters/Ray Stubblebine)