Playmates Toys Is Sweet on Strawberry Shortcake
Playmates Toys signed on as master toy licensee for Strawberry Shortcake withdolls and toys planned for 2006. Next spring also marks the launch ofStrawberry Shortcake Baby, an infant program that will include Children'sApparel Network as master apparel licensee. Others on board include: ABCDevelopment (feeding/tabletop), Fabrics by Spectrix (fabrics), Deco Pac (cakedecorating/edibles), Infant Specialty Company (hair accessories/headwear), KidsHeadquarters (outerwear), Dolly Inc. (bedding/bath/home furnishings), ESOriginals (footwear), and United Legwear (legwear/socks/hosiery).
USCPG Seeks Licensees for Movie Franchise
Universal Studios Consumer Products Group launched the worldwide licensingprogram for Universal Pictures' The Fast and The Furious 3 due in 2006. Thegroup seeks licensees in traditional categories including toys, collectibles,footwear, automotive accessories, audio systems, home furnishings, stationery,personal care, lifestyle events, games, publishing, and a branded lifestyleline of apparel geared toward young men. More than 45 key partners are on boardfor the entire The Fast and The Furious franchise, spanning categories such astoys, collectibles, apparel, automotive accessories, audio systems, homefurnishings, stationery, personal care, lifestyle events, games, interactive,wireless, and publishing.
Earthworks Entertainment to Rep 64 Zoo Lane
Earthworks Entertainment will represent the U.S. merchandise licensing andpublishing rights for Millimages' animated TV series, 64 Zoo Lane. The seriescurrently airs on Noggin and follows the adventures of Lucy, a young girl witha keen, curious mind, who lives next door to the zoo. Lucy's unusualneighbors-an array of engaging animals-become her pals. Each night, thanks tobig, friendly giraffe Georgina, Lucy meets up with her animal friends in thezoo, and a new adventure unfolds.
First Licensees Are "Crazy" for Internet Property
Al Ovadia & Associates, Inc., signed its first group of licensees for TheAnnoying Thing aka Crazy Frog. C-Life; Concept One Accessories, Inc.; ElegantHeadwear (ABG); H.E.R. Accessories; Logotel; and MJC will create a range ofapparel and accessories. EMA, LLC, and Its-Outrageous will come to market withelectronics and accessories. FAB/Starpoint will manufacture a line ofstationery and school supplies. Commonwealth Toy Co., CTI Industries, andStarmakers will make gift and accessory items.
Bandai America to Support Magical DoReMi
4Kids Entertainment, Inc., appointed Bandai America master toy licensee forMagical DoReMi. First products are due on shelves in spring 2006 and willinclude dolls, playsets, and role-play items. The animated property, whichfollows the adventures of three inquisitive young girls who transform intoapprentice witches, will premiere on 4Kids TV's new Saturday morning lineupSeptember 10.
My Little Pony to Court Older Audience
The Hasbro Properties Group will expand the audience for My Little Pony,creating retro-themed apparel and accessories for 'tweens and young women. Inspring 2006, Accessories Network will offer My Little Pony bags, small leathergoods, cell phone cases, MP3 player cases, and hosiery, and Briefly Stated willoffer loungewear separates and intimate apparel for pony fans.
Santoro Taps RMP Licensing
Santoro appointed RMP Licensing to promote the Tutti Cuti brand in the Frenchmarket. The signing follows the brand's launch in the flagship Paris stores ofhigh-end retailers Galeries Lafayette and Printemps.
HarperCollins Acquires Rights to "Wintersmith"
HarperCollins Children's Books acquired U.S. book and audio rights to publish"Wintersmith," a new young adult novel by best-selling author Terry Pratchettdue on shelves in fall 2006. Starring the characters from award-winning books"The Wee Free Men" and "A Hat Full of Sky," "Wintersmith" is the thirdadventure of Tiffany Aching, young witch-in-training, and the 6-inch-high,sword-wielding, sheep-stealing Wee Free Men.
New Production Company Is Up and Running
Bakers Man, a provider of Internet-based technology, marketing communications,and digital information management for the entertainment industry, formedTrueLight Entertainment. The new production company will provide animationproduction, marketing, and e-learning services based on proprietary processesand tools. Kevin O'Donnell was named president and will spearhead the company'sefforts to offer clients a one-stop shop to market their brands fromdevelopment through delivery utilizing animation production, creative andonline services, and design capabilities across a multitude of platforms.
LINK New York-Register Early and Save
Register today for LINK New York, October 5-7 at the Roosevelt Hotel, and takeadvantage of the early bird registration fee of $1,495. We've negotiated aspecial rate at The Roosevelt at $259 per night single/double, plustax. Reservations must be made directly with the hotel NO LATER THANSeptember 12, 2005, by calling toll-free (888) 833-3969 (or international (212)661-9600; ask for reservations department). You MUST identify yourself as aLINK Conference participant to be eligible for the negotiatedrate. Focusing on the key areas of Retail/Branding, International Licensing,Financial/Legal, and the burgeoning category of Wireless Licensing, LINK NYoffers more than 28 breakout sessions and three keynote/general sessionspresented by leading retail and consumer trend analysts from CSFB, MaritzGroup, and NPD Group. Register now by calling our LINK sales representative,Sylvester Jones, at (212) 951-6764. For information on sponsorship, speaking,and attending, visit our Website: ny.linkconference.com.
Enter the MIPCOM Junior Licensing Challenge
Organized in partnership with License! magazine, the "MIPCOM Junior LicensingChallenge" will take place at the Noga Hilton, October 16, 2005. The MIPCOMJunior Licensing Challenge is open to all producers and children'sentertainment creators. All properties submitted must be new, not previouslyaired or licensed. All short-listed finalists must be registered for MIPCOMJunior 2005 and be prepared to pitch their projects in person. Candidates areto send their entries to License! magazine, which will select five to take partin a pitching session at MIPCOM Junior. Entries are due no later than September9, 2005. An international jury will offer professional advice on broadcast andlicensing and merchandising. To obtain details and an entry form, visit www.mipcom.com, click on "About MIPCOMJunior," and then click on "Conferences & Events." Or download the MIPCOMJunior Licensing Challenge form by clicking http://www.mipcomjunior.com/images/100448/pdf/mipcomjr2005_licensing.pdf.
Find Out What the European Licensing Industry Has to Offer
Brand Licensing 2005 is Europe's premier licensing trade event. It takes placefrom October 25-26 at Earls Court in London. At Brand Licensing 2005, all themajor European property owners, representing thousands of brands, characters,images, and more, come together. In just two days, you will see more than 2,500properties, trends, and new ideas that will affect almost every consumer goodsarea-from toys and gifts to clothing, food, and computer games. For moreinformation about Brand Licensing 2005, visit http://www.brandlicensingexpo.com/.To register for free visitor tickets, click hereor call +44 (0) 870 4294554.
Find Your Next Entertainment Property at RoadShow
Entertainment marketing is a proven way to connect with consumers, and only atThe L.A. Office RoadShow can you join brand marketers, retailers, and agencyexecutives as you discover marketing opportunities for every target, connectwith industry players, and leverage the power of entertainment. Whether you areinterested in the U.S. or European marketplace, RoadShow has it all. RoadShowHollywood (September 26-29) will provide property showcases from keyentertainment executives in music, TV, film and home entertainment, plus new tothis year's event, gaming. RoadShow Europe will include its first-ever KeyInsights Forum (October 25) with presentations by top marketers on topicsrelevant to promotional marketers throughout Europe, as well as an entire day(October 26) devoted to future European film and home entertainmentopportunities. Make sure to register before September 19 and save. Visit http://www.laoffice.com/roadshowtoregister or for more information.
See and Be Seen in the Industry Annual Report in October
In October, all eyes are on the 2005 License! Industry Annual Report, a yearlyfeature devoted to recapping ups and downs in the licensing and retailindustry. This comprehensive compilation of research and trend forecasts comesfrom a variety of respected industry studies and is synthesized by License!editors and presented with contextual references and examples of industrysuccess stories. It's a must-read issue that's kept throughout the year andreferred to frequently. This issue will have bonus distribution at BrandLicensing Expo in London and the American International Fall Toy Show. Plus, adigital edition of this issue will reach 40,000 additional industryprofessionals via e-mail. Contact Steven Ekstract for advertising opportunitiesat (212) 951-6684 or mailto:[email protected].Reserve your space in this key issue by September 14.
Submit Licenses Granted & Available Now Online
License!'s License! Finder allows you to submit licenses granted and availablenow online, which will be published on the License! Website (http://www.licensemag.com/) on a weeklybasis once approved by an editor. Go to http://www.finder.licensemag.com/to fill out the verification form and submit your licenses granted or availablenow. Highlights from each month's online submissions will be published inLicense! magazine. Any questions, contact Alyson Grala at (212) 951-6743 or viae-mail: mailto:[email protected].
For more information on licensing news and features, visit License! magazine'sWebsite, http://www.licensemag.com.
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