Former Sesame Workshop Exec Joins HIT Entertainment
Bill Burke was appointed vice president, brand management, HIT Entertainment.In this new role, Burke oversees the brand development of Barney and TheWiggles, as well as the portfolio of Jim Henson Company brands such as FraggleRock and Animal Jam that HIT reps worldwide. Additionally, he will focus onbrand management for new content development.
TJLG Signs Sweet New Deal
Entenmann?s Products Inc. retained The Joester Loria Group to representEntenmann?s for licensed brand extensions. The Joester Loria Group will managethe strategic planning and development of licensing initiatives for Entenmann?sand Entenmann?s sub-brands including Little Bites and its line of UltimateDessert Cakes. Targeted categories include non-bakery food, beverages,housewares, and publishing. Product introductions are planned for 2007.
Everlast Worldwide Partners with Jacques Moret
Everlast Worldwide Inc. signed a new four-year license agreement with JacquesMoret, Inc. The deal kicks off January 1, 2006, giving Moret the license formen?s activewear, sportswear, outerwear, and swimwear in the U.S. Moret willpartner with M. Hidary and Company Inc. for design, development, and sales of theactivewear portion of the license. M. Hidary will purchase certain men?sapparel inventory owned by Everlast and assume other transitional costsassociated with the men?s business. Additionally, certain key sales,merchandising, and operational personnel will join the new group.
Self Esteem Creates Vintage Collection
All Access Apparel, manufacturer of Self Esteem, signed two-year licensingagreements with five companies, giving Self Esteem usage rights to candy andautomotive properties including Hershey?s, PEZ, Turtle Wax, and General Motors,among others. The new Self Esteem Vintage will use authentic images, somedating back to the early 1900s, on juniors?, ?tweens?, and girls? tops. Firstproducts will be on shelves in spring at the company?s traditional network ofretailers.
Kids to Go Ape Over New Publishing Line
HarperCollins Children?s Books released a new line of King Kong children?sbooks including chapter books, beginning readers, 8x8 storybooks, juniornovelization, and color and activity books. Kids also will have the option ofchoosing from King Kong: Coloring and Activity Book and Crayons and King Kong:Coloring and Activity Book and Stickers.
SPCP Seeks Licensees for New Animated Feature Film
Sony Pictures Consumer Products seeks partners to catch the wave on the secondanimated feature film from Sony Pictures Animation, Surf?s Up, due in theaterssummer 2007. Surf?s Up goes behind the scenes of the world of competitivepenguin surfing. The merchandising program will take a fresh approach tocharacter licensing, riding the waves of the surf culture through edgy graphicsand stylized line art. The design palette consists of vibrant colors thatreflect the tropical vibe of the film. Sony Pictures Consumer Productscurrently is licensing across all key product categories.
JAKKS Pacific Attracts Partners for New Learning Platform
JAKKS Pacific, Inc., inked an exclusive licensing agreement with RJM Licensing,Inc., to produce a line of JAKKS? new Tell-A-Story interactive books based on?Guess How Much I Love You? and ?I Love My Little Storybook.? The Tell-A-Storysystem connects directly into a standard TV using Plug & Read technology,and serves as an introductory reading guide for preschool-aged children.
Porterfield?s Eyes New Cards for Holiday ?06
Porterfield?s Fine Art Licensing signed a major multi-artist license with thedesign division of Hallmark UK for Christmas cards to be distributed initiallyin the United States and Canada for Christmas 2006. The license focusesextensively on the Santa Claus images of Porterfield?s painter Joseph Holodookand also includes numerous additional images by Porterfield?s artists MaureenMcCarthy, Thomas Wood, Frank Margasak, Barbara Ann Kenney, Richard De Wolfe,and John Richard Perry.
branding, inc., Draws Up New Deals
branding, inc., signed on illustrator Cheryl Hoffman under the brand name DOLL!by Cheryl Hoffman. Jenean Morrison also signed with the agency forrepresentation of her design-focused brand Posh Pattern by Jenean.
Lee Changes Role at RC2
John Lee will evolve his current role as executive vice president to anadvisory role with RC2, effective in the first quarter of 2006. The change willenable Lee to expand his role as chairman of The Ready to Learn Partnership andpresident of The Learning Box, LLC, two children?s media organizationscommitted to creating and distributing new programming content to help youngchildren develop early learning and literacy skills.
TIA Toy Fair Education Program
Toy Industry Association, Inc.?s 2006Education Program will take place during American International Toy Fair,Saturday, February 11, and Sunday, February 12. Education program attendees canchoose from 28 sessions on key industry issues, including BreakthroughMarketing Tactics and Sales Motivation. Education Program registrants will beguaranteed seating at the February 12 General Session at the Jacob JavitsConvention Center featuring Malcolm Gladwell, author of ?Blink!? and ?TheTipping Point.? Toy Fair attendees can find information on the EducationProgram sessions and register at http://www.toy-tia.org/.Industry professionals who register by January 6 will receive a $50 discount.
Upcoming Industry Events
American International Toy Fair, February12-15, 2006, Toy District and Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, NY, http://www.toy-tia.org/AITF
New York Comic-Con, February24-26, 2006, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, NY, http://www.nycomiccon.com/
Youth Marketing Mega-Event 2006,March 27-29, 2006, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, HuntingtonBeach, CA, http://www.youthmarketingmegaevent.com/
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: [email protected].
License!?s Weekly E-News will be on hiatus next week, returning Tuesday,January 3. Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy New Year. For more information onlicensing news and features, visit License! magazine?s Website, http://www.licensemag.com/.
