Hasbro Signs ?Marvel?ous New Deal
Hasbro, Inc., will bring a range of toys and games to retail shelves in January2007 as part of a new five-year deal signed with Marvel Entertainment. Thetoymaker plans to create a line of action figures, role-play and preschooltoys, board games, and puzzles featuring both the ?classic? comic book look ofthe characters, as well as those based on Marvel-themed movies. Hasbro?s firstproduct line will focus on Ghost Rider and Spider-Man 3. The license guaranteesMarvel $205 million in royalty and service fee payments, of which $70 millionwould be payable on the theatrical release of Spider-Man 3 and $35 million uponthe theatrical release of Spider-Man 4. In addition, the license can beextended past the five-year term, dependent on the number of otherentertainment properties released during that time frame.
Two Powerhouses Complete Merger
Namco Hometek Inc. and Bandai Games Inc. put the finishing touches on theirmerger, with the companies now known as Namco Bandai Games America Inc. inNorth America. Effective January 2, 2006, Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. ownsall of the Bandai Namco Group U.S. subsidiaries including Bandai America Inc.(toys), Bandai Entertainment, Inc. (visual/DVDs), Namco America Inc. (arcademachines), Namco Cybertainment Inc. (arcade facility), Namco Networks AmericaInc. (mobile games), and Namco Bandai Games America Inc. (video games).
There?s No Business Like Snow Business
Cartoon Network and Kids? WB! signed on as official sponsors of the 2006 SportsIllustrated For Kids Next Snow Search. The three-year old program is aseason-long quest to find the best 9- to 13-year-olds on skis and snowboards.The annual search comprises more than 70 competitions at U.S. and Canadianresorts, culminating in a championship competition at Vermont?s KillingtonResort March 3 to 5, 2006. This year?s program also will include a newAll-Stars event, hosted by Colorado?s Keystone Resort January 27 to 28, 2006.Cartoon Network will project an original 30-minute cartoon special called MountMiguzi onto the snow as part of the All-Stars event, while Kids? WB! will showepisodes of its new series, Loonatics Unleashed and Johnny Test, at theKillington, VT, qualifying events and finals.
Playboy Adds Luxe Watch Line
Playboy signed an agreement with Jacob & Co. to create a line of ?Five TimeZone? luxury watches for men and women. The watches, created by jeweler to thestars Jacob Arabo, are available in three styles: a Playboy version of Arabo?sgeometric-shaped ?Five Time Zone? display, and the other two solely featuringthe iconic Playboy Rabbit Head in either pink or black diamonds. Each will beembellished with diamonds and precious stones and will retail between $10,600and $33,500.
Family Guy Products to Hit Amusement Circuit
One Stop Toy Co., Inc., will create a line of Family Guy products via a newdeal with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising. Inflatablebasketballs, filled vinyl characters (for wall and window mounting), vinyl keychains, and more will be distributed through amusement and vending channels inspring 2006.
Global Prints Banks on Rent
Global Prints entered into a licensing agreement with Revolution Studiosthrough its licensing agency, Quattromedia, for art prints and posters for themovie, Rent. Going forward, the company plans on releasing more publicationsfocusing on major characters in the movie.
Verizon Talks Up New Deal
Verizon-branded home networking equipment will hit store shelves in spring asthe company furthers its strategy of reaching new markets and consumers. Thenew line of wireless routers, desktop and notebook cards, and USB adapters willbe complemented by kiosks, signage, and displays. In addition, marketingprograms will include rebates, coupons, and other special offers. Belkin willproduce, ship, and provide technical and customer support for the broadbandnetworking equipment. Licensing agent Brandgenuity LLC facilitated theagreement.
TV Sets to Get Looney
HANNspree California, Inc., signed a deal with Warner Bros. Consumer Productsto create a line of LCD television sets based on the Looney Tunes characters.The initial line will include Tweety, Bugs Bunny, and Taz. As part of theagreement, HANNspree will be the licensee for Looney Tunes-themed LCD TV setsin the United States with all products available at national and regionalretailers, all HANNspree-owned stores, http://www.HANNSpree.com/,and http://www.Amazon.com/.
Sheppard Named to New Licensing Post
Elizabeth Sheppard was named to the newly created position of director oflicensing sales for Meredith Corporation. In this position, Sheppard will beresponsible for leading several new initiatives designed to grow the company?sbrand licensing sales.
Licensing Show Webinar
Licensing 2006 International Show organizers are offering a free Webinar,entitled ?Maximize your Licensing International ROI: Best Practices for SavvyExhibitors,? Wednesday, February 1, from 12 to 12:45 p.m. EDT. An optionalQ&A will follow. This event will provide insights into how to use theindustry?s annual gathering to grow licensing revenue and develop newpromotional partnerships. Participation is limited. For details visit www.licensingshow.com/webinar.
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].
For more information on licensing news and features, visit License! magazine?sWebsite, http://www.licensemag.com/.
