Nick Wants Kids to Get Physical
Nickelodeon takes playtime seriously and will support that belief with the first-ever Nickelodeon Worldwide Day of Play October 2. Scheduled to come together are: thousands of kids worldwide; almost 650 local groups, clubs, and schools across 50 states; city-sponsored game days and festivals in Chicago, St. Louis, Tampa, and Phoenix; events in India, Australia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore; and celebrities including Hilary Duff and Romeo in a live TV event at 8 p.m. on Nickelodeon. Nickelodeon will kick off the day by going off the air for the first time in its 25-year history, 12 to 3 p.m., to encourage kids to get out and play. Through the rest of the afternoon, Nick will reflect the day’s activities and fun with updates and video footage from many of the day’s global events, as well as capping off with the TV special.
Bob the Builder to Air on PBS Kids
HIT Entertainment and PBS KIDS are constructing a new broadcast home for Bob the Builder with member stations nationwide airing never-before-seen episodes beginning January 2005. PBS KIDS is home to three of HIT’s top series: Barney & Friends, the just-launched Thomas & Friends, and Angelina Ballerina.
THQ Gets Interactive with Bratz
THQ Inc. signed a multiplatform deal with MGA Entertainment with plans to create video games and wireless devices for Bratz. The first games are slated for fall 2005.
“Since its summer 2001 debut, the Bratz property quickly has become a worldwide phenomenon crossing numerous product categories, including the recent DVD launch and a theatrical release slated for 2006,” says Germaine Gioia, vice president of licensing at THQ.
Mainframe Entertainment Rolls with Tony Hawk
Mainframe Entertainment will create a CGI-animated feature based on skateboarder Tony Hawk. The direct-to-video release is tentatively titled, Tony Hawk in Boom Boom Goes the Circus, and is expected by early 2006. IDT Entertainment Sales will handle worldwide television and video/DVD distribution. IDT Entertainment is a subsidiary of IDT Corp., an international telecom, entertainment, and technology company.
CopCorp Licensing Supports Two New Benton Properties
CopCorp Licensing will manage the licensing program for two new properties from artist/author Jim Benton. The agency already has signed on Basic Fun for plush dolls, beanbag dolls, cell phone charms, and figural key chains, and Blackjack Inc. for T-shirts for children and adults. Licensees also are being sought for categories ranging from stickers and stationery to room décor. The boys’ property features a grumpy ogre, a happy-and-sad two-headed giant, a grinning dragon, and a host of other cute-but-quirky, less-scary monster characters paired with fun phrases such as “Get Ogre It,” “Okay, I’m a Monster, So What,” and “Oh, Gnome, You Didn’t.” Also in the works is a program for Terrible Babies, a kooky, kitschy collection of “decidedly un-cute” babies who remain lovable in spite (or perhaps because) of their quirkiness.
Crave Entertainment to Release Elf Game
Crave Entertainment is coming to market with a Game Boy Advance handheld game based on the movie, Elf, from New Line Cinema. The game (suggested retail, $19.99) will be released November 16 to coincide with the DVD and VHS releases.
C.P. Licensing Corp. Adds New Artist
C.P. Licensing Corp. added Gwendolyn Babbitt to its roster of artists. Gwen’s “Cottage Meets Paris” style has appeared on numerous products including greeting cards, aprons, gift and tote bags, T-shirts, watches, prints, journals, and calendars. Her art has been exhibited nationally and published internationally.
Fisher-Price Airs New Product with Radio Disney
Fisher-Price is sponsoring two promotions with Radio Disney with a chance for listeners to win its new Pocket Pixter, as well as an in-class back-to-school party co-hosted by recording and TV personality Jesse McCartney of the WB show, “Summerland.” The local promotion will be featured in five markets: New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami, and consist of one winner from each city throwing a class party with teen pop artists such as: Stevie Brock, Nikki Cleary, and Greg Raposo. The eight-week giveaway runs through October 24 and invites Radio Disney listeners to call in for a chance to win one of six new versions of a Pocket Pixter.
The Koala Brothers Adds Licensees
Spellbound Entertainment and its North American marketing agent, Big Tent Entertainment, continue to attract licensees for The Koala Brothers such as Buena Vista Games for interactive entertainment, Disguise for Halloween costumes, and Cosrich International for health & beauty products. Additional deals also were inked with Thermos (hard and soft lunch kits), Berkshire Fashions (children’s accessories), Anagram International (balloons), FibreCraft (crafts and activities), and Smilemakers (stickers for dental and medical offices).
Industry Vets Launch Company
Bill Jemas and Russ Brown launched 360ep, LLC, an entertainment property management company. The duo will work with manufacturers looking to license-in the right characters and trademarks to maximize their retail business, as well as with traditional and up-and-coming rights holders seeking to license-out their properties to the best business partners. “We are not only able to identify the right characters and trademarks to maximize retail business but can provide guidance through the rigorous process of working with attorneys and product approval submissions,” says Brown, president of the consumer products division. CEO Bill Jemas has recruited some top writers and artists from the comic book and consumer products industries to help 360ep’s clients develop their characters and build their brand identity.
Brand Licensing 2004—October 26-27, Earls Court 2, London, England
Brand Licensing, Europe’s leading annual licensing trade event, offers the opportunity to discover which brands and intellectual property rights will hit store shelves in the coming 18 months. At Brand Licensing 2004, you will discover the vast range of properties and rights on offer in the European marketplace, and hear firsthand the licensing plans of Europe’s key licensors. Whether you are a retailer, manufacturer, sales promotion agent, or brand marketer, this is your opportunity to partner with the best in Europe.
Brand Licensing 2004 promises to be the biggest so far with hundreds of new properties from companies including: Celador International, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Mattel, Manchester United Merchandising, BBC Worldwide, Coolabi, Royal Doulton, Telescreen, HIT Entertainment, and Universal Studios Consumer Products.
Visit www.brandlicensingexpo.com to register for Brand Licensing 2004 today and save paying £15 at the door, or you can call the ticket hotline at +44 (0) 870 429 4554.
Link—Licensing International Networking Conference—November 2-4, 2004, Miami, FL
Link’s newest attendees include Baby Einstein Company; Best Buy; FAB/Starpoint; FremantleMedia; General Motors; Kahn Lucas Lancaster, Inc.; Masterfoods USA; Mervyn’s; Morgan Stanley; National Basketball Association; PBS; Redibra Solutions; Sony Consumer Products; and Target Stores. Link offers executive-level education and networking that could take you months of time and thousands of dollars to achieve on your own. Presidents, vice presidents, directors, managers, company owners, and other executives will meet at Link with one industry in mind: LICENSING. Where will you be? To see the full attendee list and conference program and register online, visit www.linkconference.com
For more licensing news and features, visit www.licensemag.com For more information on DIC Entertainment’s latest licensing efforts, visit www.dicentertainment.com
