Navarre Acquires FUNimation
Navarre Corporation acquired all general and limited partnership interests inFUNimation Productions, Ltd., and The FUNimation Store, Ltd., for $100.4million in cash. As a result of the acquisition, FUNimation will be known asFUNimation Entertainment. Gen Fukunaga and Daniel Cocanougher,the president and executive vice president of FUNimation, respectively, willremain on the company's management team.
Scooby-Doo to Be Top Dog at Parade
Scooby-Doo will have a first-ever presence in this year's Macy's ThanksgivingDay Parade per a deal signed between the retailer and Warner Bros. ConsumerProducts. The canine also will be featured as Macy's holiday plush, whichconsumers can purchase for $16.95 when making a $35 purchase at Macy's storesnationwide. Scooby-Doo also will sit atop Macy's Herald Square's marquee, befeatured on the front of Macy's holiday shopping bags, and will deck the hallsof Macy's with special Scooby-Doo plush decorations. A costumed character willmake special appearances throughout the season.
Poof-Slinky Adds Retro Products
Poof-Slinky, Inc., acquired certain assets of toymaker T-N-T International,adding Fabulous Fiddlestix, American Frontier Logs, and other retro products toits portfolio. Poof-Slinky will manufacture the line under its Ideal brand andanticipates expanding its distribution beyond specialty stores. David Kidwell,former president of T-N-T, was retained as a consultant to assist in furtherdeveloping the line.
Jidousports to Mark U.S. Debut
The Serenata Group and TripleTake Media will both represent the U.S. broadcastrights to Jidousports with plans to premiere the animation at next month'sLicensing International. The duo also is holding a special preview screeningfor broadcasters and manufacturers at the Essex House, Monday, June 20.Jidousports currently is being introduced into the U.S. market through thelaunch of a 26-episode animated series now in production accompanied by a rangeof licensing activity. Aimed at children ages 6 to 12, the Jidousportsaction-adventure animated series follows the fantastic journeys of Jidou andhis three friends as they travel the world to participate in sporting eventsfrom skiing and surfing to basketball and boxing.
William Morris Agency Creates New Division
William Morris Agency created a merchandising and licensing division to behelmed by David Palmer. Most recently, Palmer served as a vice president inWMA's corporate consulting department, where he will continue to work.
Kappa Branches into U.S. Markets
Italian sportswear brand Kappa is launching a women's lifestyle collection inthe U.S. that will debut in fall 2005. Kappa Woman is a collection oftracksuits, baby Ts, tank tops, shorts, and sports bras for sports includingfitness, dance, yoga, boxing, rugby, running, and basketball. Kappa will addfootwear and accessories divisions in upcoming seasons.
Deko Boko Friends Adds Licensees
VIZ Media, LLC, named Spin Master Ltd. master toy licensee and Simon Spotlightbook publishing licensee for Deko Boko Friends for North America. Theagreements came on the heels of a broadcast deal with Nickelodeon for Deko BokoFriends on Nick Jr., Noggin, and Nicktoons. The property is VIZ Media's debutJapanese animation property for preschool audiences and consists of 30-secondanimated interstitials featuring 12 unique characters who help teach childrenabout diversity and tolerance.
High-Flying Deals for The Boeing Co.
The Boeing Company entered into a license agreement with Spin Master Ltd. for aBoeing Delta Air Rocket and Radio-Controlled Apache Helicopter. The company alsoinked a deal with Jasman Toys for a tethered and controlled launch ApacheHelicopter.
The Bradford Exchange Signs New Deal
CopCorp Licensing signed on The Bradford Exchange to develop, manufacture, andmarket an exclusive line of porcelain, resin, and ceramic collectibles based onthe "costumed cuties" imagery of photographer Tom Arma. Tom Arma collectiblesfrom The Bradford Exchange will be available in time for holiday 2005 viadirect-response sales, Internet sales at The Bradford Exchange's officialcorporate Website (http://www.collectiblestoday.com/),or through The Bradford Exchange's exclusive dealer network.
Marino Named to Top Spot
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. named former Kate Spade executive RobinMarino to the newly created position of president of merchandising. Marino willoversee MSLO's $1 billion mass-market Martha Stewart Everyday product line atKmart and Sears Canada, its Martha Stewart Signature furniture with Bernhardt,and Martha Stewart Signature paint with Sherwin-Williams.
Submit Licenses Granted & Available Now Online
License!'s new License! Finder now allowsyou to submit licenses granted and available now online, which will bepublished on the License! Website (www.licensemag.com) on a weekly basis onceapproved 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].
Mobile & Digital Summit Registration Open
Licensing 2005 International, inconjunction with iHollywood Forum, presents the Mobile & Digital LicensingSummit, Monday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Jacob Javits ConventionCenter. The summit will explore consumers' rapid adoption of wireless entertainment-focusingon strategies for creating and licensing content for mobile distribution,including games, graphics, multimedia, marketing and promotions, video,messaging, and other cutting-edge wireless and digital applications. The Mobile& Digital Summit complements L!censing University, which delivers four daysof high-impact educational seminars in a 35-session lineup. From art and brandsto publishing and entertainment, there are sessions covering every aspect ofthe licensing industry. Registration for the Mobile & Digital Summit is nowopen. For more information, go to http://www.ihollywoodforum.com/.To register for L!censing University or the summit, visit http://www.licensingshow.com/ andclick on "Attend."
Licensing Fact: Did you know that Licensing International'spreregistration deadline has been extended to June 3? Save $100 by registeringnow.
June License! and Show Dailies Materials Due May 23
The June issue of License! broadcasts your ad message loud and clear to 25,000retailers, licensees, agents, promotional partners, and others-all subscribersof the magazine. In addition, your ad will be seen by more than 20,000Licensing 2005 International show attendees, each of whom is personally handeda copy of the June issue and Show Daily at the show floor entrance. Make sureyour property is seen along with all the other hot new properties and brandsadvertising in June. And complement your presence in our must-read LicensingShow issue by getting your advertising message in each issue of the License!Show Daily. Make sure you get your material in by May 23. To find out more about our June issue and ShowDailies, visit www.licensemag.com or contact Steven Ekstract at (212) 951-6684or mailto:[email protected].
LINK Las Vegas-Get Linked to Licensing, Sports, Fashion, and Entertainment
LINK Las Vegas, August 31-September 1, 2005, Bellagio. Running concurrentlywith the last 1 1/2 days of MAGIC Marketplace, LINK Las Vegas will focus on thechallenges and opportunities of brand licensing in the fashion, entertainment,and sports worlds. For information on sponsorship, speaking, and attending,visit our Website. Registration is now open at http://www.linkconference.com.
For more licensing news and features, visit http://www.licensemag.com/.For more information on Licensing 2005 International, visit http://www.licensingshow.com/.
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