Buzz Report: Licensing Show Preview A to Z
By Staff -- Playthings, 6/19/2007 5:00:00 AM
NEW YORK—Get ready, get set…here we are again, another year, another Licensing Show chock full of properties. Playthings has compiled an A through Z preview of most of the key exhibitors and licensing companies making news at this year’s show.
4Kids Entertainment
A new multi-platform trading card game from 4Kids Entertainment and TC Digital Games will mark the launch of Chaotic (CPK) family gets a new small doll size, standing approximately 5 inches tall. Each CPK Lil’ Sprout comes with long hair, fashions and accessories. The property is also approaching its 25th anniversary in 2008 with a licensing program of apparel, accessories and more in development. First launched in 2006, the 3D animated series Viva Piñata, about the adventures of 60 piñata species. Currently there is a Microsoft Xbox 360 game for the property with more licensed product on the way! AKC’s products for dogs and humans, including the following licensees and categories: JPI (treats, toys, outerwear); Sherpa (pet carriers); Aspen (collars, leashes & grooming tools); Sababa (UNO, Rubiks Cubes, “Best in Show” board game); Giant (T-shirts); and GTO (jewelry). All are currently available at more than 4,700 retailer locations. and ChaoticGame.com this month, based on the animated 4Kids TV series about a group of teens that are fans of a trading card and online game called Chaotic. Another new animated mysteries series, Nate the Great, will debut on PBS Kids! in fall and have publishing, video games, toys and apparel from a newly signed worldwide licensing agent. Also in fall, the Cabbage Patch Kids (
AG Properties
In partnership with Playmates Toys, American Greetings Properties, Cleveland, is launching a new line of Popples transformable plush toys. Basic Fun has signed on as the master toy partner with product launching fall 2007. AG Properties’ Sushi Pack, a new series about crime-fighting sushi,is currently adding licensees on for product geared towards boys, ages 4-6 and girls ages 4-8. Core categories will include toys, apparel, accessories, publishing and home entertainment. Random House releases a multi-format publishing program in Fall 2008. The Care Bears will be returning to TV airwaves this fall as well as Tinpo, based on species of little vinyl creatures that AG Properties plans to add to their Saturday morning CBS lineup as possible interstitials in between shows.
Art Impressions
JEM will introduce junior tees, hoodies, thermals, and fleece, together with a selection of tween and kids’ tees, in an exclusive Be Corky! from theCorky Mansfield Studio, brainchild of designer/illustrator Jason Tharp. The original collection features retro graphic designs that express true feelings. Some sub-brands/characters include the Daily Dose collection, featuring a host of cheerful and cheeky fruits; Maniac Munchkins, a ‘band of bothers’ with an anime-influenced look and lack of social skills; Bittercup, a mischievous imp who loves granting wishes, as in “I wish…your boyfriend would stop calling me!”; and Blue Bear Bunch, a collection of playful, whimsical animals rendered in vivid, pop-art graphics. Art Impressions has also positioned the brand for expansion in categories like sleepwear/loungewear and intimates, footwear, fashion bags, jewelry and hair accessories, headwear, cosmetics, gifts and novelties, back-to-school and stationery products, room décor, toys and plush, and sports accessories for the surf/skate market.
BBC Worldwide
Apparel, playing cards, accessories and more, based on the animated series Charlie and Lola will be available British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC Worldwide Americas Inc.), New York, which has the worldwide licensing and merchandising rights. Produced by Tiger Aspect Productions, the preschool series airs on the Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney programming block and follows 7-year-old Charlie and his small and very funny little 4-year-old sister Lola as they partake in different adventures that reinforce their sibling harmony along the way. New this year for Charlie and Lola fans will be Charlie- and Lola-inspired clothes from New York-based Children’s Apparel Network. The line, which launched with t-shirts this spring, will expand into the full line, which includes sweatshirts, fashion tops, sweaters, swimwear, playwear and active wear, including bottoms, dresses, skirts and shorts, coveralls, shortall, rompers, wind suits and outerwear. Celebrate Express and Rix Products, both headquartered in New York, join to develop party goods and playing cards and accessories, respectively. Party on with Celebrate Express’ Charlie and Lola-branded paper party goods like plates, cups, napkins, invitations and placemats as well as mylar balloons, party planning guides, sticker sheets, piñatas, wall decorations, party favor boxes, blowout toys, cake toppers and party activity games. Card dominoes, flash cards, board games, memory games and card game classics, such as Old Maid and Go Fish, as well as a 52-card deck playing cards, tin boxes and lap trays will be available from Rix Products.
Big Tent Entertainment
New York-based Big Tent Entertainment expands its preschool, tween, teen and adult portfolio with several new licensing deals in ’07. A Japanese sensation since its initial launch in 1998, Domo will launch in the U.S. with 26, two-minute stop motion episode on the Nickelodeon’s Nicktoons Network and worldwide on Nickelodeon International. Big Tent supports Domo with master toy partner Play Along as well as uclick (mobile content), Andrews McMeel (greeting cards and calendars), Changes (apparel), Basic Fun (accessories), Briefly Stated, Inc. (sleepwear and underwear), Hot Properties Merchandising, Inc. (novelty items) Mimoco (computer accessories) and Trends International (wall posters). Also debuted on Nickelodeon this year is U.K. hit series Those Scurvy Rascals, about three pant-obsessed pirates who live on “The Soiled Pair” ship will have apparel, accessories, publishing, mobile games and toys while The Saddle Club, the Discovery Kids series about girls and how they deal with everyday issues, will have model horses, playsets, arts and crafts kits and plush horses in tow from master toy licensee Breyer by fall. Apparel and accessories, stationery, additional arts and crafts, puzzles, games, room décor, publishing, video games, and video entertainment are some other categories Big Tent is exploring for this property. For the live action sports video series Crusty Demons, Big Tent is partnering in video games, mobile entertainment, apparel and accessories for the 18-35 year-old male demographic. Other properties like Planet Groove, popular all-female Australian group, which will also premiere on Nicktoons later this year with apparel, home furnishings, stationery and accessories licenses. Big Tent has signed on as the exclusive U.S. licensing agent for Discovery Kids and will be responsible for licensing around animated properties like: Growing Up Creepie, Kenny the Shark and Tutenstein, and hit live action series such as Endurance, Flight 29 Down, Trading Spaces: Boys vs. Girls, and more. Categories will include albums, toys and plush, board games, apparel and fashion accessories, novelties, household items, social expressions, paper products, video games publishing and mobile entertainment. Finally, Big Tent will unveil the new master toy partner for the hit preschool series Miffy and Friends at this year’s show.
Bolder Media
One of the top-rated preschool series in the U.K. Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! Has been on Nick Jr. for less than a year and has more then 2.5 million viewers. This year, Bolder Media finalizes deals with Starz Entertainment, Fisher-Price, Hasbro, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Meredith, Children’s Apparel Network and more for DVDs, preschool toys, apparel and board games. Via Scholastic, “A Tale of Tails” and original book will debut at Scholastic Book Fairs beginning in August and be packaged with a 6-inch plush dolls.
The Brainy Baby Company
As holiday 2007 rolls around, The Brainy Baby Company, Atlanta, will launch a new line of plush toys for the specialty retail market, developed exclusively by Mary Meyer while Bendon Publishing will produce non-electronic books, including storybooks, board books, activity books, coloring books, pop-up books, educational workbooks and flash cards.
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network, Atlanta, will launch a new line of playsets, vehicles, alien collectibles and role-play products for its Ben 10 series. Social expressions and party goods from Hallmark will debut this summer. D3PA recently acquired the worldwide rights to develop and publish console, handheld and PC games for Ben 10, and Pressman Toys is introducing games and puzzles inspired by the show including two DVD interactive DVD board game titles available this fall. Cartoon Network recently announced a deal with Leapfrog to develop a software title for the Leapster Learning Game System, for pre-schoolers, based on Fosters Home For Imaginary Friends. A video game from Midway Games is in the works for Aqua Teen Hunger Force as well as Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law, series in the Adult Swim programming block.
Cookie Jar Entertainment
Preschool pop stars the “The Doodlebops” will now have a brand new line of toys from lead toy licensee iToys, Inc. Musical instruments, microphones, dance mats and role play toys.
In addition to iToys’ Doodlebopstoys, a complete line of Doodlebopsconsumer products including DVD’s, music CD’s, books, games, costumes, apparel and accessories, domestics and more will begin hitting the marketthis summer.
CopCorp
CopCorp Licensing President Carole Postal today confirmed that American Greetings Corporation has been granted the rights to produce and market a line of social expression products using artist/author Jim Benton’s It’s Happy Bunny. In the U.S., Manley Toy has been granted the right to manufacture and sell Just Jimmy Benton character. The North American retail launch of the (not so) Scary Monsters licensing program officially kicked off with the unveiling of (not so) Scary Monsters presentation windows and (not so) Scary Monsters products displays at the world-famous FAO Schwarz toy store in New York.
Copyrights Group
The World of Beatrix Potterlicensing program will focus on socially-responsible and earth-friendlier products and practices across all licensing categories. Premiere initiative, Peter Rabbit Naturally Better, a line of organic and healthy food choices from Peter Rabbit Organics, will debut in the U.S. by fall 2007. The Penguin Group and its parent company, Pearson, is expected to release The Original Peter Rabbit books will be available in the U.S. market printed on paper accredited by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), a group aligned with the Rainforest Alliance.
Cosmic Debris
Berkeley, Calif.-based Cosmic Debris will be offering both its Emily the Strange and Emiwee characters for license at the show, along with product from current licensees, which include Dark Horse (comics and accessories); and Toynami (toys and plush); Epiphone (guitars); Foundation 9 (video game in development); Giant Merchandising (T-shirts); The Northwest Co. (bedding); Plasticolor Molded Products (car accessories); T.U.K. Shoes, Whatever Co. (paper products); Atomic Fashion Marketing (apparel); Chronicle (hardbound books and stationery); Boston America (accessories and cosmetics) and California Costume. Emily turns 13 this year, and the company will be celebrating with 13 worldwide art shows and a three-pack of classic tees limited to 1300. In addition, two dedicated Emily stores have opened in Hong Kong.
Crayola
Crayola, Easton, Pa., will continue to expand its licensing in the electronics, food and home decor categories. New electronics licensees include Crave Entertainment (Crayola Nintendo DS game) and Sakar International (EZ Grip Digital Camera and Color Genie Software, plus Crayola flashlights that feature educational light games and activities, keyboards and more), DPI (a kid-friendly television, MP3 player, calculator, CD player, boombox and clock radio.) In food, Crayola Color Coolerz, manufactured by Advanced H20, are a vitamin-enhanced, purified water beverage in that comes in fruity colors and flavors: Berry Blue, Wild Strawberry, Purple Pizzazz and Screamin’ Green. In home decor, Sherwin Williams offers Crayola Dutch Boy Kid’s Room Paint Colors, a palette of 96 Crayola color choices that will soon expand to include chalk board paint. The company hopes to expand in the following categtories: apparel and accessories, consumer electronics, bath/home, personal care, food, publishing, stationery and toys/games.
DIC Entertainment
New licensing programs for I Was A High School Dinosaur (working title), which premieres this fall Saturday mornings on CBS and Nickelodeon series Sushi Pack. Licensed product for I Was A High School Dinosaur, which will debut this fall Saturday mornings on CBS, will include toys, publishing, entertainment, apparel, and more. The target audience is Kids 6 – 11 years old. DIC will introduce Sushi Pack to international licensees at this year’s Licensing Show. The core categories will include toys, apparel, accessories, publishing and home entertainment. Random House will also release a multi-format publishing program in fall 2008. Web site, Sushipack.com, will debut in the fall. The show targeted to boys and girls ages 6-11.
Dimensional Branding
San Francisco-based licensing and marketing agency, Dimensional Branding Group (DBG), will represent the legendary arcade game Skee-Ball and the Pet Peeves brand. The Pet Peeves product helps urge people to discuss everyday annoyances and irritations in a fun way and has appealed to children and adults. Skee-Ball, invented in 1909 by Jonathan D. Estes, has become a worldwide amusement park, carnival and arcade tradition. Dimensional Branding is currently looking for licensing partners. The company will also oversee a new branded merchandise campaign for creativity-focused toymaker Alex. The program's focus will be product for kids across a range of categories, including bed and bath, paper and party goods, furniture, room and wall decor, apparel, dinnerware, travel gear, food and beverage, and interactive.
Disney
Merchandise programs inspired by Disney’s Hannah Montana, High School Musical, That’s So Raven and The Cheetah Girls will expand in 2007. CHARM IT! charm bracelets feature a and assortment of interchangeable High School Musical, The Cheetah Girls and Hannah Montana charms. Disney Princess will treat little girls to a magical assortment of golden product celebrating the Fall DVD release of Enchanted Tales. Meanwhile, expansion of Disney’s newest franchise, Disney Fairies, is accelerating as new categories grow from publishing to toys and consumer electronics. In the preschool category, the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Little Einsteins have inspired interactive toys and playsets with apparel and home décor launching soon. The spring debut of My Friends Tigger & Pooh on Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney will also bring to market additional product for preschool. Following the recent release of the third Pirates of the Caribbean film, At World’s End, the franchise will continue to grow with an expanded line of product from Bannockburn, Ill.-based Zizzle, including the Ultimate Black Pearl Playset, 2 ½ feet of play with more than 20 features and sound effects; Whirlpool Melee Playset, which features seven battle action features; Pirate Armada Assortment, ships with micro figures; role play like Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Gear, which includesJack’s trademark headband, three rings, two temporary tattoos, ancient navigational chart, dagger, pirate hat and expanding telescope; Jack Sparrow vs. Davy Jones Dueling Target Swords;Jack Sparrow’s Sensor Sword and Magic Ring, motion-activated sword that triggers lights and sounds when it reacts to the magic ring; basic figures; deluxe figures; 12-inch figures; and Duel Action Battlers, figures featuring battle action when their legs are squeezed together and a button on the back unleashes movement. Zizzle will also launch Dance Mats, Musical Tote Bags and Electric Rockerz, cabinets in the shape of instruments that play select tunes inspired by High School Musical. Handheld games for Disney Fairies, Hannah Montana will be available this fall. Tonner will unveil a extremely limited ‘White Witch’ 16-inch Tonner Character Figure from The Chronicles of Narnia. The collection will include all four children, each authorized likenesses of the film’s actors, and a regular line 18-inch White Witch. The children will debut in Tonner’s Fall/Holiday Collection for fourth quarter release. Additional upcoming Tonner releases include Pirates of the Caribbean and Mary Poppins.
Educational Adventures
A licensing agreement to market and distribute the award-winning Danger Rangers Safety Rules! Live Show into live entertainment venues ahs been finalized. Under the deal, the live show would be marketed to theme parks, cruise ships, resorts, shopping centers and conventions. The live show, like the Danger Rangers television series, helps to teach children safety lessons like how to play safely when at home, in the pool, at the beach, in the playground, in the yard and while riding bicycles or skateboards. It also teaches children the importance of being prepared for emergencies and how to call for help or when to dial 911.
Fox
There are some milestones for 20th Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox L&M) in 2007. The biggest: longest running animated series on television The Simpsons will have its first theatrical release on July 27th. Fox L&M will expand the brand into categories, including apparel and accessories, toys and games, interactive, gifts/novelty and worldwide promotions. Another favourite, Family Guy, expands its line of products with toys and novelty items from licensing partners like Mezco Toys, NJ Croce and Kurt Adler. Soft lines licensees include Briefly Stated and Changes. Fans of program 24 will have line extensions from BI Media games, C-Life and Concept 1 apparel, publishing from Harper Entertainment and Palace Press and action figures from McFarlane Toys. Also on the horizon is the upcoming CGI animated adventure comedy Space Chimpsfor Summer 2008 and the third installment of hit Ice Age in 2009.
Fremantle Media
New partners for New York-based Fremantle Media’s American Idol brand include Dreyer’s (American Idol branded ice-cream), Nestlé (a sweepstakes to the finale), Idol Camp (a performing arts summer camp) and The Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (which hosted the Idol Gives Back charity events on April 24 and 25). Versions of the show in Latin America, France, Vietnam and Australia are also being produced. For the U.K. version of The Apprentice, Fremantle has created a new site, www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice, which offers downloads of the show’s podcast. And for the classic TV series Baywatch series, Fremantle has launched a merchandising program that includes apparel and swimwear from INGEAR Swim plus beach accessories like towels and flip-flops, all available next summer. Other licensees include Knot4Nothing (apparel), Mad Engine (apparel) and MeadWestvaco (calendars).
Granada Ventures
Los Angeles-based Granada Ventures has signed with Hidden City Games to license Bella Sara consumer products worldwide (excluding Scandinavia.) The company will create product in all categories except collectible cards, for which Hidden City Games has retained the rights. Bella Sara, the fantasy-horse themed for girls ages 5 to 12 will see an initial focus on toys, publishing and video games for a first quarter 2008 launch, with animated DVDs, apparel, accessories, domestics, home decor, back-to-school items and more set to debut in the third quarter.
Hasbro
Hasbro, Pawtucket, R.I., will make a splash with its key licenses, especially the more than 220 international licensing deals in all categories tied to the debut of the Transformers film next month. These include for the U.S. apparel and accessories (Accessory Network, Changes, Drew Pearson, Elan-Polo, Extreme Concepts, Fruit of the Loom, Kids Headquarters, Mighty Fine, Saramax), watches (Seiko), video games (Activitision), video game accessories (Core Gamer), mobile games (Glu Mobile), home decor (Delta Enterprises, Franco Manufacturing), snack containers (Thermos), Halloween costumes (Disguise), sports bottles (Trudeau), pens (Stylus), bath products (Cosrich Group), DVDs (Paramount), party and paper goods (American Greets, Meadwestvaco), and books (Dorling Kindersley, Harper Collins, IDW, Modern Publishing, Publications International, Reader’s Digest), and electronics (Kiddesigns, Radio Shack).
Hasbro will also showcase more than 85 licenses for Littlest Pet Shop, including Scholastic, Bendon Publishing, Fab/Starpoint, GiddyUp!, American Greetings, Trends International, and Darice, while the 60-year anniversary of the Tonka brand will include deals with THQ, Scholastic and Delta Enterprises. For My Little Pony, 175 licenses, including HarperCollins, American Greetings, General Mills, KidToon Films, McDonald’s, Hemma, Redan, Smith and Brooks and Carel are in the works as the property hits its 25th year. Habro Games’ properties being showcased include Monopoly, Battleship, Clue, Yahtzee, Scrabble and The Game of Life; look for nontraditional licenses to emerge for lottery, casino-gaming and video game products.
Hit Entertainment
Hit, New York, properties being showcased include the Rainbow Magic book series, currently being developed into an animated series. Thomas and Friends’ live show is currently touring North America; new episodes and specials are also in production. Bob the Builder is constructing an all-new town with new friends, new episodes and DVD specials next year. Barney marks 20 years, while Angelina Ballerina and Fraggle Rock each turn 25; both brands are introducing special DVDs and commemorative products. A new series is currently in production for Fireman Sam, while Pingu the penguin’s show will launch soon with DVDs and consumer products.
Joester Loria Group
In addition to showcasing its American Greetings’ property Care Bears, the Joester Loria group, New York, will be announcing new consumer products for its Baby Genius brand. Promotional partnerships include Gerber’s, Parents Magazine and Kellogg’s, as well as Taco Bell. This fall, the Baby Genius franchise will debut developmental toys and plush from Creative Innovations & Sourcing, for both mass and specialty retailers. New bilingual DVDs are also due out this year.
King Features Syndicate
New York-based King Features Syndicate will promote its classic Felix the Cat, Popeye, Betty Boop, Mutts and Beetle Bailey licenses along with several newer properties. SeeMore’s Playhouse preschool series, which is hoping to sign licensees for DVDs, books, music, apparel, toys and games, party goods and more. For Zits, King Features hopes to license entertainment ventures, school supplies and backpacks, home and bedroom decor, apparel and accessories, food and beverage, musical instruments, personal care, sporting goods, greeting cards and stationery. For David & Goliath’s Stupid Factory, characters available for licensing in apparel and accessories, collectibles and gifts, stationery, home decor and more include Trendy Wendy, Boys Are Stupid*, Goodbye Kitty, Bad Babies and Varmints in Undergarments. Flash Gordon, meanwhile, will return to TV this summer in a new series, while toys and collectibles from Bif Bang Pow! and Electric Tiki tied to the 1980 film are currently available
Lisa Marks & Associates
San Francisco-based Lisa Marks will showcase University Games’ Colorforms brand, which is available for licensing in both contemporary and vintage styles in multiple categories including party, publishing, room decor and stationery. Fred & Friends will create customizable wall clocks for the brand. Lisa Marks will also offer the Miss Weather & Friends characters and
Silly Faces brands sub-brands of Colorforms.
Mad Science
Los Angeles-based Mad Science will brand its science enrichment products into toys this fall through a new partnership with ToyQuest. The line includes the Bubble Experiment Lab, Hydraulic Robot Arm, Goo Maker, Dinosaur Curator Set and Egg Drop Challenge.
Marvel
Marvel Entertainment, New York, has big plans for the coming months as its Spider-Man franchise returns to TV with a new series premiering on Kids’ WB! on the CW Network. Existing partners for the brand will be joined by new licensees. New programs to support its self-financed and produced feature films, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, which debut next summer, will also be in the works and the company will be looking for additional partners. So far, Hasbro is the master toy licensee, with Sega, Hallmark, Kids Headquarters, Jay Franco, Mad Engine, Fruit of the Loom, Disguise, Mega Bloks and Jakks Pacific, Sideshow Collectibles, FAB Starpoint and MGA also on board. Marvel will also showcase characters being developed for feature films in 2009 and beyond. The most popular characters in the rest of the Marvel Universe lineup will be also showcased as Marvel Heroes, enabling licensees to sign teams of characters.
Mattel
El Segundo, Calif.-based Mattel will showcase key partnerships with both manufacturers (for its
Barbie, Hot Wheels, Polly Pocket and Fisher-Price brands) as well as licensors (Disney, DC). As licensor, Mattel’s key brands will get new product in most key categories from Loungefly, Mighty Fine, Hanes, American Marketing Enterprises, Mayfair, Children’s Apparel Network, Dream Apparel, Rem Eyewear, Greattech Vision, Water-Jel, Crest, Zooth, Outrageous, Somerset Entertainment, Thermos, Buster Brown, Oregon Scientific, Emerson Radio Crop, KidDesigns, Sports Source, Planet Sox, Dynacraft, PTI Sports, Felt, Regent/Baby King, Simplicity for Children, Blue Ridge International, Catini, Springs Global, Idea Nuova, Hallmark, HarperCollins, Meredith Publishing, Modern Publishing, Moose Mountain, Planet Toy, Sababa, and Tollytots Limited. Nostalgic Barbie accessories from Tarina Tarantino, Barbie costumes from Disguise and Barbie-themed accessories from Accessory Network Group will also debut.
Also for Barbie, the new DVD release this fall, Barbie as the Island Princess, will see dolls, plush and playsets, with additional products licensed out to multiple categories. As licensee to Disney, Mattel will produce dolls for High School Musical 2, a DVD game for Hannah Montana, and dolls for the new animated film Enchanted. As licensee to DC, Mattel will produce a new line of preschool action figures and accessories
MGA Entertainment
Van Nuys, Calif.-based MGA will be showcasing its Little Tikes brand, available for licensing in the multiple categories, including lifestyle, publishing and sportwear, as well as new product tied to Bratz: The Movie, based on the fashion dolls.
Newline Cinema
New Line Cinema, Los Angeles, is focusing on four film key properties this year: Inkheart, a new film trilogy based on the book series by Cornelia Funke; Journey 3-D, an adventure based on the classic Jules Verne novel Journey to the Center of the Earth; Hairspray, in theaters next month, and The Golden Compass, due out this December. Tonner has already signed to create dolls for the latter film.
Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) continues to expand its roster of innovative licensees on leading properties, including Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants as well as Go, Diego, Go!, The Backyardigans, Blue’s Clues, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Zoey 101 and Unfabulous. VTech Electronics North America, will incorporate Dora the Explorer in its V.Smile TV Learning System Smartbook, Whiz Kid Learning System, Dora’s TV Explorer Phone and an enhanced Go Diego Go! V.Smile TV Learning Pocket Smartridge software.
Play Visions
Play Visions introduces Mama and Babies plush with a twist. These comical, edgy and eccentric animal characters combine soft plush bodies with Hyperflex hair. Hyperflex is a stretchy material that expands to ten times its original size! This makes for a menagerie of edgy, yet adorable plush figures that are quirky and cute at the same time. The Zibbies come with names, bios, birth dates printed on their tags so you can really get to know your little pals.
Pokémon
Jakks Pacific, the master toy licensee for Pokémon, will issue more than 75 new three-inch figures over the course of the year; deluxe figures will include light and voice features. Nintendo will Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, will usher in a new line of products and toys. New Pokémon Trading Card Game releases throughout the year as well as two new Pokémon video games from Nintendo, Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl, will have complementary line of products and toys , will be available this year as well.
Pretty Ugly
Black Ice-Bat, Big Toe, TooDee, Little Sailor Babo, Uglyworm are the new characters from Kenilworth, N.J.-based Pretty Ugly. All dolls will be available in the 12-inch, Little Ugly size and key chain versions. Chronicle Books has just launched Hey Ugly line of books.
Puffy P
San Francisco-based PUFFY P launches The Kreemy Snack Kids, a collection of seven Japanese inspired creamy desert characters, including a banana split, a chocolate bar, a milkshake, a cream puff, an ice cream cone, a cupcake, and a cup of cocoa. The snacks art, designed by San Francisco illustrator, Pilar Erika Johnson, are inspired by Japanese candy packaging, Johnson created lovable iconic characters and combined them with cheeky phrases as “Sugar Happiness”. The property is available for licensing on apparel, mobile content, paper goods and novelty items.
Ripe Ideas
More design partners are in tow for Ripe Ideas, New York, which recently signed an agreement with designer Jackie Shapiro to represent the French Bull brand, which will be translated into paper products from Paperproducts Designs, including paper plates, napkins, guest towels & Sniffs, Design Focus by Glitterwrap for gift bags, wrap & tissue paper. In addition, Shapiro created a mass market “sister” brand for French Bull called MOE 3. Ripe Ideas will also represent MOE 3, with existing licensees including Glitterwrap for paper plates, napkins, invitations, gift wrap and gift bags, Windham Collections for quilting fabrics and iPop Clicks for magnet sets and paperweights.
Scholastic Media
New York-based ScholasticMedia will release a line of pet products and international licensing in Japan around Clifford the Dog. The Goosebumps books will relaunch a new series Goosebumps Horrorland with consumer products in the interactive category. In December, New Line Cinema will release the feature film, The Golden Compass, based on Philip Pullman’s acclaimed His Dark Materials trilogy with nearly 30 licensees, including master toy licensee, Corgi International, and master interactive licensee, SEGA.
Sesame Workshop
A new character has joined Sesame Street. Abby Cadabby made her debut on Sesame Street last fall. This year, the fairy-in-training is also debuting in plush from Fisher-Price (a 2-piece basic Elmo & Abby Best Friends plush set and a talking Abby Cadabby with bonus DVD sampler); a plush assortment from Gund; Abby Cadabby greeting cards from American Greetings; fun shaped balloons from Anagram; pop-up books from Bendon Publishing; storybooks from Dalmatian; board books from Random House; novelty books from Reader's Digest Children's Publishing; books and CDs from Soundprints; as well as Sesame Street DVDs from Sesame Workshop and a Sony Wonder that features Abby.
Sharpe
First launched July 2006, PBS preschool animated series, Franny’s Feet, now has Playskool, a division of Hasbro, as the worldwide master toy license on board, with products scheduled to hit shelf in 2008. In addition to Hasbro, licensor The Sharpe Company has also signed on: The Penguin Group (USA) and Simon & Schuster (publishing), Disguise (Halloween costumes), and Cadaco (crafts & activities) will represent the property. For the Naughty Naughty Pets licensees include Fiesta Toy (plush), American Greetings (greeting cards), Wish Licensing (apparel), Sherwood Brands (Holiday Baskets), Carlyle Group (bags & wallets) and Adorable Lingerie (lingerie). Sharpe represents the property worldwide (excluding Europe). Sharpe’s Rubik’s Cube is making waves with licensees like: Techno Source (handheld and tabletop games), Giant (tees), Briefly Stated (boxers/jams), Fame Jeans (apparel CN only) GTECH Corporation (online lottery games) and Oberthur Gaming Technologies (lottery scratch off tickets). Sharpe represents the brand in North America and is looking for new licensees moving forward. The Angry Little GirlsNorth America. Mr. Bean licensees include: The Penguin Group (USA), which will release four movie tie-in books, FunKo (bobblehead figurines) and Pollard Games Inc. (lottery tickets). has signed with the Oxygen network to create an animated television series with licenses with Harry Abrams and Running Press (publishing), The Outfit (bags, wallets) and Wish Licensing (apparel). Other categories are still available for
Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures Consumer Products, Tokyo, is currently licensing across all key product categories for its upcoming animated film, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (March 2009), based on the classic book by Judi and Ron Barrett.
Suppertime Entertainment
Los Angeles-based Suppertime Entertainment will be focusing on two properties, the Emmy-nominated ToddWorld, and its newest property, the animated Alien Clones From Outer Space. The company is seeking licensees in several categories (including online media) to expand ToddWorld beyond its current program (which includes Little, Brown and Co, Genius Products, Talicor, Smilemakers and LC Creations). For Alien Clones, which is based on the books published by Simon *& Schuster, Suppertime is seeking partners in multiple categories
Synchronicity
Kennebunk, Maine-based Synchronicity will showcase its Wham-O classic toy brands (including Slip N’ Slide, Frisbee, Hula Hoop and Super Ball) for potential licensees, as well as announce some recent deals. Those include a line of SuperBall Shoes from Stride Rite. The licensing agent will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Frisbee with new Wham-O products
Teshkeel Media Group
Kuwait-based Teshkeel Media Group is hoping to bring its original and licensed publishing properties to the states. In particular, The 99, which is published in over 20 different countries, will launch in October 2007 in the US. Licensing is available in multiple categories.
United Media
United Media, New York, is debuting a new look for Raggedy Ann next year. The program for Raggedy Ann & Me will include dolls from Russ Berrie and books from Simon & Schuster. The company will also highlight a new Dirty Dance video game from Codemasters, which launches in the fourth quarter of 2007, and expanded distribution at specialty chains for its classic Original Snoppy Sno-cone Machine.
Viz Media
San Francisco-based Viz will focus on licensing for four of its top manga properties: Death Note, Bleach, Naruto, Blue Dragon, although the full spectrum of its kid-friendly manga titles will also be avaialble for potential licensees in multiple categories, including MAR, Sonic X, Inuyasha and Zatch Bell. Blue Dragon, a heroic anime adventure story, is the newest in the lineup.
Voodoo Entertainment
Voodoo Entertainment, Vancouver, will highlight its Plain Lazy lifestyle brand from the U.K. for apparel, accessories and gifts, along with the new Biwis characters, for which a film is in already development. Apparel, plush, greeting cards, gifts and accessories and other categories are available for licensees. Lehner & Whyte’s artwork will also be available for stationery, scrap books, greeting cards, gift wrap, nursery items and infant apparel. Bernard, the hairless polar bear who stars in his own computer animated shorts, will also be available, along with the World of Foxwood Tales, based on the books by Cynthia and Brian Paterson. Key categories in the past have been stationery, collectibles, gifts, and a new book series for early readers.
Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Burbank, Calif.-based Warner Bros. Consumer Products’ feature film lineup includes a host of popular properties: Speed Racer, The Dark Knight, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Where the Wild Things Are, with new deals being signed in multiple categories. Additional merchandise will debut in the next year for properties including Tweety, Speedy Gonzales, Scooby-Doo, Tom and Jerry, Harry Potter, Batman, the Wizard of Oz and DC Comics’ Aquaman, for which a limited edition Tonner collectible doll is already available. WBCP will also have its football licensing portfolio available for review.
Wildflower Group
New York-based Wildflower group will be showcasing Charlie & Lola and the World of Beatrix Potter licensing programs as the North American agents for both of the BBC Worldwide and Copyrights Group (Penguin) properties, respectively. New agreements have recently been signed for Charlie & Lola with Rix Products (tin collectibles) and Celebrate Express (party goods), with multiple additional categories available for potential licensees.
World Wrestling Entertainment
Stamford, Conn.-based World Wrestling Entertainment will launch an expanded program for its consumer products, which already includes toys, video games, T-shirts and DVDs. The latest to sign on is Bliss Beverages, which will debut new WWE-branded Socko Energy drinks.
