Adness Entertainment, Los Angeles, will present its top two properties, Kamen Rider Dragon Knight and Crack & Bonky, to licensees at Licensing 2008 International. Based on the Japanese live-action series, Adness has 40 live-action episodes of Kamen Rider Dragon Knight ready to air this fall. The series stars a teenager who must travel to another dimension in order to rescue his father. The company is also seeking worldwide partners for its skull-faced Crack & Bonky characters.

Applejack Art Partners, Sunderland, Vt., will actively promote artist Kevin Daniel at the show with a special in-booth appearance. In addition, the company will highlight artwork from several additional artists, including wildlife specialist Tom Antonito, folk artist Diane Baylor, the nostalgia-focused Tricia Reilly-Matthews, landscape painter Nicky Boehm and fantasist John Rowe.

BBC's animated preschool series Charlie and Lola will be highlighted via a new line of plush toys from Kids Preferred and a paperback book collection from Penguin available at retail this summer. Other licensees include Rid Products (games), Celebrate Express (party goods), Children's Apparel Network (clothing) and Warner Home Video (DVDs).

In addition to its core brands, New York's Big Tent will focus on several new properties this year.

Nothing a Cake Can't Fix is a popular Dutch series that stars tweens who create a special cake that is eventually shared with a person with whom they need to communicate. The company is seeking a partner to handle U.S. broadcast distribution as well as licensees in the social expressions, bakery cakes and cake baking accessory categories.

Another new television property that will make its Licensing Show debut is Geo Cross, a series that follows the adventures of 21 teenagers taking part in a worldwide road race. Big Tent will initially focus on licensing partnerships for video games, a master toy partner, R/C toys and card games.

Rounding out its television series acquisitions, Big Tent will also seek a broadcast distributor for Tom Mule, a late-night talk show spoof.

The company will continue to push Japan's Domo, with plans calling for further building of the Domo brand for the tween, teen and young adult demographics in key categories such as video, interactive games, collectibles and publishing as the character takes to the airwaves on Nicktoons in the U.S.

To boost its position as exclusive licensing agent for Discovery Kids, Big Tent will unveil three additional deals for Discovery Kids in publishing and interactive entertainment.

The Wiggles will look to maintain a presence at retail with new licensees, including Just Me Music, Kelly Toys USA (plush), SmileMakers (stickers) and Ty's Toy Box (apparel). Additional product categories will soon include electronic learning aids, puzzles and games. Another preschool property, Miffy and Friends, will branch out into the tween arena with help from Skechers (shoe charms) and Innovative Designs (stationery items), among others. Big Tent will further develop the property's tween program with apparel, sleepwear and accessories in 2009.

The Crusty Demons motocross brand will be further focused towards young adult men through accessories, video games, outdoor goods and collectibles.

After the introduction of the chiyo chiyo brand at Target this past spring, the property's rooster and chicks imagery will move into categories such as publishing and junior apparel.

CBS continues to develop its strategy of signing large portfolio deals for its extensive TV series collection, driven by numerous shows celebrating significant milestone anniversaries in 2009: The Twilight Zone (50th), The Brady Bunch (40th), Happy Days (35th) and Rawhide (50th). The CSI franchise and the reality shows The Amazing Race and Survivor will focus on apparel, games, food and beverage, and live events. In addition, CBS is building momentum for the Star Trek franchise in preparation for a May 2009 feature film.

New York-based entertainment licensing firm Cold Fusion represents Brainy Baby, which has expanded from the infant video category into branded CDs, books, toys and games. The company's latest offering, Cypher, an interactive reading device, will also be featured.

Cookie Jar looks to build on its Magi-Nation license with the release of the Magi-Nation Trading Card Game from 3 Point Entertainment. Other licensees for this brand include NCircle Entertainment (home video) and Nintendo for a DS video game.

CowParade, the public art event that has seen more than 5,000 fiberglass cow canvases auctioned to benefit charity, comes to Licensing Show with more than 50 licensees worldwide. The property's primary program features several themed collections of figurines refreshed three times yearly. Other products include plush, jewelry boxes, housewares and kitchen wares, along with paper giftware products.

Dimensional Branding Group, San Francisco, will launch a full-fledged program for music and movement curriculum Kindermusik International, which will focus on product for kids in specialty, mid-tier, department store and mass in categories such as toys and games; musical instruments; bath, paper and party goods; furniture; room and wall decor; children's apparel and interactive.

DBI will also represent Huru Humi–Who are you? Who am I?, touted as the first intelligent toy for today's tech-savvy, hyper-social tweens and teens. Huru Humi will hit stores this summer with licensed product and an interactive website to follow. The Huru Humi licensing strategy will focus on merchandise for tweens interactive and wireless products, publishing, games, decor, apparel and accessories, and candy.

DBI also serves as the licensing agent for the Big Wheel ride-on, which is nearing its 40th anniversary; Mr. Bubbles, turning 75; and retro toy housekeeping brand Suzy Homemaker. Three 1960s plastic model kits—Silly Surfers, Weird-Oh's and the Frantics, owned by J. Lloyd International—will round out the list.

This fall, Burbank, Calif.-based DIC Entertainment will expand its line of Mommy & Me merchandise at Wal-Mart. In 2009, the brand will open up to other retailers and include product in the toys, infant accessories, apparel and publishing categories.

Gearing up for the 30th anniversary of Strawberry Shortcake in 2010, DIC and American Greetings will ready the sweetly scented doll for the tween/teen crowd at specialty, mid-tier and mass-market retail, along with a separate infant/toddler program targeted at the mass level. Beforehand, new product, content and distribution will emerge from the likes of Fox Home Entertainment (DVDs), Playmates (toys), Penguin (books) and Koch (music).

Additional Horseland merchandise will hit retail this year, including toys from Thinkway, books from HarperCollins, apparel from Jerry Leigh, sleepwear from Leeward, and games and puzzles from Pressman Toys.

DIC continues to represent McDonald's globally via a vintage apparel program. It plans to develop the property further into such categories as accessories, home decor, collectibles and novelty items.

In 2007, DIC stirred up a craft-focused merchandise program for the tween series Cake and now seeks new partners for publishing, interactive and home decor.

For The Beginner's Bible, DIC will showcase preschool toys, apparel, accessories, gifts, home decor and stationery slated for debut in 2009.

DIC is also developing licensing programs for the movie versions of Eloise and Inspector Gadget. For Eloise, DIC will launch gift and other themed product for both girls and adult collectors. For Inspector Gadget's audience of 6- to 12-year-old boys and adult collectors, the licensor will focus on merchandise in the likeness of the movie's star, Steve Carell.

Hit sensation American Idol names a myriad of off-air sponsorships with the likes of Walt Disney World, McDonald's and Apple. More than 40 licensees will be introducing products, including toys, games and books.

FME will bring some of its most popular game show brands to apparel, including The Price is Right, Press Your Luck, Password, Match Game and Card Sharks, beginning this fall at Steve & Barry's stores.

A property with preschool appeal, FME is adding WordWorld to its portfolio. The PBS Kids television series is primed for product development in publishing, apparel and accessories, and interactive.

Japanese fashion property Rebecca Bonbon, created by the same designer as Hello Kitty, is now part of FME's roster. The French-born bulldog living in Manhattan is a mainstay in Japan, appearing on apparel, jewelry, bags and other fashion accessories. The property is available for licensing and co-branding opportunities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Latin America, parts of Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

4Kids Entertainment comes to the table at this year's Licensing Show with both new and updated licensing programs for its full roster of kids' properties.

For Chaotic, the company's

proprietary collectible trading card game and online world, 4Kids expects significant expansion this year in core children's product areas like publishing, consumer electronics, computer accessories, mobile accessories, collectible figures and novelties.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Cabbage Patch Kids, a limited-edition new doll line from Jakks Pacific will roll onto store shelves this fall, with the dolls dressed in vintage fashions and with hairstyles and facial expressions circa 1983 styles. Marketing will include a promotion with a top entertainment magazine that will invite consumers to share their Cabbage Patch Kid memories.

Also nearing a milestone is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which will turn 25 next year. A new television series, TMNT: Back to the Sewers, will appear in fall 2009, for which Ubisoft will release a new game for Nintendo's Wii. To further penetrate the young adult market, 4Kids has signed on such partners as Bioworld (accessories) and uclick (mobile content), and will explore amusement/vending and seasonal goods.

The company's 4Sight Licensing Solutions subsidiary will continue to build awareness for both the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers' Association.

Monster Jam infiltrates Latin America for the first time this year, debuting in Costa Rica. In the U.S., it will rev up for its fifth season on the Speed channel. To date, its licensing program includes 25 partners, including Mattel and Activision.

In time for the Christmas shopping season, 4Kids will unfold a series of toys based on the new animated series Dinosaur King. Products will include a trading card game from Upper Deck, a video game from Sega in August and a DVD to be released in October. Playmates toys are planned for 2009.

Appealing to parents who grew up with Muppets are Jim Henson's Pajanimals, a cast of plush characters that will incorporate story and song in bedtime routines. Having made their television debut this past spring, Pajanimals will launch via a full-fledged licensing program in such product categories as toys, apparel, publishing, party goods and stationery.

4Kids' 3-D animated kids' series Viva Piñata will gain a global audience later this year when it debuts in 20 international markets.

Artist Collection's photography franchise, The Dog, is launching a deal with Subway this year. 4Kids will also release The Cat and The Pig Collection, with brand extensions in Princess Dog, The Dog Baby and Kid.

London's Granada Ventures and its Los Angeles-based U.S. unit this year focus on domestic licensing and merchandising initiatives for Hidden City Games' trading card game Bella Sara, British-import preschool series Pocoyo and reality TV series Hell's Kitchen.

For Bella Sara, Granada Ventures is announcing a multi-territory deal with Hachette that will see the property launch a weekly series of periodicals later this year, each of which will include a set of trading cards. Additionally, Basic Fun is joining Bella Sara's North America licensee list to produce gifts and novelties. Granada also plans to announce a slate of new international licensing agents at the show.

For Pocoyo, which debuted on PBS earlier this year after coming to America on Discovery Familia, home entertainment partner NCircle will promote the property in 50 theaters across the country.

Hell's Kitchen will get a new consumer products program across numerous categories.

Hasbro's Entertainment and Licensing division will unveil several deals in three core segments: entertainment (where a new game show, Trivial Pursuit: America Plays will debut this fall), fashion and sports. In addition, programs supporting the G.I. Joe and Nerf properties will be announced at the show.

HIT Entertainment, New York, will focus on its core properties at this year's show, including Angelina Ballerina, Barney, Bob the Builder and Thomas & Friends, in addition to new and acquired brands, such as Rainbow Magic; Aardman Entertainment's Shaun the Sheep and Wallace and Gromit; and Chapman Entertainment's Fifi and the Flowertots and Roary the Racing Car.

Angelina Ballerina, which celebrates 25 years of publishing in 2008, get her own computer-animated series in fall 2009, Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps, supported by “a full licensing and merchandising program,” details of which have not yet been announced.

Barney continues his 20th anniversary celebration this fall with new episodes of the TV series, a special look back at Barney over the years with “The Best of Barney Month” in October and a DVD special.

Bob the Builder gets new On Site DVD specials in 2008 and 2009, while on TV, he heads to a new seaside location and adds members to his machine team.

This fall, HIT kicks off Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery with Pierce Brosnan as narrator. Events will include in-theatre screening events, tie-in toys and books, and a “major” marketing campaign.

Among its new properties, Rainbow Magic, HIT's girl-targeted property based on chapter books, will get a new website; Fifi and the Flowertots, airing weekday mornings on Sprout, will get new toy, apparel and publishing partners; Wallace & Gromit will return with a new movie; and Aardman Animation's Shaun the Sheep debuts as a new series on the Disney Channel.

Ready to unleash four new properties this year, New York's Joester Loria Group is also expanding its current clientele roster with additional licensees.

One of its new partnerships is with Discovery Communications, for which JLG will launch integrated licensing and merchandising programs based on new and existing Discovery networks and shows, including its new eco-oriented network, PlanetGreen. JLG is pursuing merchandise categories across all tiers, with product introductions planned for 2009 and beyond. It also continues works on BBC's Planet Earth series.

As licensing agent for Elmer's, JLG will manage the development and introduction of licensing initiatives for the brand with initial product roll out targeted for fall 2009. Also within the crafting realm, the company will build a program for the X-Acto brand.

To help fuel the energy drink category, JLG has launched a licensing and merchandising initiative via a new collection of Amp Energy and Amp Energy Racing apparel and accessories. Additional apparel licensees will be introduced later this summer, with further expansion into other lifestyle categories expected in fall in fall 2008 and spring 2009.

JLG's relationship with American Greetings' Care Bears grows to include the fall release of a special edition Heart of Gold Care Bear, as well as a Target exclusive and limited edition Pink Power Bear.

JLG extends the Aquafina brand into hydrating lip care, skincare and bath and body items.

Chrysler expands beyond traditional automotive licensing this year as it finds a growing audience in China. The company's 2008 strategic focus on emerging markets includes several Southeast Asia countries with eyewear and casual men's apparel debuting in 2009.

New initiatives for the Jeep brand focus on outdoor and travel categories, including more licensees for luggage, bicycles, GPS units and camping equipment.

Entenmann's Products recently signed licensing agreements for lines of coffee and ice cream products bearing the Entenmann's name.

In the beverages sphere, the JLG and YOE! Studio will develop a special Mountain Dew graphics package that will be featured in new Dew-branded apparel and accessories slated to hit the market starting this holiday season. Meanwhile, Pepsi is furthering its consumer reach with branded women's apparel, with plans to soon add gift and home products as well.

The Baby Genius brand is also growing, with a “major” publishing deal pending later this year; details of the partnership have not yet been announced.

The Danville, Calif.-based Joy Tashjian Marketing Group has been named licensing agent for Mary Frances Accessories, the fashion accessories and handbag manufacturer. The company will also represent the NBC Universal Video, Music & Product Development Group and handle several NBC Universal entities, including NBC, Universal Media Studios, USA Network, Sci Fi Channel, Bravo and CNBC, plus several series, including Heroes, The Office, 30 Rock, Battlestar Galactica and Top Chef.

For Top Chef, JTMG has secured Brighter Minds to create PC games, Rizzoli for calendars and DSI for console games, including Nintendo's Wii. For Access Hollywood and the NBC Sports brand, JTMG has secured iToys for tabletop games and handheld LCD games.

Mezco Toyz will also produce Heroes action figures in the U.S. and Canada.

King Features Syndicate, New York, will broaden the reach of the children's television show SeeMore's Playhouse by continuing its partnership with the American Red Cross. The two will co-partner with Safety4Kids on the release of two DVDs slated for release in early August. To support the initiative, King Features is also looking to establish deals in core categories such as promotional licensing, book publishing, music and entertainment, food and beverages, footwear, gifts, party goods, toys and interactive games.

In the artistic arena, the KFS now represents Sandra Boynton and is looking to add a number of partners for her character illustrations in a range of categories, including sleepwear, infant sleepwear, small PVC characters, checks and checkbooks and dinnerware. [Editor's note: KFS's licensable product categories for Sandra Boynton were updated to their current from the original print edition of this story, by KFS's request, on July 2, 2008.] The company is also serving as the licensing agent for Brazilian pop artist Romero Britto.

KFS also has plans to continue to broaden the scope of the comic strip Mutts, which already includes apparel, greeting cards and stationery, yoga apparel and accessories, publishing, mobile and digital content.

Evergreen favorites Popeye, Betty Boop and Felix the Cat round out King Features' licensing slate for 2008 and 2009.

Showcasing an extensive portfolio of properties based on popular comic books, Marvel Entertainment is launching several expansive licensing initiatives this year.

To help promote the upcoming feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the Wolverine and X-Men animated television series in 2009, licensees on-board for the properties include Hasbro (master toy), Activision (video games), Mad Engine and Junk Food (T-shirts), Disguise (costumes) and Reebok/BBC (footwear). A new Wolverine Extreme brand extension targets teen and adult consumers.

Under the Marvel Animation umbrella, the company plans to develop individual licensing and merchandising programs for each of the following properties: Iron Man: Armored Adventures (debuting on Nicktoons next spring), Hulk Gamma Corps (also spring 2009) and Super Hero Squad (2009 release).

The Spider-Man Classic brand will go retro via a program targeting 18- to 45-year-old men. It focuses on fashion/apparel along with gifts and collectibles, housewares, stationery and paper goods. A new animated series, The Spectacular Spider-Man, will have product from Hasbro, Spin Master and Elmer's.

Marvel will gather its most popular superheroes under one brand name, Marvel Heroes, enabling licensees to maximize product visibility at retail with distinctive packaging. The program, targeted at mass market stores, features more than 200 licensees. Plans for a separate brand aiming at the female demographic are also underway but have yet to be announced.

The New York-based creators of the preschool series Super Why! are launching a licensing program this fall. An eclectic mix of manufacturers has signed on to develop kids' products in the likeness of the show's adventurous characters, including master toy licensee Learning Curve, book publisher Grosset & Dunlap, and costume maker Disguise.

Tying in to the 2009 release of DreamWorks Pictures' Hotel for Dogs, Paramount has lined up the likes of American Greetings (social expressions), Jakks Pacific (pet products) and Simon and Schuster (books).

The Love Guru, which is set to debut in June, will be marketed at retail largely through apparel and gift licensees, with Disguise signed on for costumes.

Toymaker Mezco will roll out limited-edition action figures this summer based on the 1979 cult-classic film The Warriors.

Planetpals, a crew of Web-based characters that encourage kids to practice healthy and earth-friendly habits, will grow with new members. An already-established merchandising program covers toys, publishing, novelties, school products will be enhanced by a line of eco-friendly toys produced by Ceaco Gameright.

Hot off a resurgence in 2007, Pokemon returns this year with several new video games, trading card releases, trading figure game releases, a new DVD, the 11th season of the TV series, a line of toys from Jakks Pacific and an international Burger King promotion.

This year London's Santoro team will showcase new collections for its established kids' brands Tutti Cuti, Jeli Deli and Drop720 brands, as well as four new properties scheduled to debut this month: the ditzy Doolallys, the quirky and dynamic 101 Ways, the hip Squeeze the Juice and the cool Atomic Babes.

Santoro's core properties will also expand in Latin America, primarily in Brazil and Mexico, as well as in Europe this year. And specifically for Drop720, Toys “R” Us recently added MV Sports' wheeled products.

Book-based properties are a plenty this year, led by Scholastic powerhouse Clifford the Big Red Dog. Merchandising plans spanning all major kids' product categories are already underway for the canine character, including themed toys from Mattel and Fisher-Price.

The forthcoming mystery adventure series The 39 Clues seeks licensing partners in such categories as video games, toys, board games, puzzles, apparel and stationery.

Expanding on its Goosebumps merchandising program, Scholastic recently launched a 12-book series entitled Goosebumps HorrorLand, which was bolstered by initial partners Fox Home Video and Disguise, along with Scholastic Interactive and Scholastic Audio. The company is currently seeking partners specializing in accessories, toys and games, home decor, seasonal merchandise and apparel.

The success of PBS Kids Go!'s WordGirl has led to the signing of several international deals, as well as a forthcoming book series. Plans for a merchandising push are under discussion.

SloaneVision has its sights set on cool partnership deals for two classically summertime favorites: DairyQueen and Little League Baseball.

For DairyQueen, SV is seeking new partners in such product categories as apparel/fashion, toys, stationery, back-to-school, gifts and home decor.

Meanwhile, Little League Baseball gets a new official sponsor this year, retailer Dick's Sporting Goods, plus merchandisers MacGregor for on-field equipment and Activision for video games.

SloaneVision is also seeking partners for its e-mail property, SmileyCentral, in areas including gifts, toys and games and interactive products.

East Rutherford, N.J.-based licensor Stone America Licensing has added European pop star Amy Diamond to its roster of clients. It will oversee all licensing, retail and tour sponsorships for the teenaged singer.

A first-time exhibitor, Los Angeles' ToyQuest will present its top-selling outdoor brand, Banzai, at this year's Licensing Show. The company seeks to license the brand in such categories as footwear, sporting goods, stationery, apparel and accessories, sunglasses, bath and body, room decor, surf gear and novelties.

Universal Studios comes to Licensing Show with two new properties: its revival of the '70s era children's TV series The Land of the Lost and its adaptation of the children's book series Cirque Du Freak.

Universal's revived Land of the Lost will make it onto the silver screen in July 2009 with a starring role for comedian Will Ferrell, aided by CGI-animated dinosaurs. Cirque Du Freak, a feature film based on the best-selling children's book series, will tell the tale of a boy who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires.

Universal will also look to build on its existing franchises in 2008 and 2009. These include The Fast and the Furious, which returns to movie theaters next summer; The Wolfman, a spring 2009 feature film starring Anthony Hopkins and Benicio del Toro; and its Curious George animated TV series for preschoolers, currently airing on PBS Kids.