Volume 4, No. 7
July 2009
Features 18 BY
CHRIS ADAMS
20 BY
Leaping off the Page
PAUL NARULA
24 BY
Travel Licensing: Licensor Roundup
CHRIS ADAMS
22 BY
Travel Licensing: From TV to Tanzania
Comic Book Licensing: Licensor Roundup
PAUL NARULA
Departments
OBSERVATIONS & OPINIONS
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4
THE TICKER
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6
REAL DEAL
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10
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12
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14
PROJECT RUNWAY
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16
YOU’RE HIRED!
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26
ROYALTIE$ CHALLENGE
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28
CALENDAR
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30
PAGE
31
ESSENCE
OF
MAVERICKS
STYLE IN THE
MARKET:
RAMEZ TOUBASSY ROYALTIE$ MARKETPLACE:
OF
EVENTS
ENDCAP
ON THIS PAGE: Above is a picture from Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, one of the destinations in the Discovery Adventures program, which was brokered by The Joester Loria Group. Far left is a shot from Marvel’s Iron Man 2 and near left is Dark Horse’s The Umbrella Academy.
ON THE COVER: Fundex Games captures Bryce Canyon National park in this puzzle, which is licensed by PBS in conjunction with the Ken Burns documentary The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. COVER BY DESIGN EDGE
www.aNbMedia.com PUBLISHED BY ANB MEDIA • Volume 3, Number 8
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PUBLISHER ANDY KRINNER ANDY@ANBMEDIA.COM
by Andy Krinner
THE AFTERMATH
f it looks like the Licensing Show and smells like the Licensing Show, then it must be the Licensing Show! Generally speaking, our industry’s trade show, which took place in Las Vegas last month, can be summed up as “not so bad,” as predicted in my previous columns. As expected, there were some glitches, but, overall, the Las Vegas venue worked out okay. Most of the complaints that I heard were logistical in nature. However, the quality of life in the Mandalay Bay complex was more appealing than New York City’s Javits Center to most of the attendees and exhibitors that I spoke with. It kind of reminded me of a Club Med Village, though. And no matter where you went in Las Vegas, there was always someone you knew from the industry—whether it was the airport, hotels, bars, or restaurants. On the business side, there appeared to be less traffic, which I must again attribute to the economy. However most exhibitors felt that the appointments they had were very solid and lasted well into the last day. And unless I’m mistaken, it looked as
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER BOB GLASER BOB@ANBMEDIA.COM
though some of the smaller agents and licensors were pretty busy, which hopefully means that some unique brands will perhaps get that much deserved shot at becoming viable consumer products. Overall, I’d say that the feeling coming out of Licensing Show is upbeat. If a property has a viable strategy and partnerships that make sense, the licensing program is working. The slam-dunk properties may be few and far between, but there are plenty of second- and third-tier brands that are gaining traction in tough retail conditions. Chalk this up to the expertise of the licensing executives who represent these brands. Now that the opportunities to slice a license very thin have dried up, keen-eyed marketers are finding other ways to get their brands to the consumers. As long as the expectations are kept in check, this can be very good for the licensing industry. Congrats to the winners of the LIMA awards. It was not the smoothest awards ceremony I’ve ever attended, but the brevity was appreciated even if the volume was not.
CORRECTION TO THE MAY ISSUE OF ROYALTIE$: On page 35, it was omitted that Brand Central is the licensing agency of record for NECCO. CORRECTION TO THE JUNE ISSUE OF ROYALTIE$: On page 80, Cookie Jar Entertainment is incorrectly listed as the global licensor for Strawberry Shortcake. Cookie Jar is the global licensing agent for the property. WE REGRET BOTH OF THESE ERRORS.
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ADVERTISING MANAGER AMY LAND AMY@ANBMEDIA.COM CONTROLLER MARY GROGAN MARY@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITOR IN CHIEF JIM SILVER JIM@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITORIAL DIRECTOR NANCY LOMBARDI NANCY@ANBMEDIA.COM MANAGING EDITOR CHRIS ADAMS CHRISA@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITOR AT LARGE CHRISTOPHER BYRNE CHRISB@ANBMEDIA.COM ASSISTANT EDITOR LAURIE LEAHEY LAURIE@ANBMEDIA.COM ASSISTANT EDITOR PAUL NARULA PAUL@ANBMEDIA.COM WEB MASTER ERIK KIECKHAFER ERIK@ANBMEDIA.COM WEB CONTENT MANAGER BRENDAN SANABRIA BRENDAN@ANBMEDIA.COM CONTRIBUTOR MATT NUCCIO MATT@DESIGNEDGE.NET HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVE TONY LEE SMART REGENT PRODUCTIONS LTD., 66–72 STANLEY STREET, ROOM 603, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, CENTRAL HONG KONG PHONE: 2815 0166 • FAX: 2815 6911 • SREGENT@NETVIGATOR.COM
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ROYALTIE$ is published 12 times a year by aNb Media, Inc. Copyright 2009 aNb Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. ROYALTIE$ is a registered trademark of aNb Media, Inc. Opinions and comments expressed in this publication by editors, contributing writers, or solicited or unsolicited documents are not necessarily those of ROYALTIE$ management.
Your Global Brand Licensing Solution www.Bradfordlicensing.com
A RECAP
OF
LICENSING SHOW
This year’s Licensing Show was held in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and despite some griping
about the city and venue changes, mostly from the East Coast attendees, it was a successful show. Traffic seemed to be down, which may be a mixed result of the bad economy along with the uncertainty of the venue change. Exhibitors reported less walk-in traffic yet reported having productive meetings from both walk-ins and meetings that were
pre-arranged. LICENSING SHOW 2010 will take place JUNE 8–10 in the MANDALAY BAY CONVENTION CENTER in LAS VEGAS.
STRETCH ARMSTRONG COMES TO THE BIG SCREEN
Executives from Universal Pictures and Hasbro, Inc., announced that Stretch Armstrong is the first feature film to be released under Universal and Hasbro’s six-year partnership. Stretch Armstrong is scheduled for its theatrical release on April 15, 2011. They also announced Academy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind, American Gangster) will team with Hasbro to bring the action figure to life for the big screen. Steve Oedekerk (Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty) is writing the screenplay for the action adventure based on the toy that was made popular in the 1970s and then relaunched in the 1990s. Universal Pictures and Hasbro formed the partnership in 2008 to produce at least four motion pictures based on some of its best-known brands. Currently in development are Monopoly, with Ridley Scott set to produce and direct and Pamela Pettler writing the screenplay; Candy Land, with Kevin Lima to direct based on a script from Etan Cohen; Clue, with Gore Verbinski to produce and direct; Ouija, with Michael Bay to produce; and Battleship, with Peter Berg to direct from a screenplay by Jon and Erich Hoeber.
Wilmer Valderrama, voice of Handy Manny on Disney Channel’s preschool series, Handy Manny, was at this year’s Licensing Show. Valderrama is pictured above on the left along with Gary Marsh, president of entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide, and, of course, that’s Handy Manny on the right.
SCHOLASTIC SIGNS TOOTS
Scholastic Media, a division of Scholastic, announced that it will serve as licensing agent for the online world, Toots (www.tootsville.com). Created by RES Interactive LLC, Toots is based on the elaborate virtual world of Tootsville for kids ages 6–12. The site will soon launch a series of webisodes featuring the Toots characters mixed with original music from established and upcoming artists. Scholastic Media will drive the licensing program with plush, novelty, and accessories while also looking for partners in apparel, stationery, domestics, toys, publishing, gift, novelty, video games, and games and puzzles.
WALDO EXPANDS DOWN UNDER
Classic Media announced that it has appointed Stella Projects to manage the intellectual property rights to its global brand Where’s Wally? in Australia and New Zealand. (Waldo is known as Wally in that region.) The two-year deal sees Stella Projects, led by former ABC Consumer Products and Distribution executive, Grahame Grassby, acting as a broker for the brand, bringing potential licensing partners into direct negotiation with Classic Media. The agency will also look to secure distribution deals for Where’s Wally? consumer products for current licensees and will uncover new retail opportunities within the territory. Stella will be responsible for targeting strategic third-party promotional partners and will coordinate strategic marketing activities for the brand. Just in case you are wondering, Waldo actually goes by many different names. There are 18 international name variations including Wally in the UK, Charlie in France, Hugo in Sweden, and Walter in Germany. Waldo and Wally are the most universal names, while the rest are region specific.
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POPPLES LICENSED
FOR JAPAN
American Greetings Properties signed Mind Works as the international licensing agent in Japan for its classic 1980s property Popples. Created and owned by Those Characters From Cleveland (TCFC), a subsidiary of American Greetings, Popples was first introduced in 1985 with an assortment of nine core characters. Popples transformed from a plush ball into a cuddly creature when they popped out of their pouch. Mind Works Entertainment will now begin to license Popples as a certified agent in Japan focusing on apparel and specialty goods targeting young women in their 20s.
NELVANA RELAUNCHES BEYBLADE
Nelvana Enterprises, together with d-rights, Inc., announced the return of the Beyblade toy and programming franchise, with the introduction of 51 new episodes and a revamped toy line, both to be called Beyblade: Metal Fusion. Beyblade: Metal Fusion will feature 51 new episodes co-produced by Nelvana and d-rights. Set to launch in North America in fall 2010, the new series features a fresh cast of characters that take on the continued battle between good and evil. The companion toy line is produced by Tomy Company. Hasbro, Inc., has been chosen as the master toy licensee outside of Middle East and Asia. Hasbro brought the original Beyblade product line to market in the U.S. and other regions in 2002. Nelvana Enterprises will represent d-rights in various countries, distributing the TV series internationally, as well as for merchandising rights and home video. The new TV series and toy line have already launched in Japan. All-new tournaments for the Beyblade Battle Association are planned for North America.
B ANDAI SIGNS
ON FOR
CHLOE’S CLOSET
The MoonScoop Group announced that it is entering into a worldwide licensing agreement with Bandai America, Inc., to become the global toy licensee for the new animated preschool TV series Chloe’s Closet. The deal provides Bandai America with the rights to create certain toys, craft and activity sets, and roleplay toys and dress-up sets based on the series, which is scheduled to premiere in early 2010. Chloe’s Closet follows the adventures of an imaginative little girl named Chloe who discovers magical new worlds while playing dress-up in her closet. With each new costume Chloe tries on, she is swept up in a fantastical journey with her best friends, including her constant companion, a security blanket named Lovely Carrot. Chloe’s exploits also encourage the audience to celebrate how delightful it is to be a little kid embarking upon a fabulously fun and fearless, anything-can-happen journey.
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A RECAP
OF
LICENSING SHOW
TLC ANNOUNCES NEW CLIENT AND NEW DEAL
The Licensing Company (TLC) has announced signing on Welch’s as a new client as well as a new licensing deal for client Reckitt Benckiser’s Woolite brand. Welch’s is a leading marketer of Concord and Niagara grapebased consumer products—including juice, jelly, and other fruit-based offerings. With more than 400 product SKUs, the brand is most famous for its 100 percent Grape Juice made from Concord grapes. Working closely together, TLC and Welch’s have defined a strategic range of product categories to which the Welch’s brand could add considerable value. TLC also announced the launch of a new range of dryer sheets for use in home dryers, under the Woolite brand. The range comes in four fragrances. Woolite is owned by Reckitt Benckiser, one of the largest household chemical companies in the world, with a portfolio of global brands such as Airwick, Lysol, Clearasil, and Resolve.
BEANSTALK ANNOUNCES PURINA PET GEAR LINE, AIRHEADS AS NEW CLIENT
Nestlé Purina, along with its licensing agency The Beanstalk Group, announced the launch of a comprehensive line of Purina-licensed dog and cat accessories. The collection, Purina Pet Gear, will launch across a variety of categories this summer, including toys, feeding accessories, beds, stain and odor products, shampoos, and pet-hair pickup tools, to be followed by collars, leashes and grooming aides. The line aims to promote responsible pet care, humane education, and the positive bond between people and their pets. Across all categories, the products will feature signature colors and patterns to form a cohesive retail experience. Ethical Products, Inc., will manufacture and market dog and cat leashes, collars, toys, and feeding accessories. Bow Wow Pet will be manufacturing dog and cat beds for the Purina brand. The oneCARE Company will manufacture dog and cat grooming aides, shampoos, stain and odor products, and pet hair rollers. In additional Beanstalk Group news, the company has added the Airheads brand of taffy to its list of clients. Beanstalk aims to expand the Airheads brand into related food and lifestyle products for children, tweens, teens, and young adults. Airheads products will leverage the unique flavor profile, logo, bold graphics, and Balloon Guy character.
DISCOVERY CHANNEL AND DIRTY JOBS HOST MIKE ROWE TO LAUNCH LIFESTYLE BRAND
Discovery Channel and Mike Rowe, host of one of the network’s top-rated series, Dirty Jobs, have partnered to create a DirtyJobs/MikeroweWORKS co-brand designed to deliver the right tools for every job. The brand will leverage the reach and viewer affinity for Dirty Jobs and Mike Rowe’s engaging personality and commitment to advocate for the everyday working man and woman. Discovery and Mike Rowe will initially focus on product categories including work wear, footwear, accessories, tools, safety gear, and cleaning products designed for on-the-job and outdoor use. Additionally, interactive games and publishing based on content and themes from the program will be a focus for the new brand. The Joester Loria Group, Discovery Channel’s licensing agent, has been retained to represent mikeroweworks.com and the co-brand. Discovery Channel, Mike Rowe, and The Joester Loria Group will look to build the co-brand across a wide retail spectrum.
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MARVEL EXPANDS APPAREL AGREEMENTS
Marvel Entertainment, Inc., is enhancing its presence in the apparel category through renewed and expanded agreements. The company renewed an extensive licensing agreement with Fruit of the Loom for the children’s underwear category. Additionally, Marvel has renewed its agreement with Mad Engine for tops, and expanded its agreements with Freeze and Mighty Fine for T-shirts. Through its recently extended multi-year license agreement, Fruit of the Loom will develop and manufacture children’s underwear lines based on all Marvel character franchises, including product lines based on the upcoming Marvel Studios feature films Iron Man 2, The First Avenger: Captain America, Thor, and The Avengers. Marvel renewed its license agreement with Mad Engine for T-shirts and hoodies for all Marvel Universe character properties as well as for the Iron Man 2 and Thor films. The company has also expanded its relationships with both Freeze and Mighty Fine, which had previously signed on to develop and manufacture apparel for the female category, to include men’s and boys’ merchandise. The expanded relationship with Freeze includes all pertinent character properties for men’s and boys’ for all tiers of distribution. The agreement with Mighty Fine has also been extended to include men’s merchandise for adult-driven classic programs for distribution at mid-tier, department, and specialty stores.
LIMA AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) announced that Bakugan by Nelvana Enterprises and Cartoon Network Enterprises took top honors as the 2008 overall best licensed program of the year at the Opening Night Awards Party at Licensing International Expo 2009 in Las Vegas. All awards are based on calendar year 2008. Additional winners, by category, include best art brand program: The Andy Warhol Global Licensing Program; best art brand licensee: Toynami for Skelanimals; best character brand program: Hello Kitty by Sanrio; best character brand licensee—hard goods: Kodak Gallery for its Hello Kitty photo books; best character brand licensee—soft goods: Briefly Stated for its line of Disney sleepwear and daywear; best corporate brand program: Jeep Consumer Products, owned by Chrysler LLC and represented by The Joester Loria Group; best corporate brand licensee: Sakar for Crayola; best film, television & entertainment brand program: Twilight by Summit Entertainment, Striker Entertainment, and Most Management; best film, television & entertainment brand licensee—hard goods: Spin Master for its line of Bakugan toys and trading card games; best film, television & entertainment brand licensee—soft goods: National Entertainment Collectibles Association for Twilight; best sports & sports-themed entertainment brand program: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games by IOC/The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad; best sports & sports-themed entertainment brand licensee—hard goods: Electronic Arts for Madden NFL ’08; best sports & sports-themed entertainment brand licensee—soft goods: The Northwest Company for its Collegiate Sports Program; best licensed promotion: The Dark Knight theatrical release; and best retailer: Hot Topic for Twilight.
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HIT ENTERTAINMENT AND AMERICAN GREETINGS
HIT Entertainment has named American Greetings as the master social expressions licensee for HIT’s portfolio of brands, including Angelina Ballerina, Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Rainbow Magic, and Thomas & Friends, as well as acquired properties such as Chapman Entertainment’s Fifi and the Flowertots and Roary the Racing Car and Aardman Animation’s Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, and Timmy Time. Under the terms of the agreement, American Greetings will design, manufacture, distribute, and market key social expressions items such as party supplies, decorations, greeting cards, and more.
THE POKÉMON COMPANY AND BURGER KING
The Pokémon Company has announced a promotional partnership with Burger King for the Pokémon trading card Game. Burger King’s BK Kids Meals across North and South America will now feature two Pokémon cards, including characters such as Pikachu, Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia, as well as a Pokémon-themed accessory. Participating Burger King restaurants will be the only place to obtain each of the six different accessories, which include card holders, lenticular rockers, and card frames.
PARAMOUNT LICENSING AND MULTIPLE LICENSEES
Paramount Licensing has signed multiple partners on for a property based on the film Up In Smoke, starring ’70s comic team Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, to coincide with the duo’s 2008–2009 reunion tour. American Greetings will produce greeting cards featuring Cheech and Chong and their signature lines from the film. C&D Visionary has created a line of buttons, coffee mugs, disposable lighters, refillable lighters, incense, incense burners, and more. Destiny Production is making a line of portable electric grills featuring the Up In Smoke logo. Fifth Sun will handle men’s and women’s tees with renderings of Cheech and Chong and other iconic imagery. Hot Sauce Harry will produce hot sauce, salsa, and grilling sauce for the brand.
NBC UNIVERSAL AND HALLMARK
NBC Universal has signed a deal with Hallmark Cards, Inc., that encompasses film properties from Universal Partnerships & Licensing and television properties from the NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music, and Consumer Products Group. The deal gives Hallmark Cards the use of NBC Universal’s current and future slate of film and television product, as well as its library of film and television properties, for a wide range of social expression products. The deal also allows Hallmark exclusive access to the NBC News archives.
CLASSIC MEDIA AND MULTIPLE LICENSEES
Classic Media has announced that it will be launching new consumer products programs for its seasonal portfolio, which includes brands such as Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town for Christmas, Casper the Friendly Ghost for Halloween, and Peter Cottontail for Easter. M. Hidary will produce light-up and regular children’s apparel based on these brands. Signature Brands will produce a line of seasonally branded collectible popcorn tins. New ornaments and holiday décor will debut from Kurt Adler, including resin, blow-mold, and glass decorations, stockings, table-top products, and more. In addition, the Little Drummer Boy will join the Christmas lineup with nativity sets and figurines from Round 2.
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CHORION AND MULTIPLE LICENSEES
Chorion is expanding its licensing program for the Mr. Men and Little Miss brand. FisherPrice, Sony, and Penguin are preparing to launch new toy, DVD, and TV tie-in book lines based on The Mr. Men Show this fall. These product lines will reach shelves in time to coincide with the fall premiere of the show’s second season on Cartoon Network. Jay at Play will produce novelty room décor for kids and Liquid Crystal will be producing personal care items. Demand Made is handling apparel and accessories printed on-demand. Chorion is also expanding the Mr. Men and Little Miss brand overseas, with new licensees such as Martin Yaffe, Blueprint, and Euromark in the UK, Fonterra Brands in Australia, and more in Germany and France.
ADNESS ENTERTAINMENT AND NAMCO BANDAI
Namco Bandai Games will be creating Kamen Rider Dragon Knight games for handheld and console platforms, which will be published throughout North and South America by its subsidiary company, D3Publisher. The video games will debut in November. The games will be based on the Kamen Rider Dragon Knight live-action television show, which follows the adventures of teenager Kit Taylor. Kit discovers a deck of Advent Cards that grant him the power to transform into the armored warrior Kamen Rider and uses this power to battle alien General Xaviax in the real world and on Ventara, the Mirror World.
The Mr. Men Show
PARAMOUNT LICENSING AND MADAME TUSSAUDS
Madame Tussauds’ new Hollywood attraction, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, will feature lifelike wax figures of eight of Paramount Pictures classic films. Figures of characters from The Ten Commandments, Sunset Blvd., True Grit, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Godfather, Forrest Gump, Beverly Hills Cop, and It’s a Wonderful Life will appear in vignettes and scenes throughout the wax museum, where guests can step onto the elaborate sets and interact with the figures.
BIG TENT ENTERTAINMENT AND GOANIMATE.COM
Big Tent Entertainment has announced a partnership with GoAnimate.com centered around the Domo brand. Through the newly formed partnership, GoAnimate.com will form an entirely new site, Domo Animate, where fans can create their own Domo animations online. The animation studio includes a wide variety of characters, backgrounds, and props. Designs can then be shared with family, friends, and the Domo Animate community.
BULLDOG LICENSING AND JOY TASHJIAN MARKETING GROUP
Joy Tashjian Marketing Group (JTMG) has been named as the consumer products agency for Gogo’s Crazy Bones, Bulldog Licensing’s new children’s property that debuted earlier this year. The core line consists of 80 collectible figures, available in five colors, with additional largersize Most Wanted figures that are more rare and larger than the rest. iToys is handling distribution of the collectible figures in the U.S. market.
ROYALTIE$ JULY 2009
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Boldly Go Where No Footwear Has Gone Before
CBS Consumer Products announced that street style designer jeffstaple (aka Jeff Ng) unveiled an exclusive Star Trek-inspired high-top sneaker dubbed Terrain “Enterprise Edition.” The shoe’s design channels the Starship Enterprise with its rough silver and gray distressed upper. The silver sneakers sport the iconic Enterprise badge as well as the famous craft’s ship number. Only 160 pairs have been constructed: 110 in men’s sizes 7– 12 and 50 pairs in children’s sizes 1–6. Each pair will be numbered, designating them as an original in the limited edition. The Airwalk sneaker will be exclusively available at jeffstaple’s retail shop Reed Space in New York City for $80 per adult pair and $60 per kids pair.
Ruby Red Bling
Warner Bros. Consumer Products enlisted designer Tarina Tarantino to create a number of jewelry lines inspired by The Wizard of Oz, in celebration of the film’s 70th anniversary this year. The new collection, dubbed My Pretty, will feature designs showcasing a number of the film’s characters, including Dorothy, Glinda the Good Witch, the Wicked Witch of the West, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the Winged Monkeys. The entire collection features colored images from the iconic film on Tarina Tarantino signature Lucite stone. The complete line is available for sale at www.tarinatarantino.com and Tarina Tarantino flagship stores, with price points on individual pieces ranging from $50–$350.
Action-Packed Shoes
Secret Shirts
Hybrid Tees signed on as licensee for Cartoon Network Enterprises’ fantasy-adventure series, The Secret Saturdays. Hybrid Tees will create a line of boys’ T-shirts and sweatshirts drawing upon the main characters and Cryptids made popular in the series, with product launching in time for this holiday season across all tiers of retail.
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Brown Shoe Company, Inc., and Marvel Entertainment, Inc., entered into a new license agreement to bring characters from Marvel’s upcoming slate of feature films to kids’, men’s, and women’s shoes. Brown Shoe will design, produce, and market lines of athletics, casual shoes, sport sandals, beach and EVA sandals, seasonal boots, and slippers. The first collections will debut at retail in spring 2010 in toddler, youth, and young adult sizes and will include footwear based on Marvel’s self-produced Iron Man 2, which hits theaters May 7, 2010. Future collections will include merchandise featuring characters from other major event films, including the Marvel-produced Thor (scheduled release date May 20, 2011), The First Avenger: Captain America (scheduled release date July 22, 2011), and The Avengers (scheduled release date May 4, 2012.)
Every product comes with a guaranteed smile
Jelly Belly速 is the brand name for the best jelly beans in the world. TLC has worked with Jelly Belly to re-create the color, shape and flavor of the best loved beans into an assortment of products including desserts, drinks, apparel, accessories and an award winning range of HBA. With 55 licensees in four territories and listings in over 30,000 retail doors, Jelly Belly is no ordinary candy brand.
Discover how to make your customers smile, come and visit TLC in Vegas... logon to: www.thelicensingcompany.com email: VEGAS@thelicensingcompany.com or call: +1 (212) 413-0880
London, Paris, Munich, New York, Tokyo
W
A NEW WAY TO LICENSE by Paul Narula
hen Ramez Toubassy, president of Brand Sense Partners, looks at a brand that his company is taking on as a client, he doesn’t just see a new property, character, or logo to license. What other licensing agencies see as just brands, Toubassy and Brand Sense Partners look at as “assets,” in the same sense as a private equity or investment firm might look at the assets of a particular company it chooses to work with. This is no big surprise, as Toubassy’s career background includes time as an investment banker and in the private equity business, but it is this different way of looking at a client’s property that makes Brand Sense Partners a unique approach in the licensing market. Toubassy’s career started not at a licensing company, but at the private equity firm Evolution Global Partners. Evolution was a unique equity firm whose business was focused around the theory that companies would develop, in the course of their core business, technology assets that could be applied to other businesses. “It was a new idea, based on this concept that companies, while operating within their core businesses, develop assets that they don’t know how to utilize,” says Toubassy. Toubassy’s first real taste of brand licensing came years later, after the burst of the tech bubble made him decide to take a new career path. Toubassy found a place at a motorcycle company called Indian Motorcycle. Indian was an American motorcycle company that had been founded in 1901 and went out of business in
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1953. The company began making a resurgence in 1999. Toubassy was brought on as a turnaround manager. “I made a quick connection between my experiences at Evolution and the idea of a brand as an asset,” he says. “I germinated the seeds of a new type of licensing business.” Toubassy saw the opportunity to
Ramez Toubassy, president, Brand Sense Partners
approach licensing from an entirely fresh perspective. While working at Indian, Toubassy also met and worked with Brian France, chairman of NASCAR, who also happens to be the owner of Brand Sense Partners. The two men realized that their ideas about the licensing business matched and France hired Toubassy in 2003, making him president. Toubassy has reorganized Brand Sense Partners along lines different from those of a standard licensing agency. He has hired not only employees with licensing experience, but also with experience in business development, strategy, and private equity. Toubassy and
Brand Sense do increased amounts of work on the front end of working with a client. Brand Sense does any consumer research that the licensor doesn’t already have, as well as extensive formal retail audits to identify white space in the market on a category-by-category basis. The company also does an extensive amount of brand research, to see how a single property could be broken down into new sub-brands or co-brands. Experienced licensors are attracted to the agency because the work done for licensing will match the level of work the licensor does for its core business. Companies less experienced with licensing know that Brand Sense’s extensive research will help bring licensees into a licensing deal. Under Toubassy’s leadership, Brand Sense has grown from having one client in 2003 to 30 clients, working with licensors such as Dodge, Syfy, Chuck Norris, Bravo, Maxim, Kingsford, MGM, and more. Recently, Brand Sense developed its own in-house creative and design team for the apparel category, giving it the ability to provide greater service to licensors and licensees alike. That’s only the beginning of how Toubassy sees Brand Sense developing. The company has already set in motion plans to buy intellectual properties and develop its own properties, taking it from being just a licensing agency to a company that handles every aspect of the licensing business. “You’re not going to be able to call us a licensing agency for much longer,” says Toubassy. “ You’re going to have to find something new to call us!”
Despicable Me Movie © Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All Rights Reserved.
Licensing in U.S. & Canada: 818-777-2440 • International: 818-777-5694 • Retail: 818-777-6716 • Promotions: 818-777-5789 International Promotions: +44 (0)20 7307 6206
THE WEINSTEIN CO.’S
R
by Paul Narula
eality television dominates today’s thorized, having unauthorized contact with airwaves and fashion coverage family and friends, or using the internet to seems more prevalent every year. research additional designs. Project Runway combines both these popuHeidi Klum hosts the show and judges lar trends into one reality competition, pit- the contestants. She is joined each season at ting 12 or more fledgling fashion designers the judges’ table by designer Michael Kors, against one another in a Marie Claire fashion diseries of competitions for rector Nina Garcia, and a prizes, fame, and a fourth guest judge, which chance to have their work can change depending on showcased in Elle magathe challenge and could zine. Additional rewards be anyone from a superinclude the money to start model, fashion designer, their own fashion line or actress to a celebrity and other prizes provided athlete or personality. by show sponsors. The series’ sixth seaDesigners must comson will air on Lifetime, pete in a wide variety of which bought the rights to challenges, ranging from the show from the Weintraditional design tasks stein Company. The Weinto more esoteric chalstein Company and lenges. One competition licensing agent ACI Limay involve designing an Simplicity Patterns makes sewing patterns censing continue to capibased on designs from Project Runway. evening gown for a talize on the series’ strong celebrity. Another might involve designing viewer base and popularity to expand the lia full fashion line based on the style of a censing program into multiple categories. Licompeting designer. As in many elimination- censees for children’s products include style shows, the winner of a challenge can Fashion Angels, F.A.B./Starpoint, and Modbe granted immunity or is given an addi- ern Publishing. Adult licensees include tional prize, where the loser will be sent Brother International, Simplicity Patterns, and home and eliminated from the running. Con- Prym Consumers. As viewers anticipate a sevtestants are sequestered in provided apart- enth season on a new channel, Project Runments for the duration of the show and are way’s licensing program is proving that reality prohibited from leaving the apartment unau- television and fashion never go out of style.
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Fast Facts ° Season 6 of Project Runway will begin airing on Lifetime on
Thursday, August 20. Previously the series aired on Bravo.
° The brand currently has nine licensees, as well as 350
individual SKUs at retail.
° Project Runway-licensed
products have been featured on Good Morning America and E!
News, and in Chicago Tribune, Star Magazine, NY Post, Seventeen, Sew News, and Creative Home Arts.
° The Project Runway show has international versions in the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Australia, the Philippines, Korea, and Belgium.
° Losing contestants are
referred to as being “auf’d” in reference to Heidi Klum sending them away blowing a double kiss and saying Auf Wiedersehen (farewell).
MODERN PUBLISHING
Modern Publishing has released five Designer’s Activity Books. Each book is filled with fashion design challenges, styling tips, and sartorial suggestions.
SIMPLICITY PATTERNS
Simplicity Patterns produces fashion sewing patterns based on the designs featured in Project Runway. The designs are available in Simplicity catalogs or at Wal-Mart.
FASHION ANGELS
Fashion Angels has created a full line of design activity sets, ranging from Fashion Design Postcard sets to Hair Stylist and Fashion Jewelry Kits. The sets are for girls ages 8 and up.
F.A.B./STARPOINT
BROTHER INTERNATIONAL
Brother International has created a line of Project Runway-branded sewing and embroidery machines. The high-quality machines are designed to provide the same level of finesse and stitching as professional-grade equipment.
F.A.B./Starpoint is producing a full line of back-to-school supplies, including purses, hats, and room dĂŠcor items for the Project Runway brand. Each item in the line is fully customizable with included decorations and embellishments.
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T
by Chris Adams
he travel-related licensing segment encompasses a varied range of property types. Included within its parameters are actual travel-related licenses, destination-specific properties, theme park licenses, travel and destination products that feature entertainment properties, and television-based travel properties. Right now, two of the most noteworthy travel licenses are in the television-based space. The Joester Loria Group is expanding the Discovery property through two travel-related initiatives. Discovery Student Adventures is being piloted by sending out teachers and students to eight destinations to ensure the travel accommodations and curriculum is on point for launch time. The second program is Discovery Adventures, which is set to launch later this month. It includes 31 culturally immersive trips to some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, including locations in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The other television-based travel property emerging into the marketplace is for the Travel Channel. Brand Sense Partners is managing this fledgling property. The first extension out of the gate is a series of Travel Channel-branded stores in airports throughout the U.S. Additional extensions are expected by the end of the year. “Our goal is to deliver Travel Channel to consumers in unique ways beyond television,” says Ramez Toubassy, president of Brand Sense Partners. “Translating the brand into related product and service categories will have significant benefits. It will generate incremental revenue and it will enhance the relationship Travel Channel has with its viewers while increasing brand awareness.” The Discovery-branded programs enhance the television network’s programming and curriculum by bringing experiences captured on the television screen to life. The launch of the Discovery Adventures program, by licensee G.A.P. Adventures, will give viewers and travel aficionados the opportunity to immerse themselves in a Discovery-connected experience at accessible price points ranging from $2,000–$5,000. The Joester Loria Group feels that these price points will help the program succeed in an economic climate where some segments of travel are suffering greatly. “There is no question that travel is down at the moment,” says Debra Joester, president of The Joester Loria Group. “Business-related and high-end travel have been severely impacted. A lot of the companies that have offered the expensive, white-glove adventure travel
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Destinations for the Discovery Adventures program, which was brokered by The Joester Loria Group, include the Taj Mahal.
have seen their business down 20-plus percent.” There are a lot of different subsets of psychographics that go into the adventure travel space targeted by this licensing program, from empty nesters to adrenaline-junkie 20-somethings and teachers. The majority of them do have one thing in common—and that is amount of vacation time—something that has driven this market in Europe. “When you are looking at the emergence of adventure travel in North America, you are looking at people who have more leisure time,” says Joester. “Americans don’t get the amount of vacation time that Europeans get.”
“We depend on results from focus groups and from our own For those who don’t have the vacation time or resources to take research team,” says Platt. “It is a lengthy process because we have to part in international adventure travel, there are some high-profile city- assess not only how the local communities view their respective city, based licensing programs that appeal to a range of demographics. One but how the world perceives them, as well.” aspect that is particular to this type of travel-related property is that some consumers in this space don’t physically travel to purchase the merchandise. Rather, the merchandise is sometimes a way of taking Family-favorite destinations, including national parks and away a piece of a city without actually going there. NYC & Company’s New York City-based licensing program is theme parks, are ripe with licensing opportunities. One of the most noteworthy additions in this space the largest, highest profile property of this revolves around the Ken Burns documensort. This program offers something for tary The National Parks: America’s Best everyone with merchandise that is available in Idea. The six-part, 12-hour film focusing on a range of outlets. the beauty of the U.S.’s national parks as “We continue to build out our tourist business well as the stories of the people behind and are always looking for innovative ways to them will air on PBS in September. Fundex capture the emotional bond visitors have with Games will offer a line of games and puzour city,” says Brad Fazzari, senior vice-presizles around the launch. dent of brand development for NYC & Disney theme parks are a perennial Company. “Long term we are very focused on favorite of families. Each year more than broadening our brands’ reach by developing pro100 million people pass through the gates. grams that appeal to both local New Yorkers and The next most attended theme park group tourists, as well as resonate on a national level.” is Universal Studios Theme Parks, folAs part of growing its licensing program, lowed by Six Flags, which recently filed NYC & Company recently issued a request for for bankruptcy. In addition, SeaWorld is proposal to license the rights to a wide range of currently building a licensing program categories for properties including NYPD, The Aspen One watch by Aspen Jewelry & Watches, brokered by Bradford Licensing based around its parks. FDNY, NYC Taxi, and NYC Parks Department Another family-friendly licensor, Scholastic, for a wide range of product categories. Results has recently signed on for a deal with Amtrak that will highlight the 39 of the request were not available as of press time. Bradford Licensing manages three city-related licensing programs Clues multimedia book series. that depend very little on traveling to an actual locale. The licensing programs for Love, Beverly Hills; Aspen; and Beverly Hills instead offer a taste of the cities to consumers everywhere. The world of travel-related licensing ranges from exotic, immer“What we are doing is bringing the essence of the cities to the consumer,” says Neil Platt, brand specialist at Bradford. “One need not sive adventures to vicarious trips, large theme parks to national parks, travel to Aspen or Beverly Hills to enjoy products of their namesakes.” and airport retailers to entertainment property-themed opportunities. Especially for a licensing program that doesn’t center around The category offers something for adventurers as well as those who tourism, licensors have to take steps to ensure that there is a reason prefer their adventures on television. After all there are many types of for the property being featured on an item. Otherwise, what is the consumers looking for a piece of the beauty, adventure, excitement, and entertainment that the world’s locales provide. product’s reason for being?
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19
by Chris Adams
The travel-based licensing segment offers a range of property types. The products and initiatives included in this segment are as varied as the types of properties. Below is a sampling of the latest news on a range of travel-related properties. The Joester Loria Group brokered two travel-related deals for Discovery—Discovery Student Adventures and Discovery Adventures— with licensees Ambassador Group and G.A.P. Adventures, respectively. Discovery Adventures launches this month and includes package deals to some of the world’s most sought-after destinations at accessible price points.
Nickelodeon announced a family entertainment-based licensing initiative at select JW Marriott and Renaissance Resorts. Nickelodeon Getaway will include properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. The program includes a character breakfast event and a Nick-themed sleepover kit.
This year will see the first Travelocity-licensed products hitting the market with products from rasta Imposta (costumes), Exart (garden gnomes), and Kena Kai (wallets and travel accessories). The Rasta Imposta and Exart items will feature Travelocity’s Traveling Gnome.
In August, Fundex Games will launch a line of games and puzzles to celebrate the Ken Burns documentary The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, which is a six-part, 12hour documentary that will air on PBS in September. The line includes themed UNO (shown) and Scrabble as well as scenic puzzles.
In June, Six Flags filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a plan to reach an agreement with its lenders fell through. The company has plans to spring back quickly from bankruptcy and its parks will remain open for operation throughout the process.
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Scholastic Media announced a summer promotion with Amtrak for The 39 Clues property. The promotion, which encourages travelers to “Get On Board for the Ride of Your Life,” will spotlight the property during the busy family travel season. In stations nationwide, two million branded ticket jackets will be distributed and on trains passengers will notice branded dining car placemats and seatback signage. In more than 90 locations will be a sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip for four anywhere in the U.S. where Amtrak travels.
Brand Sense Partners announced a partnership between Travel Channel and Delaware North Companies for Travel Channel-branded stores in airports throughout the U.S. The stores will incorporate Travel Channel’s library of media content to create an interactive retail experience. As Travel Channel’s core business grows, so do licensing opportunities for the brand. Brand Sense hopes to announce additional licensing programs for the Travel Channel property by the end of the year.
NYC & Company recently issued a request for proposal to license the rights to a wide range of categories for properties including NYPD, FDNY, NYC Taxi, and NYC Parks Department for a wide range of product categories. The results of this request were not available as of press time. In addition, the licensor says it has some co-branding product partnerships in the works that will have a broad appeal. For those unable to make it to NYC, products are available online at nycshop.com. A significant amount of the revenue from this program is used for programs that support, protect, and promote the city.
Bradford Licensing, which represents the Love, Beverly Hills; Aspen; and Beverly Hills licensing programs, announces the launch of Aspen One, the first timepiece in a collection from Aspen Jewelry & watches. Bradford plans to expand the Aspen brand into additional categories such as ski and snowboard equipment, boots, and apparel.
Among Disney’s newest news at its theme parks is the Tren-D boutique at the Walt Disney World Resort. It offers products with an eclectic, designer flair at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Offerings include loungewear, embroidered handbags, jeweled sunglasses, and trendy accessories.
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21
A
LEAPING OFF THE PAGE
by Paul Narula comic book can tell a number of some level of support,” says Lance Kreiter, stories. Sometimes, these stories director of global licensing at Dark Horse can be about over-the-top super- Comics. Since comic books already have an heroes that do battle against maniacal vil- audience, licensees can count on having siglains. Other stories can be dark and gritty, nificant interest in their licensed product about corrupt cops and before it even hits the criminals. The category market. This goes can cover genres such as beyond media such as horror, sci-fi, action, television and movies fantasy, or humor. and applies to the conWhatever the type of sumer products and comic book, there is an video games as well. audience for it. Comic From Strip to fans love the characters, Screen and More the stories, and the artNot every comic can work that comprise any translate well when taken comic book. With the off the page, but those ability to generate such a that do tend to have the strong following, it’s no same essential qualities. wonder that many comic “Any comic that has book properties can The TMNT Party Bus in New York City. multi-faceted, engaging make the jump from the pages of a comic book to the big screen, little characters and a unique story to tell should be screen, or other forms of entertainment, as able to make the leap from the comic pages to some other mediums,” says Gary well as consumer products. Transforming a comic book into a movie Richardson, CEO of Mirage Studios, the or a television show is not a new idea. Major company that created the Teenage Mutant comic book companies such as Marvel and Ninja Turtles. Dark Horse’s Kreiter agrees, DC have had characters involved in televi- citing a strong story as one of the key reasons sion shows and movies since the 1960s, in that Dark Horse’s comics have been able to the days of Adam West’s campy Batman tel- make the transition to a different media forevision show. However, in today’s day and mat repeatedly. “If you look at our properties, age, comic book brands have taken on a new from 300 to Sin City to Hellboy, they’re very importance. With the economy still shaky, no different characters,” he says. “But there are one wants to take a risk on a property that is key elements to those stories that make those unproven or untested. “A lot of people across characters relatable to the audience.” Many the board are looking for licenses that have types of comic books have made the transi-
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tion. Superheroes have been made into popular movies in recent years, and more offbeat properties, such as Oni Press’ Scott Pilgrim, have been picked up by production companies as well. Japanese manga-based properties, such as Viz Media’s Naruto, also remain strong, especially in the animation sector. In many ways, the comic book format lends itself well to both movies and television. Comic book stories are usually told in an episodic format already, with a new issue every few weeks. These issues can be divided into episodes. In addition, long story arcs and plots in the comic books themselves provide excellent material for a continuous movie storyline, and multiple storylines in a single comic series provide ample material for sequels. Even with those conveniences, there are many challenges that exist in translating comic book properties to a new media format. Bringing the static images of a consumer’s favorite character to life is only a part of the transition process. “We can do all these great things with technology and we can add characters, but the soul of the story has to be kept,” says Erin Corbett, president of Imagi U.S. and chief marketing officer of Imagi Worldwide. Imagi produced the most recent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, TMNT, based on Mirage’s comic book property, and will be releasing Astro Boy this October, based on a popular manga and anime property from 1930s Japan. Imagi’s film must appeal to multiple generations across a wide gap. “We are positioning Astro Boy as a family property,” says Corbett, “but
we’re not going to turn our backs on the original fans. They’re why we can do this. They’re why we’re here.” To do this, Imagi works very closely with the estate of the property’s creator, Osamu Tezuka, to ensure that the feel of the character is kept across the generation gap. Imagi is doing the same with another upcoming film, Gatchaman, based on the Japanese property of the same name and scheduled for release in 2010. Imagi strives to maintain the original feel of the property while making sure it is still relevant to today’s audiences. Some comic book properties do change significantly in the process. The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic was edgy and dark, with more adult-oriented plots and writing. When the property made the jump to a Saturday morning cartoon show, the characters and storylines were softened and made more appropriate for children, which helped the show gain popularity and led to an increased market for the brand. “The Turtles have the flexibility to be tweaked just a bit to fit the different audiences of various mediums and to change with the times,” says Richardson. Indeed, the TMNT brand has been a part of almost every medium out there, from television and movies to mobile content and even live musical performances, showing the brand’s ability to change and remain appropriate for every new generation of fans. Both old fans and potential new fans are an important part of the comic book licensing
Watching, Reading, or Both?
equation. A good licensing program not only release leading up to 2012, including Iron improves the revenue of the licensor, but also Man 2 (2010), The First Avenger: Captain can attract more fans to the core product. “[A America (2011), and Thor (2011). These films strong licensing will lead into the program] touch2012 release of a film es base with the based on the younger cusAvengers comic tomer, follows series, which will them back into combine all of these the publishing characters and more side, and reMarvel heroes. “We ignites the pasself-finance our own sion for comic films and produce books,” says them on our own,” Avengers Assemble will collect multiple Marvel superheroes in one brand. Paul Gitter, pressays Gitter. “This ident of conmeans we’re able to sumer products at Marvel. Because of this, cross-market our characters and build awarecompanies such as Marvel benefit the core of ness of these characters well in advance of their business greatly by expanding their con- The Avengers film.” Marvel will be basing sumer products and licensing programs. most of its licensing efforts around the Marvel has begun targeting the girls’ and Avengers Assemble initiative. women’s apparel market with T-shirts using But Marvel isn’t the only company retro art and one-liners and has had some suc- preparing for a strong future in the comic cess. “We don’t just diversify our business in book licensing arena. Dark Horse has a terms of moving outside of comic books, but number of comic book properties that it will diversify on the demographics that we reach be expanding in areas such as film and anioutside of comics as well,” Gitter says. mation, as well as other consumer products. Companies like Viz Media will continue to Assembling An Initiative expand the strong manga and anime properMarvel has also been one of the most ties with additional movies and video active comic book companies when it comes games. Audiences continue to get excited to films based on its superhero properties, and about films featuring their favorite characfor no small reason. The company has begun ters and comic book fans are still buying an initiative called “Avengers Assemble,” tickets and posters for their favorite series’ which is named for the battle cry of Marvel’s latest translation. “Comic books have main superhero team, The Avengers. Marvel excitement and fantasy,” says Imagi’s has a number of new movies scheduled for Corbett, “and that will always be attractive.”
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COMIC BOOKS by Paul Narula
The action, adventure, and romance of a comic book story continues to make the publishing category an excellent source of successful licensing programs. Here are a few of the latest developments from properties that have been able to go beyond the page.
MIRAGE
MARVEL
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles this year, Mirage has sent out the TMNT Party Bus, which will drive across the country for the TMNT Road Trip. In addition, the company has revealed that it will be working on a new live-action TMNT film, scheduled for release in 2011.
As part of its Avengers Assemble initiative, Marvel will release Iron Man 2 in 2010. This film takes place six months after the original Iron Man movie and stars Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as Tony Stark.
VIZ MEDIA
Viz Media will continue to expand its Naruto brand with new licensed consumer products based on Naruto: Shippuden. Andrews McMeel has acquired the rights for 2010 calendars and Trend International has obtained the rights for posters.
Robert Downy Jr. as Tony Stark in Iron Man 2
Astro Boy
DARK HORSE
Dark Horse will be expanding a number of its comic series into new programs, including The Umbrella Academy, written by My Chemical Romance lead singer Gerard Way. Other properties moving into new territory include The Goon and The Secret.
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IMAGI
This October, Imagi will release Astro Boy, a film based on the classic manga from Tezuka Productions. The film will follow the adventures of a young robot with amazing powers in the futuristic world of Metro City and beyond.
BE PART OF THE MAGIC Merlin is an exciting, ambitious and action-packed drama which sees the myths, monsters and magic of the legend reimagined for the 21st century with stunning CGI and captivating storytelling to enthral and enchant the whole family. • Top family drama series in the UK fall 2008 • Series one premiered on June 21 on NBC – Sunday nights at 8:00 PM • UK consumer products including publishing, dress-up and partworks to launch against Series two in Autumn 2009 • Series one sold into over 180 countries – a true global phenomenon!
228609_ROYALTIES_SP.indd 1
A
PRODUCTION
For more information on the brand and current licensing opportunities, please contact: James Ngo Sr. Director, FremantleMedia Enterprises T: (818) 748 1145 E: james.ngo@fremantlemedia.com www.fremantlemedia.com www.nbc.com/merlin
30/6/09 17:51:35
BBC WORLDWIDE
TOM KEEFER, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, GLOBAL LICENSING
BBC Worldwide appointed Tom Keefer as senior vice-president of global licensing. He will lead the existing UK and international licensing teams and work alongside Susanna Pollack, senior vice-president, TV sales, co-productions, and children’s, on building children’s brands in the U.S. market, and oversee the development of adult licensing on brands such as BBC Earth, Doctor Who, and Top Gear. Keefer joins BBC Worldwide with 30 years of global licensing and brand-building experience, spearheading the development of licensing programs for businesses and brands, including L.A. Gear, K-Swiss, Mattel, and most recently for FIFA/2010 World Cup.
FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES KEITH HINDLE, CEO, AMERICAS
FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) appointed Keith Hindle as CEO for the Americas as part of its strategic shift toward a more regional focus, creating a structure that will allow FME to move the business forward across its international program distribution, home entertainment, licensing, and new media activities. Hindle will develop, set, and implement a strategy for FME’s Americas businesses, which include operations in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Hindle will work to increase FME’s position in the Americas as a creative, successful production rights expansion company, as well as further FME’s position within distribution and development. Previously, Hindle served as executive vice-president licensing, FME Americas.
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UNIVERSAL ROLLS OUT NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND LICENSING DIVISION
Universal Pictures formed Universal Partnerships and Licensing (UP&L), a new division that joins the studio’s retail-focused Consumer Products Group with the division known as Universal Studios Partnerships (USP). Aimed at integrating and enhancing the studio’s brand management and promotional partnership efforts, UP&L will now have combined oversight of all Universal’s consumer product licensing, Stephanie Sperber film, and home entertainment promotions, and corporate alliances for the studio’s theatrical, home entertainment, theme parks, and stage productions. Stephanie Sperber, who founded and currently heads USP, will run the division and assume the title of executive vice-president, UP&L. Senior vice-president Amy Taylor will oversee UP&L’s North American promotions, worldwide licensing, and retail development. David O’Connor, senior vice-president of brand management and marketing services for Universal Pictures, will also oversee marketing for UP&L reporting to both Sperber and Universal Pictures president of marketing and distribution Adam Fogelson. Stephanie Testa, vice-president corporate partnerships, will head UP&L’s corporate alliances practice, which oversees long-term partnerships for Universal’s film, home entertainment, theme park, and stage production business units. She is responsible for acquisition of new brand partners as well as managing relationships with the existing partners.
Amy Taylor
David O’Connor
COPYRIGHT PROMOTIONS LICENSING GROUP HIDEKI KUNUGIYAMA, MANAGING DIRECTOR, CPLG JAPAN
Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG) expands its international reach with the opening of CPLG Japan, the company’s first office in Asia. As managing director of CPLG Japan, Hideki Kunugiyama will develop and grow the company’s current licensing programs to include Asia. CPLG Japan is the Japanese affiliate of the CPLG group of companies, recently acquired by Cookie Jar Entertainment. Kunugiyama will oversee all of CPLG Japan’s licensing and merchandise programs for a wide range of properties including Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, The Doodlebops, Richard Scarry, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test, Magi-Nation, and Metajets. He will also expand CPLG’s diverse portfolio of entertainment and sports properties by signing new third-party brands. Kunugiyama will work with Julie Ninomiya, Cookie Jar Entertainment’s vicepresident Asian distribution & co-productions, to sign new co-production partners, increase distribution sales, and expand business development efforts in Asia. Most recently, Kunugiyama served as CEO of Tokyo-based K2N, Inc.
WILDBRAIN
MICHAEL POLIS, CEO, WILDBRAIN ENTERTAINMENT
Wildbrain appointed Michael Polis to the newly created position of CEO, Wildbrain Entertainment. Polis will oversee all operations for Wildbrain Entertainment, where he will continue to expand, evaluate, and develop opportunities for the studio’s intellectual properties. Charles Rivkin stepped down as president and CEO, having been named as President Obama’s candidate to serve as the United States Ambassador to France. Prior to joining Wildbrain as chief marketing officer in 2007, Polis served as senior-vice president of marketing worldwide at The Jim Henson Company and executive director of marketing at Universal Home Entertainment.
FITZ ROY MEDIA
NEW APPOINTMENTS
Fitz Roy Media appointed Jonathan Breiter and Jennifer Zivic as the designated U.S. licensing agents for the company’s slate of children’s properties, including Funny Face, Heathcliff, and Secret Wings. Breiter is currently a Jennifer Zivic principal at Public Group LLC where he runs the area that specializes in licensing and retail relations. Zivic was director of licensing, soft lines for HIT Entertainment. Also added to the team are Jon Rosenberg, who will represent Fitz Roy’s slate of properties exclusively throughout the publishing industry, and Richard Oren, who will be the exclusive agent handling promotional opportunities. As president of Jokar Productions LLC, Rosenberg has provided a variety of services to entertainment companies and book publishers. Previously, Oren was vice-president of licensing for Target Entertainment Group where he managed licensing in the U.S. and Latin America. Jon Rosenberg
MODA INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
SCOTT TODD, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, LICENSING AND MARKETING
MODA International Marketing hired Scott Todd as senior vicepresident of licensing and marketing. His responsibilities will include managing the licensing initiatives of Tour de France, America’s VetDogs, and Bushnell. Todd brings more than 25 years of licensing, sales, and marketing experience. Previously, he was vice-president of sales at United Media.
ROYALTIE$ JULY 2009
27
FLORAL ARRANGEMENT
Carnation Chrysanthemum Daffodil Daisy Dandelion Gladiolus
Hyacinth Hydrangea Iris Lilac Orchid Peony
Rose Snapdragon Sunflower Tulip Zinnia
Guess Who?
After working with Gary Caplan at the company that bears his name, this
licensing executive and LIMA Board of Directors member struck out to found a
company that bears her own initials, where she brings with her more than 20 years of experience to serve as president. Who is she?
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Answers on page 30
09.”
20 F in T B C rting ” o p p 009. u 2 S n t i n F eve CBT A g n M i I t r ly L ppo u “On S t n eve A M I yL
l
“On
DREAMS AND PROMISE GALA honoring DREAMS AND PROMISE GALA honoring
Ronnen Harary, Chairman & CEO Anton Rabie, President & CEO Ronnen Harary, Chairman & CEO Ben Varadi, Executive Vice President Anton Rabie, President & CEO Spin Master Ltd. Ben Varadi, Executive Vice President Jonathan Finlay, M.D. Spin Master Ltd.
Director, Neural Tumors Program—Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Professor of Pediatrics—Keck School of Medicine, Jonathan Finlay, M.D. University of Southern California
Director, Neural Tumors Program—Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Professor of Pediatrics—Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
Thursday, October 22, 2009 Beverly Hills Hotel Thursday, October 22, 2009 Melina Beverly HillsKanikaredes Hotel
Melina Kanikaredes
Evening Host
A UG UST
8–10
Gourmet Housewares Show
31–9/2
MAGIC Marketplace
14–20
New York Home Textiles Market Week
S EPTEMBER
13–16
30–10/1
ABC Kids Expo
Brand Licensing Europe
O CTOBER
Licensing Show 2010, June 8–10 in Las Vegas thegourmetshow.com
Moscone Center
San Francisco
magiconline.com
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas
nyhometextilesmarketweek.com
Jacob Javits Convention Center
New York City
theabcshow.com
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas
brandlicensingeurope.com
The Grand Hall, Olympia
London
5–9
MIPCOM
mipcom.com
Palais Des Festivals
Cannes, France
17–22
High Point Market
ihfc.com
International Home Furnishings Complex
High Point, NC
6–9
22–25
Fall Toy Preview iHobby Expo
N OVEMBER
3–5
15–17
SEMA/AAPEX PLMA
toyassociation.org ihobbyexpo.com
aapexshow.com plma.com
Dallas Market Center
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Sands Expo Center
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Dallas
Rosemont, IL
Las Vegas
Rosemont, IL
Solutions to Puzzles on Page 28
Rita Bonnell Illig is president of RBI Associates, a
Los Angeles-based marketing and licensing consulting
firm. Illig has more than 20 years experience working directly with licensee and manufacturer clients such as
Top Heavy Clothing, SmileMakers, Disguise, The Bibb Company, Unique, and DecoPac to research, identify, and acquire brands from brand owners, studios, and
agencies. Illig is currently serving on the Board of Directors of LIMA.
Previous to founding RBI Associates, Illig worked at Gary Caplan, Inc.,
as vice-president. She has had experience working as a sales rep, distributor, retailer, manufacturer, and consultant. Prior to entering the licensing business, Illig was co-owner of an arts and crafts wholesale and retail business in the Northwest. She also worked with a sales rep firm in Portland, Oregon.
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by Christopher Byrne
POSTED
BELOW IS A SAMPLING OF WHAT
A MERICAN
TOP FREE IPHONE/IPOD TOUCH APPS, JUNE 19, 2009 Source: iTunes 1. Paper Toss by Backflip Studios 2. How Smart Are You? by Trippert Labs 3. Sirius XM Premium by Sirius XM Radio 4. Chase the Dot by Microlemon 5. Most Addictive Game Free by Charles Jamerian
TOP MOMMY BLOGS AS OF JUNE 19, 2009
Source: Blogtrepreneur 1. The Mommy Blog (http://themommyblog.net/) 2. MommyBlog (http://www.mommyblog.com/) 3. Just Another Mommy Blog (http://tracey-justanothermommyblog.blogspot.com/) 4. Blonde Mom Blog (http://blondemomblog.com/) 5. Modern Mommy Blog (http://www.modernmommyblog.com/) 6. So Close (http://www.tertia.org/so_close/) 7. Kim Chi Mamas (http://kimchimamas.typepad.com/) 8. News From Hawkhill Acres (http://lillhawkins.com/) 9. Writing Mamas Salon (http://writingmamassalon.blogspot.com/) 10. Joy Unexpected (http://joyunexpected.com/) 11. Soapbox Mom (http://soapboxmom.com/) 12. Sarcastic Mom (http://sarcasticmom.com) 13. Mom-101 (http://mom-101.blogspot.com/) 14. June Cleaver Nirvana (http://www.junecleavernirvana.com/) 15. Absolutely Bananas (http://www.absolutelybananas.com)
MOST OBESE COUNTRIES AS OF JUNE 19, 2009 Source: NationMaster.com Country • Percentage of population that is obese 1. United States • 30.6 percent 2. Mexico • 24.2 percent 3. United Kingdom • 23 percent
CONSUMERS ARE INTERESTED IN THIS MONTH .
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Slovakia • 22.4 percent Greece • 21.9 percent Australia • 21.7 percent New Zealand • 20.9 percent Hungary • 18.8 percent Luxembourg • 18.4 percent Czech Republic • 14.8 percent Canada • 14.3 percent Spain • 13.1 percent Ireland • 13 percent Germany • 12.9 percent Portugal • 12.8 percent
TOP PRODUCTS USED BY AMERICAN IDOL RUNNER-UP ADAM LAMBERT
Source: CoolSpotters.com 1. OPI Black Onyx Nail Polish 2. Me by Mezhgan Define Me Eyeliner 3. Versace Jeans Couture Men’s Leather Jacket 4. Robins Jeans Giacomo Denim 5. Michael Berandi Long Wool Coat 6. Ted Rossi Extreme Bling Rectangular Ring 7. Michael Berandi Reborn Leather Coat 8. Sara Happ Lip Scrub 9. David Bowie Dog Tag Necklace
ACTIVITIES MOST LIKELY TO RESULT IN CHILDHOOD INJURIES
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1. Bike Riding 2. Basketball 3. Football 4. Roller Sports (skating, skate boarding, etc.)
ROYALTIE$ JULY 2009
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