A RECAP
OF
INDUSTRY HEADLINES
DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP SIGNS WITH BRAND CENTRAL
Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) announced that it has selected Brand Central as its licensing agency of record for its diverse group of brands. DPS manufactures, markets, and distributes more than 50 brands throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In addition to its flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, the company’s portfolio includes 7UP, Mott’s, A&W, Hawaiian Punch, Canada Dry, Schweppes, Squirt, RC Cola, Diet Rite, Rose’s, Yoo-hoo, Clamato, Mr & Mrs T, and other consumer favorites.
HASBRO NAMED MASTER LICENSEE
FOR
SID THE SCIENCE KID
The Jim Henson Company announced that it has appointed Hasbro, Inc., the master toy and game licensee for its Sid the Science Kid property. The four-year license grants Hasbro the rights to introduce an array of products that are slated to debut at retail this fall. Sid the Science Kid is an educational animated television series airing daily on PBS Kids that uses comedy to promote exploration, discovery, and science readiness among preschoolers.
Sid the Science Kid
LIONSGATE AND BRAND SENSE PARTNERS JOIN FORCES
Lionsgate recently announced that Brand Sense Partners has been named the worldwide licensing representative for the upcoming film Alpha and Omega. Scheduled for release in the fall of 2010, the film will feature the voices of Justin Long, Hayden Panettiere, Christina Ricci, Dennis Hopper, and Danny Glover. The licensing program, to be developed by Brand Sense, is expected to include publishing, toys, games, interactive, apparel, and accessories. Brand Sense will also drive retail sales with promotions and marketing partnerships.
JAZWARES SIGNS
ON AS
LICENSEE
FOR ASTRO
BOY
Imagi Studios has granted Jazwares toy rights to the CG-animated feature film Astro Boy. Set in the future, Astro Boy is a classic superhero story about a young robot with incredible powers. His adventure-filled journey in search of his identity and destiny takes him into a netherworld of robot gladiators before he returns to save Metro City. The launch of the product line is set to coincide with the movie’s North American release in October 2009. The product range will include figures, vehicles, electronic toys, roleplay products, and accessories.
INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES CREATE THINKTANK
Astro Boy Vinyl Figure
Long-time distribution executive David Wollos and veteran marketing and licensing executive Joan Packard Luks have joined forces to establish The ThinkTank Emporium—a media, marketing, and licensing company that provides coaching and guidance to property owners/licensors. Wollos and Luks will work with the content owners to develop properties in all areas of mass media exploitation. A key initial focus of the ThinkTank is the children and family category, where the company will identify content including published books, unpublished manuscripts, television pilots, and toy products and cultivate the properties for media exploitation, licensing, and retail opportunities.
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ROYALTIE$ MARCH 2009