On the heels of the HULK movie release, Marvel Enterprises Inc. and X3D Technical Corp. have united in a strategic licensing agreement that grants X3D exclusive three-dimensional publishing rights to past and future Marvel comic books in CD-ROM formats – Marvel ComX3D. For the first time, the agreement expands Marvel Comics' publication portfolio to be viewed in 3D on virtually any PC screen.

Leading children’s and family entertainment specialist, DECODE Entertainment in Toronto, has appointed Los Angeles-based The Sharpe Co. as worldwide licensing agent for its digital 2D animated preschool show FRANNY'S FEET. The series tells the exciting stories of a little girl whose fantastic feet take her on magical adventures when she tries on shoes in her grandfather’s repair shop.

FRANNY'S FEET (13x22) has been commissioned by Channel Five in the U.K., ABC in Australia, France 5 and Teletoon in France, Discover UYK and Canada's TeleQuebec.

Nickelodeon comes to Licensing Show June 10-13, 2003 in New York City at the Javits Center to kick off licensing programs for its latest hit show FAIRLY ODDPARENTS, the upcoming SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE and RUGRATS spin-off, ALL GROWN UP. Nickelodeon will also expand its current roster with movie licensing plans for A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS as well as the introduction of TAK AND THE POWER OF JUJU and EVERGIRL, its first off-channel properties. Nickelodeon can be found at Licensing Show booth #1317.

Walt Disney has announced that Disney Stores president Peter Whitford is stepping down and the firm is looking to sell its 548-store chain with locations throughout the U.S. and Europe. The retail stores have struggled in the past few years and U.S. stores have been downsized from 522 to 387. In 2001, Disney sold all its stores in Japan to Oriental Land Co., which runs the Tokyo Disney Resort theme park. However, Disney says it will hold onto the six Disney Stores in Hong Kong, in anticipation of the opening of Hong Kong Disney in the beginning of 2006.

London-based Entertainment Rights (ER), a leading media firm in the ownership and distribution of children's and family entertainment, has some good news and some bad news. ER has a distribution deal with Mattel Inc. for U.K. rights to the next Barbie CGI feature, BARBIE OF SWAN LAKE, but has also announced that Mattel will not be renewing the licensing agreement with ER subsidiary Link Licensing for the U.K. representation of certain non-doll Barbie merchandise and publications.

CinéGroupe has made its major theatrical project, P3K: PINOCCHIO 3000 available for licensing. Carlton consumer division is already onboard to handle licensing, theatrical, publishing, broadcast and video rights in the U.K.

In response to recent attention surrounding childhood obesity and lack of nutrition in school lunch programs, Nickelodeon and East Side Entrees have partnered to offer Nickelodeon-branded milk in school lunches nationwide starting in September 2003. The first character-licensed milk to be distributed nationally in schools, the milk cartons will display images from JIMMY NEUTRON, ROCKET POWER, THE WILD THORNBERRYS and SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS. Flavored nutritionally fortified packaged milk products will be for kids 6-11, and milkshakes will be available for kids 11-17.

McFarlane Toys has created adult collectible figures based on the second and third installments of THE MATRIX trilogy, THE MATRIX RELOADED and THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS. On May 15, 2003, Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures and NPV Entertainment, will release THE MATRIX RELOADED, the second installment of the Academy Award-winning blockbuster THE MATRIX. The third chapter, THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, will be released later in 2003.