McFarlane Toys has acquired its third major sports license this year, this time to create McFarlane's Sports Picks: NBA Basketball collectible figures officially licensed by the National Basketball Association. McFarlane Toys, known for its ability to craft facial likenesses, hopes to bring a new level of detail to the figures representing some of the NBA's leading players. Each action figure will feature official team logos and colors, and come with authentic game apparel specific to that player. Additionally, each player will be sculpted in an action pose.

PorchLight Entertainment has completed negotiations with Penguin Putnam, Inc. and Modern Publishing to license its animated preschool property JAY JAY THE JET PLANE. Under the agreement, Penguin will develop and produce JAY JAY THE JET PLANE story books for the preschooler as well as a variety of novelty books. With a commitment to produce a minimum of eight books throughout 2002, Penguin will adapt story lines from Jay Jay's worldly adventures and include both a Christmas and a spring-themed adaptation.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Sanrio Company, Ltd. have entered into an agreement under which they will develop and launch co-branded merchandise featuring the popular characters Tweety and Hello Kitty. The agreement, which calls for merchandise to be sold exclusively at Sanrio locations throughout Japan and most of Asia, is the first time industry-leading companies have partnered to develop and market a co-brand featuring their popular characters. Merchandise featuring the new co-brand will launch in March 2002 in Japan.

The LEGO Company has partnered with Canadian entertainment company CinéGroupe and secured full global merchandising rights to the television show GALIDOR: DEFENDERS OF THE OUTER DIMENSION. The show is scheduled to premiere in February 2002 on the Fox Kids Network in the U.S. and on YTV in Canada. The series GALIDOR: DEFENDERS OF THE OUTER DIMENSION is inspired by Web characters created by writer-creator-producer Tom Lynch, and combines live-action with computer-generated animation, 3D backgrounds and special effects.

Corus Entertainment's Nelvana has acquired all proprietary rights to BABAR. Laurent de Brunhoff, son of BABAR creator Jean de Brunhoff, made the deal through The Clifford Ross Company on behalf of the de Brunhoff family. The Nelvana acquisition includes 100 percent of all trademarks and copyrights to the BABAR property, as well as the de Brunhoff family's financial interests in the brand. The de Brunhoff family has reserved certain publishing rights, which will allow Laurent de Brunhoff to continue publishing his own BABAR books.

Taking a cue from such successful children’s programs turned stage shows like BARNEY and BLUE’S CLUES, one of TV's longest-running animated series, SCOOBY DOO comes to life. The live-action stage show SCOOBY-DOO IN STAGEFRIGHT - LIVE ON STAGE will debut on October 26, 2001 at the Palace Theater in Louisville, Kentucky. The live show is scheduled to perform in 28 cities throughout the United States and Canada.

California-based chain Ralphs Supermarket has partnered with Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios, to allow its shoppers to earn free movie tickets to the animated feature MONSTERS, INC. based on their grocery purchases over a four-week period. From October 3 through October 30, 2001, Ralphs customers who accumulate $300 in grocery purchases using their Ralphs Club Card will earn two free tickets (adult matinee or child admission) to MONSTERS, INC. The free tickets may be used at any theater showing MONSTERS, INC. from November 2 to November 18, 2001.

Kellogg USA and Fox Licensing and Merchandising (Fox L&M) have created two limited-edition cereals featuring THE SIMPSONS. Kellogg's Bart Simpson Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch and Kellogg's THE SIMPSONS Homer's Cinnamon Donut Cereal are now available nationwide for a limited time at a suggested retail price of $2.49 per box.

Burger King Corporation announced that it will greatly enhance its alliances with two entertainment industry companies, DreamWorks SKG and Nickelodeon. Burger King Corporation's new strategic alliance with DreamWorks encompasses five theatrical animated releases, starting with SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON, DreamWorks next animated feature release scheduled for Memorial Day weekend 2002, and first rights to all future live action, television, music and home entertainment properties.

The LEGO Company, makers of the world's best-selling construction toys, has created 11 new LEGO sets that capture the magic of the upcoming Warner Bros. film, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE. The sets are available now at retail. The LEGO Harry Potter sets include eight of the most popular characters from the magical world of Harry Potter - including Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Draco Malfoy and Professors Dumbledore, Snape and Quirrell, as mini-figures, as well as a variety of other characters including animals, ghosts and imaginary creatures.