4Kids Entertainment and Playmates Toys will be presenting the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Training Event on Saturday, October 25, 2003 at Wal-Mart stores across the U.S., giving kids the opportunity to role-play one of their favorite heroes. Kids will be able to train with motion-activated toys that resemble Leonardo's sword, Michelangelo's nunchaku, Donatello's bo staff or Raphael's sai. Upon completing their training, students will be declared an "official" Ninja Warrior and the first 250 participants at each store will receive a certificate proclaiming them a member of Team Green.

Mel Blanc, the master of multiple animated stars such as Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig is being honored, along with his son, in a limited-edition lithograph featuring Warner Bros. characters that Blanc helped make famous.

The poster-size "Passing the Baton: A Tribute to Mel and Noel Blanc" lithographs are numbered, signed and will be personalized by his son, Noel Blanc, who continues his father’s legacy. Produced by Warner Bros. for Great American Ink, the lithos cost $495 (www.cartoongallery.com).

Warner Bros. Consumer Products has awarded the Master Toy License for MUCHA LUCHA! to JAKKS Pacific Inc, which plans to develop products including action figures, play sets, role play and plush. JAKKS expects to present the initial line at the Fall Mass Market Expo in New York in October 2003, with shipping to begin spring 2004.

Personal Products Co. and 4Kids Ent. have struck a licensing deal to bring the YU-GI-OH! characters to REACH brand toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Kids' WB! has announced its support for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) VERB campaign, which encourages youth, ages 9-13, to get physically active. Kids' WB! will lend characters from its body-based TV series, OZZY & DRIX. The Warner Bros. Animation-produced series follows the adventures of white blood cell cop Ozzy and his partner, over-the-counter cold pill Drix, as they defend the City of Hector -- the body of a 13-year-old boy.

Characters from ShoPro Entertainment's series HAMTARO will be featured as Halloween toys at Burger King restaurants. The toys will be available in North America from Oct. 6 to Nov. 2, 2003. This promotion will coincide with a special Halloween episode of the series airing in the U.S. on Cartoon Network Oct. 21 at 8:00 pm and Oct. 30, 2003 at 8:30 pm.

Embassy Suites Hotels and Warner Home Video have announced a licensing promotion entitled, "Fall Family Suite Retreat," featuring a plush toy of Scooby-Doo. The promotional toy is available with advance reservations on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights now through December 7, 2003, at more than 165 participating hotels.

Japanese taxi company, Kanachu, has signed a three-year licensing deal with HELLO KITTY creator Sanrio to create KITTY-themed taxicabs, reported CNN. The pink and baby blue sedan with two HELLO KITTY characters emblazoned on the side, include HELLO KITTY blankets, play HELLO KITTY music as well as offer riders HELLO KITTY umbrellas, ponchos and tissues. The 10 specialty cabs began running in April 2003.

The cabs are meant to attract mothers and their kids, making a cab ride more fun for a child with the free giveaways.

Kids’ WB! has signed a deal with MilkMedia, the in-school milk carton side panel sponsorship program, to be the newest national children’s account for the fall 2003 season. Titled “Toon In To Schools,” Kids’ WB!’s characters from ¡MUCHA LUCHA!, OZZY & DRIX and XIAOLIN SHOWDOWN will lend their likenesses to milk containers.

Toy Play LLC has signed a deal making it the master toy licensee for MR. BEAN. Created by comedian Rowan Atkinson, MR. BEAN, THE ANIMATED SERIES follows the day-to-day mishaps of the quiet and clumsy Mr. Bean. The toy line is set to hit the U.S. and Canada, beginning fall 2004. This announcement comes on the heals of The Sharpe Company being granted the merchandising rights for the MR. BEAN character throughout North America.