Holiday Product and Licensing and Merchandising, October 2000

It is already October and time to start predicting which toy will be this Holiday seasons' Furby. With LEGO MindStorms, Lego has moved far beyond the LEGO of yesteryear. Hear about their latest — one can now build a robot with the ability to see! I predict a lot of family pets will be running in terror come New Years! Co-director Robert Ramirez of DreamWorks' first animated feature-length direct to video Joseph: King of Dreams is going to write on his experience. Martin Goodman is back of course with a look at what Santa will — and will not — have in his sack this Yuletide. AWN's Rick DeMott is going to look at The Powerpuff Girls phenomenon and the building of a franchise. Who are the brains behind the marketing of Pokemon in America? Meet 4Kids, the company most recently called the "Fastest-Growing Company in America" by Forbes Magazine. Brett Rogers explores. So, what comes first — the successful show or the licensing and merchandising deal? Michael Hurwicz studies this modern day "chicken vs. the egg" question. Finally, Michael Mallory reveals some forgotten advertising studios. Think you know everything about animation history? You'll want to read this one...

We are also going to have a focus on Bulgarian animation, a profile of Rene Joudin by Chris Robinson and an interview with Mark Dindal, director of Disney's next upcoming feature film, The Emperor's New Groove. Glenn Vilppu is back, as is Lee Dannacher with her Web company profile and Maureen Furniss' short film reviews. Jacquie Kubin is taking Humongous by storm to learn about the newest and latest in children's software. We also have book and event reviews so come on back next month for another informative and fun issue.