Sony and Hasbro team up

Sony Signatures' Film and Television division has named Hasbro, Inc. as the master toy licensee for the holiday '99 Columbia Pictures live-action/visual effects film, "Stuart Little." Hasbro will produce everything from plush toys to interactive software. The film is based on the classic E.B. White book of the same name about a mouse who is raised by the Littles, a human family who learns to dream big and live large when they think little. "'Stuart Little' is a wonderful, classic story that has all of the fun, character-rich elements necessary for success both as a film and a toy property," said Adam Klein, Hasbro's president of global marketing. Sony has also awarded HarperCollins Children's Books the publishing rights for the film. Plus, a key specialty license has been granted to developmental children's product manufacturer Learning Curve to create products such as wooden puzzles and felt play sets, targeted for upscale specialty distribution.