At LIMA-Gala in Munichs Bayerischer Hof, the EM.TV Group were awarded two LIMA Awards. EM.Ent. GmbH took home Licensing Agent/Licensor of the Year, followed by the prize in the License Theme category for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Licensing Program.
HIT Ent., one of the worlds leading pre-school childrens entertainment producers and rights owners, has stepped up the companys licensing activities into new and existing territories across Europe, with new deals in Scandinavia.
Novel Ent., the independent producer behind hit preschool shows FIMBLES and THE ROLY MO SHOW for CBBC, has appointed Copyright Promotions as its licensing agent for the U.K. and Europe on its new property HORRID HENRY.
In addition, Novel has taken on licensing consultant Caroline Mickler to manage the relationship with Copyright Promotions and to oversee the roll out of the licensing and merchandising program for HORRID HENRY worldwide.
MIPCOM Junior's 14th edition presents its largest ever conference program and a total of eight events center on the flourishing children's TV market. Some of the key topics scheduled to be discussed include multi-platform content, licensing and merchandising and programming strategies.
Brand Licensing 2006 is Europe
Licensing veteran Cynthia Money joins the Taffy Ent. team as president, worldwide consumer products, to build the consumer awareness and innovative marketing platforms for all of the companys award-winning brands. Money will be based in Los Angeles.
The animated, comedy-action series, SHURIKEN SCHOOL, ahs racked up a host of licensing deals for producers Xilam Animation (France) and Zinkia Ent. (Spain), including a pan-European contract with Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG), as well as Kidz Ent. for Scandinavia and EEMC for eastern Europe.
CPLG, which represents such high profile properties as BRATZ, CARE BEARS and THE SIMPSONS, will handle licensing for SHURIKEN SCHOOL in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Holland, Benelux, UK, Eire, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
L!censing International is the premier annual trade event and conference where owners and agents of intellectual properties showcase their concepts to develop new and unique consumer products, solidify promotional partnerships, sign exclusives with retailers and network. The event sees 500 exhibitors, 5,500 properties and brands available for licensing and 20,000+ high-profile manufacturers, retailers and marketers.
Target Ent. has germinated a batch of new licensing deals for Chapman Ent.s preschool property, FIFI AND THE FLOWERTOTS.
Although the property was only launched at the UK Brand Licensing Show in October 2004, the licensing team at Target has already amassed 34 separate agreements for the U.K., in addition to the master toy, publishing and home entertainment deals already done by Chapman Ent.
Louise OToole has signed on as md, U.K. at Taffy Ent.s new London office. OToole reports to Taffy Ent. joint ceos Mike Young and Bill Schultz, as well as president Liz Young. Her colleagues at Taffy Merchandising and Distribution include evp Regis Brown and vp of U.S. licensing Eric Stein.
DIC Ent. (DIC) has acquired the privately-owned, pan-European licensing agency, Copyright Promotions (CPLG), which significantly expands DIC's place in the European licensing arena.
4Kids Ent. has formed 4sight licensing solutions inc., a new subsidiary, to specialize in the marketing and licensing of brands geared primarily to adults, teens and "tweens."
4Kids Ent. announced that Steven M. Grossman, evp/coo and member of the board of directors, has stepped down from the company and from the board. Grossman's responsibilities will be shared among the current members of the senior management team, led by chairman/ceo Alfred R. Kahn, cfo Bruce R. Foster and general counsel Samuel R. Newborn.
Licensing veteran Cynthia Modders joins DIC Ent. as svp of worldwide consumer products, responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of licensing and merchandising programs for the company's high-profile entertainment and lifestyle brands, including Horseland, McDonalds Vintage, McKids, Strawberry Shortcake, iZ, Madeline, Classic Trolls and Trollz.
Karen Raugust investigates how movie licensing presents unique challenges to licensors, licensees and retailers.
HIT Ent. Ltd. (HIT) London announced a raft of new agent appointments to represent its properties across the world. "This marks a major shift in gear for HIT as we reinvigorate our licensing business in all key markets," said Peter Byrne evp of International at HIT. "It's all part of a major refocus of the company and our aggressive expansion drive into international territories."
4Kids Ent. Inc. and Pokemon USA Inc. announced that they have agreed not to renew the POKEMON representation agreement set to expire on Dec. 31, 2005. Beginning in 2006, Pokemon USA Inc.'s in-house licensing group will handle all POKEMON licensing outside of Asia.
Presented by LICENSE! magazine, Link is an executive-level conference and networking opportunity tailored to licensing executives ready to take their business to the next level. Top licensors, licensees, retailers, agents, marketers and the media will come together. Conference sessions will cover a full spectrum of licensing topics including promotions and co-branding, marketing to demographics, the state of retail, financial & legal licensing issues, and a special concentration on international markets. For more information, visit linkconference.com.
Cookie Jar Entertainment, the entertainment arm of Cookie Jar Group, is expanding its U.S. Operations with the appointment of Lisa Tanzer to vp, U.S. marketing, and André Lake Mayer to vp, U.S. licensing.
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. has appointed BBC Worldwide (U.K.), m4e (Germany) and ABC (Australia) licensing agents for new children's stop-motion animated property, LUNAR JIM. Each of the licensing agents, working alongside master toy licensee, Fisher-Price, will oversee the licensing program, including securing new licenses and managing product launches, in their respective territories.
Earthworks Ent. has been selected by Millimages to represent the U.S. merchandise licensing and publishing rights for its popular animated TV series 64 ZOO LANE.
Presented by LICENSE! magazine, Link is an executive-level conference and networking opportunity tailored to licensing executives ready to take their business to the next level. Top licensors, licensees, retailers, agents, marketers and the media will come together. Conference sessions will cover a full spectrum of licensing topics including promotions and co-branding, marketing to demographics, the state of retail, financial & legal licensing issues, and a special concentration on international markets. This event runs concurrently with MAGIC Marketplace.
International and North American animation studios maintain a high profile at the annual show.
Spider-Man Merchandising LP (Marvel Enterprises & Sony Pictures Consumer Products) won top honors last night as SPIDER-MAN 2 was named the 2004 Overall Best License of the Year at the Annual LIMA Gala and Awards Ceremony for the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Assoc. (LIMA). The presentation, honoring the best and most creative and innovative programs and products in the multi-billion dollar worldwide licensing industry was held on June 22, 3005, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.
BKN International A.G. announced during the Licensing International 2005 Trade Show in New York City that it has signed worldwide interactive licensing deals for two of its animated titles with The Game Factory, Inc (Game Factory) and Planeta DeAgostini Interactive (Planeta).
