Major Publishing Deals Announced for Cut the Rope

April 16, 2013 By

ZeptoLab UK Limited and ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) have announced two publishing agreements aimed at the pre-teen market in the UK and Ireland. The deal was brokered by ITVS GE, licensing agent across all countries in the EU for Cut the Rope. The agreements are all part of a major period of Cut the Rope licensing activity throughout the year and well beyond, reconfirming the incredible popularity of the game and its cuddly, candy-munching star Om Nom.

CTR_coverPedigree Books, the UK leading publisher of children’s annuals, will release a Cut the Rope Annual 2014. Pedigree has released a Cut The Rope Sticker & Poster Activity Annual as well as Cut The Rope Super Doodle Activity Annual. These titles feature Om Nom and his friends in their adventures and will be available in a number of major UK retailers including Argos. [Read more...]

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Car Enthusiasts Can ‘Supe Up’ their Ride with Design Masters

April 16, 2013 By

Young car designers can detail their rides with Wooky Entertainment Inc.’s Design Masters collection of sophisticated technical drawing sketchbooks that put them in the drivers’ seat.  Developed specifically for boys, this year’s new “models” feature a range of Ford-licensed wheels for them to trace, color, and detail precisely to their own specifications.

design masters logoThis year, Design Masters adds The Ford Motor Company to its “showroom” with five debut vehicle models. Each one presents base model vehicles and color instructions for kids ages 7 and up to follow or creatively interpret into their concept car. Artists get to choose the wheels, spoilers, bumpers, and emblem, as well as a range of car parts to create their very own vehicle designs.

The new Design Masters offerings the existing lineup, which includes Lamborghini Gallardo, Aventador LP700-4, and Sesto Elemento sketchbooks. Wooky Entertainment has also launched a Design Masters website at www.facebook.com/mydesignmasters.

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AG Properties Expands in Central and South America

April 15, 2013 By

The popularity of Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, and Holly Hobbie & Friends continues to grow in Central and South America as AG Properties (AGP), the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation, expands its agreements with Productos Panameños and Campestre Confeccao e Comercio for products in Brazil and Panama based on these properties. The deals were negotiated by Exim Licensing Group, licensing agency of record for AGP in Brazil and Panama.

hhf_logo_002Campestre, already a licensee for Care Bears in Brazil, has expanded its relationship with AGP to include backpacks for Holly Hobbie & Friends. Campestre also maintains an established roster of Care Bears products that includes stationery, apparel, publishing, health and beauty aids, and footwear.

In Panama, AGP and Exim have renewed a partnership with Productos Panameños for stationery items featuring Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, and Holly Hobbie & Friends.

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Dreamworks Animation Acquires IP for Trolls with Plans to Take Iconic Dolls’ Brand (and Hair) to New Heights

April 12, 2013 By

DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. has acquired the IP for the Troll franchise from the Dam Family and Dam Things of Denmark, with plans to introduce the brand to a new generation of fans around the world. DreamWorks has named American Girl veteran Shawn Dennis as head of brand development to cultivate this classic franchise.

The Troll doll phenomenon was born in 1959 when Danish fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam, too poor to afford a Christmas present for his young daughter Lajla, carved a doll for her based on the legendary Scandinavian troll. The Trolls experienced a resurgence in the 1990s, and in 2003, the Toy Industry of America named Trolls on its list of 100 of the Century’s Most Treasured Toys.

DreamWorks Animation is now the exclusive worldwide licensor of the merchandise rights for the classic Troll Dolls, with the sole exception of Scandanavia, the birthplace of the Trolls, where Dam Things will remain the licensor.

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AGP Launches Strawberry Shortcake Program in Italy

April 11, 2013 By

Linea Perugina UOVO fragolina 2013Strawberry Shortcake continues to flourish in Europe as American Greetings Properties (AGP), the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation, announces several new licensing deals for the brand in Italy. The new deals, which include novelty books, candy, and arts and crafts products, were secured by AG Properties’ international licensing agent Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG).

Edizioni Play Press will introduce magic albums, activity books, and coloring books at mass retailers this spring, while RCS Libri SPA is planning a line of novelty, picture, story, and activity books for sale at specialty stores. In addition, Multiprint has secured the Strawberry Shortcake license for an assortment of stationery and arts and crafts items under the brand Uva Fragola. These items will be available at gift, stationery, and specialty stores. [Read more...]

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McDonald’s, Activision Partner for Skylanders Giants Happy Meals

April 10, 2013 By

McDonald’s restaurants and Activision Publishing Inc. have partnered to launch Skylanders Giants Happy Meals. In North America, the program will run from April 12 to May 2, while supplies last, and will rollout in other select countries later this year.

Participating McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S. and Canada will offer customers who purchase a Happy Meal one of nine unique toys from Skylanders Giants, each with their own play feature, as well as a coupon for $10 off the Skylanders Giants starter pack. The upcoming Happy Meal program includes figurines inspired by Skylanders Giants characters as Spyro, Gill Grunt, Drobot, Chop Chop, Ignitor, Jet-Vac, Tree Rex, Crusher, and Kaos.

To maximize awareness, McDonald’s will support the three-week promotion with a fully-integrated marketing campaign that includes branded television advertising, in-restaurant merchandising, custom packaging and an online web and social media presence.

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PlaySquare Partners with Curious Pictures for Investment, Production Agreement

April 10, 2013 By

PlaySquare LLC, the creator of Touchable Television for the tablet, announced an investment and partnership with Curious Pictures, a leading producer of television programs, commercials, animation, feature films, and video games.

Under the terms of its agreement, Curious Pictures will also be a production partner and provide support to PlaySquare in the development of Touchable Television episodes for its PlaySquare platform. The investment is being made through Curious Ventures, the venture arm of Curious Pictures.

PlaySquare will co-locate with Curious Pictures in their New York City studio. In addition, Jan Korbelin, CEO of Curious Pictures, will become an advisor and board member of PlaySquare.

PlaySquare’s first release is an adaptation of the episode “Happy Birthday Dog,” from PBS Kids’ WordWorld, which was released last July and has since accumulated more than 13 million minutes of use, as well as several industry awards. It is currently available for free on iTunes for a limited time.

The Company plans to release new episodes and the PlaySquare platform in the fall.

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ASPCA to Launch Toy Line with Commonwealth Toy & Novelty

April 10, 2013 By

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) entered into an agreement with Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co. Inc. to develop a line of plush toys and accessories. The line will aim to replicate the experience of adopting a shelter pet, bringing the ASPCA’s mission to a new generation of animal advocates. The line is set to launch by the end of the year.

Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co. Inc. joins a robust roster of ASPCA licensees including Firestar Diamond Inc., American Greetings Corporation, Eyewear Inventions LLC, European Home Design Inc., and Williams-Sonoma Inc.’s PBTeen and West Elm brands.

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Fraggle Rock Brought Back to Life for 30th Anniversary

April 8, 2013 By

Jim Henson’s famous Fraggle Rock characters will be unveiled next week as premium wall graphics exclusively by WALLS360. Fans can select their favorite repositionable characters from the megahit TV show that first aired in 1983 to adorn their walls. Gobo, Wembley, Boober, and others can be purchased individually in sizes ranging from 1 to 5 feet.

In addition, WALLS360 is launching new branded wall collections from Veggie Tales and Doodle Jump.

WALLS 360 wall graphics are self-adhesive, easy to install, and can be removed and re-used hundreds of times without leaving a mark or damaging surfaces.

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Big Tent Entertainment Inks New Deals

April 5, 2013 By

Big Tent Entertainment, a New York-based branded entertainment company, has signed a series of new licensing deals to bring Domo to fans wherever they may find themselves. Whether relaxing at home or having fun at an amusement park, fans will be able to interact with the viral Internet meme turned iconic brand in all new ways.

Domo plushMagnote will release new cube figures, novelty steel puzzles, craft wooden décor kits, and more.

Domo will also be hitting amusement parks throughout North America thanks to Kellytoy USA, who will produce a variety of fair prizes such as plush and plush hats.

For more info on these licensing deals, check out this week’s Total Licensing Report. For more info on Domo, visit www.domonation.com. For more info on Big Tent Entertainment, visit http://www.bigtent.tv/.

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