Laurie Leahey, Author at aNb Media, Inc.

Catching Up With Lisa Streff

If you’ve ever wanted to be friends with John Wayne, now you can—on Facebook. John Wayne Enterprises is reaching out to new audiences and using social media, such as Facebook, and new licensing programs to do it. Lisa Streff, recently named senior vice-president, global partnerships and licensing at John Wayne Enterprises, talks about two new John Wayne licensing initiatives—a new lifestyle licensing program and a kids licensing and entertainment program—and the company’s plans for expanding the brand.

Catching Up With...

Catching Up With Matt Young

Just a few months ago, Electrolux Global Brand Licensing (EGBL) announced that it would be staking its claim in the U.S. licensing arena, with a focus on brand extensions. One of the most recent extensions involves the AEG brand and “green” products. Founded in Germany in 1883, AEG’s reputation spans a wide spectrum of products, from appliances to power tools to toys. Matt Young, head of EGBL, explains how three licensees are using the AEG brand name to bring high-quality, eco-friendly products to the U.S.

Features

Entertainment Marketplace: Silly Bandz

Kids across the country are collecting, trading, and wearing Silly Bandz. Now these colorful and fun-shaped silicone bracelets are expanding into a consumer products program.

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Catching Up With Karen McTier

When cocky test pilot Hal Jordan is given a mystical green ring, he finds himself with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into the Green Lantern Corps, a group tasked with keeping peace within the universe. On June 17, 2011, moviegoers can see how the rest of the Green Lantern story plays out. Starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern (with Blake Lively, Tim Robbins, and Peter Sarsgaard), Green Lantern is the latest superhero to receive a movie adaptation. In anticipation of the upcoming film, Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) will introduce both classic and film-based licensed product in the months leading up to Green Lantern’s release. Karen McTier, executive vice-president, domestic licensing and worldwide marketing, WBCP, talks about bringing a well-known DC comic book character to licensing.

Features

Halloween Spending to Bounce Back from Spooky 2009

Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, but that still leaves Friday and Saturday to celebrate and consumers are going to do just that. Total spending for Halloween 2010 is expected to reach $5.8 billion, up from last year’s $4.75 billion.

Features

Entertainment Marketplace: Fraggle Rock

New licensing partnerships bring Fraggle Rock fun back to fans and introduce Red, Gobo, Wembley, and the rest of the gang to a new generation.

Features

Electrolux Brings Brands to U.S. Licensing

The Electrolux brand is more than just fridges, dishwashers, and other home appliances thanks to an aggressive licensing program that is receiving a big push in the U.S. this year.

Catching Up With...

Catching Up With Dave Harkins

The Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The organization has come a long way in licensing over the past 100 years, including the recent introduction of two new characters available for licensing.

Catching Up With...

Catching Up With Lourdes Arocho

There’s lots of excitement at Nickelodeon this year, from Dora the Explorer’s 10^th anniversary to the company’s recent acquisition of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Lourdes Arocho, Nickelodeon Consumer Products’ recently promoted vice-president of toys & games, gave aNb Media the update on the company’s plans for 2010.