Noodle Head Retains Bennet Branding for Pawparazzi
Toy manufacturer Noodle Head has retained Sharon Bennet of Bennet Branding to represent its Pawparazzi brand and oversee its licensing program. The Pawparazzi line began as a series of collectible plush pets with funny celebrity personas to be carried in purses. Girls can follow the pets in a spoof celebrity magazine and online, with an interactive website, Planet Pawparazzi, debuting in August. The line is available at specialty retailers such as Barney’s of New York, Kitson, and FAO Schwarz, and is beginning to appear in Barnes & Noble and other mid-market retailers and catalogs.
Bennet Branding is putting together an integrated licensing and merchandising program for the Pawparazzi brand that will include a complete line of merchandise and brand extensions, including publishing, interactive, apparel, accessories, social expressions, home décor, entertainment, and more.
Chorion Signs Dream Theatre for Licensing in Indian Subcontinent
Chorion is expanding the global franchise for Mr. Men and Little Miss and Noddy by appointing Dream Theatre as its agent for the Indian subcontinent. Dream Theatre, an entertainment company based in Mumbai, has won the exclusive licensing and merchandising rights for the brands across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The licensing program for Noddy will include apparel, home furnishing, personal care, school bags, home video, and other categories. Dream Theatre will also be looking for licensing opportunities and merchandising promotions for the Mr. Men and Little Miss classic characters.
NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group Secures Multiple Licensees for Minute to Win It
NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group and Joy Tashjian Marketing Group (JTMG) are announcing new licensing agreements with MDI Entertainment and Zoo Games for NBC’s competition series Minute to Win It. These deals were arranged by JTMG, which is the licensing agent for NBC Universal Television Products Group. MDI Entertainment has signed on to create multiple lottery tickets for the show. Zoo Games will release video games for several platforms, including the Nintendo DS and Wii.
Nickelodeon and 2K Play Announce Nickelodeon Fit
Nickelodeon has teamed up with 2K Play to create Nickelodeon Fit, a youth fitness game designed exclusively for the Wii system. Scheduled to release this fall, Nickelodeon Fit will encourage kids to stay physically active as they exercise and play games with Nickelodeon characters such as Dora, Diego, Kai-lan, and The Backyardigans.
Nickelodeon Fit was developed in collaboration with physical education and exercise science expert Dr. Jackie Goodway. The game features 30 exercise games that target cardiovascular activity, core muscles, upper and lower body strength, balance, motor skill development, and coordination. Kids will use either the Wii Remote or the Wii Balance Board accessory for activities such as jumping rope with the Backyardigans, river rafting with Diego, jumping hurdles with Kai-lan, and pogo sticking with Dora. Nickelodeon Fit will also incorporate a tracking feature for parents to monitor the progress of their child and help customize workout routines.
Paul Frank and 26 Bars & a Band Debut a New Line of Pet Accessories
26 Bars & a Band, a modern pet accessory company, has been licensed by Paul Frank Industries to manufacture a line of products inspired by Paul Frank’s designs and signature imagery. The line will include accessories such as beds, charms, collars, and retractable leashes. Products from the line will be available at Paul Frank Retail Stores and any boutique that carries 26 Bars & a Band items in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Price points for the collection will range from $12 to $150. The line hits stores this month.
Chorion Expands The World of Beatrix Potter with International Licensees
Chorion will be expanding the reach of its brand, The World of Beatrix Potter, with new licensees, retail programs, and expanded products lines across the U.S., UK, Australia, and Asia. Chorion has also appointed licensing agents to work across Europe.
In the United States, Pottery Barn Kids will continue to produce and expand the Peter Rabbit bedding, nursery décor, housewares, and Easter products lines in 2011. Starbucks offers Peter Rabbit Organics fruit pouches and EcoNatura has produced a line of organic baby toiletries.
In Australia, Chorion will be launching a large cross-category program in Toy “R” Us stores, featuring infant apparel, bedding, toys, feeding, and hard goods such as strollers and high chairs.
Across Europe, other agencies will be expanding The World of Beatrix Potter. Copyright Promotions Licensing Group will represent the product in France, Germany, and Benelux. Bulls Press will act as the agent across Scandinavia.
Homer Laughlin China Company and The Jay Companies
The Homer Laughlin China Company is expanding its Fiesta Dinnerware brand with a new line of scented candles from The Jay Companies. The candle line will feature nine scented candles in four different sizes, designed to match the colors and aesthetics of the core Fiesta line. The candles are made in the following signature colors and coordinating fragrances: Ivory (Spiced Vanilla), Sunflower (Island Pineapple), Turquoise (Passion Fruit), Lemongrass (Fresh Lemon), Shamrock (Green Apple), Chocolate (Dark Cocoa), Scarlet (Red Currant), Tangerine (Citrus Tangerine), and Peacock (Fresh Cotton).
The Harry Fox Agency and Zed Enter into Ringtone Licensing Agreement
The Harry Fox Agency (HFA), a provider of copyright, licensing, royalty distribution, and outsourced technology services for the music industry, has announced that it has entered into a ringtone licensing agreement with Zed, a multiplatform digital entertainment company that offers ringtones to more than 40 million wireless users in the U.S. The deal allows Zed to tap into HFA’s catalog of over three million songs for consumers in the U.S. and Zed’s other territories.