Licensing

Real Deal

Nat Geo, Uncle Milton Partner for Toy Lines

National Geographic has signed Uncle Milton Industries as master toy licensee for its National Geographic, National Geographic Kids, and Nat Geo Wild brands.

Under this multi-year agreement, National Geographic and Uncle Milton will team up to launch a comprehensive line of innovative toys designed to inspire the next generation of explorers. The line is expected to be on shelf in 2012.

Jewel Branding & Licensing to Represent Crown Crafts’ NoJo Line

Crown Crafts Infant Products, Inc., announced that it is launching a consumer products licensing program for its NoJo brand and intends to extend the brand into new product categories furthering the brand’s reach within the juvenile market.

Crown Crafts has selected Jewel Branding & Licensing to represent the property and oversee its licensing program. An integrated licensing and merchandising program for the NoJo brand is underway and will include a complete line of merchandise and brand extensions including apparel,
crafts and activity sets, baby gear, feeding, and more. The NoJo licensed merchandise will be available through retailers that currently offer lines of NoJo bedding and accessories.

The company also announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with The Gift Wrap Company, for a full range of baby books, gift wrap, greeting cards, photo frames, and memory books. The program is expected to launch at the National Stationery Show, May 15–18, 2011.

CPLG Debuts Inspector Gadget App

CPLG Canada, licensing agent for cartoon brands, has signed XMG Studio as a licensee to develop and market a mobile games app based on the Inspector Gadget character and TV series. XMG’s Inspector Gadget’s Mad Dash app is scheduled for release this month through Apple’s iTunes App Stores around the world.

The game leverages Apple’s Game Center to allow players to compete against their own best scores, or challenge their friends for more intense competition. In addition to the main game, XMG has included additional content which is unlocked using coins collected during gameplay. The bonus content includes an Inspector Gadget Soundboard, Concept Art, and pages of Viper Comics’ upcoming Inspector Gadget Comic Book.

Callaway Creates Thomas & Friends App

Callaway Digital Arts announced a partnership with HIT Entertainment that brings Thomas the Tank Engine to life on the iPad. Misty Island Rescue, the first and only Thomas & Friends application designed specifically for the iPad, is available in Apple’s App Store. This is just the first in a series of applications the two companies will be creating together for the Thomas & Friends brand.

The app tells the popular story with vibrant multi-touch animation and narration and also includes engine and story-related sound effects, games, CG-animated video, and art activities, enabling children and families to engage in the story via multiple touch points.

Where’s Waldo in Hollywood? App Now Available

Ludia and Classic Media announced its Where’s Waldo? in Hollywood App is now available on the App Store for iPhone and iPod touch for $2.99 and on the iPad for $4.99.

Where’s Waldo? in Hollywood brings the search for the world traveler to the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown. In the star-studded scenes, search-and-find game play is enhanced with engaging animations, eye-popping color and detail, and new game play modes and features that provide fans with a new way to interact with the game.

AC Bats Signs with No Errors

Rainmaker$ Licensing, master licensee for the No Errors property, announced that AC Bats LLC, has signed an exclusive licensing agreement to produce a series of wood bats bearing the No Errors logos and signature colors representative of the current collection.