auGust 2010 Volume 5, No. 5
Features
16
Bringing Back new: Licensed Fashion ready for more risk by Laurie Leahey
18
maGIC: Licensor roundup
20
a tale of two shows: Brand Licensing europe emerges as a powerful Complement to Licensing show
by Laurie Leahey
by Chris Adams
22
avengers assemble Continues
24
poptropica pops into Licensing
26
pokĂŠmon: refresh and remain strong
28
by Paul Narula
by Laurie Leahey
by JC Smith
Fabulous moves Forward by Paul Narula Cover by Marvel
Departments
On this Page (frOm the tOP): Gator Group is the licensing agent for the birdie brand; Jerry leigh offers this betty White-licensed apparel; and Warner bros. Consumer Products brokered the deal for Kids republic to produce DC Comics-licensed fashions for boys.
4 Observations & Opinions 6 The Ticker 8 Real Deal 10 Essence of Style 12 Mavericks in the Market: Careen Yap 14 Royaltie$ Marketplace: Television City 30 Royaltie$ Challenge 32 Calendar of Events 34 You’re Hired! 35 Endcap
www.aNbMedia.com
PUBLISHER ANDY KRINNER ANDY@ANBMEDIA.COM
by Andy Krinner
In Defense of new Jersey
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER BOB GLASER BOB@ANBMEDIA.COM
ween trends are always a hot topic
T
don’t usually get ourselves $11 million
in licensed apparel and since this
in debt nor do most of the Jersey women
issue of Royaltie$ is covering
who I know act like “the Real House-
MAGIC I thought this would be an oppor-
wives” do. That’s not real! Jersey girls
tune time to take a stand and defend my
don’t all fist pump and have orange
home state, the Garden State (yes, I said
tans. Nor do the guys walk around lift-
Garden), New Jersey—not New Joisey,
ing their shirts to show their abs. Most
not Joisey, not the armpit of the nation, not
of those Jersey Shore people are from
Dirty Jerz (We’ve cleaned up our act en-
New York, by the way. Seaside Heights,
vironmentally.). It’s New Jersey or, if
the locale for season one of Jersey
you’re a native, just Jersey.
Shore, is usually frequented by New
Tween fashion trends have been influ-
Yorkers and urbanites. Most real Jer-
enced by television and movie stars and
seyans steer clear of Seaside in favor of
their fashions for decades. But the TV
other beautiful beach communities.
shows driving the trends today don’t fea-
In the case of the newest culprit, Jer-
ture the Bradys or the Partridges. Nor is it
seylicious, I actually know some of the
90210, Melrose Place, or Dawson’s Creek.
cast because they know my daughters.
Reality, or at least scripted reality, is driv-
They aren’t like they appear on the show.
ing its fair share of trends and I’m a little
One of them was my pizza delivery guy
afraid of the example being set.
and another spoke perfect English until
My daughters are both in their late
this show.
teens and thanks to TiVo are able to watch
In closing, I would like to state for the
what seems like every reality show being
record that the following New Jersey stig-
televised. It was one thing when the
mas still apply:
shows were mostly West Coast-based. I
l
We all live off of an exit.
could understand how people would like
l
We don’t pump our own gas.
to watch how the celebrities lived in or
l
We go to the shore, not the beach.
around Tinseltown. But now it seems that
l
We do have jughandles on our roads.
more and more “reality shows” based on
l
alleged everyday people are filmed in my
We do pay the highest auto insurance
l
The big hair and nails are the real deal.
and clear, “THIS IS NOT WHO REAL
l
We do have corrupt politicians.
NEW JERSEYANS ARE!!!”
4
ROYALTIE$ AUGUST 2010
EDITOR IN CHIEF JIM SILVER JIM@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITORIAL DIRECTOR NANCY LOMBARDI NANCY@ANBMEDIA.COM MANAGING EDITOR CHRIS ADAMS CHRISA@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITOR AT LARGE CHRISTOPHER BYRNE CHRISB@ANBMEDIA.COM ASSISTANT EDITOR LAURIE LEAHEY LAURIE@ANBMEDIA.COM ASSISTANT EDITOR PAUL NARULA PAUL@ANBMEDIA.COM WEB MASTER ERIK KIECKHAFER ERIK@ANBMEDIA.COM WEB CONTENT MANAGER BRENDAN SANABRIA BRENDAN@ANBMEDIA.COM CONTRIBUTORS MATT NUCCIO, MATT@DESIGNEDGE.NET; JC SMITH PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE JOSSLYNNE WELCH LITZKY PUBLIC RELATIONS, 320 SINATRA DR., HOBOKEN, N.J. 07030 (201) 222–9118 EXT. 13 • JWELCH@LITZKYPR.COM
INTERESTED IN A SUBSCRIPTION? CONTACT SUBSCRIPTIONS@ANBMEDIA.COM ANB
MEDIA, INC.
229 WEST 28TH STREET, SUITE 401, NEW YORK, NY 10001 PHONE: (646) 763–8710 • FAX: (646) 763–8727
in the land.
beloved home state. Let me say it loud
We are hard-working people who
CONTROLLER MARY GROGAN MARY@ANBMEDIA.COM
Thanks for listening!
Royaltie$ is published 12 times a year by aNb Media, Inc. Copyright 2010 aNb Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. Royaltie$ is a registered trademark of aNb Media, Inc. Opinions and comments expressed in this publication by editors, contributing writers, or solicited or unsolicited documents are not necessarily those of Royaltie$ management.
A RecAp
of I ndustRy
HeAdlInes
Lois sLoane Passed away Lois Sloane passed away at home on July 15 after a long illness. She is survived by husband, Allan Sloane, daughters Leslie Sloane Zelnik and Stephanie Sloane, and son-in-law, Cory Zelnik. She was the grandmother of Bailey Sloane Zelnik. She was the sister of Joan Rosenblum and husband, Robert Rosenblum. She was aunt to Carol, Gary, and Samantha Levin and Ken and Bette Jedding. President of SloaneVision Unlimited, a company she founded in 1994, Lois was a pioneer in the licensing industry. Sloane is credited with being the first to recognize the potential for classic film licensing. A two-term past president of LIMA, she began her career at International Management Group, was vice-president of licensing at MGM/UA, and launched Turner Broadcasting’s global consumer products division in 1988. She managed all of Turner’s film, television, and animation properties. She is a 2003 inductee into LIMA’s Murray Altschuler Licensing Industry Hall of Fame in recognition of her unique industry contributions.
MichaeL Jackson Figures debut
FroM
PLayMates
Playmates Toys unveiled its Michael Jackson Collectibles for the first time as part of the Diamond Comics display at San Diego Comic Con last month. Playmates Toys, earlier this year, signed a deal with Bravado to create collectibles based on Michael Jackson. Playmates Toys is launching 10-inch scale collectibles, which captures Jackson’s likeness and fashions. The first 10-inch style will be Billie Jean. The second 10-inch collectible is Thriller. Both figures are wearing the signature outfits from the respective videos. These two styles will launch in the fall followed by additional styles shortly after.
FreMantLe to create FiLM based
on
Le Mans race
FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), the commercial and brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, announced that it has optioned the rights to produce and distribute The Drivers, a series based on the high-octane 24-hour motor race in Le Mans in the 1950s and 1960s, as part of its global drama strategy. This news is on the heels of last week’s announcement of FME’s plans to elevate its drama offering to finance and package English-language European drama series for the U.S. market as well as the rest of the world. As part of its strategy to offer funding to new dramas, FME plans to fund and package The Drivers in Europe and then sell it into the U.S and internationally. FME also announced that it will be entering a first look deal with Headline Pictures in London and with Sennet Entertainment in the U.S. to develop a slate of long-form content. The Drivers will be based on the book, Shelby: The Man, The Cars, The Legend written by Wallace A.Wyss, which was optioned from Iconografix. It will tell the true story of wild young drivers from the U.S., Germany, France, Italy, and Britain, friends and rivals, amateurs risking everything for a shot on the tracks.
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ROYALTIE$ AUGUST 2010
Lavish rights signs gLobaL agencies
For
Luv Me buddies
Lavish Rights announces agency signings across 28 countries for its new character property Luv Me Buddies. The premise of the story is the Luv Me Buddies are cute little animal characters with heart-shaped heads and bodies. When little girls lose their balloons they float up high into the sky and get caught in a magic tree in a heartshaped cloud and become a Luv Me Buddy. Then when little girls sleep and dream they want a puppy or a bunny, a little Luv Me Buddy floats down onto her pillow ready to be loved by the little girl when she wakes up. There are currently 25 Luv Me Buddies in the range. The following licensing agencies have been signed for the property’s global launch: Ignition (UK and Ireland); Jewel Branding and Licensing (USA and Canada); 2-Dream (Europe, which includes: France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Russia); License2Brand (Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus); Characterline for Asia and the Far East (this includes: South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, China—including Hong Kong and Macau—Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos).
Licensing street announces unkL deaLs UNKL, the designer vinyl toy line known for characters such as UniPo, HazMaPo, and SUG, has announced merchandising deals with Toynami and Fifth Sun for toy and sportswear products. The deals, which allow UNKL to expand into new categories and offer wider specialty distribution, were announced by UNKL co-founder, Jason Bacon, and J.J. Ahearn, managing director, Licensing Street, the exclusive worldwide licensing agent for UNKL. With the deal, Toynami becomes master toy licensee for UNKL. Three new lines of toys debuted at San Diego Comic Con with characters that include SearchR, a new entry in UNKL’s SUG line, and Viking, the premier release in the new Dreamers line. Fifth Sun, which launched an apparel line at MAGIC in February, will be creating T-shirts and hoodies featuring characters from the UNKL universe.
caa Licensing brokers greg norMan eyewear deaL Professional golfer and entrepreneur Greg Norman has teamed up with Aspex Eyewear Group to develop a line of Greg Norman eyewear. The new Greg Norman offerings will be the flagship brand for the Aspex Eyewear Group. Currently under design, Greg Norman eyewear is slated for launch in the first quarter of 2011. Greg Norman eyewear will offer both optical (prescription) and non-optical (sunglasses) eyewear and will be distributed through independent eyewear professionals, national accounts, and non-optical retailers. CAA Licensing, a division of Creative Artists Agency, a sports and entertainment agency, brokered the deal on behalf of its client Greg Norman.
PinkaLicious aPPareL introduced The Joester Loria Group, the licensing agent for the HarperCollins Pinkalicious book series, has expanded the licensing program by signing on a master apparel partner, Success Apparel. Success Apparel will launch a Pinkerrific line of girls’ apparel at specialty, department stores, and national retail chains including FAO Schwarz, Von Maur, and Kohl’s for holiday 2010. Inspired by the book series, the range will include glittery dresses, tutu skirts, knit tops, sparkly leggings, coordinates, denim, T-shirts, and more at an estimated price range of $22–$40. ROYALTIE$ AUGUST 2010
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NASCAR AND LIONEL TRAINS
The newly-formed NASCAR Teams Licensing Trust announced that it has formed a joint venture with Lionel Electric Trains to make and sell NASCAR die-cast race cars. This joint venture is not a traditional licensee agreement. Both the Licensing Trust and Lionel will actively manage and develop the business, in which the two companies will be partners. Lionel plans to offer die-cast models representing all of the teams and more than 30 NASCAR national series drivers. The joint venture will take over the category from Motorsports Authentics, which will instead focus its efforts on trackside retail.
FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES AND LUDIA
Interactive entertainment company Ludia has partnered with FremantleMedia Enterprises to launch Family Feud for the iPad on the App Store. The game will bring Family Feud to iPad owners with HD graphics and multi-touch game play. iPad owners can play anywhere and will act as the leader of a “family” in a contest to name the most popular answers to survey questions. The game features classic elements of the television show, including the scoreboard, face offs, strikes, stealing, and fast money rounds. Players can also engage in a multiplayer mode and go head to head against friends and family.
KONAMI AND 20TH CENTURY FOX CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Konami Digital Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Consumer Products have announced a partnership to bring original content from the television series Glee to Konami’s Karaoke Revolution franchise. Karaoke Revolution Glee will be released on the Nintendo Wii this fall and feature the music and performances from the Glee television show. Fans will be able to play a story mode in which they act as underdogs and perform songs featured on the show.
PEANUTS WORLDWIDE AND CCA AND B PUBLISHING
Peanuts Worldwide has announced that it will serve as the merchandise licensing agent for The Elf On The Shelf: A Christmas Tradition brand from CCA and B Publishing. Peanuts Worldwide will be offering a global licensing program targeted toward children 0–8 years of age and their families. Targeted categories will include social expression, ornaments, stationery, holiday décor, gifts, interactive, confection, apparel, and accessories.
PARAMOUNT LICENSING AND CALIFORNIA COSTUMES
Paramount Licensing and California Costumes has teamed up to create a new costume based on Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The costume consists of a floor-length black gown, cut-out back, multi-strand pearl necklace, and a tiara. The costume is based on the outfit worn by Audrey Hepburn in the role of Holly Golightly in the 1961 Breakfast at Tiffany’s film. It is available in stores and online.
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ROYALTIE$ AUGUST 2010
California Costume’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s
HIGH SIERRA AND GLOBAL ICONS
High Sierra, a manufacturer of bags and adventure travel luggage, has announced the extension of its brand into new product categories. The company has entered into a representation agreement with Global Icons to expand High Sierra’s presence in multiple categories. Global Icons will identify and cultivate strategic licensing partnerships in the outdoor adventure market and put together branded extensions for High Sierra’s brand in categories such as outdoor apparel, accessories, camping, outdoor furniture, travel accessories, infant categories, and more.
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS AND HIVE MEDIA
Hive Media and Discovery Communications have teamed up to develop a social game based on the Discovery Channel’s The Deadliest Catch television show. Hive Media will both develop and produce the game, which is scheduled to be released this November on Facebook. The deal was brokered on behalf of Discovery Communications by its licensing agent, The Joester Loria Group, and is for the North American market only. Players will act as captains of their own crab boats and navigate the Bering Sea to cast and harvest pots.
GAUMON-ALPHANIM AND CARTOON ONE
Gaumon-Alphanim has signed a deal with the Italian studio Cartoon One for the co-production, distribution, and licensing of the animated series Teen Days. Teen Days is a musical show with 26 half-hour episodes, produced by Cartoon One. Gaumont-Alphanim will be joining Cartoon One as co-producer for the second season, which is currently in production. Season one has been broadcast every day in France on the Disney Channel. Gaumont Alphanim will be in charge of distributing Teen Days Season 1 in the following areas: Europe (except for Spain, Portugal, Greece, UK, Ireland, and Italy), Asia (except for Japan), South America, French-speaking Africa, and the Middle East.
MAXIMILLIAN GALLERY LAUNCHES NEW LICENSING BUSINESS
The Maximillian Gallery is launching a new art licensing program with the signing of actress and artist Mary Lynn Rajskub on a worldwide and exclusive basis. Rajskub is best known for her role on the television series 24. Rajskub will be a part of Maximillian Gallery’s wide array of creative intellectual property owners, such as painters, sculptors, photographers, and illustrators for art licensing.
DEBRA VALENCIA AND CHARM 14
Artist Debra Valencia debuted a new expanded line with purse manufacturer Charm 14 at the Atlanta International Gift Show last month. The new line features six styles for Charm 14’s purses and handbags, including the company’s Purse Plus handbag. Valencia’s new patterns include Bombay, CirCharm 14’s Bombay pattern, culo, Kyoto, Mia, and Organics. by Debra Valencia
ROYALTIE$ AUGUST 2010
9
Sinatra Headwear Launches
Headwear company Dorfman Pacific completed an arrangement with Frank Sinatra Enterprises (FSE) under which Dorfman Pacific will market a new collection of structured headwear. The Sinatra collection will launch with various fedora styles that are representational of and inspired by Frank Sinatra’s wardrobe. All will feature traditional haberdashery with details such as silk linings, grosgrain ribbon trim, and classic hat pins, and each one will include touches of Sinatra’s favorite color orange on its interior as a tribute to him.
High-End Superheroes
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), on behalf of DC Comics, tapped Kids Republic, Inc., to launch a high-end fashion line for boys. The all-new collection combines iconic DC superheroes and villains with emerging fashion trends to offer designs based on iconic characters, including Batman, Superman, Justice League, Green Lantern, The Joker, Nightwing, Killer Croc, and others. The Kids Republic DC Comics collection features fashion T-shirts and will expand to include woven shirts, hooded sweatshirts, and fashion bottoms, retailing from $14–$39. The initial product will launch in time for back-to-school at department stores including Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, as well as specialty stores nationwide. The line is produced under Kids Republic brand names including Dx-Xtreme, Payable To, and Reset.
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From Magazine Pages to Shoes
adidas and Source Interlink Companies, Inc., announced a licensing partnership to bring the pages of basketball magazine SLAM to life in apparel, headwear, footwear, and accessories for the 2010 holiday retail season. The adidas/SLAM collection will feature covers and cover art from SLAM’s archives on adidas-manufactured products. The line will use iconic covers and photographs from the basketball publication’s archives to showcase NBA players of the past two decades on basketball lifestyle-inspired apparel, headwear, and footwear. The line will roll out to limited retailers this holiday. The sports licensed division of adidas Group and Source Interlink Companies will also bring the brand identity of Surfer magazine to life in apparel, headwear, footwear, and accessories. This collection will also roll out in limited distribution in holiday 2010.
Hoodie ’Betty’ for a Cause
Jerry Leigh Apparel entered into an exclusive partnership with actress and animal health and welfare advocate Betty White. Betty White officially licensed apparel will be available at retailers this month, as well as on the newly launched www.hoodiebuddie.com. Jerry Leigh will offer Betty White apparel for kids and young adults at all tiers of distribution, as well as HoodieBuddie with HB3 Technology, the Betty White Edition. (HB3 Technology is a patent-pending innovation that integrates full digital and MP3 device connectivity into sweatshirts and other apparel through an input jack in the pocket and machine-washable drawstring earbuds.) A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Morris Animal Foundation.
Careen Yapp, Konami Digital Entertainment Los Angeles, California
I
CAREEN YAPP by Paul Narula
t’s no secret that the video game industry has been doing well recently and, like any successful category, that’s attracted licensing in all forms. While a number of video game manufacturers have had success translating their intellectual property into licensing programs, others have had equal success turning their ability to create original games into producing licensed product. Konami Digital Entertainment is one of the few manufacturers that do both at once. This is in no small part thanks to the strategies and decisions made by the company’s vice-president of acquisition and franchise development, Careen Yapp. Yapp entered the licensing industry in 2000, when she joined the licensing team of THQ. There, she worked under Germaine Gioia, learning the ins and outs of licensing in the video game world when licensing didn’t have as in-depth a presence in the category. In 2007, when Konami was looking for someone to help it acquire licenses and create strategies for licensing out its internal franchises, Yapp leaped at the chance. “Personally, the prospect of being able to not only build a publisher’s licensing strategy but also work with some of the video game industry’s most creative and innovative brands was very exciting and appealing,” says Yapp. Since then, Yapp has worked with a number of Konami’s internal brands, including Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania, Silent Hill, and DanceDanceRevolution, as well as acquiring licensing rights for brands such as Def Jam and Lucha Libre. In addition to her work at Konami,
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ROYALTIE$ AUGUST 2010
Email: yp21461@konami.com Phone: (310) 220–8800 Brands: Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid, DanceDanceRevolution, Karaoke Revolution, Silent Hill
Yapp is also a member of the LIMA board of directors, where she supports the organization’s promotion and education efforts. Since Yapp first started her career, video game licensing has come a long way. Gaming has a way of reaching audiences that other
Glee and Def Jam are two external brands that Yapp has helped make into Konami games.
media cannot. “Gaming experiences can be digitally delivered to [Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony] platforms, as well as the PC,” says Yapp. “The most exciting aspect for an interactive licensee is that all of these platforms allow us to license in additional content as we are able to tailor a licensed experience to the platform audience.” However, the category has its own problems as well that companies like Konami have had to adapt to as licensed games became more popular. Games can take up to two years to develop and budgets can run into eight figures. To manufacture and release a licensed game, especially with a time-sensitive license
such as a film or television property, manufacturers must be aggressive and look to the future. In addition, to recoup the expense of production, games have to be able to draw the consumer in on their own merit in a limited amount of shelf-time. Hence, licensed games require as much or sometimes more effort than a product based on an internal IP might take. Yapp, who has helped Konami work on brands that include Def Jam, Disney, American Idol, and Saw, believes that the company must apply equal importance to the franchises of its partners to remain successful. “Our product development teams will work to deliver the same passion and creativity to our partner’s franchises that we pour into our own franchise brands,” she says. Yapp is gearing up for a number of new licensing deals for Konami, as well as revamps or new versions of the company’s classic brands. The company will be teaming up with Fox to launch Karaoke Revolution Glee. The company has also released Def Jam Rapstar, which features more than 30 rap songs. Konami will also be releasing a re-envisioning of its classic Castlevania franchise in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, which saw great success at this past E3. The company is also working on the next chapter of its Silent Hill horror/survival franchise. “We want to create a true 360-degree experience for the consumer,” says Yapp. Thanks to Yapp’s efforts and Konami’s crowded release schedule, consumers—and the licensing industry— won’t suffer for a lack of Konami licensing.
H
CBS CONSUMER PRODUCTS by Paul Narula
appy Days, Melrose Place, The Twilight Zone. . . if you grew up in the U.S. sometime in the last 50 to 60 years, at least one of those television shows will ring a bell. Even if you hadn’t, reruns and syndication have kept those shows on the air long enough that even younger generations can feel the impact that those The Andy Griffith Show shows have had on American television culture. Now, thanks to CBS Consumer Products, those shows and other classic television properties have expanded their influence once again. More than 150 classic television properties have been gathered together under the Television City umbrella brand. Television City takes its name from the CBS Studio in L.A., where a number of the shows that the brand encompasses were filmed or broadcast. Since its creation, the historic studio has provided space for a number of classic shows and more modern television features, and is in full operation today. The Television City brand takes the classics that have been a part of CBS’ history and seeks to bring them back to the forefront of the consumer’s mind with a robust licensing program across multiple categories. Licensees are able to access one of the largest libraries of televised materials and imagery in existence for use in Television City licensing programs. The diverse nature of the Television City consumer product program is intended to draw in both fans of the classic series and younger consumers who are attracted to the retro style of Television City brands. The Television City umbrella brand was launched in 2008 and since then, the licensing program has picked up in force. In the apparel category, 10 Again, Alltru, Freeze, and Trevco are producing T-shirts for the brands. Earloomz is producing Bluetooth earpieces. Arc International is producing glassware and bar accessories. LTL Prints will be handling removable wall art. Other licensees include Rasta Imposta, Bang-on, JCorp, and more. While some of the Television City shows I Love Lucy may have gone off the air, the studio itself is still running—as is the brand that bears its name.
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ROYALTIE$ AUGUST 2010
Fast Facts ° Not only is the Television City studio still operative, it has been home to the filming of The Late, Late Show; The Price Is Right; and all of the finale and reunion episodes of Survivor.
° The Television City studio first began operating in 1952, on the site of former football field and race track Gilmore Stadium.
° Television City shows hold 11 spots in TV Land’s “Top 40 TV Theme Songs” list, as well as 20 spots on Bravo’s “Top 100 TV Characters” list.
° Studio 33 in Television City has been home to numerous classic game shows, including Hollywood Squares, Wheel of Fortune, and Match Game. It is now the home of The Price Is Right.
Rasta Imposta
Rasta Imposta will be producing costumes for a number of the Television City brands. Shown here are the costumes for The Love Boat (left), Mork & Mindy (center), and The Brady Bunch (right).
Earloomz
Dynomighty
Dynomighty will be adding Television City brand imagery to its tear-resistant, water-resistant, expandable, and recyclable Mighty Wallet line. The wallets are made of Tyvek, similar to express mail envelopes, for sturdiness.
Earloomz will be producing Bluetooth headsets for the Television City brands. Shown here are the Mighty Mouse and The Twilight Zone earpieces. These earpieces are fully compatible with any Bluetooth system.
Bi Bang Pow
Alltru
Alltru will be producing a series of T-shirts based on more than 20 different Television City properties. The Tshirts shown are currently available at specialty fashion retailers nationwide.
Biff Bang Pow will introduce a new line of Twilight Zone action figures, featuring some of the iconic characters from the classic television series. The figures will be available in two separate packs. Biff Bang Pow also produces a line of Twilight Zone bobbleheads.
ROYALTIE$ AUGUST 2010
15
A
LICENSED
BRINGING BACK NEW: FASHION READY FOR MORE RISK
by Laurie Leahey nother six months. Another Dew and Amp has really started to explode that MAGIC. Another look at the latest retailers are willing to test it. If the test shows fashion trends and the newest there’s opportunity, they’ll buy into it.” licenses on the fashion licensing scene. What’s been happening since February’s All for the Consumer Putting aside what retailers want or don’t MAGIC? Just six months ago, retailers and manufacturers were playing it safe and con- want, licensors and licensees know that ultisumers were looking at price just as much as mately it all comes down to the consumer. brand name and fashion sensibilities. Are Delivering the kind of licensed apparel and there new trends popping up? Has the retail accessories that consumers want to wear is key. What first draws a consumer to any brandlandscape changed? The answers are mixed. Some in the fash- ed product is love of the brand. Wearing a ion licensing industry believe that everyone licensed T-shirt, for example, is a form of is still being cautious. “People choose the self-expression. Licensed fashion helps consafe route as opposed to something new sumers reflect who they are and what they today with the economy,” says Vered Nisim, like. Since 2005, women have been expressvice-president of marketing at JH Design ing themselves on the golf course with the Group. “It’s safer to go with what they’re golf fashion brand birdie. birdie’s approach familiar with as opposed to newness because to preppy and country club chic provides fashionable alternatives to traditional golf then they know what to expect.” apparel. “It’s a very beauOthers, such as Joanne tiful product that women Loria, executive vice-presilike to wear and they’re dent at The Joester Loria proud to wear it,” says Group (JLG), see a change Jennifer Sullivan, vicein the air. “There’s a little president, global account more willingness to take management for Gator more risk,” she says. Group, which represents “Everything had been scaled the brand. “It has a loyal back so much and so fan base so once they have focused on either national a birdie product and they labels or private labels that feel this emotional conneclicensed brands and charaction to it, they want to colters really . . . were not even lect more.” being considered. Now I can Love of a brand is see just from what we’re merely the first step to a doing and how our business Alice in Wonderland jewelry consumer making a purwith Pepsi and Mountain by Tom Binns
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ROYALTIE$ AUGUST 2010
chase. The next hurdle is fashion. It seems silly to think that this has to be mentioned in an article on fashion, but, nevertheless, there it is. Logo slapping is a no-no. Creating something innovative and unique that speaks to the spirit of the core brand while utilizing the latest fashion trends is what makes consumers take notice. “Our goal is to bring to the consumer an experience with the brand and the franchises that they love in a new and unexpected way,” says Stephen Teglas, vicepresident and general manager of fashion and home at Disney Consumer Products (DCP). This requires real collaboration on the part of the licensor or licensing agent and the licensee. “It’s not enough for us to take their brand and apply character art,” Teglas says. “We want licensees to integrate and really tell the story of the film through their lens.” He says that for the upcoming TRON: Legacy, DCP partnered with licensees that would be able to bring the technology from the film to licensed product instead of just slapping “TRON” across the chest of a T-shirt. While there are many expectations for licensees, they can only work with what they are given, says JLG’s Loria. “Really smart licensors or licensing agencies should be responsible for giving licensees the tools they need to be creative, whether a full-out style guide or updated seasonal graphics, to allow them to take what is trending in the marketplace with the brand assets and bring both together,” she says. Of course, even the coolest-looking piece of licensed apparel may not convince consumers to pull out their wallets if the price
3-D Animal Planet T-shirt by Extreme Concepts LLC
isn’t right. It’s not just about whatever is the cheapest, however. Consumers are savvy shoppers and they know that if they buy cheap, they’re going to get cheap. Most people still want to get the most bang for their buck and that doesn’t happen when a $5 T-shirt unravels after one wear and wash. “Instead of looking for the best deal, [consumers are] looking for the best product at a price point,” says Robert Stone, president of Stone America. “It doesn’t have to be the cheapest price point but a price point that they can afford. They’re looking for quality as opposed to quantity.” Many licensors and licensees are introducing high-quality licensed product at a variety of price points to satisfy a variety of consumers. JLG is working on a Pepsi and Mountain Dew program that will bring the brands into high-end specialty boutiques. Loria says that there is a market among both retailers and consumers for this type of “above-the-line” apparel. “There’s always a core consumer and then you have the influencer consumer and those are the people who really gravitate toward what’s new, what’s different, what hasn’t been out there and hasn’t been seen before,” she says. DCP put Alice in Wonderland product in a wide range of stores, such as Kohl’s, Hot Topic, and Bloomingdale’s. Each store featured a different type of product at price points that made sense for the specific retail tier. “It’s not enough to say it’s a junior’s market,” says DCP’s
Teglas. “Where is that junior shopping and are we delivering what she expects for where she’s shopping? Yes, they all want to participate in Alice in Wonderland but that consumer at Bloomingdale’s wants to participate in a slightly different way than the consumer at Hot Topic.” The fashion licensing industry will converse more about how to create apparel that consumers want to wear at MAGIC Marketplace, which is being held August 17–19 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and Las Vegas Convention Center. (In February, MAGIC became a two-campus set-up with women’s wear at the Las Vegas Convention Center and men’s wear at Mandalay Bay.) While not strictly a show for licensing,
Meeting of Fashion Minds
everyone interviewed for this article spoke of how beneficial MAGIC was for getting the word out on their brands and seeing what the next big trends were. Through this show, licensors sign licensees and licensees show licensed apparel collections to a variety of retailers. “It’s an opportunity to sit down with the retailers and also to continue to update them on actions that are happening on a faceto-face basis,” says Joy Tashjian, president of JTMG LLC. “Email is a wonderful way of communication, but you read an email. You don’t feel an email. It’s nice when I can really talk you through the product.” And there seems to be a lot of new product to show. For the most part, optimism is high that retailers will be open to the new. Consumers certainly will be as long as the licensed apparel is for a brand they love and is made well, made stylish, and sold at a price they can afford.
Designers and celebrities have been partnering with retailers for licensed fashion collections for several years. The latest to enter this realm are the Kardashians— Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney. The sisters teamed up with bebe stores, inc., for the label bebe-Kardashians, a capsule of sexy, seductive, and body-conscious dresses, skirts, and tops that hit bebe stores in February. The clothing reflects bebe’s brand aesthetic and the style of all three Kardashian sisters. Another licensed collection will hit bebe stores this fall. CBS Consumer Products and bebe stores will introduce bebe for 90210, based on CBS Television Studios’ CW series 90210. The line will be introduced simultaneously on-air for viewers and in stores for consumers in conjunction with new episodes of the series’ third season this fall. The apparel program will consist of four collections annually, including dresses, tops, bottoms, and accessories.
The Place to bebe
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MAGIC by Laurie Leahey
With retailers slowly opening up to newness, fashion licensing is poised to start taking more risks. Keeping the consumer in mind is key. Consumers want brands they love, style, quality, and a good price. Here are a few examples of what will be showing at MAGIC.
DISNEY CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Disney Consumer Products and fashion retailer Forever 21 announced a collaboration on a new fashion line of apparel and accessories for young women called Minnie Muse. The new collection is inspired by modernized sketches of Minnie Mouse and will be available at Forever 21 stores nationwide and online at Forever21.com starting in November. The line will also include stationery (shown) and gift items. The style is fresh and portrays Minnie Mouse in a way never seen before— leggy, modern, and glamorous. This is the first celebrity muse for Forever 21’s Twist Collection of clothing and accessories.
STONE AMERICA
Stone America is turning the Paris Blues denim brand into a fashion lifestyle brand by signing a variety of licensees in key categories outside of denim. Children’s Apparel Network is the kids’ apparel licensee. Zalemark is producing jewelry. iApparel will produce swimwear (shown). Cherry Stix will produce tops and sweaters. And Stone America is finalizing a deal with a licensee for dresses. The licensing agency is also looking to do direct-to-retail deals with retailers.
CHORION
Chorion signed a deal with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Junk Food Clothing Company to launch co-branded NBA Mr. Men and Little Miss apparel starring Little Miss Sunshine. The collection will launch in retail outlets across the U.S. this fall. The characters and logos of Mr. Men and Little Miss will be cross-licensed with NBA team logos on apparel for juniors, women, and men. The line will include knit tops and T-shirts.
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COPCORP
Jerry Leigh continues to produce T-shirts for Jim Benton’s It’s Happy Bunny, which is represented by CopCorp Licensing. New T-shirts include the Awesome Tshirt (shown) and the Cute But Psycho T-shirt.
THE JOESTER LORIA GROUP
For Animal Planet, Extreme Concepts LLC signed on to produce 3-D T-shirts with 3-D glasses for kids (shown), as well as boys apparel sets with 3-D tops and bottoms. Top Heavy will create Animal Planet graphic T-shirts, tanks, and hoodies, as well as short and pants sets for boys and girls in sizes 2T–5T.
GATOR GROUP
JH DESIGN GROUP
JH Design Group is adding creative packaging to its branded T-shirts. For Coca-Cola, the T-shirt (shown) comes packaged in a Coca-Cola can. Similar packaging will be used for M&M’s, Skittles, Starburst, and Tootsie Roll.
MIGHTY FINE
The latest addition to Mighty Fine’s collection is the Scott Pilgrim brand. The new Scott Pilgrim styles are inspired by the upcoming Scott Pilgrim v. the World, based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s series of graphic novels. These exclusive tees feature fan favorites, including Scott Pilgrim, Ramona Flowers, and her seven evil ex-boyfriends.
Gator Group is the licensing agency for birdie, a golf-inspired fashion brand. Targeted toward women ages 18–45, birdie provides women with fashionable alternatives to golf’s stodgy athletic apparel. Gator Group seeks licensees that can effectively capture the birdie spirit in key categories, such as women’s apparel, accessories, footwear, fragrance, and golf accessories and equipment.
JTMG LLC
Joy Tashjian Marketing Group LLC signed Jupi Corporation for The Biggest Loser brand. Jupi will design and distribute a range of athletic apparel inspired by the show. A line of activewear will launch this fall on the Home Shopping Network. Shapewear will be available at Rite Aid.
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A Tale of Two Shows
Brand Licensing Europe Emerges as a Powerful Complement to Licensing Show
by Chris Adams
T
here is no argument that June’s Licensing International Expo (aka Licensing Show), which is held in Las Vegas, is the preeminent trade show for the licensing industry. The well-established show is the must-attend event of the global licensing industry and has been so for many years. However, there is a relatively new kid on the block emerging as far as multinational licensing trade shows go. Brand Licensing Europe, which will be held in London’s Grand Hall, Olympia from Sept. 28–30, is a younger show that has quickly been gaining in strength and importance. “Last year’s show far exceeded everybody’s expectations in terms of traffic, the broad geographical base of attendees, and the general buzz of the show,” says Charles Riotto, president of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA). “The show has been expanded from two days to three as a result of popular demand from attendees and exhibitors.” There are many factors that can be attributed to the rapid growth of Brand Licensing Europe—foremost is its stage of growth. While Licensing Show is a stalwart adult, Brand Licensing Europe is a tween in the midst of growth spurts. “The two shows are at different stages of development—with Licensing Show being highly developed; therefore one would expect the attendance figures to have reached a plateau reflecting the show’s mature status,” says Louise French, associate vice-president, marketing and business development, at The Beanstalk Group Europe. “The UK show, in contrast, is still in the developmental stage and therefore would expect attendance numbers to continue to increase year on year.” As Brand Licensing Europe matures, so too is the overall European licensing industry. While the UK and Germany each boast a mature, robust licensing marketplace, the rest of Europe is gaining ground in its game of catch-up. “Europe is catching up in terms of licensing,” says Angela Farrugia, group managing director at The Licensing Company (TLC). “Besides the UK, Europe has typically been three to five years behind. That gap is being closed and there is more potential for European retailers.” However, the opportunities that are cropping up in the European marketplace are attracting attention beyond the confines of Europe. Another aspect of the growth of Brand Licensing Europe is the influx of Americans attending the show with a mindset that the European market is rife with opportunity.
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What these folks fail to recognize is the amount of legwork and expertise needed to break into the European market. “A lot of people eye up Europe and think that it is easy, but it is not,” says TLC’s Farrugia. “It is a patchwork of cultures, languages, and resource issues.” Obviously, the patchwork nature of the European market requires a large amount of resources to properly address it. For instance, TLC has offices in Germany, the UK, and France with 14 languages being spoken through those offices. Beyond merely entering these myriad markets, establishing brands in diverse markets also presents challenges. “The greatest challenge in Europe compared to North America is that it takes longer to establish brands across multiple territories, which includes local variations and interpretations of brands working with a much larger range of licensees and manufacturers,” says Giles Ridge, head of merchandising and licensing at ITV Studios Global Entertainment. “So it takes much longer to establish the level of volume sales that can be achieved in one large market such as North America.” In addition to the aforementioned challenges, the retail landscapes of the U.S. and Europe are much different. Sure, Europe is seeing some of the same retail challenges as the U.S., including vendor consolidation, but there are also many differences. “Retail hierarchy across the two are at different strata,” says Claire Shaw, vice-president consumer products at Classic Media. “Within the U.S. there is a definite high-end, mid, and mass market whereas within the UK it is more homogeneous.” Sure, there are numerous challenges to approaching the various European markets represented at Brand Licensing Europe, but that’s not to say it is impossible. With the proper amount of research and the utilization of the proper resources developing custom-tailored properties and programs for each territory, success is possible. It is the combination of established European licensing-related companies with U.S. companies looking to enter Europe as well as emerging European licensing entities that gives Brand Licensing Europe its energy. The excitement of bringing together such disparate groups under one roof to meet, greet, and arrange deals is what is driving this show and its rapid growth. Sure, there is more risk, legwork, and stress involved in establishing a European presence, but it is rare that great success comes without these very same ingredients.
A
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE CONTINUES
by Paul Narula s anyone in the licensing industry will tell you, movies come keeps the team, which has always been a steady presence in the Marvel and movies go. When they go, the licensed products that publishing lineup, in front of the comic book consumer’s mind. Each of had been built around the movie’s brand tend to go with Marvel’s films have “easter egg” tie-ins with other Marvel brands that are them. For many licensors and licensees, that’s simply business as easily recognized by comic book fans, further drawing in this demousual. But Marvel wants more than that graphic. In addition, Marvel plans on estabfrom its movies—which is where the lishing a presence for Avengers Assemble at Avengers Assemble initiative comes in. the upcoming Comic-Con. Avengers Assemble is the name (taken For the children’s market, Marvel has been from the Avengers superhero team’s battle cry working to make sure that younger fans are in the comic books) of the licensing initiative aware of the brands and characters that will that Marvel has created to encompass the combine to create the Avengers. Because licensing and consumer products programs of younger fans don’t always have a connection six films: Iron Man (2008), The Incredible with established Marvel characters, Marvel Hulk (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011), has been exposing children to its characters in Thor and Captain America are the next films up in the Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), other ways. For example, the Marvel Avengers Assemble initiative. and culminating in The Avengers (2012). Superhero Squad animated series features The purpose of the Avengers Assemble Thor as a prominent character. In addition, the brand is not simply to create a new movie company will be launching an animated license. Marvel hopes that the build-up to the Avengers show on Disney XP this fall. upcoming Avengers film will lead to the The upcoming Thor and Captain America establishment of Marvel as a retail brand yearfilms have an additional advantage for the round—something that the company has children’s market as each character has an never done before. “Traditionally, we go to iconic piece of equipment that easily transretailers and licensees with film opportunities lates into a toy. Thor’s hammer Mjolnir will and they take it and run with it,” says Paul be a key part of the licensing program for the Gitter, president of consumer products at Marvel Entertainment. “Now, film. “We’re looking to get across the power, the hammer, and the we want to create a permanent space for Marvel on the retail shelves.” strength that Thor can unleash,” says Gitter. “It’s an aspirational brand.” Rather than be about any specific brand or film, the Avengers Assemble Marvel continues to look forward to the Avengers Assemble probrand will be the start of a Marvel retail brand. “We are going to promote gram’s growth. Not only has the company established strong licensing Marvel as superhero central,” says Gitter. “We are going to focus on our partnerships for the upcoming movies (including Hasbro as the master entire portfolio of characters and brands instead of just one at a time.” toy licensee for the entire Avengers Assemble program), but it has already One of the challenges that the Avengers Assemble licensing initiative established a number of deals with retailers for shelf space beyond the has had to confront is the disparity that exists within the brand’s target release of The Avengers in 2012. Gitter is positive that the Avengers demographics—comic book fans and children. The comic book fanbase, Assemble initiative will accomplish its goals. “We’ve finally understood which is mostly the male 18–35 year old demographic, can be targeted the power of Marvel as a brand,” he says. “We’re coming to this game to via Marvel’s core comic book products. “We’ve been releasing a number win and to show the marketplace that we have one of the best portfolios of comic books that spotlight the Avengers recently,” says Gitter. This of intellectual property in the industry.”
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S
Pops Into Licensing
by Laurie Leahey ince 2005, millions of kids have embarked on be prompted to create an avatar, or “Poptropican.” This online adventure at Poptropica (www.popcharacter travels with kids as they visit Poptropica’s tropica.com). This free virtual world for ages many islands, discovering and solving mysteries unique 6–12 offers kids entertaining and educational exploto each island. Content on the site is continually updatration by engaging them in narrative quests and ed and refreshed, such as new islands being added, to online games. Kids can safely communicate and comkeep the experience fun and exciting. pete in head-to-head competition with other kids, collect As the website grows so too will a licensing a “Poptropican” objects, read digital books and comics, and more. Paid program through Peanuts Worldwide. Peanuts memberships are available for those who want excluWorldwide signed on as Poptropica’s licensing sives and early access to content. Family Education agent earlier this year and has begun to develop and launch a merNetwork, a division of Pearson Education, publishes the chandise program that is an extension of the online experience. site, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney is an Previous licensing deals (brokered through Pearson) with executive producer. Poptropica’s content is developed under online retailers Zazzle for T-shirts, LTLprints for wall graphics, Kinney’s creative direction. and Skinit for electronic device skins have made Poptropica There are many virtual worlds available to kids these products available to kids. But Peanuts Worldwide hopes to days—Club Penguin, Webkinz, BarbieGirls.com, to name a few. expand the product range with an initial focus on toys, apparel, Pamela Dixon, executive director for Peanuts Worldwide, interactive, and promotional partners. Poptropica’s licensing agent, says that Poptropica stands out among “We are looking to have a fairly traditional licensee program, this wide range of virtual worlds because of the content. “It’s pretty not just online folks,” Dixon says. “We’re in the process of craftcurrent with what kids are interested in and experiencing in their ing that strategy and signing those partners at the moment.” She everyday world,” she says. “It’s got a little more attitude. It’s hip, cur- says Peanuts Worldwide hopes to announce a full licensing prorent, and trendy. Family Education Network does a great job taking gram for Poptropica by the end of this year. that and getting the balance right between having attitude but not One of the aspects from Poptropica that Peanuts Worldwide wants crossing the line into something that is inappropriate.” to incorporate into the licensed product is customization. “As you go And like all websites for kids, Poptropica is COPPA comthrough your experience on Poptropica there is so pliant. No personally identifiable information is much that is customized that we want to make ever collected from kids, according to the websure we bring the fun and ingenuity that you site. Communication with other players, experience online into specific product forwhile allowed, is restricted to scripted chat mats,” Dixon says. Licensing partners so no personal information can be shared. will need to be able to execute this in “It’s important to [Family Education their product development. Network] that they provide a safe and Many online properties have experitrusted environment for kids and have parenced success licensing within the kids’ ents feeling comfortable with their kids going market. However, Dixon believes that on the site,” Dixon says. “We don’t ever want Poptropica could reach a level of success to do anything to break that trust.” that has yet to be seen because “it is a premier Kids can engage in scripted online chats with other kids or go head-to-head in battles, aka games. Once kids log on to Poptropica, they will site and a premier opportunity.”
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0R NEWY
K
0N. C C I M C0
C0M
Timetoplaymag.com and the New York Comic Con are working together to bring you the largest toy section that we’ve ever had! Kids Day is brought to you by Timetoplaymag.com and all kids under 12 get in for free on Sunday, October 10th. For exhibitor information, contact Larry Settembrini 203-840-5321 • lsettembrini@reedexpo.com
Follow us on twitter @NY_Comic_Con
P
REFRESH
The periodic refresh of Pokémon is one of the ways in which the brand stays strong and relevant. However, there are many other factors that have kept kids coming back and it all starts with the fact that Pokémon is fun. It also happens to be—and has always been—an affordable option for parents. It’s the fun and multi-generational appeal coupled with our unique ability to renew ourselves that is crucial to the brand’s success. We offer today’s kids many avenues for entertainment. In January of this year, we relaunched Pokémon.com to provide fans with a one-stop entertainment destination. Video games, TV animation, feature films, and, of course, trading card games are just the tip of the iceberg. Our multi-generational appeal can be seen in our reworked versions of two early Pokémon hit video games. In Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver players return to the scenic Johto region first introduced in the beloved original and now classic Pokémon Gold and
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REMAIN STRONG
by JC Smith, The Pokémon Company International
okémon is an evergreen brand that garners high consumer awareness—regardless of whether the consumer has any dealings with children. It’s a brand that is now part of mainstream culture. This status has been achieved in a relatively short time. As we recap what the brand has accomplished, we will also look ahead to what consumers can expect within the next year. After more than a decade Pokémon continues to be a success because of its timeless strategy: explore, capture, train, and battle. It is a strategy that speaks to each new generation of boys. And, for more than 10 years, the creators have maintained the ability to create rich worlds and gameplay styles that immerse fans deeper into the Pokémon universe. The numbers speak for themselves. More than 14 billion Pokémon trading card game (TCG) cards have been produced worldwide and the Pokémon TCG is one of the best-selling collectible trading card games of all time, with 285 percent sales growth worldwide since 2005. On the video game front, there are more than 30 different Pokémon video games available and more than 207 million copies have been sold worldwide.
REFRESH
AND
AND
REMAIN STRONG
ROYALTIE$ AUGUST 2010
Pokémon Silver games nearly a decade ago. The games bring dozens of Pokémon characters back into the limelight for a new Pokémon generation and longtime fans can still catch, train, and battle.
Another way to appeal to fans of all ages is through our tournament program. For seven years now, Pokémon has been providing fans of all ages the opportunity to play competitively in the trading card game (TCG) events held around the world. Two years ago, we decided to create a similar opportunity for Pokémon video game fans of all ages, and thus began the Pokémon Video Game Championships. The tournaments are a great way for fans to meet with each other and test their Pokémon strategies against the best. Just after the previously mentioned video games were released, we announced the schedule for the 2010 Pokémon Video Game Championship series, which is bigger than ever with tournaments throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan, leading up to the 2010 Pokémon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, this month. Pokémon Trading Card Game releases took place in February and May this year with each release supported by substantial television advertising and consumer marketing campaigns. You can expect two more Pokémon Trading Card Game releases to become available to collectors and players everywhere this month and November just after the seventh annual Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, which will bring together more than 1,000 players from more than 25 countries to compete for the title of Pokémon TCG World Champion. Looking ahead, our master toy partner, Jakks Pacific, has unveiled a toy line that will include all new figures and plush. Also, the 13th season of Pokémon animation, entitled Pokémon: DP Sinnoh League Victors, debuted on Cartoon Network in the spring. As the brand continues to strengthen, Pokémon is feeding the frenzy by catering to existing fans while cultivating the next generation.
BATTLING
TO
SHOW SUPPORT
JC Smith is the director of marketing for The Pokémon Company International.
W
FABULOUS MOVES FORWARD
by Paul Narula hen talking about female demo- product reviews and recommendations, so it’s The company will seek out licensees that graphics from a marketing per- clear that this demographic knows what it’s have already established themselves as compaspective, the tween, teen, and 18– looking for. “We already know what companies nies willing to target this demographic specifi35 markets get all the attention. However, one we like,” says Geri Brin, founder of cally with products. “We don’t want just anymajor market has only FabOver50.com. “We already one,” says Brin. “We know that there are comrecently appeared on the love their products, so this panies out there that are positioning themselves scene—women 50 years and will just make it official.” to service our demographic. They are the comup. This demographic conThe site will be a key part panies that are going to be in the loop as our trols a significant amount of of the licensing program, with licensees.” Initially, the FabOver50 brand will purchasing power in the U.S. licensees and products inte- be focused on the fashion and cosmetics cateand yet is often not addressed grated into the site’s function- gories and according to both Brin and Kahn, by marketing campaigns for ality. “The idea is to create an there are a number of companies that have industries such as fashion, entire community of products already established themselves in these catecosmetics, and other relevant that are based on the gories that the brand will be approaching. Both categories. 4Sight Licensing, FabOver50 brand,” says of these categories are major aspects of a Geri Brin, founder of the licensing division of Kahn. Indeed, the community lifestyle-oriented brand and have unique prodFabOver50.com 4Kids Entertainment, plans aspect of the site will play ucts targeted toward this age demographic. on changing that by crafting a licensing pro- into the licensing program’s growth, as Kahn Though the brand has only just been estabgram based on the successful website geared believes that the program’s greatest publicity lished, 4Sight is already looking ahead to what toward the over 50 market, FabOver50.com. will be via word of mouth from community FabOver50 could become. “Nobody out there FabOver50.com was founded by Geri Brin members. Since FabOver50.com is one of the has targeted this demographic before with and provides a central meeting place on the few locations on the web for this age group to such a comprehensive program,” says Kahn. internet for professional women over the age of form a community, Kahn believes that this With the economic power that this demo50 to share stories about their favorite products, license will have the inherent appeal that an graphic has in the consumer market, a brand restaurants, entertainment, and more, as well as iconic brand or a brand dedicated to solving the tips about life at this age. When 4Sight based on expertise might problems of the over-50 Licensing saw this site, the company also saw have, much like the comcrowd has a significant an untapped opportunity. “We decided we could pany’s successful AKC opportunity for growth. take this site, with its thriving online communi- brand has had in the pet “It’s not just going to be a ty and the backing of Procter & Gamble as one category. “It’s a great time brand,” says Kahn. “It’s of the site’s funders, and build a licensing pro- for our generation to be going to be a lifestyle. It’s gram,” says Al Kahn, CEO of 4Kids endorsing products,” says going to be a way for these Entertainment. Using the site’s name as the FabOver50.com founder women to perceive the marbrand name, 4Sight will pursue a licensing pro- Brin. “It’s us deciding ket in a way they never gram that is firmly targeted toward the issues what we want to support have before and it’s going facing the over-50 demographic today. instead of another compato give them the voice FabOver50.com homepage FabOver50.com already features a number of ny deciding for us.” they’ve never had.”
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The MAGIC of Vegas
Solution on page 32 ACROSS
1. See memorabila from your favorite feature films. 3. King Tut himself would choose this hotel & casino. 4. Get your tan on at the Garden of the Gods oasis. 7. Empire State Building. Tug boats. Lady Liberty. 9. Watch the volcano blow each evening. 10. Watch the dancing fountains here. 11. Where the MAGIC happens.
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DOWN
1. Visitors can enjoy a cabaret performance after visiting the Eiffel Tower. 2. Beautiful ladies lure pirates to Siren’s Cove at this hotel & casino. 5. Nobu and Pink Taco are here. 6. Enjoy a gondola ride with a singing gondolier. 8. The home and haunt of the Ghost Bar.
O CTOBER
4–8
MIPCOM
5–8
Fall Toy Preview
10–13
The ABC Kids Expo
N OVEMBER
mipworld.com
Palais des Festivals
Cannes, France
toyassociation.org theabcshow.com
Dallas Market Center
Las Vegas Convention Center
Dallas
Las Vegas
2–5
SEMA/AAPEX
sema.org
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas
20–21
Chicago Toy & Game Fair
chitag.com
Navy Pier
Chicago
14–16
PLMA
16–18
29–12/1
G2E
plma.com
globalgamingexpo.com
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas
Dubai Intl. Character & Licensing Fair
character.ae
5–8
Grand Strand Gift & Resort Expo
urban-expo.com
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
Myrtle Beach, SC
9–12
Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair
harrogatefair.com
Harrogate International Centre
Harrogate, UK
toyfair.de
Nuremburg Exhibition Center
Nuremburg, Germany
D ECEMBER JANUARY
10–13
29–2/03
Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair New York International Gift Fair
FEBRUARY
3–8
13–16 15–18
Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair American International Toy Fair KidScreen Summit
hktoyfair.com nyigf.com
toyassociation.org
summit.kidsceen.com
Solution to Puzzle on Page 30
Dubai Intl. Convention Center
Rosemont, IL
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center
Jacob Javits Convention Center
Jacob Javits Convention Center Hilton Hotel
Dubai, AE
Hong Kong
New York City
New York City New York City
Toy Fair 2011
February 13–16 Javits Convention Center, New York City; www.toyassociation.org
Licensing Show 2011
June 14–16 Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas; www.licensingexpo.com
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IMC LICENSING
DIEGO MIRON, GLOBAL LICENSING DIRECTOR
IMC Licensing named Diego Miron as global licensing director. He will be responsible for the management and coordination of IMC’s global licensing activity. Miron has an entrepreneurial business development background with experience in developing medium-size companies requiring growth in foreign markets. He is an owner of a private equity company focused on early- and medium-stage companies requiring international expansion. Previously, he spent 10 years at Intel Corporation where he held several management positions in the areas of pricing, product management, and marketing focused on emerging markets.
WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS
PILAR ZULUETA, EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, EMEA
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) promoted Pilar Zulueta to executive vice-president and general manager, EMEA. Zulueta continues to hold responsibility for the management of licensing and retail business development activities. Working with licensees, retailers, promotional partners, and WBCP offices, she oversees regional sales and marketing initiatives related to key consumer products categories including toys, apparel and accessories, housewares, promotions, and publishing, among others. The entertainment licensing portfolio Zulueta manages in the region encompasses global entertainment brands such as Looney Tunes, Harry Potter, Scooby-Doo, and the DC Comics superheroes. Zulueta joined WBCP in 1997 as general manager of operations in Spain and Portugal and in 1999 she was promoted to vice-president and general manager of Southern Europe. In 2002, she was promoted to senior vicepresident and the scope of her responsibility was expanded to include the entire EMEA region.
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ROYALTIE$ AUGUST 2010
LIMA ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
The Licensing Industry Merchandiser’s Association (LIMA) announced five new board members: Peter Boder, founder and CEO of United Labels AG (Germany); Liz Kalodner, executive vice-president and general manager for CBS Consumer Products (U.S.); Bettina Koeckler, senior vice-president licensing, EMEA at Chorion (UK); Charles Schnaid, senior partner, head royalty compliance group at Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co., LLP (U.S.); and Kotaro Sunamori, president of SUN R&P Co., Ltd. (Japan). In addition, Christina Miller (senior vice-president, Cartoon Network Enterprises) becomes chairperson of the board, Maura Regan (senior vice-president and general manager, global consumer products, Sesame Workshop) becomes vice-chair, and Stu Seltzer (partner, Marketing on Demand LLC) is an executive committee liaison.
STEVE BALLMER TO DELIVER CES PRE-SHOW KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will deliver a pre-show keynote address at the 2011 International CES. Owned and produced by CEA, the 2011 International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology trade show, is scheduled for January 6–9, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ballmer will kick off the 2011 International CES with a preshow keynote address at 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday, January 5, in the Las Vegas Hilton Center. The full lineup of 2011 CES keynote addresses will be announced in the coming months.
EDDIE BAUER LLC
JOHN SPOTTS, VICE-PRESIDENT—LICENSING, INTERNATIONAL, AND CORPORATE SALES
Eddie Bauer LLC hired John Spotts as vice-president—licensing, international, and corporate sales. Spotts will expand the Eddie Bauer brand into new product categories and international markets. He joins Eddie Bauer from FranklinCovey Products LLC where he was the senior vice-president of international.
by Christopher Byrne
A CELEBRATION
OF
SUMMER! IT’S
TOP SUMMER VACATION SPOTS 2010 Source: U.S. News & World Report 1. Nice 2. San Francisco 3. Mykonos 4. Miami Beach 5. Montreal 6. Seattle 7. Munich 8. Los Angeles 9. Maui 10. Paris
TOP SUMMER MOVIE OPENINGS
Source: MovieFone.com 1. The Dark Knight • July 18, 2008 • $158.3 million 2. Spider-Man 3 • May 4, 2007 • $151.1 million 3. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End • May 25, 2007 • $139.8 million 4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest • July 7, 2006 • $135.6 million 5. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull • May 22, 2008 • $126.9 million 6. X-Men: The Last Stand • May 5, 2006 • $122.9 million 7. Shrek the Third • May 18, 2008 • $121.6 million 8. Spider-Man 2 • June 30, 2004 • $115.8 million 9. Spider-Man • May 3, 2002 • $114.8 million 10. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen • June 24, 2009 • $112 million
BEST SUMMER SONGS 2010
Source: Associated Content 1. “Vanilla Twilight” by Owl City 2. “Today Was a Fairytale” by Taylor Swift
BEEN A HOT ONE IN
NEW YORK CITY!
3. “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas 4. “American Honey” by Lady Antebellum 5. “Young Forever” by Jay-Z featuring Mr. Hudson 6. “Lemonade” by Gucci Mane 7. “Starry Eyed” by Ellie Goulding 8. “Telephone” by Lady Gaga 9. “Morning Sun” by Robbie Williams 10. “All the Right Moves” by OneRepublic
BEST-SELLING WATER TOYS, JULY 25, 2010
Source: Amazon.com 1. Step2 WaterWheel Activity Play Table by Step2 2. Intex River Run 1 by Intex 3. Step2 Naturally Playful Sand and Water Center by Step2 4. Intex Recreation Swim Center Family Pool by Intex 5. Nerf Super Soaker Wars Rattler Water Blaster by Hasbro 6. Banzai Wipeout Curve Water Park by ToyQuest 7. Intex Recreation River Run II with Ice Cooler by Intex 8. Max Liquidator Eliminator by Prime Time Toys 9. Intex Sit ’n Float Lounge by Intex 10. Nerf Supersoaker Wars Shotblast Water Blaster by Hasbro
FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVORS IN THE U.S. 2010 Source: The-Top-Tens.com 1. Chocolate 2. Vanilla 3. Cookies ’n Cream 4. Cookie Dough 5. Mint 6. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough 7. Rocky Road 8. Strawberry 9. Lemon 10. Pistachio
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