LICENSING INTERNATIONAL EXPO » Events

Atlantyca Awarded Studio Prize at Cartoons on the Bay

Licensing International Expo — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 01:04:00 +0000

The 2010 Cartoons on the Bay kicked off yesterday in Rapallo, Italy, and honored Atlantyca Entertainment with the Italian Studio of the Year Special Pulcinella Award.

Atlantyca’s key properties include “Geronimo Stilton” (co-produced with Moonscoop), “Tea Sisters” and “Century.” Separately, “Geronimo Stilton” is nominated for a Pulcinella award in the TV series for kids category. Atlantyca’s licensing division handles the international rights to “Geronimo Stilton,” as well as the Italian rights to Moonscoop’s “Code Lyoko,” “Dive Olly Dive” and “Hero 108.”

“We are truly honored to be recognized for our work by such a prestigious accolade from Cartoons on the Bay,” says Caterina Vacchi, senior manager and executive producer of Atlantyca Entertainment. “We are extremely proud and dedicated to delivering only high-quality work for all of our animation properties reflecting the world famous ‘made in Italy’ creativity, across all media platforms and are privileged to have our work draw such special recognition by this prestigious jury.”

The 14th annual Cartoons on the Bay will be held through Sunday. The event is promoted by Rai and organized by Rai Trade in association with Rai Fiction.

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Hasbro Execs to Be Inducted into Licensing Hall of Fame

Licensing International Expo — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:36:55 +0000

Alan Hassenfeld and the late Stephen Hassenfeld, both toy industry leaders from Hasbro, will be inducted into LIMA’s Licensing Hall of Fame on June 8 at the Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas.

Alan Hassenfeld is the chairman of the executive committee and former chairman of the board of Hasbro, while the late Stephen Hassenfeld was chief executive officer and chairman of the board until 1989. The Hassenfeld’s initiated significant changes in partnerships through licensing, making Hasbro one of the top toy licensing partners for many entertainment and brand companies today. The toy company touts more than 250 licensees across all categories for its properties, including G.I. Joe, Transformers, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, Playskool and My Little Pony. In addition, Stephen Hassenfeld founded The Hasbro Children’s Foundation in 1984.

“Stephen and Alan transformed their family’s Rhode Island toy company into a global marketing powerhouse, along the way garnering Wall Street’s respect for toy companies,” says Charles Riotto, president of LIMA. “They also share LIMA’s commitment to integrity in business and to giving back to the communities and consumers who support our business. LIMA is proud to honor them as licensing industry pioneers at Licensing International Expo this June.”

The ceremony will take place on June 8 at the LIMA Opening Night Awards Party at Licensing International Expo, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

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Deals Keep Rolling in at Mipcom

Licensing International Expo — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:50:41 +0000

Day two at Mipcom began with a keynote from Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s chief executive officer, where he spoke about the company’s evolving success into a $4 billion leader in children’s and family entertainment products tied to TV, film and gaming. Meanwhile, the screenings and conferences continued, and licensing and broadcasting deals kept rolling in.

Read yesterday’s highlights after the jump.

- Mattel tapped ITV Studios to develop several of its family entertainment board games into international TV formats, including Scrabble, Pictionary and Uno. ITV will distribute the content globally. The deal was brokered by ITV Studios and Creative Artists Agency on behalf of Mattel.
- Agency Planeta Junior has extended its film licensing division to represent the Twilight trilogy, the forthcoming Astro Boy feature and the Luc Besson picture, Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard. The company will develop licensing programs for the Twilight saga, the second installment of which, called New Moon, premieres in Spain in November followed by Eclipse in 2010. Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard has global partners already on board including Nestle, Panini, Meccano and McDonalds. Astro boy, in 3-D, is based on the classic Japanese anime of the ’50s created by Ozamu Tezuka.
- MTV Networks International is presenting a refreshed identity and look for the brand. The MTV revamp recently launched across the network’s 64 channels.
- The Jim Henson Company secured a broadcast deal with Discovery Kids Latin America to air the CGI-animated preschool series Dinosaur Train.
- Discovery Communications is showcasing key programming, including Time Warp, Howstuffworks and How Do They Do It? The company is seeking sales opportunities with international third-party broadcasters and licensees.
- DQ Entertainment launched the promotional trailer for the new animated Lassie. The series is co-developed and co-produced by DQE and Classic Media.
- Studio100 Media, a subsidiary of Belgian group Studio100, has announced a co-production and distribution agreement with Wish Films UK (producers of Jim Jam and Sunny) for the new animated series Florrie’s Dragons. South Africa‘s Clockwork Zoo is also on board as co-production partner. Written by children‘s author An Vrombaut (creator of 64 Zoo Lane) and based on the book Dear Dragon, published by Hodder Children’s Books, Florrie’s Dragons, 52×10, is targeted at children ages 3 to 6. The first episodes will be available in spring 2010 with the complete series ready for delivery in early 2011. Studio100 Media will be responsible for worldwide distribution, excluding the UK, South Africa and Scandinavia.
- Teen and young adult programming from Viz Media and Viz Media Europe are being showcased this week, including A Penguin’s Troubles, Bleach, Blue Dragon, Inuyasha, Kekkaishi, Kilari, Naoki Urasawa’s Monster, Naruto Shippuden and Vampire Knight.

Meanwhile, at last weekend’s MipJunior, two series from BRB International were awarded with Kids’ Jury Prizes — Kambu for best preschool show and The Secret Life of Suckers for best kids’ show for 7 to 10 year olds. BRB’s Canimal from Vooz (the producers of Pucca) stood out among the 1,050 programs being screened at MipJunior during the weekend and attracted the second-highest number of viewings. The show is co-produced by Vooz and Screen 21 and features curious, gnome-like figures and plans are to air it at the end of 2010.

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Kenny Chesney to Debut Apparel Line

Licensing International Expo — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:47:26 +0000

Country music star Kenny Chesney plans to roll out his first apparel line at an invitation-only concert next week, coinciding with MAGIC. Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay clothing label will feature T-shirts, shorts, khakis, button-down shirts and hats. The line will retail from $35 to $72.

“MAGIC is the biggest show in the world for this sort of thing and I love the idea that these clothes are out there for the buyers to get to see them,” says Chesney. “The clothes are casual, comfortable and easy to wear wherever you’re headed . . . and that was the whole point. Whatever you’ve got to do, something in this line will work.”

Click here for more information about Advanstar Communication’s MAGIC, held August 31 to September 2.

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Judges Announced for Licensing Challenge

admin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:30:26 +0000

License! Global and MIPJunior have revealed the jury for this year’s Licensing Challenge, a pitching session designed to showcase the TV property with the greatest licensing potential. The president of the Licensing Challenge jury is Simon Phillips, president of worldwide consumer products at Marvel Entertainment.

This year’s judges for the event are Lisa Licht, general manager of entertainment and licensing, Hasbro; Jennifer Richmond, senior vice president of licensing and media, Jakks Pacific; Neil Ross Russell, managing director of children’s and licensing, BBC Worldwide; Pierre Sissmann, chairman and chief executive officer, Cyber Group Studios; and Joanne Lee, general director, Rainbow SpA. The Licensing Challenge will be moderated by Tony Lisanti, global editorial director of License! Global.

A winner will be selected from a group of finalists during a live session at MIPJunior on October 3 at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes.

Selection criteria will be based on the following:

Uniqueness and overall appeal of the property (innovation, character development)
The look, story and themes of the show
Distribution and/or broadcast plans
Clear potential for licensing (franchise potential)
Suitability/match of property with identified audience target
Merchandising potential

The winner will be offered advice on how to hit international stores, plus receive prizes designed to establish the contestants’ global presence. For more information and to enter a submission, click here. Closing date for entries is September 2.

Last year, Rainbow SpA’s Huntik and Renegade Animation’s Funny Face were both named winners.

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Stars Power Comic-Con

Licensing International Expo — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:15:41 +0000

Top Hollywood stars and directors were the main attraction at opening day of Comic-Con in San Diego as thousands of fans stood in line for hours to catch a glimpse of world-premiere previews of big-budget films due out later this year.

James Cameron wowed an audience of 6,500 at the San Diego Convention Center with a 25-minute segment of his 3-D adventure Avatar and Summit Entertainment debuted a snippet of New Moon, the second film in the Twilight Saga with stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart generating the biggest buzz of the day. Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance with director Tim Burton Thursday morning at a Disney panel discussion about the growing popularity of 3-D films and Burton’s upcoming 3-D version of Alice in Wonderland that will star Depp.

Sony Pictures screened a trailer of its long-awaited animated film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and New Line unveiled a snippet of a 3-D installment to its Final Destination franchise.

Twentieth Century Fox brought the creators of its most lucrative TV licensing franchises to the show. Kiefer Sutherland, the star and producer of the Fox drama 24, headed a panel on Friday that discussed the upcoming season. And Simpsons creator Matt Groening was part of a panel on Saturday discussing Fox animated shows Futurama and The Simpsons.

Comic-Con ran through Sunday, July 26, and attendance was expected to top the record 126,000 that turned out in 2008.

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NVCP Signs Dora Deal in France, iCarly Takes Off in UK

Licensing International Expo — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:50:11 +0000

Nickelodeon Viacom Consumer Products in France has signed a deal with Albin Michel, one of the country’s biggest publishing houses, to launch the first Dora the Explorer-branded pocket storybook.
Aimed at 6- and 7-year-olds, the 64-page “p’tit tome” will be out this month at airports, bookshops, department stores, news kiosks, book clubs and supermarkets across French-speaking markets including Belgium, France, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Morocco, Switzerland and Tunisia.

In the UK, key iCarly consumer products ranges are set to debut this autumn for the Christmas trading season. Global gaming business Activision is set to launch iCarly videogames for Nintendo Wii and DS, and master toy licensee Vivid Imaginations, in conjunction with Playmates Toys, will launch a range of toys and tween electronics encompassing figures, play sets and role-play items, which will be television supported beginning in November.

In addition, Alligator Books will launch a range of iCarly activity books this summer with International Greetings debuting a stationery range and Pyramid Posters launching posters and badges. Martin Yaffe will launch a range of wheeled toys and hair appliances, and Trade Mark Collections are set to launch a range of fashion backpacks and bags.

Nickelodeon UK will also be bringing SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer to five shopping centers in August in the UK as part of an interactive live event for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Nickelodeon will stage a range of entertainment for two days in each shopping center allowing kids to interact with SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer.

The initiative is a key element in Nickelodeon’s experiential marketing strategy which aims to take entertainment to children. The activity will also maximize the opportunity to generate footfall to key retailers at shopping centers, such as Argos, Boots, Bhs, Claire’s Accessories, Clinton’s Cards, Early Learning Centre, Game, HMV, Mothercare and New Look.

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UK Licensing Industry Enjoys Spring Fling

Licensing International Expo — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:26:58 +0000

The UK licensing industry’s annual Spring Fling attracted 170 people to the Sway Bar in London’s Covent Garden on Tuesday, May 12. Organized by Advanstar’s Brand Licensing Europe team, the networking evening followed the LIMA UK Essentials course. Here, almost 50 delegates, many of them new to licensing, covered topics including music and sports licensing, counterfeiting and revenue protection, viral marketing, and legal and commercial terms for licensing agreements.

Among the speakers were Andy Allan, managing director of Backstreet International Merchandise; Chris Protheroe, director, sports and brands at CPLG Sports; Graham Norris, head of investigations, IP Crime Unit; Mike Hawkyard, business development director, 4T2 Multimedia; and John Burns, partner, Halliwells.

Following the day course, the panel discussion team comprised Danny Schweiger from Character World, Graham Saltmarsh from Turner CN Enterprises, John McInnerny from Allsorts Licensing, Mike Redfern from Blueprint designs and Josephine Collins, License! Global’s European editor. They took questions from delegates and debated issues affecting the industry from direct-to-retail deals to the level of minimum guarantees.

Click here for photographs from the event.

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LIMA Essentials Tackles Licensing Issues

Licensing International Expo — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:34:33 +0000

The annual LIMA Essentials course, which takes place in London in May, is set to tackle the issues facing the licensing sector from trading through the credit crunch to listing fees and counterfeiting. Aimed at newcomers to the industry, as well a seasoned professionals, topics covered in the Essentials course include music and sports licensing, counterfeiting and revenue protection, viral marketing, and legal and commercial terms for licensing agreements.

Speakers are Andy Allan, managing director of Backstreet International Merchandise; Chris Protheroe, director, sports and brands at CPLG Sports; Graham Norris, head of investigations, IP Crime Unit; Mike Hawkyard, business development director, 4T2 Multimedia; and John Burns, partner, Halliwells. Following the day course, the panel discussion team comprising Danny Schweiger from Character World, Graham Saltmarsh from Turner CN Enterprises, John McInnerny from Allsorts Licensing, Mike Redfern from Blueprint designs and Josephine Collins, License! Global’s European editor, will lead a debate on the business issues.

Delegates are also invited to the Spring Fling networking evening after the debate, for which tickets can be bought separately. Contact Jennifer Offenborn on +44 (0) 208 956 2670 for further information, or visit www.brandlicensingeurope.com/lima.

LIMA’s Excellence Award Nominees Released

admin — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:45:46 +0000

The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association recently unveiled its list of nominees for the organization’s annual Excellence Awards. Licensees and properties worldwide will be honored in categories such as art, character, corporate, film/television/entertainment and sports.

Nominees for the Overall Best Licensed Program of the Year are:

The Andy Warhol Global Licensing Program (The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts)
Bakugan (Nelvana Enterprises/Cartoon Network Enterprises)
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (IOC/The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad)
The Dark Knight (Warner Bros. Consumer Products)
Hello Kitty (Sanrio)
Jeep Consumer Products (Chrysler LLC/The Joester Loria Group)
Major League Baseball (Major League Baseball)

“With 82 nominees in 16 awards categories, the 2009 slate is diverse and one of the strongest line ups we’ve had in recent years,” says Charles Riotto, LIMA president.

Winners will be announced at LIMA’s Opening Night Awards Party on June 2 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Resort during the Licensing International Expo 2009.

For a complete listing of nominees, click here. Nominees are solicited from the licensing industry and winners are chosen by a vote of the LIMA membership. Voting is conducted in mid-May on the LIMA website.

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LIMA UK Reveals Speaker Line Up for Spring Course

Licensing International Expo — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:31:15 +0000

The UK’s Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association has announced its speaker lineup for the spring Licensing Essentials Course on May 12. Speakers for the event, which will be held at the Kingsway Hotel & Sway Bar in Convent Garden, London, include Andy Allan, managing director of Backstreet International Merchandise; Chris Protheroe, director of sports and brands for CPLG Sports; Graham Norris, head of investigations for IP Crime Unit; Mike Hawkyard, business development director of 4T2 Multimedia; and John Burns, partner with Halliwells.

Panelists will include Graham Saltmarch of Cartoon Network; Josephine Collins, European editor of License! Global magazine; John McInernny of Allsorts Licensing; and Mike Redfern of Blueprint Designs.
LIMA UK’s Essentials Course will discuss how to break into the world of music and sports licensing, practical ways to fight counterfeiting and protect revenue, create a snowball effect with the latest viral marketing techniques, as well as advice on legal and commercial terms, and opportunities to network.

For pricing information and to register, call the hotline at +44 (0)20 8956 2670 or visit www.brandlicensing.eu.

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LIMA to Host ‘Choose the Right License’ Online Seminar

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:22:03 +0000

The next online seminar, “Choose the Right License and Make it Work for You,” hosted by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA), will be held on March 18 from 12 PM to 2 PM EDT. Woody Browne of Building Q, a licensing and marketing consulting firm in Voorhees, New Jersey, will host the webinar, which will focus on the steps a manufacturer needs to take to find the right match between property and product to work out the best deal. Browne is a former three-term president of LIMA and former Tyco executive.

The webinar is free for LIMA members and $99 for non-members. Those interested may register online. Future LIMA online seminars will include sustainability’s place in the licensing business, case studies in art licensing and reaching targeted audiences via the internet.

For more information on the webinar program, please contact Christina Attardo at cattardo@licensing.org or call +1 (646) 744-3741.

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Cookie Jar Adds On to MipTV Slate

Licensing International Expo — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:50:08 +0000

More live-action, tween-focused program debuts are expected at this year’s MipTV event from Cookie Jar Entertainment (Suite #18). New series from the Toronto-based company include 90-minute made for TV movie Tales from Cryptville, which will premiere on Teletoon this fall, as well as an animated preschool version of The Doodlebops to air soon on CBC. Cookie Jar is also producing the new seasons of Caillou, Johnny Test, Busytown Mysteries (Hurray for Huckle!) and Arthur.

MipTV will be held March 30 through April 3 in Cannes.

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Barbie Celebrates 50 with New Bathing Suit Doll

Licensing International Expo — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:41:17 +0000

Mattel’s (Booth #4735) Barbie celebrates 50 in style this week with a new black-and-white bathing suit look — a revamped edition of the original 1959 doll. The 2009 bathing suit Barbie will also feature a new face sculpt, and will be sold for $3 — the same price as the 1959 doll.

A pink carpet celebrity bash will also take place on her birthday at a real 3,500-square-foot dream house likeness in Malibu. The house will feature designs by Jonathan Adler, which will include lace-up “dress” chairs, a closet filled with shoes, a mirror made from 65 Barbie dolls and a garage with a real pink Barbie Volkswagen Beetle. The dream house also has a Barbie museum, displaying the original 1959 doll, as well as other famous dolls, dream houses and art.

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BLE Launches Toy, Health and Beauty, and Housewares Showcases and Property Finder

Licensing International Expo — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:29:24 +0000

Advanstar’s Brand Licensing Europe, which takes place in London in September, is launching three product showcase areas for 2009 designed to highlight how licensing opportunities can translate into merchandising programs. The exhibition is also introducing a Property Finder for this year’s show, after research revealed that visitors would like more help identifying the rights’ owners of the properties at the show.

The Toy Store, Salon and House & Home showcases will display licensed products for the first time at BLE. Each area aims to give retailers, licensees and sales promotion agents an insight into the innovative licensed products that hit the market each year and a taste of the new properties that are launching during the exhibition. Each product will be labeled to identify the brand owner and its stand number.

“The three new showcases are being introduced in response to feedback from our visitor research that shows people want to see more product at BLE,” explains event director Jessica Blue. “There’s no question that Olympia is the only place where retailers and manufacturers can find the hottest properties and licensing opportunities throughout Europe, but research suggested that seeing more product would help retailers make the connection between the licensing concept and its product and marketing potential, and provide inspiration for manufacturers, especially when it may be years before some licensed goods make it in-store.”

All BLE exhibitors are eligible to display products in the showcases, which will be positioned close to visitor seating areas within the hall. Sponsorship packages for the three areas are available. “While retailers and manufacturers are becoming more aware of the business opportunities the licensing industry offers, with over 2,000 properties on display, it’s impossible to know each one inside out,” says Blue of the new Property Finder. “The Property Finder will clearly identify the brand owners, stand numbers and licensing categories relating to each property at the show and will be placed in strategic positions throughout the hall to help visitors find their way to the right stands and see as many exhibitors, properties and products as possible.”

Brand Licensing Europe 2009 takes place on September 30 and October 1 at Olympia’s Grand Hall in London.

For more news or information about Brand Licensing Europe, please click here.

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BLE’s Blue Takes to the Stage at International Confex

Licensing International Expo — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:38:46 +0000

Jessica Blue, event director of Advanstar Communications’ Brand Licensing Europe, is addressing the events industry at International Confex, which takes place in London next week. Blue, a former event director at Confex, will take part in a presentation called “Be aLIVE during tougher trading times” alongside Trevor Foley from Event Services Network, on February 26. She will discuss how events producers can survive the potential negative impacts of the recession on their businesses, as well as present a case study on Brand Licensing Europe, which celebrated its 10th edition in 2008.

Brand Licensing Europe will be held September 30 to October 1 in London at the Grand Hall at Olympia.

For more news or information about Brand Licensing Europe, please click here.

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Take Your First Step into Licensing at MAGIC

admin — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:34:59 +0000

Trends come and go — but brands are always in style. If you’re at MAGIC right now, come visit the Licensing International Expo booth — Booth #22578 — and learn why June 2-4 will be the three most important days for your business in 2009. Led by first-time exhibitor Bob Mackie Design Group (Booth #4251), exhibitors in our new fashion section will explore brand extension into new consumer product categories. They’ll join over 525 brand and property owners on the show floor, providing you with more opportunities to network, license and boost profits than anywhere else.

Mattel to Debut 2009 Lineup, Barbie Visits Fashion Week

Licensing International Expo — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:49:49 +0000

Toy giant Mattel (Booth #4735) is geared up to unveil its 2009 slate of toys at next week’s Toy Fair in NYC. The event will provide a first-hand look at Elmo Tickle Hands doll, Matchbox Rocky the Robot Truck, Handy Manny’s Repair Shop, Tweenage Dora doll (working title), Hot Wheels Battle Force 5, Polly Pocket Designables, as well as games Uno Moo!, Blokus and Apples-to-Apples. In particular, Barbie is celebrating her 50th birthday and will premiere the following toys at the event: Doll’d Up Nails digital nail printer, Bye Bye Bad Hair detangler kit and Fab girl doll (working title).

Barbie will also be making a stop on the runway at New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on February 14, featuring real-size Barbie looks designed by 50 fashion designers, including Vera Wang, Diane von Furstenburg and Michael Kors. Specific Barbie-inspired footwear and make-up expected to be featured are peep-toe pumps by Christian Louboutin and Stila beauty products.

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UK Toy Fair Returns to Olympia

Licensing International Expo — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:10:56 +0000

The UK Toy Fair, organized by the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA), is changing the annual show to a three-day event at its former home in Olympia for 2010. “The BTHA is committed to the future of Toy Fair and the majority of our members consider it to be the most important service that the association undertakes on their behalf. We believe that a move to West London will sustain the Toy Fair over the coming years and this will be a popular move with both our visitors and our exhibitors,” said Roger Dyson, BTHA chairman, in a letter to exhibitors.

“All of the key buyers in the toy industry and many of their senior managers continue to attend and support the Toy Fair and our job is to continue to attract senior retailers and decision makers to the fair in years to come.”

Meanwhile, the BTHA and the Toy Retailers Association have named their 2009 Best Toy Shop and Supplier of the Year winners.

Retail winners:
Best independent toy shop, Scotland and the North: Little Treasures
Best multiple toy shop, Scotland and the North: Asda (Pudsey Leeds)
Best independent toy shop, the Midlands, Wales and East Anglia: Williams and Griffin (Colchester)  
Best multiple toy shop, the Midlands, Wales and East Anglia: The Entertainer (Birmingham) 
Best independent toy shop, Ireland (North and South): Clarke’s Toymaster  
Best independent toy shop, South of England: Toys and Tuck
Best multiple toy shop, South of England: The Entertainer (Bristol)
Retailer of the Year: The Entertainer (Birmingham)  

Supplier winners:
Creative Toy of the Year: Cup Cake Maker, Character Options
Innovative Toy of the Year: Elmo Live, Mattel
Film License of the Year: High School Musical, Disney
Collectable Toy of the Year: Go Go Crazy Bones, Magic Box
TRA Special Recognition: Esdevium Games
Preschool Range of the Year: In the Night Garden, Hasbro
Construction Toy of the Year: Lego
Girls’ Range of the Year: Sylvanian Families, Flair
Boys’ Range of the Year: Ben 10, Bandai
Preschool Toy of the Year: Kidizoom Camera, VTech
Girls’ Toy of the Year: FurReal Biscuit My Lovin’ Pup, Hasbro
Supplier of the Year: Playmobil
Toy of the Year: Ben 10 Action Figures 10” and 15”, Bandai

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Toy Fair Reveals Best New Toys for 2009

Licensing International Expo — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:06:42 +0000

London’s Toy Fair has announced its picks for the best new toys for 2009. Licensed toy winners include products from Ben 10, Charlie & Lola, In the Night Garden, Peppa Pig, Timmy Time and Yo Gabba Gabba. Toys were recognized from among 12 categories: Arts & Crafts, Building Sets, Games & Puzzles, Girls/Dolls, Hobby, Infant/Preschool, Outdoor/Sports, Plush, Vehicle & Accessories, Youth Electronics, and an open category.

Action Figures & Accessories
HMF Action Figures (Character)
Ben 10 Alien Creation Chamber (Bandai)
Dinosaur King Deluxe Card Holder (Vivid)

Arts & Crafts
Splatter Mat (University Games)
Moonsand Cement City (Spinmaster)
Ben 10 Hero Identity Station (Flair)

Building Sets
Power Miners Thunder Driller (Lego)
Lego City Dozer (Lego)
Bionicle Glatorian Action Figures (Lego)

Games & Puzzles
Peppa Pig Tumble & Spin Game (Jumbo)
The World 960pc Puzzle Ball (Ravensburger)
Trivial Pursuit Team (Hasbro)

Girls/Dolls
Sylvanian Families Caravan (Flair)
Dream Town Crystal Castle (Worlds Apart)
Fruit Factory (Character)

Hobby
Brush Robot (Great Gizmos)
Smart Lab R/C Rocket (Brainstorm)
Dangerous Books for Boys Discovery Kits (Interplay)

Infant/Pre-School
Tummytime Playmat (Galt)
Night Night Timmy (Vivid)

Outdoor/Sports
Skyward Summit (Step 2)
Nerf N-Strike Switch Shot EX3 (Hasbro)

Plush
Yo Gabba Gabba Dancing Brobee (Spinmaster)
Bouncing Lola (Golden Bear)
Upsy Daisy Easy To Dress Doll (Hasbro)

Vehicles & Accessories
Big Farm R/C John Deere 6430 Tractor (RC2)
Car Playmat (Le Toy Van)

Youth Electronics
Spykee Mini Vox (Meccano)
Tamagotchi Music Star (Bandai)
HMF Night Vision Goggles (Character)

All Other
Chef’s Kitchen (Halsall)
Seaplane (Playmobil)
Vets Clinic (Playmobil)

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BLE Appoints New Marketing Manager

Licensing International Expo — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:26:04 +0000

Humaira Kaiser was recently hired as marketing manager for Advanstar Communications’ Brand Licensing Europe event. Previously, Kaiser worked for CMP Information’s flagship brand IFSEC and the World Trade Group, where she led marketing for the energy division. “I’m really excited about joining the Brand Licensing Europe team. I’m enjoying immersing myself in the licensing industry and getting to meet our exhibitors, visitors and partners,” Kaiser said.

“The event is already an extremely successful, established brand and my aim is to propel it even further into the international spotlights by delivering a show that continues to attract increasing numbers of exhibitors and visitors from mainland Europe.”

Brand Licensing Europe will be held from September 30 to October 1, 2009, in London at The Grand Hall at Olympia. For more information on Brand Licensing Europe, please click here.

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It’s MAGIC!

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:38:33 +0000

Enjoying yourself at the show? This late-August weather may be scorching but it’s even hotter inside the Las Vegas Convention Center — here, at MAGIC, big ideas on style are made into retail realities. You won’t catch us missing action like this. MAGIC has helped usher in nearly every consumer fashion dynasty for the last 75 years.

And where there are retail trends, there’s licensing. Stop by our booth and get an exclusive look at Licensing International Expo 2009 — you’ll find us in the lobby of the South Hall just outside the entrance to Slate. Don’t forget about doing lunch today and tomorrow. Just bring a business card with the invitation we sent you to Hospitality Suite S230, right on the South Hall Second Floor. Hope to see you!

Our booth at MAGIC