“Everything’s Rosie,” geared to kids ages 3 to 6, follows a girl named Rosie and her friends Raggles the blue rabbit, Bluebird, Big Bear, Oakley the oak tree and others. V&S Entertainment holds all licensing rights to the series and product negotiations are currently under way, including publishing.

“The vibrant color palette, eye-catching locations and endearing characters in ‘Everything’s Rosie’ have been designed and styled to capture the imagination of our preschool audience,” says Vickie Corner, chief executive officer of V&S Entertainment. “We look forward to the next exciting stage in the growth of this property and to developing ‘Rosie’ into a saleable merchandising commodity.”

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In the deal, Scholastic now holds all storybook and novelty rights for the series’ children’s book program. The publisher is planning a number of formats, including paperbacks, board books, novelty and readers—all targeted to kids ages 2 to 6. A January 2011 launch will include five titles (paperback, reader, sticker storybook, oversized board book with flaps and die-cut shaped board book), followed by another paperback and reader in April 2011.

“Teaming with Scholastic, who not only has a broad reach at retail, but also direct access to kids, teachers and parents through their unique distribution channels into schools, continues our tradition of working with the best partners around the world,” says Maureen Taxter, senior vice president of U.S. consumer products at Ludorum. “We have no doubt that, through their books, Scholastic will capture the beautiful graphics and great storytelling that makes Chuggington so special.”

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According to Variety, Avi Arad (Spider-Man) is producing and screenwriter Mike Jones is in talks to adapt. The last film adaptation was a live-action version in 1980 from Robert Altman. Robin Williams starred as Popeye and Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl.

In 1929, King Features launched the first “Popeye” comic strips. The property then transitioned into cartoons produced by Fleischer Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures. Popeye’s first licensing program included puzzles, dolls, games, books, banks, lamps and tin toys—many of which have become collectibles worldwide. One of the character’s biggest partnerships is with spinach; Allen Canning has distributed Popeye brand spinach since 1950.

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A number of new international product deals have been signed by NVCP.

In the U.K., NVCP has added Lightbody Celebration Cakes for live-action series “iCarly.” Following an initial launch at ASDA, the cakes are now hitting major U.K. supermarkets. Themed lunchware from DNC is also arriving at ASDA, followed by other retailers this spring.

Other deals include Compagnie Européenne des Parfums for Dora the Explorer bath products, including shower gel and shampoo in France (now through end of 2011); and Tex-Ass for SpongeBob SquarePants boxer shorts in Austria, Germany and Switzerland (July).

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“‘Mr Men and Little Miss’ continues to be a hit on television, the Web and now on iPhone and we are thrilled to work with AT New Media to take the brand into the exciting world of gaming and interactive platforms to expand the fans’ opportunities to have fun with these beloved characters,” says Bettina Koeckler, senior vice president of licensing at Chorion, EMEA.

Mr Men and Little Miss recently released their first iPhone and iPod touch apps, scrolling books from Scrollmotion.

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Disney is developing a 10-part “Tron” micro-series aimed at kids ages 6 to 14. It is slated to air fall 2011 on Disney XD.

The Tron property originally debuted as a Disney film in 1982. The new CGI-version Tron: Legacy hits theaters on Dec. 17.

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Called “Alice’s” (an anagram of Claire’s), it will stock products designed especially for the film, such as miniature top hats, charm bracelets, striped knee socks and classic Alice bands. There will also be Mad Hatter tea party-inspired earrings and necklaces. Claire’s will also run themed promotions across its 955 European stores and has created a Web site to run alongside the launch.

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A sale or joint venture involving all or part of United Media Licensing are among the possible outcomes. Another option is to keep operating the business if management concludes that there is value for shareholders by retaining it.

“Scripps is proud to have United Media Licensing in its portfolio, but the recent interest and activity in the market for character-based properties make this an appropriate time to determine if more long-term value will be created for our shareholders by continuing to operate the business or finding another alternative,” says Rich Boehne, president and chief executive officer of Scripps.

Fourth-quarter revenues from the licensing and syndication businesses decreased 15 percent to $26.4 million. Revenue in the Q4 of 2009 was affected by lower apparel licensing, particularly in Europe, and lower syndicate and Web revenue. Costs and expenses, including royalty payments, declined 12 percent to $23.3 million, resulting in segment profit of $3.1 million, compared with $4.3 million in the prior-year period.

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“Adult Swim is the first adult-focused proposition that we’ll be licensing from our extended portfolio of brands,” says Alan Fenwick, vice president of Turner CN Enterprises. “The licensing of Adult Swim marks a point of evolution for our business. The brands allow us to target an older demographic. Just like the Adult Swim properties, their fans tend to be non-conformist. This thinking has led to deals with PlayStation Home where clips are shown within a 3D virtual cinema and iTunes where consumers can download their favorite content.”

Adult Swim has been selectively rolling out its titles throughout the EMEA territories over the last three years and has a growing on-air presence and fan-base in Germany, Spain, the Nordic regions, Russia and South Africa. In the UK, Robot Chicken: Star Wars 1 & 2 topped both the DVD TV retail chart and the iTunes TV show download chart on their release in August 2008 and August/September 2009, respectively. Now Turner CN Enterprises are ready to pick up the pace and take the Adult Swim brand to the next level.

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“We are thrilled to bring Robert on board in this key position,” says Gary Newman, chairman of Twentieth Century Fox. “With this studio’s gold standard properties like The Simpsons, Ice Age and Family Guy, the upcoming Avatar, and the breakout successes of shows like ‘Glee’ and ‘The Cleveland Show,’ there are enormous opportunities to expand our licensing and merchandising activities. Robert has an incredible track record and has done outstanding work on building global businesses and franchises for such companies as Disney, Time Warner and Mattel. We know he’ll bring a fresh perspective to this vitally important area of our company.”

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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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“We have had great success with the Ben 10 publishing program thanks to the rich content from the series and expansiveness of the Ben 10 universe,” says Christina Miller, senior vice president of CNE. “As Ben 10 continues to take root as an evergreen brand in the boys action category, having strong programs in place with the right partners will continue to be critical to our ongoing success, and adding Scholastic to our roster is a tremendous opportunity to deepen our publishing product for the brand.”

The Ben 10 Alien Force licensing program already includes toys from Bandai America, as well as products in categories such as apparel, interactive, home entertainment and consumer electronics. Season 3 has begun airing on Cartoon Network. A live-action TV movie, Ben 10 Alien Swarm, will premiere in November on the network.

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The new Nickelodeon channel in Canada will feature a slate of exclusive Nick programs, including Canadian premieres of the new animated series Fanboy and Chum Chum and live-action series The Troop, as well as favorites SpongeBob SquarePants, iCarly, Dora the Explorer and others. The agreement between Corus and MTVNI sees exclusive television rights in Canada to all current Nick animated programming, live-action series and all digital rights for Nickelodeon and related brands.

“We are thrilled to build on our long-standing relationship with Nickelodeon with the launch of this new service, which gives Canadian audiences full access to one of the best entertainment experiences for kids in the world,” says Paul Robertson, president of television at Corus Entertainment. “Nickelodeon joins Corus Entertainment’s unmatched portfolio of kid-focused brands that offer Canadian children and their families a full range of entertaining options, with something for everyone, on a variety of platforms.”

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Read the list of partners after the jump.

- Mattel for The Simpsons Scene It? The DVD Game (US)
- TomTom for Home Simpson voice download for its navigational device
- Wesco for mugs, barware and a Spiderpig money bank (UK)
- Baylis & Harding for toiletries (UK)
- JJ Valliant for high-end resin figures (UK)
- Big Boss for PC and console accessories (Italy)
- ProFab for inflatable castles and slides (Spain)
- Segora for perfume (Spain)
- Watt’s SA for a free on-pack sticker with participating beverages, including flavored milk, juices, drinkable yogurt and milkshakes (Chile)
- KFC for a free figurine with purchase of a family bucket meal, as well as a national sweepstakes for a family trip to the Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios, Hollywood (Canada, brokered by Segal Licensing)
- News Limited for readers promotion, featuring collectible stick’ems and albums

Additionally, European retailer partners, including Bershka and H&M, will feature Simpsons-inspired adult apparel lines.
“The Simpsons continue to have a profound affect on the entertainment industry, and the expectations that audiences and consumers now have for merchandising programs,” says Carl Lumbard, senior vie president and managing director of Fox Licensing Europe and Latin America. “This year we continue to enter into previously untapped areas.”

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“The McDonald’s Channel is the perfect venue for these two family-oriented series,” says Ashley Postlewaite, Renegade Animation’s executive producer. “Both Funny Face and our Tom Chapin series have tremendous appeal for kids and parents, and are in tune with the values and characters of the McDonald’s brand.”

Renegade’s Funny Face was a winner of the fifth annual Licensing Challenge, in partnership between License! Global magazine and MipJunior. The studio is also the producer of The Mr. Men Show and Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi.

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Other appointments include Bob Boden as head of reality and game show development and production, Michael Vogel as head of boys’ animation, Brian Charles Lenard as head of story development, Mary Beth Bambridge as head of finance and Kevin Healy as head of legal and business affairs.

“There are a number of factors that makes heading up Hasbro Studios such an exciting opportunity,” says Davis. “First, great programming requires great content, and we have the unique opportunity to take an amazing portfolio of iconic brands into all new and creative places. Second, I have been given the green light to hire the best in the business, and the appointments we are announcing demonstrates that Hasbro Studios will have the creative and intellectual firepower necessary to do great things. I am delighted with the team we are putting in place.”

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Bakugan’s licensing program already includes a toy line by Spin Master and additional partners in categories such as apparel, accessories, publishing, home entertainment, consumer electronics and sporting goods.

The latest season, “Bakugan Battle Brawlers: New Vestroia,” is a co-production from Sega Toys, Spin Master, Nelvana Enterprises, TMS Entertainment and Sega Corporation.

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“Christina’s strategic approach, along with her reputation in the industry and her supportive leadership style, will be a perfect complement to the Turner Sports team,” says Lenny Daniels, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Turner Sports. “Christina was instrumental in our recent golf deal, which created an important kids’ licensing partnership between Turner and the PGA.”

Miller began working for Turner in 2005. Prior to that, she was senior vice president of brand licensing at HIT Entertainment. Miller is currently a member of LIMA’s board of directors and serves as its vice chairperson. She is also a board member of the Toy Industry Foundation.

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“Securing key licensing categories with market leaders will help us achieve massive exposure at retail and we are pleased to partner with such a highly renowned apparel licensee in the UK,” says Marie-Laure Marchand, managing director of Big Bocca Productions.

Huntik’s UK licensing program already includes toys and a trading card game through Upper Deck in stores now. In 2010, other merchandise to roll out includes a monthly Huntik magazine, full line of mini collectible figures and sticker albums from Panini, a Nintendo DS title developed by Rainbow Media and a DVD by E1.

Huntik: Secrets & Seekers airs on Disney XD in the U.K. and on CITV. The show is created by Iginio Straffi, the author of Winx Club, and developed through a partnership with Big Bocca Productions, Rainbow SpA. and m4e.

“The prioritization of DC and the creation of DC Entertainment is a great opportunity that reaches far beyond the film group. Collectively, we have the ability to grow a body of properties highlighting the iconic characters and the diversity of the creative output of DC Comics.”

Other staff appointments include Paul Levitz to join the division as writer, contributing editor and overall consultant. He had been president and publisher of DC Comics since 2002.

DC projects already in development include Human Target (mid-season debut on Fox), Midnight Mass (2010-11), The Green Lantern (2011) and Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Cartoon Network).

Less than two weeks ago, the Walt Disney Company purchased Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion. Disney has now added Marvel’s more than 5,000 characters to its portfolio.

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“This new deal with VTech will help us reach a younger audience with products that make learning fun and entertaining,” says Paul Gitter, president of consumer products for North America at Marvel Entertainment. “We are sure these innovative electronic learning products featuring our renowned superheroes will serve as a successful point of entry to the Marvel brand with this important demographic.”

Meanwhile, a site launched in the US offers Marvel fans editable raw footage and pre-cut video ringtones based on animated Wolverine and The X-Men, as well as classic theme songs from the 1966 Marvel superheroes series.

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“Wideload Games will be a great fit for our portfolio of internal studios, and Alex joining the global product development team provides the entire Disney game portfolio with a strong creative influence,” says Graham Hopper, executive vice president and general manager of Disney Interactive Studios. “Alex’s leadership of our creative community will enhance our ability to be a magnet for the best talent in the industry and enable the company to take an even more significant role in developing industry leading products.”

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The Dora Links doll, for girls ages 5 to 8, features a slightly-older Dora with interactive and computer-focused capabilities. Girls can interact with their doll through a website, which allows them to change the color of her jewelry and eyes, as well as grow her hair. The site also unlocks a virtual world with games and pro-social themes such as volunteerism, water conservation and planting trees. Besides Dora, the line also includes her friends — Naiya, Emma, Kate and Alana.

Mattel’s Dora’s Explorer Girls collection is based on the characters and storylines from Nickelodeon. A sneak peak can be viewed at www.doralinks.com.

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“We’re very excited to offer the Looney Tunes as creative inspiration for the wonderfully imaginative designs of Johnny Cupcakes,” says Karen McTier, executive vice president of domestic licensing and worldwide marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “His signature style is characterized by a level of irreverence, much like the Looney Tunes.”

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The Skelanimals seasonal products will include paper party goods, costumes and accessories, treat bags, candy, exclusive push and toys, home décor and girls’ apparel and fashion accessories.
Two new Skelanimals characters — Timmy the Spider and Oliver the Owl — will debut along with the Target product launch. The property’s first CGI-animated short will premiere, featuring music from the band Family Force 5, on Target in-store channels and the Skelanimals’ microsite at www.target.com. An exclusive CD Keep the Party Alive from Family Force 5 will release with the animated short and bonus audio tracks.

Meanwhile, Skelanimals has also inked a deal with Mars to offer custom Skelanimals M&Ms to be available exclusively at Target’s Web site.

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