No further details have been announced regarding the multi-year deal.

“Laila Ali is a powerful and marketable franchise,” says Jay Kester, executive vice president of marketing for Cherokee. “This is only the first step in our global consumer products strategy for the Laila Ali brand. We are currently in discussions for the development and distribution of additional merchandise categories, including nutrition, health and wellness, sporting goods and apparel to complement beauty and personal care.”

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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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“We are thrilled with the opportunity to reach a broader range of consumers via a bedding collection,” says Neil Petrocelli, vice president of marketing and sales for Borghese. “This begins our foundation of building a lifestyle brand based on our inherent credibility of offering unique and innovative products to the consumer. We believe Villa Di Borghese will become the destination brand that evokes the true meaning of beauty rest. And United Feather & Down is the perfect partner to deliver this message.”

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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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The partnership also includes drive-in Nickelodeon movie, craft and character breakfast events. Marriott’s Nickelodeon Getaway also features a two-night deal for $169 a night with a character breakfast for two adults and two children, a sleepover kit with Nickelodeon-themed pillowcases and toiletries along with a special gift.

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“We are delighted to serve on behalf of The Weather Channel as the consumer products agency for the leading source for weather updates,” says Tashjian. “We look forward to working alongside The Weather Channel licensing group to create licensing and retail programs focused on weather preparedness products, home, garden, apparel, automotive, and kids educational entertainment merchandise to help our viewers make the most of and be prepared for whatever the weather has to offer.”

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Licensees for the movies include Alba, Brite Power, Carta Mundi, Character Options, Christy’s, Digital Blue, Famosa, Flair, Halsall International, Hasbro, John Leisure UK, Jumbo, Lazerbuilt, Martin Grossman, Mattel, Mega Brands, Mondo, Ravensburger, Re:creation, Rubies, Topps, Vivid, Winning Moves and World’s Apart.

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The movie-inspired product line will include these licensees:

• Playmates Toys for action figures (3.75″ and 6″) and accessories; a special 12″ scale of collector figures; iconic vehicles, such as the U.S.S. Enterprise; role-play toys, such as the Starfleet communicator and phaser; and playsets that are compatible with the 3.75″ action figures
• Mattel for Star Trek-themed Barbie Collector dolls (Kirk, Spock and Uhura) at Walmart, www.walmart.com, www.BarbieCollector.com and Barbie collector dealers for $43.19 each; a full range of Tyco R/C flying radio controlled vehicles; a Scene It? DVD game that includes content from “Star Trek” television series and movies; and a Radica 20Q Star Trek trivia game (available now)
• Pocket Books for a movie novelization (May 12)
• IDW Publishing for a comic book prequel Star Trek: Countdown (available now for Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch and Google’s Android Mobile Devices)
• Fundex for Star Trek versions of classic games UNO, Scrabble and All About Trivia
• USAopoly for a Star Trek Continuum Collector’s Edition
• Vandor for gift items, including business card holders, salt and pepper sets, mugs, clocks and magnets
• Funko for bobbleheads and vinyl figurines
• Briefly Stated for adult sleepwear and loungewear
• ES Originals for kids footwear, bags and accessories
• AME for sleepwear for children
• York/Roommates for peel-and-stick wall art and décor, including life-size wall murals
• Rabbit Tanaka for lighting, wall art and other creative home décor elements
• Trends International for posters
• GenkiWear for a trio of fragrances (Tiberius, Pon Farr and Red Shirt)
• Cufflinks.com for silver plated cufflinks
• Bradford Exchange for direct-to-consumer items, such as leather jackets, laptop bags, patches, pins and flags
• MBI/Danbury Mint for jewelry, such as men’s and women’s rings
• GoAnimate.com for a destination, where users can activate animated versions of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty and many other original Star Trek characters with a full range of actions and expressions, in addition to dialogue and musical themes

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“Rite Aid customers can enjoy these products knowing they are not tested on animals and a portion of their purchase will go to WildAid, the Global Wildlife Conservation Organization,” says Babaii, co-founder. “Every day can be Earth Day for Rite Aid customers.”

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In the Netherlands, NVCP has launched an innovative supermarket promotion across 422 doors including branches of Agrimarkt, Boni, Deen, MCD, Poiesz and Supercoop. The multi-property promo is based on a collectible game called Nickos, involving round, colored discs given out with every 10 euros spent in-store. The eight-week promotion includes a spinning top, collector’s album, slammer and a Nickos carrying tube.

In the UK, the licensing program for Go, Diego, Go! is expanding. The master toy licensee is Fisher-Price. Paramount Home Entertainment has launched a range of DVDs. Accessories for Technology has launched a range of products and 2K Play is set to launch Go, Diego, Go!: The Great Dinosaur Rescue game on Nintendo DS and Wii.

NVCP has also signed book deals on Go, Diego, Go! with Leapfrog, Simon and Schuster and Alligator. Greetings cards are being supplied by Gemma.

NVCP EMEA has partnered with Nestle subsidiary Osem, the biggest food manufacturer in Israel, to produce SpongeBob SquarePants tomato ketchup and kosher soup croutons — a first for licensor and licensee.

NVCP’s three-year international partnership with 2K Play, part of Take-Two Interactive Software, is seeing the rollout of Nickelodeon preschool-branded product for Nintendo DS. Dora the Explorer Saves the Mermaids was released across Austria, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland at the beginning of this month. Also this month, The Wonder Pets!: Save the Animals game was launched in Australia.

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“Animal Planet’s push into more quality branded product categories comes at a time of great momentum for the network, with compelling new programming and bold branding hitting all screens,” says Elizabeth Bakacs, vice president of licensing of Discovery Commerce. “We will bring the momentum and brand affinity to bear as we work with all of our licensees and retailers to truly bring the Animal Planet brand to life.”

Other Animal Planet licensees include video game publisher Activision; Sherwood Brands for Easter baskets and seasonal gift sets; TFH Publications; Buyseasons for children’s costumes; Jakks for dog and cat toys, dog beds, leashes and collars; and Celebrate Expressions for party paper goods.

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The deals, available this spring, include: Lenox for Peeps tea lights, sculpted figurines, salt and pepper shakers with a tray, egg platter, basket and an Easter ornament tree; Russ Berrie for Peeps plush chicks and bunnies, luggage tags and handle wraps, rhinestone-studded key rings and Swarovski Crystals necklaces; Hanna’s Candle Company for Peeps-scented candles and candle toppers, passive diffusers, paper sachets and fragrance greeting cards; and Houston Harvest for Hot Tamales and Peeps popcorn and tin sets.

“Consumers have a very strong connection and attachment to our candy brands,” says John Kerr, licensing director for Just Born. “With the addition of these new licensing partners, our Peeps and Hot Tamales brand fans will be able to enjoy their favorite brands more often and in different ways throughout the year. There is a real demand for licensed merchandise representing our popular brands, and we plan to continue expansion of the program with quality partners and products.”

Lisa Marks & Associates (Booth #5814) is the licensing agent of Just Born.

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Linens ‘n Things’ intellectual property assets were picked up in February by Hilco Consumer Capital and Gordon Brothers Brands. The ex-home goods retailer, which had operated 589 stores in the US, filed for bankruptcy in May 2008. The acquisition included the Linens ‘n Things brand name, as well as its bridal and gift registries, all web domains and various brands, including Luxe Versailles, Attitude, Super Set, Cook at Home and Hotel Living. Besides the e-commerce site, the investors plan to launch retail shop-in-shop, direct-to-retail licensing and wholesale licensing.

“We’re excited to forge new partnerships with retailers to bring Linens ‘n Things’ goods back onto shelves in the very near future,” said Brad Snyder, principal, Gordan Brothers Group, at the time of the deal. “Customers who have known the brand for decades will be able to find products they trust in retail channels they shop today.”

Gordon Brothers Brands and Hilco Consumer Capital also jointly invest in The Sharper Image and Bombay Brands.

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Townley Cosmetics in the United States will develop a line of makeup to arrive at high-end department stores this year. The range will include a lip gloss charm bracelet, perfume, eye shadow, travel cosmetic case, shimmer powder puff and more.

Faresak has been named agent for the Rebecca Bonbon brand in Brazil.

Game shows, factual series and more are some of the highlights FremantleMedia is bringing to MipTV in Cannes this week.

The entertainment producer will showcase the following at the event: Let’s Dance, a live-entertainment series, where celebrities perform iconic dances from around the globe; True Beauty, a reality beauty contest, where contestants are secretly judged on their inner beauty (airing in the US on ABC); and Non Stop Joe, an ordinary member of the public must complete challenges posted by viewers and keep the audience entertained or is replaced (airing on MTV in France).

Other game shows expected are Celebrity Quiz Night, Risking It All, Let’s Make a Deal, Get Connected, Triple Zero Heroes, Naked and World Class in 100 Days.

“In this kind of economic climate, audiences want to be entertained more than ever,” says Rob Clark, senior executive vice president of entertainment and production, worldwide entertainment for FremantleMedia. “Broadcasters and viewers will always be looking for great programs that are fun and familiar, but are also open to new entertainment shows in different genres.”

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“After the announcement late last year that two of the biggest names in the UK beauty industry were to develop a cosmetics range for two of the coolest new names in the teen and tween girls’ market, excitement has been growing in anticipation of a further announcement in cosmetics retail,” says Janet Woodward, Coolabi’s head of licensing. “We are delighted to be working with the UK’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer to bring this exclusive range to the market.”

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“Give Kids the World Village is a very special place and Hasbro is pleased to add to the magic with the opening of Twinkle Hope’s La Ti Da Royal Spa,” says Michelle Hogue, global brand director of Hasbro. “This spring we introduced the My Little Pony La Ti Da Hair & Spa play set and we are thrilled to bring the concept to life at Give Kids the World Village.”

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“Seventeen magazine is a veritable fashion resource for this important market segment,” says Arthur Jankovits, president of New York Eye. “We were thrilled to work with Seventeen to develop fresh and relevant products that the market has been missing up until now.”

Other New York Eye licensed brands include Joan Collins, Woolrich, Coleman and Pepsi.

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The deals include:

• Think Wow Toys for Chuck E. Cheese’s toy electronic pizza making machine

• Hanna’s Candle Company for Cold Stone Creamery candles, passive reed diffusers, electric plug-ins, home fragrance sprays, candle and home fragrance gift sets and plastic air fresheners

• Twin Star International for Duraflame electric fireplaces, electric stoves, electric table top heaters, electric space heaters and outdoor gas space heaters

• Trau and Loevner for Hershey’s apparel

• Americana Souvenirs and Gifts for Hershey’s novelty jewelry items

• Godfinger for Hershey’s gifts and novelties, seasonal ornaments and housewares

• Mighty Fine for Hershey’s men’s, junior’s and tweens’ knit tops; T-shirts; and fleece

• C-Life Group for Hershey’s junior’s and tweens’ T-shirts, and long-sleeved tops in all fabrics
Spin Master for Humvee radio-controlled vehicles with wall climbing technology and micro-sized versions
California Costume Collection

• OLA Co., Ltd. obo Uniqlo Co., for Marlene Dietrich T-shirts featuring images of and quotes by Dietrich

• Think Wow Toys for Mrs. Fields Cookies electronic and non-electronic cookie making machine
Worn Free for Tonino Lamborghini T-shirts and sweatshirts

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The M&S collection includes rain wear, T-shirt and shrug sets, T-shirt and jacket sets, shorts and tights sets, short pajamas and washbags, balloon long-legged pajamas, nightdresses and packs of T-shirts, socks, briefs and vests.

The Charlie and Lola collection from master toy licensee Golden Bear is being extended to include new plush items, games and wooden toys. “The first range of Charlie and Lola clothing from Marks and Spencer sold well in 2008,” says Cassie Allen, licensing manager, BBC Worldwide. “Similarly, H&A’s toiletries range has been extremely popular with consumers. Working with Marks and Spencer and H&A to maintain the popularity of this exciting brand helps to gain momentum across categories. We’re confident these renewals will attract further sales growth in 2009 and beyond.”

Other new Charlie and Lola deals include giftware ad paper partyware from Wild and Wolf and Talking Tables.

Meanwhile, BBC Worldwide has also signed a new Teletubbies deal with puzzle specialist Jumbo Games for a range to be launched this spring.

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A wide range of tween accessories and novelty merchandise based on American Greetings’ (Booth #5427) new Maryoku Yummy brand is now available at 600 US Limited Too and Justice stores. The Maryoku Yummy line includes collectible mini and large character plush, buttons, lollipops, character journals, scented nail polish, flavored lip gloss and wish bracelets. American Greetings teamed up with Tween Brands, a specialty retailer that owns Limited Too and Justice. Tween Brands is currently converting its 590 Limited Too stores into Justice formats.

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