Nintendo expects to launch the new device before March 2011. The company says the system will not require 3-D glasses and plans to provide further details this June at E3. The Nintendo 3DS would succeed the Nintendo DS, released in 2004, which has sold more than 125 million units.

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Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. have signed on to offer their high-definition movies for purchase and rental on the Playstation Network. Content will first be available in the U.S., followed by launches in the U.K., France, Germany and Spain.

“Securing high-definition content from these studios is another significant milestone further validating Playstation Network as a complete entertainment network in the home,” says Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing and Playstation Network for SCEA. “Playstation Network is the first and only service to deliver high-definition home entertainment from all six major studios, directly to consumers for download. Playstation Network continues to offer the most comprehensive catalog of HD movies to Playstation Network members that realize the wide-ranging entertainment power of the PS3 system.”

Titles already available include Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Up, G-Force, Star Trek, District 9, Inglourious Basterds, Couples Retreats, The Hangover and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

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“The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge is an exciting and truly unique addition to The Biggest Loser product line,” says Kim Niemi, senior vice president of NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group. “So many viewers have watched contestants change their lives and bodies over the years and now they have an opportunity to try it themselves at this incredible resort and spa. We are really proud to be able to offer The Biggest Loser at Fitness Ridge to the public and we look forward to helping viewers at home make changes in their own lives with this spa.”

Meanwhile, THQ released The Biggest Loser video game throughout North America exclusively for Wii ($39.99) and Nintendo DSi/ Nintendo DS ($29.99). In the coming months, it will hit the UK and Australia.

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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 video game trade-in program is another way we’re providing customers with additional value when they visit our stores,” says Bill Lee, vice president and divisional merchandise manager at Toys“R”Us, US. “This program is designed to make the exchange process completely hassle-free for customers by accepting games from even the oldest systems, including the original Atari 2600 and 32-bit Sega Genesis.”

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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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“With shoppers increasingly doing research before they step into a store, our new iPhone app is the latest way we are providing our customers an easier, more engaging and integrated shopping experience,” says Mike Boylson, chief marketing officer for JCPenney. “Furthermore, with more than 13 million iPhone users in the US — along with 12 million iPod touch users who can also download apps — the launch of an iPhone app allows us to share our style, quality and affordable prices each week with a rapidly growing base of customers.”

The application is available now at the iTunes online app store or by visiting www.jcp.com/iPhone.

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The Brit Chicks virtual world at www.britchicks.com will launch in October 2009. The brand, owned by UK-based Brand Champions, is targeted to girls ages 7 and older.

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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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Located at www.itunes.com/target, the designated section will feature bonus tracks, behind-the-scenes video footage, as well as iPhone and iPod touch apps.

“We’re thrilled to be working with iTunes to provide our guests with exclusive content, bringing a fresh new approach to our music retail,” says Mark Schindele, senior vice president of merchandising for Target. “Our guests love being able to buy iTunes gift cards at Target and we think this is yet another great option for them.”

Target has held past exclusive music distribution rights with artists such as The Black Eyed Peas, Prince, Christina Aguilera and John Legend.

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Wendy’s has signed up as a promotional partner for Zoinks Points. The fast-food chain will be featuring codes on their upcoming nationwide Scooby-Doo kids’ meal promotion beginning this September. Wendy’s was also named the promotional partner for the upcoming Warner Premiere/Cartoon Network co-produced live-action movie Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins.

“Scooby-Doo is one of our premier brand franchises, and it’s fitting that Zoinks Points is launching at the same time that Scooby-Doo’s consumer offerings are rapidly expanding in the areas of licensed consumer products, movies, video games, and, notably, a new animated series coming to Cartoon Network in 2010,” says Karen McTier, executive vice president of domestic licensing and worldwide marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

Scooby-Doo’s retail and licensee partners include Walmart, Toys”R”Us, American Marketing Enterprises, Saramax Apparel Group, Union Underwear, Kellogg’s, Joseph Enterprises, Kraft Foods, DC Comics, Scholastic, Pressman Toys, New Star Wholesale, Rubie’s Costumes and VTech Electronics.

Meanwhile, WBCP will be releasing Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (Blu-ray and DVD) and Scooby-Doo! First Frights video game (Wii, Nintendo DS and Playstation 2) on September 22.

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The most recent Pokémon-based video game, Pokémon Platinum, has sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide.

Beyond video games, the Pokémon franchise also includes an animated TV series, trading cards, films and DVDs.

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The online audience measurement service also reported Disney Online’s traffic up month-over-month across all key categories in July, including page views up 17 percent, time spent up 29 percent, average daily visits up 21 percent and unique visitors up 8 percent. The data also showed increased traffic to the site’s games, specifically to Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow virtual world and the new Phineas and Ferb game.

“It’s exciting to see a well-established site like Disney.com continue to break new traffic records,” says Paul Yanover, executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online. “Disney’s unmatched online entertainment offerings combined with an extensive portfolio of family-targeted sites is proving to be a powerhouse lineup.”

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Halo was created by Bungie Studios and is published and owned by Microsoft Game Studios.

Last month at Comic-Con, Microsoft previewed its latest anime short film project Halo Legends. A number of experts from Japanese studios were tapped to transform the game into several original films. It will be distributed worldwide through Warner Home Video. Release dates have not been announced.

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“Throughout their storied career, The Rolling Stones have created one of the world’s most seminal and awe-inspiring bodies of work, and we are delighted to welcome them to the Bravado family,” says Tom Bennett, Bravado’s chief executive officer. “Moving forward, we are looking forward to integrating all of the resources we now have on hand — from their merchandising to all of their audio and video content — to create dynamic new opportunities that combine music and merchandise in unique exclusive formats, sold to not only existing retailers but to new exciting non-traditional outlets.”

Bravado’s other music talents include Kanye West, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani, Nickelback, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Elton John, Metallica and Led Zeppelin.

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“True Blood has all the qualities — flair, fantasy and sex appeal — that we associate with the vampire genre, but it adds the trademark HBO intelligence, originality and style,” says Rob Wijeratna, joint managing director of Rocket Licensing. “It’s an irresistible combination with massive appeal among a wide demographic, making it a significant licensing opportunity.”

“We’ve had a successful relationship with Rocket Licensing representing several of our properties, and we are pleased to be working with them once again,” says James Costos, vice president of licensing and retail at HBO. “True Blood is one of our most exciting franchises to date, and provides a multitude of opportunities for products that reflect its popularity and originality that transcends beyond the television.”

True Blood’s US licensing program has already rolled out products spanning apparel, glassware and a soundtrack. More launches are planned for the series that is currently airing its second season.

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“The Spectrobes video game franchise has been incredibly successful with the handheld releases the past two years and the anticipation of the first Wii game, Spectrobes: Origins, this fall,” says Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing for Disney Interactive Studios. “As an original video game property, Spectrobes is expanding to excite audiences in new ways. The four junior novels are the perfect initial step in growing the Spectrobes franchise.”

Disney Interactive Studios is also launching the first Wii game version Spectrobes: Origins for the fall.

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Reporting to global chief executive David Ellender, Penn is responsible for developing, setting and implementing the strategy for FME’s businesses in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, and he will also look at growing the business in territories such as India and Japan.

He is additionally charged with extending FME’s new and established brands as widely as possible, in addition to securing high-quality third-party product and content, while developing new brand extension business areas.

Penn was previously senior vice president of licensing for FME, Asia Pacific.

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David Cox, a former senior director of sales and merchandising for Sony Computer Entertainment America, was named senior vice president of sales for MTV Games.

“With our acquisition of Harmonix to our relationship with Jerry Bruckheimer Games, MTV Games has quickly risen to become one of the top five video gaming publishers,” says Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music & Logo Group. “We’re going after the best in music video gaming with Rock Band and the best in storytelling with our Bruckheimer partnership, and now we have the best leaders and team in place to bring MTV Games to the next level and grow through the next evolution in video games.”

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Classic novel and 1979 cult film The Warriors, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, will see comics available for the iPhone, iPod touch and Google’s Android mobile devices through iVerse Media on July 15. The first comic from Dabel Brothers Publishing will be a movie adaptation of the upcoming remake from Paramount Pictures, written by David Atichison and art by Chris Dibari. The first issue will be free and subsequent issues will be 99 cents each. The Warriors remake is slated to hit US theaters in 2010.

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“Treasure on the Tracks features an intriguing story line, thought-provoking puzzles and an exciting adventure dynamic that has been the hallmark of our award-winning Nancy Drew games,” says Megan Gaiser, president and chief executive officer of Her Interactive. “The Hardy Boys are an iconic brand whose popularity has endured across generations and we are excited to introduce a new audience to Frank and Joe Hardy.”

The Hardy Boys: Treasure on the Tracks will retail for $19.99.

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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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“We recognize that the creative process often requires extremely fast turnaround and the WB Clip Library Web site is a unique, holistic solution that really hasn’t been seen before in the world of footage licensing,” says Karen McTier, executive vice president of domestic licensing and worldwide marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “While it showcases WBCP’s enormous bank of assets, the site also offers clients a brand new way of interacting with us that focuses on our commitment to the creative process through efficient search solutions. We are committed to ensuring that working with WBCP is a swift, straightforward process and the clip library exemplifies this commitment.”

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“We are excited to work with Apple to give Family Guy fans another great way to interact with this hilarious show and its characters,” says Andrew Stalbow, senior vice president of Fox Mobile Entertainment. “With the addition of this application, there’s no doubt that the iPhone just got a lot funnier and we are proud to make Family Guy our first, self-published, commercial app for the iPhone.”

Fox Mobile developed the application with Rhythm NewMedia. The Freakin’ Sweet Family Guy application is available now for $1.99.

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