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Jun 11 2012
Sanrio Expands Licensing Team
Sanrio is expanding their licensing team by bringing Laure Takaragawa on board for hard lines. Linh Forse is promoted to co-direct the division and handle soft lines. More management changes are expected to come in the next few weeks.
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Jun 11 2012
Sponsored Video
Sears Canada will launch a new baby-focused area in 55 stores. The area, which will be located near the Kids Room section, is set to offer new and expecting parents nursery, travel, activity, feeding and gifting items for baby. The Canadian retailer debuted the new area at an event in its Toronto Eaton Centre store […]
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Jun 11 2012
Madagascar Secures Several Licensees
Bananas, toys, video games and apparel are just a few of the licensed products that will be released based on the film Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, which debuted in theaters last Friday. Dole introduced 100 million bananas with stickers that include a QR code to guide customers to the mobile game Madagascar: Join the […]
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Jun 11 2012
The Berenstain Bears Turn 50!
As everyone’s favorite bear family celebrates a big milestone, Nelvana Enterprises is speaking to potential retail and licensing partners to create more Berenstain Bears’ products. The first book, The Big Honey Hunt, was published in 1962 and since then more than 300 books based on the characters have been written, as well as a 40 […]
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Jun 11 2012
Pippi Longstocking Moves on to CopCorp
Plus Licens & Design has hired CopCorp Licensing as the U.S. and Canada agent for Pippi Longstocking Live-Action. The company has already made several deals in creating products that feature the beloved, pig-tailed character, including posters, postcards, greeting cards throughout Europe and apparel in Zara stores worldwide, and is currently working on deals for puzzles, […]
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Jun 11 2012
Babar the Elephant Celebrates 80th Anniversary with New Toy Line
New York-based Yottoy Productions came to an agreement with Nelvana Enterprises and The Clifford Ross Company to sign as a new licensing partner for Babar the Elephant. The company will create several soft toys based off of the much-loved elephant, first appearing in books in 1931, which will launch beginning this fall and into next […]
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Jun 11 2012
Gymboree Plans 105 New Stores in 2012
San Francisco-based children’s retailer Gymboree has announced plans to open 105 locations in 2012, 80 of which will be offshoots of its Crazy 8 chain. The news comes as the company reported a net income of $4.2 million for the quarter ended April 28, compared with a loss of $10.4 million in the same period […]
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Jun 11 2012
Claire’s Appoints New CEO
Tween accessories chain Claire’s is set for international expansion after appointing James D. Fielding, former president of Disney Stores Worldwide, as chief executive officer. Fielding handled all global operations for Disney Stores and served as architect of the company’s brand and merchandising strategy, new store expansion and expansion of Disney’s e-commerce business, among other enterprises.
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Jun 4 2012
Ladybug Girl Products in Development
The beloved children’s book character will have her own line of dolls, plushes, puzzles, back-to-school products, apparel, footwear, accessories and more thanks to a new partnership with SMC Entertainment Group. The products will be geared towards girls from preschool age to 6 years old. The character first came into children’s lives through a best-selling book […]
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Jun 4 2012
ASICS To Produce Children’s Wear
The active company ASICS has announced a partnership with Cayre Group. Cayre Group is the brand’s exclusive children’s apparel licensee. They plan on producing activewear, outerwear and swimwear in sizes 4 to 20 for newborn, infant and toddler aged children. Vice President of Apparel and Accessories for ASICS David Chandler is excited at the growth […]
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Jun 4 2012
Imaginarium Toy Sold Exclusively at Toys “R” Us Recalled
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with Toys “R” Us has announced a voluntary recall of the Imaginarium 5-Sided Activity Center sold exclusively at Toys “R” Us stores nationwide and online between August 2009 and September 2010. No injuries have been reported but the small wooden knobs attaching the xylophone keys to the […]
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Jun 4 2012
Child Safety Locks Recalled by Dorel Juvenile Group
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with Columbus, OH-based Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) Inc. is recalling 183,000 Safety 1st Sure Fit Toilet Locks and 685,000 Safety 1st Cabinet Slide Locks because children can unexpectedly disengage the locks, posing a risk of injury. Major retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Target and Home Depot, sold the […]
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Jun 4 2012
Skylanders Team Up with Mega Brands
Mega Brands and Activision’s Skylanders are partnering together to develop Mega Bloks and Mega Puzzles toys for multiple years. Chief Innovation Officer of Mega Brands, Vic Bergrand, says the company is excited about their new partnership, which he calls the “hottest property in the kids’ space.” “We look forward to bringing the endless creative play […]
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Jun 4 2012
Brave Products Arrive at Disney Stores
Merchandise for the new Disney Pixar film, which will be released this summer, is set to hit store shelves this month before the film’s theater release. Brave products include dolls, costumes, toy sets, plush toys, apparel and accessories. Mattel produced the dolls based on the film, Posh Paws the plush toys and role-playing items from […]
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Jun 4 2012
TRB Acquisitions Partners with Cherry Stix Ltd. to Expand Rugged Bear Clothing Line
The Rugged Bear apparel line is extending from the newborn and infant lines coming out this summer to include sizes toddler to 18. The apparel will be mix and match knit and woven pieces, focusing on school wear essentials such as sweaters, basic tees, corduroys, cargo pants and turtlenecks. Licensees for Rugged Bear include iApparel […]
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Jun 4 2012
Malibu Dream Girl Changes Name
After three decades in business, Malibu Dream Girl, Inc. changed its name to Malibu Design Group. The name change went into effect on June 1st and is part of a larger rebranding effort to better suit the company’s expanding and diverse brand portfolio. Recently Malibu Design Group established a new headquarters in Los Angeles with […]
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May 14 2012
Gap’s Online Piperlime Unit to Open its First Retail Store
Online retailer Piperlime, a division of Gap Inc., will open its first brick-and-mortar storefront this fall in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. The 4,000-square-foot store will offer a similar curated assortment as online and be styled as a boutique. The San Francisco-based company, which launched in 2006, sells a selection of kids’ shoes from brands […]
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May 14 2012
1 Percent Increase Toy Sales
NPD Group, a market research firm, reported a 1 percent growth in the licensed toy industry in the first quarter. NPD Group industry analyst Anita Frazier stated that licensing is a crucial feature for the toy industry. “The average retail selling price of a licensed toy was nearly 50 percent larger than that of unlicensed […]
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May 14 2012
One Million Trash Packs Sold
The popularity of The Trash Pack figures has hit an all-time high, with 1 million products sold. This figure comes two weeks before its projected forecast. The boys’ brand manager of Flair Anne-Marie Noon urges retailers to take part in the trend, as she states the company expects figures to reach at least 4 million […]
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May 14 2012
2012 Licensing Summit
On Thursday, May 10, leaders of the licensing industry gathered to discuss important industry details and the upcoming Licensing Expo on June 12 to 14 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Tony Lisanti, editor in chief of License! Global, moderated the panel discussion with licensing industry powerhouses, who included Kevin Kern, director of public relations […]