PAULA DEEN HEATS UP LICENSING SHOW
Paula Deen, the self-made success story and Food Network star, stopped by United Media’s booth at the 2004 Licensing Show where she dished up her favorite Hoecakes and Gooey Pecan Butter Cake recipes, signed books and just chatted with her many fans. Paula, who learned the secrets of Southern cooking from her grandmother over 30 years ago, will now extend her captivating style into many areas of the kitchen, home and garden through licensing.
THE SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL COLLECTION AND MARIE CLAIRE JOIN THE COPYRIGHTS AT UNITED MEDIA PORTFOLIO
Copyrights at United Media recently took in two new properties to its fold.
The Sir Winston Churchill Collection is a lifestyle licensing program based on the large collection of paintings created by Churchill and is ideally suited to furniture, accessories and collectable gift ranges.
Marie Claire is the leading upscale women's magazine, with twenty-five international editions in fourteen different languages and more than 21 million readers worldwide. Copyrights at United Media will develop a complementary lifestyle brand licensing program.
A WORLDWIND YEAR FOR ARTHUR
In the year that United Media has represented the Emmy award winning television series and publishing franchise, Arthur, a number of exciting deals have been put into place, including:
Lions Gate Home Entertainment's Family Home Entertainment Division, Marc Brown Productions and WGBH Boston are co-producing a first ever direct-to-video feature film starring Arthur that is set to hit stores in 2006.
Momentus Solutions is launching a new vitamin strip under its "Healthy Moments" brand.
Wendy's will feature Arthur in its Kids' Meal program January 17 - February 20, 2005 in all participating restaurants in the United States, Canada, Japan and Mexico.
Fisher-Price is going global with its Arthur Interactive Talking Electronic Books. Domestically, it has renewed its deal for Power Touch learning books and software and signed on to use Arthur for the Pixter platform.
Through September, a promotion in Caffe Uno, a U.K. restaurant chain, will feature the Arthur characters on children's menus and premiums.
Also on the horizon is a new audiobook featuring a 10 story collection of Arthur adventures read and recorded by such names as Kelly Ripa, Minnie Driver, and Sugar Ray Leonard. Proceeds from the audiobook go to The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, among others.
NY KNICKS GET ON BOARD WITH THE NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY
On the heels of this season's playoff advertising campaign, the New York Knicks will continue to feature popular New York city themed images and language made famous by the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) in upcoming broadcast and print advertising for the 2004-05 basketball season. The MTA, through its subways, buses, two major railroad lines, majestic bridges and major tunnels, and its gloriously restored Grand Central Terminal, continuously moves New York and encompasses "The New York State of Mind" with familiar signs and symbols. A perfect match for the city's celebrated basketball team headquartered right above Penn Station in Madison Square Garden.
PEANUTS FANS AROUND THE WORLD CARE TO SEND THE VERY BEST
United Media and Hallmark have renewed the international portion of their long-term partnership allowing Hallmark the use of the popular Peanuts characters. A licensee since 1960, Hallmark has sold more than 1.5 billion Peanuts cards. One in five licensed cards sold at Hallmark is a Peanuts card.
RAGGEDY ANN & ANDY GO TO THE DOGS
Raggedy Ann pet costumes by Jake & Co. will be available this Halloween for your favorite canine friend at Spencer Gifts, Halloween and specialty stores. Human fans of the popular red headed doll have already jumped on the bandwagon. The Jake & Co. Raggedy Ann adult costume was the #1 selling costume at Halloween Express in 2003. The toddler costume also took top rank at Party City during the same time period.
A BLOCKBUSTER HIT WITH DADS AND GRADS
Blockbuster Video is offering two PEANUTS-themed $15 gift cards for dads, grads, or anyone who is a barbeque lover. This spring/summer promotion comes on the heels of the success from this past holiday season's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" gift card, which was the #1 selling collectible gift card for Blockbuster.
NEXT UP ON PADDINGTON BEAR'S WORLD ITINERARY IS CHICK-FIL-A
Chick-Fil-A will host a Paddington Bear promotion in early 2005. Keeping with its mantra of nourishing hungry young minds and helping to promote healthy values for children, the popular restaurant chain will distribute special mini-board book premiums featuring the popular bear from Darkest Peru to children under three.
SNOOPY TOWN SHOPS SPREAD THROUGHOUT JAPAN
Lalaport will open its ninth Snoopy Town Shop in Tokyo this July. Having added two new "Snoopy Town Kiosk" shops in Ueno and Sendai, as well as one "Snoopy Town Mini" in Tokyo, Lalaport will now boast 12 outlets across Japan featuring Peanuts themed merchandise.
LOVING, CARING AND SHARING IN LATIN AMERICA
Precious Moments continues on its international expansion into Latin America with six new licensees. Mexico:
Graba Imagem (gift/stationery)
Santilana Ediciones (publishing) Brazil:
Sao Domingos (stationery)
Rima Editora (cross-stitch magazine) Latin America (outside of Mexico/Brazil):
Four Seasons (baby wipes)
Tarjeal (stationery)
PETER RABBIT SEEDLINGS TAKES ROOT
Peter Rabbit Seedlings, the new Beatrix Potter line extension based on the successful Peter Rabbit Seedlings books from Penguin Books for Young Readers, launched at JPMA with new bedding designs from Crown Crafts Infant Products and gift sets from A.D. Sutton. Coming later in 2004, new Peter Rabbit Seedlings apparel from Heyman Corporation.
PEANUTS OFFERS NEW WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR LOOKS IN CHINA
Zhuhai Samsara Cosmetic Company recently launched a complete range of Peanuts HBA products in China. The eye-catching line -- which includes facial cleansers, hair gels, body lotions, and scented creams - retails at chain drug and department stores countrywide.
SCOTT ADAMS TELLS YOU WHAT'S FUNNY
Dilbert reprint books continue to roll out from Andrews McMeel with an upcoming fall title, It's Not Funny if I Have to Explain It, featuring some of Scott Adams' favorite strips.
MIFFY HITS MEXICO
In December 2003, Mercis bv, Licensing & Promotions, and United Media brought Miffy to Mexico, where a Miffy themed house was created for the Santa town at the World Trade Centre in Mexico City. Approximately 30,000 children, parents, and teachers attended the event, and as a result, three new licensees were signed: Smits de Mexico SA de CV for toys and balls, Colchas Mexico SA de CV for domestics and bedding, and Kay Internacional SA de CV for toys and inflatables.
On the heels of this season's playoff advertising campaign, the New York Knicks will continue to feature popular New York city themed images and language made famous by the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) in upcoming broadcast and print advertising for the 2004-05 basketball season. The MTA, through its subways, buses, two major railroad lines, majestic bridges and major tunnels, and its gloriously restored Grand Central Terminal, continuously moves New York and encompasses "The New York State of Mind" with familiar signs and symbols. A perfect match for the city's celebrated basketball team headquartered right above Penn Station in Madison Square Garden.
