IT’S HAPPY BUNNY HOPS OVER TO JAPAN WITH UNITED MEDIA
Jim Benton’s It’s Happy Bunny is a cute little bunny with a BIG attitude, and United Media recently signed with CopCorp Licensing to represent the popular property in Japan. With the It’s Happy Bunny licensing program already enjoying great success in North and South America as well as Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand, this partnership represents the brand’s first foray into the East Asian market. United Media’s Tokyo office will focus initially on key categories for It’s Happy Bunny such as apparel, accessories, and wireless content. As the program builds, gift, stationery, and other categories will be targeted.
DIAMONDS ARE A DOG’S BEST FRIEND
In celebration of the 55th anniversary of Peanuts, Japanese jeweler I.K. created and produced a 5.5M yen (roughly $46,000) platinum Snoopy collectible for sale at the “Go, Go SNOOPY!” retail event held by the Isetan Department store last December. Only five and a half centimeters tall, this figural Snoopy, decorated with black, white, and pink diamonds, is currently the most expensive Peanuts product at retail. Introduced to the public through the Japanese news service, Kyodo News, the diamond studded piece is the perfect gift for the Peanuts fan who truly has everything.
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE, CHARLIE BROWN
This February, the first ever Charlie Brown Café opened in Hong Kong to great success. Peanuts fans lined up around the block to try the featured Charlie Brown coffee and cakes, and Premium Coffee, the licensee behind the café, has plans to open two more by the end of the year.
PEANUTS CHARACTERS PLAY WITH FIRE AND ICE IN ASIA
Snoopy, Charlie Brown and Lucy were the guests of honor at the Taichung Lantern festival in Taiwan earlier this year. With over 100,000 attendees on opening night alone, the week long event received nationwide media coverage and highlighted several Peanuts themed lanterns, in addition to many banners and flags that featured the popular characters. Some lucky fans also received Peanuts lantern premiums. In January, the Harbin Ice Festival in China also paid tribute to Peanuts with glorious and intricately designed ice sculptures. This was the first year that any licensed characters were included in the event.
SNOOPY GOES WILD AND SPORTY IN EUROPE
Volkswagen is promoting the launch of the new VW Cross Polo car with a year-long advertising campaign featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy like you’ve never seen them before. The campaign slogan “What you Know, but Wilder,” will run on billboards and print ads throughout Germany in 2006. And in France, Snoopy supported the Paris Basket Racing team (Paris’ official basketball team) on their home court with special appearances and fun for the whole family this past January. Snoopy will continue to reach kids in France via events, parties and appearances at basketball camps this year.
UNITED MEDIA TRAVELS TO BOLOGNA CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the most important international event dedicated to the children's publishing and multimedia industry, takes place March 27-30 at Bologna Fair Centre in Bologna, Italy. United Media will be showcasing new titles for old favorites like SNOOPY & Friends and Precious Moments. For more information, please visit United Media in Hall 28 A10 at the show.
“SEXY AND IN” IN EASTERN EUROPE
As Eastern Europe continues to grow into a significant licensing territory, the Peanuts brand has become a favorite in the region. DVD partner, Urania, has signed on in Poland and the Czech Republic, while Metropole, the biggest shopping center in Prague, recently launched an ad campaign featuring Snoopy with a clever “Be Sexy, Be In!” slogan on billboards and advertisements targeted to a young clientele. In Poland, licensees are in place covering sleepwear, domestics, stationery and DVD, and UM continues to focus on signing new partners in the apparel and toy categories.
UNITED MEDIA SPONSORS LICENSING FORUM IN CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE
United Media is the premier sponsor of the Licensing Forum Central & Eastern Europe (LF-CEE) Executive Conference on March 22nd and the Trade Fair on March 23rd. LF-CEE is the first event for the licensing industry to generate new business as well as increase existing business in this important territory. With over 329 million consumers, an emerging media industry and increased retail presence, fantastic licensing opportunities abound in the CEE marketplace. Visit United Media at the LF-CEE at booth number 23.
CANINES DOWN UNDER LOVE PEANUTS
In November, Sperling Enterprises launched a range of Peanuts pet accessories in Australian Kmart stores to “bone-a-fide” success. Pet beds featuring the popular characters have sold out, with dog bowls right behind them as a top seller. More than a dozen skus are already in-store and new products will be added to the line later this year. Woof!
VINTAGE PEANUTS SUITS AUSTRALIANS TO A TEE
With the U.S. program still sizzling, Vintage Peanuts continues to experience great success in Australia since its introduction in November, 2005. Mirroring successful efforts here in the U.S., down under public relations agency Identity PR has instigated a full-fledged campaign to popular women’s publications and celebrities who are quickly becoming fans of the hip tees. Aussie pop singer Sarah McLeod is on board, and numerous editorial features have been secured. Expect to see more of Vintage Peanuts as the year unfolds.
LATIN AMERICA IS HOT FOR PEANUTS
Latin America has shown a strong affinity for Peanuts. Last year alone, 12 new licensees were signed in Brazil, with the country now boasting over 20 licensees across all categories. C&A, a new direct-to-retail partner with 112 stores, has also come on board in Brazil with apparel, accessories and stationery/gift items. In Mexico, due to the great success of the Snoopy Halloween promotion, Wal-Mart Mexico has renewed it for the third year in a row. Commercial Mexicana sponsored a Pet Week promotion around the holidays, inviting customers to bring in their pets and take a photo with Snoopy. The event was a huge sensation and will be repeated again this month.
IT’S HAPPY BUNNY HOPS OVER TO JAPAN WITH UNITED MEDIA
DIAMONDS ARE A DOG’S BEST FRIEND
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE, CHARLIE BROWN
PEANUTS CHARACTERS PLAY WITH FIRE AND ICE IN ASIA
SNOOPY GOES WILD AND SPORTY IN EUROPE
“SEXY AND IN” IN EASTERN EUROPE
CANINES DOWN UNDER LOVE PEANUTS
LATIN AMERICA IS HOT FOR PEANUTS