April, 2007 United Media Signs Three New Exciting Properties: A New York Times Best Seller, Adventurous Bugs and Bilingual Cartoon Characters GETTING FANCY WITH NANCY Harper-Collins and United Media have announced a partnership wherein United Media will assume agency representation for the merchandising of the dynamic New York Times bestseller, Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser. United Media will build a licensing program for Fancy Nancy targeting girls 3-8, with initial focus on dress up, role play toys and games. As the program begins to unfold, opportunities will also be available in apparel and domestics. BUG RANGERS ARE COMING TO RAID YOUR HOME! Bruce Barry’s Wacky World Studios and United Media have announced a joint venture to represent the North American licensing rights for the children’s CGI series, Bug Rangers. United Media will build a licensing program for Bug Rangers targeting boys and girls 4-7 years old with age appropriate products that focus on the moral storylines. GET HIP TO LOS KITOS United Media has signed on to represent Los Kitos (The Toons), a bi-lingual cast of characters that made their original debut in an educational comic strip (“edu-comic”) over eleven years ago and now are widely recognized in 375 newspapers in seventeen countries. Partnering with Los Kitos represents another addition to United Media’s portfolio of brands that specifically target the growing Hispanic market. The company’s initial strategy for Los Kitos will be to initiate a program with a direct-to-retail focus that appeals to the Hispanic consumer base. STAYING COOL WITH JOE COOL As summertime pool parties and backyard barbecues heat up, Peanuts fans can once again stay cool with Joe Cool by creating icy treats with The Original Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine. On the shelves this month and voted by VH-1 as “one of the best toys of all time,” Peanuts fans will have delight in knowing that The Original Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine can be found at Urban Outfitters, Target, Toys-R-Us, A.C. Moore and Books–A- Million, among other retailers. HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE, IN STYLE! On May 8, 2007, Lionsgate will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Dirty Dancing with the release of a special edition DVD and soundtrack. In conjunction with the anniversary, United Media has signed on a multitude of partners, including Cold Crush by Awake, a division of JEM sportswear. Already popular at specialty stores, these stylish tees, featuring scenes and catchphrases from the hit movie, will be available at Target this month. AIN’T LIFE GRAND This Mother’s Day, Mary Engelbreit celebrates grandmothers with the release of her new book, Ain’t Life Grand…A Treasury for Grandmothers. Engelbreit’s book is the perfect gift for grandmothers as it pairs her signature art with quotes, poems and short narratives honoring grandmothers new and experienced. The keepsake book is available at most book sellers and on-line at www.maryengelbreit.com, www.amazon.com and www.bn.com. In conjunction with the launch, tips from Mary on how to celebrate Mother’s Day with your grandmother can be found on www.maryengelbreit.com. TAMAGOTCHI GROWS Pressman Toy Corporation is bringing the Tamagotchi virtual experience to the real world, in a 2-4 player game. For the first time ever, Tamagotchi fans are able to take on the roles of their favorite characters and try to be the first to grow from an egg to adulthood. The game and also a 100 piece puzzle will be distributed at major retailers throughout the U.S.A and Canada starting in fall 2007. HELP REUNITE RAGGEDY ANN & ANDY This February, the Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum launched a grassroots campaign to reunite Raggedy Andy with his sister Raggedy Ann, who was welcomed into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2002. Now, over 3000 names have been signed to a petition asking for Raggedy Andy’s induction, including that of Joni Gruelle, granddaughter of the Raggedy Ann & Andy creator, Johnny Gruelle. Those interested in signing the petition can do so by logging onto www.raggedyann-museum.org. DILBERT IN YOUR OFFICE Popular workplace hero Dilbert will soon be making his way to your desk. American Covers has created a new line of Dilbert mouse pads set to launch this fall. The mouse pads will feature the colorful office characters from the popular comic strip and their workday dilemmas that are all too familiar EL CHAVO Reaching fans of all ages, the popular Spanish-language cable sitcom El Chavo has a new series of bilingual coloring books targeted to the young at heart. The coloring books also feature activities in both Spanish and English and are available in Wal-Mart stores. IRON CHEF AMERICA PARTNERS HAVE THE SECRET INGREDIENT Two Iron Chef America partners, Master Cutlery and Columbian Home Products, have launched the latest in Iron Chef cooking. Columbian Home Products has unveiled a second line of Iron Chef America light weight cast iron cookware, now available at www.foodnetwork.com. Complimenting the cookware, ceramic knives by Master Cutlery will be available this spring at www.lnt.com. CHARLIE BROWN GETS ACTIVE IN CHINA New on the horizon in China is Beijing Dei-Dun men’s and women’s Charlie Brown active wear. Launching this May, the stylish and sporty clothing line will roll out at dedicated stores and counters. The first branded store will be in Beijing with the goal to open over 50 outlets by the end of the year. NEWS FROM SOUTH OF THE EQUATOR In Brazil, Liguria has signed on to produce a range of Peanuts character shaped pastas and soups due to launch this spring. Almix continues to grow its housewares collection with fun designs featuring Snoopy, Woodstock and the rest of the gang. And in Mexico, publisher Editorial Cordillera, will run a campaign that features the Spanish version of The Charlie Brown Dictionary as part of a newspaper promotion this summer. ES PRECIOSO! LATIN AMERICA EMBRACES PRECIOUS MOMENTS Over 20 licensees in Latin America have embraced the Precious Moments inspirational messages of “Celebrating Life.” United Media signed the first Central American apparel partner, Industrias St. Jacks, who will launch its line this spring. Manufacturas de Papel grows in popularity with the release of a new notebook collection, and Microcom will continue to expand its gift and stationery line through September ’08. Last, but not least, Mexico based Telas de Hogar is scheduled to introduce a new line of bedding in the upcoming months. JAPANESE TEENS GET HAPPY WITH IT’S HAPPY BUNNY Popular Japanese teen magazines “Cawaii”, “Spoon”, “LOVE BERRY” and “Jelly” are hip to It’s Happy Bunny, having recently introduced the cute little bunny with the BIG attitude to their readers. With an array of It’s Happy Bunny merchandise including hats, stationary, gifts and foods already in market, United Media’s licensing program for It’s Happy Bunny is off to a great start. New apparel from Grace hit the Japanese market in March. SNOOPY HITS THE BOOKS IN EASTERN EUROPE Six new books featuring the lovable Peanuts gang recently launched in Eastern Europe, marking United Media’s first publishing deals in Greece and Poland. Nisza Ksiegarnia has introduced the Peanuts Guide to Life in Poland, which soared to the top 10 best seller’s list. The Happiness Is… series will be revived in Greece by Erevnites this spring. GERMANY & AUSTRIA CLEAN UP WITH PEANUTS Johnson & Johnson is introducing a special edition of Peanuts bath products including gentle care cream, lotion, shower and shampoo featuring the popular characters by Charles Schulz. The line will be available to German and Austrian consumers this month. PEANUTS IN THE LAND DOWN UNDER Designworks, Kmart’s direct-to-retail partner in Australia, is launching a new ladies underwear line featuring the Peanuts gang. This is the first licensed structured intimates deal for Kmart Australia and will be featured in the April catalog. Home | Why United Media | Why Licensing | Brands | Press Releases | Newsletter | Contact Us | Careers ©2008 United Media, Inc. United Media Licensing 200 Madison Avenue / New York, NY 10016 / 212.293.8500 United Media is an E.W. Scripps company.