A new and stupendous (that’s a fancy way of saying “great”) toy line by JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is underway for Fancy Nancy. The line of dolls, girls’ role play and dress-up, and craft and activity items based on the New York Times best selling children’s book series by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser is slated to launch at a major mass market retailer in North America spring 2008. Speaking of fancy, FAO Schwarz threw a fabulous Fancy Nancy party at the New York flagship store this past month, complete with a Fancy Nancy parfait, select product, and a reading and signing by both the author and illustrator.
PEANUTS MAKES ITS WAY TO WARNER HOME VIDEO
United Media, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, and Lee Mendelson Film Productions have entered in to a multi-year, exclusive worldwide home video distribution deal with Warner Home Video for Peanuts. The distribution deal includes the Peanuts library of over 50 titles for home video and new media distribution based on the Peanuts work of Charles M. Schulz. The first of these releases includes a deluxe edition of Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown, scheduled for release in January 2008, followed by a deluxe edition of It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown, scheduled for a February release. The titles will be offered to consumers completely re-mastered, in all-new deluxe editions, with newly created bonus features. Each title will feature a new updated look while maintaining the integrity and feel of classic Peanuts.
BRIGHT NEWS FROM MARY ENGELBREIT
Mary Engelbreit Baby, a program inspired by the New York Times best seller Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose, launched at Dillard’s nationwide this fall with a new line of layette, diaper bags, keepsake gifts and boxes, gift bags, and books. Marketing and PR efforts supporting the program include in-store signing appearances by Mary at Dillard’s stores across the country, as well as a “Mother Goose” themed baby shower contest in which the winner won ME Baby apparel, gifts and autographed books. For a sneak peak of the line please visit Dillards.com. On another retail front, photo borders for Halloween and Christmas were introduced at Walgreens this past October.
RAGGEDY ANN & ANDY REUNITED
Raggedy Andy’s broken heart was mended on November 8th, when after five long years, he was finally reunited with his sister Raggedy Ann in the National Toy Hall of Fame at Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. (Big Sister Ann was inducted into the hall in 2002.) 20,000 signatures were collected requesting that Andy join his sister Ann in the Toy Hall of Fame. Trendy t-shirts by Mighty Fine featuring retro art drawings of Raggedy Ann & Andy coupled with statements like “hugs not drugs” can be found in Sears and www.80stees.com. Coming spring 2008 will be Raggedy Ann and Me!, an updated look for Raggedy Ann targeting girls 3-8 and supported by a new line of dolls and books.
IRON CHEF GETS A NEW PLATFORM
Building off the success of the recent spin off reality series, The Next Iron Chef, which premiered to 3.3 million viewers on Food Network, licensee Destineer will release the Nintendo Wii Iron Chef America video game. Offering players an interactive experience where they can be an Iron Chef, the game will make its way to retail in 2Q08.
NEWS FROM DIRTY DANCING
Not surprisingly, Dirty Dancing continues to inspire fans across the nation to have the time of their lives, whether it’s watching Oprah’s 20th anniversary tribute or enjoying hot new products based on the popular movie. Retro chic Dirty Dancing bags by Concept One, which feature scenes and classic sayings from the film are now available at Target, sure to be popular with every Dirty Dancing devotee.
SCOTT ADAMS BLOG BOOK AND DILBERT STUFF TOO
Scott Adams new book, “Stick to Drawing Comics, Monkey Brain!”, a collection of his commentaries from his highly read Dilbert.com blog was released last month and has received rave reviews from leading outlets including Time Magazine, Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Out this month from Andrews McMeel is “Cubes & Punishment,” a collection of Dilbert comics on the theme of unusual workplace cruelty where Dilbert sardonically skewers the Dostoevskian sense of despair and anxiety that corporate life breeds. Four 2008 Dilbert wall calendars and one electronic calendar are also available now from Andrews McMeel.
PRECIOUS PHOTO GREETINGS
Walgreens recently introduced photo greetings with Precious Moments designs just in time for the holiday season. The greetings are available chain wide at the Walgreens photo kiosks and online. New offerings will be released through the end of 2008.
PEANUTS TURNS 40 IN JAPAN
In 2008, the Peanuts licensing program in Japan will turn 40, and to celebrate, a line of products reminiscent of those released into the market from the 50s, 60s and 70s are in the works. Advertising, in-store promotions, and a tribute to Shuntaro Tanikawa, the famed poet who was originally responsible for translating Peanuts into Japanese, will occur throughout the year.
SNOOPY TREATS ASIA TO MORE BAKERIES
The Snoopy Bakery chain is expanding in Asia! Snoopy has partnered with bakery company Aji Ono to create a Snoopy themed space which will sell breads and cakes as well as teas and cold drinks. A Macau location recently opened this past September while a Hong Kong destination will open by mid 2008. The first Snoopy bakery opened in Beijing with partner Beijing Aibolong in late August and has become a popular destination for hungry and thirsty shoppers.
SNOOPY CAPTURES NEW PARTNERS IN ITALY AND AN AWARD IN THE UK
Snoopy goes for high-end style in Italy. Lui Jo, an upscale Italian boutique with stores across Europe, has signed on as an apparel partner to create upscale Snoopy garb while sister companies and new licensees Altana and Albisetti will launch a designer line of Snoopy kids apparel and adult beachwear. Another new licensee, Seven, one of the largest back to school manufactures in Italy will be doing back to school products. In other big news, Rainbow Designs, in their first year as a Snoopy licensee, recently received the Best Licensing Giftware Award from LIMA UK for their Snoopy gift range. Way to go!
PEANUTS APPEALS TO NEW DEMO IN LATIN AMERICA
Peanuts recently signed several new apparel partners in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Peru focusing on a new demographic – tweens, teens and young adults. New collections are scheduled to launch spring ’08. Also in Brazil, the Peanuts program is expanding with Concast and Editora Darr releasing the new Portuguese language DVD’s in time for the holidays.
A new and stupendous (that’s a fancy way of saying “great”) toy line by JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is underway for 
PEANUTS MAKES ITS WAY TO WARNER HOME VIDEO
BRIGHT NEWS FROM MARY ENGELBREIT 
RAGGEDY ANN & ANDY REUNITED
IRON CHEF GETS A NEW PLATFORM
NEWS FROM DIRTY DANCING
SCOTT ADAMS BLOG BOOK AND DILBERT STUFF TOO
PRECIOUS PHOTO GREETINGS 
PEANUTS TURNS 40 IN JAPAN
SNOOPY TREATS ASIA TO MORE BAKERIES
SNOOPY CAPTURES NEW PARTNERS IN ITALY AND AN AWARD IN THE UK
PEANUTS APPEALS TO NEW DEMO IN LATIN AMERICA