Breaking News: 4Kids Entertainment Chairman and CEO, Al Kahn, Retires
4Kids Entertainment, Inc., announced this morning that its long time chairman and CEO, Alfred R. Kahn has retired and will be leaving the company today.
Royaltie$ Marketplace: Mars Retail Group’s M&M’s
Whether its wrapped around milk chocolate, dark chocolate, peanuts, pretzels, or almonds, the candy coating of Mars, Incorporated’s M&M’s candies is recognized all over the world. This international recognition has allowed the Mars Retail Group to establish a number of sweet licensing deals for the M&M’s brand.
Catching Up With Carole Postal, President of CopCorp
Jim Benton might best be known for his award-winning property It’s Happy Bunny, but there’s more than sarcastic bunnies in Benton’s arsenal. From The Misters, Just Jimmy, Franny K. Stein, and Meany Doodles to newer properties such as Kissy Doodles, jOkObO, and J.K. Monster, CopCorp Licensing brings Benton’s work to audiences through a variety of products. Carole Postal, president of CopCorp, spoke to aNb Media about helping Benton launch these licensed properties.
aNb Media News, January 6, 2011
- Squinkies to Be Developed into Video Game
- Pepsi Signed as X Factor Sponsor
- Tetris to Be Featured on Internet-Connected TVs
It Takes a Village to Raise an Industry
For the past several years I’ve been attending the TAGIE Awards (The Toy & Game Inventor Awards). Held during CHITAG, the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, I’ve watched the event grow tremendously. This year’s event, held at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, was completely sold out. It was hosted by Tim Walsh (inventor of Tribond and Blurt and now filmmaker for the movie Toyland) who has a great comedic style. Hasbro inventor relations’ main man, Mike Hirtle, gave the keynote address. For me, there were two highlights during the evening. The first was the lifetime achievement award presented to Eddie Goldfarb. He has created more popular toys than can be named here. However, some of his highlights include Yakity Yak Chattering Teeth, Ker Plunk, and Battling Tops. The second highlight was watching Kate Daniels win the Young Inventor Award. It was presented by Seth Calvin, the 2009 winner, and John Ratzenberger (of Cheers and Toy Story fame. He’s the voice of Hamm the piggy bank). I also enjoyed the open bar. . . perhaps a little too much.
It’s 2011. What Can ASTRA Do for You This Year?
ASTRA is gearing up to better serve its members in 2011 through media outreach, seminars, and a redesigned website.
What’s Happening at Toy Fair 2011
Toy Industry Association has a host of activities planned for Toy Fair 2011.
Real Deal
- Scholastic Launches Books for iPad
- Grover Gets an App
- Barney Gets an App
- New Licensees for M&M’s
- RC2, Disney Extend The First Years Agreement
You’re Hired
- aNb Media Hires Losi
- Kang-Huneke Upped at Sesame