United Media Signs Poptropica
United Media announced that it will serve as merchandise licensing agent for
Poptropica (www.poptropica.com), a virtual world for young kids. Targeting 6-12 year olds, the licensing program will initially focus on toys, apparel, and room décor.
Poptropica’s content is developed under the creative direction of Jeff Kinney, author/illustrator of the bestselling book, and soon-to-be movie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
Kidz Bop in Applebee’s Promotion
Kidz Bop recently announced that it has teamed up with Applebee’s for a national in restaurant promotion to support the release of Kidz Bop 17. The promotion will run for nine weeks ending April 25, 2010, in 1,800 participating locations.
Applebee’s has created approximately five million Kidz Bop 17-themed Kids’ Menu activity books. Each will also include a discount offer, which gives consumers $3 off of the purchase of the CD or digital album download when they visit the dedicated Applebee’s page on the Kidz Bop website. It is located at www.KidzBop.com/applebees.
Stone America Signs Tatty Teddy; Lexani Deals
Tatty Teddy, the character behind the UK’s Me to You brand, will be brought to the U.S. through a partnership between Carte Blanche Greetings Ltd. and Stone America Licensing.
The bear-named Tatty Teddy because of his cute patches and sewn-up seams-already appears globally on a wide range of Me to You products, including greeting cards, plush toys, apparel, calendars, jewelry, and collectable figurines.
In a completely separate announcement, Stone America Licensing announced that it has been appointed as the licensing agent by the world leader in custom wheels, Lexani.
Silk Becomes a Global Icon
Silk, the soy milk brand, and Global Icons announced an exclusive licensing partnership. Global Icons will develop and leverage strategic licensing partnerships to strengthen Silk’s brand penetration and help increase the depth of consumption through the launch of new food categories in the refrigerated, shelf-stable, and snack aisles. The licensed food program will diversify the brand portfolio across a variety of health and wellness oriented categories.
Gator Group Signs ACA Joe
Gator Group announced that it will represent ACA Joe as the brand’s global licensing agency. Founded by Joseph Rank in the early 1970s, ACA Joe was born on the beaches of Mexico and rapidly evolved into a popular retail destination offering colorful menswear and lifestyle-inspired apparel for women, juniors, and boys. Gator Group plans to continue the brand’s legacy by launching a worldwide licensing and marketing program.
Jakks Promotes Padawer
Jakks Pacific promoted Jeremy Padawer to executive vice-president of marketing for Jakks brands. Padawer was formerly senior vice-president of marketing for boys’ entertainment brands. Padawer is responsible for product development, marketing, new business, intellectual property, and entertainment content development for Jakks. His new role is not inclusive of
Jakks’ divisions, Creative Designs International (CDI), Tollytots, Kids Only, and Disguise.