Domo Expands Across Europe
Big Tent Entertainment announced that it has formed strategic partnerships with international licensing agencies CTM, a division of integrated media company Tele Munchen Gruppe based in Germany, and Mendía Licensing, an independent marketing and licensing agency in Spain, for Domo. As part of the agreement, CTM and Mendía Licensing will look to introduce and develop the Domo brand in their respective European territories through key licensing, marketing, and promotional agreements.
Big Tent has signed on CTM to develop the Domo brand in Germany through an extensive licensing program. The initial program will concentrate on securing licensees for the Domo brand within the apparel, accessories, gift, and plush categories. CTM will look to follow up this initial effort with various promotional deals and a DTR with a prominent mid-tier retailer.
Mendía Licensing, which represents a number of classic properties including Felix the Cat and Garfield, will help strengthen the licensing program behind Domo in Spain through an existing licensing deal with United Labels for a wide range of gift, novelty, and back-to-school products. Mendía looks to continue expanding the licensing program for Domo throughout 2010 with a major emphasis on signing apparel and social expressions partners.
Beyblade: Metal Fusion Makes U.S. TV Debut
Beyblade makes its return to the U.S. as Beyblade: Metal Fusion, which is scheduled to premiere in the U.S. on Cartoon Network on Saturday, June 26 at 7:30 A.M. ET/PT.
The 51 new episodes from Nelvana and d-rights, Inc., offer a fresh take on the original series with new characters competing for dominance with their spinning Beyblade tops, battling against an evil organization, The Dark Nebula. Staying true to the Japanese version, it features a new storyline brought to life in a unique mix of 2-D animation and battle scenes with the tops spinning in CGI animation.
NASCAR Celebrates 50th Anniversary of The Andy Griffith Show
CBS Consumer Products in conjunction with HLG Licensing announced a partnership with Front Row Motorsports and the No. 34 Ford Fusion team to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Andy Griffith Show. The car, to be driven by NASCAR star Travis Kvapil, is slated to make its first appearance in the NASCAR Banking 500 during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, October 16, 2010, and broadcast by ABC.
The partnership marks the second time that CBS Consumer Products has come together with the NASCAR organization to feature a car scheme based on The Andy Griffith Show. Based on the announcement, CBS Consumer Products will be developing a merchandising and promotional program around the NASCAR partnership and will soon be announcing an entire line of products in the apparel, accessories, gift, and toy categories.
Book Deals for Superheroes
Marvel Entertainment has partnered with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers to launch Super Hero Squad and Iron Man 2 children’s book publishing programs, including novels, early readers, storybooks, and activity books. Starting this spring, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will release six Iron Man 2 titles and the first three Super Hero Squad books.
In addition, Marvel announced the expansion of its partnership with Bendon Publishing for an expanded children’s reading program featuring Spider-Man, Marvel Heroes, Super Hero Squad, Iron Man 2, and the Incredible Hulk.
Gildea Joins Licensing Works
Licensing Works announced that John Gildea has joined the company in, what it calls, an executive sales position. He previously worked for Hasbro for 17 years and for Cookie Jar
Entertainment for five years as senior vice-president of consumer products.