Changing Times for Magazines
The iPad has opened up a whole new world for magazines, changing the way publishers develop core content and licensed product.
Catching Up With Sharon Bennett, President of Bennett Branding
When Noodle Head, Inc., launched Pawparazzi Pets in 2006, the toy line was playing off the trend of celebrities carrying their pets in purses. Since then, Pawparazzi Pets has evolved into an interactive website and a soon-to-be licensing program. Sharon Bennett, president of Bennett Branding, the licensing agency for Pawparazzi Pets, explains the strategy behind the licensing program and Pawparazzi Pets’ entrance into mass market.
Surtex 2011 Offers Optimism
From May 11–15, the Jacob Javits Convention Center will host the 25th annual Surtex. The trade show launched in a time when there was very little licensing taking place in the art licensing space and has grown in prominence as the category itself has grown exponentially.
Catching Up With Jeff Lotman, CEO of Global Icons
Earlier this year, Global Icons signed on to represent the Ford Motor Company worldwide for licensing. Global Icons intends to support Ford’s brand initiatives by increasing brand exposure through product offerings worldwide. Global Icons’ CEO, Jeff Lotman, talks about the developing Ford program.
Catching Up With Suzanne Mills-Winkler, President of Dynamic Designworks
Dynamic Designworks (DDW) launched in 2001 as a design firm for the toy and consumer products industries. The company has evolved and added a division called Dynamic MarketingWorks to provide clients with a range of services for promoting their brands. Suzanne Mills-Winkler, president, uses Blip Toys’ Squinkies as an example of how DDW is mixing product development with social media for its clients.
Catching Up With Holly Rawlinson, Founder, The Name Game, LLC
Holly Rawlinson’s company, The Name Game, is currently working with clients that are tastemakers in the respective categories. Her latest client, Jes Gordon, is an event producer and designer. Rawlinson is working with Gordon to develop her into a household name across numerous product categories.
Catching Up With Cathy Malatesta, President of Lawless Entertainment
Lawless Entertainment creates, co-produces, distributes, and markets both animated and live-action programming throughout the world for both film and television. The company works with content providers and has relationships with top film, television, home video, online, and mobile distribution entities throughout the world. Cathy Malatesta, president of Lawless Entertainment, discusses Suzy’s Zoo, which has an animated series in development and a host of current licensees.
Catching Up With Maria Doolan, Managing Director of Global Brand and Business Development for Zinkia Entertainment
Zinkia Entertainment, based in Spain, is the creator of Pocoyo. The company’s goal is to create and develop brands with a global entertainment vision. Pocoyo, a hit across Europe for many years, is now gaining traction in the U.S. Based in Madrid, Maria Doolan, managing director of global brand and business development for Zinkia, explains how Pocoyo will compete in the U.S. marketplace for both English- and Spanish-speaking fans.
Catching Up With Neil Ross Russell, Managing Director, Children’s and Licensing for BBC Worldwide
The preschool TV series In the Night Garden debuted in the UK in 2007 and has been seen in 38 countries, including Canada, Australia, Spain, Poland, and China. In February, U.S. audiences finally got to see what the show is all about. Airing weekdays at 9:30 a.m. EST on The Hub, In the Night Garden offers children a world of engaging characters, playful language, songs, rhymes, and music. The television series is a prelude to a range of licensed products due to launch in the U.S. this year and throughout 2012. Neil Ross Russell, managing director, children’s and licensing for BBC Worldwide, talked more about the new U.S. licensing program.