Ludorum was formed and is run by former HIT Entertainment and Learning Curve International executives. Last year, the company brought on board Maureen Taxter, who has held licensing positions at The Jim Henson Company, Hasbro, and Nickelodeon. The Chuggington property is a big focus for the company. Chuggington is a train-based global children’s property targeted to children ages 2–5 years old that takes place in a vibrant and colorful world.
SloaneVision Unlimited’s newest property Couch Potato: the Art of Hanging Out (from creative team Trade Marc Productions) celebrates hanging out with friends, watching TV, or reading a book through fashion-forward loungewear. Glenn Hendricks, vice-president, business development, licensing and merchandising at SloaneVision, provided an update on this new brand.
CBS Consumer Products is focused on the film Beastly, which is scheduled for release July 30, 2010. The film has been called a modern-day take on Beauty and the Beast where a New York teen is transformed into a monster to find love. The film stars Vanessa Hudgens, Neil Patrick Harris, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Alex Pettyfer.
A separate endeavor is Star Trek Online, the MMOG that launched in February. It keeps the momentum going until the next film is released in 2012.
Liz Kalodner, executive vice-president and general manager of CBS Consumer Products, provided on update on these properties.