Warner Bros. Brings Bugs Bunny to the Symphony
Warner Bros. Consumer Products announced that Bugs Bunny on Broadway will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2010 with a newly-created concert sequel, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony. The new concert, as well as the original Bugs Bunny on Broadway, is created and conducted by Emmy Award winner George Daugherty, and produced by Daugherty, Emmy Award winning David Ka Lik Wong, and their award-winning IFX Productions.
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, featuring a new fusion of on-screen Looney Tunes and live symphony orchestra accompaniment, will spotlight some of the original cartoons of Bugs Bunny on Broadway while adding an enlarged “cast” of Warner Bros.’ animated characters and cartoons to this celebrated melding of classical music and classic animation.
In keeping with the project’s 20-year history of traversing the globe, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony will be unveiled in mid-2010 in a series of performances around the globe, including a high-profile, two-tiered world premiere at Australia’s Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on Friday and Saturday, May 7-8, and at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic on Friday and Saturday, July 16-17.
In addition to these engagements, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony will make an Australian national tour in May 2010, including appearances with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in Perth and The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. The U.S. East Coast premiere will take place in Washington D.C. with The National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap Filene Center on Friday and Saturday, August 6-7. More cities and venues worldwide are expected to be announced soon.
Alice in Wonderland Windows at Bloomingdale’s
Disney announced a collection of apparel and accessories inspired by its upcoming feature Alice in Wonderland, which is scheduled for a U.S. release on March 5, 2010. Disney Consumer Products (DCP) collaborated with jewelry designer, Tom Binns, fashion designer Sue Wong and Swarovski, the world’s largest producer of cut crystals, to create an interpretive line that brings the allure and mystery of the film and characters to life.
As part of the Alice fashion experience, DCP and Bloomingdale’s have joined forces to create one-of-a-kind window displays at Bloomingdale’s flagship 59th street store in New York City, which will be unveiled in March. The windows will feature props from the film and highlight a selection of items from the designer line including Sue Wong for Walt Disney Signature dresses and Tom Binns for Walt Disney Signature jewelry. The windows at 59th street will be complemented by a special exhibit in the contemporary sportswear department on the second floor, which will feature select costumes and props detailed with information from the film.
In addition, seven Bloomingdale’s stores across the U.S. including the New York City flagship store will enhance their Alice in Wonderland merchandise displays with special signage and video screens that will play behind-the-scenes footage and select bonus material. The stores include Beverly Center, CA; Century City, CA; San Francisco; South Coast Plaza, CA; Aventura, FL; and Short Hills, NJ.
LIMA Hosts Safety Webinar
To help explain the updated requirements for the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and what they mean for the licensing community, Susan DeRagon, associate director of the toy and premium division at Specialized Technology Resources (STR), will host a webinar for the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) on Wednesday, February 3, from 12-2 p.m. EST. The webinar will cover material of interest to those in both the hardlines and softlines sides of the licensing business.
Specialized Technology Resources (STR) provides testing, audit, and responsible sourcing services to ensure that clients’ products and systems meet quality, safety, and social standards. STR has labs and offices in more than 30 countries across five continents.
Those who sign up for the CPSIA Update webinar are invited to submit questions and specific areas of interest in advance of the seminar so that DeRagon may incorporate them into her presentation. Please email questions to Marty Brochstein of LIMA at mbrochstein@licensing.org by noon EST on Monday, February 1.
Webinars are free to LIMA members and $99 for non-members. Visit the LIMA website (www.licensing.org) to sign up for webinars. For more information on the webinar program, contact Christina Attardo at cattardo@licensing.org or call (646) 744-3741.
Jerry Perez Joins Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc., announced that Jerry Perez is joining the company as senior vice-president and global brand leader for the Hasbro’s worldwide preschool business. In this role, he will lead global strategy, marketing, and merchandising for Hasbro’s preschool brand portfolio including Playskool, Mr. Potato Head and Play-Doh, among others. He will also lead global efforts around the recently announced Sesame Street toy and co-branded games license, with the first product becoming available in 2011.
Perez comes to Hasbro with nearly 25 years of global and domestic toy industry experience. Prior to his association with Learning Curve in 2007, Jerry was president of LeapFrog Enterprises since 2004. He also held a series of progressively more responsible positions at Fisher-Price, a division of Mattel, over a 12-year period where he eventually managed the worldwide Fisher-Price business, including toys, juvenile products, battery-powered ride-ons, and licensing. After beginning his career in marketing at Quaker Oats, Perez held several marketing positions at Kenner, which was acquired by Hasbro in 1991.
MODA to Represent UNICEF
MODA International Marketing has signed an agreement to represent UNICEF for an international licensing program. This agreement will cover a range of categories such as toys, apparel, educational products, optical, first aid, safety products, strollers and car seats.
Hasbro Reintroduces Beyblade
Hasbro, Inc., announced that it’s introducing its Beyblade: Metal Fusion line in Canada this spring and is expected to launch in the U.S. this fall. Hasbro’s Beyblade: Metal Fusion battling-top toy line allows kids to collect, customize, and compete like never before with a new, metal gear system and the introduction of an online virtual battle component.
In 2002, Hasbro introduced Beyblade around the world by teaming up with Tomy Company, Ltd. who distributed Beyblade toys in the Middle East and Asia. The brand was relaunched in Japan in 2008 via Tomy and has since sold almost 10 million tops and accessories with thousands of kids competing in Beyblade tournaments across the country. In 2010, through d-rights, Inc., and Nelvana Enterprises, Hasbro has been selected as the master toy licensee outside of the Middle East and Asia. Set to launch this fall the Beyblade: Metal Fusion animated series will feature 51 new episodes starring a fresh cast of characters.
Mr. Men and Little Miss Books Now Available for Download
Chorion is partnering with ScrollMotion, creators of the Iceberg Reader and a leading developer of original iPhone applications, to bring its Mr. Men and Little Miss classic books to the iPhone and iPod Touch. Available now in iTunes, the digital books expand upon the traditional children’s book reading experience by incorporating scrolling image exploration, interactive controls, and a voice recorder.
The titles currently on offer are: Mr. Happy, Mr. Tickle, Mr. Bump, Mr. Messy, Mr. Mischief, Mr. Perfect, Mr. Funny, Mr. Grumpy, Little Miss Sunshine, Little Miss Chatterbox, Little Miss Giggles, Little Miss Stubborn, Little Miss Fun, Little Miss Naughty, Little Miss Bossy, and Little Miss Trouble. The book apps are available for $3.99 each, with an introductory price of $1.99 each for Mr. Tickle and Little Miss Chatterbox.