Mars Retail Group is the licensing wing of the Mars, Inc. The company’s stable of properties includes candy brands like M&M’s, Snickers, Skittles, Starburst, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way, and Twix, as well as the Pedigree and Whiskas pet brands.
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.