Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing has been named master publishing licensee for PBS Kids’ Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Under its agreement with brand owner The Fred Rogers Company and licensing agency Out of the Blue Enterprises, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing will introduce a range of books based on the animated show, the first TV series from The Fred Rogers Company since Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The first titles in the publishing program will launch next January.

As part of the publishing program, Simon & Schuster imprint Simon Spotlight will produce a variety of story, picture, novelty, activity, and coloring books, as well as non-interactive e-books.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood launched last year on PBS Kids. Over the past six months, the series has consistently been among the top 10 programs across all networks for kids ages 2-5, and moms ages 18-49 with children under age 3, according to Nielsen Npower national program ratings.*

Inspired by the iconic Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, PBS’ longest-running children’s series, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood stars 4-year-old Daniel Tiger, son of the original program’s Daniel Striped Tiger, who invites preschool audiences into the colorful Neighborhood of Make-Believe.  As they follow and share Daniel’s adventures, viewers learn fun and practical strategies and skills necessary for growing and learning. The theme of each episode is reinforced by simple and catchy musical strategies that preschoolers and parents can sing and use in their daily lives.

Big Tent Entertainment will feature Domo in its sponsorship of the Vans Warped Tour this summer. The tour will feature a Domo stage that will host a variety of artists from genres including rock, punk, pop, hip-hop, folk-punk, and reggae. A Domo-branded tent and fan activation areas will add to the festival and engage Domo fans. Now in its 19th year, the 40-date tour will commence June 15 in Seattle, Wash., and will conclude August 4 in Houston, Texas.

During the tour, fans will be met with various Domo activation areas and innovative ways to engage with the brand onsite. Appearances of the character on the Domo stage and throughout the festival grounds will prompt fans to share their individual Domo experiences across their social graphs. The Domo sponsorship of the Vans Warped Tour joins recent deals that have expanded brand into the fashion lifestyle space, including handbags by Rock Rebel and apparel, footwear, and accessories by Bait.

To celebrate the launch of True Blood: The Complete Fifth Season on DVD/Blu-ray with HBO Select, HBO Home Entertainment is inviting fans to “Fill In The Blood” for a chance to be part of a DVD virtual signing with stars Stephen Moyer (Bill Compton) and Kristin Bauer van Straten (Pam De Beaufort).

Until tomorrow, the True Blood Twitter feed is hosting the “Psalms of Lilith” contest. Each day fans will be asked to fill in the missing words from a Psalm of Lilith (#fillintheblood) and the top ten submissions for each Psalm will win an autographed copy of the release. All winners will be announced the day after their tweet. The official micro-site for the contest is www.fillintheblood.com.

At 12pm PST/3 pm EST on May 21, the title’s street date, Moyer and Bauer van Straten will participate in a virtual signing live from Bill Compton’s mansion on the True Blood set, during which they may read the winning tweets, sign DVD copies and answer submitted questions from fans (which can be submitted by any follower on @TrueBloodHBO).  The signing will stream live on a True Blood-branded Ustream channel (link to view will be provided on www.fillintheblood.com). Winners will also receive a copy of their winning tweet on an old-world styled parchment as a keepsake, along with other prizes.

Advanstar Licensing, organizers of Licensing Expo, and its sponsor, The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association (LIMA), announce that Flo Rida will co-host the Licensing Expo Opening Night Party. The networking event, in association with LIMA and sponsored by Sony Pictures Consumer Products, takes place on June 18 at the Mandalay Bay Beach Club from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. PST. DJ Kronik, Flo Rida’s official DJ, will play throughout the party.

D3M Licensing Group, global licensing agent for Flo Rida, has come to Licensing Expo to identify strategic partners for the Flo Rida brand to activate new consumers in key categories, including apparel, accessories, health and fitness, consumer electronics, music-related products, and more. The team is also negotiating endorsement deals with brands looking to engage Flo Rida’s millions of fans around the world.  D3M Licensing Group will exhibit the Flo Rida brand throughout Licensing Expo at booth number Q191.

Licensing Expo is a trade-only event and only registered attendees to Licensing Expo may purchase tickets for the party.

Sanrio and Loudmouth Golf have announced a partnership on a line of golf apparel called Hello Kitty by Loudmouth Golf.

The first Hello Kitty by Loudmouth Golf collection is available in three ladies silhouettes, including pants, skorts, and mini-shorts in four playful Loudmouth patterns—pink and black, Oakmont houndstooth, blue and gold, and red Tarzan. The collection is available on the Loudmouth website in the made-to-order section. Made-to-order is a way for customers to order pants to their exact specifications and in various styles. The collection will also be offered on Sanrio.com and in select Sanrio stores.

Pretty Ugly LLC and Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Entertainment, have entered into a co-branded collaboration with DC Comics Super Heroes and Uglydoll characters. Gund, a division of Enesco, will produce a range of Super Hero plush based on the DC Comics and Uglydoll character universes. The initial release this fall will be a trio that includes two versions of Ice-Bat as Batman and Babo as Superman.

The plush characters will be available through Diamond Comics and a broad range of retailers. Funko will offer a collection of vinyl figures based on the DC Comics and Uglydoll plush collaboration during the holiday season this year.

Gund will preview its new collaborative plush merchandise at the summer Gift Shows and ASTRA show in June. Diamond Comics will exhibit at San Diego Comic-Con in July and in its Previews catalog. Funko will launch merchandise in time for the holiday season.

Pretty Ugly has also partnered with The Ave Venice, a concept store that delivers unique footwear. The Ave Venice will offer a selection of custom-designed and printed Uglydoll Converse Chuck Taylors.

The initial launch features four styles of Uglydoll characters: Ox, Ninja Batty Shogun, Ice-Bat, and the Uglyverse. The custom shoes are available exclusively at The Ave Venice, in Venice Beach, Ca., and online at www.theavevenice.com.

Twinkie Chan expands her Yummy You! brand in a collaboration with Sanrio, in a deal brokered by Firefly Brand Management. Twinkie will incorporate Sanrio’s Hello Kitty characters into a line of knitted scarves, called Hello Kitty by Twinkie Chan. The scarves, manufactured and distributed by Bioworld, are available in two different styles. One design features five characters, and the other has fourteen different characters on each cupcake that connect to complete the scarf.

In a deal brokered by Firefly Brand Management, Bioworld will design an apparel and accessory line that taps into the nostalgic look and feel of SPAM Brand. SPAM Brand hit shelves in 1937 and has become an American pop culture icon. In World War II, SPAM shipped its products abroad to feed allied troops. Last year, SPAM Brand introduced its first spokes-character, Sir Can-A-Lot. Bioworld embraces this iconic brand and plans to share SPAM Brand’s story through lifestyle-driven products.

C-Preme, a client of Firefly Brand Management and owner of sporting goods brands Raskullz and Krash, has partnered with reALTO Group. reALTO will incorporate the Raskullz and Krash brands and characters into a beverage container product line for kids. reALTO will incorporate 3-D design elements into its product lines.

Raskullz’s product lines feature characters including Beary Breezy, Brainy Bunny, Cutie Cat, and Princess Meow. Products include helmets, bikes, backpacks, skateboards, scooters, and swim gear. Krash also carries graphic helmets, with some designs embellished with spikes or animal ears.