America’s VetDogs Veteran’s K‐9 Corps has licensed Bil-Jac Foods, Inc. for dog treats. The license was initiated and finalized by MODA International Marketing, Inc.

America’s VetDogs Dog Treats will launch at the upcoming Global Pet Expo in Orlando at booth #1023. Representatives from America’s VetDogs and MODA, along with Veteran Navy corpsman Joseph Worley and his America’s VetDog, Benjamin will be at the booth.

The targeted channels of distribution are: pet specialty, mass retailers,
supermarkets, farm stores, military PX’s, direct mail and e-commerce.

Scholastic, together with Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and the National Summer Learning Association, is challenging kids to Read for the World Record, to help keep kids reading and learning all summer long.

Launching on April 30, the Scholastic Summer Challenge is a global summer reading program with a robust online community for kids—plus expert advice, engaging activities on Facebook, and summer book lists for parents, and resources for librarians and educators—all for free. The Scholastic Summer Challenge kicks off with a live webcast with bestselling authors Christopher Paul Curtis, Gordon Korman, R.L. Stine, and Lisa Yee as they go head-to-head in a book trivia game show on April 30 at 1 p.m. EST. Kids everywhere will test their book knowledge against these bestselling authors.

In conjunction with the Summer Challenge, Governors’ Spouses from across the nation are signing up to serve as “Reading Ambassadors” to help spread the important message about reading books over the summer in their respective states. This is the second year the Spouses are supporting this cause. Scholastic will donate 500 books to a school selected by each First Spouse, to ensure that children have books to take home to read over the summer vacation.

The adidas Group and the National Basketball Association (NBA) have announced an extension of their global partnership, giving adidas exclusive rights to all apparel in Europe beginning with the 2010-11 NBA season. Products will be available beginning Oct. 1 to coincide with the tip-off of NBA Europe Live, presented by EA Sports.

Fans in Europe will be able to select from a comprehensive on-court collection, including the authentic, swingman, and replica versions of NBA player jerseys; as well as authentic team warm-up collections, shooting shirts, official practice wear, and adidas TECHFIT base layer compression and padded compression undergarments. The entire apparel collection is designed to coordinate with adidas’ comprehensive range of NBA performance and lifestyle footwear.

“The NBA is the pinnacle of basketball—and every kid around the world who dreams of playing pro ball aspires to reach that level,” says Lawrence Norman, vice president of adidas basketball. “Now, with the exclusive global rights, we are able to help the NBA spread the love of basketball around the world by bringing a piece of that dream to everyone who loves the NBA.”

“The expansion of adidas’ apparel rights in Europe gives us a true global partnership that aligns perfectly with our collective strategy to continue growing the game of basketball,” says Sal LaRocca, executive vice president of NBA global merchandising. “As the NBA continues to grow in popularity throughout Europe, authentic adidas NBA apparel will be available to more fans than ever before.”

adidas is in the fourth year of its 11-year global merchandising partnership as the official uniform and apparel provider for the NBA, WNBA, and NBA D-League. The NBA and adidas will support the partnership through a mix of global marketing and media initiatives, including NBA Europe Live presented by EA Sports in 2010, as well as grassroots events and branded media programs throughout the 215 countries in which the league distributes content.

From TLB Publisher Laurie Schacht:

This morning, instead of going directly to my office, I made a stop in Times Square, which was overrun by Vikings… could be a little scary… but they were all smiling, taking pictures and generally enjoying the fact that their big Viking Boat (40 ft) was grounded in the heart of NYC. (Since I’m a native New Yorker, I have to say it was grounded in the heart of America).

After taking a few pictures… trying to hear what actress America Ferrera (Ugly Betty and the voice of Astrid) was saying to the cameras, I had the pleasure of spending a few minutes with Walmart’s SVP and General Manager of Entertainment, Gary Severson.

So how does America’s giant retailer decide when and how much muscle to put behind a new movie launch/property, well, Gary gave me some insight.

There are a lot of great movies that come out every year, but not all translate into merchandise, specifically toys, very well. But the How to Train Your Dragon property has such appeal, especially to boys, that it was clear that this was something to look at. Dragons are a terrific play pattern, and there is a demand for this type of product. Compound this with the studio behind the movie, DreamWorks, and the first toy partner to see the potential—Spin Master—well Walmart knew that this could be something big.

This great partnership launches today in Walmarts around the country and in theaters this Friday. Will your kids love this movie? …the answer is yes! They will love the story about Hiccup, a Viking teenager who just doesn’t fit in and the dragon that challenges him and his fellow Vikings to look at the world differently. And, they will love the array of products that will be available at Walmart exclusively, such as toys (helmets and swords of course… made of foam), snacks, apparel, and other products to keep the story alive. We’ll see the DVDs later in the year so be ready to add it to your holiday list.

Paul Frank Industries has announced a partnership with 26 Bars and a Band. The company will manufacture a line of Paul Frank-branded pet products including beds, bowls, charms, collars, dog tags, harnesses, and traditional and retractable leashes. The products will be available for purchase at Paul Frank retail stores and boutiques that carry 26 Bars & a Band items in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

“The style of both companies is similar, and more importantly, the business values and ideals are similar,” says Sandi Kaneko, Co-Founder for 26 Bars & a Band. “We share the same influences in art and design. Moreover, both businesses started the same way… small and out of their garages.”
“Paul Frank has always had a soft spot for animals and fashion. Being a dog owner myself, I am constantly looking for hip pieces for my dog that reflect my own fashion sense.” adds Ryan Heuser, president of Paul Frank Industries.
Paul Frank Industries continues to cultivate licensee relationships as a result of its strategic partnership with licensing agency Gator Group.

We love fast cars. We love faster roller coasters. Wouldn’t it be cool if someone, somewhere, combined these two super-fast, super-awesome things?

As it turns out, someone has.

This week in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari previewed its GT Roller Coaster. The cars on the coaster are replicas of the Ferrari F430 Spider—two coasters on parallel tracks “race” to the finish line.

The coaster will be part of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Ferrari theme park, which will also be the world’s largest indoor park.

If that’s not enough world records, the park will also host another roller coaster billed as the world’s fastest coaster, with speeds up to 125 mph.

The Ferrari GT theme is not only carried out in the park via the roller coaster, but also in the roof of the enclosed theme park. The roof is inspired by the “classic double-curve side profile” of the Ferrari GT.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the result of a partnership between Ferrari and Aldar Properties PJSC, Abu Dhabi’s leading property development, management, and investment company.

Check out the theme park’s website for really cool photos and info about the construction and development. The park is set to open later this year.

What other licensed roller coasters can you think of? I’m pretty sure there have been coasters to honor Batman, Spider-Man, and Superman. There’s also the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney in Orlando, which blasts Aerosmith music during the ride and features a giant guitar at its entrance. Are there others? What’s your favorite coaster?

Eyes of Faith Optical has announced a new licensing agreement with faith-based Big Idea Entertainment. Under the new agreement, Eyes of Faith will design a new line of VeggieTales children’s eyewear, which will have wholesale distribution through independently owned and operated optical practices.

Eyes of Faith pledges that 10 percent of every dollar it takes in will go to “reputable organizations” and missionary work, making it a natural partner for Big Idea, according to Brian Mitchell, Big Idea Entertainment’s Director of Marketing & Licensing. “This is the first ever VeggieTales license for children’s eyewear and Eyes of Faith is the perfect partner with not only quality products, but a heart for philanthropy. Their mission of giving back to those in need with every purchase lines up perfectly with Big Idea Entertainment’s values,” he says.

The first General Assembly of the French Licensing Federation took place in Paris on March 10, gathering numerous IP-owners, licensors and licensing agents. Patricia De Wilde was elected President, Marie-Laure Marchand and Franck Cymes, Vice-Presidents, respectively acting as General Secretary and Treasurer.

Open to IP-owners and licensing agents based and conducting business in France, it is the official body representing the licensing industry towards other associations, governing agencies, retailers, manufacturers and the media. The Federation is also meant to be a think tank and a source of information for its members and a purveyor of industry data. It will aim to communicate on behalf of the industry and occasionally act as a mediator between licensors, agents and licensees.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) has partnered with five-time Olympic medalist Nastia Liukin to create Supergirl by Nastia, a lifestyle merchandise line for girls. Supergirl by Nastia will feature trend-right, affordable apparel that encourages a message of empowerment, creativity, strength, intelligence, and independence—the symbolic attributes of the iconic Supergirl S-Shield.  The collection, created for girls ages 8 – 12, will be available exclusively at JCPenney, in stores and online, beginning July 20.

“I am so proud to be partnering with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and JCPenney to present to girls and moms the Supergirl by Nastia line, which I believe represents not only a fashionable and affordable option, but also communicates an important message of empowerment,” said Liukin. “The Supergirl S-Shield is a unique and iconic symbol that has inspired this collection.  I believe it will do the same for girls who wear it.”

The collection will include active fleece, dresses and tunics, knit pants, signature Supergirl tees, dancewear, fashion leggings, shrug tops, and more.

As the July theatrical premiere of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ The Last Airbender (do NOT call it “Avatar”) nears, Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) has signed a several global and international territory deals.

Spin Master is launching action figures, vehicles and role play items featuring The Last Airbender heroes and villains, from the M. Night Shyamalan film based on Nickelodeon’s TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Mutli-territory and local deals include apparel categories signed with TV Mania, Collective Brands, Mlab Concepts and Aykroyds; publishing categories are covered by Simon & Schuster UK, Egmont UK and Egmont VGS, Random House and Alligator Publishing. Herding Heimtextil has signed a deal for bedding.

In the stationery categories Trends International, Alpa UK, Paperline Designs and Union-Transit Company have signed  deals, alongside Procos for party paperware. Poster and badges are signed to Pyramid International, accessories to Sandylion, dress up to Rubies, puzzles to Toyster and back packs to Vast Sky.