The news today (actually, it was late last week) is that Brandgenuity has brokered a deal between MGM Studios and streetwear manufacturer Undefeated (UNDFTD) for a line of apparel in time for Rocky‘s 35th anniversary. The collection will include T-shirts, snapback hats, knit hats, crewneck sweatshirts, hoodies, and accessories for Rocky Balboa and opponents including Apollo Creed and Clubber Lang.

The line includes more than 20 pieces and will be in stores for holiday.

It’s hard out there for a zombie, but it’s not all bad. European retailer C&A will launch an Extreme Zombies apparel line in its 1,400 stores in Europe. Extreme Zombies, aimed at boys 8 and up, boasts a new style guide, and worked with IndieGo Distributions to complete the deal, which was brokered by MGL Licensing.

I, for one, welcome our zombie overlords.

—Bryan Joiner (has a small brain)

In a follow-up article, The Post-Standard printed a response from The Collegiate Licensing Co., the licensing division of IMG College, which partnered with Old Navy on the Superfan Nation collegiate merchandise. CLC’s spokeswoman, Tricia Hornsby, wrote to the newspaper that the participating schools had seen and approved the apparel designs. She added, “There are many designs on product, not just collegiate, that are not always grammatically correct. For example, go get ‘em, go git ‘em, sic ‘em, dawgs, etc.”

As an editor and Syracuse alumna, I’d refrain from purchasing a “Lets Go ‘Cuse” shirt. But I don’t follow sports or collect sports merchandise. Would incorrect grammar deter sports fans from buying the shirts?

To be on the safe side, Old Navy has pulled the shirts from its online store, which says the tees have been taken into temporary custody by the grammar police and that it will release corrected versions soon.

—Melissa Tinklepaugh

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Entertainment, has partnered with fashion designer Blayne Siegel to develop a collection of men’s and women’s premium casual apparel by Kinetix, inspired by Batman. This collection will include a line inspired by Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly anticipated theatrical release The Dark Knight Rises. Items will include tanks, basic tees, hoodies, and textile differentia. The Batman-themed collection will be available at high-end department stores and specialty boutiques throughout the U.S.

This back-to-school season, Discovery Communications, Inc. is helping empower tech-savvy kids with the launch of Discovery Kids Puterbugs, a technology-based program that teaches kids age 8 and under to use technology to solve problems and build important skills. Discovery Kids Puterbugs is presented by Discovery Kids and Imagine Tomorrow, the leading provider of computer classes for young children. The deal was brokered on behalf of Discovery Communications by Big Tent Entertainment, the North American licensing agent for the Discovery Kids brand.

A first-of-its-kind program, Discovery Kids Puterbugs is the only interactive experience available that teaches kids, in a fun and age-appropriate way, the full scope of technology skills in today’s digital world. In a safe environment that promotes a healthy foundation and proper tech etiquette, the program helps kids master skills that range from basic file navigation, Internet, and keyboarding skills to an understanding of the latest technology, such as mobile apps and cloud computing. The classes are currently being offered across the country in more than 700 locations, including a rollout of schools through a national partnership with early childhood education provider, Learning Care Group.

The Collective Debuts Licensing Program for The Annoying Orange

Viral sensation The Annoying Orange will break out of the virtual kitchen with the launch of the property’s first licensed program, led by The Collective. Foundation apparel and accessory partners for the juicy brand include Hybrid Apparel and Accessory Innovations, who have signed on to develop collections targeted to young men and juniors. The Hybrid Apparel and Accessory Innovations deals were brokered on behalf of The Collective by The Joester Loria Group (TJLG), the licensing agent for The Annoying Orange brand.

Created by Dane Boedingheimer, The Annoying Orange features an endearingly annoying and highly entertaining Orange that playfully heckles other fruits, vegetables, or nearby objects with puns and jokes. Product designs for the new line will feature the zany fruit stars and “puntastic” content straight from the series. Hybrid Apparel will develop a variety of Annoying Orange apparel including young men’s and junior’s tees and fleece that will be available at key specialty retailers such as Hot Topic and Rue 21 in the fall, and JC Penney, where it will launch as a mid-tier exclusive in October. In addition, Accessory Innovations will introduce a line of headwear and cold weather accessories in time for the holiday season.  Bags and accessories will debut next spring.

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The characters Ox, Big Toe, and Trunko will come with their own tennis-inspired narrative that will provide consumers with a unique and fun way to share their passion for tennis. The plush toy collection will be featured in three sizes. The toys will be available at U.S. Open event retail shops beginning August 23 and are now available at the FAO Schwarz Fifth Avenue store. Consumers also will be able to purchase the merchandise online at www.uglydolls.com and www.usopenshop.org.

Jakks Pacific to Acquire Moose Mountain Toymakers

Jakks Pacific, Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Hong Kong-based Moose Mountain Toymakers Limited, which sells and manufactures sports arcade products, foot-to-floor ride-ons, tents, safe soft-play environments, arcade pinball games, and wagons.

Jakks Pacific will acquire all of the shares of stock of Moose Mountain, a 15-year-old, privately held company, and its Parsippany, NJ-based affiliate, Moose Mountain Marketing, Inc. The business includes licenses for well-known characters and brands, and its children’s product lines are complementary to Jakks Pacific’s product portfolio.

The transaction is scheduled to close in the third quarter of 2011, subject to third-party approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Smack Sportswear Signs Licensing Deal with National Volleyball League

Smack Sportswear (Smack), a brand of custom-designed volleyball apparel for both indoor and beach volleyball players alike, has signed a licensing deal with the National Volleyball League (NVL), the U.S.’s new professional beach volleyball tour.

Smack will design and manufacture the NVL’s licensed beach and fan wear. The NVL licensed apparel will be sold at events, VBSuperstore.com, and many volleyball specialty stores nationwide.

—Melissa Tinklepaugh

The recent collaboration was brokered through The Joester Loria Group, Pepsi’s exclusive licensing agency for North America, and Act III Licensing in conjunction with the Ray Charles marketing group, the licensing agency for The Ray Charles Foundation. The collection, designed by licensee Ripple Junction, features imagery of the late music legend Ray Charles and is representative of the award-winning advertising campaign. Launched in the early 1990s, the “You Got the Right One Baby” campaign, featuring 11 commercials within three years, put Pepsi on the leading edge of pop culture.

Current designs are authentic to the merchandise that originally launched in conjunction with the campaign in the early ’90s and incorporates the Diet Pepsi logo, Ray Charles images, the “Uh-huh” girls, and the iconic tagline. The nostalgic appeal also aligns with the current Pepsi Throwback beverage line, which offers vintage Pepsi packaging from the ’70s and ’80s and a real sugar blast from the past taste.

Select T-shirt styles are currently available at Urban Outfitters retail locations and online, Kitson retail locations and online, and on Pepsi’s e-commerce shop (shop.pepsiusa.com) beginning in mid-July. Retail prices range from $24-$38. Kitson’s Robertson and Melrose locations in Los Angeles will feature an exclusive Pepsi Throwback window promotion for two weeks starting July 16 and for an additional two weeks at the Santa Monica location starting Aug. 1.

With a new Alvin and the Chipmunks film release on the way this holiday season—Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked!—Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, in conjunction with Bagdasarian Productions, kicks off a long-term merchandising program intended to support the franchise. The program includes seasonal rollouts of fresh product and unique styles with prime retail positioning and the exciting introduction of a new branding initiative based on The Chipettes, the adorable, fashionista, female rock stars of the group.

To meet consumer demand and keep the product fresh, Fox Consumer Products will continuously offer new character art and graphics with themes tied to key retail selling windows such as back-to-school, holiday, and spring. The spring look will include a “Chipwrecked” island theme inspired by both the new film and the season. An everyday look is also available for year-round business. Some of the kid-favorite themes include: rock ‘n’ roll, sports, cheerleading, and nautical.

To fuel this campaign at retail, Fox Consumer Products has aligned with a wide range of partners to produce new product consistently throughout the year. New partners on board include Just Play LLC, who will create basic, feature, and novelty plush lines, with Vivid Imaginations as the as the UK distributor for the product. Santa’s Best will introduce holiday seasonal goods for the new film, while Gipsy has partnered for a specialty plush line in France.

In the interactive space, Majesco will take the lead once again with a follow-up Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked video game, based on the upcoming film. Ty will continue to produce their own special lines in the toy category, while Build-A-Bear Workshop will return with its top-selling line of stuffable plush featuring Alvin and Brittany and pre-stuffed plush of the other main characters.

HarperCollins also rejoins for a wide publishing program that will include beginning readers, novelizations, sticker books, and storybooks. They will be accompanied by Bendon Publishing, which will publish a line of activity, board, and coloring books along with flashcards and workbooks.  Editora Alsto Astral will introduce a book program in Brazil.

Apparel and accessories form the cornerstone of the merchandising program and include a robust offering of items: Tees, sets, outerwear, swimwear, sleepwear, headwear, bags, rainwear, hosiery, and footwear for both boys and girls from leading companies in both the U.S. and Canada, such as Isaac Morris Limited, H.E.R. Accessories, Berkshire Fashions, Accessory Innovations, JCorp, SGI, and SG Footwear.

Other key partners include Hallmark, which will create a comprehensive  line of greeting cards, ornaments and giftwrap, and Kellogg’s continues with its top-selling line of branded fruit snacks. When released in support of Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, the fruit snacks marked the brand’s first foray in the food category.

To fully capitalize on world’s love affair with the adorable Chipettes, Fox Consumer Products is focusing on the wholesome and cute, yet sweet and sassy attitude of Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor for a line of accessories, toys, and more. Always a favorite among girls, Fox Consumer Products is dedicating a strong program that will introduce The Chipettes as never before at retail to reach this most enthusiastic fanbase.

The award-winning Masters of the Universe Classics toy line, featuring updated sculpts of vintage Mattel toys, will also continue throughout 2012 only on Mattycollector.com. The 2012 annual subscription will go on sale the week of San Diego Comic-Con starting July 22. Additionally, the 30th anniversary program will include interaction with the collector community through “FAN-atic” activities at Comic-Con International: San Diego and New York Comic Con.

“Masters of the Universe is an iconic franchise with a legacy that’s deeply rooted in fantastical storytelling which translates naturally to play experiences and products kids of all ages love,” says Michael Riley, VP, Franchise Development, Mattel. “In 2012 the property celebrates its milestone 30th anniversary allowing us to create a robust synergistic program that offers something for all fans.”

Changes will develop T-shirts, sweatshirts, thermals, track jackets, and fashion tops for men, women, and juniors. The company will also launch an accessory line based on the Masters of the Universe brand including wristbands, belts and belt buckles, key chains, and costume jewelry. In addition, Disguise is launching a line of Halloween costumes and accessories, including Skeletor, He-Man, and She-Ra adult costumes that will first be available this fall through a leading online retailer.

As part of the celebration, Classic Media will introduce a brand-new comprehensive Masters of the Universe style guide featuring retro artwork, all-new modern artist renderings, as well as a special 30th anniversary logo, all of which will be available this summer. Classic Media and Mill Creek Entertainment together will also release the complete series of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in a special 30th anniversary edition DVD set. The collection will be available in fall 2012 and will include special bonus material along with other memorable content developed especially with collectors in mind.

Since the debut of Mattel’s toy line in 1982, Masters of the Universe has become a hugely successful franchise that continues to have a strong cult following to this day. In 1983, Filmation debuted the original television series, introducing fans nationwide to “By the power of Grayskull…I have the power!,” and in 1987 Warner Bros. released the first film based on the series, Master of the Universe, starring Dolph Lundgren, worldwide. In 1990, animated television series The New Adventures of He-Man launched, and in 2002, Cartoon Network premiered the most recent series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

“Our mission at LittleMissMatched is to inspire creativity amongst tween girls,” says Andrew Arguiarro, VP of Licensing & Sales at LittleMissMatched. “Our new partnership with Delta Galil Industries will allow us to spread this message around the world through a collection of products that are both loved by tweens and approved by parents.”

LittleMissMatched continues to seek licensees in categories including  infant and children’s apparel, infant/baby gear, consumer electronics, paper party goods, health and beauty products, footwear, swimwear, eyewear, and jewelry/watches.