Atlantyca Entertainment announced this week the inauguration of the Geronimo Stilton Scholarship Program, a €10.000 fund created to encourage women to study international business and trade exchange between Italy and China.

The scholarship will be awarded to two women, one from China and one from Italy, who are pursuing Master of International Business degrees. The Chinese student will be invited to attend the Master of International Business (MIB) of Università Cattolica di Milano. The Italian student will be invited to attend Fu Dan University of Shanghai. Both students will be offered a full year of study in international business at these prestigious universities.

The Italian student will be chosen this month, and the Chinese student will be named in March.

“We are eager to encourage more young women to enter the challenging field of international business in an even more challenging market like the Chinese one with a scholarship that will help young women achieve independence in a field typically dominated by men,” said Atlantyca Entertainment CEO Claudia Mazzucco “To invest in this educational endeavor demonstrates our confidence in the Chinese marketplace, a country that continues to offer us enormous success and tangible business opportunities.”

Mazzucco was bestowed with the 2010 Manager Woman Award by Fondazione Italia Cina, in recognition of her continued dedication to creating and implementing a flow of innovative ideas to consistently support the expansion of children’s literacy between China and Italy. Fondazione Italia Cina in partnership with Milano Finanza, bestowed the award at the annual awards ceremony held November 2010 in Milan.

Atlantyca Entertainment maintains an office in Beijing, which opened in 2010, dedicated to business development activities with primary focus in publishing and translation rights internationally. Atlantyca represents some of today’s leading literary properties, including Mondadori’s top properties and works with leading publishers including Qingdao Publishing, Tianjin Chinese World Books, and People’s Literature Publishing House. Translation agreements, for the company in China, surpassed more then 360 in Atlantyca’s first year of establishing the office.

In two weeks, two of the biggest names in the licensing industry have moved out of their positions. First, Andy Mooney left Disney Consumer Products; now, according to several confirmed reports, Leigh Anne Brodsky has been forced out at Nickelodeon Consumer Products.

Brodsky, who was inducted into the LIMA Hall of Fame in June, will not be replaced, according to a KidScreen report by Lana Castleman. The consumer products business will no longer operate as a separate line of business from the ad sales, marketing, and digital groups, Castleman writes.

Brodsky joined Nickelodeon in 1999. Read our June interview with her here, in which she talks about how her now-former position allowed her to fulfill her childhood dream of performing on Broadway.

The Licensing Awards for the United Kingdom were handed out last night at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel… and wouldn’t you know, we have a full list of winners. That’s just how we roll.

Best Licensed Toys or Games Range
Star Wars Talking Plush Range from Underground Toys 

Best Licensed Dress Up or Party Range
Sesame Street Dress Up Costumes from Smiffy’s

Best Licensed Children’s Apparel Range
The Gruffalo SS11 Range for Sainsbury’s TU from Brecrest Babywear

Best Licensed Adult Apparel Range
Where’s Wally? Underwear and Nightwear for Next from Somerbond

Best Licensed Written, Listening or Learning Range
Peppa Pig Electronic Learning Range from InspirationWorks

Best Licensed Paper Products or Stationery Range
Star Wars Classic Poster and 3D Poster Range from GBeye

Best Licensed Giftware Range
Hello Kitty Nerdy Range from Blueprint Collections

Best Licensed Home Décor, Tableware or Housewares Range
Sophie Conran Buckets Of Fun from Burgon & Ball

Best Licensed Food and Drink Range
Nando’s Food Gift Range from Kimm & Miller UK

Best Licensed Brand Range
Red or Dead Bicycle Collection from Raleigh

The Innovation Award
Volkswagen T1 Camper Van Tent from The Monster Factory

The Retailer Awards

Best Pre-School Retailer of Licensed Products
Asda (includes George@Asda)

Best Kids Retailer of Licensed Products
Next

Best Brands Retailer of Licensed Products
John Lewis

Best Direct Selling Retailer of Licensed Products
Amazon

Top Retailer Award
Next

The Licensed Property Awards

Best Pre-School Licensed Property
Fireman Sam

Best Schoolers/Tween or Teen Licensed Property
Ben 10

Best Brand Licensed Property
JCB

Best Sports Licensed Property
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Best Celebrity Licensed Property
JLS

The Best Classic Licensed Property
Star Wars

Best Licensed Marketing Communication 2011 Award
Mr Happy Should’ve Gone To Specsavers from Chorion

Honorary Achievement Award
John Sinfield

The Walt Disney Co. has elevated Robert Chapek, formerly the head of its distribution division, to the role of president of Disney Consumer Products. Chapek replaces Andy Mooney, who resigned last week.

In his new role, Chapek will consolidate Disney’s retail and licensing efforts across its businesses, including Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel, Media Networks, Interactive Media and Consumer Products.

“Bob’s vast experience, talent and proven track record will be key to implementing a consolidated approach to retail resulting in a more efficient and effective organization,” said Robert Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “As the retail market becomes more centralized, it is important to provide the consumer with an array of choices in a seamless, coordinated way.”

Chapek was previously the president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Andy Mooney has resigned as chairman of Disney Consumer Products, effective immediately. He had led the company for 12 years, when he joined as president in 1999 and was promoted to chairman in 2003. A press release announcing the news includes the following email Mooney sent to DCP employees:

“It’s never easy to leave a place you love, but today I informed Bob Iger that I’ve made the difficult decision to resign as Chairman of Disney Consumer Products. After 30 years contributing to the success of two of the world’s most valuable brands in Disney and Nike, I believe this is the perfect time to take that experience into a leadership role with another organization and corporate boards.

It has been a tremendous honor to have worked for a company like Disney for more than 11 years and for a leader like Bob. But what I will miss the most and what I will always treasure is the experience to have worked with such a talented group of people at DCP.

Together, we have radically changed the licensing business, created new brands and franchises like Disney Princess and Disney Fairies, creatively re-energized the Disney Store chain and launched new businesses like Disney English. All of this has resulted in year upon year growth and doubling of our creative output.

I’m proud and grateful to have had the honor of calling each one of you a colleague and am confident that DCP is well-positioned to continue this momentum for many years.

I thank Bob for his understanding in my desire to pursue other ambitions as well as his guidance and friendship over the last 11 years.”

Saban Brands has a new sheriff in town. Bill Kehoe, formerly chief operating officer and chief financial officer of The Beanstalk Group, has joined the company as COO and CFO, reporting to Elie Dekel, president of the company.

“Bill is an extremely talented executive and we are pleased to welcome him to the company. Saban Brands is experiencing rapid growth and achievement, and Bill’s proven track record of operational and financial leadership and expertise in licensing and acquisitions will be instrumental as we continue to build on this momentum and further accelerate the business,” says Dekel.

Saban Brands currently operates the Power Rangers and Paul Frank brands. It was founded in 2010.

—Bryan Joiner

Walt Disney Co. will absorb Marvel Studios’ marketing into Disney’s film studio, eliminating Marvel’s marketing department. Disney reported a 60 percent drop in film-unit earnings in its most recent quarter and seeks ways to lower film costs, according to Ronald Grover reporting for Bloomberg.com.

Disney bought Marvel in 2009, but Viacom Inc.’s Paramount Pictures released Marvel’s Thor and Captain America in a deal that ended this year. Disney will release Marvel’s The Avengers next spring.

Nickelodeon Consumer Products (NCP) also announced company changes this week. NCP, a division of Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), plans to take its Canadian licensing and merchandising business in-house as of October 1. NCP Canada’s Toronto-based office will exclusively represent VIMN’s portfolio of properties and brands, including Nickelodeon, MTV, and Comedy Central, and manage all operations and retail and licensee relationships for NCP.

CandyRific has a hit with M&M’S Brand Star Wars novelties, especially the Light-Up Lightsaber, which, according to CandyRific President Rob Auerbach, is selling at a velocity of two-to-three times greater than other confectionery novelty items.

The company announced its license pairing Lucasfilm’s Star Wars with M&M’s Characters at a New York City event at Dylan’s Candy Bar in February. According to Auerbach, the excitement continues to build around these novelty items as fans gear up for the Blu-ray release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga in late September and the release of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in 3-D, which is the first of all six Star Wars films to be converted in 3-D, in February.

The Light-Up Lightsaber is CandyRific’s number one selling item, and its other M&M’S Brand Star Wars novelty items, including the fan, coin bank, and 9- and 12-inch dispensers are not far behind.

WME Announces Categories Available for Licensing

WME Licensing is looking for licensees for fashion designer Cynthia Rowley, in the bedding, social expressions, health and beauty aids, furniture, and children’s apparel categories; world-renowned health nutritionist Keri Glassman, in the health and beauty aids, food and beverage, fitness equipment, and activewear/sportswear categories; leading Latina chef Lorena Garcia, in all categories; and Survivor host Jeff Probst, in all categories.

—TLB Staff

The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) recently announced its inaugural Retail & Branding Conference: Driving Brand Impact Through Consumer Touchpoints. The half-day event, which will explore transformations in branding, collaboration and shopper-centric strategies, will be held Tuesday, September 13 at the Tribeca Grand Hotel in New York City. With participation limited to a maximum of 100 attendees, the conference is designed to encourage interactive discussion and dialogue about the future of retailing and branding. Each presentation will leave ample time for questions and answers.

Executives from HSN, Sears Holdings, Iconix Brand Group and newmarketbuilders will share their insights, including:

• Bill Brand, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Business Development, HSN, who will present a look at how HSN creates dynamic content and experiences to build sales. He will detail how a brand is developed and launched on HSN’s interactive platforms. Brand oversees HSN’s programming and marketing teams, direct strategy for the network’s lineup, and develops programming opportunities around HSN’s key merchandising initiatives.

• Jeff Fagel, Director of Brand Development at Sears Holdings, who will discuss how a legacy brand, Kmart, worked to change the way people perceive its own brand and those of its products. Fagel is responsible for strategic leadership across the Kmart brand and private label portfolio with a focus on customer, digital, social media and private label strategy.

• Yehuda Shmidman, Chief Operating Officer, Iconix Brand Group (presentation title and description to be announced). Shmidman heads  global business development for Iconix which owns, manages and markets a diverse collection of more than 25 consumer brands including Peanuts, Rocawwear, Bagley Mischka, Material Girl, Fieldcrest, and Joe Boxer.

• Carol Spieckerman, President of retail consulting group newmarketbuilders, who will give insights into how retailers have transformed themselves from mere “boxes with brands” into brands in their own right—and bricks and clicks are only part of their ever-expanding brand territory. She will delve into the new realities that will drive retail brand environments, decision-making processes, and opportunities in 2012 and beyond. Spieckerman is a recognized retail thought leader, strategist, and author and helps Fortune 500 brand, licensor, agency and retail supplier clients retool for retail’s new realities.

“With the LIMA Retail & Branding Conference we are creating an interactive forum in which stakeholders can share strategies on how best to engage with consumers,” says Charles Riotto, LIMA President. “Today’s digital environment requires marketers and retailers to re-evaluate many aspects of their businesses, and this event brings together retailers and brand marketers to discuss and analyze how we will communicate and sell to consumers in the future.”

The LIMA Retail & Branding Conference will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and includes lunch and a post-conference networking reception. Cost to attend is:

Early Bird Price through August 12:

$449 – LIMA members
$649 – Non-LIMA members

After August 12

$499 – LIMA members
$699 – Non-LIMA members

For more information or to register, click here.

An article by New York Times reporter Stuart Elliott confirmed what any parent or consumer of press releases knows: back-to-school is starting earlier as retailers adjust to the rules of the new economy. Under these rules, consumers seem to make fewer trips to stores, so retailers have every incentive to get them to come to their store or find them online. Walmart announced today that it is slashing prices on back-to-school and back-to-college items, going as far to specifically note that Toy Story and Cars licensed backpack/lunch sets would be available on Walmart.com.

Elliott’s report mentions retailers, including Kmart, boasting “Christmas in July” sales, which dovetails with a reporter in yesterday’s Times by Stephanie Clifford which found grocery chains offering bulk deals to consumers in order to maximize in-store revenue. Clifford said grocery chain executives found that “in this economy, with people visiting stores less frequently, spending less per trip and sticking to their shopping lists more closely, the competition to offer more compelling deals is stronger than ever.” And that’s for food!

In this context, it makes sense that Walmart would offer its licensed back-to-school product cheap online while advertising cheap in-store goods. It’s easy to justify the purchase of a Toy Story or Cars item for slightly more money than a generic item when you’re at home, and haven’t spent the time or money to go to the store. Once a consumer is in the store, the inclination to buy generic could take over—the idea of saving a lot of money all at once is appealing, as grocers have discovered.

A Dow Jones Newswires article by Karen Talley hinted that retailers walk a knife-edge while trying to entice consumers to spend money for back-to-school items when those same consumers are used to dirt-cheap promotions around BTS time. In the article, Kit Yarrow, a professor of psychology at Golden Gate University, says that “Parents are going to be shocked and disappointed by the price of goods. They’re going to make sure their kids are outfitted, but won’t go beyond their budgets like they have in the past.

Of course, the entire licensing industry is predicated on the notion that parents will, in fact, go beyond their budgets, if only a little bit. And there’s proof that it’s happening, even now, with Mattel’s Cars 2 merchandise sales pushing company earnings up 56 percent from Q2 last year, which is proof that consumers are rational even in tough times: Even while cutting back on food, it’s worth spending the extra few dollars on a Mater backpack. Retailers might take a hit on BTS merchandise sales, and consumers might spend less, but the best licensors will remain resilient as always.

Target’s Funky New Partnership

Target has teamed with the Hamilton Wood & Type museum of Two Rivers, Wisc., for an apparel line.

Wait… what?

According to an article in The Atlantic by Steven Heller, Target’s Michael Alexin “fell in love” with the museum after seeing a film about it, and set out to create a partnership. The campaign is based around the tagline “Cool Never Fades” and is banking that consumers will know and love old typography enough to see it as a funky retro brand. The line debuted last week, and is perfect for, as Alexin says (wait for it)… Target’s back-to-school collection.

J-Lo and Marc Anthony: Off, but Still On at Kohl’s

Horrors! Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony may have split, but their clothing line at Kohl’s will move ahead as scheduled.

In a Daily Mail article by Tamara Abraham, LF USA’s Rick Darling (LIMA 2011 keynote speaker) says that the launch will remain unaffected. “‘We have two separate agreements with Jennifer and Marc and always intended to have separate lines. [Their split] doesn’t impact the agreements in any way.” LF USA sublicenses the brands to Kohl’s.

You may rest easy.

LIMA Elects Six New Reps to Board of Directors

The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association has added six members to its Board of Directors.

Joining the LIMA Board are:

• Susie Lecker, SVP of Fisher-Price Friends, FP Brands
• Marty Malysz, President, Dependable Solutions, Inc.
• Carla Peyton, SVP, Licensed Consumer Products – The Americas, BBC Worldwide America
• Jennifer Richmond, Managing Director, Richmond Management Group
• James Slifer, VP, Business Development – The Joester Loria Group
• Cheryl Stoebenau, President, CAS Marketing

Leaving the board are Spin Master’s Adam Beder; Making Connections’ Rick Mallow; Marketing on Demand’s Stu Seltzer; Mattel’s Holly Stein; Strand IP’s Robert Strand; and Konami Digital Entertainment’s Careen Yapp.

—Bryan Joiner