Casper the Friendly Ghost has been making friends around the world for generations. The star of thousands of comics (more than 100 million sold), hundreds of cartoon episodes, and a blockbuster Steven Spielberg film, Casper is beloved by audiences of all ages.

Each of the branded licensing programs will be unique to the respective brand attributes and objectives of Frigidaire, Kelvinator, and Tappan:

For Frigidaire, the legendary home appliance brand known for reliability and customer value, the licensing program will introduce innovative, contemporary products to complement Frigidaire’s core products and appeal to a broad audience in North America.

Kelvinator will leverage brand licensing to reintroduce the brand to the U.S. market and lead the way for expansion of the core brand into new product categories.

Tappan is synonymous with excellence and innovation in the kitchen and responsible for introducing the microwave for household use. Licensed products will help accomplish the goal of developing a broader mass appeal for the brand and will introduce Tappan to new consumers across all demographic segments.

The agreement grants 21st Century Chinese-language rights to The Little Book of Nature, a book about ecology, for distribution to bookstores throughout China. The deal was brokered by Sara Wang, chief representative of Atlantyca’s foreign rights sales division office in Beijing.

The new book was created to attract Chinese children to visit bookstores and learn the principles of respect for nature and the environment from the words of Geronimo Stilton, Italy’s most famous mouse-author. One million Chinese-language books will be distributed throughout China at a value price designed to encourage young readers to experience the joys of reading.

The extensive Victorious range will comprise the same products internationally as for the U.S. and will be aimed primarily at girls ages 6-11. Included for retail are digital/video cameras and accessories, portable DVD players, digital keychain photo frames, clock radios, MP3/MP4 players, CD players and boomboxes, karaoke machines and other youth electronics devices. Also on sale will be a range of computer accessories, iPhone and iPod kits, and speaker docs, as well as headphones and video game accessories. Products will now be available across major European markets including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland/Eire, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, Australia, Canada, and Mexico.

The Victorious range will be available in mass-market toy shops and department stores, specialty toy stores, office supply retail outlets, convenience stores, electronics stores, pharmacies, and video game stores.

Hit’s portfolio includes Thomas the Tank Engine, Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam, and Pingu. The sale of Hit reportedly doesn’t include the group’s stake in Sprout, a U.S. channel for children.

The Wall Street Journal published a full article today on the possible deal.

Chiquita is the No. 1 consumer-preferred banana brand globally and has more than 90 percent brand awareness in its key European markets. Beanstalk is tasked with developing the strategic licensing program for Chiquita in quality food brand extensions across Europe and the Middle East. Nancy Bailey & Associates manages the Chiquita Licensing Program in the U.S. This is one of the first global assignments resulting from the merger of Nancy Bailey & Associates and Beanstalk in December 2010.

Ciarán Coyle, Beanstalk’s managing director, international, said, “This is an exciting time for the Chiquita brand. Consumers’ fast-paced lifestyles today demand convenience but also quality and freshness. There is an increasing awareness of and focus on natural ingredients and eating for health. There are significant market opportunities now for a brand such as Chiquita, renowned for its commitment to freshness and real fruit taste, to innovate and add value to the food categories with the inclusion of its high-quality fruit.”

Beanstalk will be exhibiting at the Brand Licensing Europe trade show at London Olympia, October 18-20, stand No. D055.

Licensing Partners
UK: The company started this year with a toy launch from Vivid (master toy partner). Its premium partner lineup included Penguin (publishing), Topps (trading cards), Winning Moves (Top Trumps), and SkyJack (magazine). Mind Candy has since announced deals with Ty (beanie babies), Activision (Nintendo DS), and Mega (construction blocks). With more than 40 licensees now signed up for the UK, new partners hitting shelves this side of Christmas include E-max (claybuddies), Lazerbuilt (DS accessories), Prima Games (game guide for the DS), Smith and Brooks (daywear), Cooneen and Misirli (nightwear and underwear), Character World and Worlds Apart (bedroom textiles), Gemma International (greeting cards, party wear), Paper Project (stickers), Amscan (foil balloons), Lightbody’s (cakes), Bon Bon Buddies (confectionery – advent calendars), Spearmark and Milkshake Creations (lunchware and tableware), Trademark (bags), and H Grossman (wheeled).

U.S.: The U.S. program now has more than 50 premium partners on board across softlines, toys and games, hardlines, publishing, novelty, activity, back-to-school, and celebration. Category announcements will follow in the coming weeks.

Australia: Mind Candy’s local licensing agent Fusion has brought in 11 partners across categories including a QSR, softlines, and apparel. Deal announcements will follow.

European plans are currently in development with announcements imminent.

Team Expansion

UK Team
Clare Wiggins joins from Chapman Entertainment as head of Moshi Live and is set to establish and develop the live experiences for Moshi users. Mind Candy is looking at all formats from a live music tour to immersive branded attractions in theme parks.

Ex-Disney exec Sarah Hodges joins as retail partnership manager, working with licensees and retailers to head up the strategy for Moshi at retail.

Long-standing Mind Candy producer Jack McCall has made an internal move to head of product development, working closely with all partners to ensure the integrity and fun of the brand is carried through within every product.

Matt Shone joins from Firebox as contracts & royalty manager, and Dave Tovey, Mind Candy’s UK licensing manager, remains central to the team, having joined at the start of this year.

U.S. Team
Caitlin Gutekunst joins as licensing manager, Americas, reporting to Eric Karp, head of licensing, Americas within Mind Candy’s New York office. Brad Schultz was recently announced as head of Moshi TV, working out of Los Angeles on a new VOD platform that’s currently in development.

Mind Candy is currently looking into plans for international expansion with further announcements anticipated early next year.

Michael Acton Smith, CEO and founder of Moshi Monsters will talk about the company’s growth and future plans during his keynote speech at Brand Licensing Europe, October 18, 1 p.m., at the Licensing Academy, which is open to all BLE attendees.

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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Big Tent added four new licensees for Domo, which it describes as “the reigning poster child for personalized, user-generated content.” Buckle Down, Lava Lite, SalesOne, and Underboss Production have inked multiyear agreements to create quirky accessories and novelty items that will hit retail this fall.

Domo’s popularity has led him from viral breeding grounds, including YouTube, Facebook, and Flickr, to occupy products like Buckle Down’s belts and accessories. The company will release a line of Domo web belts, leather belts, and silicone belts, as well as pet accessories including collars and leashes.

Lave Lite will create lamps featuring Domo, and Underboss Productions will produce one-piece Domo union suits for adults. SalesOne will release a collection of accessories, which include terry cuff wristbands, cuff links, and tattoo sleeves, along with an array of body jewelry, such as ear plugs, fake ear plugs, magnetic ear plugs/earrings, barbells, and navel rings.