LIMA’s Licensing University begins Sunday, June 10, with the third annual State of Retail Presentation and Store Safari, a half-day program that includes a luncheon presentation and retail field trip with retail expert Carol Spieckerman, president of newmarketbuilders. The session, which takes participants to a handpicked trio of Las Vegas-area stores to experience notable U.S. retailing trends, jumpstarts a full schedule of programs and panels that covers major industry categories, including corporate branding, legal, art, celebrity, sports, and digital licensing.

With nearly three dozen information-packed presentations, a sampling of the upcoming Licensing University program includes:

Keynote Address by Kathy Ireland: “Brand Building Through Licensing—My Journey From the Beach to the Boardroom and Beyond”
Super-model-turned-business-mogul Kathy Ireland delivers the Licensing International Expo 2012 keynote address on Tuesday, June 12. Ireland will discuss the principles on which her billion-dollar company was built, business lessons learned along the way, thoughts on the current state of the licensing business, and where it is headed.

Licensing for Beginners: The Building Blocks of Licensing Success
This session explores the building blocks needed to ready brands for licensing, including finding the best partners and properties, negotiating smart agreements, producing seamless brand extensions, and capitalizing on retail opportunities. Adina Avery-Grossman of Brandgenuity moderates the panel, which includes Teri Niadna, director, international consumer products, National Football League; Derrick Baca, VP of licensing and business development at Hybrid Apparel; Liz Kalodner, EVP and general manager at CBS Consumer Products; and Lloyd Mintz, president/founder of Nine Oaks Group.

Taking a Brand from Digital to Retail
From Angry Birds and Moshi Monsters to Talking Friends and Stardoll, popular entertainment properties don’t just come from movies, TV, and books anymore.  This session offers insight into the challenges involved in taking a brand from the digital domain to retail. Moderated by LIMA’s Marty Brochstein, the panel explores how to successfully translate properties from the computer and smartphone screen into physical product at retail. Panelists include Nicholas Bloom of The Beanstalk Group, global licensing agent for Talking Friends; Darran Garnham, chief business development officer/chief licensing officer for Mind Candy (Moshi Monsters); Mattias Miksche, co-founder and CEO of Stardoll Media; and Marc Mostman of Most Management LLC, U.S. licensing agent for Angry Birds.

Trends: Using Them to Successfully Compete in Art Licensing
This session discusses the importance of finding and tapping into trends when creating art and storyboards for products in categories such as home décor, paper, gift, stationery, and more. It also examines the difference between a trend and a fad, and when does a trend become an “evergreen.” Suzanne Cruise, president/owner of Suzanne Cruise Creative Services, leads the exploration with artists and licensing veterans Joan Beiriger and Gail Flores.

Licensing in Asia
This panel of experts and industry players will give participants a closer look at the many facets of the licensing business in Asia. The session will be moderated by Roger Berman, president of Japanese agency Zenworks, who will be joined by Yizan He, managing director, LMCA Brand Licensing & Consulting Co., Ltd. in China; Neal Rudge, partner of the Asian agency Pacific Licensing Studio; and Sid Shah, president of The Wild East Group, which specializes in licensing in India.

Getting Your Fair Share: How To Prevent Royalty Underpayments
Panelists discuss how companies can prevent underpayments and recoup payments owed. Moderator Joshua Kaufman of Venable LLP will be joined by Stuart Burns, partner in forensic accounting at HW Fisher & Co; Judy Ann Bird, director of Invotex Group; and CPA Anthony Curtis Elliott.

Identifying & Evaluating Opportunities of Licensed Properties for Your Brand or Company
This panel is designed to help participants learn how to identify strong properties, determine where they are in their lifecycle, and where will they be when it’s time to launch new products. Moderated by Alan I. Fine, president, KaleidOScope, panelists include Moss J. Kardener, OnStrategy Consultants; Andre Lake Mayer, vice president, licensing, Bandai America Inc.; Joshua Romm, vice president, IMG Licensing; and Peter Van Raalte, Partner Infinity Licensing, LLC.

To see the complete schedule of Licensing University sessions taking place leading up to and during Licensing Expo, and to register, click here.

Countless licensed products made their debut at American International Toy Fair, held February 12-15 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. Our roundup below summarizes just a portion of the new and expanding licensing programs for popular properties showcased at Toy Fair.

Ludorum’s Licensees Ride the Rails at American International Toy Fair

Chuggington will continue riding the rails into toy stores and onto TV screens this year with support from Ludorum’s licensees and Disney Junior, which will premiere the third season of Chuggington to coincide with the launch of the 24-hour Disney Junior channel on March 23. Disney now holds the rights to 46 episodes. Several of Ludorum’s licensees for Chuggington unveiled new products at the American International Toy Fair, held February 12-15 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. Read more…

U.S. Partners Find Waldo at Toy Fair

Classic Media signed new consumer products partners for Where’s Waldo? in the U.S. The new Where’s Waldo? program will hit retail timed to Waldo’s 25th anniversary, which commences this fall. Read more…

Moshi Monsters Mania to Hit U.S. Retail

Moshi Monsters fans will soon be able to hold their virtual characters in their hands, hug them in their arms, and wear them on their bodies. Mind Candy, the entertainment firm behind the global children’s property, is launching a huge Moshi Monsters merchandising program in the U.S., set to hit mass-market and specialty stores nationwide beginning Q1. Read more…

Classic Media and Pressman Toy Introduce Tinga Tinga Tales Board Games

Pressman Toy Corporation signed a licensing deal with Classic Media to develop games based on the new preschool series Tinga Tinga Tales. Pressman Toy’s games will be available at mass and specialty retailers nationwide in August. Read more…

Mr. Potato Head Rises at Toy Fair

Warner Bros. Consumer Products announced new partnerships timed to coincide with Toy Fair. WBCP awarded The Bridge Direct, Inc. the master toy license for Looney Tunes. WBCP also partnered with Wonder Forge for preschool products, which will include DC Super Friends. Both companies previewed their lines at the American International Toy Fair. WBCP also partnered with PPW Toys, under a licensing agreement with Hasbro, Inc., to launch a line of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head figures. Read more…

Official Marvel Colognes and Perfume Launch at Toy Fair

Jads International, LLC debuted its line of Marvel prestige colognes and perfumes at Toy Fair in New York City. The Avengers Cologne Set, Black Widow Perfume, Infinity Formula for Men, and Mischief Cologne will be available to the public in April in the U.S. and Canada. Read more…

New Tetris-Themed Products Introduced at Toy Fair

The Tetris Company, LLC, the exclusive licensor of the Tetris brand, and its merchandising agent, Licensing Works!, announced several new Tetris-themed products from licensees Techno Source, Paladone, and Fundex, which showcased their new Tetris products at Toy Fair. Read more…

Jakks Pacific Sings a New Tune with Deal for Toys Inspired by Songify App

Jacks Pacific signed a license agreement with Khush, a developer of intelligent music applications, to create a new product inspired by the Songify app. Songify, developed in part by YouTube sensations The Gregory Brothers along with Khush, launched this past summer as the first mobile app that turns speech into music instantly. Jakks Pacific plans to bring the technology to the toy aisle this summer. Read more…

Hasbro Scores a Direct “Hit” with Gaming and Toys from Universal Pictures’ Battleship

Hasbro, Inc. will turn one of its timeless brands into a multimedia entertainment property this year with the release of Universal Pictures’ epic action-adventure Battleship. Hasbro will augment the experience of the film with an action-packed line of Battleship-themed toys—both in the gaming realm, where the Battleship brand originated, and in a brand new line of Kre-O building sets—as well as an expansive line of licensed goods, several of which debuted at Toy Fair. Read more…

Jakks Pacific Sings a New Tune with Deal for Toys Inspired by Songify App

Jacks Pacific signed a license agreement with Khush, a developer of intelligent music applications, to create a new product inspired by the Songify app. Songify, developed in part by YouTube sensations The Gregory Brothers along with Khush, launched this past summer as the first mobile app that turns speech into music instantly. Jakks Pacific plans to bring the technology to the toy aisle this summer. Read more…

Nickelodeon and Partners Unveil New Products at Toy Fair

Nickelodeon unveiled products for both new and established properties at Toy Fair, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Winx Club, Team Umizoomi, Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Victorious. Read more…

Playmates Toys showed a new line of toys inspired by Nickelodeon’s new CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Playmates Toys’ lineup includes basic, deluxe, and collectible action figures, as well as Ninja gear, play sets, and vehicles.

Jakks Pacific and its Creative Designs International (CDI) and Disguise Halloween divisions debuted products for Winx, including a new line of dolls, play sets, accessories, dress-up, role-play items, and Halloween costumes based on the series. Building on the Winx Club doll line from Jakks, Creative Designs International has created an assortment of role-play dresses and fairy wings for girls who want to transform themselves into their favorite Winx Club member. The Jakks Pacific, CDI, and Disguise product lines are scheduled to launch this fall to coincide with the premiere of the brand new CG episodes of Winx Club on Nickelodeon.

Nickelodeon and Fisher-Price introduced new toy lines for preschool series Team Umizoomi and Dora the Explorer. Team Umizoomi products from Fisher-Price include figures, basic and learning plush, bath toys, and vehicles. Building on the past success of Fisher-Price toys inspired by Dora, new products for 2012 will include a dollhouse, play sets, dolls, role-play toys, and more.

SpongeBob SquarePants is the inspiration for new toys from Fisher-Price’s Imaginext brand. The new line includes play sets, vehicles, and figures where SpongeBob is featured in the Imaginext look. SpongeBob is also the inspiration for two new building sets from The Lego Group, which debuted at Toy Fair.

Victorious master toy licensee Spin Master, Ltd. unveiled new products for the live-action comedy series. The new line will feature fashion dolls and role play, including a new Tori Singing Doll featuring the song, “Best Friend’s Brother.” Feature dolls for additional Victorious characters, including Trina (Daniella Monet), Cat (Ariana Grande), and Jade (Elizabeth Gillies), are also included.

Jakks’ Songify toy will allow users to simply press record and talk directly into the toy, which instantly analyzes their speech, slices it into a chorus and verses while mapping it to a melody, and produces a beat to go along with the corrected voice pitch. The Songify toy will combine all of these into a finished song.

Jakks Pacific debuted its Songify toy at the American International Toy Fair in New York.

Hasbro, Inc. will turn one of its timeless brands into a multimedia entertainment property this year with the release of Universal Pictures’ epic action-adventure Battleship. Hasbro will augment the experience of the film with an action-packed line of Battleship-themed toys—both in the gaming realm, where the Battleship brand originated, and in a brand new line of KRE-O building sets—as well as an expansive line of licensed goods, several of which debuted at Toy Fair.

Battleship-themed products include:

• Classic Battleship Movie Edition Game
• Deluxe Battleship Movie Edition
• Battleship: Hidden Threat Card Game
• Kre-O Battleship building sets
• Battleship video game from Activision Publishing, Inc.
• Updated version of the Battleship application from Electronic Arts for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
• T-shirts, hoodies, and shorts from Rocawear
• The Battleship Crew Series, Hasbro’s “behind-the-scenes” apparel and accessories collection inspired by the gear worn by the filmmakers and crew, features exclusive fashions from New Era and Red Monkey Designs

In addition, Hasbro is working with licensees around the globe to bring to market an amazing array of lifestyle products in key categories that will resonate with consumers worldwide. Products will range from T-shirts and caps to costumes, backpacks, and publishing from licensees including Disguise and Random House.

Techno Source introduced its new Tetris Illuminated Mega Screen game. The stand-alone handheld device is designed with a large, illuminated screen to play a choice of three Tetris games, including the marathon version. It is the first stand-alone handheld to include a hold button, which allows players to keep a Tetrimino (the Tetris playing pieces) shape to use later in the game. The Tetris Illuminated Mega Screen game is expected to ship this spring, with in-store availability at Target, Kmart, and Toys “R” Us retailers to come this fall.

Techno Source also showcased its Tetris Link 2-Player Edition, a family strategy game designed for play at home or on the go, as a follow up to the Tetris Link tabletop strategy game. Tetris Link 2-Player Edition is expected shipping this spring, with in-store availability to come this fall.

Paladone debuted three new Tetris products at Toy Fair. The Tetris Desk Tidy is a new collection of office supplies, including a double highlighter pen, a pencil holder containing five pencils, a sharpener and eraser, a memo pad, a tape dispenser, a staple-free stapler, a desk organizer (with rubber bands and Tetrimino shaped paper clips), and Tetrimino-shaped stress blocks. Paladone also showed the Tetris Stackable Desk Light and the Tetris Alarm Clock, featuring numbers that change using falling Tetrimino shapes. All three new Tetris products will become available for purchase in September.

Fundex offered demonstrations of its games: Tetris The Card Game, a multiplayer card game; Tetris Tumble, a multiplayer strategy dice game; and Tetris Matrix, a single player strategy puzzle game. All three Tetris products are available for purchase at Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble, and Calendar Club.

WBCP also partnered with PPW Toys, under a licensing agreement with Hasbro, Inc., to launch a line of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head figures. Mr. Potato Head has never been faster than a speeding bullet or summoned by the “Bat Signal” to wipe out crime on the streets of Gotham City—until now.

Mr. Potato Head leaps into the role of his favorite DC Comics superheroes, including Batman as The Dark Knight, ready to launch this June in time for the July 20 theatrical release of The Dark Knight Rises. Classic Superman and Wonder Woman spuds will follow in time for the holiday season, and more DC Comics superheroes and villains are planned for next year.

Of course, these being Mr. Potato Head toys means that all the components will be interchangeable, and fans will be able to mix and match pieces with hilarious results. The line of figures will be available at specialty retailers and e-tailers starting this summer.

Jads International, LLC debuted its line of Marvel prestige colognes and perfumes at Toy Fair in New York City. The Avengers Cologne Set, Black Widow Perfume, Infinity Formula for Men, and Mischief Cologne will be available to the public in April in the U.S. and Canada.

The Avengers Cologne Set features four heroic fragrances:

• Patriot Cologne, inspired by Captain America, pays homage to the confident, stand-up to bullies, hard working average Joe in every man. The cologne features hints of green lime and white pepper with finishes of dry oak wood, sandalwood, and tequila.
• Mark VII Cologne, inspired by Iron Man, combines mandarin and jasmine with light patchouli to create a contemporary expression of “I don’t play well with others” confidence; leaving you ready for whatever a genius, billionaire, playboy-philanthropist might encounter throughout his day.
• Worthy Cologne, inspired by Thor, is a woody citrus cologne with a combination of bergamot, frozen ginger, and wheatgrass blended with a hint of fresh natural grapefruit and layered with cypress; creating a deep dry masculine almost “God-like” musk.
• Smash!, inspired by Hulk, is a clean scent with clear top notes of water lily and nutmeg, which carries on an intense woody dry down, enriched with Indian sandalwood, dry musk, and warm cedar. Complimentary to full range emotions, it wears well at work, in the lab, or an evening out on the town.

Three other scents will be available outside of the Avenger Cologne Pack:

• Black Widow Perfume—Russian spy, trained assassin, world-class ballerina, girl from legal department. This perfume has a clear shot of citrus slowly giving way to sensual caramel and honey. The scent dries down with a blend of bitter chocolate, clear patchouli, and praline.
• Infinity Formula Cologne—Inspired by Nick Fury, CIC of S.H.I.E.L.D., this cologne is a seductive fragrance for not just any man, but only for those who will risk everything to keep the dream of freedom alive. And sure, you could describe it as a citron cocktail smoothed over with a couple of stiff shots of tonka bean and guaiac wood; or you could just put it on and know it makes you smell good.
• Mischief Cologne—Inspired by Thor’s bad brother, Loki, this unisex fragrance combines a base of green tea and amber with bergamot and cardamom in a dangerous-sexy, yet playful way that wears well on anyone, day or night.

Tinga Tinga Tales Swinging Monkey Race Game: Allows kids to put their strategy skills to the test as they try to swing their monkey mover onto as many 3-D trees as they can, using only the fruit landing spots that were rolled. For two to four players. Ages 4 and up. MSRP: $17.95

Tinga Tinga Tales Tell Me a Story Memory Game: Kids get a chance to creatively tell their own story of why an object or animal is placed where it is within the game board and then apply their memory skills to reveal it later. For two to four players. Ages 4 and up. MSRP: $13.95

Additional games such as Tinga Tinga Tales Dominoes, Go Fish Card Game, Pop ‘N’ Race, and Make A Match will also be available.

Pressman Toy games will be joined by toys from Bandai, books from Penguin’s Grosset & Dunlap division, DVDs from Vivendi Entertainment, puzzles from Ravensburger, and Colorforms from University Games.

Product introductions at Toy Fair included:

• Bobble Bots robotic toys and customizable play sets from Innovation First International;
• Colorforms board games and puzzles from University Games;
• Puzzles from Mega Bloks;
• Stylized plush from Comic Images;
• Top Trumps card games from Winning Moves; Classic games from Bazoo;
• Co-branded games from Fundex;
• iPad board game from Discovery Bay Games;
• Bikes and skateboards from MPG