Big Idea Entertainment plans to expand digital programming for its VeggieTales brand this year. The company has partnered with mobile kid-play experts Playful Own and marketing company GorillaSpot to create more apps for fans.

VeggieTales is the first property to launch with Playful Owl’s Step-by-Story, a mobile app that promotes reading readiness through word, picture, and sound association. Step-By-Story, available for andriod, iPhone, and iPad, lets children create their own animated short story by offering 500 different story combinations.  VeggieTales has already launched VeggieTales: The Goofy Gift and VeggieTales: Larry’s Missing Music, and will release six more titles throughout the year.

VeggieTales e-cards will also be available to fans later this year. ReelCards, powered by GorillaSpot, will create a Facebook application that allows fans to send personalized video cards using short clips from popular VeggieTales titles. GorillaSpot hopes to make this a mobile app for andriods and iPhones by this summer.

Two weeks ago, I went shopping for a new phone. My old carrier had abysmal service (take a wild guess which one) and I was ready to trade my first-generation iPhone, which I had used for nine months. There are many things I loved about it, including the seamless ability to play a daily quiz and beat my brother senseless in Words with Friends. The iPhone 4 would allow me to do these things faster and in more places, and, with my new wireless carrier, I’d be able to talk on the phone as well.

I chose the Droid Incredible 2.

I’m a compulsive Mac user. Since I entered college, the amount of time I’ve spent not using a Mac, personally or professionally, is about nine months. I bought an iMac in June. I find PCs unwieldy and confusing. I’m one of those people.

The iPhone’s creature comforts are profound—and, to be perfectly honest, I feel comfortable ditching them because I still have access to them on my old phone, which is now effectively an iPod Touch. But that’s only part of it. A company long exhorted us to “Think Different,” and many of us, myself included, literally repaid them for that piece of advice, while not particularly following it. If the hundreds of thousands of people draped over their computers for the iPhone 4S rollout taught us anything, it’s that many people see Apple as the One True Company, having given up on the competition.

That’s fair, but it’s not necessarily thinking different. I wanted to see what else was out there. That’s why I got the Droid. I love Apple, but I think for myself. I learned it from Steve. Rest in peace.

—Bryan Joiner

Born on the comic pages on June 19, 1978, Garfield, is the world’s most famous coffee drinking, lasagna eating fat cat. With new licensing and promotional partners, and a new representative, Garfield is spreading his paws into new territory and sporting a new look.

Under the direction of new licensing agent, Hong Kong based Medialink Limited and their partner, Garfield licensor Paws, Inc., a “Garfield Licensing Summit” was held at Xi Yuan Hotel in Beijing. Over 100 guests and 30 media outlets attended the daylong event that focused on developing new partnerships and business strategies for the coming years.

Specifically created for the Asian market, Garfield’s new look is based on popular trends and colors distinctive to the market. The softer and simpler line work renders Garfield, Odie and other characters in his comic strip more playful and youthful, a departure from the classic look.

Medialink Far East was awarded “Agent of the Year,” for creating a magical partnership that is helping to grow and maintain market position in Asia.

“We’ve turned over a new page for Garfield in China. There is great interest in this classic character who is known to entertain people of all ages. I believe Garfield will be a shining star in character licensing,” said Nolette Chiu, vice president, Medialink.

In addition to licensing efforts, CCTV Channel 14 picked up “The Garfield Show” in February this year and Wuhan Jiang Toon Toys Co., Ltd. launched a new website www.happygarfield.com based on the CGI animated show, now in its third season.

“Our program in China is stronger than ever under the leadership of Noletta Chiu and the Medialink Far East team. In just one year our Garfield business has grown 20%,” said Karen Blank, VP International for Paws, Inc.

The Garfield brand enjoys a healthy product-licensing program where nearly 400 manufactures crank out thousands of products depicting Garfield and the gang. The licensing and creative business for Garfield is handled by Paws, Inc., founded in 1981 by Jim Davis, creator of Garfield. The Company, located in rural Indiana in the U.S. is a privately held company and also the sole owner of copyrights and trademarks for Garfield and the Garfield characters.

-Ericka Johnson

Big Tent Entertainment is seeking to “domo-nate” retail with its new licensing deals for Domo, the mascot of the Japanese public broadcaster NHK who became a viral Internet sensation.

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.

Marvel Heads to the Kitchen with Williams-Sonoma

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, has partnered with Williams-Sonoma to launch a collection of superhero kitchen and bakeware merchandise sold exclusively at Williams-Sonoma.

Designed exclusively for the retailer, the products include renowned superheroes from the Marvel Universe, including Spider-Man, Hulk, Captain America, and Iron Man. Featuring retro character art and graphics, the Williams-Sonoma collection captures the charm and artistry of the original Marvel Comics.

The program launches with an array of bakeware and kitchen essentials including cookie cutters, pancake molds, adult and child aprons, spatulas, and iced cookies. Product will be available at all Williams-Sonoma stores in the U.S. and Canada, and also via catalog and online.

Berkshire Signs Fila Licensing Deal

Italy’s Fila Luxembourg, S.a.r.l. has entered into a multiyear licensing deal with Berkshire Fashions, Inc. to design, manufacturer, and sell Fila accessories for the U.S. market, commencing this fall.

The line for Fila, which marks its 100 anniversary this year, will feature men’s women’s, boys’, and girls’ headwear, cold weather accessories, sweatbands, bags, and water bottles.

Disney Consumer Products To Showcase Merchandise at D23 Expo 2011

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) will showcase an extensive collection of Disney merchandise and interactive experiences inside its Disney Living Pavilion at the ultimate Disney fan event, D23 Expo, held at the Anaheim Convention Center from August 19-21.

D23 Expo attendees can explore the ultimate Disney lifestyle through the neighborhoods of “Style,” “Play,” and “Celebrations.” From the latest toys and newest fashions to the ultimate Disney birthday party and some of the most beloved Disney classics such as Disney It’s a Small World, guests can experience all things Disney through an immersive environment featuring exclusive and never-before-seen products; meet and greets with artists, designers, authors, and innovators; hands-on demos and activities; and live performances at the Disney Living Pavilion stage.

Guests can commemorate the event with specially released D23 merchandise, including a new Hallmark keepsake ornament, a Toy Story Woody action figure, a Finn McMissile Cars vehicle from Mattel, a Minnie Mouse plush from Just Play, and limited-edition 25th anniversary items from Disney Store.

Tickets to D23 Expo 2011 are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 Expo and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. More details about D23 Expo entertainment, events, and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans can keep up with all the news by visiting www.D23Expo.com, as well as by following “Disney D23″ on Twitter and Facebook.

—Melissa Tinklepaugh

WME Entertainment announced that it has been appointed as the agent for the Miss Universe Organization and The Knot.

WME is expanding its relationship with the Miss Universe Organization to develop a branded lifestyle merchandising program. As the Miss Universe Organization celebrates 60 years of beauty and tradition, this agreement aims to extend the organization’s iconic brand into new categories.

“The Miss Universe logo and brand is recognized around the world as glamorous and fashion forward, and this venture will enable us to create a lifestyle brand that embodies who we are,” said Donald Trump, co-owner of Miss Universe Organization. “With WME as our partner, we want to enter the fashion category with high quality merchandise like sportswear, fashion accessories, and executive wear to complement our brand.”

WME is present at Licensing Show in Las Vegas this week meeting with manufacturers and retailers to introduce the Miss Universe concepts. Last month, the Miss Universe Organization announced its collaboration with OPI to introduce the new Miss Universe Collection, a limited edition featuring four new lacquers available in August.

Visit WME booth No. 2278 at Licensing Show.

The Licensing Book has been receiving news left and right since Licensing Show started this week. Keep up with announcements through our Twitter feed, @LicensingBook. Here’s a roundup of news that has come out of the show.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Partners with Heather Belle Co. to Create Pretty Little Liars-Inspired Jewelry and Accessories
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) has announced a partnership with Los Angeles–based designer Heather Belle Co., to introduce a robust line of jewelry and accessories inspired by Warner Horizon Television’s edgy, fashion-forward drama Pretty Little Liars, which airs Tuesdays 8/7 on ABC Family and has its second-season premiere June 14. The exclusive, highly anticipated chic and savvy line will resonate with fans of the series and will launch this summer.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Nestle Water Continue Campaign with Looney Tunes-Branded Bottles
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) announced Tuesday that it will renew its ongoing global partnership with Nestlé Water, which is conducting a successful ongoing campaign featuring Looney Tunes-branded water bottles. The campaign focuses on encouraging kids to be physically active. It has resulted in the sale of more than 870 million water bottles since the partnership began in 2001. The extended partnership also will allow for expansion into additional global regions, including Middle East, Africa, and Asia, and will now encompass the countries of France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, Argentina, and Mexico. WBCP’s partnership with Nestlé Waters includes the Nestlé Pure Life, Nestlé Véra, and Nestlé Aquarel brands.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Nexcare Band Together to Provide Products with Character Appeal
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) and Nexcare Bandages from 3M announced Monday a new licensing agreement to bring some of the most popular Warner Bros. characters to first aid aisles across the mass market, supermarket, and drug store retailers nationwide. As part of the themed collection of Nexcare Bandages, Warner Bros. characters such as Scooby-Doo, Batman and Looney Tunes will be featured on Nexcare Comfort Pals and Nexcare Tattoo Waterproof Bandages.

Hit Entertainment Launches New Barney Apparel and Accessories
Hit Entertainment has partnered with several new licensees for a complete line of retro apparel and accessories targeted to nostalgic Barney fans. The new products celebrate the big purple T-rex that generations of kids have grown up with in the U.S. and around the world. Products for adults and kids alike include T-shirts from At Full Speed and Bio World; Barney-inspired Pillow Pets from Ontel Products Corporation and CJ Products, LLC; headwear and accessories from Concept One; and video based entertainment by Yoostar where fans can insert themselves directly into video content via gaming consoles.

Discovery Communications and Delsey to Debut Discovery Expedition Branded Luggage Line
Discovery Communications announced Tuesday that Discovery Expedition, the official lifestyle brand of Discovery Channel, is expanding with the production of a line of functional luggage, travel bags, and accessories from leading luggage manufacturer, Delsey. The initial products launching as part of the Discovery Expedition luggage line will debut at retail in December. The three-year agreement was brokered on behalf of Discovery Communications by its North American licensing agent, The Joester Loria Group (JLG). Delsey plans to develop more than 20 SKUs under the Discovery Expedition brand including backpacks, messenger bags, duffel bags, trolley cases, ski, and surf bags. The licensing agreement with Delsey comes on the heels of several other recent deals for the Discovery Expedition line including an expanded relationship with MerchSource, as well as new partners Herff Jones Inc. and Brands Unlimited.

Spin Master and NASCAR Team Up to Deliver New Toy Line
NASCAR Team Properties and Spin Master Ltd. have joined forces to connect with, and help build, a new generation of fans for the sport. In a strategic effort to build its merchandising program and to further its reach with the youth demographic, NASCAR has chosen Spin Master to inject excitement, innovation, and fun into its toys and merchandise. As the primary toy licensee, Spin Master’s line of products will begin hitting store shelves in 2012. The multiyear agreement provides Spin Master with exclusive licensing rights for NASCAR branded toy categories including replica vehicles, play sets, action figures, and remote control items. These Spin Master NASCAR items will be sold at mass market retailers, online e-commerce sites, and specialty retailers nationwide.

Nickelodeon Signs Jakks Pacific as Master Toy Licensee for Winx Club
Nickelodeon and Jakks Pacific, Inc. announced from the Licensing Show on Tuesday a multiterritory master toy license agreement for Jakks Pacific to manufacture, distribute, and market a line of toys and other products based on the animated action and fantasy series Winx Club. The Jakks Pacific Winx Club product line is scheduled to launch in fall 2012 to coincide with the premiere of the brand new CGI episodes of Winx Club on Nickelodeon and will span multiple categories, including dolls and playsets, role play, dress-up, and Halloween costumes.

Saban Brands Announces Power Rangers Episodes Available on Netflix
Beginning Wednesday, more than 700 episodes of the Power Rangers series became available via Netflix’s instant streaming service. Every classic episode from the 17-year run of the world’s most successful kids action series will now be available for fans to view any time—from the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to the futuristic Power Rangers RPM.

Cabbage Patch Kids to Get Television Special
Owner of the Cabbage Patch Kids Property, Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. (OAA), recently granted CWA Carlin West Agency, together with film and television producer Galen Walker, the rights to create an animated television special based on the Cabbage Patch Kids.

CKX to Launch Campaign for ALI Brand
CKX, Inc., the global entertainment content company whose interests include Muhammad Ali Enterprises, LLC (“MAE”), will introduce a newly focused campaign for the ALI brand. Centered on Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday in 2012, MAE’s new ALI70 campaign, subtitled “2012: The World Celebrates The GreatestTM,” for the first time recognizes Muhammad Ali’s core values as central to the brand’s positioning and relevance.

Blue Ink Syndicate Expands Its Splash! Animals Licensing Program
Blue Ink Syndicate, Inc. announced Tuesday that it has entered into licensing arrangements for its Splash! Animals brand with MasterPieces Puzzle Co., Inc. for puzzles and American Mills, Inc. for decorative pillows. An integrated licensing and merchandising program for the Splash! Animals brand is underway. The company has existing licensing programs with Art.com, Inc. for a variety of art reproductions, including posters, art prints, giclee prints, photographic prints, wall murals, and prints on canvas. Additionally, Trau-Loevner has launched a line of apparel.

Let’s imagine for a moment that Arnold Schwarzenegger has a bucket list. He could already check off “become a champion body builder,” “make millions as a movie star” and “have a successful political career.” Assuming it made the list, the Terminator star might soon be able to cross off cartoon and comic book character.

According to a recent report by Entertainment Weekly, Schwarzenegger is working with comic book guru Stan Lee on an animated TV series, as well as a comic book, that will mix the real life of the actor and politician with the superhuman exploits of the characters he’s played.

“The Governator” will battle the evil organization Gangsters Imposters Racketeers Liars and Irredeemable Ex-cons (or G.I.R.L.I.E. Men). The project is still in the development stages and won’t be completed until next year.

Schwarzenegger has stated that the cartoon is his plan B, and that if he could run for president, he would. Too bad that’s one he can’t check off of the list.

—Mackenzie Allison

According to a recent report by Gawker, if you want to add a Mark Zuckerberg figurine to your pop culture action figure collection, you might just be out of luck.

M.I.C. (Made in China) Gadget, the company behind the “Zuckerdoll” action figure, has ceased Zuckerdoll sales following a legal letter from Facebook’s legal counsel in China.

According to the letter, by selling the figurines on a website, the company used Zuckerberg’s portraiture “for commercial purpose and infringed his legitimate right.”

Facebook’s trademark “F” was also used on the action figures, which has also infringed Facebook’s trademark right.

M.I.C. issued an apology and said they will comply.

For more than thirty years, the iconic Hello Kitty image, along with the other indelible Sanrio characters, has graced everything from luggage and backpacks to jewelry and USB flash drives. The fantastic feline was even immortalized as a larger-than-life sculpture in New York City. Now, Sanrio is licensing the iconic Hello Kitty image once again to a new line of hand-painted, collectible dolls. Hello Kitty and Momiji have partnered to create a collection of six Momiji—message dolls—and several accessories. Each new doll’s outfit features a Hello Kitty character.

Also new, the accessories collection includes a notebook, gel pen, zip-up pouch and ring binder. Dolls are now available and accessories will hit retail in July throughout Europe and Australia.