Relativity Media has partnered with Hasbro to develop and produce a live-action tent-pole film based on Stretch Armstrong, the action hero figure launched in the 1970s. Relativity will be the domestic distributor, and will release the film internationally through its network of foreign output partners. The film is targeted for an April 11, 2014, release date.

The Los Angeles Times reported this week that Hasbro’s deal with Universal Pictures has ended. Universal Pictures has no plans for any more movies based on Hasbro toys beyond the May release of Battleship. The deal with Hasbro, signed four years ago, included at least four films based on seven games and toys: Battleship, Candy Land, Clue, Magic: The Gathering, Monopoly, Ouija, and Stretch Armstrong.

While the average retail price for a licensed toy was 57 percent higher than that for non-licensed toys, licensed toys represented a bright spot for the industry in 2011, increasing dollar sales by 2 percent and gaining 1.2 dollar share points. Licensed toys represented 26 percent of total industry sales in 2011.

Top properties for the year based on total dollar sales (in alphabetical order) included Barbie, Disney Pixar’s Cars, Crayola, Disney Princess, and Star Wars. Based on dollar sales, Disney Pixar’s Cars, Disney Princess, Star Wars, Thomas and Friends, and Toy Story topped the list of 2011’s best-selling licensed properties (in alphabetical order).

Kovac will launch the first direct response marketing campaign for Baby Genius DVD and CDs. The worldwide campaign will first launch in the U.S. this Q1 with broadcast commercials, accompanied by a new Baby Genius website. A new line of Baby Genius musical and early learning toys from Jakks Pacific’s Tollytots division will launch this fall.

Throughout her career, Kovac served in top-level executive positions, including COO of Your Baby Can, LLC; president of Thane Direct, USA; president of Bay Street Brands; and vice president of Sales at Fitness Quest/Warner Vision where she also managed sales for Atlantic Records, Electra Records, and Rhino Records divisions. She also ran her own consulting firm, Managed Full Service Marketing.

Under the new deal, Sorini will manufacture individual 280 gram chocolate Easter eggs with a surprise inside each egg, and small bags of six-gram chocolate Easter eggs with a surprise inside each bag. Rachele Geraci, Atlantyca’s licensing and agent manager, secured the deal which will result in products being introduced throughout Italy in time for Easter.

“We are pleased to be working with such a well-known company as Sorini on a new line of products that will serve to reinforce the Kingdom of Fantasy property’s position as a fixture among Italian pop culture this Easter,” said Mazzucco.

The transaction unites two studios with powerful brands and complementary assets. By acquiring Summit, Lionsgate enhances its feature film and home entertainment offerings, and further broadens its 13,000-title filmed entertainment library to include such titles as The Twilight Saga, The Hurt Locker, and Red. The integration of both Summit’s domestic and international theatrical film operations will significantly enhance Lionsgate’s production and distribution capacity, while also extending its worldwide reach and creating a dominant international sales organization.

Both the Lionsgate and Summit labels are expected to continue and be active in the production and distribution of films, although the combined company expects to realize significant synergies through the consolidation of administrative and other costs.