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BBC Commits to New Postman Pat Series for 2013

Classic Media, a global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands, today announced a further commitment from the BBC for the UK’s favorite postie and popular preschool television series, Postman Pat Special Delivery Service (SDS).

Following the launch of Postman Pat SDS in September 2008 with immediate critical and ratings success, Classic Media has received an acquisition for 26 x :15 minute episodes of Postman Pat’s special delivery adventures to air in 2013 on the BBC.

First introduced September 16, 1981, on BBC1, Postman Pat has the honor of being the longest running animated series on the BBC. This new commitment secures Postman Pat’s presence on the BBC through to 2018.

In his heroic new role as head of the Special Delivery Service, Postman Pat transports anything, anytime, anywhere with his fleet of new vehicles and high-tech gadgets. The new series will feature plenty more fun and adventure with Pat and his trusty sidekick Jess the Cat as they take on some of the most difficult deliveries yet.

“We’re delighted to be continuing this long-standing relationship with the BBC for Postman Pat,” says Chloe van den Berg, EVP, International, Classic Media. “As the longest-running animation series on the BBC, there is huge nostalgia and awareness over three generations for the nation’s favorite postie and the new series confirms the popularity of the refreshed SDS brand.”

This September, Postman Pat will celebrate his 30th birthday with a large-scale PR and marketing campaign including special events, TV, and radio appearances across the UK. Celebrations will be targeted at preschool fans along with their parents and grandparents who grew up with Postman Pat and his daily adventures in Greendale.

LIMA Award Nominees Announced

Please fill the envelopes.

The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) today announced 75 nominees for the Annual LIMA International Licensing Excellence Awards, recognizing the industry’s best and most successful licensed properties and products from the past year. Awards in seven categories plus the License of the Year Award will be announced at LIMA’s Opening Night Awards Party on June 8 during Licensing International Expo 2010 in Las Vegas.

Nominations were solicited from across the licensing industry and winners will be chosen by a vote of the LIMA membership.

The License of the Year award will recognize an outstanding property that has had the most significant and profound impact on the licensing community during calendar year 2009. The candidates listed below were chosen by the LIMA Awards Committee from among the category-specific nominees.

Property: Brand Owner/Licensing Agent:
2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic: National Hockey League
Burger King: Burger King/Broad Street Licensing Group
Food Network: Scripps Enterprises/Brandgenuity LLC
Hello Kitty: Sanrio, Inc.
In the Night Garden: Ragdoll Productions/BBC Worldwide Limited
Skelanimals: Skelanimals, LLC/Art Impressions, Inc.
The Twilight Saga: New Moon: Summit Entertainment

Sixteen awards will be presented to top licensees and properties in seven categories: Art, Character, Corporate, Film/Television/Entertainment, Sports, Licensed Promotions, and Retailer. In addition to acknowledging the Best Brand Program of the Year in the Character, Corporate, Entertainment, and Sports categories, awards for Best Licensee-Hard Goods and Best Licensee-Soft Goods will be presented. In the Art category, best program and best licensee will be recognized. Each winner will receive the coveted etched-glass trophy sporting the LIMA logo.

For a complete list of the nominees in each award category, Read the rest of this entry »

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