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.

Janet Hsu, President of SANRIO, Inc., has announced the expansion of the company’s senior management team with three strategic executive appointments.

As Vice President of Brand Management and Marketing, Jill Koch is responsible for maintaining the integrity and identity of the SANRIO brand and its cast of characters including Hello Kitty. Koch will work closely with the design team on product development and brand extension. Ms Koch will continue to oversee the expansion of SANRIO’s unique co-brand initiatives and collaboration programs, as well as the management of public relations and marketing to build and drive consistent brand messaging. With SANRIO since 2002, Koch formerly held the title of senior director of brand management & marketing.

Cindy Elfenbein has been named executive director of retail business development.  In this newly created position, Elfenbein will develop new business opportunities with key retailers and create unique partnerships and promotions between SANRIO licensees and retailers. Elfenbein brings with her more than 20 years of experience in the retail, licensing, and entertainment industries. Prior to joining SANRIO, Elfenbein held senior management positions at Sony Pictures Entertainment, DIC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

Linh Forse has been promoted to senior licensing manager, responsible for the management of the company’s licensing partners in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Her focus will be on expanding distribution in the Canadian market and developing licensing programs for emerging characters. Forse has been with SANRIO since 2008 and was previously licensing manager. Prior to joining SANRIO, Forse held key licensing positions at Jakks Pacific and Brand Sense Partners.

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 »