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Jul 27, 2011 0

New Licensing Director for NBCUniversal; Purina Gear Comes to Walmart

NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group has brought Kerry O’Donnell on board as the director of global licensing. She will focus on sales and product development for NBC and USA Network properties.

O’Donnell previously served as director of merchandising and licensing for ABC Entertainment Group, where she managed consumer products and licensing for properties including Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, Dancing with the Stars, and Wipeout. O’Donnell led financial analysis, deal recommendations, and contract negotiations for license opportunities, including e-commerce, video games, books, action figures, trading cards, toys, greeting cards, and apparel, according to NBCUniversal’s announcement.

Purina Pet Gear Products Launch at Walmart

Under a license with Nestle Purina PetCare Company to use the Purina brand, the oneCARE Company’s line of Purina Pet Gear products is now available in Walmart stores throughout the United States. The new line, which includes training pads and household cleaners, can be seen in its entirety at its recently launched Facebook page.

Harry Potter Film Boosts Orders of Kymera Magic Wand

Sales for the Kymera Magic Wand, by the Dragon’s Den, have increased 350 percent since the July 15 release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, according to the UK’s ToyNews. Developed in the UK, the Kymera Magic Wand is a motion-sensitive, button-less universal remote control for iPods and TVs, using high-tech gesture recognition and a standard infrared signal.

M!KE Licensing Signs Licensee for Yak Pak Bedding

M!KE Licensing appointed Cody Direct as the exclusive licensee for Yak Pak bedding. The Yak Pak domestics lifestyle collection will consist of decorative bedding, blankets, throws, indoor slumber bags, sheeting in all thread counts and fabric constructions, soft storage, novelty pillows/cushions, and accent rugs, according to the release.

M!KE Licensing is seeking licensees for Yak Pak in categories including party paper goods, eyewear, pajamas/underwear, fleece, hosiery, and sporting goods.

—Melissa Tinklepaugh

Apr 19, 2010 0

Yak Pak Appoints Stone America as Licensing Agent

Stone America Licensing has been appointed licensing agent by NYC teen/college student fashion bag company, Yak Pak. Founded in 1989 by Stephen Holt and Rolando Cohen in Brooklyn, N.Y., Yak Pak provides young consumers with backpacks, messenger bags, handbags, totes, laptop sleeves, luggage, and accessories. Yak Paks are sold at retailers across the United States and Canada ranging from teen specialty chains, boutiques, and department stores, to sporting goods retailers and college book stores. Yak Pak sponsors numerous music events and charity functions throughout the year and Yak Pak products are regularly featured in films, magazines, on television, and in online editorials.

Stone America will offer manufacturers and retailers the opportunity to license school supplies, stationery, apparel accessories, social expressions, room décor, and a full array of gifts & novelties utilizing Yak Pak’s library of designs and patterns.

Latest Deals

  • February 3, 2012

    Beanstalk Promotes Allison Ames to President, North America

    Beanstalk has appointed Allison Ames as president, North America. In her new role, Ames will oversee Beanstalk’s operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and South America. She will continue to report directly to Michael Stone, CEO. Effective immediately, Ames will assume full responsibility for all clients operating in the North [...]

  • February 3, 2012

    Activision Hires Licensing Executives

    Entertainment licensing veteran Ashley Maidy has joined Activision to head the newly formed licensing division. Maidy has more than 16 years of experience, building licensing and merchandising programs for Sony Pictures and Saban Entertainment. In her new role, Maidy will extend Activision’s properties into complementary product categories, as well as [...]

  • February 3, 2012

    Licensed Toys Dollar Sales Rose 2 Percent in 2011

    U.S. retail sales of toys generated $21.18 billion in 2011, a decline of 2 percent compared to 2010 numbers, which totaled $21.68 billion, according to market research company The NPD Group. While the average retail price for a licensed toy was 57 percent higher than that for non-licensed toys, licensed [...]

  • January 19, 2012

    Paul Southern Named Head of Lucas Licensing

    Howard Roffman is passing the baton to Paul Southern as head of Lucas Licensing. Roffman will remain with the company as a senior advisor. Both Roffman and Southern will report to Micheline Chau, Lucasfilm president and COO.  

  • January 19, 2012

    Lionsgate Acquires Summit Entertainment for $412.5 Million

    Lionsgate has completed a transaction to acquire Summit Entertainment for a combination of cash and stock valued at $412.5 million. 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 [...]

  • January 11, 2012

    Schylling Teams Up with Pretty Ugly

    Schylling and Pretty Ugly released a new Uglydoll Rocket Ride Wind Up Toy that has a lever mechanism instead of a key, stands eight inches tall, and is suitable for ages 3 and up. They also released new youth umbrellas in three styles, Ice-bat, Ox, and Uglydoll Rainy Day, suitable [...]

  • January 11, 2012

    WME Signs Cosmetics Deal for Patti Stanger

    WME Licensing’s client Patti Stanger, an American matchmaker and television producer with her own Bravo TV show, The Millionaire Matchmaker, and the founder and CEO of Millionaire’s Club International, Inc., has signed a license with Hyper Interactive to create a full line of PS I Love You Cosmetics. The initial [...]

  • January 11, 2012

    Jazwares to Manufacture Fruit Ninja Products

    Jazwares is slicing into the mobile app category after being awarded the master toy license for Halfbrick’s popular app, Fruit Ninja. Inspired by Fruit Ninja’s fruit-slicing, action-packed adventures, Jazwares’ new range will include fruit figures and plush, featuring “splat” sound effects, slicing features, ninja blades, and branded bandanas, as well [...]

  • January 11, 2012

    So So Happy License Granted to Commonwealth Toys

    Art Impressions has licensed Commonwealth Toys to produce a line of So So Happy plush toys, beanies, plush backpacks, and related products featuring the brand’s quirky cast of friendly monsters, robots, and other oddball characters. The companies’ first collaborative series will roll out nationwide in May at specialty chains, boutiques, [...]

  • January 6, 2012

    Robin Zingone Appoints The Name Game

    Robin Zingone has named Holly Rawlinson, president and owner of The Name Game, LLC, as the exclusive licensing agent to launch and coordinate a global licensing program for robin zingone brands. The agreement includes the robinzingone signature brand for women, along with tween character brand Cocomimilulu, the kawaii brand loveMe [...]

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