License Magazine - August 2007 - (Page 15) bizbriefs Wal-Mart Goes ‘Haunt’ Couture Halloween will be Pretty Freekin’ Scary at Wal-Mart this fall as the retailer supports an accessory line based on the American Greetings Properties tween/teen property. “AG Properties is extremely excited about launching the Pretty Freekin Scary product line at Wal-Mart this Halloween,” says Josef Mandelbaum, president and CEO, American Greetings Properties. “The ‘haunt’ couture look of the property lends itself to a variety of creepy-cool, fashionable merchandise perfect for Halloween. From specialty to mass, the brand has a uniqueness that appeals to customers and we look forward to continued success while expanding into other retailers in 2008.” More than a dozen Pretty Freekin’ Scary items will be on endcaps, including a rubber bracelet with charm and a toggle bracelet with charm as well as a reversible wrist cuff, and a beanie knit hat. Additional items include: a bobble head, plush doll, a paper lantern with light, a clear giant sticker, a magnetic memo board, a tote bag, a cell phone/MP3 case holder, a keychain, and a journal. WalMart will also be offering Pretty Freekin’ Scary greeting cards at participating stores. All designs were created inhouse and are being produced by American Greetings Global Sourcing. In other AG news, the company extended its partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC, granting Fox the exclusive marketing and distribution rights in North America to “Sushi Pack,” the new Care Bears series, “Twisted Whiskers,” “Maryoku Yummy,” as well as existing brands Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears. — DW For Ruby,Things Not So Gloomy The outlook is sunny for Ruby Gloom as licensees and agents have clamored to align with the Nelvana property. In the United States, Mighty Fine launched a range of fashion knit tops, fashion bags, stickers, patches, buttons, and badges with Hot Topic and plans to build this out into 2008. Mighty Fine also tapped Penguin Books to develop four non-series related chapter books with the first two titles due summer 2008. In Canada, JC Kids is launching apparel for fall 2007, Adorable Kids is producing sleepwear, and Black and White Merchandising Co. is adding footwear to the mix. There are several pan-European deals in place, including Bravado for apparel and accessories, and Belltex for bedding. In France, Canal+ Licence was tapped as licensing agent and already signed CTM for nightwear and Calego International Inc. for accessories. In the UK, T-shirts from Global Licensing have been sold in high-end retailer New Look stores. Trudeau will do tableware/lunchware and Pyramid Posters are signed up for posters, badges, key rings, and calendars. J Fox Sox has signed on for nightwear while Bravado is doing high-end apparel as part of its pan-European deal. In Germany, Super RTL has been inked as the agent with two clothing collections from Hall Eleven for fall. Other available categories include apparel collections, fashion accessories, bags, stationery, mobile content, room decor, home furnishing, publishing, home video, and interactive. The television series has been sold by Nelvana Enterprises to broadcasters including France 3 in France, Super RTL in Germany, Cartoon Network in Japan and Latin America, YTV in Canada, SRC in Canada (in French), and ABC in Australia. — DW August 2007 www.licensemag.com 15 http://www.licensemag.com
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