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Investigations into Chinese Factory Making Olympics Toys |
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A Chinese factory where toys for the London 2012 Olympic Games are being manufactured is facing investigations after claims of poor working conditions and pay were made.
Golden Bear was awarded the contract to make toy versions of the mascots Mandeville and Wenlock in August 2010. Media reports have emerged criticizing the factory where the toys are being made. The company, along with LOCOG, has said it's taking the allegations seriously. There were also allegations that Golden Bear was warned about the pay and conditions before work took place, which the company denies.
Golden Bear Chairman John Hales commented: "We are a family-run business that takes these issues very seriously indeed, and has in place certificates of compliance at all factories used to produce our products. We are therefore in the process of conducting an immediate investigation, and will be able to comment on these findings as soon as they are known to us. We can confirm, however, that the factory in question has passed the ICTI (International Council of Toy Industries) care process inspection and that we will be working with the BTHA (British Toy and Hobby Association) ICTI care and other authorities in order to resolve any conditions that may have been breached."
A London 2012 spokesman said, "We have asked our independent monitor to carry out a comprehensive investigation and review of these allegations."
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Blooming Announcement from Bulldog |
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Bulldog Licensing has announced a representation agreement for BBC show Mr Bloom's Nursery.
Targeting the toy and publishing sectors first, Bulldog will launch a range of merchandise for Mr Bloom's Nursery, including apparel, gardening equipment, and homewares lines.
Speaking about the agreement, Bulldog Managing Director Rob Corney said, "We are absolutely thrilled to be working with the BBC on one of their major preschool shows. Mr Bloom's Nursery is an incredible achievement, which is brilliantly innovative and creative. This brand has been one we've been watching develop for some time now, and I think the licensing lines are going to be a real hit with consumers."
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Major Names to Participate in Licensing@Russia |
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The organisers of the upcoming Licensing@Russia show have announced that a host of major licensing names will be attending the event, which will take place in Moscow on March 14 to 16.
Licensing@Russia offers a fascinating insight into the largely untapped Russian and CIS markets - the event will include company and property presentations, screenings and a comprehensive conference programme designed for those within the region and for international visitors.
With new bookings coming in every day, industry participants include event partners Plus Licens and Rio Licensing whilst others in attendance include Dreamworks, Hasbro, ELC, Turner Enterprises, Megalicens, Art & Design RU, Carmen Ariza Licensing, Studio 100, Entertainment One, Black & White Licensing/JELC, Vipoland, All Media Russia, Endemol, Tekma, Withit, FremantleMedia, CBA and BBC Worldwide.
The timing of the show has been specifically set to coincide with other important events taking place in the same pavilion at Crocus Expo, at the same time - most importantly Skrepka International Stationery Expo and Toys & Kids Russia 2012. For more information, visit www.licensingshowrussia.com
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Trudi Hayward Appointed at ITV |
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ITV Studios Global Entertainment has appointed Trudi Hayward to the newly created role of senior vice president, global head of merchandise.
Hayward will lead the division's merchandise strategy. She previously worked for ITV Studios Global Entertainment as a consultant, and was formerly vice president at Nickelodeon Consumer Products. She begins her new position immediately.
"Trudi is one of the most experienced merchandise experts in the industry; her depth of knowledge and success with properties, such as SpongeBob Square Pants, Dora the Explorer, Star Wars, and MTV Brand, position her perfectly to lead this crucial area of the business," said Jean-Philippe Randisi. "We remain committed to growing the business in order to reap maximum value from our existing and future intellectual property, both in the UK and internationally."
Hayward said, "I am thrilled to be joining Jean-Philippe and his team. ITV Studios Global Entertainment's portfolio offers a wealth of opportunities, and I look forward to exploiting these further across the globe."
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Hallmark Signs Liberty Art Fabrics x Hello Kitty |
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Hallmark has added Liberty Art Fabrics x Hello Kitty to its growing portfolio of licensed brands.
The partnership with Fluid World, the UK licensing agency for Sanrio, includes trend-focused Hello Kitty greeting cards, wrap, tags, gift bags, boxes, ribbons, and bows, embraced in Liberty Art Fabric signature style.
Emma Parrott, brand manager at Hallmark Cards, commented: "We are excited to see the iconic Liberty Art Fabrics x Hello Kitty range added to our portfolio. The range looks fantastic and offers something for Hello Kitty fans of all ages. By adding Liberty Art Fabrics into the equation, it makes this collection a fashion must-have."
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Everything's Rosie at Toy Fair |
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New products for Everything's Rosie have been debuted at the UK Toy Fair this week.
The licensing program from V&S Entertainment now has more than 30 licensees on board and an imminent DVD launch, and the brand is looking to expand its current retail program with the introduction of new product categories as well as growing its existing ranges.
Everything's Rosie's master toy licensee, Vivid Imaginations, showcased Rosie products for the spring/summer season, including the Playground Playset, posable figurines, and the Chatty Phone, as well as Let's Dance Rosie, a plush doll dressed in a dance outfit. Vivid also showed the Pink Playhouse Playset.
Other products on show included Jumbo Games' 3D Raggles the Reporter and an Everything's Rosie Lotto Game, as well as products from HTi and Worlds Apart.
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Talisman Announces Forever Clover Licensee |
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Talisman Licensing has announced that Hardie Grant Egmont has become its first multi-territory licensee for the Forever Clover brand for girls.
Hardie Grant Egmont will produce all publishing lines under novelization, activity, and novelty, and will gradually begin the worldwide push on Forever Clover later this year. Color and activity lines will launch at the Frankfurt Book Fair this year with a solid series of novels, each dedicated to one of the six Forever Clover girls, set to launch next year.
At the same time, the second series of 128 swap cards will launch in Australia in April as the expansion continues.
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Poppy Cat Picked Up by CITV |
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Coolabi has secured a UK terrestrial broadcast deal with CITV for its property Poppy Cat.
CITV has acquired the 52x11-minute animated series, which has been airing on commissioning broadcaster Nick Jr. UK since May, and will be broadcast on CITV this spring.
Michael Dee, director of content at Coolabi, says: "Securing a terrestrial deal with CITV for Poppy Cat in the UK is terrific news. This latest signing with yet another huge broadcast partner demonstrates the enormous appeal that Poppy Cat has, both in the UK and internationally."
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eOne Has Announced Several Deals for Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom. |
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The eOne Family is extending its relationship with Nick Jr., which has been an eOne broadcast partner for nearly nine years. The first series of Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom debuted on Nick Jr. UK in April 2009. Nick Jr. UK will now also broadcast the second series of Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom this year, and there are a number of multi-territory deals in the pipeline.
RAI's Yoyo channel in Italy, RTVE's TV Clan, and RTP in Portugal have all picked up the first series of the show. Ireland's RTE has also re-licensed the first series of the show. Series one of Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom will also be broadcast on Nick Jr. Channels/blocks in Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Eastern/Central Europe, Russia, Africa, Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Latin America.
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FME Launches Take Me Out Dating App |
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FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has announced the launch of Take Me Out Flirting, a new app based on the ITV comedy dating show Take Me Out. The free-to-use app has now launched across iOS, Android, mobile web, and web platforms, and is set to launch on Blackberry and Ovi soon.
The Take Me Out Flirting app, developed by multimedia social app developers Handmade Mobile Entertainment, will enable users to set up their own profile and find their ideal dating partner by using the chat, flirt, virtual gifting, and virtual currency features within the app.
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Imira Bringing News to NATPE |
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Imira Entertainment is heading to this year's NATPE with announcements of deals with Hispanic U.S. and Latin American channels.
Imira has sold the first season of Emmy Award-nominee Dance Academy, produced by Werner Film Production with Screen Australia, Screen NSW, ABC, ACTF, ZDF, and ZDF Enterprises, to free TV U.S. Hispanic channel V-Me, while BBC Latin America has acquired seasons one and two of animated Driver Dan's Story Train, a series from the UK's 3Line Media and Abu Dhabi's Twofour54.
In Brazil, Imira has scored a free TV double with two series from Millimages as Canal Futura takes Monk and ELO Audiovisual picks up Corneil & Bernie, and in Mexico, free TV channel Televisa has picked up animated show The Jungle Book, which is produced by DQE in association with ZDF German Television Network and ZDF Enterprises GmbH.
In further deals, CNTV in Chile has picked up Imira-produced Saari for free TV and online streaming.
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British Embassy Hosting The Royal Touch |
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The British Embassy in Tokyo is hosting the launch celebration event of the Carolyn Robb: The Royal Touch culinary/lifestyle brand. Within the last two weeks, agreements have been signed in Australia, Germany, Hong Kong/China, and Canada, in addition to the agreement reached in Japan last year.
Ted Larkins, who is hosting the event at the British Embassy, is president of Blue Sky International, the Japanese partner of The Royal Touch brand, whose firm also represents CAA and MGM Consumer Goods.
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National Wildlife Federation Opens Image Vault |
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Hit Entertainment has signed four more licensees for its preschool property Mike the Knight, bringing the total of licensees already on board to 30.
The latest quartet of companies to sign are Egmont for annuals; Publications International for sound books in UK, Germany, Spain, and Portugal; Grosvenor for toiletries and dental care; and Finsbury Foods for celebration cakes.
Egmont and PIL will launch their first products this fall, Grosvenor this Christmas, and Finsbury Foods will follow in spring 2013.
Jon Owen, senior vice president of Hit Brands Global, said: "Securing a total of 30 licensees when the TV program has only been on air for three months is a massive achievement and testament to the faith that our partners have in the brand. With the first products launching at retail, 2012 looks set to be a bumper year for Mike the Knight."
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Discovery Announces Nuremberg Lineup |
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Discovery Enterprises International (DEI) will unveil details of its brand lineup at Nuremberg Toy Fair.
The licensor will be making its debut on the show floor, operating from a dedicated Animal Planet-branded stand, a space it will be sharing with Wow! Stuff, DEI's official EMEA master toy licensee for Animal Planet.
Ian Woods, licensing director, Discovery Enterprises International, Europe, commented: "We're dedicated to thinking outside of the box to create innovative consumer products that harness the power of the Discovery brand. Animal Planet is recognized as an expert authority on the animal kingdom making it the perfect property for relevant and exciting toy propositions. Nuremberg will offer us a platform to hold conversations with key licensees and retail partners to build upon this evergreen brand at such an exciting time in its lifecycle."
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WotWots Nominated for Annie Awards |
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The WotWots has been nominated for Best Animated Television Production-Preschool in the 2012 Annie Awards.
The episode "Moons and Moats" from the second series was nominated for Best Television Production in the Preschool category in this year's 39th Annual Annie Awards.
The award recognizes creative excellence in the art of animation for an episode from an animated television series or an animated television special, produced for children ages 5 year old and under. The winners will be announced on Saturday, February 4, at UCLA's Royce Hall in Los Angeles, Calif.
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EMPLOYMENT SECTION
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A feature of the Total Licensing Weekly Report is the
Employment section - this includes 'Jobs Available' and
'Jobs Wanted'. So if you have a position in your company
that needs to be filled, or you yourself are looking for
employment opportunities, don't hesitate to send your
information to:
Becky becky@totallicensing.com
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Trilingual Licensing Professional |
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Petrus Horemans is a trilingual (Dutch-French-English) Belgian professional and has over 20 years in creative & brand licensing, partnership, co-branding- and line extension of character merchandising of IP rights.
He now seeks new opportunities in the licensing industry for a permanent position with licensors or licensees and is willing to relocate.
To contact: petrus.horemans@hotmail.be
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License Creative Manager Available for New Opportunities |
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David Dennett is an award-winning License Creative Manager.
With over 15 years commercial experience working within the world of FMCG on leading brands, and licenses, specializing in gift & stationery. He has worked with The Walt Disney Company, Hasbro, Mattel, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, BBC, Lucas Films, and Hit Entertainment, among others, and has in-depth knowledge of the licensing industry, and various production processes.
He is looking for new opportunities in the licensing industry for permanent or freelance contracts with licensors or licensees.
To contact: dennett7@btinternet.com & david.ddesign@googlemail.com.
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Licensing/Marketing Professional Available for New Opportunities |
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Bruce Anthony has over 40 years of creative Licensing, Domestic and Overseas Sourcing, Marketing, Sales experience, and assisting in "Total Management" abilities.
He has hands-on experience of multiple successful projects and experience working within the world of consumer packaged goods, specializing in souvenir, gift & stationery, sporting goods, educational and generic toys, cosmetics, room/home décor fields. He has worked with The Walt Disney Company, Coca Cola Sony Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, among others, and has in-depth knowledge of most of the retail categories of trade, as well as the licensing industry! He is looking for new opportunities in the licensing industry for a permanent position with licensors or licensees.
To contact: banthony1991@hotmail.com.
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