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Licensing News - November 2005

Douglas Cuddle Toys' Sassy Pet Saks Win 2005 NAPPA Honors Award

11/23/05 - The National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA), which recognize the top family-oriented products of the year, has confirmed that Douglas' Sassy Pet Saks has received a 2005 Honor Award.

Sassy Saks made their debut at Toy Fair 2004 and the line continues to grow in choices and popularity. NAPPA winning products meet the most stringent criteria and are judged by nationally recognized experts. The NAPPA awards have set the industry standard of excellence for more than 15 years and are a sought-after honor by manufacturers, recording artists, publishers, and product designers. Douglas married a plush toy with a fashion accessory to create Sassy Pet Saks that appeal specifically to girls ages 3-9. A variety of themes are represented in the bags including bohemian, western, preppy, fluffy, sporty and more. Available in colors that tweens love like pure turquoise, spring green, hot pink and purple. Each Sak holds its own unique animal.

"Plush accessories have been highly popular for the past two years," explains Erika Radich, Marketing Manager, Douglas Company. "Douglas walked into the crest of that wave with Sassy Pet Saks. The product had the right timing and a lot of fun associated with it. These bags walk the edge of fashion and are just plain fun! " 2006 marks Douglas' 50th anniversary.

11/21/05 - Crayola crayon creators Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith were named the 2006 Toy Industry Hall of Fame inductees. The posthumous award for Binney and Smith will be accepted by Mark Schwab, president and CEO of Binney & Smith, at the sixth annual T.O.T.Y. (Toy Of The Year) Awards Saturday, February 11, 2006, in Manhattan at the Marriott Marquis Times Square.

11/21/05 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are coming out of their shells this Thanksgiving, making their first appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, November 24.

11/21/05 - The Dr. Spock Company will lend its name to consumer products for the first time, partnering with Kid Care on a line of children's bath and body products. Under the terms of the agreement, brokered by TippingSprung, Kid Care will produce a line of natural and organic products such as body washes and lotion in 2006. Other categories under development include feeding accessories, toys, prenatal and infant vitamins, oral care, electronic health, and safety.

11/15/05 - Playmates Toys signed as master toy licensee for Strawberry Shortcake with dolls and toys planned for 2006. Next spring also marks the launch of Strawberry Shortcake Baby, an infant program that will include Children's Apparel Network as master apparel licensee. Others on board include: ABC Development (feeding/tabletop), Fabrics by Spectrix (fabrics), Deco Pac (cake decorating/edibles), Infant Specialty Company (hair accessories/headwear), Kids Headquarters (outerwear), Dolly Inc. (bedding/bath/home furnishings), ES Originals (footwear), and United Legwear (legwear/socks/hosiery).

11/15/05 - The Hasbro Properties Group will expand the audience for My Little Pony, creating retro-themed apparel and accessories for tweens and young women. In spring 2006, Accessories Network will offer My Little Pony bags, small leather goods, cell phone cases, MP3 player cases, and hosiery, and Briefly Stated will offer loungewear separates and intimate apparel.

11/15/05 - Kurt S. Adler Inc., a holiday ornament and accessory supplier, will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2006. Following last year's passing of Founder and Chairman, Mr. Kurt Adler, the Adler family continues to own and operate the business successfully. Howard and Clifford are Co-Presidents, Karen is CFO, and Richard serves as Vice President. A design leader of holiday decor, Kurt S. Adler, Inc. was founded in 1946 and has helped establish the holiday decorating industry. The firm is world renowned for introducing a European flavor, sense of fashion, and new looks to Christmas in the U.S. since its inception. Its line includes Santa's World collection, Steinbach nutcrackers, Polonaise glass ornaments, Fabriche Santas, Luxor ornaments, and scores of popular licensed designs.

11/14/05 - Set for May 22, 2006 Gift for Life, the gift and home decor industry's volunteer group raising funds for AIDS research and education, will honor Ron Jedlinski and Mary Engelbreit at its 14th anniversary party on May 22, 2006, in New York City.

Ron Jedlinski, founder of gift importer Roman Inc., started his company out of the back of his father's gift shop in 1963 and grew it into one of the largest privately owned and operated firms in the giftware industry. For this achievement Gift for Life has awarded him the Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mary Engelbreit will receive the Award for Outstanding Industry Contribution for her colorful and detailed art designs for greeting cards, calendars and home accessories. She is also the editor-in-chief for the magazine "Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion" and recently had her illustrations of "The Night Before Christmas" turned into a children's video. Proceeds from the anniversary party will benefit the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

11/14/05 - Applejack Art Partners signed an agreement with United Media, granting it the rights to develop posters and finished wall decor for Peanuts. Memorable visuals of Charlie Brown trying to kick a football, Lucy leaning on Schroeder's piano, Snoopy on his doghouse, and Linus shuffling by with his blanket will be part of the new collection due in spring 2006.

11/11/05 - Giftware maker Enesco Group Inc. said it will cut an unspecified number of corporate jobs in its U.S. operations as part of its operating improvement plan. The company does not anticipate material charges related to the cuts.

11/11/05 - Department 56 Incorporated is changing its corporate name to reflect its purchase of another company. The Eden Prairie-based maker of ceramic snow villages and ornamental gifts acquired fine china maker Lenox Incorporated for $190 million dollars. It will be called Lenox Group Incorporated. The company's snow villages, tiny figurines and other collectibles will still be sold under the Department 56 brand. The company's profits for the third quarter ended October first rose 20 percent to $11 million from more than $9 million one year ago. One month of Lenox's sales were included in the results. Sales excluding the impact of the acquisition were down from a year ago.

11/10/05 - Formal retirement aside, industry icon Eugene Freedman has purchased an ownership interest and joined the Board of Directors of Starlite Originals. Gene Freedman retired from Enesco Group earlier this year, after 47 years of service to the company. Under his leadership as President and CEO until 1998, Enesco Group grew to achieve an international sales volume in excess of $500 million. Freedman is also credited with the development of Precious Moments, a world renowned collection of porcelain figurines based on the artwork of Sam Butcher. In July 2005, Freedman was appointed Precious Moments Ambassador at Large by Precious Moments Inc. (PMI). In addition, Freedman recently accepted a consulting role in product development for the award-winning Franz Collection of fine art porcelain tableware and home decor. For more information, contact Starlite Originals LLC at 800-726-9660.

11/1/05 - Boston Warehouse has signed a licensing agreement with Novamex, a marketer of authentic Mexican foods and beverages, to develop tabletop products using the Jarritos brand. New dinnerware, beverageware and flatware will feature traditional and contemporary Mexican designs that will be targeted at a range of housewares and specialty gift retailers. "We are excited to be working with Novamex and believe Jarritos offers us a strong entree into the growing Hispanic market," Peter Jenkins, owner of Boston Warehouse, said in a statement. Jarritos was created 50 years ago. Its name is taken from the Mexican tradition of drinking from clay pottery jugs, called jarritos, which keep drinks fresh and cool.

10/31/05 - Russ Berrie and Company, Inc., and the Make-A-Wish Foundation will produce wish-themed dolls to benefit children battling life-threatening medical conditions. The two collections, due on U.S. and international shelves in January 2006, each will include six soft dolls modeled after a policeman, fireman, rock star, ballerina, princess, and cowboy. Under a separate licensing agreement with Wrangler Apparel Corp., cowboy dolls for the U.S. market will wear jeans with the Wrangler brand embroidered on the back pocket. One dollar will be donated for every doll sold.

10/26/05 - The Boyds Collection, a designer and manufacturer of teddy bears and other gifts and collectibles, has filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the federal Bankruptcy Code. In a news release, the company says it is trying to restore its financial stability and ensure its long-term success without disrupting its day-to-day business operations. The Boyds Collection confirmed that it had debt problems and had defaulted on some provisions in its lending agreements. The New York Stock Exchange suspended trading of Boyds stock because the price had dropped too low. Boyds filed its bankruptcy petition in a federal bankruptcy court in Maryland, a day before more stringent provisions of the federal bankruptcy law went into effect. The company was founded in 1979 and was acquired by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Company in 1998.

10/26/05 - Yankee Candle Co. said Wednesday it will close up to 20 stores, cut an unspecified number of jobs and raise prices in response to rising candle wax and energy costs. The cost-cutting moves came as the South Deerfield-based maker of scented candles announced its third-quarter net income declined about 3 percent to $15.4 million from $15.8 million a year earlier. The company did not specify which locations would be closed other than to say the cuts would affect "10 to 20 underperforming stores."

Most of the closures are expected to occur before year's end, with costs related to the closures expected to range from $4 million to $8 million. It operated 366 retail stores in 42 states as of Jan. 1.The 36-year-old company has about 5,500 employees. It also sells products through a wholesale customer network of about 15,600 store locations in North America, and sells candles through catalogs and over the Internet.

Entertainment Rights Plc is signing with Mattel Inc., for the home entertainment and TV distribution rights to the next three animated Barbie feature-length movies due in 2006. The first title, Barbie Diaries, is a new phase in the film franchise as Barbie plays herself as a suburban high school teenager for the first time. Barbie Mermaidia follows, as does a third title from the Barbie Princess series of movies. Entertainment Rights also secured certain international television rights (excluding U.S.) to the films.

10/11/05 - Classic Media Readies Classic DVD Classic Media warms audiences this winter with The Legend of Frosty the Snowman, complete with a marketing, promotional, and advertising program. In stores October 18, the DVD (suggested retail, $21.98) will be supported by consumer brands including Frito Lay, LifeSavers, Keebler, and Renuzit in addition to retail-specific programs at several mass, grocery, drug, and convenience stores. A television, print, and radio campaign, as well as an online component, also is planned.

Enesco Group Inc. is raising money for the American Red Cross through the sales of one of the company's jazz-inspired product lines. Through the end of the year, Enesco will contribute $2 per piece from its introductory Life of a Nation home decor collection. Life of a Nation celebrates the people, places and ideas that are considered truly American. The first introduction pays tribute to jazz, the musical heritage of New Orleans. Featuring products designed by artist Jim Shore, this first introduction of Life of a Nation is an eight-piece collection, that when displayed together forms a jazz band. For more information about the program call 800/4-ENESCO.

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