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NEW YORK, October 22, 2015 – Interior designer and television personality Genevieve Gorder is teaming with Pear Tree Greetings for a new range of holiday cards and customizable stationery in a new deal facilitated by brand extension agency Beanstalk.

The range will launch with a new holiday card collection that will feature patterns, foiling and botanicals across 15 designs inspired by Gorder’s work in home décor.

“Consumers relate to Genevieve because she is not only down to earth but her beautiful, yet whimsical designs are immediately relevant to how people live today,” says Allison Ames, president, Beanstalk. “Bringing Genevieve’s wonderful creativity to a great partner like Pear Tree Greetings is a perfect blend of contemporary, but classic design coupled with quality holiday greeting cards.”

Gorder has been seen on design shows on HGTV and TLC, as well as via her namesake lifestyle brand.

NEW YORK, October 19, 2015 – Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products has signed multiple deals for its series “The Simpsons,” which premiered its 27th season last month.

The new deals broaden the brand’s category, cementing its transition into evergreen status in the EMEA.

“The cross-generational appeal of ‘The Simpsons’ and breadth of content gives us the ability to segment creative to target different audience sectors, says Sandra Vauthier-Cellier, senior vice president, EMEA, Fox Consumer Products. “This strategy enables us to add great depth, originality and innovation to licensed ranges that will engage all demographics and attract a range of top-class partners across EMEA.”

Beginning next year and into 2017, FCP will extend “The Simpsons” to the baby category, with softlines set to debut.

Other new deals include with Jumbo Games for games and puzzles and Pyramid International for a stationery range for back-to-school.

Under the fashion category, several new partnerships have been established including the launch of the capsule collection with Neff around the world; a Hype clothing line that hit market last fall; a boy’s apparel line that debuted at Sainsbury’s this year; a fashion range for girls that debuted at George at Asda, Primark and Zara; and second collection of accessories from Skinnydip.

NEW YORK, October 13, 2015 – Universal Partnerships & Licensing is highlighting the hit films Minions and Jurassic World, as well as the upcoming The Secret Life of Pets this year at Brand Licensing Europe in London.

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s The Secret Life of Pets, a comedy about the lives pets lead after humans leave for work or school each day, will hit theaters in summer 2016. Spin Master has been tapped as the global master toy partner for the brand and will develop a wide variety of toys, including traditional plush and figurines as well as interactive and motorized offerings.

UP&L is also focusing on two of its recent blockbuster film franchises,Minions, which has grossed more than $950 million and counting at the global box office, and Jurassic World, the third highest grossing film of all time with $1.5 billion at the global box office.

UP&L plans to refresh both programs with all-new creative and ongoing marketing campaigns from licensees including Thinkway Toys, Hasbro, Mega Bloks and EA for Minions and Hasbro, LEGO and Ludia for Jurassic World, leading intoDespicable Me 3 in 2017 and the Jurassic World sequel in 2018.

NEW YORK, October 7, 2015 – Joyrich has partnered with IMG in a global deal to license the apparel label in new product segments and franchise it to new territories.

Established by fashion designer Tom Hirota in 2007, the brand blends American culture and Japanese street fashion. The brand has also partnered with a range of global brands including Disney, Playboy and Coca-Cola. Joyrich has flagship stores in the U.S., Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and is also sold in a fashion boutiques around the world.

“We have come a long way since our first store in Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, and our brand is now growing at such a pace that we need help to satisfy the demand we are seeing from different markets, as well as from our loyal consumers," says Hirota. "IMG is perfectly placed to help us respond to that and take us to the next level.”

“Tom lives and breathes creativity. I’ve been so impressed by what he has achieved and the power and originality of the Joyrich brand concept," says Bruno Maglione, executive vice president, WME/IMG and president of licensing, IMG. "We are very pleased to accompany him in the next brand chapter of Joyrich.”

NEW YORK, October 6, 2015 – The Tetris Company has appointed Lisle International Licensing as its merchandise licensing agent in the U.K., Channel Islands and Ireland.

Lisle International will focus on new product merchandising opportunities for the iconic video game in home goods, lifestyle items, collectibles, clothing and more.

Lisle will also be showcasing the brand at Brand Licensing Europe next week in London.

“'Tetris' is more than just a video game–it’s a lifestyle enjoyed by fans, both young and old, around the globe," says Maya Rogers, chief executive officer Blue Planet Software, sole agent for the "Tetris" brand. "It is critical that we work with the right licensing partners who can help us expand the brand with fun and unique high-quality products that will resonate with our ever-growing audience. The U.K. is a top market for 'Tetris,' and we’re pleased to be working with Lisle International, which has a reputation for building solid and effective brand partnerships for its customers.”

“In the U.K., where there is high awareness and positive affinity for 'Tetris,' there is huge potential for the brand," says Gayle Tarrant, director, Lisle International. "We are excited to be a partner in developing a strong licensing program that will further extend the experience for 'Tetris' fans.”

NEW YORK, October 5, 2015 – Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media and Hasbro launched Playmation Marvel’s Avengers Sunday, a new system of connected toys and wearables that fuses technology and digital storytelling.

Now on shelf across the U.S. and Canada for the first time, the new toy/game hybrid is the culmination of extensive research into the world of play, highlighting a new opportunity to combine digital technology and physical play. Playmation is purposely not tethered to an Internet connection so players can run around and explore each adventure from anywhere they want.

“Playmation blends technology, storytelling and imagination in a way that’s made for today’s digitally savvy kids," says Nitin Chawla, vice president, strategy and business development, DCPI. "Our research shows families are looking for a new way to play that’s active, creative and technology-infused–and Playmation is just that.”

The Playmation Marvel’s Avengers starter pack includes five connected toys–one piece of Avenger Gear (Repulsor), two Power Activators and two Smart Figures, a superhero (Captain America) and a super villain (Iron Skull), as well as 25 missions.

To get started kids strap on the Repulsor gear and listen closely to JARVIS for tutorials and missions, inspired by Iron Man technology.

Additional connected toys available in the Playmation line include smart figures–Iron Man, Black Widow, Hulk, M.O.D.O.K., Ultron Bot and Hulkbuster, which help players unlock new storylines and abilities when placed on the Power Activator and connected with Avenger Gear; and The Prowler Bot, a robotic villain who can find and hunt your Avenger Gear with 360-degree movement, while taking on dozens of enemy personas and abilities to make game play more challenging.

“With the launch of Playmation, we are not only creating a new play experience for today’s kids but celebrating a new chapter in our long-term partnership with Disney,” says Jerry Perez, senior vice president, global brand marketing, Hasbro. “Playmation has been a true collaboration, from global consumer research to product design and development, and we look forward to sharing this amazing new system of play with kids and families around the world.”

Fans can also download "AvengersNet" app to register their Avenger Gear, track their progress, explore additional locations and characters, check out and test Avenger Gear upgrades, gain access to new missions and more. "AvengersNet" is now available in the Apple App Store, with an Android version currently in development.

The Playmation Marvel’s Avengers starter pack and other connected toys are now available at reatilers across the U.S. and Canada including Amazon, Best Buy, Game Stop, Target, Toys 'R Us and Walmart, as well as select Disney Store locations and DisneyStore.com.

Additionally, PowerA has developed a selection of Playmation recharging solutions and accessories that are also now available including a Playmation Home Base to store gear in between battles, the Playmation Avengers Lab Gear Bag or taking gear on-the-go and the Playmation Repulsor Recharge Pack.

NEW YORK, October 2, 2015 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has now launched its official online store PlayStation Gear, in 22 countries around the world.   The e-commerce platform debuted in the U.K. in June with a wide range of SCEE-licensed merchandise featuring both the core PlayStation brand and top PlayStation gaming franchises.

Now, PlayStation Gear stores are live across Europe, the United Arab Emirates and Australia.

“The decision to host our own dedicated online store on the PlayStation website was the obvious next step as our portfolio of consumer products continues to grow year on year,” says Mark Howsen, commercial development director, SCEE. “We’re proud to say that we can now offer all our partners a high-traffic retail space that they can use as an effective tool to sell and market their products directly to a captive audience of gaming fans. It also gives licensees who may have smaller categories or more niche products, the opportunity to shine in an otherwise crowded market place.”

The PlayStation Gear store is hosted on the official PlayStation website, and has been designed as an integrated part of the PlayStation with content that has been localized for each country.

In addition to SCEE's owned brands, PlayStation Gear also stocks merchandise featuring third-party gaming brands that are available on the PlayStation platform such as the recently released "Arkham Knight Batman" game.

NEW YORK, September 30, 2015 – Cherokee Global Brands is expanding the European distribution of its Cherokee brand in a new licensing agreement with Saborn Licensing Company.

Saborn will sell a wide assortment of men's, women's and children's Cherokee clothing and accessories in department stores, specialty stores and hypermarkets in countries throughout Western and Central Europe including Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and select Scandinavian countries. Product is expected to launch in stores in fall 2016.

“The Cherokee brand enjoys strong consumer awareness and has a long and profitable history throughout Europe," says Wil Kerkhof, chief executive officer, Saborn. "We look forward to capitalizing on that awareness and equity to satisfy the considerable demand for Cherokee products in Western and Central Europe.”

“Saborn will fully leverage our 360-degree platform, enabling them to benefit from the vision, agility and scale that we bring to our flagship partners around the world,” says Henry Stupp, chief executive officer, Cherokee Global Brands.