Annual licensing

Cinar’s Caillou is getting his own line of fabric and foam furniture. The plush line is by Irwin Toy.

For many licensors, licensed furniture remains a prospect for programs in the second stage of development.

Toy maker Hasbro introduced G.I. Joe bedding by Dan River for the mass market, as well as a new Monopoly bedding program, now available at Wal-Mart. A bath towel and bath accessory program by Jay Franco & Sons for Monopoly is being aimed at the specialty market.

From MGA Entertainment, creator of Bratz fashion dolls, is a growing roster of licensed products including an assortment of soft home goods for teens and tweens. New products include an oversized blanket throw by The Northwest Co., Dream Pillow with a journal and pen by FAB due at Target Stores Nov. 1 along with a bedding program by Franco Manufacturing expected at Target Sept. 1. Decorative pillows by FAB are due at Wal-Mart in the fourth quarter.

Victoria O’Connor, vice president of licensing for Bratz, is looking for furniture licensees. “Just funky furniture in the Bratz spirit,” she said.

The whimsy of Universal’s upcoming Cat in the Hat movie due out August 2010 will be captured with a licensing program that includes a full range of product.

Executives of Universal Studios Consumer Products, the company’s licensing arm, presented a “mood book” with color concepts to inspire potential licensees. The style guide is currently being developed. The mood book included bedroom furniture for children, bedding products and fashions for the family.

MGM Entertainment’s Bratz is set to unveil a lineup of textiles and decorative pillows for teens.

Furniture will be part of the eventual mix, but the company is starting with core categories. The company is currently looking for partners for bedding, throws, window treatments, bath accessories, beach, and room décor.

Universal is also looking to create a licensing program around its Jump Start computer game brand for young children. The program will include educational learning aids, home furnishings, and consumables.

Curious George, another of Universal’s properties, is showing up on bedding from Springs.

Paula Miller, vice president of licensing and brand development for Little Suzie’s Zoo, is seeking furniture licensees. She is currently talking with major furniture and accessory manufacturers and expects to announce a deal before May’s Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn. show. “We would like to show furniture at the next JPMA,” said Miller, specifically identifying cribs, bassinets, changing tables and bouncy furniture.

A new property on the horizon is Olivia by Silver Lining Productions. A book-based property by author Ian Falconer is about an energetic young pig who is a big storyteller. Jennifer Rossano, director of marketing and publicity, said Silver Lining is interested in finding partners for home furnishings, including room décor pieces that “bring a little of Olivia’s world into a little girl’s room.”

Suitable furniture includes hand-painted pieces. Up first: social expression, fashion and accessories, dress-up clothes and toys.

The Sagwa dolls will be launched exclusively at FAO Schwarz and Zany Brainy from Aug. 15 to Oct. 15 and will sell for $30. Other Sagwa licensed products include a porcelain tea set with information on the Chinese tea service, books by Scholastic, videos by Warner Bros. and Dan River bedding.

At Warner Bros. Consumer Products, the Harry Potter sequel, due out Nov. 15, invited the curious, as did the June 14 release of the Scooby Doo movie, the July 3 release of Powerpuff Girls and the company’s announcement that Looney Tunes shorts will be returning to movie screens.

On the licensing front, not much will change with the Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets release. Licensees signed a two-movie deal and most will continue with their existing programs. The Harry Potter furniture program with P.J. Kids is set and won’t change, said Dave Rupert, vice president of U.S. sales and licensing.

No case goods or upholstery are planned for Scooby or Looney Tunes, said Rupert, but kid-sized tables and chairs may be a possibility.

Licensing programs for some new WB properties include Dexter’s Laboratory and DC Comics, particularly for Justice League, which features a number of superheroes.