ShoPro USA sets up anime shop at Licensing Show

This month’s Licensing Show in New York will witness an anime onslaught of Poké-proportions as the U.S. office of Shogakukan Production (ShoPro)-producer of the Pokémon TV and film series-introduces a new lineup of popular Japanese series to the North American market. Japanese parent company ShoPro holds worldwide licensing rights to Doraemon-following the adventures of a robotic cat sent back in time to save a child from future calamity-and Hamtaro Tales-chronicling the escapades of a fifth grader and her pet hamster-along with a host of others that it will showcase at the market. Initial categories open for discussion include toys, publishing, stationery, accessories and apparel.

CPLG nets Spider-Man for European licensing push

The Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG) has been appointed the exclusive European licensing agent for Marvel. CPLG will represent all Marvel properties-including Spider-Man, X-Men and the Incredible Hulk-throughout the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland and Ireland. This agreement follows recent announcements appointing Copyright Promotions (CPLG’s U.K. office) as U.K. agent for Spider-Man: the Movie and CPLG as European agent for the film slated to debut May 2002 in the U.K.

Stanley Shenker & Associates on deck with X Concepts

Escondido, California-based X Concepts, manufacturer and marketer of action sports collectibles, has appointed licensing agency Stanley Shenker & Associates to develop licensing programs for its Tech Deck line of miniature action sports products and related spin-offs, including The Tech Deck Dudes, a line of character-based finger boarders that launched this spring in Wal-Mart and Target stores. The range will roll into all major retailers this fall. Initial categories for Tech Deck include video games, stationery, outerwear, accessories, swimwear, electronics, sporting goods, calendars, home décor, games and lifestyle products, with all categories open to discussion for The Tech Deck Dudes.

Stride Rite steps into licensing shoes

Massachusetts-based kid footwear manufacturer Stride Rite recently announced its retention of independent licensing agency The Beanstalk Group to develop and implement licensing programs for the Stride Rite brand in various categories. Headquartered in New York with offices in London, The Beanstalk Group’s client roster includes McDonald’s, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and The Coca-Cola Company.