Exodus launches consumer products division

Exodus Film Group has appointed veteran licensing guru Bruce Auerbach as the head of its new consumer products division. Auerbach will be taking care of all licensing and merchandising for Exodus’ upcoming slate of family films, including CGI titles Igor, The Hero of Color City and the live-action feature Bunyan and Babe. John Eraklis, president and CEO of Exodus says that there was no particular hurry to jump-start the division until he found the right person to run it. Auerbach hopes to sign between 20 and 30 licensing deals for the upcoming film properties, including video games, books, plush toys and action figures. Two films are expected to be released in 2007, with two more to follow the following year and Auerbach says that merchandise launches will coincide with the films’ releases. He also confirmed that executing third-party licensing deals is a definite possibility for future projects.

Ovadia picks up new Mainframe series

Prodco Mainframe Entertainment has selected Al Ovadia & Associates to head up the licensing and merchandising program for its new series Zixx. The 26-episode live-action/CGI hybrid premiered on Cartoon Network on January 21st as part of its Saturday morning block. Ovadia is currently seeking licensees for toys and video games, which will drive Zixx’s boy-targeted merch program. There are also preliminary plans for apparel, accessories and publishing in the works. Ovadia is looking at a fall launch for the first wave of products.