Rovio Entertainment’s Angry Birds was saluted as the best licensed program of the year by the international Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association last night at the annual Licensing International Expo 2012 in Las Vegas.

Last night’s Excellence Awards recognized 17 successful licensed properties and products in eight categories including Art/Design, Character/Toy, Corporate, Film/Television/Celebrity/Entertainment, Sports, Promotion and Retailer.

This year’s winners within the entertainment and toy categories are:

Character/Toy Brand

Best Character/Toy Brand Program: Angry Birds (by Rovio Entertainment)

Best Character/Toy Brand Licensee: Hard Goods – Commonwealth Toy & Novelty (for Angry Birds toy and novelty products)

Best Character/Toy Brand Licensee: Soft Goods – SGFootwear (for Pillow Pets/slipper collection)

Corporate

Best Corporate Brand Program: Jelly Belly (by Jelly Belly Candy Company/The Licensing Company North America)

Best Corporate Brand Licensee: Hard Goods – Thermos L.L.C. (for Under Armour/hydration bottles)

Best Corporate Brand Licensee: Soft Goods – SGI Apparel (for Harley-Davidson/children’s apparel and accessories)

Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment

Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Program: Peppa Pig (by Entertainment One)

Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Licensee: Hard Goods – Redan Publishing (for Peppa Pig/Fun to Learn and Bag-O-Fun magazines)

Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Licensee: Soft Goods – Jay Franco and Sons (for Star Wars/home collection)

Sports and Sports-Themed Entertainment

Best Sports Program: NBA (by National Basketball Association)

Best Sports Licensee: Hard Goods – Topps International (for Indian Premier League Cricket Attax/trading card game)

Best Sports Licensee: Soft Goods – Junk Food Clothing (for NFL/Junk Food Vintage NFL)

Promotion

Best Licensed Promotion (tie): Hello Kitty Beauty at Sephora (by Sanrio)
and M•A•C Wonder Woman Collection (by DC Comics/Warner Bros. Consumer Products)

Retailer

Best Retailer: Walgreens (for The Biggest Loser)

Overall Best Licensed Program of the Year

Angry Birds (by Rovio Entertainment)

For a complete list of the 2012 Awards nominees, please visit the LIMA website, www.licensing.org