Property: Bratz

Licensor: MGA Entertainment

Contact: Victoria O’Connor, licensing director (voconnor@mgae.com)

Description: Unveiled at Toy Fair as four funky female fashion dolls with attitude, Bratz will be presented as a property available for licensing at Licensing 2001. The brand has already garnered attention from several studios interested in a Bratz TV series.

Demo: tween girls

The latest: The Bratz world unfolds on-line this month on www.bratzpack.com, and the dolls are expected to hit market next month in all major retailers.

Opportunities: apparel, footwear, cosmetics and stationery for a 2002 launch, with ancillary categories such as hosiery and umbrellas and international opportunities to follow. MGA is also seeking promo partnerships with QSRs and food and beverage companies.

Property: Elektra

Licensor: Marvel

Contact: Russ Brown, senior VP of consumer products, promotions and marketing programs (212-576-9286)

Description: Former flame of Daredevil alter-ego Matt Murdock, this raven-haired beauty possesses no superhuman powers, but is a martial arts master earning her keep as a ninja assassin. The character boasts over one million hits a month on Marvel.com.

Demo: kids and teens

The latest: With over one million books sold from her 1998 mini-series, Elektra returns to the printed page this July with a new comic series under the Marvel Knights imprint. She’ll also kick her way into the 3-D realm in 2003 with a prominent role in New Regency/Marvel Studios’ live-action film adaptation of Daredevil.

Classic opportunities: video games, cosmetics, collectibles, action figures

Property: Make Way For Noddy

Licensor: Chorion Intellectual Properties

Contact: Lee Chapman, president of licensing, Asia & Americas

(44-207-434-1880)

Description: Produced by L.A.-based SD Entertainment, this new US$15-million CGI series (100 x 10 minutes) based on the classic Enid Blyton books follows the adventures of Noddy and his friends Big-Ears the 100-year-old gnome, Mr. Plod the policeman and Tessie Bear.

Demo: preschool

Opportunities (U.S.): master toy, publishing, stationery, housewares, food, accessories, footwear

Property: Clifford the Big Red Dog

Licensor: Scholastic Entertainment

Contact: Peter Van Raalte, VP of consumer products

(pvanraalte@scholastic.com)

Description: Based on the book series by Norman Bridwell, this Scholastic Entertainment-produced PBS series follows the adventures of two-storey-high Clifford and his best pal Emily.

Demo: preschool

The latest: With over 50 licensees in place, including Toy Island (master toy) and Children’s Apparel Network (master apparel), Scholastic is now looking at phases two and three of the Clifford program.

Opportunities: sponsorship partners for PBS series, promo partnerships with packaged goods companies and QSRs, health and beauty, early learning toys, theme park licensing, live shows, packaged goods, dairy, frozen novelties

Property: Horrible Histories

Licensor: Scholastic Entertainment

Contact: Peter Van Raalte, VP of consumer products

(pvanraalte@scholastic.com)

Description: A book turned TV series that focuses on history. . . with the nasty bits left in. Presenting famous historical events in a light, edgy manner, the series has been sold in the U.K., Canada and France. Scholastic Entertainment is now focusing its efforts domestically and is currently shopping for a U.S. broadcaster.

Demo: preschool

Opportunities (U.S.): toys, apparel, stationery

Property: Bear in the Big Blue House

Licensor: The Jim Henson Company

Contact: Betts Fitzgerald, senior VP of licensing (212-439-7424)

Description: Bear launched State-side on Disney Channel in October 1997, and is now an international broadcast success story. The series features a charming cast of Muppets who explore such diverse concepts as art, water, shapes, gravity, friendship and safety.

Demo: preschool

The latest: With the show’s fourth season in production, the Bear licensing program has attracted several licensees, including Fisher-Price (master toy), ABC Development (melamine sets), Paragon Trade Brands (training pants), Disguise (costumes) and VEE Corp. (live show). At press time, a master apparel license was near completion, with an announcement expected in time for Licensing Show.

Opportunities: promo partners, apparel (sleepwear, underwear), home furnishings

Property: Farscape

Licensor: The Jim Henson Company

Contact: Betts Fitzgerald, senior VP of licensing

(212-439-7424)

Description: A co-pro by the Jim Henson Company (U.S.), Hallmark Entertainment (U.S.) and Nine Films and Television (part of Nine Network in Australia), the series debuted in ’99 on the Sci Fi Channel in the U.S. and blends Jim Henson Creature Shop animatronics, CGI and live-action. The gist-a modern-day astronaut lands on a living animatronic ship after getting caught in a wormhole, and joins a motley band of rebel alien refugees in their battle against the Peacekeepers.

Demo: tweens and teens

Opportunities: toys, collectibles, apparel, home furnishings, stationery

Property: Thomas & Friends

Licensor: Gullane Entertainment

Contact: David Jacobs, VP and group head of licensing (212-463-9623)

Description: Since its mid-1984 debut on U.K. television, producer Gullane Entertainment’s Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends has been translated into 19 languages and broadcast in more than 130 countries. The brand has since expanded to include a live-action film, Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000), and a live production will start touring U.S. malls this fall.

Demo: preschool

Opportunities: promo partners, retailers

Property: The Endangerables

Licensor: Gary Propper (agent)

Contact: Gary Propper (407-814-8558)

Description: An intellectual property from newly-formed entertainment company The Endangerables depicting endangered animals in humorous settings. The initial offering includes Indian rhino Bucksnort III, butterfly Moriah, and sea turtle Download.

Demo: kids

Opportunities: books, toys, interactive CDs, electronic games, collectibles, plush toys, dog tags, apparel

Property: Miffy

Licensor: Netherlands-based Mercis (worldwide)/United Media (North and South America)

Contact: Marja Kerkof, managing director of Mercis/Joshua Kislevitz, United Media’s senior VP of licensing

(jkislevitz@unitedmedia.com)

Description: The little white bunny character created by author/illustrator Dick Bruna boasts 250 licensees worldwide through Mercis and exclusive boutiques (three in Holland and 36 in Japan). Bruna’s 99 Miffy books have been translated in 41 languages, and there are 82 five-minute shorts airing in the U.S. on Cartoon Network as part of the caster’s Small World series.

Demo: infants and preschool (primary), teens (secondary)

The latest: Miffy will have a booth presence for the first time at Licensing Show.

Opportunities (U.S.): toys, apparel, home furnishings, accessories (infant/preschool), stationery (teens)

Property: Butt-Ugly Martians

Licensor: Just Group

Contact: Richard Glassman, head of licensing for Just Group USA

(973-377-8855)

Description: Produced by Just Entertainment in association with Mike Young Productions, this CGI action-adventure-comedy series debuted on CiTV in February and airs in syndication this fall in the U.S. and other international territories.

Demo: boys four to 11

Opportunities (U.S.): bedding, bikes, confections, food (excluding pasta), posters, underwear, promo partnerships with hotels, theme parks, soft drink and snack food companies

Property: Jeep

Licensor: Joester Loria Group

Contact: Debra Joester, president and CEO (djoester@tjlgroup.com)

Description: Developed as a lifestyle brand based on the original SUV.

Demo: infants, kids and adults

The latest: The initial offering from stroller licensee Kolcraft brought in US$1 billion in the first month, with play yards available this month in all majors including Wal-Mart and Kmart. On the kid side, mountainboards from MBS will hit retail this year, and Joester was finalizing a footwear deal at press time.

Opportunities: accessories

Property: YM

Licensor: The Joester Loria Group

Contact: Debra Joester, president and CEO (djoester@tjlgroup.com)

Description: Gruner + Jahr’s teen style bible turned licensed brand. Current licensees include Design By Skaffles (hair accessories) and SFX Entertainment (CD).

Demo: tweens and teens

Opportunities: additional accessories, apparel, electronics

Property: Water Babies and Coppertone Kids

Licensor: The Joester Loria Group

Contact: Debra Joester, president and CEO (djoester@tjlgroup.com)

Description: One of the top brands in sun protection for kids and babies, the program has attracted the interest of several licensees, including Bentex (swimwear), IMT (accessories/footwear) and Franco (beach towels)

Demo: infants and kids

Opportunities: coolers, furniture, additional apparel, children’s

product (including toys)