Debuting in 1968, the Pink Panther has maintained a level of coolness unfamiliar to many cartoon properties. Most recently, MGM Consumer Products revamped PP’s on-line presence in November 2000 (www.pinkpanther.com) to attract the contemporary Pink peons: Teen and tween girls. The new site nets an average 30,000 unique users per month (up 145% before the redesign), and the Pink Planner has proven to be the most popular element on the site-an on-line application that helps girls organize their busy lives.

Coming soon: The Pink Posse. Girls can sign up and be part of an approval committee that gives input on sample Pink product, potential ads and other new ideas. And although nothing is confirmed yet, there is talk of a new live-action movie. . .

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Also making a resurgence are Shrinky Dinks. Dormant for over a decade, the beloved bakeable toys are back-and packing the Incredible Shrinky Dinks Maker. Courtesy of Toronto, Canada-based Spin Master Toys, the toy ovens lets kids safely make their Shrinky Dinks without adult supervision! The Maker retails for US$24.99, with refill packs running US$4.99 (standard designs) to US$9.99 (licensed designs). Licenses that are close to signing up for the comeback include Monsters Inc., Disney’s Princess, Barbie and The Simpsons.

Created by Cub Scout leader Betty Morris, Shrinky Dinks made an auspicious debut in 1973 as an arts and crafts project, but Morris flogged the kits door-to-door until the property took on a life of its own.