Universal Studios Consumer Products Group has snagged a number of new licensees in the apparel and accessories categories for Woody Woodpecker and Friends, the half-hour cartoon which debuted on Fox Kids this fall, and for Curious George, the theatrical feature which is slated to hit screens in the spring of 2000. Coming on board for Woody are: SPI Sportswear (kids sportswear and sets); PCA Apparel Industries (children’s sleepwear and blanket sleepers); Wear Me Apparel Group (children’s sets); M. Hidary & Co. (children’s swimwear and windwear); Fruit of the Loom (children’s underwear); High Point Knitting (adult and children’s hosiery); S. Goldberg (footwear); Stanley DeSantis (T-shirts and sweatshirts); and World Wide Dreams (backpacks, totes and wallets). All Woody products will be available at mass for February 1999.

Joining the more than 80 licensees already creating product for Curious George are: American Marketing Enterprises (kids’ cotton sleepwear sets); ACI (footwear and slippers); Everything Kids (children’s accessory bags and rainwear); Fruit of the Loom (children’s underwear); K&R (children’s swimwear and outerwear); JEM Sportsgear (boys’ coordinates and sets); Jerry Leigh (girls, junior and missy fashion coordinates); Pajama Corporate of America (kids’ pajamas); Salant Children’s Apparel (kids’ blanket sleepers); Wear Me Apparel (kids’ coordinates and sets). The product will begin hitting mass and mid-tier retailers starting in spring 1999.