Jakks jacks up licensing count for Road Champs

By now, it’s apparent that the battle for finger bike supremacy won’t be decided solely on which company’s product has the most realistic die-cast components, but by which company has the most legit bike licenses. At least that’s the tack Jakks Pacific is taking with its Road Champs BXS line. The Malibu-based toyco recently inked three new deals with bikecos Kink, Mosh and K2 Bikes, permitting it to create a range of miniature die-cast bikes and accessories modeled after each company’s line of BMX bikes. The three deals bring the company’s total number of bike licenses to 11. Jakks also signed separate agreements with K2 Rider, Dennis McCoy and Mosh team riders Mike Aitken, Mike Ardelean and Jeff Bagley, allowing it to manufacture action figures modeled after each of the riders, to be bundled with various toys. Jakks will roll out merchandise in the spring and early summer.

Copyrights scores with Euro 2000

Kids who attend Euro 2000 will not want for related merchandise. The Copyrights Promotions Licensing Group, worldwide licensing agent for the tournament that will determine which European country is the preeminent soccer power on the continent, has licensed numerous companies to create a range of licensed product for junior enthusiasts of the event. The roster of Euro 2000 licensees includes U.K.-based Mookie Toys (vinyl, rubber, leather and hand-stitched balls), Switzerland-based GM Promotions (metal pin-badges and key chains) Electronic Arts (soccer software game) and Italy-based Panini (sticker albums and collectible cards). All of the merchandise, which begins shipping later this month, will be available through the official Euro 2000 stores located in Brussels and Amsterdam and other select retailers for the duration of the tournament. Euro 2000 kicks off June 10 and runs till July 2.