Thursday, August 28, 2008

Cookie Jar staff cuts complete
Cookie Jar Group has completed its previously announced round of lay-offs to fully integrate DIC Entertainment, acquired in July by the Toronto-based company. (more)

WowWee acquires Think Tank Toys
WowWee, designer of toy/consumer electronic hybrid robots, has acquired the assets and business of Pleasant Grove, Utah's Think Tank Toys. (more)

Walt Disney Studios prepares Blu-ray releases of classics
In an effort to drive consumers to adopt the Blu-ray DVD platform, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is releasing five additional titles on its Platinum Collections label. (more)

HIT and Chapman bolster Fifi lineup
HIT Entertainment and Chapman Entertainment's have inked new apparel and footwear licensees to extend the Fifi and the Flowertots brand in the UK. (more)

PBF International scores Pucca license
Jetix Consumer Products has appointed Scotland-based PBF International as the Italian and UK licensee for a new range of indoor and outdoor footwear for lifestyle property Pucca. (more)

Goochicoo looks to crack US market
Baby/toddler property Goochicoo has appointed Al Ovadia & Associates to rep the British property in the US. (more)

One-liners: Noteworthy news nuggets
• 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. has set MIPCOM 2008 for the premiere of 26 all-new half-hour episodes of Dinosaur King. Currently, the series airs on Mediaset (Italy), RTL2 (Germany), France 3 (France), Canal J (France), TV2 (Denmark), TV4 (Sweden), MTV 3 (Finland), TVI (Portugal), LNK (Lithuania), Neljas (Estonia), Jetix (UK, Scandinavia, Spain and Latin America), MNET (South Africa) and YTV (Canada) among many others.

• Toronto, Canada-based Fresh TV received three Gemini nominations for Best Animated Program or Series. Total Drama Island received one Gemini nod and 6Teen garnered two.

Wizard of Oz stamps to mark anniversary
To mark the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, Warner Bros. Consumer Products along with Stamps.com have developed Photostamps inspired by the film. (more)

• US retailer Sears struggles (New York Times)
• The Muppet Show is coming back? (National Post)
• Facebook, the movie (Wired)
• Online video site gets copyright suit thrown out, how does this affect Viacom V. Google? (Silicon Alley Insider)