Tel-Aviv-based Noga Communications’ The Big Bug Show has seen characters Dizzy, Billie, Chick and Ella wriggle their way into licensed merchandise through a deal with toyco Hasbro.

London’s Link Licensing has been appointed licensing agent by the U.K.’s CITV to develop a comic for preschoolers based on programs such as Mopatop’s Shop and The Wombles. The publishing license for the comic, to be launched in early 2000, was granted to Egmont Fleetway, part of the Egmont Group. Link was also appointed by CITV to gather licensees to create a CITV Christmas book, due out by Christmas, and a CD-ROM promoting CITV programs for six- to 11-year-olds.

Toronto’s Telegenic Licensing has inked an agreement with London-based Just Licensing for the Canadian territory rights to U.K.-based Winchester Television’s The Jellabies. The 78 x five-minute series, featuring six rainbow-colored computer-animated characters, made its debut on YTV in Canada and Fox Family in the U.S. in September. Cadbury Schweppes has been named worldwide food and beverage licensee and Montreal’s Grand Toys International the principal toy distributor in Canada for plush, vinyl figurines, backpacks and radio-controlled cars, all of which will hit shelves by December. Telegenic has also signed deals with Montreal’s Norben for Halloween apparel, clings and banners, Danawares for 3-D pillows, ceramic tableware and picture frames, Silly Spaces for puzzles and memory games, and N.M.R. Distribution of Toronto for posters. Telegenic’s next move is to secure licensees in the secondary toy item, home video and apparel categories.

FUNimation’s Dragon Ball Z has signed a number of new licensees for merchandise based on the animated series airing on Cartoon Network. New York-based AD Sutton has signed on to make backpacks, Briefly Stated, also of New York, will make children’s sleepwear, L.A.’s Entertainment Calendars is producing Year 2000 wall calendars, Kaboom! of New York will make postcards, Puerto Rico’s NADYA Distributors will produce sticker albums for that region, Net Sales of Eugene, Oregon has signed to manufacture embroidery patches and window stickers, L.A.-based Toycom will produce miniature skateboards, 4KIDZ of Stamford, Connecticut has been signed for the production of novelty balls, and Urban Station of Monterey Park, California will make Dragon Ball Z watches.

London-based DRi Licensing has appointed London’s Dorling Kindersley as master publisher for DRi property Bananas in Pyjamas. DK will produce story, activity and novelty format books for spring 2000. DRi has also signed deals with Class Act of London for Miffy miniature stationery and gift sets of miniature accessories, also for a spring 2000 launch.

J.N.H. Toys of Australia has been signed as a key partner for Nickelodeon’s Blues Clues in Australia, to manufacture toys based on the series.