Licensing industry org LIMA has unveiled the nominees for its annual International Licensing Excellence Awards, recognizing 2007’s most successful licensed properties and products. Check out who’s in the running to win in the key kids entertainment categories.

Best Character Brand Program of the Year

It’s Happy Bunny (J.K. Benton Design Studio/CopCorp Licensing)

Santologia (Cartoon Network)

Strawberry Shortcake (American Greetings Corporation/DIC Entertainment)

Best Character Brand Licensee of the Year – Hard Goods

Creative Designs International (Disney Princess role-play and dress-up line)

Modern Publishing (Fisher-Price Imaginext Dinosaurs coloring poster pad)

Play Along (25th Anniversary Care Bear)

Playmates Toys (Strawberry Shortcake dolls, playsets and accessories)

Zak Designs (Disney Princess meal-time products)

Best Character Brand Licensee of the Year – Soft Goods

Freeze (Mr. Men and Little Miss apparel)

Kids Headquarters (Strawberry Shortcake apparel)

Mighty Fine (Disney Couture apparel)

NTD Apparel (Hello Kitty apparel)

Best Film, Television and Entertainment Brand Program of the Year

American Idol (FremantleMedia Enterprises)

High School Musical 2 (The Walt Disney Company)

Shrek the Third (DreamWorks Animation)

Spider-Man 3 (Spider-Man Merchandising LP)

The Simpsons (Twentieth Century Fox)

Best Film, Television and Entertainment Brand Licensee of the Year – Hard Goods

Digital Blue (Disney Mix, Fix & Pix products)

Hasbro (Spider-Man 3 product line)

Jakks Pacific (Hannah Montana product line)

MDI Entertainment (Deal or No Deal instant lottery tickets)

Rubie’s Costume Co. (High School Musical 2 costumes, accessories & dress-up products)

Best Film, Television and Entertainment Brand Licensee of the Year – Soft Goods

Accessory Network (Transformers backpacks, lunchbags and luggage)

Breifly Stated (SpongeBob SquarePants underwear and sleepwear)

Jay Franco & Sons (Spider-Man 3 bedding, bath and beach products)

Jerry Leigh (High School Musical 2 sportswear)

Millennium Apparel Group (Hannah Montana outerwear)

A full nominee list can be found at www.licensing.org, and winners will be announced at LIMA’s annual awards gala on June 11 at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers.