If you’re in the animation business and you’re not at the Annecy Festival this week, chances are you are attending the Licensing Intl. Expo held in Las Vegas from June 8-10.
All the major players including Disney, DreamWorks, Paramount, Warner Bros., Fox, Sony, NBC Universal, Cartoon Network, Marvel, BBC Worldwide, Scholastic Media, Hasbro, Mattel, Classic Media, Hit, Chorion are showing off their latest brands and properties, while reps from all the major licensing companies and retailers walk up and down the aisles of the Mandalay Exhibition building.
Saban Brands, The Hub, Atlantyca, Wildbrain Entertainment and Ubisoft are some of the exhibitors new to show floor this year. According to show director Liz Crawford, pre-registration numbers were 12 percent to 15 percent ahead of last year.
Among the stars spotted at this year’s event were Katie Holmes, announcing a partnership with HIT’s Angelina Ballerina; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who is repped by Iconomy; and screen legend Tony Curtis, promoting his own licensing program.
Here are some snapshots from the show:
Haim Saban brought his Saban Brands to the show in conjunction with Power Rangers‘ new partnerships with Nickelodeon and Nicktoons.
HIT Entertainment and Katie Holmes’ Dizzy Feet Foundation have teamed with the Angelina Ballerina Stars of Tomorrow dance program. As part of the partnership, scholarships will be awarded to help young performers with dance education.
The Iconix booth displayed images to promote two of its hottest brands, Hoops and Yoyo and the newly acquired Peanuts franchise.
Universal displayed an awesome poster for its 2012 CG-animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.
The Warner Bros. booth featured eye-catching images from several of its upcoming DC Comics franchises, including Green Lantern, Batman and The Flash, as well as the Happy Feet sequel.
Vooz, BRB International and Aardman joined forces to spread the word on their new show, Canimals.
The little blue guys were all over the Licensing Show to promote their summer 2011 movie, Sony’s The Smurfs.
With or without Megan Fox, Hasbro, DreamWorks and Paramount are ready to spread the word on Transformers 3, coming to theaters in 2011.
Hasbro Studios’ brand-new cable channel The Hub is ready for its kick-off date of Oct. 10, 2010.
Puss in Boots is ready for his 3D close-up in his own DreamWorks movie, directed by Chris Miller and slated for 2011.
Italy’s hugely popular animated character Geronimo Stilton was attracting new fans at the Atlantyca booth.
Geronimo Stilton producer Karen Miller catches up with old friend Felix the Cat on the show floor.
Warner Bros. continues to re-introduce classic Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera characters to new audiences.
Smurfette will pose with just about anyone who stops her on the floor.
