LIMA announces Licensing Excellence Awards
The Twilight Saga: New Moon takes License of the Year Award; Food Network, Nordstrom, and Paul Frank Art are first-time winners.
The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) today announced that The Twilight Saga: New Moon, the second installment of Summit Entertainment’s blockbuster film series based on the popular vampire romance novels, was named License of the Year at the Opening Night Awards Ceremony at Licensing International Expo 2010 in Las Vegas. In addition, licensing programs supporting the Twilight property were honored in the entertainment and retail awards categories.
In all, LIMA presented 16 International Licensing Excellence Awards recognising the best and most successful licensed properties and products in seven categories: Art, Character/Toy, Corporate, Film/Television/Celebrity/Entertainment, Sports and Sports-Themed Entertainment, Promotion and Retailer. Nominations were solicited from across the licensing industry and winners chosen by a vote of the LIMA membership.
“This year’s International Licensing Excellence Award winners include classic brands such as Barbie and Scrabble as well as new properties and products that are popular with a wide variety of audiences,” said Charles Riotto, President of LIMA. "The association congratulates all of our winners, who exemplify the creativity of our industry and the strength of licensing as a brand builder.”
All awards are based on calendar year 2009. The winners, by category, are:
ART
Best Art Programme: Paul Frank
Best Art Licensee: LF USA’s Kids Headquarters Investments Division (for Paul Frank Apparel)
CHARACTER/TOY BRAND
Best Character/Toy Brand Programme: Barbie (Mattel, Inc.)
Best Character/Toy Brand Licensee – Hard Goods: Digital Blue (for LEGO electronics)
Best Character/Toy Brand Licensee – Soft Goods: Mighty Fine (for Peanuts T-shirts)
CORPORATE
Best Corporate Brand Programme: Food Network
Best Corporate Brand Licensee – Hard Goods: Creative Designs International, a Division of JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (for Black & Decker Junior role-play products)
Best Corporate Brand Licensee – Soft Goods: adidas Originals (for Vespa footwear and apparel)
FILM, TELEVISION, CELEBRITY OR ENTERTAINMENT
Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Programme: The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Licensee – Hard Goods: Cardinal Industries, Inc. (for The Twilight Saga: New Moon The Movie Board Game)
Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Licensee – Soft Goods: National Entertainment Collectibles Association (for The Twilight Saga: New Moon apparel and accessories)
SPORTS AND SPORTS-THEMED ENTERTAINMENT
Best Sports and Sports-Themed Entertainment Program: ESPN
Best Sports and Sports-Themed Entertainment Licensee: Electronic Arts (for FIFA videogames)
PROMOTION
Best Licensed Promotion: Scrabble at Subway (Hasbro, Inc.)
RETAILER
Best Retailer: Nordstrom (for The Twilight Saga: New Moon)
OVERALL BEST LICENSED PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Summit Entertainment, LLC)
Following the awards presentation the licensing industry honored the lifetime achievements of licensing industry pioneers Alan G. Hassenfeld and the late Stephen Hassenfeld of Hasbro, Inc. Among the first to recognise the impact toys and games could have in telling a story, the Hassenfelds built the company into a top toy licensing partner for many brands, and many of Hasbro’s own brands have become licensing juggernauts in their own right. Noted for their philanthropy, the Hassenfelds have been involved in hundreds of charitable and social causes through The Hasbro Children’s Foundation and other endeavors.
For the seventh consecutive year, LIMA selected the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) as its charity of choice. The Foundation works to improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for children with brain and spinal cord tumors. All proceeds from sales of a special tribute book honoring the Hassenfelds and the Licensing Excellence Awards nominees were donated to the CBTF.
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