DIC Consumer Products has significantly expanded its licensing/merchandising programs across Europe, Latin America, Australia, Asia, South Africa and the Middle East to gear up for the international launches of kids entertainment brands, including STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, MADELINE and SUPER DUPER SUMOS.
Under the leadership of DIC worldwide consumer products svp Nancy Bassett, the U.S. re-launch of Strawberry Shortcake this year has generated retail sales has exceeded $200 million dollars. DIC is striving for similar success overseas as it prepares to promote toys, apparel, home videos, publications and other categories based on the property and other titles in the DIC library.
"DIC has always approached its overall business with a global point of view and sensitivity towards local diversities, and we are thrilled with the companys continued growth as we deliver quality kids entertainment brands to the international marketplace in the next year," Bassett comments. "We believe our international network of agents is unsurpassed, and with an organized task force in place, DIC anticipates enormous success with our multi-platform properties."
Ryan Gagerman, exec director of intl licensing adds, "We anticipate our international merchandising business to triple next year. That is fast growth, but DIC is prepared."
DIC Consumer Products has signed a list of high-profile master toy licensees, including Bandai in Western Europe and Character Options in the U.K. Additionally, the company has lined up licensing agents in more than 40 territories worldwide. Spearheading the international property rollouts will be Super RTL (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), CPLG (U.K., France, Benelux, Spain, Portugal, Italy), Alpha Licensing (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore), Asiana Licensing (Korea), Belief (Japan), Empire Ent. (Philippines), Gaffney Intl Licensing (Australia, New Zealand), Exim (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Savador, Mexico, Panama Peru), Licensing Dynamics International (Israel) and Nu Metro (South Africa). DIC is negotiating with agents for China and Eastern Europe.
