PBTeen Launches Hello Kitty DTR

William-Sonoma’s PBTeen chain launched a Hello Kitty x PBTeen DTR online today featuring 21 SKUs of home goods as Sanrio seeks to expand the brand in lifestyle products, says Sanrio’s Craig Takiguchi. The collection ranges from a pencil case ($15) to a beanbag chair ($279) and also includes shower curtains, lamps, pillows, sleeping bags, backpacks and bath mats. It will move into the 17 U.S. PBTeen stores in July. “We will have broader discussions” with PBTeen, but “we wanted start with a DTR and launch something before moving” to a larger assortment at the chain that would include licensed products, says Takiguchi.

Contact:

Sanrio, Craig Takiguchi, Chief Operating Officer, 310-896-3252, ctakiguchi@sanrio.com

Cartoon Network Refocusing Powerpuff Girls Merchandise Strategy

Cartoon Network will sharpen the focus of Powerpuff Girls licensing on a slightly older audience – tweens, teens and young adults – as it seeks to expand the number of fashion collaborations for the brand, VP Peter Yoder tells us. The Powerpuff Girls—Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup – have been part of collaborations in the past with Moschino (2016, 18 pieces include sweaters, dresses, swimwear)) and Fyodor Golan (2017, 15 pieces including skirts and sweatshirts) and Cartoon Network this year brought in Mondo-T’s (t-shirts) and Champion (fleece). The shift follows a slowdown in Powerpuff-related toys (Inside Licensing March 8). “The toy line was slower than we expected and it may be that this a brand that resonates on softlines” and tends to an older audience that shops at Hot Topic, Forever 21 and other retailers, says Yoder. “You do that through fashion collaborations.” While Lego and Mattel will remain “core partners” for the brand “they will target a collector as well as a child,” says Yoder. Mattel is developing Barbie “fashions” inspired by Powerpuff Girls, while Lego will launch building sets in August.

Contact:

Cartoon Network, Peter Yoder, VP, 212-275-6535, peter.yoder@turner.com

Sakar International Acquires PBX Performance Assets

Sakar International acquires assets of PTX Performance as an entry into licensed scooters, skateboards and children’s bicycles, and hired former PTX executives Amit Singh and Bobby Stewart to head up a newly created Wheeled Goods Division. PTX had a range of licenses for its products and Sakar has re-signed PTX’s prior licensing deals for Tony Hawk (skateboards), Fisher Price (scooters, tricycles, bicycles, wagons, protective gear) and MGA Entertainment’s L.O.L. Surprise (bike helmets and protective gear). PTX also previously had licenses for World Wrestling Entertainment, Hot Wheels, Barbie, Little Tikes, Warner Bros. and Airwalk. Sakar’s Liz Abrams says that in Sakar’s youth electronics business, “it is easy for us to go with broad range of licenses. But in bicycles, scooters and helmets there are only so many SKUs that a retailer is going to have space for. You have to decide the demographic you are going after and keep it as tight as possible. We will definitely have fewer brands and make sure they have longevity.”

Contact:

Sakar International, Liza Abrams, SVP Global Licensing and Marketing, 732-248-1090 x337, labrams@sakar.com.

Penguin Random House Readies ‘Stranger Things’ Books

With a third season in production, Netflix is moving “Stranger Things” into publishing. Penguin Random House will release the first two titles – behind-the-scenes and hard cover gift books – this fall, and a novel by author Gwenda Bond about character Eleven’s mother is due next year. It also will have audio books. The third season of “Stranger Things” is expected to be released on Netflix in early 2019.

Contacts:

Netflix, Jess Richardson, Head of Licensing, 408-540-3700, jrichardson@netflix.com

Penguin Random House, Rachel Bader, Licensing Dir., 212-782-9000, rbader@penguinrandomhouse.com