Toy Story 3 takes Best Licensed Program of the Year Award at Licensing Expo 2011

(Las Vegas, NV) June 15, 2011 – Toy Story 3 was presented the Best Licensed Program of the Year Award by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association last night at the Licensing International Expo 2011 in Las Vegas. The third installment of The Walt Disney Company’s animated comedy-adventure film series, Toy Story 3 was also honored in the entertainment award category. Additionally, Hello Kitty swept the Best Character or Toy Brand category, winning three awards.

In all, LIMA presented 15 International Licensing Excellence Awards recognizing the best and most successful licensed properties and products in seven categories: Art/Design, Character/Toy, Corporate, Film/Television/Celebrity/Entertainment, Sports, Promotion and Retailer. Nominations were solicited worldwide from across the licensing industry and winners were chosen by a vote of the LIMA membership.

This year’s International Licensing Excellence Award winners included many recognizable brands such as LEGO, Victoria and Albert Museum, Animal Planet, NASCAR and Hello Kitty, as well as Boots, the first retailer outside the U.S. to be honored. In fact, more than a quarter of the entries were from non-US companies, emphasizing the global reach of licensing.

“It is extremely gratifying to see the breadth and quality of the programs created by the licensing community from around the globe,” said Charles Riotto, President of LIMA. “The more than 220 entries represent the best of the best and the Association is proud to honor the winners for their ingenuity and for demonstrating licensing industry expertise.”

All awards are based on calendar year 2010. The winners, by category, are:

ART
• Best Art/Design Program: Victoria and Albert Museum (by Victoria and Albert Museum/V&A Enterprises)
• Best Art/Design Licensee: Dom Pérignon (for Andy Warhol)

CHARACTER/TOY BRAND
• Best Character/Toy Brand Program: Hello Kitty (by Sanrio, Inc.)
• Best Character/Toy Brand Licensee: HARD GOODS – Smart USA (for Hello Kitty)
• Best Character/Toy Brand Licensee: SOFT GOODS – Loungefly (for Hello Kitty)

CORPORATE
• Best Corporate Brand Program: Animal Planet (by Discovery Communications/The Joester Loria Group)
• Best Corporate Brand Licensee: Shabby Chic for Simply Shabby Chic at Target

FILM, TELEVISION, CELEBRITY OR ENTERTAINMENT
• Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Program: Toy Story 3 (by The Walt Disney Company)
• Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Licensee: HARD GOODS – LEGO (for Harry Potter)
• Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Licensee: SOFT GOODS – Awake, Inc. (for Glee)

SPORTS AND SPORTS-THEMED ENTERTAINMENT
• Best Sports Program: NASCAR Team Properties (by NASCAR and Teams)
• Best Sports Licensee: JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (for Ultimate Fighting Championship)

PROMOTION
• Best Licensed Promotion: Dove Glee (for All by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.)

RETAILER
• Best Retailer: Boots (for Strictly Come Dancing)

OVERALL BEST LICENSED PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
• Toy Story 3 (by The Walt Disney Company)
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About LIMA: Founded in 1985, LIMA is the worldwide trade organization for the licensing industry. LIMA’s main objective is to work together with licensors and licensees for the advancement of professionalism in licensing through research, national and international seminars, trade events and publications. With members in 35 countries, offices in New York, London, Munich, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong and representatives in Australia, Italy, India, Spain and Eastern Europe, members enjoy access to a wide variety of activities, information and benefits. LIMA is a proud sponsor of the annual Licensing International Expo (Las Vegas), Brand Licensing Europe (London), LiMa Licensing Market (Munich), Day of Licensing (Cologne), Shanghai Licensing Pavilion, Dubai Character Fair, Seoul Character Fair and the Hong Kong Licensing Show. In addition, LIMA offers ways to jump start a career in licensing through its Certificate in Licensing Studies (CLS) program, which is the only educational course specifically designed to prepare professionals to succeed in the ever-changing licensing industry, and the flip (Future LIMA Industry Professionals) program offering support and networking for industry newcomers. For more information please visit www.licensing.org.