Warner Bros. Consumer Products [WBCP] enters this year’s Brand Licensing Europe ready to showcase exciting new opportunities for its portfolio of iconic entertainment brands that are certain to drive its licensing and retail business into 2009 and beyond.

Following the truly phenomenal success of Warner Bros. Pictures’ „The Dark Knight“, the standard has been set, and WBCP looks forward to a triumphant return to the show, where they will be unveiling details of new opportunities based on some of the most enduring and popular entertainment brands of all time.

DC Comics Super Hero Batman leads the charge with news of a new animated series Batman: The Brave and the Bold due to hit television screens in 2009. A new brand direction for perennial family entertainment favourite Scooby-Doo and a blueprint for the future of Harry Potter, the No. 1 movie franchise of all time, will also form part of the presentation slate.

WBCP will be taking a journey to tap into the heritage of Warner Bros. Studios’ vast back catalogue of movie, television and animation properties. There will also be exciting updates on new positioning for Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry and Tweety.

“We’re delighted to be returning to Brand Licensing Europe,” said Pilar Zulueta, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Our plans for the next 18 months focus on the heritage of the studio and our portfolio of iconic entertainment brands, including new offerings for Batman, namely a new animated series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold. We’re also exploring new positioning for Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry and Tweety, particularly in Europe and we’ll be delving into the vast WB archives of movie, television and animated content which we believe presents an immeasurable array of licensing opportunities across all product categories.”

ABOUT THE BRANDS

Batman is back ... and bigger than ever
WBCP will highlight the world of Batman, a perennial mainstay that continues to captivate generations of fans the world over. New programmes will be featured on the heels of this summer’s blockbuster The Dark Knight, as well as products based on the classic Batman franchise.
With a robust product line, The Dark Knight has created a new level of momentum for Batman, which will carry WBCP and its partners into 2009 and beyond. Additional new content is driving increased awareness of Batman.
The new animated television series Batman: The Brave and the Bold will be featured at this year’s Brand Licensing Europe. The series is slated to air on Cartoon Network in the U.S. beginning autumn 2008 with a European broadcast to follow in 2009. Set in a more lighthearted, but action-packed environment, the series includes a host of new allies, villains and, of course, gadgets for Batman. Master toy licensee Mattel will lead the charge with a robust merchandising program to come.

Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes Active! is a global initiative under the Looney Tunes umbrella that uses the Looney Tunes characters as ambassadors of fitness for children.
Launched in 2006, Looney Tunes Active! has quickly evolved into one of the world’s most dynamic licensed properties with more than 200 licensees, including - adidas, Nestle Waters and the Spanish Basketball Federation - all now part of the global licensing programme.
WBCP will use this year’s Brand Licensing Europe to highlight the success of the programme to date and to unveil details of its plan to continue the development of the brand in EMEA local markets.

Scooby-Doo
WBCP will be revealing a new direction for Scooby-Doo, based on the results of a thorough research project that was undertaken over the last six months in order to truly understand the brand’s appeal and how to draw on its core DNA for today’s consumer.
The humorous exploits, foiling the crime and the ‘Big Reveal’ all conspire to ‘Scooby Making Scary Fun,’ which is the proposition that will underpin all areas of business moving forward. A comprehensive year-round retail support programme, a refreshed toy line from master toy licensee Character Group and an all-new Scooby-Doo live show, Scooby-Doo and the Pirate Ghost, which opens in February 2009 and tours the UK for 38 weeks, will ensure that 2009 is another spine-tingling year for the brand!

Harry Potter continues to cast a spell
The boy wizard Harry Potter will continue to cast his spell, as WBCP will unveil its latest magical offerings, including eagerly anticipated initiatives for the upcoming film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In this latest installment of the highest-grossing film franchise of all time, Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds, and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is slated for release around the world in July 2009 and will be supported by merchandise from licensees including PopCo Entertainment Ltd. (formerly Corgi International) and Noble Collection.

WB Retro
From high-end couture to the high street, the consumer love affair with retro continues to build momentum. At this year’s Brand Licensing, WBCP will be delving into the depths of the studio archives and sharing movie, television and animated content that underscore their strength in the booming retro trends market.

Tweety
The Tweety brand has reached the magical point of critical awareness across Europe and now WBCP prepares to make two major announcements at Brand Licensing Europe that will underpin the European success of the brand into 2009 and far beyond.
France’s hottest celebrity Cathy Guetta will be partnering with WBCP to create “Tweety by Cathy Guetta”, an exclusive line of Tweety-inspired fashion apparel and accessories.
Tweety is also set to make a spirited entrance in the beauty sector in 2008 with a perfume and cosmetic range from Selectiva S.p.A., owners of the Aquolina brand. The new range will be launched to the trade in Milan and Cannes at the Tax Free World Association Fair in October 2008, with an international consumer roll-out to follow.

Tom and Jerry
Famous for creating chaos and laughter, this dynamic duo really are the best of friends despite their mischievous cat and mouse games. Getting into all kinds of mayhem whilst having loads of fun is all part of the brand’s energy. This spirit of the brand will be conveyed in ‘Twice the Mischief, Twice the Fun,’ a fresh art direction that will be supported by comprehensive new artwork programmes that include on-trend graphics and character art.