Product Spotlight: DigiPuppets

With the amount of time children spend in front of a screen or electronic device, educational apps aim at making some of that time beneficial. DigiPuppets has created a tiny tech solution to get parents and their children more engaged in educational material. Honey Bunny and Zip the Zebra are classic finger puppets that put learning and adventure at children's fingertips. They work with any iPad, iPhone or Android device to become a learning buddy for tech savvy children ages 3-7. Each finger puppet controls the touch screen and are an adorable accessory for the educational apps including Honey Bunny Learns to Share, which teaches pre-school to second grade children reading and sharing skills; Zips Learning Adventure and Honey's Hide & Peek—both teaching math, language, shapes and motor skills; and Zip's Big Race, which teaches children reading and life lessons about working hard and helping others.

Additional finger puppets and corresponding games soon to be added include Marco the Moose, Plucky Puppy, Kristy Kitty, Barry Bear and Princess Patty.

LIMA Award Winners Announced

The International Licensing Industry Merchandiser's Association (LIMA) is a trade organization for the global licensing industry. This year's Licensing Expo was held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, where a number of children's beloved programs took home awards. "We're delighted to recognize the huge impact that all of our award winners have had in the marketplace, including Frozen as 2014's top success story," says LIMA President Charles Riotto. "These achievements underscore the high caliber of today's licensing initiatives and the significance of licensed properties and brands throughout the world."

The 2015 award winners are:

Celebrity or Music Program – One Direction, Modest Management/Global Merchandising Services Ltd. 
Character or Toy Brand Program – My Little Pony, Hasbro 
Character or Toy Brand Licensee: Hard Goods – LAFOOD, Sesame Street healthy food
Character or Toy Brand Licensee: Soft Goods – Under Armour, Captain America collection
Film, Television, or Entertainment (Animated) Program – Disney's Frozen, The Walt Disney Company/Disney Consumer Products 
Film, Television, or Entertainment (Animated) Licensee: Hard Goods – (tie) JAKKS Pacific, Disney's Frozen/Snow Glow Elsa doll; Playmates Toys, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles product line
Film, Television, or Entertainment (Animated) Licensee: Soft Goods – Havaianas, Despicable Me flip flops
Lifestyle: Art, Design or Fashion Program – The Very Hungry Caterpillar/The World of Eric Carle, Eric Carle Studio/The Joester Loria Group
Location-Based or Experiential Initiative – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Overall Best Licensed Program – Disney's Frozen, The Walt Disney Company/Disney Consumer Products

CJ Products Expands Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Licensing Agreement with New Pillow Pets

CJ Products, the creators of the popular Pillow Pets foldable plush, has recently announced the expansion of its licensing agreement with Nickelodeon Consumer Products to include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pillow Pets plush products.

The company previously created illuminating Dream Lites of the popular heroes in a half shell. The new licensing agreement will extend the line to include 18-inch foldable plush toys of Raphael, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Donatello. Considered one of the most popular kids television programs of the 1980s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first debuted as a successful comic book series and then became a hit animated television show, a live-action television series and later spawned four blockbuster theatrical releases. Since its launch in 2012, Nickelodeon's all-new CG-animated version has re-energized the iconic characters of this popular franchise. "The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan base continues to grow with the recent live-action feature film and Nickelodeon's hit animated television series," says Jennifer Telfer, CEO of Pillow Pets. "We are excited to foster this relationship and turn these iconic half-shell heroes into cuddly plush [toys]."

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pillow Pets will be available summer of 2015.

Nicklaus Children's Hospital Hosts Prom for Teen Patients

Thanks to a donation from the Carlin Family to the Miami Children's Health Foundation, patients at Nicklaus Children's Hospital received an experience of a lifetime. Nicklaus Children's Hospital (formerly known as Miami Children's Hospital) and Miami Children's Health Foundation came together to host the 2nd Annual Carlin Family Nicklaus Children's Prom for more than 75 teenage patients and their guests, giving them an opportunity to experience the beloved high school event. "We are so thankful to the Carlin family for offering this once-in-a-lifetime experience to our teen patients," says Lucy Morillo, president and CEO of Miami Children's Health Foundation. "Their generous donation gives us the opportunity to come together for the children; giving them a chance to forget their illnesses for just one night."

Currently and recently hospitalized teen patients were transported back in time with a 1950s-themed prom designed and produced by WOW Factor Marketing Group. The design was ode to the hospital's 65th anniversary, complete with classic cars and a red carpet where patients flaunted their evening attire.

Miami Children's Health Foundation also received overwhelming support from national and local businesses donating their time and services. Volunteers outfitted in 50s-themed attire provided patient care support during the prom to ensure every guest had a memorable night. Blo Bar, Mary Kay, Your Face by Grace and Olga Gaitan stylists pampered prom attendees and provided makeovers to get them ready for their special night. Television personality and Miami-based Chef Adrianne Calvo of Chef Adrienne's Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar, alongside Chef David Schwardon Catering and Event Design catered the prom. Prom attendees danced to the tunes of DJ Double ii, the official Miami Marlins spinner.