Warner Brothers Announces Licensing Projects

With super heroes, literary legends, and the development of an animation nation, Warner Bros. Consumer Products [WBCP] brings an unrivaled lineup of content support to this year’s Licensing International Expo that will drive its licensing, merchandising and retail business to new heights.

“Content is the cornerstone of a robust consumer products program and we are pleased to be offering our partners a complete foundation of opportunities like never before,” said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.  “With the offerings we have on tap, licensees and retailers around the world have access to a diverse slate that will allow them to plan for long-term success with our properties.”

A truly heroic film slate dominates Warner Bros. Pictures’ theatrical offerings with characters from the world of DC Comics leading the charge.  The highly anticipated Green Lantern is set to light up theaters on June 17, followed by The Dark Knight Rises in summer 2012 and the upcoming Man of Steel. WBCP’s licensing efforts will continue to be led by Mattel, the global master toy licensee for DC Comics.

Beyond the world of DC Comics, theatrical films based on J.K. Rowling’s literary phenomenon, Harry Potter , and the classic by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, have fans buzzing.   Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, the final film in the blockbuster series and the world’s most successful entertainment franchise, debuts July 15.  Continuing the adventure in Middle-earth, the first in the upcoming two-film adaptation from filmmaker Peter Jackson, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, slated for December 2012, will be followed by The Hobbit: There And Back Again in December 2013.

DC Comics’ robust roster is set to explode onto the television screen with the inception of DC Nation, featuring original animated programming produced by Warner Bros. Animation (WBA).  Earlier this year, Cartoon Network, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. announced the creation of this exclusive programming block on Cartoon Network.  Debuting in 2012 as a multi-platform franchise, DC Nation will be the exclusive television home for original animated content based upon DC Comics properties.  Backed by the production, publishing and marketing resources of Warner Bros., DC Entertainment and Cartoon Network, DC Nation will be populated with event programming, interstitials, exclusive behind-the-scenes segments from theatrical productions, and an insider look into the world of all things DC Comics.

Leading the way for DC Nation is WBA’s new Green Lantern: The Animated Series, featuring all-new CG animated action and debuting in late 2011.  WBCP’s all-star DC Comics lineup also includes WBA’s television series Young Justice , for Cartoon Network. And WBCP’s master licensee Mattel will offer a myriad of licensing programs in support of DC Comics’ extensive stable of legendary character properties, such as Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and many other super heroes.

Warner Bros. Animation continues its creative momentum with a host of animated opportunities, including the smash hit The Looney Tunes Show, which is dominating the ratings on Cartoon Network. The show ranks as the #1 series among Boys 6–11 on all of basic cable television in its Tuesdays 8/7c time period and averages more than two million viewers each week.  Fans are also eagerly awaiting the debut of the all-new animated television series ThunderCats, only on Cartoon Network this summer.  Global master toy licensee Bandai America Incorporated will reinvigorate the nostalgic brand with enthusiasts, and introduce a whole new set of fans to the beloved pop culture staple.  Both series will join the lineup with WBA’s current hit series Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.

Television licensing is also programmed into WBCP’s diverse lineup, led by today’s hits and yesterday’s classics such as Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, The Big Bang Theory, Pretty Little Liars,Supernatural, Seinfeld and Friends.

From the screen to the page, WBCP also represents DC Entertainment’s licensed publishing business, which licenses the DC Comics Super Heroes (Green Lantern, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman), as well as MAD Magazine and Vertigo properties in partnership with DC Entertainment for books with publishers worldwide.

Global themed entertainment expands the Warner Bros. experience for a worldwide audience, led byBatman Live – a unique action-packed live stage show set to tour arenas around the world.  The dynamic collaboration between WBCP, DC Entertainment and Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions Ltd. brings the world of Batman to life for audiences of all ages.   Harry Potter continues to enchant a worldwide audience with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, now a must-see destination in Orlando, Florida.  Harry Potter: The Exhibition, created in partnership with Global Experience Specialists (GES), also offers fans a firsthand look inside the famous wizard’s magical world with elaborate displays of authentic costumes, props and artifacts in environments from the films.  The exhibit currently runs in New York City’s Discovery Times Square before traveling internationally.  Additionally, WBCP properties enjoy a strong presence at theme parks worldwide.

Classic properties will also remain a linchpin for WBCP at this year’s Licensing Show.  With strong merchandising programs in the works, licensees continue to support beloved franchises including Looney Tunes, Baby Looney Tunes, Tweety, Tom and Jerry, Scooby-Doo, and other revered Hanna-Barbera properties.