Guess with Jess Merchandise to Hit Retail in Fall 2011

A full toy range based on Classic Media preschool series "Guess with Jess" from master toy licensee Fisher-Price is set to hit retail in fall 2011. In addition, Nelvana's Treehouse Presents will distribute the series on DVD and The Licensing Shop has been tapped to represent the brand in Canada.

"Following 'Guess with Jess' successful launch on Treehouse, we have the dream team of Fisher-Price, Nelvana and The Licensing Shop rolling out consumer products," says Nicole Blake, executive vice president of global marketing and consumer products for Classic Media. "We are excited by the enthusiastic early response to the show and look forward to bringing fans—preschoolers and their moms—new ways to explore and interact with Jess."

"Guess with Jess" is co-produced by Nelvana, a Corus Entertainment company. It airs daily on Treehouse and ranks as one of the network's top shows overall and for preschoolers. Other current broadcasters include CBeebies (U.K.), ABC (Australia), France 5 and Disney (France, Spain, Italy and Latin America).

Blockbuster Hits Send Profits Soaring at Disney

A string of smash-hit movies, including Toy Story 3, helped to boost Disney's profits by 40 per cent to $1.3bn (£830m) in the three months to 3 July. The US entertainment giant said it increased its revenues by 16 per cent to $10bn in the second quarter.

Alongside the third installment of Toy Story, a strong box-office performance from Iron Man 2 and Alice In Wonderland lifted revenues at Disney's film studio arm by almost a third to $1.6bn.

Profits at its media networks business rose by half to $1.6bn, driven by a strong performance from its ESPN sports network. Bob Iger, president of the Walt Disney Company, said it was particularly pleased with America's performance at the World Cup, which generated returns that were "nothing short of spectacular". Broadcasting revenues rose by $5m to $209m driven by global sales of programs from ABC Studios including Lost, Ghost Whisperer and Castle. Its theme parks and resorts business saw revenues increase by 3 per cent to $2.8bn.

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Iron Man 2 Sees Strong International Opening

This past weekend, Paramount Pictures' and Marvel Entertainment's Iron Man 2 posted $100.2 million in box office sales from its premieres in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Latin America.

The numbers showed the Iron Man sequel earned more in its opening weekend than the 2008 original film, including 49 percent higher in the U.K., 79 percent more in South Korea and 89 percent stronger in Russia.

This Friday, Iron Man 2 opens in North America, China, India, Turkey and Germany. It hits Japan on June 11.

The licensing program for the film includes Hasbro (master toy licensee), Sakar (spy gear toys and video game accessories), Diesel (men's fragrance), VTech (electronic learning products), Mega Bloks (construction toys), Silverlit (radio-controlled vehicles), Diamond Select (minimate figures), Cardinal Games (classic games and puzzles), Monogram (desk and stationery items), Basic Fun/Good Stuff (amusement toys and party goods) and Sideshow (collectibles). Other promotional partners include Burger King, Hershey's/Reese's, Dr Pepper and 7-Eleven.

Marvel Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co.

(License Mag)