Silver Lining bringing Groovy Girls to licensed products
Staff -- Kids Today, 7/1/2005
New York— Manhattan Toy has appointed Silver Lining Productions as worldwide licensing agent and representative of worldwide media rights for its Groovy Girls property, the company announced at Licensing Show last month. Silver Lining will work closely with Manhattan Toy to develop its brand licensing strategy, building on the established track record in the specialty market.
Since its debut in 1998, Groovy Girls has sold more than $100 million in retail sales, the company said. Hugh Kennedy, vice president of business development for Manhattan Toy, said he thinks it's an ideal time to provide consumers with new opportunities to interact with the Groovy Girls brand.
Marketing programs will reinforce the lifestyle aspects of the brand — fashion, friendship and self-expression. Licensed products will target the 6 to 12 age range and include such categories as room décor, apparel, interactive and electronics, stationery and social expression, health and beauty aids and others. Silver Lining will also be developing plans to adapt Groovy Girls into a variety of entertainment and interactive platforms.
"Groovy Girls is a perfect fit with Silver Lining's portfolio of contemporary children's properties," said Amory Millard, CEO of Silver Lining. "It's a trusted lifestyle brand for girls with all the hallmarks of an evergreen — originality, quality, creativity and integrity. We look forward to working hand in hand with Manhattan Toy and its partners to build a global consumer products franchise."
Kennedy said that Manhattan Toy selected Silver Lining because of their expertise in marketing quality children's brands across licensing and entertainment platforms. In addition to Groovy Girls, Silver Lining's portfolio includes a variety of children's publishing-based brands, including Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and other books; Ian Falconer's "Olivia"; Rosemary Wells' "Max & Ruby" and "Timothy Goes to School"; Babette Cole's "Dr. Dog" and Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben's "Gaspard & Lisa," among others.
Manhattan Toy's successful Groovy Girls line will move into licensed products that reinforce the lifestyle aspects of the brand.
