Bilingual Tunes
y Latino, a provider of children's musical products for the Hispanic and English-speaking markets, has partnered with Scholastic Media, New York, to produce and market branded music products based on the "Maya & Miguel" series from PBS Kids, Alexandria, Va. The initial release is called "Maya & Miguel Best Friends," and Madacy Latino plans to release several English and Spanish "Maya & Miguel" musical CDs in 2006. "Best Friends" will be available in stores nationwide March 28, for a suggested retail price of $7.98. Maya & Miguel "Best Friends" will be supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign including a national publicity program, custom merchandising materials in English and Spanish, trade advertising and cross promotions with other Maya & Miguel licensed products.
Help for Canines
PORTLAND, Maine - Taking their philanthropic program national, Planet Dog, makers of a variety of pet care products including toys, and apparel for both dogs and cats, has created the Planet Dog Foundation. The foundation will take the place of Planet Dog's non-profit arm, Planet Dog Philanthropy. The company's grant program, which was previously targeted within New England, will be expanded to reach nationwide. Designed to financially support not-for-profit partners, the Planet Dog Foundation will promote service-oriented canine programs such as animal-assisted therapy programs.
Good to Be a Lady
BURBANK, Calif. - "Lady and the Tramp" will release this week from Walt Disney Home Entertainment in a 50th anniversary two-DVD special edition set. The edition includes digital restoration with enhanced picture and sound plus never-before-seen deleted scenes and an alternate, original storyboard version of the film; "Finding Lady: The Art of Storyboards." The DVD's marketing campaign encompasses many cross-promotions, including San Francisco's Rinaldi Pasta Sauce, featuring the DVD on 7.5 million packages offering a mail-in premium, and Del Monte's various pet products offering a $5 mail-in rebate. Brach's Easter Candy, Elmhurst, Ill., will offer a $3 mail-in rebate. Additionally, over 15 brands of Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, will run national promotions and online support.
Top 10 SUPERMARKET DVDSELL-THROUGH TITLES AS of February 12, 2006
RANK: Title (# of Weeks Out),Last Week Studio, Retail Price
1) N; Bambi II; Buena Vista $29.99
2) N; Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit; Dreamworks $29.99
3) N; Just Like Heaven; Dreamworks $29.99
4) N; Elizabethtown; Paramount $29.95
5) 1; Corpse Bride (1); Warner $28.98
6) 2; The Legend of Zorro (1); Sony $28.95
7) 4; Flightplan (1); Buena Vista $29.99
8) Wedding Crashers (5); New Line $28.98
9) 3; In Her Shoes (1); Fox $29.99
10) 6; The 40-Year-Old Virgin (8); Universal $29.98
N = New
This chart, tailored for the supermarket video market, is based on information taken from more than 1,000 supermarket rental locations serviced by Ingram Entertainment, La Vergne, Tenn.