‘Twilight’ wins top license of the year, sweeps awards

(courtesy of The Twilight Saga: New Moon collection)

The annual awards for the Licensing International Expo 2010 were presented at the opening night ceremony in Las Vegas on June 8, with The Twilight Saga: New Moon taking the top prize for Overall Best License of the Year as well as other nods. 

The second installment of Summit Entertainment's blockbuster Twilight film series, based on the popular vampire novels by Stephenie Meyer, also received honors in the Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment category for its movie board game and apparel/accessories.

For Best Retailer, Nordstrom department stores won for its New Moon campaign featuring a fashion line, jewelry collection and cosmetics.

Among the 16 licensing awards for most successful properties and products, both classic brands and new items took prizes. Other winners, voted on by the industry membership, were recognized in the following categories:

Best Character/Toy Brand: Barbie, LEGO electronics, and Peanuts T-shirts

Best Sports-Theme Entertainment: ESPN and Electronic Arts' FIFA videogames

Corporate: The Food Network, Black & Decker, and adidas' Vespa footwear and apparel

Best Promotion: Scrabble by Hasbro, Inc. at the Subway fast food chain

In addition, Hasbro's founders, Alan G. Hassenfeld and his late brother Stephen Hassenfeld, were inducted into the Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement for "recognizing the impact toys and games have in telling a story" from its Mr. Potato Head and Care Bears to Tonka trucks and Transformers.

In the Art category, Paul Frank, of Julius the Monkey fame, won over nominees such as Andy Warhol, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Wyland, and Skelanimals.

Twilight beat out the Cartoon Network's Bakugan, BBC's In the Night Garden, Disney's Princess and the Frog, Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants, Hasbro's Transformers, Pixar's Cars, Mattel's Dora The Explorer, Phineas & Ferb, and Sesame Street.

http://www.licensingexpo.com

RC