Co-Marketing

Hasbro has entered into a strategic merchandising relationship with Disney Consumer Products for the Disney Princess and Frozen properties. The agreement gives Hasbro global rights (excluding Japan) to develop dolls based on Disney Princess stories and characters including Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, The Little Mermaid and Frozen beginning in 2016.

Lifestyle footwear and accessories brand Cole Haan has entered into a multiyear partnership with three ballerinas of the New York City Ballet for its Cole Haan Avery Ballet Studio Collection.

The collection re-materializes the classic Avery Ballet Flat, according to the brand, and features product inspired and co-created by Principal Dancers Sara Mearns and Megan Fairchild, as well as Gretchen Smith of the Corps de Ballet.

Leading accessories retailer Claire’s plans to open 100 of its distinctive branded shops with thousands of products within Toys “R” Us stores worldwide by year end and alluded to the possibility of more locations to come.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us and specialty retailer Claire’s have entered into a global partnership to open nearly 100 Claire’s in-store shops in Toys “R” Us locations across Europe, along with 12 U.S. locations, by year-end. The shops will feature an assortment of jewelry, headbands, hair and fashion accessories, jewelry holders, legwear, seasonal items and more. The rollout follows a successful pilot program in Europe.  

New York -- ICA Sweden has signed a licensing agreement with Starbucks Coffee Company to open Starbucks retail stores in the grocery store channel in Sweden. The cafés will be operated by ICA according to the Starbucks licensing concept and under the Starbucks brand.

Initially, the plan is to open three Starbucks retail stores during 2015. These will then be evaluated before a decision is made on the possible establishment of more cafés.

Copper Fit on Monday announced that retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre will serve as the company's brand ambassador. Favre made his debut as a Copper Fit brand ambassador in the commercial, “Life After Football” that began airing nationwide in September, the company stated.
 
“I live with muscle and joint soreness every day,” Favre said, reflecting on his life in the NFL while working on his farm in Mississippi. “But life after football can be just as tough. For knee and elbow support, I choose Copper Fit.”
 

Collective Bias is rebranding its annual blogger conference in 2015 and taking the event on the road with a nationwide tour of 11 cities to facilitate increased participation by brands, bloggers and retailers.

Six of the nation’s largest food companies and the Walmart Foundation are appealing to Americans with an innovative digital campaign to direct $3.7 million in donations to food banks.