Entertainment Tie-ins / Licensing

Wilson Sporting Goods is celebrating a century of sport with the launch of its “100 Venues in 100 Days” contest.

Participants will have the chance to win daily prizes as well as a grand prize trip to the 2014 U.S. Open Tennis Tournament in New York City.

“Wilson celebrates athletes at every level, from the backyard to the professional player,” said Tom Gruger, VP of marketing. “To kick off our 100th year, we will celebrate our partnership with these athletes as we look forward to the next century of champions.”

WWE Slam City is the name of a new kids-oriented entertainment property from sports entertainment producer WWE and Mattel.

The companies said WWE Slam City would include action figures and wrestling ring sets along with a 26 episode series of animated shorts featuring the WWE Superstars in the animated world of Slam City. The first four episodes have begun airing at WWESlamCity.com and Cartoonium on YouTube.

Multi-platinum R&B recording artist Keyshia Cole and leading footwear designer and marketer Steve Madden are at it again. Cole and Madden announced their second partnership with products to be released this month including a variety of heeled and platform styles, ranging from pumps to gladiators to ankle booties. The shoes will feature new prints and colors, along with the platform and cut-out details that are said to showcase the fusion of Steve Madden's and Keyshia Cole's style.

Express has enlisted swimsuit model Kate Upton as its brand ambassador, making her the first celebrity spokesperson to be a part of the brand's ad campaigns in the last decade.

To kick off the partnership, Upton will host the Express Spring-Summer 2014 Runway Show at the Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach, Fla., Thursday, March 13. The retailer will then debut Upton in advertising campaigns beginning fall 2014.

Duck Tape is getting "Ducked Out" for the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards (RDMAs), and offering one person a chance to attend the event at Nokia Theatre L.A. April 26.

One winner will receive a trip for five to the RDMAs in Los Angeles, as well as a meet and greet with Radio Disney on-air personality Maddy from "Morgan & Maddy in the Morning."

Sequential Brands Group has appointed leading brand strategist Jameel Spencer as chief marketing officer, reporting directly to CEO Yehuda Shmidman.

Spencer will develop and lead all global marketing initiatives for the company's portfolio of consumer brands which include William Rast, People's Liberation, DVS, Heelys, Caribbean Joe, Ellen Tracy, Revo and The Franklin Mint.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has enlisted four craft bloggers from around the country to create the 2014 Spring LookBook, a collection of inspiration based on five spring trends.