Entertainment Tie-ins / Licensing

In anticipation of the theatrical release of “The LEGO Movie” Friday, Feb. 7, Toys “R” Us is unveiling a dedicated feature shop in stores nationwide Thursday, Jan. 30, as well as online at Toysrus.com/LEGO.

Customers will be able to find the latest movie-inspired products as well as recreate their favorite scenes from the first-ever full-length LEGO adventure film. Toys “R” Us will also host a special event, and offer gifts with purchase and a chance to win prizes, while supplies last.

Austin, Texas - Whole Foods Market and Pivot, Participant Media’s TV network targeting Millennials, are launching the television series "Dark Rye.” The first episode, hosted by Kirk Lombard, a Bay Area fisherman and forager, airs Jan. 22.

Dark Rye was created as an online magazine by Whole Foods Market in 2012 and explores the realms of food, health, sustainability, design, technology and social enterprise.

Build-A-Bear Workshop has named Gina Collins as chief marketing officer and brand bear. Collins will lead the company’s marketing, public relations, entertainment and creative teams to drive sales growth and profitability.

She will also be responsible for branding, marketing, public relations, creative, licensing and corporate sales and will report to CEO Sharon John.

Jelly Belly Candy Company is set to launch a new flavor to its collection: the Draft Beer Jelly Belly jelly bean. Jelly Belly will debut the new flavor at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco and ISM in Cologne, Germany.

The beer flavor has been a popular request by consumers for decades, according to the company.

"This took about three years to perfect," Ambrose Lee, research and development manager for Jelly Belly Candy Company, said. "The recipe includes top secret ingredients, but I can tell you it contains no alcohol."

Now that we know the two teams that are heading to Super Bowl XLVIII Sunday, Feb. 2, Gillette is offering a chance for football fans to score last-minute tickets to the big game via Twitter.

Linebacker Clay Matthews will announce one winner each day via his personal Twitter handle, @ClayMatthews52 between now and Jan. 24.

St. Louis - Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. has appointed Gina Collins to the position of chief marketing officer, effective Jan. 20, 2014. Collins will lead the Build-A-Bear marketing, public relations, entertainment and creative teams to drive sales growth and profitability.

She will be responsible for branding, marketing, public relations, creative, licensing and corporate sales and will report to Sharon John, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Canton, Mass. - Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc., the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, has entered a multi-year marketing partnership with Liverpool Football Club (FC) to support global expansion of the Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins brands. Under the agreement, Dunkin' Donuts will become the official coffee, tea and bakery partner for Liverpool FC, and Baskin-Robbins will become the official ice cream partner.

NEW YORK — Unilever’s Clear Scalp & Hair has tapped model Miranda Kerr to be the newest face — and hair — for Clear Scalp & Hair in the United States, giving her the title of the brand's first global brand ambassador.
 
Debuting this month, Kerr will star in a national advertising campaign appearing on TV, in print and on digital properties.