Entertainment Tie-ins / Licensing

WAYNE, N.J. -- Toys“R”Us has announced the launch of the first-ever collection of wood vehicles, track and playsets based on the popular Disney-Pixar movie, Cars, availableexclusively at Toys“R”Us stores around the world and online at Toysrus.com. The collection was created and designed by Toys“R”Us in collaboration with Disney Consumer Products.

NEW YORK -- Macy's has announced the launch of "Edie Rose Home," an exclusive tabletop collection designed by actress Rachel Bilson, now available at select Macy's stores nationwide and on macys.com. 

MINNEAPOLIS-- Target is giving Lady Gaga fans something to celebrate. The retailer is offering customers the chance to pre-order an exclusive deluxe edition of her new album, "Born This Way," and download her first single and title track, "Born This Way" for free at Target.com/gaga beginning at 8 a.m. CST on Friday, Feb. 11 through midnight, Saturday, Feb. 26.

PLANO, Texas -- JCPenney has joined forces with teen and tween online community Stardoll.com for the launch of the first-ever, exclusive Stardoll brand of clothing and accessories.  This exciting, new brand will launch in 300 JCPenney stores and on jcp.com for the 2011 back-to-school season.

Stardoll.com is online community for girls that lets them create and dress their own personalized "MeDoll" avatars and use them to interact with other girls. 

Minneapolis -- Popular recording artist and fashion icon Lady Gaga has partnered with Target Corp. to offer an exclusive deluxe edition of her new album, "Born This Way."

The album will be released on May 23. Target’s exclusive deluxe edition includes three additional studio songs and five remixes, and will be available at stores nationwide and on Target.com. Consumers can also pre-order the album and download the first single and title track free at Target.com beginning at 8 a.m. CST on Feb. 11 through midnight, Feb. 26.

NEW YORK -- Macy’s announced that it has donated $16.25 million to various charitable organizations as a result of its 2010 Thanks For Sharing and Believe holiday campaigns. 

NEW YORK — Coty has announced the launch of the new fragrance Reveal by Halle Berry.

The fragrance complements her fragrance collection, Halle by Halle Berry and Pure Orchid by Halle Berry. Reveal is designed to be a memorable fragrance that captures the spirit of classic glamour with a modern, sexy twist.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Best Buy announced that through Feb. 12 it is offering customers its buy back program for free. To promote the offer, Best Buy has launched a multi-media campaign that began with its Super Bowl spot featuring Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and Justin Bieber.

Walmart broke new ground in its media relations efforts this week when EVP Leslie Dach appeared on Comedy Central’s "The Colbert Report." This appearance on Comedy Central was a potentially high risk move as knows anyone who has ever watched host Stephen Colbert interview guest or laughed as correspondents on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart are able to make interview subjects look foolish without them realizing it. Dach is too sophisticated and articulate to allow that to happen and the purpose of his visit was to elaborate on the company’s healthy food initiative.

From a licensed product sales standpoint it doesn’t get much better than having the Pittsburgh Steelers and Greenbay Packers squaring off this Sunday in Super Bowl XLV. Both teams are storied franchises, and although they are from relatively small markets, enjoy a national following, which means plenty of shoppers have been out looking to acquire fresh gear for the big game and will be looking to do so in the weeks following the game.