Entertainment Tie-ins / Licensing

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Hasbro announced that it has signed a strategic development agreement with Jagex Limited to jointly create a new online game based on the Transformers brand. Under the agreement, the two companies are slated to launch the Transformers online game in 2012 in North America, Latin America, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

From win-win to lose-lose. Do enough deals with different celebrities and sooner or later one of them is bound to blow up. That’s what happened to Target last week when entertainer/singer/gay rights advocate Lady Gaga had a change of heart regarding a prior commitment with Target.

NEW YORK — In what appears to be a case of back-pedaling to alleviate concerns of her devoted fanbase, Lady Gaga's deal to sell a special edition of her upcoming album at Target is off.

New York — Lady Gaga's deal to sell a special edition of her upcoming album at Target is off.

A representative for the flamboyant and outspoken singer said Wednesday the two sides "came to a mutual decision to end their overall exclusive partnership a few weeks ago." Last month, it was announced that Target Corp. would be selling a deluxe edition of the album, to be released May 23, with bonus content.

NEW YORK -- Marc Forgione is the latest chef to join Macy's Culinary Council, the company announced. According to Macy's, the council is "a team of talented and distinguished chefs who serve to inspire the way Macy's customers shop, cook and eat at home.

Forgione, who was recently crowned season three winner of Food Network's TheNext Iron Chef, will kick-off his new position on Macy's Culinary Council with an in-store cooking demonstration at Macy's Chicago on State Street on March 8 at noon.

The Shops at Wiregrass, in Wesley Chapel, Fla., partnered with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to host a Battle of the Bands event in an effort to raise money to fight blood cancer.

Held Saturday, Feb. 19, the event featured four stages of live music and performances by 24 local bands. Two more fundraising events are planned -- a parade celebration on March 12 and a golf tournament on April 1.

The Shops at Wiregrass, a Forest City Enterprises property, is a pedestrian lifestyle village featuring shopping, dining and entertainment options.

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Earlier today, Retailing Today reported that several apparel and footwear industry heavyweights were teaming up to promote best practices in sustainability, and now Payless has announced that it will support eco-model and Payless brand partner Summer Rayne Oakes who will wear the same little black dress throughout the month of March.

Baltimore -- Power Plant Live! and The Cordish Cos. announced that entertainment concepts PBR Baltimore and The Baltimore Comedy Factory will host grand openings the first two weekends in March.

These latest downtown destinations join the recently opened Tatu Asian Grill in what will be a series of high-profile additions to Power Plant Live!, part of a multi-million dollar renovation and expansion of the project (going on its 12th year of operations).