The best of Warner Bros. Consumer Products properties will be strongly represented at International Toy Fair, Nuremberg this week. A combination of global, regional and local licensees will exhibit new collections, more than 100 sku’s, supporting new brand initiatives for 2009 and beyond.

On the back of the record theatrical and DVD success of Warner Bros. Pictures’ The Dark Knight, Batman will continue to excel as one of the most popular licensed brands for boys. Mattel and Rubies will exhibit their “The Dark Knight” ranges featuring a range of products in key price points. A new TV series, Batman - Brave and the Bold will air in Europe from Spring 2009 creating a new impetus for Batman toys especially in the build up to the important Christmas gifting season.

Bruno Schwobthaler Senior Vice President Sales & Business Development WBCP EMEA says, “We are very impressed by the breadth of new products developed to support our new brand initiatives. Over the next 3 years there is a clear opportunity to accelerate the sales from the DC Comics properties based on the growing popularity of Super Heroes. Broadening our Batman offering through new TV animation and new products is one of the steps towards maximising the whole DC Comics revenues”.

Looney Tunes Active, the new initiative launched by WBCP to promote a more active lifestyle for kids aged 4 – 8 years will also begin to be strongly featured at the show. The programme was launched 2 years ago, primarily in the food category, and has gradually expanded into textiles and now toys. Nestle Waters, adidas, Tecnica, Intersport and Ferrero were among the first licensees to commit in the programme that now has over 200 licensees across the region. Simba Toys recently joined the party and will unveil a new collection of 15 outdoor toys at Nuremberg. Famosa will also be at the show exhibiting their range of Looney Tunes plush that includes cute, fun and spirited Tweety as lead character. WBCP will continue to develop a specific character licensing programme for Tweety in 2009 with a new Tweety download song set to be released across the EMEA region to support the girl and ‘tween’ girl proposition.

„Looney Tunes Active is a truly unique programme in the industry and we are very proud to have our characters championing a more active lifestyle for kids,” Schwobthaler continues. “We did extensive consumer research that confirmed the relevance of this new initiative and the market response has surpassed our expectations. This has enabled us to partner with various sport federations across the region, develop new content for TV as well as a Sport Party Tour in Germany visiting 10 cities in 2009.”

This year is set to be another triumphant year for the Harry Potter franchise with the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in July. Harry Potter is the only franchise in the industry with a blockbuster movie slated every year over the 3 years! As the saga unfolds and with the opening of a new theme park in Florida and a global touring exhibition, demand for Harry Potter toys and collectibles such as the fantastic ranges by PopCo and Noble who will be present at Nuremberg is sure to increase.

“Harry Potter has sold over a billion Panini stickers worldwide since the franchise launched and we believe that the potential of all categories especially toys remains high” says Schwobthaler.

Scooby-Doo will also be at the show, represented by master toy licensee Character Group who will be exhibiting a refreshed Scooby-Doo toy line with specific new consumer propositions in key price points including collectible/pocket money items such as the new Mystery Mates product. Scooby-Doo popularity has now expanded across EMEA and a new live show “Scooby Doo and the Pirate Ghost” which opens in the UK this month will ensure his position as top dog for many years to come.