The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) presented the annual licensing awards ceremony on the opening evening of the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas last week.
MGA's LOL Surprise is still winning awards, bagging the Character/Toy Brand licensed program award at the ceremony.
Cra-Z-Art for Nickelodeon's slime kits won the Toys/Games/Novelties/Role Play award in the zero to 12 year olds licensed product category, while the Lego Group took it home with the Star Wars BB-8 set for kids 13+.
Two Sesame Street licensed products bagged awards, with the Sesame Street Alexa skill from Amazon winning the Digital product award and Brand & Vision winning the Food/Beverage product award for the Sesamstrasse (Sesame Street) organic food range.
Sally Hansen's Crayola Insta-dry nail polish collection netted the inaugural LIMA Community Choice Award.
“This was an outstanding year for the LIMA Awards program. Not only did we receive a record 700 submissions, but 42 per cent of the nominees originated from outside the US,” Charles Riotto, president, LIMA said. “Tonight’s winners truly exemplify the very best of our global industry. They are innovative leaders in their respective categories and across the licensing landscape.”
The ceremony also inducted Elias Fasja-Cohen, CEO and founder of Tycoon Enterprises, and Brian Goldner, chairman and CEO of Hasbro, into the LIMA Licensing Hall of Fame.
The full list of winners is as follows:
2018 LIMA International Licensed Program Awards:
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Art/Design: The Very Hungry Caterpillar/The World of Eric Carle from Eric Carle Studio/The Joester Loria Group
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Celebrity/Fashion: Dear Drew by Barrymore Brands/CAA-GBG
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Character/Toy Brand: L.O.L. Surprise! by MGA Entertainment
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Corporate Brand: Pantone by Pantone/Brand Central
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Digital: Emoji by The Emoji Company/Global Merchandising Services
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Film/Television/Entertainment (Animated): Rick and Morty by Adult Swim and Cartoon Network
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Film/Television/Entertainment (Live Action): JoJo Siwa by Nickelodeon
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Food and Beverage/Restaurant: Guinness by Diageo/Beanstalk
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Sports: WWE by WWE
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Licensed Promotion: Masters of the Universe and Dirty Dancing from Mattel and Lionsgate/Born Licensing
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Location-Based or Experiential Initiative: National Geographic Encounter by National Geographic
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Retailer: Spirit Halloween for “Stranger Things”
2018 LIMA International Licensed Products Awards:
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Apparel/Footwear/Accessories: Vans for Peanuts footwear, apparel and accessories
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Appliances/Automotive/Electronics/Hardware/Housewares/Paint: Broil Chef for Star Wars Tie Fighter Gas Grill
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Digital (Apps, Software, Video): Amazon for Sesame Street Alexa Skill
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Food/Beverage: Brand & Vision for Sesamstrasse (Sesame Street) organic food range
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Health and Beauty Aids: Sally Hansen for Crayola Insta-Dry nail colour collection
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Home Décor (Domestics, Furniture, Giftware, Textiles): Jay Franco and Sons for Minecraft home collection
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Publishing/Social Expression/Back-to-School: Lovepop for Beatles pop-up cards
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Toys/Games/Novelties/Role Play (0-12): Cra-Z-Art for Nickelodeon Slime kits
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Toys/Games/Novelties/Role Play (13-plus): The LEGO Group for LEGO Star Wars BB-8 – 75187