Author Archives: Laura Hazard Owen

Licensing Expo 08: What We Liked

Licensing Expo came to a close last week. Here are some things we liked: This fall, the Jim Henson Company will air its new show, “Sid the Science Kid,” on PBS. The science show, which uses proprietary digital puppetry technology, is aimed at 3- to 6-year-olds, has a sketch comedy format, and covers topics like…Continue Reading

Licensing Expo 08: The New Consumer

Licensing International Expo 2008 landed June 10 at the Javits Center just in time for the summer’s first heat wave. Outside, temperatures hit nearly a hundred degrees. Inside, brands like Clifford, Goosebumps, and SpongeBob SquarePants were hot hot hot. In a cooling economy, though, how can retailers make sure consumers choose their brands? In his…Continue Reading

California Love: Agents Don’t Need to Live in NYC. They’ve Got E-mail (and Great Weather)

Ah, the life of a California literary agent. Client meetings on the terrace overlooking the cliffs, the sound of aquamarine waves crashing on sparkling white sand as a lovely soundtrack to the discussion of character development. Later on, a quick spin in the cute red hybrid convertible over to a movie studio or five, promising…Continue Reading

Beyond Rachael Ray: Food Network Stars Aren’t the Only Way Publishers Can Cook Up Success

The debate’s still out on whether America’s officially in a recession, but with food prices rising faster today than they have any time in the past seventeen years, customers may be cutting back on restaurant meals and cooking at home instead. What cookbook will they pick up? Will they pick one up at all? About…Continue Reading

Toy Fair 08: Inspiring Growth, Dangerous Book for Boys Spinoffs

On Tuesday, Publishing Trends visited Toy Fair 2008, held from February 17-28 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. Though Toy Fair reported a 30% increase in buyers since last year and three times as many reporters on opening day, we thought the halls seemed pretty empty. Not surprisingly, most of the…Continue Reading