Jay Franco and Nickelodeon Sign New Licensing Agreement - New Brands Unveiled at Textile Market Week in New York

New York, NY – SEPT. 19, 2011 - Nickelodeon and Jay Franco and Sons today announced a new venture in the home sector during Textile Market Week in New York.  Jay Franco will offer exciting new products from Nickelodeon properties Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Winx Club at all channels of distribution, as well as products based on the network’s popular shows, including Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Team Umizoomi, and Victorious at Specialty and Value retailers.  The new product launches are slated for spring 2012 nationwide.

“We believe that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be a very important boy brand that will allow us to offer exciting fresh products for TMNT fans of all ages,” said Joseph A. Franco, VP of Jay Franco and Sons.  “We’re also looking forward to introducing a new line of products for girls based on the Winx Club.” 

Scheduled to debut in late 2012, the TMNT product line will give the property’s fan base the opportunity to enjoy their favorite characters and stories alongside the next generation of young fans.  Jay Franco and Sons will also develop a dynamic line for Winx Club that will include bedding collections complete with comforters, sheet sets, quilts and embellished decorative pillows featuring the stories and characters that young girl fans love.

“We are thrilled to be working with Jay Franco and Sons to develop exciting product lines based on our newest boy property, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and our newest girl property, Winx Club,” said Hal Snik, Senior Vice President, Soft Lines Licensing, Nickelodeon Consumer Products.  “This partnership also allows us to leverage Jay Franco’s relationships at specialty and department stores to introduce new products from our most popular Nickelodeon shows, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Team Umizoomi, and Victorious. 

Winx Club is an animated action and fantasy series set in the mystical dimension of Magix, where three schools educate modern fairies, witches and supernatural warriors from all over the universe.  Winx Club first debuted in Italy six years ago and quickly became an international billion-dollar franchise and even gave rise to a CG feature film.  
  
All properties will be offered in bedding along with beach towels and decorative bath collections.

About Jay Franco and Sons
Jay Franco and Sons is a recognized leader in the Bedding, Bath and Beach industry and it understands the importance of setting the trend. 

The company’s strength lies in diversification, as it is involved in every aspect from design, to manufacturing and distribution of its’ quality products. Jay Franco’s ability to look across major divisions in the industry and understand these divisions has aided in the company’s success.  With diversified clientele, from mass merchants to specialty shops, Jay Franco’s production process can be tailored to accommodate varying turnaround requirements. 

With affiliate offices internationally, the company is committed to developing and investing in innovative manufacturing technologies and the latest textile fabrications. Their longstanding relationships with top licensors and joint ventures with suppliers ensure their ability to provide the hottest licensed brands and quality merchandise, priced right.

About Nickelodeon Consumer Products
Nickelodeon Consumer Products manages the world's number-one TV-based licensing business, representing leading properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and managing merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does.  The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com.  Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

For additional information, please contact Elyssa Piker, Contract Manager at Jay Franco at 212.679.3022 or Elyssa@jfranco.com . Jay Franco is located at 295 Fifth Ave, Suite 312, New York, NY 10016.  Phone: 212.679.3022.  Fax: 212.685.4864.