Kelly has a lustrous history of performances and appearances on many accredited TV shows, motion pictures and musicals.   She has developed into one of the most exquisite and eclectic performance artists of today with the honor to recently be named “All Around Best Female Dancer,” by Dance Track Magazine in 2011.

“Our goal is to establish Kelly Connolly’s name within the retail market as an artistic, fresh and forever active lifestyle brand. Her reputation and creativity will only help build this brand as a consumer favorite. From fitness/dance videos, to exercise equipment, to health products, to workout wear, Kelly has the versatility, the necessary captivating personality and smart business sense to successfully execute herself as a consumer brand name with sustainable likeability. We are very excited to be working together on this project and can already feel the market appeal,” said Kerri Zupp, licensing manager of M!KE Licensing.

“M!KE Licensing’s demonstrated success and commitment to brand integrity make the company the ideal partner as I introduce new products aimed to help people achieve a variety of personal and fitness-related goals,”  said Kelly Connolly.  “I’ve been blessed to have been part of so many successful projects, and I’m excited to give back and share my knowledge and experiences in the form of products that will truly benefit people in ways that are fun, practical and physically impactful.”

About Kelly Connolly

Kelly Connolly is an accomplished dancer, choreographer, actress, designer and fitness expert. Kelly has developed into one of the most exquisite and eclectic performance artists of today with the honor to be named “All Around Best Female Dancer” by Dance Track Magazine in 2011. She has developed a professional career as a multidisciplinary artist having studied every style of dance as well as a variety of fitness art forms from classical ballet, Capoeira, R.A.D, modern, pointe, jazz, martial arts, partnering/lifts, ballroom, Irish hard and soft shoe, lyrical, Spanish, tango, swing, tap, hip-hop, ariel/silks and rigging. In 2007, Kelly created “Hip Hop Irish,” a combination of hip hop and Irish step dancing, which she debuted in artist Adonis Ramos’ critically acclaimed Day & Night show coined “The best show ever in Greece!” by a leading UK magazine where Kelly served as Choreographer and Assistant Director. Kelly has had reoccurring performance roles and TV credits on hit shows such as Glee, How I Met Your Mother, Nickelodeon’s Fresh Beat Band, Malcolm in the Middle and CSI NY, and has also appeared and performed in motion pictures including Rock of Ages (2012) Bolden (2012), The Muppets (2011), Honey 2 (2011), A Christmas Carol (2009), Year One (2009), and Louise! (2010). She has performed/appeared in TV ads for brands including Nikon, Chrysler and T-Mobile, and can be seen dancing in music videos for One Republic’s “All the Right Moves,” as Britney Spears’ double in “Three” and as an instructional fitness model for Tapout, Hip-Hop Abs, Cybex, and Orbital 360. Kelly also has an extensive background in musical theater. For more information about Kelly Connolly, please visit www.kellyconnolly.com.

About M!KE Licensing

M!KE Licensing is a professional, experienced and hands-on brand licensing agency.  We look at our relationships as partnerships whether it be M!KE Licensing and our clients or licensors and licensees.   At M!KE Licensing we look for long-term relationships which will enhance brand awareness, grow new customers and create profitability.   M!KE Licensing is focused on quality partners who will maintain the brand integrity.  We also look for innovative and strategic licensing arrangements to ensure a successful licensing program.  Licensing is an important part of any brand’s marketing strategy and we consider ourselves part of your team.

M!KE Licensing client list includes: Laura Ashley, Yak Pak, Kampgrounds of America, Paris Blues, Norman Rockwell, Carte Blanche Greetings “Me to You”, Lexani, Mel’s Drive-In, Scientific American,  Z. Cavaricci, TKO and Jarden:  Patton, Holmes and Health o meter.

For more information about M!KE Licensing, please visit www.mikelicensing.com.

M!KE Licensing one of the nation’s leading licensing firms, announced today that Laura Ashley, the quintessential English lifestyle brand, will be launching a signature collection of Scotties Facial Tissue at Target beginning September 2011.

New packaging has been designed with signature Laura Ashley prints, and the initial collection will be available only at Target.

“Research shows that consumers care about the design of a facial tissue box just as much as they care about the quality of the product inside” said Joe Richards, Director of Marketing for Scotties. “When we asked consumers what design brand they would like to see created as a tissue box, Laura Ashley was at the top of the list.”

The Yak Pak domestics lifestyle collection will consist of: decorative bedding, blankets, throws, indoor slumber bags, sheeting in all thread counts and fabric constructions, soft storage, novelty pillows/cushions and accent rugs.

Vincent DeRosa, President of Cody Direct states, “When the opportunity to partner with Yak Pak in a licensed home textile collection presented itself, we couldn’t sign up fast enough. The combination of such strong brand equity and great design provided by Yak Pak and savvy marketing, and a powerful manufacturing base supplied by Cody Direct will make this collection a must-have for Back To School, for the dorm as well as for everyday use by kids, tweens and teens. We can’t wait to get started.”

M!KE Licensing is currently seeking licensees to add to the success of Yak Pak in categories such as party paper goods, eyewear, pajamas/underwear, fleece, hosiery and sporting goods.

About Cody Direct
Cody Direct is solely owned by HanungToys and Textiles, Ltd. Hanung is a large India-based manufacturing entity of home textile products. Cody Direct is the US marketing arm for this manufacturer of bed sheeting, adult, kids, and infant decorative bedding, window fashions, and decorative pillows.

The recent purchase of Cody Direct signals Hanung’s entry into the US market as a new and aggressive factory-direct marketer and manufacturer of great home textiles products. Cody Direct has re-invented its management team simultaneous to the purchase of the company. For more information, please visit www.codydirect.com.

About Yak Pak
Founded in 1989, Yak Pak manufactures backpacks, messenger bags and casual accessories to the teen and college consumer. The company has been credited with many design innovations and most recently for bringing exciting expressive prints to a classification that was formerly largely monochromatic. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.yakpak.com.

About M!KE Licensing
M!KE Licensing is a professional, experienced and hands-on brand licensing agency. We look at our relationships as partnerships whether it be M!KE Licensing and our clients or licensors and licensees. At M!KE Licensing we look for long-term relationships which will enhance brand awareness, grow new customers and create profitability. M!KE Licensing is focused on quality partners who will maintain the brand integrity. We also look for innovative and strategic licensing arrangements to ensure a successful licensing program. Licensing is an important part of any brand’s marketing strategy and we consider ourselves part of your team.

M!KE Licensing client list includes: Laura Ashley, Little Miss Matched, Carte Blanche Greetings “Me to You” and “My Blue Nose Friends”, Yak Pak, Pet Head, Kampgrounds of America, StinkyKids, Paris Blues, Norman Rockwell, Lexani, Mel’s Drive-In, Scientific American, International Truck & Engine, Z. Cavaricci, TKO, and Jarden: Patton, Holmes and Health o meter.

The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) is a prestigious awards program that recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products and services.

Parents, educators, librarians and retailers rely on MCA evaluations when selecting quality materials for children and families. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators navigate the vast array of products and services and make informed decisions.

Creator Britt Menzies states, “It is truly an honor to have been acknowledged as one of the best children’s picture books by such an esteemed panel of judges within the Mom’s Choice Awards program.   StinkyKids is reaching incredible levels of success and this award will allow the books to feed into the momentum of the recent announcements which include but are not limited to the StinkyKids musical set for early 2012, the StinkyKids doll line continued success within retail, and a new bike, scooter and skateboard line to debut this fall.

Not only have I put my heart and soul into making StinkyKids a high quality brand that kids of all ages can enjoy, while writing the StinkyKids book series, I also added my passion to teach kids that it is ok to make childhood mistakes, learn from our experiences and strive to be ‘Leaders Of Good’.  StinkyKids are little stinKers just being kids, and our children’s books celebrate these precious moments of our lives.

To win an award that is chosen by mom’s is an incredible accomplishment because as a mom myself, I want to provide the best products and books for my own two little stinKers, and to know that other mom’s believe in StinkyKids as a brand they are proud to provide to their kids, is a very special tribute.”

About The Mom’s Choice Awards®

The Mom’s Choice Awards® is known for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. This annual competition recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media products and services.

For more information on the awards program and the honorees, visit www.MomsChoiceAwards.com.

About StinkyKids®

From the creative mind of Britt Menzies, a mom who was inspired by her daughter’s simple request to paint her as a ballerina, StinkyKids is a brand with a fun, unique and fresh approach that teaches life lessons through its products and books featuring the 10 diverse StinkyKids characters. The name “StinkyKids” comes from the phrase “little stinKers,” which Britt used to describe the innocent behavior of her two kids when they were little.

The StinkyKids characters are little stinKers who learn to make right choices through their childhood mistakes and who live by the motto “Always Be A Leader Of Good.” StinkyKids is an innovative brand that appeals to parents for the values it represents and appeals to kids because the characters are real kids getting into real mischief.

Since inception, StinkyKids donates a percentage of its profits to Books, Bears and Bonnets, Inc., (www.booksbearsbonnets.org), a charity founded in honor of Britt’s aunt who died from uterine cancer. Books, Bears and Bonnets, Inc. delivers gift boxes to children and adults fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

For more information on StinkyKids, please visit www.stinkykids.com.

About M!KE Licensing

M!KE Licensing is a professional, experienced and hands-on brand licensing agency.  We look at our relationships as partnerships whether it be M!KE Licensing and our clients or licensors and licensees.   At M!KE Licensing we look for long-term relationships which will enhance brand awareness, grow new customers and create profitability.   M!KE Licensing is focused on quality partners who will maintain the brand integrity.  We also look for innovative and strategic licensing arrangements to ensure a successful licensing program.  Licensing is an important part of any brand’s marketing strategy and we consider ourselves part of your team.

M!KE Licensing client list includes: Laura Ashley, Little Miss Matched, Carte Blanche Greetings “Me to You” and “My Blue Nose Friends”, Yak Pak, Pet Head, Kampgrounds of America, StinkyKids, Paris Blues, Norman Rockwell, Lexani, Mel’s Drive-In, Scientific American, International Truck & Engine, Z. Cavaricci, TKO, and Jarden:  Patton, Holmes and Health o meter.

The little StinKers will come alive in this musical production slated to launch in early 2012.  This show will be geared for boys, girls and their families to enjoy together.   The StinkyKids® musical will be a huge P.R. machine for the current licensing program which now enjoys a family of various licensees.

The Madame Alexander StinkyKids® doll line has enjoyed tremendous success with retailers to include FAO Schwarz, Nordstrom, Amazon.com, Target.com and Fat Brain Toys, just to name a few.   Also on board is Raven Tree Press who is publishing the reprint of “StinkyKids and the Runaway Scissors”, the first in a series of StinkyKids stories that is already being sold at Barnes & Noble, as well as other locations, and a favorite with parents and kids.  Cycle Force Group will be manufacturing StinkyKids® Bicycles, Scooters, Skateboards, Skates, Safety Gear and Accessories.  Kiddo Tags™ was just signed on for an assorted collection of StinkyKids® custom labels.

M!KE Licensing is currently seeking licensees to add to the success of StinkyKids in categories such as toys/games, coloring books, jewelry, stickers, keychains, puzzles, gift & novelty, party paper products, apparel & accessories.

Stephen Sunderlin, Producing Artistic Director of Vital and founding member, states,

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the StinkyKids brand to life on the live stage.  ‘StinkyKids, The Musical’ will join Vital Theatre Company’s other successful live stage productions, ‘Pinkalicious, The Musical’ and ‘Angelina Ballerina, The Musical’ currently performing in both the United States and Canada. The StinkyKids characters and their motto “Always Be A Leader Of Good” will be an ideal addition the Vital Theatre Company lineup of quality, entertaining musicals the whole family can enjoy!”

About Vital Theatre Company

Vital Theatre Company, producer of the long running hit show PINKALICIOUS, THE MUSICAL and the ever-popular ANGELINA BALLERINA THE MUSICAL, commissions four to five new musicals for children each season. Since its founding in 1999, Vital Theatre Company has been honored with two AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE by the Off Off Broadway Review and received high acclaim from audiences and critics alike for being “a wonderful place for parents to introduce their kids to the glories of live theatre, done well and at modest prices.” Now entering its 12th season, the company remains dedicated to producing entertaining and educational theatre for young audiences. To date, the company has presented 67 original productions for over 200,000 children and their families.

About StinkyKids®

From the creative mind of Britt Menzies, a mom who was inspired by her daughter’s simple request to paint her as a ballerina, StinkyKids is a brand with a fun, unique and fresh approach that teaches life lessons through its products and books featuring the 10 diverse StinkyKids characters. The name “StinkyKids” comes from the phrase “little stinKers,” which Britt used to describe the innocent behavior of her two kids when they were little.

The StinkyKids characters are little stinKers who learn to make right choices through their childhood mistakes and who live by the motto “Always Be A Leader Of Good.” StinkyKids is an innovative brand that appeals to parents for the values it represents and appeals to kids because the characters are real kids getting into real mischief.

Since inception, StinkyKids donates a percentage of its profits to Books, Bears and Bonnets, Inc., (www.booksbearsbonnets.org), a charity founded in honor of Britt’s aunt who died from uterine cancer. Books, Bears and Bonnets, Inc. delivers gift boxes to children and adults fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

About M!KE Licensing

M!KE Licensing is a professional, experienced and hands-on brand licensing agency.  We look at our relationships as partnerships whether it be M!KE Licensing and our clients or licensors and licensees.   At M!KE Licensing we look for long-term relationships which will enhance brand awareness, grow new customers and create profitability.   M!KE Licensing is focused on quality partners who will maintain the brand integrity.  We also look for innovative and strategic licensing arrangements to ensure a successful licensing program.  Licensing is an important part of any brand’s marketing strategy and we consider ourselves part of your team.

M!KE Licensing client list includes: Laura Ashley, Little Miss Matched, Carte Blanche Greetings “Me to You” and “My Blue Nose Friends”, Yak Pak, Pet Head, Kampgrounds of America, StinkyKids, Paris Blues, Norman Rockwell, Lexani, Mel’s Drive-In, Scientific American, International Truck & Engine, Z. Cavaricci, TKO, and Jarden:  Patton, Holmes and Health o meter.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – June 13, 2011 – M!KE Licensing (www.mikelicensing.com), one of the nation’s premier licensing and sponsorship companies, today announced the rebranding of its company name. Formerly known as Stone America, M!KE Licensing focuses on licensing partnerships that maintain brand integrity.  Recognized in the industry for its innovative and strategic licensing programs, the firm will continue to be led by Founder and CEO Michael W. Kempner and maintain core team members including Vice President Caren Calabrese, Licensing Manager Kerri Zupp, CFO Seth Rosenstein and Chief of Staff Alysia Gemma.

“Today’s rebranding infuses new energy into our brand, and marks an exciting milestone in our company as we continue to flourish as a key partner for our current and prospective clients,” said Kempner. “We remain as committed as ever to our clients and to crafting innovative licensing programs that enhance profitability and strengthen and grow brands.”

The M!KE Licensing team itself is highly skilled and capable of working with a diverse range of clients, from those looking to strike a small number of key license agreements worth millions, to those whose objectives are to greatly expand their portfolio of licensees. The firm has represented a variety of brands ranging from corporate trademarks to character licensing to entertainment properties.

M!KE Licensing’s team includes:

Michael W. Kempner, CEO
Kempner, who founded the firm in 1997, is a noted entrepreneur who also serves as president and CEO of MWW Group, one of the top 10 independent global public relations firms. Headquartered in East Rutherford, New Jersey, MWW Group is one of the most prestigious firms in the industry, having won numerous awards and has represented hundreds of companies over the years, ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. M!KE Licensing shares MWW Group’s office space and will continue to have access to its talent and resources.

Caren Calabrese, Vice President

Calabrese’s more than ten years of licensing experience includes the development and management of programs for a variety of classic brands including but not limited to: Revlon, The Stanley Works, Mary-Kate and Ashley, Smith & Wesson and Subway.  Calabrese is adept at striking complex deals for both large and small brands, and for companies of all sizes, from Fortune 100 to small privately owned businesses. She has negotiated hundreds of agreements worth tens of millions of dollars on behalf of clients.

Kerri Zupp, Licensing Manager

Zupp, who joined the firm in 2004, has experience representing a variety of brands ranging from corporate trademarks to character licensing and entertainment properties.  Her ten years in the licensing, sales and marketing industries includes tenure at Premier Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications.

About M!KE Licensing

M!KE Licensing is a top boutique brand licensing agency, with passionate, experienced professionals committed to crafting the most innovative and strategic licensing programs.  M!KE Licensing’s senior team, comprising the most dedicated professionals in the business, strives for quality, long-term relationships which will enhance brand awareness, grow new customers and create profitability.   We look at our relationships as partnerships, whether it be M!KE Licensing and our clients or licensors and licensees, and we focus on partners who will maintain brand integrity.  Licensing is a critical part of any marketing strategy, and we aim to deliver the most effective programs as enthusiastic and dedicated partners to your brand.

M!KE Licensing client list includes: Laura Ashley, Little Miss Matched, University of Oxford, Carte Blanche Greetings “Me to You” and “My Blue Nose Friends”, Yak Pak, Pet Head, Kampgrounds of America, StinkyKids, Paris Blues, Norman Rockwell, Lexani, Mel’s Drive-In, Scientific American, International Truck & Engine, Z. Cavaricci, TKO, and Jarden:  Patton, Health o meter, Holmes