Looking for a hero? At BEA, Warner Bros. Consumer Products is focusing on some new additions to its family: the superheroes Green Lantern, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. In March, Warner Bros. Consumer Products became the licensor for DC Entertainment's superheroes, which include those characters as well as DC Super-Pets.
Dave Rupert, senior v-p of global publishing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products, says that while the company doesn't have a booth at BEA, it is a strong presence at the show, which gives it an opportunity to meet in person with publishers representing these and other characters.
"We attend BEA to discuss with publishers new content coming from Warner Bros.," Rupert says, "such as new theatrical films—including the latest in the Harry Potter series; Green Lantern; Happy Feet 2; The Dark Knight Rises, the latest in the Batman franchise; and Superman—and new television shows, including the Green Lantern animated series, Thundercats, and The Looney Tunes Show, as well as reviewing such publishing successes as Scooby-Doo and DC Super Friends."
BEA gives Rupert a chance to see partners and get feedback on content. He adds, "It allows us to see what formats are getting the most attention, trends in the market place, how publishers are managing multiple licensed brands, and how the industry is responding as digital publishing becomes an increasing focus."
