Spider-Man spins textiles web

CULVER CITY, CA — Spider-Man Merchandising L.P., a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, has expanded its breadth of home textiles goods with four new licensees.

Leading the pack is Atlanta-based Dan River Inc., which will manufacture domestically a line of poly-cotton blended sheets, comforters, bed skirts, window treatments, non-woven blankets, decorative pillows, travel pillows and snuggle/body pillows. Only a small number of items will be imported from overseas, said Laurie Berkin, director of licensing and marketing for juvenile home fashions. Dan River, which has been producing juvenile bedding for more than 25 years, also is the licensee for other major children's licensed properties, including Warner Bros., Mattel and Sesame Workshop.

Dan River first introduced its new Spider-Man collection in October at the New York Home Textiles market.

"We liked the classic comic book hero that Spider-Man represents and thought it would be appealing to young boys, and we also benefit from all the promotional activities and strengths Sony brings to the picture," Berkin said.

Sugar Valley, GA-based Mohawk Home will produce rugs, throws, decorative pillows and doormats. Atlanta-based Crown Crafts Infant Products is the licensee for figural pillow buddies; and New York-based Jay Franco & Sons Inc. will manufacture beach towels, bathroom accessories, hamper/toy chests, 2-D bath sponges and 3-D pillows.

The Spider-Man domestics products are targeted toward mass and mid-tier retailers.

Sony Pictures Entertainment's Columbia Pictures/ Marvel Entertainment will release the movie "Spider-Man" in theaters May 3, 2002. Enhancing the continuity of the film franchise, a new animated series is on tap for fall 2002.

"With the entire licensing program set to kick-off, we're extremely excited to have such a large presence in the domestics and housewares category," stated Al Ovadia, executive vp of Sony Pictures Consumer Products. "Spider-Man will be an event film for our company, and we're looking forward to offering consumers high-quality products that stay true to this wonderful character."

Added Russ Brown, senior vp, consumer products, promotions and media sales for Marvel: "The domestic and housewares category is extremely important to our overall movie licensing campaign and it is gratifying to have such high-profile names on board. We are completely confident that fans of the movie and the Spider-Man franchise will be thrilled with the line of consumer products that will be offered."