• Barbie will launch two home décor collections, from Jonathan Adler and Pottery Barn Kids, as part of the brand’s 50^th anniversary celebration. Both will be available in late summer.
• Disney is renewing focus on its iconic character, Mickey Mouse, with an eye toward older kids and young adults. The previous emphasis has been on Mickey as a preschool property.
• To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Peanuts comic series this fall, United Media Licensing announced an exclusive partnership with CVS, which will feature Snoopy soft toys.
• American Greetings has been named the master social expressions license for HIT Entertainment’s portfolio of brands, including Angelina Ballerina, Barney, Bob the Builder and Thomas and Friends.
• Build A Bear will introduce trading cards through a partnership with The Upper Deck and scrapbooking supplies with Ellison Education Equipment.
• And last but by no means least, the Boy Scouts are launching a licensing program in preparation for their 100^th anniversary in 2010.

Moms, what do you think of licensed products? Do you love them, because they let your kids enjoy favorite characters in additional ways – or hate them because, well, there are just too many of them?