Microsoft, 4sight Sign Global Xbox Licensing Agreement

4Kids Entertainment's recently launched teen and adult-targeted subsidiary 4sight Licensing Solutions has signed a multi-year agreement with Microsoft to manage the company's Xbox and Xbox 360 global licensing efforts. According to the statement, under this agreement, 4sight will handle all global merchandising for the Xbox brand, presumably including possible cross-media licensing deals and simple merchandise such as apparel, in coordination with Microsoft’s Franchise Development team. The partnership comes on the heels of the 4Kids and Microsoft’s recently announced collaboration with the Rare-developed Viva Piñata, which will appear as both an Xbox 360-exclusive game, to launch this holiday season, as well as a Saturday morning 3-D animated television series, debuting this fall on 4Kids TV on U.S. network Fox. The animated cartoon will be produced and created by 4Kids Entertainment, known for cartoon versions of properties such as Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon, Cabbage Patch Kids and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Now, 4sight and Microsoft will build upon this relationship and look to further develop the Xbox brand. “The increasing status of Xbox 360 as the premiere next generation digital gaming and entertainment system makes this the perfect time to introduce a carefully orchestrated licensing program that expands the Xbox brand,” said Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, the parent Company of 4sight licensing solutions.