(18 October 2005 2:00 pm)

CANNES: Organised in association with License Magazine (US), the second Mipcom Junior licensing challenge witnessed some great ideas and concepts being pitched.

Of the thirty five shows entered, five made it to the finals and were presented to the jury on the closing day of Mipcom Junior. The jury comprised Fisher Price SVP for Licensing and New Business, Stan Clutton, ABC Consumer Publishing and consumer sales GM Grahame Grassby, Spin Master founder Ronan Harary, Alternative Branding CEO Alexander Mayaud and Al Ovadia Associates President Al Ovadia. The pitch was moderated by deputy managing director of Children's programming for BBC Worldwide Helen Mc Aleer.

Each of the selected entries had fabulous concepts and characters that lent well to licensing and merchandise. While Lavinia's World's OOshes was a charming rainbow tinted universe with elements of nature forming the cutest of characters, BRB media's Khudayama was an oriental stylised tale of Karma and was targeted at teenagers.

Wearing a flux deluxe T-shirt with a plush haversack, Meera Santoro's Flux Deluxewas sophisticated, chic and full of style. Located on a tropical urban beach in the heart of the wildest city on earth, Santoro's series was a strong contender. Bali, a story of a cute lovable urban puppy dog and his relationship with his father however stole the show and won over the jury.

Created by France based Planet Nemo Animation, Bali is themed around a kid's life in the city and has been adapted from a book property with over 18 titles published in French.

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com's sister concern Animation 'xpress, Planet Nemo Animation chief Fredric R said, "It's a great platform to be on and its even greater feeling to win. We have already cut a few deals and now with this victory we expect some more spotlight on Bali."

License magazine managing editor Joyce Ann Cooney said, "We have worked with Mipcom Junior to develop an international jury of stalwarts from this field ranging from professionals from the toy industry to retail experts to broadcasting."

"While judging the licensing potential of a brand one has to keep in mind, that licensing sensibilities differ from territory to territory and not only at a global level but also within the US. Wile shortlisting the final five for the jury to judge from, I kept in mind certain criteria such as freshness, uniqueness and innovation," she added.