Disney to leverage licensed characters

June 01, 2009 Disney is moving on a new Winnie the Pooh hand-drawn animated theatrical release, and it's also creating two primetime TV specials starring "Handy Manny." Pooh, though, is the world's second-biggest licensed character franchise behind Mickey Mouse, according to Mooney, hence, a renewed focus on the property that will include merchandise and books. Based on revenue, Disney's consumer products unit is its second smallest, after interactive media, but in the latest quarter it was the fastest growing, mostly because of the company's decision to take back ownership of Disney Stores North America.

Subscribe to the Hollywood Reporter and see the entertainment industry from its best angle: the inside looking out. Complete access to real-time news and exclusive analysis that goes behind the scenes from film to television, home video to digital media.

   Subscribe now.