It's refreshing to see that at least one person, hasn't just plugged their own property on this list. If when compiling these lists, only licensee's we're canvassed (who have no affinity to any one particular property), we may get a more subjective overview, rather than a rose tinted tunnel visioned response from licensor's about the properties they represent.

Armed Forces ...It's got to be the number one licence for boys. Every dads dream to dress his boys up in combats or dress uniform and to be proud of Britian and its efforts both home abroad. This brand stands for everything Britian stands for and parents should be proud to be associated with ...come on Armed Forces 2009.

We believe Ice Age 3 is a licence of great potential, though admittedly it will have to do really well to match our ranges of High School Musical and Ben 10 products which will continue to excel well into 2009.

There will be several across varying genres to look out for in 2009. In The Night Garden and Little Princess will continue. New will be Waybuloo. I still believe retro and classic brands will be very strong. The Rubik's Cube celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2010 and plans are already taking shape in the merchandising arena for the end of this year and into next. In the boys' market, Ben 10 will still be very strong.

Following the massive success of The Dark Knight, Batman will continue his reign as number one superhero. A new animated TV series - Batman Brave and the Bold - launches on terrestrial and satellite in the first half of the year, supported by a new toy line from Mattel.
There will also be no escaping Harry Potter. The Half Blood Prince, the sixth instalment from the number one movie franchise of all time, is set for release in July.

Top Gear launches a brand new range of gifts (or rather we do), along with a new Cracking Contraptions range from Wallace and Gromit (W&G has deep seated, 'hidden love' and public affection, proven by the record breaking 13m+ viewers who tuned in to watch the latest episode 'A Matter of Loaf and Death'. This made it the number one watched TV show/programme over Xmas, beating Dr Who!
The Top Gear adult/family gift range has a massive launch commencing on our stand at Spring Fair. Pre-booked autumn/winter orders have already doubled the size of our company for 2009, so we think this and W&G will be biggest brands in adult and family gift for 2009.

We predict a very strong year for boys’ properties that incorporate great play value based on strong TV, toy and interactive applications. In particular, look out for the new Chaotic Trading Card Game, which has already launched in the UK but will make its debut across Europe this year, supported by a unique web application and an animated TV series. Dinosaur King, our new TV series will continue to build after a strong launch on Jetix in the UK (due to debut on a terrestrial broadcaster in the spring) and the launch of Upper Deck trading cards and a Sega game. Vivid Imaginations will launch its Dinosaur King toy line in the UK this month, the toys relating very specifically to the TV series which centres on the tried and tested theme of dinosaurs. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s is the next chapter in the powerful Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise and features brand new story lines, vehicles and an emphasis on speed. Upper Deck is the distributor across Europe for Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s trading cards and toys, which include vehicles, dealers and battling monster figures.
These three properties offer retailers all the key drivers they could hope for in strong boys’ action brands - detailed story lines, fast pace and strong characterisation, supported by good TV broadcast and wide toy distribution. Also, each boasts the powerful element of collectability. And of course in 2009 we ‘Shell-ebrate’ the 25th anniversary of entertainment’s most unlikely-looking but enduring super heroes, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.