Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.
Ha-ha-ha-HA-ha! With this mischievous laugh, Woody Woodpeckerfirst worked his way into the hearts of cartoon lovers everywheremore than 50 years ago. Don't expect to spot any gray in WoodyWoodpecker's feathers, however: Thanks to a new fall TV series,this most beloved (and troublemaking) of birds is getting amuch-publicized makeover.
Airing on the Fox Kids Network, "The Woody WoodpeckerShow" reunites its title character with favorite friends likeChilly Willy, Buzz Buzzard and Wally Walrus. Although wehaven't seen pictures of the supporting cast, Woody himselflooks a little bit leaner and a little bit slicker.
Not that looks are the only thing that make the bird. Rumor hasit, today's Woody is something of a kinder, gentler Woody. Heisn't going cold turkey on the troublemaking, however--abird's gotta have some fun, after all.
Horse Power
Saddling up is in.
Americans are back in the saddle--literally. With a boost fromHollywood (and some of its biggest stars), horseback riding isenjoying surprising popularity among a growing number of cityslickers. Stressed-out overachievers, in particular, seem to betapping into horse power.
"It's a really relaxing thing," says PattiColbert, executive director of Bertram, Texas-based Horse IndustryAlliance (HIA), referring to riding's therapeutic appeal."The horse is an incredible vehicle to assist [people] infiguring out their problems."
Combine this with the glamorous image of, say, movie star RobertRedford astride a horse in this year's feature film "TheHorse Whisperer," and you've got the makings of a trend infull gallop. "Riding lessons, dude ranches [and other staplesof Western culture] are experiencing a whole lot of growth rightnow," observes Colbert. "The heritage of the horse bringsout the cowboy wanna-be in a lot of folks."
And not just affluent people, either. Though traditionally anactivity for the well-to-do, equestrianship--at least thelate-1990s variety--is far more egalitarian in nature. Sure, a lotof city slickers would be hard pressed to purchase (and stable)horses of their own, but riding lessons come fairly cheap. Even thesedentary can saddle up--by collecting model horses, that is. NotesColbert, "The sales of those things are going through theroof."
According to HIA estimates, roughly one-third of all U.S.households either already ride horses or are interested in doingso. "If folks can just get out and smell the atmosphere, theyseem to kind of fall into it," raves Colbert. Alas, few makeit look as good as Redford does.
Flash!
And Big Bird doesn't look a day over 29: The 30thanniversary of the much-beloved "Sesame Street" serieslooks to make this hot licensing property even hotter withcollectible tie-ins . . .
. . . Must-Sell Merchandise: The new fall TVseason is only beginning, but the peacock network, NBC, is alreadymaking a splash with its licensing of the now-famous "Must SeeTV" slogan. Getting with the program are lines of apparel,home furnishings, party goods and pet products.
Purple Rein
"L" is for lavender.
The color of Generation X's world is . . .purple? Just when we thought purple's popularity hadpeaked--say, two years ago--we're spotting new outbreaks ofpurple rain.
Impressively, trade association Color Marketing Group (CMG)cited four shades of purple in its roundup of hot consumer productcolors for 1999. CMG pegged both a lavenderish purple and abrown-tinged purple in its forecast of commercial colors to watchfor in 2000.
Youthful, color-enthusiastic Gen Xers are said to be largelyresponsible for purple's popularity. But if everything frommakeup to home accessories are plum pickings, surely more than afew baby boomers are lost in a purple haze as well.
