MUMBAI: The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers‘ Association (LIMA) awarded Summit Entertainment‘s The Twilight Saga: New Moon this year‘s license of the year award at the ongoing Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas.

LIMA also honoured the film as the best film, television, celebrity or entertainment programme. Nordstrom won the best retailer award for its New Moon programme.

In all, LIMA handed out 16 International Licensing Excellence Awards with honorees ranging from classic brands, such as Mattel‘s Barbie (best character/toy brand) and Hasbro‘s Scrabble (best licensed promotion) in partnership with Subway to first-time winners like Food Network (best corporate brand program).

While ESPN won the best sports and sports-themed entertainment programme honour, video game maker Electronic Arts was named best sports entertainment licensee for its FIFA soccer games.

LIMA also honoured lifetime achievement awards to industry pioneers Alan Hassenfeld and the late Stephen Hassenfeld of Hasbro who were brought into the Licensing Industry Hall of Fame.