Fox deals Hallmark cards

Pact includes 'Mother,' 'Futurama,' 'MASH'

By SAM THIELMAN

Hallmark has inked a portfolio deal with Fox licensing for exclusive access to the studio’s catalog of film and TV properties — everything from "How I Met Your Mother" and "Futurama" to past titles like "The Sound of Music" and "MASH."

Deal comes on the heels of Hallmark’s recent release of its speaking and musical "Simpsons" cards as part of its "Turn Up the Funny" line.

Agreement doesn’t include "Family Guy" (which falls under a recent deal with American Greetings), but it does cover nearly all of the company’s other intellectual-property holdings.

According to Fox licensing senior VP Michael Peikoff, one of the major selling points for Fox was Hallmark’s use of the voice chips with the studio’s trademarked characters, which have also included characters from "Napoleon Dynamite" and "Miracle on 34th Street."

Besides greeting cards, Hallmark will also provide front-of-store displays and signage, and it will support the print advertising campaign.