Jim Henson's New Brands

Famed Muppets creator Jim Henson died twenty years ago last month, but the family-owned Jim Henson Company continues to innovate in children and family entertainment.

This week at the Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas, the company is promoting its latest family-friendly properties:

• Wilson & Ditch Digging America - an Internet destination produced for PBSKIDSGO.org starring two gophers who invite 6- to 10-year olds to explore American destinations
• The Possibility Shop - an original broadband series created for Disney that features ideas for family-friendly art projects and activities
• Me and My Monsters - a television series about a family who discovers funny monsters living in their basement, soon to be airing in the UK, Germany, and Australia
• The Skrumps - already boasting collectible toys and Web games, this TV project is in development with licensing opportunities that include iPhone apps.

Baby boomers may find it hard to believe that The Jim Henson Company is over 50 years old.

While it achieved worldwide fame for the Muppets, the company is now a recognized worldwide leader in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation.

In addition to its Los Angeles production studio, the firm runs Jim Henson's Creature Shop, a character-building and visual effects group, and Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities. Henson also acquires and promotes third-party brands.

They've come a long way from Kermit the Frog.