Anchor Distributors, a division of Whitaker Corporation, and Bridgestone Multimedia Group have finalized a licensing agreement, effective Jan. 1. Under the agreement, Anchor has exclusive licensing rights to produce, market and distribute Bridgestone films and teaching videos to Christian market retailers.

Anchor has been in the distribution business since 1970 and will leverage its experience and logistics efficiencies to benefit Bridgestone, which has been producing high-quality Christian films for over 25 years.

DaySpring has entered into a new licensing agreement with Bella Blvd and Illustrated Faith. The agreement will result in new Illustrated Faith product lines by DaySpring in addition to co-branded products with Bella Blvd.

Combining Bible journaling ideas from Illustrated Faith's Shanna Noel with scrapbooking supplies by Bella Blvd, DaySpring will feature a variety of products to aid the consumer in what has become a popular devotional tool, Bible journaling. DaySpring’s Illustrated Faith line will also include a customized journaling Bible and curriculum for use in workshops, small groups and Bible studies.

Precious Moments Inc. has signed new licensing agreements that will bring Precious Moments-branded products in key categories to Asian markets. The agreements with leading licensing agencies reflect the aggressive growth initiative the nearly 40-year-old brand is undertaking, designed to create new Precious Moments fans around the world.

The new licensing agencies for the brand include Asiana Licensing and Global Brands Group. Asiana Licensing, in Seoul, South Korea, has been assigned rights to represent the Precious Moments brand, developing a full licensing program in South Korea. Global Brands Group, a division of China’s Li & Fung, continues its agreement to be the brand’s licensing agency in Southeast Asia.

New publishing company Sydney Lane Press has inked a deal with Stephen and Ross Lawhead to publish the "Hero" trilogy, a retelling of the gospel story set in a chilling, dystopian future America.

The project was conceived through the Lawheads' collaboration with GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and performer Eddie DeGarmo. DeGarmo and co-writer Bob Farrell created Hero: The Rock Opera. The live event opened with Michael Tait, Mark Stuart and Rebecca St. James in lead roles. Hero was performed theatrically 21 times, and the opera's best-selling soundtrack won two Dove Awards.

Industry veteran Dennis Disney has joined Maxximum Artist Group as vice president. In this newly created position, Disney will oversee daily operations for Maxximum, which manages award-winning artists and producers, including Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey, Bernie Herms and Donald Lawrence.

Disney has held leadership and executive positions at major companies in addition to operating his own agency. He began in marketing at Word Records in 1985, moved into the manager role for Steven Curtis Chapman (1987-1990) and then back to the corporate side of the business. As vice president of marketing at Benson Music (Provident/Sony), he oversaw the faith-based team for Bob Carlisle’s Butterfly Kisses, Fred Hammond’s Pages of Life and 4HIM’s The Basics of Life. Recently, as vice president of marketing at Worthy Publishing, he led the marketing team for The Jeremiah Study Bible and John Hagee’s Four Blood Moons. Since 2009, Disney has been an adjunct instructor at Belmont University in Nashville, teaching a course on entertainment distribution and promotion.

Gift and home décor manufacturer Glory Haus is launching new lines for Duck Dynasty star Korie Robertson and financial and lifestyle expert Crystal Paine. Both lines will debut at the The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market at AmericasMart this month. Robertson will be on site with Glory Haus to launch her collection in the Darrah & Co. showroom Jan. 15, 1-3 p.m., and Paine will be at the show Jan. 16, 3-4 p.m., to debut her Glory Haus line.

Glory Haus is partnering with Robertson to launch the “Strong + Kind Collection.” The new line will feature a selection of home décor and jewelry products inspired by Robertson’s new book, Strong and Kind (Thomas Nelson).

Church-Mart Christian Bookstore in Rocky Mount, Virginia, closed Dec. 30. The demise of Church-Mart, in contrast to the success of its relatively new sister store, LightHouse Gifts and Books in Hardy, Virginia, highlights recent changes in the Christian retail industry.

Owner Scott Gabrielson said Church-Mart failed to realize financial stability during a span of over three years in spite of apparent popular support. Church-Mart was located outside of the business district, making it a “destination store,” and carried products specifically for the Christian market.