January 2010

Mattel Launches WWE Toy Line Worldwide

World Wrestling Entertainment and Mattel, Inc. have debuted a comprehensive portfolio of WWE action figures and toys for both kids and collectors on store shelves worldwide. Mattel will manufacture, market, and distribute the line. Mattel’s FlexForce Action Figures utilize flex-loaded arms and legs to execute the trademark maneuvers made famous by WWE Superstars such as John Cena, CM Punk, and Rey Mysterio. Other products designed specifically for kids will include Superstar Rings, Championship Belts, Ring Action Megaphone, and motion-activated Tough Talkers that deliver WWE Superstar catch phrases and striking sounds.

The Toy Book Is Now Online!

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It is now even easier to keep up with the latest trends, news, and products in the toy industry. Check out The Toy Book’s November/December issue, now available online, just click here. You can also check out The Licensing Book online by clicking here.

CPSC Approves Mandate on Registration of Infant, Toddler Products

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) unanimously approved a new rule requiring manufacturers of durable infant or toddler products to establish and maintain a registration card program.

As mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, each manufacturer of a durable infant or toddler product will be required to: provide a postage-paid consumer registration form with each product; keep records of consumers who register their products with the manufacturer; and permanently place the manufacturer’s name and contact information, model name and number, and the date of manufacture on each product.

RC2 to Pay $1.25 Million Lead Settlement

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RC2 Corp. has agreed to pay a $1.25 million penalty settlement for importing and selling Thomas & Friends children’s toys that contained excessive lead that were above legal limits. As part of the settlement, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said, RC2 Corp. denied that it knowingly violated federal lead laws.

Battat Appointed As Master Toy Licensee for Baby Genius

Pacific Entertainment Corporation has appointed Battat as the master toy licensee for its Baby Genius brand for infants and toddlers, launched earlier this year. Under the written agreement, Battat will continue manufacturing an extensive line of Baby Genius pre-school learning and development toys.

Original Writer Confirms New Ghostbusters Film

Harold Ramis, the co-writer of the original 1984 Ghostbusters film, has confirmed to Heebmagazine.com that there are plans for a third film in the series, slated to be filmed next summer and released in 2011. The Ghostbusters 3 project is expected to include many members of the original cast and new, younger Ghostbusters.

Department, Toy Store Websites See Big Traffic Gains in November

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Nearly four out of five consumers who went online in November visited an online retail site, according to a comScore Media Metrix. The report, a part of a monthly analysis of U.S. online activity the company conducts, also showed that websites of department stores and toy stores saw the biggest traffic increases from October.

Scholastic to Release The Baby-Sitters Club Prequel Book

Scholastic will publish an original new novel, called The Summer Before, as part of The Baby-Sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin. The Summer Before will be a prequel to the first book in the series, and will be released in hardcover in April. Scholastic also plans to re-issue new paperback editions of original The Baby-sitters Club books starting in April with Kristy’s Great Idea (book No. 1) and Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls (book No. 2), followed by The Truth About Stacey (book No. 3) in June. Additional titles will be re-issued in fall 2010.

Marvel Acquisition Completed

Disney has completed its acquisition of Marvel Entertainment Inc., in which the company will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Disney. Under the terms of the agreement, and based on the closing price of Disney on December 31, Marvel shareholders will receive $30 a share in cash, plus approximately 0.7452 Disney shares per Marvel share they own. The agreement was approved by Marvel stockholders. Marvel Entertainment, established in 1933, has a library of over 5,000 characters.

Discovery Bay Games to Develop Products Based on Norman Rockwell Images

Discovery Bay Games has inked a licensing deal with The Norman Rockwell Licensing Company to produce a line of products based on the images and illustrations by the American artist. The Norman Rockwell line of products will include playing card decks, wood puzzles, high quality 500- and 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles, and paint-by-number kits. The products will be available in fall 2010. The exact Norman Rockwell images to be used for the products have yet to be determined.