March 2010

Toysmith Named Exclusive Distributor for PinToy Line

Effective immediately, Toysmith is now the exclusive distributor of the PinToy brand of products for North America. The PinToy line covers a wide range of products, including toys, baby products, children’s games, and gift items. Toysmith will begin shipping the PinToy products starting this June.

PinToy products are made in Thailand using rubberwood from latex plantations. Popular products in line include: Rainbow Slope, Sorting Basket, the 36-Piece Construction Set, Pull-Along Caterpillar, and the Smile Rattle.

Nickelodeon Announces 2010-2011 Programming

Nickelodeon has announced its 2010-2011 slate of programming, including six new series, new seasons for 16 returning shows, and five new series across Nick’s digital nets, which include TeenNick, Nick Jr., and Nicktoons.

The six new series to be added to Nickelodeon’s line-up are:

-House of Anubis (working title), a long-form, live-action mystery that follows eight teens trying to solve a hidden mystery at an English boarding school

-Victorious, starring Victoria Justice (Tori Vega) who unexpectedly finds herself navigating life at an elite performing arts high school

-Kung Fu Panda: The Series, which chronicles more adventures of Po;

-Planet Sheen, an intergalactic tale of Sheen Guevera Estevez (Jimmy Neutron), who crash lands on Zeenu and deals with bizarre customs and creatures as he tries to return home

-T.U.F.F. Puppy, which follows the dim-witted dog named Dudley Puppy who is recruited by the super secret crime fighting organization, T.U.F.F., to protect his hometown against the evil animal organization, D.O.O.M. (image above)

-Bubble Guppies, a new interactive, animated variety show for preschoolers set in an underwater classroom.

NPH Casted for Smurfs Movie

Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser, M.D.; How I Met Your Mother; frequent awards show host) has signed on for the upcoming live-action/CGI movie based on The Smurfs. Harris will not play a Smurf, but will star as the lead live-action character.

The cast of Smurf voices include: Comedian Jonathan Winters as Papa Smurf, Alan Cummings as Gutsy Smurf, George Lopez as Grouchy Smurf, and Katy Perry as the lone female Smurf, Smurfette.

Filming is set to begin in April.

CPSC Warns about Risks of Infant Slings for Babies

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months, especially parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health, and those with low weight.

CPSC recommends that caregivers make sure the infant’s face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling’s wearer. If nursing the baby in a sling, the CPSC says to change the baby’s position after feeding so the baby’s head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother’s body.

Princess Tiana Crowned at the New York Palace

810143621_793yv-XL — Photo by: Marion Curtis/Startraksphoto.com / Location: The New York Palace Hotel

At an event yesterday at the New York Palace in Manhattan, highlighted by a rare gathering of all eight Disney Princess characters, Princess Tiana (The Princess & The Frog) was officially welcomed and crowned as the ninth member of the Disney Princess Royal Court.

Princess Tiana pulled up to the Palace by horse-drawn carriage, surrounded by little princesses in gowns, as trumpeters lined the courtyard’s aisle and created a canopy for her entrance. A royal proclamation was read and Prince Naveen crowned Tiana as the ninth Disney Princess, with Ariel, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, and Snow White looking on.

Chinese Factory Halts World Cup Toy Production

According to AFP, a Chinese factory has halted production of World Cup 2010 mascot toys after an investigation into alleged sweatshop conditions, the merchandise company for world football body FIFA said Tuesday. Global Brands Group, master licensee for all FIFA World Cup 2010 merchandise, withdrew manufacturing approval after an audit of the factory showed standards had been flouted.

The group launched the probe after reports that the factory, which produced figures of the event’s dreadlocked leopard mascot Zakumi, employed teenage workers, ran 13-hour shifts, and paid just $3 (2.2 euros) a day.

MGA Considers IPO

Bloomberg is reporting that MGA Entertainment Inc., will consider selling shares in an initial public offering, according to CEO Isaac Larian. Larian, who controls more than 80 percent of MGA Entertainment, ruled out a share sale this year. The toymaker didn’t proceed with IPO plans in the past because of litigation with rival toymaker Mattel Inc., he said.

Larian unveiled a distribution agreement for MGA’s Moxie Girlz fashion doll with Giochi Preziosi SpA, which CEO Dario Berte said may hold an IPO this fall. Giochi Preziosi will distribute the doll in Italy, France, Greece and Turkey.

Video: Kid Stuff PR Media Party at Toy Fair

Kid Stuff PR hosted a Media Party at Toy Fair New York to showcase products from companies such as Mandy and Pandy, Marshmallow Fun, Prime Time Toys, Kids Preferred, and more. Learn more:

All Aboard for Playhouse Disney’s Chuggington Marathon This Weekend

Preschoolers who can’t get enough of Chuggington are in luck this weekend. Playhouse Disney, Disney Channel’s learning-focused programming block for preschoolers, will air a Chuggington marathon on Sunday, March 14 from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ET/PT.

Chuggington, a train-centric, CGI-animated series, has captured the hearts of both children and parents nationwide since the show’s U.S. premiere in January. Sunday’s marathon means kids and families can watch nine back-to-back episodes of Chuggington, which follows the humorous adventures of Koko, Brewster, and Wilson–Chuggington’s ‘trainees’ and three main characters–as they learn to ‘ride the rails’ of life.

For the latest Chuggington news, fans can check out Chuggington on Facebook and Twitter.

Playmates to Move U.S. Offices

Playmates Toys is moving its U.S. offices to Los Angeles from Costa Mesa, CA. The company expects to be settled into its new home by April 1st.

This move is a part of the company’s restructuring plan that aims to reduce overhead of the U.S. organization. Playmates’ key brands include Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & iCarly, Michael Jackson, Hero:108, DreamWorks’ Shrek, and Rainbow Brite.