Saban Brands‘ Power Rangers franchise is returning to primetime on February 7 with a new series, Power Rangers: Samurai, to be aired on Nickelodeon. Power Rangers: Samurai will feature a new cast of five rangers who must master the ancient Samurai Symbols of Power, which give them control over the elements of Fire, Water, Sky, Forest, and Earth. The new series will also feature a new cast of villains.
This March, The Wiggles will launch its own line of Original Lovies, available exclusively through Komet Creations. Original Lovies are security plush toys that can become a sleepy-time friend. Each Original Lovie is made from soft, huggable fabric and has a satin trim that can be personalized.
This year marks the 20th anniversaries of both The Wiggles and The Original Lovie Security Blanket, and to celebrate two of The Wiggles most popular characters, Dorothy the Dinosaur and Wags the Dog, will have Original Lovies created in their honor.
The new Original Lovies will be available for a sneak preview at this year’s TIA Toy Fair at Booth No. 5656.
Image Credit: Lovie Bernhardt Bear Blue
The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) will once again close the American International Toy Fair with a Toy Bank collection, to be held Thursday, February 16. At the close of the show each year, TIF works with Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) to scour the showroom floor, collecting toys for children in need. Volunteers will be wearing bright orange T-shirts. Following the show, toys will be sent to New York City children’s charities and TIF national partners.
To participate, visit TIF at Booth No. 5201 on Level 1 or the TIA Information Center on Level 3. Or, submit the 2011 Toy Fair Product Donation Agreement, found here, by email or fax.
Sandstorm Productions, LLC has entered into a new business partnership with Giant Tree House, creators of children’s indoor and outdoor activity games.
Sandstorm has hired Neal Applefeld, the founder of Giant Tree House, to serve as vice president of business development. The lineup will include Fishin’ Frenzy, Buzzy Badminton, Funny Face Yard Pool, and more. A number of new products in development will be showcased at the American International Toy Fair, held in New York City. Other studios under the Sandstorm banner include Closet Nerd Games, Glowfly Games, Posthuman Studios, and Wildfire, LLC.
The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) will host a webinar, “Product Safety: CPSIA and Regulatory Update,” on Wednesday, February 2 from noon to 1:30 p.m. EST. Susan DeRagon, associate director of the Toy and Premium Division at Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. (STR), will host the webinar, which will discuss some of the latest developments in product and safety issues and their impact on manufacturers and licensors, including an update on regulation of BPA.
The webinar, like all LIMA webinars, is free to LIMA members and $99 for non-members. To sign up, visit www.licensing.org.
STR is a CPSC-accredited laboratory and assists manufacturers with new testing and certification requirements under the CPSIA of 2008.
Big Idea Entertainment, a faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters, and brands, will release their first new Easter holiday DVD in seven years, VeggieTales: ‘Twas The Night Before Easter, on March 5 and 8, in Christian and general market stores, respectively.
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Check out what happened at the 2011 Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair:
Madame Alexander is hosting a special event to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Miss America Pageant. The event, to be held January 29th at the Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, will feature a meet and greet with the newly crowned Miss America 2011, as well as former Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap.
Attendees will receive a limited-edition Cissette doll commemorating Miss America’s milestone, a light breakfast, and a raffle ticket to win the opportunity to purchase a Cissy centerpiece.
Admission costs $105. To pre-register (required), click here, or contact Nancy Richards at nancyr@alexdoll.com. Registration form and payment must be received by January 25.
The 2011 Miss America Pageant airs Saturday, January 15 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
Blip Toys, the maker of the Squinkies line of collectible figures, has granted Activision Publishing, Inc. the exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and distribute video games based on the Squinkies brand and characters. The agreement covers entertainment software products across multiple platforms such as handheld, console, and connected platforms, as well as PC and mobile devices.
The new Squinkies video games are expected to debut throughout 2011, with the first Nintendo DS title for girls releasing in April.
For more information on Squinkies, visit www.squinkies.com.