Archive for April, 2011
« Older Entries |This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
U.S. Games Launches App, Wizard Game Night Event
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
U.S. Games Systems, Inc. has launched the Wizard Card Game app for selected Apple devices, including the iPhone and iPad. The launch coincides with the launch of the company’s Wizard Game Night Event program.
For game players and retailers who want to host Wizard Card Game nights, the company has put together a complete kit, including complementary copies of the Wizard Card Game, bidding coins, score sheets, table set-up instructions, and $25 for prizes or snacks. Winners of these events will have the opportunity to participate in the Wizard National Tournament to be held in Orlando, Fla. in September. The International Wizard World Tournament will be held in October near Budapest, Hungary.
Posted in New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Notice: The Toy Book is Moving!
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
Adventure Publishing Group, home to The Toy Book, The Toy Report, The Toy Insider, The Licensing Book, The Total Licensing Report, The Halloween Insider, and TheBigToyBook.com, is moving its office. Starting Monday, May 2, Adventure Publishing will be located at 307 7th Avenue, Room 1601, New York, NY 10001.
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This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
MGA Wins Court Battle over Mattel for Bratz Rights
Thursday, April 21st, 2011
The Los Angeles Times has reported that a jury has sided with MGA Entertainment Inc. over Mattel Inc. in the retrial over who owns the rights to the billion-dollar Bratz franchise. The decision came this morning in federal court in Santa Ana, after eight days of jury deliberations and nearly three months of testimony.
The eight-person jury, made up of four men and four women, rejected Mattel’s copyright infringement claims; said Mattel did not own the rights to the dolls, early models, or accessories; and said MGA did not steal trade secrets. Awards of monetary damages in the case were read in court, including an $88.5 million dollar award based on MGA’s claims that Mattel stole trade secrets.
The decision was a major turnaround from the first trial in 2008, when a jury in Riverside sided with Mattel. The company, which had claimed copyright infringement and breach of contract, was awarded $100 million in damages; MGA was ordered to turn over the franchise to Mattel and stop making and selling Bratz products.
The 2008 jury decision was overturned last year by a three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that MGA deserved credit for manufacturing and marketing the dolls.
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This post was written by Jackie Breyer
Step into Spring with Click Flops
Thursday, April 21st, 2011
Mogo Design, Inc. is launching Mogo Click Flops, a new fashion footwear line that allows women and girls to show their personal style or mood with more than 200 click-on magnetic Mogo Charms. Up to 14 charms can be attached to the footwear, letting fashionistas of all ages personalize their look with a mix of birthstone bling, monogram-style letters, and a variety of themed collections ranging from flowers to animals, and symbols such as peace signs and emoticons.
In conjunction with the Mogo Click Flops launch, the company also redesigned its website, www.mogocharm.com. The new site introduces Mogo Design’s first game, the Mogo Mood Matcher, which selects the perfect charm to match girls’ mood. The site also has a virtual Mogo Charm Design Studio, fun facts, and trivia for fans to enjoy while checking out the latest Mogo Charm Collections.
The Mogo Click Flops are now available at select specialty retail stores across the country.
Tags: Click Flops, Flip Flops, Mogo, www.mogocharm.com
Posted in New Products | No Comments »
This post was written by Jackie Breyer
Tatty Teddy Partners for Plush in the U.S.
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
Tatty Teddy is headed to North America with a licensing agreement between UK-based Carte Blanche Greeting, Ltd.’s brand Me to You and U.S. plush toy firm Douglas. The licensing deal was brokered by Stone America Licensing.
Douglas will produce and distribute the Me to You brand’s Tatty Teddy bears, targeting premium retail stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. In addition to everyday offerings, the Tatty Teddy collection will include products for key seasons, including Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day.
Tags: Carte Blanche, Douglas, plush, Stone America, Tatty Teddy
Posted in New Products, News, Uncategorized | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
California Creations’ New Uglydoll Wind-Up Toys
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
California Creations, the company behind collectible wind-up toys Z WindUps, is partnering with Pretty Ugly, LLC to produce customized Uglydoll wind-up toys. This is the first time California Creations has teamed up with an outside company to create custom wind-ups. The Uglydoll wind-up family will include a variety of colors and styles that hop, walk, swim, and flip.
Posted in Licenses, New Products | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
TIF and BGCA Distribute Toys to Military Children
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
Representatives from the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) celebrated military children by distributing new toys and games to more than 600 youth whose families are stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot in South Carolina. The distribution, part of the Play Comforts partnership, took place on April 13 at the Laurel Bay Youth Center.
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Tags: BGCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Laurel Bay Youth Center, Marine Corps, TIF, Toy Industry Foundation
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This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden Visit Sesame Street
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
In this photo handout from Sesame Workshop, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden visit Sesame Street on Monday, April 18, as part of the White House’s “Joining Forces” Initiative and Sesame’s military families project, to tape Public Service Announcements asking all Americans to support our military families.
Photo by Richard Termine
Tags: First Lady, Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Sesame Street, Sesame Workshop
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This post was written by Jackie Breyer
I Spy Celebrates 20 Years
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
New York City students helped Scholastic celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its I Spy brand Wednesday in Times Square during the event, “I Spy A Celebration: 20 Years; 20 Kids; 20 Riddles.” For finding 20 hidden objects around a 12-foot-high birthday cake, the students’ school will receive 500 books. In addition to its new book, I Spy Spectacular, the anniversary year will see new I Spy releases from Briarpatch and Scholastic Interactive.
Photo: A. Walker
Tags: Briarpatch, I Spy, New York City, Scholastic, Times Square
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This post was written by Jackie Breyer
Domo Helps Raise Funds for Earthquake/Tsunami Victims in Japan
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
Big Tent Entertainment, the licensing agent for Japanese pop culture icon Domo, has enlisted the support of its partners to launch a charity initiative to help raise funds for the victims of last month’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The company has teamed up with Fifth Sun to create two special designs featuring Domo and incorporating jewelry designer Udi Behr’s LOVE + PEACE + HOPE message. The designs will be featured on special-edition Domo merchandise with proceeds going to the Japan Society, an American nonprofit organization dedicated to the cultivation of a constructive, resonant and dynamic relationship between the people of the U.S. and Japan. One hundred percent of all funds contributed to the Japan’s Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund will be given to organizations that directly help victims from the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
In addition to Fifth Sun’s participation, Domo licensees including Concept One, Hot Properties Merchandising, Music Skins, Coveroo, and Virtual Greats digital partners WeeMee and Meez have already come on board to support the effort. Each licensee will create special-edition Domo products featuring the LOVE + PEACE + HOPE designs.
Tags: Big Tent, Domo, earthquake, Japan, LOVE + PEACE + HOPE, tsunami
Posted in Licenses, New Products, News | No Comments »
